ikuo1000's review
2.0
In many ways, my reaction to this book is the same as it was to the first book. I really, really dislike the way Nikki refuses to take responsibility for her own actions. She is constantly blaming other people for her own problems. She carelessly threw her jacket onto a messy kitchen table, and then she blamed her sister when the mess from the kitchen ended up on her outfit by way of the jacket. There is too much emphasis put on appearances, I don't like the insults that Nikki throws at both her sister and Mackenzie, and I just don't like the way Nikki obsesses over Mackenzie. Mackenzie's a jerk, I get it, but then why waste so much time and energy on her? I just don't think young girls need that kind of example for behavior. If you don't get along with someone, just ignore them, don't waste your energy hating them.
What I did like about this particular book was that it presented a case of "bad days happen to everybody". I think the intended audience is likely to include girls who might feel embarrassed from time to time for one reason or another. By showcasing a really bad day that included a really embarrassing situation, the opening scenes of this book normalize - in a small way - the idea that bad things happen, and it's really not the end of the world, even if it feels like it is.
Unfortunately, this book is probably not the best one on which to judge the series as a whole. Just as the story was getting good, Nikki got knocked out in gym class. The bulk of the book is about the crazy, mixed-up fairy tale adventure Nikki had in her mind while lying unconscious on the gym floor. I actually think the story made for a good example of creative writing, but it went on just a bit too long. It was fun for a while, but I wonder if true fans of the series resented it as a distraction, since the book doesn't in any way move forward the story of the actual characters of Nikki and her friends and classmates.
What I did like about this particular book was that it presented a case of "bad days happen to everybody". I think the intended audience is likely to include girls who might feel embarrassed from time to time for one reason or another. By showcasing a really bad day that included a really embarrassing situation, the opening scenes of this book normalize - in a small way - the idea that bad things happen, and it's really not the end of the world, even if it feels like it is.
Unfortunately, this book is probably not the best one on which to judge the series as a whole. Just as the story was getting good, Nikki got knocked out in gym class. The bulk of the book is about the crazy, mixed-up fairy tale adventure Nikki had in her mind while lying unconscious on the gym floor. I actually think the story made for a good example of creative writing, but it went on just a bit too long. It was fun for a while, but I wonder if true fans of the series resented it as a distraction, since the book doesn't in any way move forward the story of the actual characters of Nikki and her friends and classmates.
archvine18's review
3.0
One of the boring-est book in the series. Like ugh. Filler book? Nothing to add anymore? That McKenzie is evil incarnate.
filemanager's review against another edition
3.0
I liked how all the different fairy tales were all interwoven together.
ieryka_magic's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rachs's review against another edition
5.0
Review:
My 8 year old daughter really enjoyed this book, she loved the characters and how it was revolved around fairy tale stories that she knew well. She also liked that there were illustrations in the book as this not only made it more real for her but also made her forget the length of the book and made her want to read more.
She laughed out loud with the jelly, peanut butter and pickle sandwich getting stuck to Nikki’s jumper.
I think this is a fantastic book for children, the book is written just like a girl would write a diary and even in ‘handwriting’ to instead of printed text.
My daughter now wants to read all the other books in the series.
My 8 year old daughter really enjoyed this book, she loved the characters and how it was revolved around fairy tale stories that she knew well. She also liked that there were illustrations in the book as this not only made it more real for her but also made her forget the length of the book and made her want to read more.
She laughed out loud with the jelly, peanut butter and pickle sandwich getting stuck to Nikki’s jumper.
I think this is a fantastic book for children, the book is written just like a girl would write a diary and even in ‘handwriting’ to instead of printed text.
My daughter now wants to read all the other books in the series.
teebles's review against another edition
5.0
This, I honestly feel, is the best book in the entire series. Maybe that is just my love of fantasy talking, but I honestly think that this is such a strong book.
I love the whimsical nature of this book. This book is what had first introduced me to the idea of retellings and it was awesome to get it in such a cool way. I really liked all of the super cool illustrations that got the whimsical element of the story across. Honestly, the art style is gorgeous and it really complements the fairytale-esque nature of this book.
I also love the way that this was kinda like a variety of stories mushed together. Like, you get snippets from lots of fairytales and the way that they are combined together is just super creative and pretty awesome.
This also has one of my favourite tropes - when people go unconscious and go to an alternate reality where people that they know in real life are different people in this other world (weirdly specific, I know). But I just loved the fact that all of the fairytale people were people that Nikki knew. They were all super exaggerated too, kinda like caricatures of themselves, which made it quite funny. The characters in this book were great. Honestly, the characters are my favourite part of this series, to be honest. I love how they are all so unique! And getting to see them in this new way, as brought on by the fairytales, was so interesting.
I can’t review one of these books without talking about Brianna (one of my favourite characters, for some unknown reason). There was so much Brianna in this book, and I love it! Brianna is so funny and honestly, she got some much deserved plot in this book and it was so awesome! I loved it!
March Note:
I wasn’t planning on rereading this now, but the need to reread was brought on by me reading Alice in Wonderland for the first time. I loved the nods towards that book in this story.
I love the whimsical nature of this book. This book is what had first introduced me to the idea of retellings and it was awesome to get it in such a cool way. I really liked all of the super cool illustrations that got the whimsical element of the story across. Honestly, the art style is gorgeous and it really complements the fairytale-esque nature of this book.
I also love the way that this was kinda like a variety of stories mushed together. Like, you get snippets from lots of fairytales and the way that they are combined together is just super creative and pretty awesome.
This also has one of my favourite tropes - when people go unconscious and go to an alternate reality where people that they know in real life are different people in this other world (weirdly specific, I know). But I just loved the fact that all of the fairytale people were people that Nikki knew. They were all super exaggerated too, kinda like caricatures of themselves, which made it quite funny. The characters in this book were great. Honestly, the characters are my favourite part of this series, to be honest. I love how they are all so unique! And getting to see them in this new way, as brought on by the fairytales, was so interesting.
I can’t review one of these books without talking about Brianna (one of my favourite characters, for some unknown reason). There was so much Brianna in this book, and I love it! Brianna is so funny and honestly, she got some much deserved plot in this book and it was so awesome! I loved it!
March Note:
I wasn’t planning on rereading this now, but the need to reread was brought on by me reading Alice in Wonderland for the first time. I loved the nods towards that book in this story.
carmen_loves_books'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ines_semiona's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0