Reviews

I must be honest: even though I deeply loved A Place Called Perfect and I was super hyper excited at the idea of reading a new chapter of Violet and Boy's story, the new adventure wasn't able to engage me from the very first page, as much as it happened with the previous book instead.
I felt this new adventure took off on the wrong foot, as well as the main developments couldn't measure up with the central events previously told: it felt like a repetition of the story, having the author covered the same exact topic.
I don't question the originality through which Helena Duggan was able to explain politics to children (and not only) in the most interesting way, although simple. What I wasn't liking too much and which slowed down my reading process, was the previously mentioned repetition: this second chapter involves very similar dynamics, on one side necessary if considered the ending of the first book, but the new settings are not as much engaging and fascinating.

I was sure I was going to give only 4 stars to the book until I reached the last few chapters: in the very final part the story finally spices up, introducing a plot twist I could never imagine in a book of this kind, that made me fall in love with this story even more than expected. To be fair, it wasn't the only plot twist introduced by the author, but the proper first one revealed during the central part of the book was pretty predictable, especially if the reader is a detailed-oriented adult who could already notice something bizarre in the previous book. This way, when a new element of the story was presented, I wasn't much surprised having had already predicted the switch of the story from the very start. On the contrary, the turn of events in that second last chapter truly left me speechless instead. It made me even more eager to read the third book, more as compared to when I finished A Place Called Perfect: I'm genuinely curious to know what the authour has in mind, what new horrific twist is going to trouble the life of this town.

I do have high expectations, considering the great job the writer has done so far, and I will count the days to the release of the new book. In the meanwhile, I'll suggest this reading to whoever I know, and here on Goodreads I want to state again the importance to read this book series. No matter what age you are, because the one told by Helena Duggan is a universal story. It teaches how to be independent from the intellectual and political point of view, pointing out the possible discriminations operated by politicians to divide populations, and the swindles and deceits that let the least decent keep the power. It's a memorandum of the importance of being active, suspicious and true to one's own ideals, in the fight for freedom and good politics. An essential human matter explained with originality, simpicity and through a fairytale-like perspective which makes the story and its teaching accessible to anyone.

amelia_2004's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

alexbooksandmore's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Okey, compared with the first one this was a bit more dark
I really like the involvement of other characters like Anna, Jack and Rose.
Again, the storybwas nicely developed and really like the plot.
It seema a perfect series to get me out of my reading slump. ( even tho it is for much more younger audience)