From only having read the first 4 Shatter Me books, this latest spin-off feels darker and more gruesome, though the character banter is still lighthearted. Don’t be surprised if a character has killed a grown man with their bare hands at three years old. Maybe the latter half of the series had this tone, but I can’t speak to it. I do see some slight retconning, like how James’s time before Adam got him seems altered to make him more “brooding.”

The dialogue and banter here are really fun, and I think James’ relationship with Warner was my favorite part. In the original series, the two had barely interacted, but here you feel the brotherly love between them. On that same note, Adam is basically written out of James’ life. This book series will never stop showing Adam its behind. He lost the girl and the brother!

Rosabelle’s imprisoned mindset and dissociation made sense here. When reading her narrative, the struggles and second-guessing she had about everything seemed plausible. How tiny and pale she was got old very quickly.

Also, AI is the villain here, rightfully so, as it often is these days. I found it interesting the varying levels of technological advancement or lack thereof; how some characters were even choosing to get back to more rustic lifestyles.

Overall, was this entertaining? Yes. Do I want to continue this series with James and Rosabelle? Not really. Undecided. I don’t find them super compelling as a couple. 

 This has some of the cutest artwork and characters EVER! It also has a final boss that's genuinely horrifying.

Ready for more! 

This was great from beginning to end. The story gets how kids worry about things, mostly things out of their control: middle school drama, parents, finances, a parent with addiction issues and (subtly) depression, home life problems, etc. 

<i>Band Nerd shows</i> a messy portrayal of the family dynamic here, coupled with middle school drama, but it’s realistic. Her mother works long hours as a nurse, and her father is okay when he’s sober but unpredictable when he’s not, which is most of the time. Lucy is also the typical oldest daughter, saddled with responsibility that isn't heaped upon her younger siblings.

She's constantly thinking about other people and others' feelings, so the one thing she wants for herself is to be first chair at her new performing arts school.

Although unfinished-looking at times, the art style is cozy and charming. I think it was expressive, too.

I enjoyed reading this and was eager to turn the page. The characters weren't flat. ENDING SPOILER:

I like that lucy doesn’t become first chair. Sometimes, we don’t always get what we want. I thought with the stolen music tolli would fail, but she didn’t. The parents are also more dimensional. They’re not all bad, though you see their parenting is poor

I was intrigued by some of the twists and turns and the conflict between Dr. Psychic and Dr. Occult. You can see where both of them are coming from as it relates to the fated evil student. 

such a fun subversion. This whole book is about Zantana, so you just assume she's the malevolence because that's how these stories go. But it's not who you think it is, and I enjoyed that fact.

Some of the pranks at the beginning were seriously lame. It shows how you can open a can of worms; nat isn't the type of person to let things go. but she really skated by on punishment

the moral is good. pranks are only as fun(ny) as you can ensure you're not hurting someone. in the rise of annoying challenges on social media, this is a good reminder. 

 I found the story and the characters really charming. Emotional stakes and terror ground the story here, but the humor is still lighthearted. I’d love to read more in this series. 

Jessica will never stop being the worst. Y'all already know that.

Brooke was very thorny, so I understand why she rubbed everyone the wrong way. But you still manage to feel for her as you see the layer peel off. 

This was fun. Now, the running gag with all the vomit got old quickly for me, but the story’s stakes and tension were good. Fun for kids where they get to save the day

 With the amount of killing that happens in this series, we finally get a point where Chihiro has to reconcile his part in it. What makes him different from the opposition that kills just as much?

I also enjoy the introduction of the characters from his father's past.

Some of the scenes here are so picturesque. This series will always get a plus in my book from other revenge tales, from having a female main character who is essential to the plot and fights boss battles.