simonlorden's reviews
1227 reviews

I wasn't a fan at first because it overwhelmed me with a lot of info on the magic and the workings of the school. I still don't fully understand some bits, but the characters save the day. Orion is like a slightly dumb but very loyal guardian puppy, and he grows on Eli like mold. And what the heck was that ending?? I need book 2 immediately but the library isn't open until monday.

Very cozy and had sweet scenes, but somehow I was more annoyed by Horace's childish excitement and narration style than in the previous ones. I liked the new seaside city's culture differences, though.

Look, first of all: I was annoyed in the previous book, because the last 20% of the ebook was actually an excerpt from the next one, so I felt cheated because the book ended sooner than I expected. I figured that wouldn't happen here, since it's the last book, but instead the last 20% is an excerpt from... the first book?? That I presumably already read??? What even was the point???

So, that annoyed me a lot. But the book itself was great. Ollie's POV alternated with her friends, who were trying to save her. Both were good, but I liked Ollie's parts that went more into the background of the strange carnival and put the Smiling Man in a different light. I also really liked the ending, and especially the Smiling Man's reaction, I think that was neat.

Overall a very good, fun, and creepy middle grade series that is going among my favorites.

I liked it. Other people mentioned it feels weaker than the first two, I didn't really feel that, but I like sea/pirate/etc stories. (Even though this is technically a lake.) I liked that they had a new kid joining them, and the stakes are raised a bit, since adults actually die in this one?!

What really disappointed me was that 20% of the ebook is an excerpt is the next one. I felt cheated by this, because you think there's 20% more story, and then suddenly it's over.

Just as creepy as the first one. Our favorite trio is back, although not gonna lie this was definitely a Coco and Ollie book, Brian didn't appear much. I have a feeling he'll have his time to shine in the next book, though.

Well, this made me sad. Lennie never wanted to hurt anyone, and George cared about him so much, but something always goes wrong. This is really a situation with no good solution. Very nicely written though, about various people lonely in their own ways.

Main characters in a Widdershins novel being oblivious isn't exactly new, but in this one it felt like a whole new level of obliviousness. I'm disappointed because based on the previous book I thought I'd love this series more than the original one.

main character did too much stupid shit for my taste

I might end up liking this series even more than the previous one. It kept some of the things I liked from the previous series (like Widdershins being fucking weird, and the locals being convinced this is how it works everywhere), but also adding new things, like exploring the library and a real monster boyfriend.

Never thought Power of Love would be the thing to solve everything, but it fits the series. Also, I liked a little horror in the museum, returning to where we began, etc.