emeraldreverie's review against another edition
5.0
Really good. I adore these characters and this world and am thrilled to have more of them. With this volume, it was clear that Andy had found an amazing rapport with them too. Good stuff!
logikitty's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Emotional abuse
sbaldwin16's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Spoiler
One of the best parts of this book, for me, were the emails/messages, particularly the one from Hunter to Jory and the one from Jory to Troy -- I thought they were both really sweet and I liked the part Jory said about finding your crew. I'm glad we got to see Reo in this book; as he wasn't on the cover I was afraid he might not become a full Backstager. I hope we get to see Chloe again but it was cool to see her sister, Phoebe, who is now the ghost light -- I had actually forgotten that Phoebe became the ghost light. The fact that Adrienne is in this book and that Chloe was mentioned as being back at Penitent Angels makes me hope we get to see that whole backstage crew again in the third book; also Mr. Rample too please.Spoiler
, the remaining magical theater artifacts and the possible multiple villains, with Blake McQueen possibly joining up with Thiasos.manwithanagenda's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
In the second Backstagers novel we're given a hefty new dose of lore and it quickly becomes apparent they've begun plans to wrap up the series, if not the whole franchise.
Jory is lured by the sparkle and glam of social media. He begins hearing his doubts get louder and louder and the only escape is polishing his identity online. This is fueled by a sudden surge of followers on Instasnap. This leads to an invitation to an influencers summit in Greece. Unfortunately, this means he won't be available for the latest production. Is theater that important in the face of real world success?
Meanwhile, there is major drama brewing on and off stage as Backstagers begin training for and taking on their new roles in advance of the current Stage Managers' graduation.
This was fun, but less and less for me. I did have to finish out the series in the next book.
Backstagers Novels
Next: 'The Final Blackout'
Previous: 'The Ghost Light'
Jory is lured by the sparkle and glam of social media. He begins hearing his doubts get louder and louder and the only escape is polishing his identity online. This is fueled by a sudden surge of followers on Instasnap. This leads to an invitation to an influencers summit in Greece. Unfortunately, this means he won't be available for the latest production. Is theater that important in the face of real world success?
Meanwhile, there is major drama brewing on and off stage as Backstagers begin training for and taking on their new roles in advance of the current Stage Managers' graduation.
This was fun, but less and less for me. I did have to finish out the series in the next book.
Backstagers Novels
Next: 'The Final Blackout'
Previous: 'The Ghost Light'
liesljrowe's review against another edition
5.0
"The Backstagers" is an unashamed love letter to theatre, with some ghosts and supernatural activity thrown in, and I love it. Once again, this latest installment in the Backstagers series combines an interesting fighting the supernatural plot with the process of running the latest school show. "Tammy" is a very obvious reference to "Tommy" and knowing the show quite well, I had fun picking up the different references to how they were staging the production. This book also starts getting into the overarching plot of the series, which looks very promising. Secret society trying to "make theatre pure again"? Yep, definitely a great antagonist there. What I particularly enjoyed, though, was the light-hearted way in which the book approaches serious issues such as Jory's depression or how deaf parts should be played by deaf actors. I look forward to seeing how the plot continues to unfold.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
ex_libris_volantes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I didn’t love it quite as much as the first, but even though the theme was very driven to highlighting the drawbacks of a world so tied up in social media interactions (something I agree with), it removed from some of the natural flow I felt in the story of book one.
On the other hand though, pushing so many boundaries toward inclusivity in such a beautiful way had me in tears for the ending, so it still ranks high for ratings in my book. Can’t wait for book 3 now!
On the other hand though, pushing so many boundaries toward inclusivity in such a beautiful way had me in tears for the ending, so it still ranks high for ratings in my book. Can’t wait for book 3 now!
mckinlay's review against another edition
5.0
*I received an e-arc from netgalley and the publisher. This does not affect my review.*
[4.5 stars]
Like every other Backstagers book/comic, this was fantastic. It remains entertaining, and adorable, and diverse. In this book they put on a play where the main character is Deaf and they make a point to have the original actress drop out so a Deaf actress can take her place. Such awesome rep! The only reason I docked it half a start is I felt like some of the magic was missing because Jory seemed so separate from the rest of the Backstagers, it all comes together in the end, and it was necessary to the plot, but it made me sad. If you haven't read anything about The Backstagers yet, GET ON IT!!!
[4.5 stars]
Like every other Backstagers book/comic, this was fantastic. It remains entertaining, and adorable, and diverse. In this book they put on a play where the main character is Deaf and they make a point to have the original actress drop out so a Deaf actress can take her place. Such awesome rep! The only reason I docked it half a start is I felt like some of the magic was missing because Jory seemed so separate from the rest of the Backstagers, it all comes together in the end, and it was necessary to the plot, but it made me sad. If you haven't read anything about The Backstagers yet, GET ON IT!!!
mittymyers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
omgbeansgoreadabook's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this one up shortly after I finished the previous book and was not let down in this one either. Fantastically imaginative and fun.
In this novel, the Backstagers are putting on a show called Tammy, where the main characters is deaf. I loved the idea of having an actual deaf person playing the lead in a play, super inclusive!
Technology plays a massive role in this novel as well. It shows how much we seem to rely on it to make our lives look perfect, when in reality we all know that's far from the truth.
Not to mention the fact that all of a sudden there's a secret society who's be-all end-all is to make theater "pure" again. Spooky!
In this novel, the Backstagers are putting on a show called Tammy, where the main characters is deaf. I loved the idea of having an actual deaf person playing the lead in a play, super inclusive!
Technology plays a massive role in this novel as well. It shows how much we seem to rely on it to make our lives look perfect, when in reality we all know that's far from the truth.
Not to mention the fact that all of a sudden there's a secret society who's be-all end-all is to make theater "pure" again. Spooky!
spacecadelliot's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good sequel to the first story and a great addition to the whole series!! I love this band of misfits so much