A good first foray into an interesting world with relatable characters.

Highly recommended if you like this type of fiction, especially if you have kids you can read along with. :) ( )

After reading Percy Jackson books and Watching Harry Potter movies, then coming into this series, I seriously doubt that all Middle grade books have the Chosen one trope.

Coming into this book, a solid first book of a long running series. Excellent characters and wonderful friendships are the highlights of the book.

Couple of negatives include, OP protagonist and multiple branching stories unexplored (Maybe meant to discuss on the future books) ( )

I have been so curious about this series that's regularly checked out of the library, and now I know why: it's a super fun middle grade fantasy adventure that had me hooked from the beginning. I read Shannon Messenger's annotated edition, where she leaves reader notes about her writing process (it doesn't spoil the flow at all). There's a lot of peril, and although I wouldn't call it young adult, readers who get a little scared will need to take breaks. ( )

So many things bug me so much. No diversity, for one. Also deliberate upheaval of science, which I think is not done so much as to diss STEM but rather as a way for the author not to have to explain how the magic works. Friends who have only supportive roles, no background or inner lives of their own. Also she supposedly has a photographic memory, but she rereads and studies her textbooks.

Also this realm & these people are supposed to be so special, so evolved, but they still have bullies, mean girls, abusive (at least somewhat, maybe not horrid) parents, intrigue, power-hungry men, greed, etc.

And too many secrets. How do the adults think it's ok to basically not tell Sophie *anything* but when she does figure anything out she's told she must keep mum?

And of course the unsatisfactory ending. This is only her first year of school, you see. So of course the conspiracy isn't going to be solved for, what, 6 more books? :sigh: ( )

Keefe's Story (Nightfall): ★★★★★
Keefe's Story (Flashback): ★★★★★
Fitz's Story: ★★★★
Tam's Story: ★★★★
Linh's Story: ★★★★
Marella's Story: TBA