ilovereading4683's review
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-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
5.0
90sirishgirl's review against another edition
4.0
It is nice how in some way 1 book went into the next book with some staple characters and it was nice to see the twist in the end in regard Gwen.
elviolet's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sammy_'s review against another edition
4.0
I adored the Malory Towers books as a child and came across this volume of four new short stories, each by a different author. The stories each centre on a new girl starting at the school, but otherwise Darrell, Gwendoline, Alicia et al are all present, and they’re all written in the spirit of the originals.
Obviously no new story is going to be quite the same, because it’s a) not Enid Blyton writing and b) not the 1940s. In some ways, that’s even a good thing ;) But I think it was clever of the publisher to ask four different authors to contribute a story: in that way, it doesn’t feel like someone is trying to impersonate Enid Blyton, but rather that each author is writing their own version of an Enid Blyton story. And this 32-year-old still thoroughly enjoyed them :D
Obviously no new story is going to be quite the same, because it’s a) not Enid Blyton writing and b) not the 1940s. In some ways, that’s even a good thing ;) But I think it was clever of the publisher to ask four different authors to contribute a story: in that way, it doesn’t feel like someone is trying to impersonate Enid Blyton, but rather that each author is writing their own version of an Enid Blyton story. And this 32-year-old still thoroughly enjoyed them :D
samjaymc's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
eilidhreads's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookwolftams's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you so much to @panmacmillankids for this #gifted review copy.
Before Harry Potter existed, and Hogwarts was but a twinkle in JK Rowling’s eye, Malory Towers was the original boarding school that I wished I could attend.
When I saw that there were new Malory Towers stories, I couldn’t wait to visit the school by the seaside again. I have such fond memories of reading about Darrel and her friends when I was growing up.
With these four new stories set during Darrel Rivers’ time at Malory Towers, the authors did an excellent job in recreating the tone of the original stories but with a bit more diversity. There were a couple of missteps where characters were more malicious and bullying than they ever were in the original books, but in general it was a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane to see Darrel and her friends again.
I would highly recommend this middle grade read to any young readers who love learning about fun, loyalty, friendships and so much more.
4/5
Before Harry Potter existed, and Hogwarts was but a twinkle in JK Rowling’s eye, Malory Towers was the original boarding school that I wished I could attend.
When I saw that there were new Malory Towers stories, I couldn’t wait to visit the school by the seaside again. I have such fond memories of reading about Darrel and her friends when I was growing up.
With these four new stories set during Darrel Rivers’ time at Malory Towers, the authors did an excellent job in recreating the tone of the original stories but with a bit more diversity. There were a couple of missteps where characters were more malicious and bullying than they ever were in the original books, but in general it was a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane to see Darrel and her friends again.
I would highly recommend this middle grade read to any young readers who love learning about fun, loyalty, friendships and so much more.
4/5
amyw10's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
singlecrow's review
Perfectly readable, but none of the stories really capture the feel of the original. I liked Sunita best of the new girls, though, and it's extremely enjoyable to read versions of the stories with the unthinking classism and racism removed.
aoife26935's review
4.0
Four new authors write about four new girls attending Malory Towers during Darrell River's years there.
On the plus side, the tone is almost perfect all the way through. I'm not too sure about Mam'zelle in the last one, but I can let it slide. The girls are recognizably themselves - although neither Alicia nor Gwen were ever quite that mean in Enid's stories. The new girls are intriguing and interesting in and of themselves, and the stories go along nicely.
This is a great addition to the classic stories and will go well.
'Shall we show you to your dormy?' asked Sally, her voice shaking. She was an excellent leader but she hated conflict and the tension in the common room was so thick that it felt like a heavy fog hanging in the air. 'It's really lovely.'
'What is that supposed to mean?' Margaret's words were quiet and her eyes bored into Gwen. 'What about my parents?'
'I expect your trunk has been taken upstairs by now,' said Darrell, slightly desperately. She could see that Alicia was loving every second of the confrontation but there was something about Margaret's voice that was making Darrell feel increasingly nervous.
'Oh, you know very well!' Gwen clearly wasn't about to back down. 'My mother married up and your mother married down and that is why I am who I am and you are, well-' she gestured at Maggie -'you.'
There was silence and the rest of the girls held their breath. They were used to arguments between them but they'd never heard anyone say anything so personal and unkind before.
'I'd rather be me with my wonderful parents, than spoilt darling Gwendoline Mary,' murmured Margaret, her face pale. 'There isn't enough money in the world that would make me ever want to swap places with you.' She turned and let her gaze sweep over them all. 'I wouldn't want to be like any of you. Not even for one day.'
And then she turned and ran from the room, her long legs striding across the floor and out of the door before anyone could stop her.
On the plus side, the tone is almost perfect all the way through. I'm not too sure about Mam'zelle in the last one, but I can let it slide. The girls are recognizably themselves - although neither Alicia nor Gwen were ever quite that mean in Enid's stories. The new girls are intriguing and interesting in and of themselves, and the stories go along nicely.
This is a great addition to the classic stories and will go well.
'Shall we show you to your dormy?' asked Sally, her voice shaking. She was an excellent leader but she hated conflict and the tension in the common room was so thick that it felt like a heavy fog hanging in the air. 'It's really lovely.'
'What is that supposed to mean?' Margaret's words were quiet and her eyes bored into Gwen. 'What about my parents?'
'I expect your trunk has been taken upstairs by now,' said Darrell, slightly desperately. She could see that Alicia was loving every second of the confrontation but there was something about Margaret's voice that was making Darrell feel increasingly nervous.
'Oh, you know very well!' Gwen clearly wasn't about to back down. 'My mother married up and your mother married down and that is why I am who I am and you are, well-' she gestured at Maggie -'you.'
There was silence and the rest of the girls held their breath. They were used to arguments between them but they'd never heard anyone say anything so personal and unkind before.
'I'd rather be me with my wonderful parents, than spoilt darling Gwendoline Mary,' murmured Margaret, her face pale. 'There isn't enough money in the world that would make me ever want to swap places with you.' She turned and let her gaze sweep over them all. 'I wouldn't want to be like any of you. Not even for one day.'
And then she turned and ran from the room, her long legs striding across the floor and out of the door before anyone could stop her.
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