jaime_of_gryffindor's review
slow-paced
4.0
This was an enjoyable read! I went into this one blindly and was pleasantly surprised to find this to be a young adult gothic horror ghost story. I absolutely loved the author’s writing style in this book. This book did feel a bit longer than it needed to be and it was fairly slow paced, but it definitely kept me curious and intrigued. I loved all the interesting characters and appreciated the dual timelines, although it did have me a bit confused at first. This book also had some good twists. Overall this was an enjoyable read, perfect for the upcoming spooky season.
charlee_12's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
samara18's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
seighboo's review against another edition
Too slow and not interesting enough to continue
strangecandy's review
4.0
This was truly one of the most original stories I've ever read. The story takes place in a remote
South American village in a school for girls that has been closed for sixty years after tragedy struck. It's been re-opened to teach daughters of wealthy families from around the world. The protagonist, Mavi, a young girl fleeing the political uprising in Buenos Aires that took her mother and has left her to fend for herself. She gets a job teaching at this school and she figures it's the perfect refuge to escape her past before it catches up with her.
But things aren't all they seem to be. The eclectic faculty, the foreboding director of the school and dire warnings to stay in her room at night all make this story intriguing, terrifying and spellbinding.
I don't know that this story would be great for younger readers as there are very dark topics such as rape, pedophilia, and molestation.
The ending, no spoilers here, totally threw me for a loop. I didn't see that coming at all. It kind of makes me want to re-read the book knowing how it ends.
South American village in a school for girls that has been closed for sixty years after tragedy struck. It's been re-opened to teach daughters of wealthy families from around the world. The protagonist, Mavi, a young girl fleeing the political uprising in Buenos Aires that took her mother and has left her to fend for herself. She gets a job teaching at this school and she figures it's the perfect refuge to escape her past before it catches up with her.
But things aren't all they seem to be. The eclectic faculty, the foreboding director of the school and dire warnings to stay in her room at night all make this story intriguing, terrifying and spellbinding.
I don't know that this story would be great for younger readers as there are very dark topics such as rape, pedophilia, and molestation.
The ending, no spoilers here, totally threw me for a loop. I didn't see that coming at all. It kind of makes me want to re-read the book knowing how it ends.
storiedadventures's review
3.0
Full Review on my blog, Storied Adventures
2.5 Stars. Because I was actually struggling with 2 or 3 stars.
This was a WEIRD book. In a good way I think. I liked the concept, the morally grey characters, and the ending. The ending I don't think did come out of left field like a lot of people are saying. I didn't see it coming and it was certainly a twist, but looking back, the author dropped very clever, subtle hints. So, why the 2.5 stars? I feel so bad saying this, but it was boring! It was soooo slow up until the big twist. I just wasn't that entertained by it.
2.5 Stars. Because I was actually struggling with 2 or 3 stars.
This was a WEIRD book. In a good way I think. I liked the concept, the morally grey characters, and the ending. The ending I don't think did come out of left field like a lot of people are saying. I didn't see it coming and it was certainly a twist, but looking back, the author dropped very clever, subtle hints. So, why the 2.5 stars? I feel so bad saying this, but it was boring! It was soooo slow up until the big twist. I just wasn't that entertained by it.
scienceworks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bestdressedbookworm's review
1.0
I love wierd plot lines, the more mysterious and creepier the better, they don't even have to completely make sense. A bit of mystery, an open ending, done well i can handle either or both.
But its hard to be creeped out or even intrigued by a "horror" novel when the writing is so complex, and the story jumps timelines and nothing is ever really established and you get 200 pages in and still have no clue whats really happening. I started googling reviews essentially spoilers, to get a bit of an idea.
I got about 80% in, felt like the pay off would only be worth it if i went back and reread a lot of it and decided to quit.
Im not sure i connected with the writing style.
But its hard to be creeped out or even intrigued by a "horror" novel when the writing is so complex, and the story jumps timelines and nothing is ever really established and you get 200 pages in and still have no clue whats really happening. I started googling reviews essentially spoilers, to get a bit of an idea.
I got about 80% in, felt like the pay off would only be worth it if i went back and reread a lot of it and decided to quit.
Im not sure i connected with the writing style.
sashduggan's review
3.0
I was pretty engaged at first, but lost that as I got further into the book. I feel like this was a very interesting idea that needed more refinement.