Once I got into this book I could not put it down. After I finished I only hoped there would be a sequel.
A super quick, enjoyable, and fun read. While this book does suffer the same problem as most series starter books in that so much time is spent on world developing that there is not much of a plot I still felt involved in the outcome and the characters.
The best part of this book is Lily and Scout's sarcasm and playful banter between one another. Another character describes it perfectly when she refers to them as Gilmore Girls. They have that playful back and forth commentary for every situation that is both meaningful and funny at the same time.
Several secondary characters were introduced but their personalities barely skimmed the surface. Hopefully in the second book we as readers will be given a much more in depth, intense, and detailed plot along with some serious characterization.
All in all, I look forward to reading the next book in the series and just hope that Lily doesn't go the way of Zoe Redbird from the Marked series - all annoying, silly, and slutty.
The best part of this book is Lily and Scout's sarcasm and playful banter between one another. Another character describes it perfectly when she refers to them as Gilmore Girls. They have that playful back and forth commentary for every situation that is both meaningful and funny at the same time.
Several secondary characters were introduced but their personalities barely skimmed the surface. Hopefully in the second book we as readers will be given a much more in depth, intense, and detailed plot along with some serious characterization.
All in all, I look forward to reading the next book in the series and just hope that Lily doesn't go the way of Zoe Redbird from the Marked series - all annoying, silly, and slutty.
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Lily's parents just broke the news that they're taking a two-year sabbatical in Munich, Germany - and that she's not invited. Immediately, Lily has visions of staying with Ashley while going through the SATs, college application process, and the prom. Her daydream fades as her mom breaks the news about a boarding school in Chicago.
The first day at St. Sophia's raises questions for Lily. She's so unsure why she's enrolled. Most girls have been coming here for years. She does connect with one of her suite mates, who could be her new best friend. But Scout has a secret, and it involves sneaking off until the middle of the night.
Scout's not about to fill Lily in just yet, so unable to hide her curiosity, Lily follows her one night down into the depths of the school in a maze of twists and turns. She stays behind a locked doorway until she hears Scout on the other side. Lily has tons more questions that Scout refuses to answer in order to keep her safe.
Trouble follows Lily around, and before long she falls victim to a prank and ends up locked in a room in the basement. By the time she figures out how to unlock the door, she runs into Scout and two boys running for their lives. Together, they race for the door to escape, but Lily get hit with magic and goes down. She wakes up in a hospital and forces Scout to spill the secret. Once she finds out, she wishes she didn't know quite so much.
Chloe Neill starts off her YA debut with a bang and never looks back. The mysterious school, bratty classmates, secret societies, and one best friend combine together to make an awesome start to a new paranormal series.
Lily's parents just broke the news that they're taking a two-year sabbatical in Munich, Germany - and that she's not invited. Immediately, Lily has visions of staying with Ashley while going through the SATs, college application process, and the prom. Her daydream fades as her mom breaks the news about a boarding school in Chicago.
The first day at St. Sophia's raises questions for Lily. She's so unsure why she's enrolled. Most girls have been coming here for years. She does connect with one of her suite mates, who could be her new best friend. But Scout has a secret, and it involves sneaking off until the middle of the night.
Scout's not about to fill Lily in just yet, so unable to hide her curiosity, Lily follows her one night down into the depths of the school in a maze of twists and turns. She stays behind a locked doorway until she hears Scout on the other side. Lily has tons more questions that Scout refuses to answer in order to keep her safe.
Trouble follows Lily around, and before long she falls victim to a prank and ends up locked in a room in the basement. By the time she figures out how to unlock the door, she runs into Scout and two boys running for their lives. Together, they race for the door to escape, but Lily get hit with magic and goes down. She wakes up in a hospital and forces Scout to spill the secret. Once she finds out, she wishes she didn't know quite so much.
Chloe Neill starts off her YA debut with a bang and never looks back. The mysterious school, bratty classmates, secret societies, and one best friend combine together to make an awesome start to a new paranormal series.
I found this book only 'okay'. It took a LONG time to finally figure out what was going on at St. Sophia's. Very slow until that part. However, since we now know what is going on then i'll probably get the 2nd book in the series.
Was good,the story has merit.I enjoyed the growing romance and friendship.
This is a YA read that I suspect will appeal to many teenagers. Lily, the narrator, finds herself in a boarding school when her parents depart for Germany on a sabbatical. Never before having been parted from them, she misses them and her friends in upstate New York yet she must find a way to survive in this school for rich girls. One way is to make friends. She discovers Scout, a teenager who has her own lifestyle, one that Lily can identify with rather than that of the teens who have everything they desire.
The basic premise of the story is the use of magic. Those who have magic talents show signs at an early age, peaking between 15 and 25. At that point magic talents must be abandoned or sustained by sucking the souls of others. Scout and her friends have such talents but they work to protect and rescue those from those who would use them. How can a non-magic user like Lily fit into the group? They can't the leaders inform Lily when she discovers their lifestyle.
At the same time Lily learns that her parents have a life that they have hidden from her. She is hurt and feels abandoned. As the tale develops, one wonders how Lily can manage to graduate from her new school. The plot is simple but interesting. I give this read a solid three but I am an adult reading a YA novel written for teenagers.
The basic premise of the story is the use of magic. Those who have magic talents show signs at an early age, peaking between 15 and 25. At that point magic talents must be abandoned or sustained by sucking the souls of others. Scout and her friends have such talents but they work to protect and rescue those from those who would use them. How can a non-magic user like Lily fit into the group? They can't the leaders inform Lily when she discovers their lifestyle.
At the same time Lily learns that her parents have a life that they have hidden from her. She is hurt and feels abandoned. As the tale develops, one wonders how Lily can manage to graduate from her new school. The plot is simple but interesting. I give this read a solid three but I am an adult reading a YA novel written for teenagers.
New girl.New school.Old evil. Good book
