cursed_sapphire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Although a step down from the first book, the second installment of the Gilda Joyce series continues to entertain. The sense of humor continues to delight, although the plot here felt a bit more sparse. Also, this book often lacked a character for Gilda to work off of. In the first book we had Juliet, a character who was Gilda's constant companion once she got to San Fransisco, and served to both humble and help Gilda when necessary. Here that's replaced by Gilda's hostile relationship with her mother's boyfriend Brad, occasional visits with Gilda's best friend Wendy Choy, and a few consistent students and faculty at the Catholic girls' school that serves as the setting for this particular adventure. While Gilda's investigative skills have significantly improved in this sequel, I feel that the central core of the story was lacking- the book, while focusing on the tragic death of a girl who drowned in the lake, often veered into long bouts of unrelated drama, leaving the mystery sometimes forgotten. I also found Gilda's arguments with her mother unpleasant, with her mother trying her best and Gilda being often openly hostile. And unlike the first book, where Gilda often showed sympathy for her mother through narration and typed letters to her dead father, here she seemed exclusively harsh, doubting Ms. Joyce could ever take even a passing interest in her daughter's hobbies/activities. Overall this book felt less focused and a bit meaner than the first book, but the wit and Gilda's odd antics still make for an enjoyable experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, and Death
blacksheepdigitalva's review against another edition
3.0
This is a good book. It's not one of my favorites, but I liked it.
healingtothemax's review against another edition
5.0
Superior second installment in the Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator series. This tale - heard through audiobook - surprised me as the story clicked faster, the main character was called on her not-so-likable traits, and the spooky factor was off the charts from the first through the last chapters. As in her first GJ book, author Jennifer Allison does not shy away from mental illness, grief, societal stress & peer pressure regardless of her characters' young ages. She puts her heroine right in the heart of it. Gilda's triumph in solving her latest mystery is tainted by ego, one she admits to, heart-breakingly so, in the desire to be liked and admired by the popular older girls in the fancy private school she is attending on scholarship. Even after she discovers these girls are hiding a horrific secret and are willing to play very dangerous games to keep it, Gilda honestly faces her own need to be part of a group rather than lead the lonely life of a quirky, determined and justice-driven detective. Onto book 3!
anndeehi's review against another edition
3.0
As an avid Nancy Drew reader I fell instantly in love with Gilda Joyce. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and hope Ms. Allison has lots more in her! I will be saving this one for my daughter to read when she gets a little older.
cjmichel's review against another edition
3.0
Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake book 2 (although I thought it was book 3)
good middle grade psychic sleuthing detective ... like Nancy Drew style
good to read
good middle grade psychic sleuthing detective ... like Nancy Drew style
good to read
rockatanskette's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0