monicaokta's review against another edition
1.0
oh boy I really don't like Charlotte and this is such a let down cause I like the first one.
nikkihrose's review against another edition
3.0
This series is riveting, but it has SO much going on and it's often challenging to keep it all straight. There's the kinda-sorta romance between Jamie and Charlotte. Then there's Charlotte's uncle, Leander, who is supposedly kidnapped. Then Charlotte's mother is poisoned. Charlotte is convinced that the Moriartys are behind this (I mean, aren't they always?), so she tracks them down and discovers their current illegal enterprise, plotting to take them down in the process. But where's Leander? And what's his role in all of this? And what's happening to Charlotte's mom, Emma? Why are they part of this plan? Are they even part of this plan? Does Charlotte know more than she's letting on? Is Jamie just along for the ride, yet again?
Sadly, these are all still questions I have after completing the novel... Some are answered to some extent, but I still am left a bit confused.
Sadly, these are all still questions I have after completing the novel... Some are answered to some extent, but I still am left a bit confused.
allieperkins's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
laineyg's review against another edition
3.0
everyone on here seems to hate this lol i thought it was fine maybe not quite as good as book 1 but still enjoyable. got a little confusing towards the end but wtvr
the main complaint seems to be that charlotte and jamie aren’t likeable enough which ????? yeah they’re both insufferable people with bad personalities but i LOVE them so it’s okay hope that clears things up
the main complaint seems to be that charlotte and jamie aren’t likeable enough which ????? yeah they’re both insufferable people with bad personalities but i LOVE them so it’s okay hope that clears things up
mirpanda277's review against another edition
3.0
(3.5 stars)
I enjoyed the first book more, and I enjoyed Jamie Watson more in the first book, which is important when he's the narrator. Watson was frustrating to me, and I'm not sure Cavallaro intended him to be, which means she probably didn't and I can fault the writing on that point.
I felt that Watson was wild and incomprehensible in his reactions to people, especially Charlotte Holmes. And I believe it was more than what can be written off to his anger issues--and btw, what's up with him there? He's much more volatile than Charlotte, I find, despite what he may think. And I believe Charlotte even says something in the same vein in her POV chapters--which I loved! Again, does Cavallaro do that intentionally? I'm not sure.
Notwithstanding those complaints, the mystery of the story had me stumped which I enjoy and the ending was terrible in the right kind of way: a chaotic cliffhanger that makes me want to know what happens next.
I enjoyed the first book more, and I enjoyed Jamie Watson more in the first book, which is important when he's the narrator. Watson was frustrating to me, and I'm not sure Cavallaro intended him to be, which means she probably didn't and I can fault the writing on that point.
I felt that Watson was wild and incomprehensible in his reactions to people, especially Charlotte Holmes. And I believe it was more than what can be written off to his anger issues--and btw, what's up with him there? He's much more volatile than Charlotte, I find, despite what he may think. And I believe Charlotte even says something in the same vein in her POV chapters--which I loved! Again, does Cavallaro do that intentionally? I'm not sure.
Notwithstanding those complaints, the mystery of the story had me stumped which I enjoy and the ending was terrible in the right kind of way: a chaotic cliffhanger that makes me want to know what happens next.
lyndsayscan's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to this on audio. I like the narrator's voice, but he does this weird thing where he speaks in a British accent while he's reading dialogue, but an American accent while narrating. It's a little jarring, and I wish they could have gotten him to go with a British accent the whole time.
I'd hoped that this book would break new ground, and it does. This book pretty much deviates completely from any pretense of following the classic Holmes stories and instead explores the characters a bit more. To that end, Charlotte is a real piece of work, and I find her simultaneously horrible and fascinating. She's really what carries these books as Jamie (and through him, the reader) basically wait to see what this ticking time bomb will do next.
This book does suffer a bit from "YA book where the characters should probably actually be 22 instead of 16," which is bothersome. It wasn't nearly as pronounced in the first book as they were at school, but in this one they're away from campus gallivanting about Europe, spending a lot of time hanging out with college students, they never get carded for drinks, and somehow no one questions their presence at a major art auction. Even Charlotte and Jamie's relationship woes feel adult - it's as if they're trying to decide if they should get married or break up, and they're just too young for that. Sigh.
I'd hoped that this book would break new ground, and it does. This book pretty much deviates completely from any pretense of following the classic Holmes stories and instead explores the characters a bit more. To that end, Charlotte is a real piece of work, and I find her simultaneously horrible and fascinating. She's really what carries these books as Jamie (and through him, the reader) basically wait to see what this ticking time bomb will do next.
This book does suffer a bit from "YA book where the characters should probably actually be 22 instead of 16," which is bothersome. It wasn't nearly as pronounced in the first book as they were at school, but in this one they're away from campus gallivanting about Europe, spending a lot of time hanging out with college students, they never get carded for drinks, and somehow no one questions their presence at a major art auction. Even Charlotte and Jamie's relationship woes feel adult - it's as if they're trying to decide if they should get married or break up, and they're just too young for that. Sigh.
joelleslibrary's review against another edition
2.0
I was very confused throughout reading this entire book. I did not think that the descriptions were done well at all, and that the mystery made sense.
Also Charlotte was even more of a jerk in this one. It did not feel like cute banter between the two, only malicious comments from one side.
Also Charlotte was even more of a jerk in this one. It did not feel like cute banter between the two, only malicious comments from one side.