3.5/5

Interesting...there were parts I liked, parts I loved and parts I hated. I wish the exploration of the French Revolution would've been more than just the last 1/3 of the book. The main character is...boy oh boy...she is the definition of baggage and I kinda hated her. I wanted more of the historical stuff and less of the inner blaming of tragedy (it got pretty exhausting very quickly). Really interesting info about music!

I actually liked this book more than I remember liking it the first time!

Huh...not horrible but the pacing was all over the place and the ending...I know it's a series but that was hella unsatisfying

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Candlewick for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

This is a really solid 3.5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the focus of this book being on the Kensington System! It's always something that has fascinated me and it always is mentioned in passing in historical fictions but never really used. I had never even thought of what it was like for those being monitored and forced to enforce the System so I really enjoyed this perspective. In addition, Worsley did a great job of painting how dark and out of touch the palace was with the rest of the world from the start! It made the renovation of Kensington effect me by perking up.

The Young Victoria is one of my all-time favourite movies so I always imagine Victoria as a 20-30 something year old proper strong put together woman...while I think my default is still that, it was incredibly enjoyable to watch the soon to be iconic Queen, throw tantrums and play the System.

I found the ending "twist" to be incredibly predictable. I never guess ANY twists in books and I picked up on what was happening by like chapter 4. That being said, I don't think the book took itself particularly serious as a mystery--rather, it was a fun fluffy historical fiction where the villain gets his just desserts and our Victorias' get their own happily ever after.

3.5/5

I actually really loved the characters. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I read a book with a deaf character. She's such a smart girl and her social awkwardness along with Virgil's. Their awkwardness and quietness in public spaces is so relateable. I think the cast is really the shining part of this. The plot was nothing special but a really good message for kids

I actually remember hating how this book ended but...I mean...it made sense. I complain when it ends with everyone living so I gotta give Collins a high five for that

I didn't love it as much as the first book but still enjoyed it! Loved the two timelines of Hazel specifically

I actually think I enjoyed this book more than any of the Percy Jackson series.

I liked the message behind this and getting animal POVs but I found myself quite bored for long stretches...like even when there was stuff going on, it couldn't hold my attention

A book for anyone who thinks that in a world with Brock Turner, it's fucking bullshit to be worried about the width of a girls spaghetti straps ♀♀♀♀♀♀♀♀

Earily similar to my high school.