nina90's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bibli0phagist's review against another edition
3.0
I am a HUGE fan of Jen Calonita and the FTRS series. With that being said... I am slightly disappointed with this book. I feel like much did not happen and it was a “filler” book to the series.
Minor spoilers from previous books included below...
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After Rumpelstiltskin stole Alva’s statue in the last book and we learned about Anna and her betrayal I was so excited to read what happens next. I felt as though we were left with a huge cliffhanger and was excited for the inevitable battle between “good” and evil.
While the first chapter did have what first appears to be a battle we quickly learn it is just a simulation. This is the only “fighting” that happens in the book. Instead of leading us further down the path to what will happen next it is as if Jen Calonita took a break from the entire storyline.
When Maxine finds an old lamp with a genie inside she makes a very “Maxine” wish- for everyone to be happy. Before we know it, there is to be a musical at FTRS. The rest of the book showcases what the school would be like if everyone was happy all the time. Surely something is bound to go wrong?
Minor spoilers from previous books included below...
*
*
*
After Rumpelstiltskin stole Alva’s statue in the last book and we learned about Anna and her betrayal I was so excited to read what happens next. I felt as though we were left with a huge cliffhanger and was excited for the inevitable battle between “good” and evil.
While the first chapter did have what first appears to be a battle we quickly learn it is just a simulation. This is the only “fighting” that happens in the book. Instead of leading us further down the path to what will happen next it is as if Jen Calonita took a break from the entire storyline.
When Maxine finds an old lamp with a genie inside she makes a very “Maxine” wish- for everyone to be happy. Before we know it, there is to be a musical at FTRS. The rest of the book showcases what the school would be like if everyone was happy all the time. Surely something is bound to go wrong?
iamnugget's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. It wasn't my favorite from the series but it was a good book. I liked the focus on
Spoiler
Gilly and Maxine. How the 2 go about what's going on was interesting to see. The genie was not my favorite new character to the series because at times it was hard to determine if she was going to be a good or bad guy. The concept of wishes and using wishes for uselfish things was something I enjoyed.becca_willie04's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
Be careful what you wish for. Everyone has heard that saying, right? Well, evidently Maxine has not - or else she didn't believe it. When she gets the chance to make a magical wish, she wishes for everyone at FTRS to be happy. Suddenly classes are cancelled or postponed, Harlow and Jocelyn are wearing bright colors, the halls are filled with glitter and confetti, and there is a school musical in the works. What about Stiltskin? That's what Gilly wants to know, but none of her friends have time to worry about villains when they are busy practicing for their big performance.
Imagine mermaids doing synchronized dancing and toting waterproof scripts, pixies styling everyone's hair with color and glitter, and Maxine singing a solo! But there are still things happening in the kingdom of Enchantasia that should be causing the teachers to worry. Crops are disappearing or being covered with a strange goo. The weather has gone wild with rain and lightning occurring unexpectedly. And the chief of police suddenly decides to take a vacation. Will things ever get back to normal? Or will the school stay in an enchanted state of happiness forever?
This is a funny break in the action for most of Gilly's friends as they work on sets, costumes, and learning their lines rather than practicing spells and martial arts. Gilly still wants to find Alva and Stiltskin, and she also has a new desire to learn more about her family history after a letter from her mother mentions the grandmother that she has never seen. All the usual characters are present, even though they are not acting in their normal fashion (except Maxine's duck, Peaches, who is still eating all sorts of odd items).
Fairy Tale Reform School fans will laugh out loud at Gilly's growing frustration with everyone's musical preoccupation and the various ways the wish for happiness plays out at the school. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.
Imagine mermaids doing synchronized dancing and toting waterproof scripts, pixies styling everyone's hair with color and glitter, and Maxine singing a solo! But there are still things happening in the kingdom of Enchantasia that should be causing the teachers to worry. Crops are disappearing or being covered with a strange goo. The weather has gone wild with rain and lightning occurring unexpectedly. And the chief of police suddenly decides to take a vacation. Will things ever get back to normal? Or will the school stay in an enchanted state of happiness forever?
This is a funny break in the action for most of Gilly's friends as they work on sets, costumes, and learning their lines rather than practicing spells and martial arts. Gilly still wants to find Alva and Stiltskin, and she also has a new desire to learn more about her family history after a letter from her mother mentions the grandmother that she has never seen. All the usual characters are present, even though they are not acting in their normal fashion (except Maxine's duck, Peaches, who is still eating all sorts of odd items).
Fairy Tale Reform School fans will laugh out loud at Gilly's growing frustration with everyone's musical preoccupation and the various ways the wish for happiness plays out at the school. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through edelweiss.
sagefersko's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5