elur's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Cool
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
ilovereading4683's review against another edition
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
samjaymc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
eilidhreads's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.