* First in a new spin-off series *Devin never really fit in - and she's not interested in attending Royal Academy. But she doesn't have a choice. Devin can talk to animals and she wants to work with them instead of learning how to dance, finding herself a prince, or learn how to become a damsel in distress.My Thoughts: I loved Devin - for her feminist ways, for her ability to save herself and others. I admired her strength and determination - even in a world that didn't make sense for her. I loved her ways with animals and how she befriended and helped them. I liked the moments with her roommates - from their horror at her priorities to how they stood with her. I loved her fashion sense - pockets and pants. Of course there are mentions of other fairy tales. I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
In fact, she's so far from the damsel in distress, she helped saved the day from harpies, but managed to make the headmistress angry. She received her first strike against her.
A lady is supposed to wait for a prince to save her, not save herself and others. Devin believes there's something seriously wrong at the Royal Academy.
Tests are happening, but they don't feel like tests. Devin finds herself in the middle of a fight she doesn't understand and can't win.
* Book 4 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series *Gilly's still not thrilled with her schooling situation, she loves the new school idea. But she's not happy with one of her new teachers. Plus her sister is still missing. She's finding it hard to concentrate when all she wants to do is save the day - again.My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the addition of the new royal family - the librarian and her husband. I loved learning about the library, it sounded amazing. I really liked A.G. and how Gilly helped her realize her true potential but also fit into the school. I felt terrible for Gilly for most of the book. I can't wait to see where the new spin-off series goes, because there are questions I need answered!
Even though the royal court swears they will take care of it, there is no news. Should Gilly strike out on her own and figure things out?
* Book 3 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series *Gilly's graduated Fairy Tale Reform School, but nothing feels the same now that she's home. She hates cobbler school. She misses her friends. Something must change.My Thoughts: I really liked this book - I liked how Gilly felt responsible for Anna and attempted to help her. I was happy seeing all my old favorite characters. The news ones, especially the magical animal pets, added some humor to the story. I enjoyed the Stiltskin Squad and their trickster habits. I loved the quest and how that worked out. I enjoyed meeting Little Red Riding Hood. The ending was lovely, luckily I had the next book in the series to read immediately afterwards.
When she hears that Rumplestiltskin has taken over the school and made it worse, she's concerned. When Anna, her younger sister, gets taken to the school, Gilly wants to help her. But Anna seems content with her two new friends Hansel and Gretel.
Gilly decides she must act and save her sister. She gets herself thrown back into FTRS along with a few good friends. But this time, things are very different. Can she save the school once again?
Eugenie Clark became fascinated with sharks at the age of 9. She wanted to study them and prove they weren't as dangerous as everyone thought.
Leo is different from the other knights. He's not interested in fighting, but he loves reading. His parents push him out the door to take care of a dragon. Leo packs books for his trip and it's a good thing he does because book help him win the day.My Thoughts: How can I not love this one - about knights and dragons and books. It's magical, sweet, and entertaining. And it talks about the power of books. Illustrations are charming. My new favorite picture book!
Gilly's struggling with her new found fame after saving the school (with the help of her friends) - but the danger isn't over.My Thoughts: Another fantastic story! I love Gilly and her friends, even though they fought for much of the book. I like how Gilly's head swelled a bit, but how she finally came back down to earth. I like the idea of the reluctant hero and how Gilly doesn't want to be a hero, but she's not about to sit on the side lines either. I love how she wants to take action against evil. I like the improvement in Gilly's family's life - how they had enough money for food and clothes. I Loved Blackbeard. He was entertaining and a nice addiction to the already fun cast of characters. A charming story; so looking forward to the next book in this series!
The Wicked One has a plan of her own. She wants to take over the kingdom, starting with the school. She's offering students the choice of joining her.
Gilly knows that she needs to keep her eye on things; something's not right. There's a mole inside the school. When she's asked to join the Royal Ladies in Waiting, Gilly has no interest, but maybe joining will give her some answers. Can Gilly and her friends save the kingdom again?
Gilly steals to make things easier for her siblings. Five brothers and sisters often don't have enough to eat. The shoe making business has taken a hit.My Thoughts: I Loved this book and can't wait for more in this series.
When Gilly's caught, for the third time, she's forced to enroll in Fairy Tale Reform School.
The school believes that with a little training, everyone can change. But Gilly doesn't want to change. She only wants to escape the school as quickly as possible. Then she notices something strange is going on - can she help figure it out?
Final Thoughts: A superb start to a new series that's entertaining, fun, and smart. I can't wait to find out what happens next. If you like fairy tales, be sure to snatch this one up.
Axelle is asked to uncover the missing black diamond that was stolen after a photo shoot without letting anyone know it was stolen. Axelle has the perfect cover, after making a splash at fashion week in Paris, she's ready for fashion week in New York.My Thoughts: I really like this series. I love how fashion and modeling is just a cover for detective work. Axelle still isn't letting her success turn her head.
While trying to juggle her modeling cover, Axelle creates a timeline of the day to help her narrow down her suspects. The pool of suspects isn't large, but none of them appear to have a motive. Can Axelle recover the black diamond before the date of return or will the fashion world find out and one of it's stars be ruined?
Final Thoughts: A fun fashion mystery that makes New York come alive - think Nancy Drew with fashion sense.
Axelle wants to solve mysteries, but her parents don't approve. Instead, they're sending her to Paris to visit her aunt for Fashion Week where she'll be a minion for her aunt. Axelle isn't the least bit interesting in the world of fashion - that is until one of the top designers goes missing.My Thoughts: A great start to a new series with a feisty heroine who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to think outside the box. I liked how even though Axelle entered the fashion world, she didn't let it turn her head; she still kept her own ideas and she still wore the clothes that suited her. I liked both of her friends and how they researched the past to help solve the mystery in the present. I certainly wasn't expecting that ending, but I love the set-up for the next book in New York.
Axelle knows that she could solve the case if only given the opportunity, especially once she realizes the police aren't looking into the family curse. She crashes a meeting and gets a top model on her side. With a little work, Axelle makes a splash in the fashion world. She uses her new fame to question everyone who might have known about the curse. Can she walk the runway and solve the crime before her parents come to visit?
