This is another book that I just read to stay on top of the teen zeitgeists. I totally get that it's not FOR me, and if I were an actual teen I'd probably be into pages upon pages about what color Converse Lena wears. Approximately one-third of this book is lovingly-detailed descriptions of outfits.

I read this on Kindle so I don't actually know how many pages this was, but my estimate would be FIVE HUNDRED. BUT, I will say that I saw the movie and actually really liked it! I know books are usually superior to movies, but I think some YA books make better movies than books (eg Twilight) because movies can cut trim a lot of fat. (Like, say, long descriptions of outfits can turn into... actual outfits worn on screen with no further mention necessary). The movie also changed several plot points, but honestly I thought all the changes made more sense than the original. The whole magical lineage/magical rules/magical library business seemed unnecessarily complicated in the book, if you ask me. And you are reading my review, which is just as good as asking me. The movie was also funnier than the book.

I do want to give a shout-out to this book for being so book- and library-friendly! And for having a rad black librarian who can communicate with spirits!! Upon further reconsideration the character of Marian the Librarian (who is NEVER ONCE referred to directly as "Marian the Librarian" which if you ask me is a missed opportunity) might be enough to bump this to three stars.

Well, let's say 2.5 stars.