Scan barcode
ashurq's review
3.0
I really thought this book was going to be a great cross between Gail Carriger’s Finishing School series and Kathleen Baldwin’s Stranje House series and I was really looking forward to it (love both those series’). Unfortunately this book read more like a (rough) rough draft of Harry Potter with only girls. There were so many things that were reminiscent of Harry Potter. The forbidden woods, the dining hall, the competition…just too much and not done nearly as well as Harry Potter (obviously).
That being said, I thought that the characters were alright. There were a couple that I found particularly interesting, but the requisite “mean girl” was flat, boring, and not compelling. Bianca herself also rubbed me the wrong way a few times. The main character that I felt was more than just a piece of cardboard was Miss Mabel. She was SO evil. Delightfully evil. I was kept wondering what foul thing she would do or have Bianca do next. At the same time, she had like…no purpose. Her motivations were not made clear at all so she’s basically just being evil for no reason the whole time. Towards the end of the book we get some sense of her motivations, but it doesn’t feel like they come from the person, more like they come from the situation… Does that even make sense?
The plot itself was also pretty weak. I understand Bianca’s overall plotline, but the competition feels kind of pointless and all the pages about Bianca’s struggles studying really weighed the book down. One thing it did have going for it is that there was no romance. I mean, I love romance in books (especially YA books) but it’s just so rare to read a book without even a hint of romance. Overall, I thought this book was just okay. I’m mostly just disappointed because I had such high hopes in the first place.
Overall Rating: 3
Language: None
Violence: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
That being said, I thought that the characters were alright. There were a couple that I found particularly interesting, but the requisite “mean girl” was flat, boring, and not compelling. Bianca herself also rubbed me the wrong way a few times. The main character that I felt was more than just a piece of cardboard was Miss Mabel. She was SO evil. Delightfully evil. I was kept wondering what foul thing she would do or have Bianca do next. At the same time, she had like…no purpose. Her motivations were not made clear at all so she’s basically just being evil for no reason the whole time. Towards the end of the book we get some sense of her motivations, but it doesn’t feel like they come from the person, more like they come from the situation… Does that even make sense?
The plot itself was also pretty weak. I understand Bianca’s overall plotline, but the competition feels kind of pointless and all the pages about Bianca’s struggles studying really weighed the book down. One thing it did have going for it is that there was no romance. I mean, I love romance in books (especially YA books) but it’s just so rare to read a book without even a hint of romance. Overall, I thought this book was just okay. I’m mostly just disappointed because I had such high hopes in the first place.
Overall Rating: 3
Language: None
Violence: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
hdbblog's review
3.0
So I'm a sucker for all things related to witchy schools and tough female characters. When I read the synopsis of this, it reminded me of an all-girl cast of Harry Potter and, to be honest, that's exactly what hooked me! What's better than a group of tough girls learning magic? Nothing. Which is why I had such high hopes for Miss Mabel's School for Girls. I wanted to get lost in a new world, full of magic and mischief. I can happily say that this was a great introduction!
Things take off at a lightning pace. Bianca was a wonderful character, and one that I instantly saw myself in. A little less than a lady, but full of the type of fire that makes for a one strong protagonist. Watching her set off on a quest that she absolutely knew would be dangerous excited me. See, Bianca was cursed by the very person whose clutches she was now willingly walking into. Such a great premise. To try to prove yourself to the one person who holds your life in their hands.
Which brings me to the fact that there were a lot of things that I did like about this story. Bianca, for one. The fact that Miss Mabel's School for Girls was shrouded in mystery and magic. Even the fact that all of the characters were so strong. It's refreshing to see a book that features a female cast, that doesn't focus heavily on romance. Maybe that's coming in the next books, but in this moment I felt amazed that it wasn't there. No love triangles. Thank you Katie Cross.
What I wished for more than anything though, was more world building and less "telling" rather than showing. There were portions of this story that moved very slowly. A lot of travel was necessary, and those parts tended to drag on a bit. When Bianca was being tested, it was fabulous. When she was lost in her own head, it was a little slow. It wasn't anything overly exhausting, but I would have loved to see a bit more forward movement. I have a very strong feeling that it's coming in the books down the pipe though, so I'm excited about that.
Long story short, this was a book that I enjoyed. It didn't immediately jump to the top of my favorites list, but I also know that this is a series that I plan on continuing on with. I can't wait!
Things take off at a lightning pace. Bianca was a wonderful character, and one that I instantly saw myself in. A little less than a lady, but full of the type of fire that makes for a one strong protagonist. Watching her set off on a quest that she absolutely knew would be dangerous excited me. See, Bianca was cursed by the very person whose clutches she was now willingly walking into. Such a great premise. To try to prove yourself to the one person who holds your life in their hands.
Which brings me to the fact that there were a lot of things that I did like about this story. Bianca, for one. The fact that Miss Mabel's School for Girls was shrouded in mystery and magic. Even the fact that all of the characters were so strong. It's refreshing to see a book that features a female cast, that doesn't focus heavily on romance. Maybe that's coming in the next books, but in this moment I felt amazed that it wasn't there. No love triangles. Thank you Katie Cross.
What I wished for more than anything though, was more world building and less "telling" rather than showing. There were portions of this story that moved very slowly. A lot of travel was necessary, and those parts tended to drag on a bit. When Bianca was being tested, it was fabulous. When she was lost in her own head, it was a little slow. It wasn't anything overly exhausting, but I would have loved to see a bit more forward movement. I have a very strong feeling that it's coming in the books down the pipe though, so I'm excited about that.
Long story short, this was a book that I enjoyed. It didn't immediately jump to the top of my favorites list, but I also know that this is a series that I plan on continuing on with. I can't wait!
annieburton's review
3.0
There is only one plot and its very simple, its not bad, but it did give me readers block, I started this on March 16 and couldn't pick it back up until April 9, I finished it in 2 days or actual reading, but just couldn't pick it backup to finish it
pinkpicklez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kenzee06's review
2.0
For a book about magic...there was very little magic in this book. Kind of a shame.
knittyreader's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how this book combined the nice feeling of a good school with girls and nice food, with a lot of action and a great world.
At the start some things seemed overdone - no need to tell twice in as many sentences that the food is scrumptious for example, without it I had believed the greatness of the food at the school as well. These were little pet peeves in the style that were annoying at the start, like I said, but they became less frequent while the story developed. It could have been that the story was so good that I did not notice them anymore off course ;-)
I received a free copy through Netglley in return for an honest review.
At the start some things seemed overdone - no need to tell twice in as many sentences that the food is scrumptious for example, without it I had believed the greatness of the food at the school as well. These were little pet peeves in the style that were annoying at the start, like I said, but they became less frequent while the story developed. It could have been that the story was so good that I did not notice them anymore off course ;-)
I received a free copy through Netglley in return for an honest review.
wrentheblurry's review
4.0
DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free from a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. As an added bonus, it was signed--with my name! This made me squeal probably more than it should have. Still, thanks.
4.5 Stars!!
Mostly Miss Mabel's School for Girls centers on Bianca, a teenager with a curse that she needs broken. Bianca plans on entering the school, and doing whatever is required to get Miss Mabel, the school's owner, to remove this curse. You'll get to know her teachers, fellow students, and her family.
There's not much I didn't like about this book, so I'll get that out of the way first. Initially, some of the characters felt hackneyed. Some of the events that unfolded weren't exactly surprises. And sure, sure, readers who enjoyed Harry Potter will probably like this too, although I didn't feel it was derivative. It just shares a few similarities.
By the end, none of that really mattered. Katie Cross' skill at character development sucked me in, and kept me eager to see what happened next. The good people aren't nauseatingly mamby pamby; they have flaws and weaknesses. The nasty ones are perfect at what they do. Even though it's a fantasy title, Cross made it all feel believable. Her pacing and timing flow just right, and her writing style appeals to both teenagers and adults.
The ending works well at keeping me eager for the next title, but at the same time being a satisfying title on its own merits.
Note: I only put this in my 'violent' shelf because some bad (and violent) things happen, and there's at least one super duper evil character, wicked through and through.
I read a fair number of first books in a proposed series. Most of the time, I'm good with just reading the initial title. Sometimes I figure if things work out, I'll read the next in the series. Rarely do I highly look forward to reading the next book, and I can say that I will definitely read Book Two in the Network Series!
4.5 Stars!!
Mostly Miss Mabel's School for Girls centers on Bianca, a teenager with a curse that she needs broken. Bianca plans on entering the school, and doing whatever is required to get Miss Mabel, the school's owner, to remove this curse. You'll get to know her teachers, fellow students, and her family.
There's not much I didn't like about this book, so I'll get that out of the way first. Initially, some of the characters felt hackneyed. Some of the events that unfolded weren't exactly surprises. And sure, sure, readers who enjoyed Harry Potter will probably like this too, although I didn't feel it was derivative. It just shares a few similarities.
By the end, none of that really mattered. Katie Cross' skill at character development sucked me in, and kept me eager to see what happened next. The good people aren't nauseatingly mamby pamby; they have flaws and weaknesses. The nasty ones are perfect at what they do. Even though it's a fantasy title, Cross made it all feel believable. Her pacing and timing flow just right, and her writing style appeals to both teenagers and adults.
The ending works well at keeping me eager for the next title, but at the same time being a satisfying title on its own merits.
Note: I only put this in my 'violent' shelf because some bad (and violent) things happen, and there's at least one super duper evil character, wicked through and through.
I read a fair number of first books in a proposed series. Most of the time, I'm good with just reading the initial title. Sometimes I figure if things work out, I'll read the next in the series. Rarely do I highly look forward to reading the next book, and I can say that I will definitely read Book Two in the Network Series!
humanignorance's review
1.0
1.5 stars. The backstory was revealed in the middle, rendering the first third or so very confusing. The magic system was uninteresting, the characters were poor, and it moved much too slowly.
elmattcrews's review
5.0
I am blown away.
I was a tad skeptical at first as this was a free ebook. But this was literally magic; witches, curses, deceit, adventure. Brilliant.
Now if you'll excuse me, I must pine for the rest of the series...
I was a tad skeptical at first as this was a free ebook. But this was literally magic; witches, curses, deceit, adventure. Brilliant.
Now if you'll excuse me, I must pine for the rest of the series...