littlefoot10's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely worth a read if you enjoyed the series. Stephen is my favourite character throughout the entire series. My favourite scenes were Stephen with his sister, they were heart-breaking because you know she doesn't get a happy ending. I thought it was pretty neat to see the diner scene, after finishing The Shadow Cabinet. You can really tell that place meant a lot to him because of his time with Regina. I hate his mother and father, and I think their lack of caring or responsibility towards having children were accurately portrayed within this novel. I wish this novel was longer though. I want to see Boo and Callum with Stephen. I just want more Stephen...YUM!
riverseaosian's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, and Drug use
underscorefab's review
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nightshade_novels's review against another edition
3.0
It has been a while since I have read a World Book Day Book. But I have been intrigued by Johnson’s work for a while after learning that she is friends with John Green and Scot Westerfeld and that they used to write together.
I realised after I bought it that is was part of Johnson’s Shades of London series, and is in fact a prequel to the series.
I enjoyed the story; I was intrigued from the start when Stephen’s parents abandoned him at school to go on holiday. I liked Regina, but was unsure what to make of her when I realised that she was taking drugs, however
I liked Peter and would have liked to learn more about him, but that is clearly out of the reach of such a short book.
It pleased me that Stephen managed to get to become a Policeman after a fashion. As that was all he had ever wanted to become, and it got back at his parents for being so uncaring and yet expecting so much from him.
I enjoyed this little book, and it has made me even more determined to read some of Johnson’s other works.
I realised after I bought it that is was part of Johnson’s Shades of London series, and is in fact a prequel to the series.
I enjoyed the story; I was intrigued from the start when Stephen’s parents abandoned him at school to go on holiday. I liked Regina, but was unsure what to make of her when I realised that she was taking drugs, however
Spoiler
her death was quite sad, just because of the manner in which she died.I liked Peter and would have liked to learn more about him, but that is clearly out of the reach of such a short book.
It pleased me that Stephen managed to get to become a Policeman after a fashion. As that was all he had ever wanted to become, and it got back at his parents for being so uncaring and yet expecting so much from him.
I enjoyed this little book, and it has made me even more determined to read some of Johnson’s other works.
embug's review against another edition
5.0
*5 stars*
okay now what am I supposed to do with my life.
I spend the last four days reading three Shades of London books and this journey has now officially come to an end.
Now what.
But honestly, I love Stephen with all my heart and soul and everything and this book gave me a better understanding of his sucky life. I also like how it shows his life before he became a police officer-slash-secret-agent and therefore showed how happy (Stephen's version) he must have been in his new role. I love you, Stephen. #justiceforStephenkickhisparentsinthebutt
I don't know.
I need another book.
Please someone recommend something similar or I'll succumb to my slump.
okay now what am I supposed to do with my life.
I spend the last four days reading three Shades of London books and this journey has now officially come to an end.
Now what.
But honestly, I love Stephen with all my heart and soul and everything and this book gave me a better understanding of his sucky life. I also like how it shows his life before he became a police officer-slash-secret-agent and therefore showed how happy (Stephen's version) he must have been in his new role. I love you, Stephen. #justiceforStephenkickhisparentsinthebutt
I don't know.
I need another book.
Please someone recommend something similar or I'll succumb to my slump.
julaliciousbookparadise's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading about Stephen's past. We always got little bits in the books, but to really get the whole thing was awesome. I think anyone who loves the series need to read this. You get to see Stephen under a new light.
growintogardens's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder
s0laris's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0