RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo

“Soldier. Summoner. Saint. For Alina Starkov, time is running out. The Darkling rules from his shadow throne while she, broken by their previous battle, is under the dubious protection of the zealots who worship her as a Saint. And as Alina convalesces she must also battle her conflicted feelings for the Darkling and her beloved Mal. Her last hopes lie with the magic of a long-vanished ancient creature and the chance that an outlaw prince still survives. As her allies and enemies race toward War, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world.”

What is the book about?

Alina is still recovering from her fight with the Darkling at the Little Palace and yet she has no time to rest. The Darkling has taken control of Ravka and is ruling over it from his own shadow throne while he waits for her to find him so he can take her back and finally have all the power he needs to take full control. Now she must use the protection of those who believe she is a Saint and hold on to the hope that there are more people out there willing to help her finally defeat the Darkling. Alina must find the outlaw prince that she hopes is still alive and get her hands on the ancient, mythical creature that may be the third and final amplifier or else there is no way that they will ever stop the Darkling. Alina is the only one who can save her country from the darkness that could destroy it, but the way she can achieve that may mean sacrificing everything she ever loved and losing the one person who she cares about most in the world.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I finished Siege and Storm (the second book in the trilogy), I was desperate to get my hands on Ruin and Rising (the third and final book in the series). Siege and Storm had ended on what I felt was a massive cliff-hanger and I was in great need for answers. I needed to know what had happened to the characters and whether or not the Darkling had survived (although I was pretty sure he had or else the third book wouldn’t be as chunky as it was). I had ridiculously high expectations for Ruin and Rising, due to how impressive the first two books had been, but, as it was the last book of a great series, I a bit concerned that it wouldn’t be as good as I hoped and that the ending would ruin the whole series. This is a doubt that I always have with a book series because different people want different things for the main characters and ship different couples so there are always some disappointed people, and I always worry it may be me. When I finally had the courage to start reading, I was surprised to find that the book started off really well and I immediately was taken back to the world Leigh Bardugo created. It only took a few pages to trap me in the book and I soon felt like I belonged in the story and didn’t want to leave ever again. However, soon I was reaching the end, which I had been worrying about from the very start.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

As soon as she reappeared at the end of Siege and Storm I had no doubt in my mind that my favourite character in Ruin and Rising would be Genya, and I was correct. The main reason I liked her more than any other character was because of her attitude. Despite everything she went through with the Darkling, she didn’t let that stop her from making a difference and helping to destroy him. I really admired how, despite losing the thing she most valued and had used to her advantage all her life, she didn’t just sit and grieve and let that change her resilient, luminous personality. Instead, she continued being the brave, beautiful friend that Alina had known at the Little Palace and she still held her head high and had the strength to face all her previous enemies wearing her new face. I was so glad at the end of the book when her help and strength was finally rewarded and given something that would allow her to keep being brave and unbreakable.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Once I finished the book I knew exactly what I was going to write about to answer this question. My favourite part in this book was definitely the ending. I know that a lot of the people who read the book probably weren’t exactly pleased with how it ended and it certainly wasn’t what I expected; however it is what I needed to feel satisfied. I obviously can’t explain much without ruining it (which I definitely don’t want to do); however I will try to show why I loved it so much. Mainly I loved this part because it just left me in tears. The characters had lost so much and, although this book ended in even more loss and pain, the characters also got something they never thought was possible. Lots of people probably wanted Alina to end up with someone else, or didn’t want her to lose what she lost, however honestly I think that she got the ending she deserved. Even though what she lost she will always feel like the ghost of a lost limb and I could feel her grief and pain through the pages, she got back something that she never thought she was going to be able to get and all I know is that she is probably happy with how her life ended, no matter how much grief, pain and loss she went through. I am also glad that, just because Alina was the hero of the story, she wasn’t let off the hook for what she tried to do with the three amplifiers. Overall the ending was amazing and I loved it more than most other endings.

What was your overall impression of the book?

As a whole, Ruin and Rising was an incredible book and I think it was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy. One thing that I loved was the incredible world building and plot. I know that I have mentioned this in every book review of the series, however it is impossible to communicate how amazing the world Leigh Bardugo created actually is. I honestly envy the skill this author has and how incredible her imagination must be to be able to create an entire world full of magical characters and creatures and to transform my own bedroom into this vast land that she was able to form using only a pen and paper. If I didn’t know any better I would think that Ravka was real and that everything I went through with the characters actually happened. I loved being able to feel like I was truly a part of the story and I have never enjoyed a book so much. Another thing that I really liked was the thrilling plot twists that I could never have seen coming. I always enjoy being surprised by an author and love a good plot twist but this discovery was one that caught me completely off guard. One last thing that I would like to mention was how much I enjoyed the ending of the book. Although it most certainly wasn’t anything like what we all expected, I think it was exactly what I needed. It may have left me thinking about what would’ve happened if Alina had made a different choice, however I think she made the right choice and she definitely good what she deserved after everything she went through. She may have lost something that she will always grieve but she gained a life that could never have been possible if she didn’t lose it.

Which is your favourite book in the Shadow and Bone series? (1, 2, or 3)

Although all three books in the series were incredible, I personally think that Ruin and Rising was my favourite book in the whole trilogy. The first (Shadow and Bone) and second (Siege and Storm) books were so good and had an incredible plot, however the ending of Ruin and Rising just left me feeling so shocked and made me cry from happy and sad tears. All the books in the trilogy were so similar, however Ruin and Rising just hit differently. Reading felt different, maybe because of the fact that it was the last book or maybe because of something else, I truly have no idea. I loved the amount of plot twists that this book had and everything that the characters went through was definitely unexpected, yet it added something that the other books were missing. Ruin and Rising was just so incredible and I loved reading it. I can’t believe that I actually finished the whole trilogy after the amount of time it spent gathering dust on my bookshelf. Now I just can’t wait to read more books by Leigh Bardugo and continue my adventures in the Grishaverse.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 10000000% recommend you read this book (obviously after the first two books in the series). It is the perfect book full action, fantasy and adventure and is perfect for anyone over 15 who is ready to dive deep into the most magical world ever created.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The most shocking, heart-breaking and magical conclusion to one of the most incredible trilogies ever written.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo

“Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov’s power has grown, but not without a price. She is the Sun Summoner – hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she’s taken. But she and best friend Mal can’t outrun her enemies for long. The Darkling is determined to claim Alina’s magic and use it to take the Ravkan throne. With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army. But as the truth of Alina’s destiny unfolds, she slips deeper into the Darkling’s deadly game of forbidden magic. To save her country, Alina will have to choose between her power and the man she loves. No victory can come without sacrifice – and only she can face the oncoming storm.

What is the book about?

Alina, with Mal’s help, managed to escape the Darkling and cross the True Sea. However, no matter how far she travels, the Darkling is determined to find her and get his hands back on her power. Once he finally finds her, he takes her back out onto the waters of the True Sea in search of the second of Morozova’s amplifiers, hoping to make Alina the most powerful Grisha in order to expand the Shadow Fold and control Ravka. However, Alina is not going to let that happen and she is desperate to escape from him for the third time, so in order to do that she begs for the help of an infamous privateer. Now, Alina hopes to lead the Grisha army and finally take down the Darkling. But, as she plans to stop the Darkling and take back her country, Alina realises that if she ever wants to restore her country back to its former glory she is going to have to make the biggest choice of her life – she is going to have to choose between her power or the man she loves and has always loved and always will love. There is no way to win the battle without making a sacrifice and only she can make that sacrifice.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As I had just finished Shadow and Bone (the first book in the trilogy), I was desperate to read Siege and Storm (the sequel). Shadow and Bone had ended relatively well and I think if it had ended like that, with no books to follow I would’ve survived. However, it wasn’t enough to satisfy my questions and, although at that point I may not have had many questions, deep down I still felt like something was missing and that Alina’s story wasn’t quite finished, so obviously I wanted to read on. When I picked up the book, I had high expectations, due to how impressive the first book was, but I still a little worried that Siege and Storm would start out boring (just how Shadow and Bone had begun). But, when I finally had the courage to start reading, I was delightfully surprised to find that the book started off strong and immediately captivated me and brought me back to the magical world Leigh Bardugo created. After only a couple of pages, I was already trapped in the book and didn’t ever want to leave the incredible characters and the adventure that I truly felt like I was a part of. However, sooner that I would have thought I found myself reaching the end of another novel and I was regretting reading so quickly. It was a great read from the very start. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I think in this book, my favourite character was also Alina. This was for many reasons but mainly because she didn’t let what she went through with the Darkling change her. She was strong character, a lot braver and independent than she was before she discovered her power and, even though she didn’t let her power get to her head, she also didn’t just spend her time thinking herself inferior. I was actually surprised how much I liked her because usually I don’t always like the main character, but I found that she was a lot better than most main characters. I also really liked how she never forgot the lives that she took and yet she didn’t let her succumb to that pain and grief. It was a heavy weight on her shoulders and I think it always will be, but she didn’t let that change her too much. One thing that I loved was when she stopped to read the names of all the people she allowed to be killed through the expansion of the Unsea and how she wasn’t going to let herself forget what she did, even if it wasn’t her fault. Alina was a great character and I was generally just proud of her with how she acted in the face of it all.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was when the characters were at the Little Palace. The main reason for this was because they had hope and they believe that it was possible that they could win the inevitable battle that would occur soon. Despite everything that the characters had gone through and the fact that they spent every waking moment at the Little Palace preparing for the fight they were expecting against the Darkling, they all held the belief that there was a strong chance that they could win. After all the training and all of the things they built to give themselves every advantage, Alina and her Grisha had hope. This was the best part of the book in my opinion because their hope made me hope that they would succeed. They had no way of knowing what would happen, yet they believed in themselves and I admired that ability and strength.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Siege and Storm was an incredible book and I loved every second I spent reading it. Initially I had been concerned that the book wouldn’t be as good as the previous one, however I soon realised I should’ve never doubted Leigh Bardugo’s writing and it actually ended up being better than Shadow and Bone. One thing that I loved was the incredible plot and world-building. Somehow Leigh Bardugo was able to create an entire world and to transform my bedroom into a magical land full of unbelievable creatures and action-packed adventure. I honestly can’t believe that what I just read doesn’t actually exist outside the pages of a few books because I honestly felt like that was all real and it could exist someplace other than my own imagination. I have lived through so many adventures and have shared them with so many characters, but this is one of the ones that felt the most real and I know it will live with me forever. The plot was also amazing and it really showed me why fantasy books are some of the best books out there and the ones that I always enjoy the most. We live in a world that is so mundane and using only a pen and some paper Leigh Bardugo was able to bring magic into my life. I seriously don’t know what I would’ve done if I never discovered the transformative powers of reading. Another thing that I enjoyed was Nikolai Lantsov’s role in the story. Despite not having been in the first book, it truly felt like he belonged and that I had known him my whole life. He made the words come alive and he brought a positivity that radiated through the pages and into each character. Personally, I feel like he was partly responsible for the sense of hope the characters felt when they were preparing for battle. Every book needs a character that brightens the room and always seems to have a new trick or joke up their sleeve and who always knows exactly what to say and I am honestly grateful this happened to be a handsome, cunning prince. Siege and Storm was a great book and I am thoroughly looking forward to reading Ruin and Rising, even if it means the series ends.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

I really enjoyed reading both Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm and found that they were both incredible books that left me feeling like I had just lived through an impossible adventure with characters that exists only on the pages and through my imagination. However, personally I believe that Siege and Storm was the better book. There weren’t really many differences between the two books – both had an incredible plot and were set in the most magical land you could ever think of. Despite the lack of differences, I still feel like Siege and Storm was my favourite so far mainly because of the introduction of the character of Nikolai Lantsov. I always appreciate a character who is, in a sense, some comic relief and I usually find that the scenes that involve that character are easier to enjoy. He was always positive and always knew exactly what to say in every situation. He brought a much needed light to the book, especially now that the characters were mid war and couldn’t do anything other than think about the oncoming battle that they all most definitely wouldn’t survive. Siege and Storm was an incredible book, just like Shadow and Bone, and I am more than desperate to read the third and final book in the series.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend you read Siege and Storm, of course after Shadow and Bone. It is the perfect book for any over 15 year olds who are hoping for a great read full of adventure, fantasy and thrilling action, while also a sense of mystery that leaves you yearning to find out the truth. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A stunning and tense sequel full of action, adventure and romance.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo

“Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov is a soldier. When her regiment is attacked whilst crossing the Shadow Fold – a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters – Alina unleashes a dormant magic not even she knew she possessed. Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha – the country’s magical military elite – and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift. But as Alina unlocks the secret of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation. 

What is the book about?

Alina Starkov is an orphan. A soldier. A nobody. She is destined to work as a mapmaker for the rest of her life and serve her kingdom, just like every other peasant girl like her. Now, she is on her way across the Shadow Fold – a sea of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters, also called the Unsea, which separates her country (Ravka) and makes it impossible for the East to get to the True Sea. She knows that it may prove impossible to cross it, and that she may not make it across alive, but when her regiment is attacked by the monsters she somehow makes it back out. Once she is back on safe land, she realises that making it out alive wasn’t just due to luck and she actually used some magic she didn’t even know she possessed. Now Alina will go from being a poor soldier and become part of the luxurious, rich world of Ravka’s magical elite (the Grisha). Not only that but now she is falling for the Grisha’s  leader, the Darkling, who believes that she is the answer to destroying the Shadow Fold once and for all and bring her country back together. But as Alina trains with the Grisha and works towards saving Ravka, she uncovers a secret that could destroy her country and threaten everything and everyone she cares about, unless she somehow finds a way to escape the lavish world she had just started to get accustomed to…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Unsurprisingly, I can barely remember how long ago I bought this book and the rest in the series, all I know is that it was quite a while ago and I was so excited to start reading them. Somehow, I ended up forgetting that I had them on my shelf, gathering dust, but now that I have taken Shadow and Bone out I don’t know how I was ever able to put it away and forget about it. Once I held it in my hands and read the blurb, I was so excited to start reading and was so intrigued to find out more about the Grishaverse and submerge myself in a lengthy and magical series. When I started to read, I was initially a bit disappointing because I found the book a little slow to begin with and found it hard to really get into it. I also found it a bit difficult to enjoy the book at the start due to the ridiculous amount of made up, hard to pronounce words that I found impossible to understand. However, after reading a couple more chapters, I found myself truly enjoying the book and once I familiarised myself with the new words in the made up languages and soon I was reaching the end of the book with the knowledge that starting this series was one of the best decisions I have made so far. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Honestly, I don’t really think I had a favourite character, but I do think that I did really like Alina. She was the main character, and as I saw everything through her eyes I found it relatively easy to like her. She was like every other female main character in a young-adult fantasy novel: the ugly, insecure, ordinary girl who is the saviour that everyone has been waiting for. She was easy to relate to in the way that she had her insecurities and was always looking around her, pointing out all the more beautiful people around her. However, the main thing that I liked about her is that she didn’t let the fame get to her head and never thought herself superior to the other characters, no matter how much better she actually was. I also really liked how she developed into a stronger character, a lot braver and independent than she was before and that, even though she didn’t let her power get to her head, she also didn’t just spend her time thinking herself inferior and she let herself enjoy the situation she was in for a little while and make actual friends. I was actually surprised how much I liked her because usually I don’t always like the whiny main character, but in reality she was a lot less whiny and her character development was quite well-written. Another character that I think I liked more than Alina was Genya. She was so nice and friendly with Alina but she also didn’t take any nonsense and wouldn’t let her just sit depressed the whole time. She also had a confidence I really admire and she was so beautiful and knew it. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

If I truly told you what my favourite part of the book was it would probably ruin the story, so instead I will just explain why my favourite part was my favourite part. The main reason I enjoyed this part was because it was the moment when me and the main characters thought that it was all over and that there was no hope anymore, however finally Alina realised that it didn’t have to end like that and that she could stop it. So, she took control. She took back her independence, her power and did what no one thought possible. She understood her strength and that her power was something that no one could take from her because it was a part of her. I really enjoyed seeing her take back her life and I was particularly impressed by her change of character. It was a great part of the book and in that moment I knew that Alina was no longer the useless, clumsy girl she once was. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Despite the amount of people that have disliked the book, I really enjoyed Shadow and Bone and found that it was a really good read. One reason I really liked it was because of its plot. Although it was a bit predictable at times and the pace could have been a bit quicker, I finished the book in less than a week and after I finally got into it I found that I didn’t want to put it down. The plot was just magical and, after you have read a few chapters and started to understand, Shadow and Bone grasps your attention and doesn’t let you go until you have reached the end and don’t even realise you read the whole book. I was sucked into this incredible world and so consumed by it that I didn't want to book the book down. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the world-building. I personally believe that this was the best thing about the book and that Leigh Bardugo’s skill was truly showcased in the way that she created a whole new world and so easily transformed my bedroom into a vast land full of magical creatures and adventure. After reading the book, I honestly can’t believe that what I just read doesn’t actually exist because I honestly felt like that world could exist someplace other than my own imagination. She brought Ravka to life and it honestly made reading the book so worthwhile. One other thing that I loved was the exclusive content in the book. I loved reading the letter that Mal wrote for Alina and found it so intriguing and also tragic that she will never get to read it, however I am most certainly grateful that I got to read it, I always appreciate some bonus content. Overall, Shadow and Bone was a great book with an incredible plot set in the most magical world ever, but I did find that the made up words where a little hard to follow. It may have its flaws, but I am truly glad that I picked Shadow and Bone off my shelf and I know I will most definitely be reading the next book. This was a great start to a hopefully incredible series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend reading Shadow and Bone. It is the perfect book for over 15s who are ready to enjoy a series full of fantasy, action, adventure and romance, but I am sure anyone who picks up this book will love it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A fascinating and unique adventure set in a wonderful, descriptive fantasy world. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

KILL JOY by Holly Jackson

“Pippa Fitz-Amobi is not looking forward to her friend’s 1920s-themed murder mystery party. But when the game begins, Pip finds herself drawn into the make-believe world of intrigue, deception and murder. As Pip plays detective, teasing out the identity of the killer clue by clue, the murder of the fictional Reginald Remy isn’t the only case on her mind…”

What is the book about?

Pippa’s friend, Connor Reynolds is having a 1920s-themed murder mystery party, with costumes, role play and an inspector to lead the way. However, Pip is not really excited for it as she doesn’t like not having work to do and is still worried about not having chosen a topic for her EPQ. But, when she arrives at the party and the game finally begins, Pip realises that she is actually enjoying it and is finding herself really merging into her characters world of secrets and murder. As she works her way through the party and the investigation, looking at the clues and trying to put them together in a way that makes sense, this murder is not the only one on her mind and her friends constant reminders about the Andie Bell case have her thinking that maybe that case wasn’t as simple as the one she is pretending to be involved in. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I first book this book with the rest of the series, I had initially thought I would read it before the first book in the main series as it was its prequel, but then I decided that it would be better to read it after so I could see where everything began and I wouldn’t be confused about the characters. Right before reading it, I was ecstatic and was so confident that it was going to be incredible, even though I knew that it was only a short story that probably wouldn’t be as good as the books from the main series. But, I knew I would still like it and I was prepared to love it all the same. Once I finally started reading, I loved how it jumped straight in with no explanations at the start or introductions, so it was a lot easier to fall back into the world of Pip and her investigations, even though this time it was a fictional one. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character in this book was also Pip. I think that the main reason for this was because I got to see how she thought about things and how she first came up with the idea for her EPQ project. I really loved seeing her work through the murder mystery game and how her mind worked in such an interesting and efficient way. It really shocked me when the truth came out, but her response to it made me like her even more. She didn’t get too angry and, although she was obviously annoyed for the rest of the story, she soon began to move on and used her frustration in a good way. I also loved the contrast between the innocent Pip in this book and the Pip that she grew into. She clearly isn’t the good girl she once was. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was a very difficult choice for me to make because the book was actually really short, too short, in fact, to really make a decision on a favourite part. However, if I really had to make a choice, I would have to say that my favourite part of the book was when Pip got the chance to explain her theory on what happened in the fake murder mystery. I loved reading this part because she just sounded so confident and the way that everything fit together and that she left no stone unturned or clue unexplained was so satisfying. It was so impressive how her mind worked and it also made me remember all the investigations she later goes on to solve using the same methods and confidence. Pip is just such an incredible main character and I just loved going with her through everything.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Kill Joy, though it wasn’t as good as the other books in the series. This is obviously because it was just a quick short story for context; however it is also because it wasn’t a real investigation, and it was actually just a game. Despite this, I still really liked the book and found that it was just as well written and fun to read as the main novels in the series. One thing that I really liked about the book was how it really brought me back to how it all started. I think I made the perfect decision when I chose to read the book after the whole series was finished because I really got to fully soak in everything that I experienced in the trilogy. When certain characters were mentioned, I thought about everything that at that point was not known about them but that I knew from reading the story and I think that this really helped me solidify my love for the books. I literally loved reading all three books in the trilogy (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead) and this stunning short prequel and I have just found out that they are planning on making a TV series on it, so I am beyond excited. This has become my favourite series of all time and I don’t think any other book will ever be able to top it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend reading this short story, but I think it is best to read it after at least the first book, so you have some understanding over the characters. It is great for over 13s, who love some drama, mystery and murder. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling prequel that gives a glimpse into how Pip ended up uncovering the truth about a solved murder case. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

AS GOOD AS DEAD by Holly Jackson

“Dead girl walking. Pip Fitz-Amobi is haunted by her last investigation. But soon a new case finds her and this time it’s all about Pip. She has a stalker, one who keeps asking: Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears? Pip soon discovers a connection between her stalker and a local serial killer, nut the police refuse to act. As the dangerous game plays out it’s clear that I Pip doesn’t find the answers, she’s as good as dead…”

What is the book about?

After her last investigation into Jamie Reynolds, Pip Fitz-Amobi hasn’t been the same and has been haunted by the blood that was on her hands. She can’t focus and can’t think about anything other than what happened that night, the trauma still circling through her veins, not letting her sleep. However, Pip knows how to save herself – she just needs one last case, one last case that has a clear good guy and a clear bad guy, a black and white case. She thought this would be a Jane Doe case in Cambridge (where she is planning to go to university in a few weeks), but soon a new case finds its way to her and this time it is all about her. Someone is stalking her, and has been doing so for a while, leaving disturbing online messages (always the same one: ‘Who will look for you when you’re the one who disappears?) and some physical appearances not on her phone screen. But soon it is clear that this isn’t a normal stalker case, this man has links to a serial killer, one who was supposedly convicted 6 years ago, but could this be the real killer, coming to claim his sixth victim? Now Pip must find a way to save herself, because if she doesn’t then she is certainly as good as dead…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Of course, my first thoughts about the book were that I had to read it and that I was going to love it just as much as the others. I had loved the first 2 books in the trilogy and I was so excited to read the last one. I not only wanted to start reading it as soon as possible, but I also needed to read it because I needed to know more about Pip and obviously her story wasn’t complete. However, initially, I was a little worried that the ending would ruin my whole experience of the books as so far I thought they were incredible and I really wanted that feeling to last. But, I still had high hopes for it and, although I was scared about whether or not the book would reach my expectations, I knew I had to read it. Once I started reading, I knew that I had been crazy to doubt Holly Jackson because she hadn’t disappointed me with A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder or Good Girl, Bad Blood, so clearly she wasn’t going to start now. From the very first page I knew I was going to love the book and I was completely immersed in the murder town that Holly Jackson created. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Just like in the previous books, my favourite character in As Good As Dead is definitely Pippa Fitz-Amobi. She was so brave and confident, and she was so intelligent, more intelligent than anything I could ever dream of. This intelligence was particularly showcased in this book because she had to use everything she had learnt in the complete opposite way that she was used to using her knowledge and she had to do something that not many people would be able to do and try to get away with something that appears practically impossible to most. However, my favourite quality about her was how extremely selfless she was. Initially she appeared a bit careless and selfish in the way that she tried to get her family and friends involved and looked to them for help, even though she was risking their futures for herself. But, then it was made clear to me that she was actually selfless and that she made sure that she was the only one at risk and if anyone was going to take the fall it would be her. When she thought there was still a risk involved, she decided to distance herself from everyone she cared about her because she couldn’t live with knowing that she had taken one of them down with her. Pip was one of the best female main characters I have ever encountered and she made me love the books even more. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This is usually the hardest question for me to answer; however, in this case, it was probably the easiest because there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that my favourite part was the ending of the book. I think that this was the best ending I have ever read in my life and I can't believe how much it affected me. I seriously can’t believe I ever worried about the ending ruining the book because in reality it made it better. This ending gave me more than enough information and, although it left a lot of gaps about the future, it gave a small glimpse into the possibilities and that meant that I could hope for the best and use my imagination in a way that meant I could picture the characters in a way that maybe the author wasn’t thinking of. I loved how this ending gave every reader the chance to use their own thoughts and pick an ending that made them happy. It was also a really emotional ending and I don't think any ending has ever affected me like this. It was super subtle about what was going to happen and yet so obvious, and, even though I know I shouldn’t say anything, but I just can’t hold it anymore: I just can't believe that he waited for her! For 2 years!! I wish I could tell you all exactly what happened, but I know that it would be very selfish of me because it is important that you guys read it and experience it for yourselves. I don't think I have ever been so satisfied at the end of reading a book. It was the perfect ending to an incredible trilogy. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, As Good As Dead was probably one of the best books I have read in a while, especially as it is the third book, which is usually a bit of a disappointment. One reason I loved the book was that it wasn't too difficult to solve who the stalker was. I was actually so surprised because I was able to find out who it was before Pip and she jumped to conclusions and didn’t really see what was right in front of her. I love when I am able to find something out before a main character because it always makes me feel amazing as I outsmarted the main characters, who aren’t real and are made to solve the investigations. Another thing that I adored about the book was the ending. This was my favourite part of the book and I loved how it was the perfect combination of subtle and yet obvious. It left plenty of room for interpretation, but was enough to help steer us in the right direction. But, the thing that shocked me the most was that an ending to a murder mystery series was able to leave me in tears and affect me emotionally in a way not many books have been able to. It was amazing and I loved it, but obviously I wish there were more investigations. One last thing I loved about the book, probably the most important thing, was the cyclical structure of the series. It was a whole circle and all the gaps in the previous cases were filled after reading this one. Not only that but all three books were linked and everything led back to the start. I liked how the tables were turned and it wasn't Pip trying to solve a murder or a missing persons case or a stalker case for the whole book and actually she had to do the inverse and had to put all her knowledge to the test and attempt to bring everything all the way back to the start. This was amazing and I think it really highlighted how amazing the author was. As Good As Dead was an amazing read and I can’t believe the story has ended here. 

Which is your favourite book in the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series? (1, 2, or 3)

Although all 3 books (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead) were amazing and I enjoyed reading them all, I do have a favourite book, or rather a least favourite book. Good Girl, Bad Blood was amazing, however I think that the first book (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) and the last book (As Good As Dead) are my joint favourites. The first book was the start of the series and everything was just so new and shocking that it made the whole experience more incredible. It was so amazing for a first book and I found the plot amazing – an A-Level student trying to solve a murder case that was already solved by the police (amazing!!). I also found that, although the mystery was definitely not easy to solve, if you really looked closely it was obvious from the start and the clues were everywhere so really anyone could put it together if they tried. The last book was amazing in a completely different way. It had the perfect ending that left me feeling lost for words, wanting to recommend the book to everyone I know but also wanting to keep it to myself because it felt like my special secret. However, it was also similar as the mystery was also relatively easy to solve if you looked at the clues. This book left me perfectly happy with how things ended and made me love the series even more. I just don't know which is better as they are both so different and I am just going to leave them as joint favourites. However I do want to mention one last thing: the thing I loved the most of all the books as a whole was that, although they were completely different cases and I had initially thought they weren't really like a series and more like individual stories with the same main characters, they were actually all linked and it felt like there had been a full circle from the first to the last book and back again. The cyclical structure shocked me and I thought it was incredible writing. Sometimes authors don't know that it's going to be a series and so the books don't always link as well, but this was the most well written series I have ever read and it was clear that there was meant to be 3 books from the very start. I can't wait to read more by Holly Jackson and I know if she ever releases another book I will be the first to buy it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would undoubtedly recommend reading this book; but you do need to read the first 2 books before (so that everything makes sense). I think it is a particularly perfect for those who are over 15 and enjoy some crime, drama and mystery.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A compelling, heart-breaking conclusion to the best murder mystery series in the universe. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

GOOD GIRL, BAD BLOOD by Holly Jackson

“Someone is missing. Nobody’s talking. But this time, EVERYONE is listening… Pip Fitz-Amobi is not a detective any more. Her true-crime podcast about the murder case she solved last year has gone viral. Yet Pip insists her investigating days are behind her. But she will have to go back on her word when someone close to her goes missing and the police can’t do anything about it. If they won’t investigate, then Pip will, uncovering more of her town’s dark secrets along the way. But will she find the answers before time runs out?”

What is the book about?

After many articles, podcasts and more were released about Andie and Sal’s killer, Pip noticed that most people were telling the story incorrectly and so she decided to make her own true crime podcast about her investigation, leaving nothing out and telling the whole truth – not the one that people wanted to hear. But after her podcast went viral and everyone was asking for a season 2, Pip decided to not be a detective anymore and that this would be the end. She didn’t want to risk everything like she did last time and she knew that any more trouble wasn’t necessary. However, when Jamie Reynolds, her friend Connor’s brother, Pip decides that she will break that promise and start her investigation. The police aren’t doing anything about it as it is a low-risk case, so she must take the reins and find the truth about what happened to Jamie and won’t stop until he is home safe – no matter how many dark secrets she discovers along the way. But will she get to him before his time runs out? Or will this all end with another murderer in Little Kilton?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Since I had just read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (the first book in the series) and absolutely loved it, I was obviously extremely excited to start reading Good Girl, Bad Blood. Initially, I was very convinced that I was going to love reading this book just as much as I did the first and I had no doubt that it was going to be a very enjoyable, easy read. When I read the blurb, I was even more intrigued about the book and was soon desperate to start discovering more about what was going to happen in the book. As soon as I started reading the book, I immediately knew that my initial assumptions were correct and that I was definitely going to find the book incredible in all aspects. From the very first page I felt completely at home and found it so easy to just forget about everything that was around me and just read and really live the story. The book immediately grabbed my attention and its clear to me that I loved the book from the very start. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Just like in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, this decision was pretty easy and my favourite character is definitely Pippa Fitz-Amobi. The main reason I liked her was because Pip was so intelligent, studious, independent and not like most teens – meaning she was just like me! I loved that I saw little things in her that I know I also have and it just made the book so much more relatable and just easier to read. However, she was also extremely confident in herself and was always willing to take a leap of faith and risk everything. I know I am definitely not like this and I prefer to live inside my own little world, but it did make me think that maybe I should try to be more open minded and have confidence in myself. There was also something new about Pip in Good Girl, Bad Blood – a new, deep, fiery anger inside her which wasn’t really present in the first book. I should’ve hated this angry, mean side of her, but in reality I actually liked it because it made me feel less alone. For the past 18 years Pip has tried to be the perfect daughter, sister, student, which is evident from her grades and the way she behaves. She has probably spent her entire life bottling up her emotions, trying not to burden anyone else, and now she has reached her limit where the smallest thing (though in her case it might’ve been a relatively big thing) can make the biggest change to her attitude and emotions. I am sure a few people found this sudden change in her odd, but I understood it because I also try to be perfect and sometimes I just snap at the smallest things because I have too much on my plate. I loved that Pip was also like this and I was so happy to see that I am not the only one, even if she is just a fictional character.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was very hard decision for me because I loved the whole book but I think my favourite part of Good Girl, Bad Blood would have to be when Pip realised the real gravity of the situation and that time was running out. She had always known that she was running on a timer and that if she didn’t work fast that time would end with Jamie dead, never to return home again. However, it wasn’t until this moment when she realised just how serious it was and that she was given a chance to save Jamie and help Connor and she had to really work hard to achieve what she had promised. This part of the book started of really tense and dark, because the characters and I were on edge, not knowing if time had run out and there would be no happy ending to the investigation. Then, everyone was happy because they realised that there was still a chance, however the ending was what really stuck with me. The determination Pip had to solve this mystery and save Jamie was clear and strong and I knew that soon this book would end with Pip discovering the truth, for better or for worse. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I loved Good Girl, Bad Blood and found that it was perfect in every way. One thing that I loved about the book was how easy I found reading it. I finished the whole book quicker than I have ever been able to in a school week and I knew that there was only one explanation: the incredible writing and plot. It was so easy to read that while I was reading I completely forgot that that wasn’t actually my own reality and was able to fully allow myself to experience the book as if I was one of the main characters, helping Pip find Jamie. I love this feeling because it makes me feel like anything is possible because someone words on paper have been able to transport me to another world, just like magic. Another thing that I really loved about the book was that it rekindled my love for murder mystery in a way I never thought it could. When I was little, murder mystery books were the first books that made me feel like I was part of the world that I was reading about. That incredible feeling where you aren’t quite on Earth is something that I will never forget and I still remember reading underneath the covers, later questioning my idea as I was trembling from fear because it was past midnight and I wasn’t sure whether or not there was going to be a murderer coming for me or not. This series has been able to really make me remember why I have always considered murder mysteries to be my favourite sort of novels and I just can’t wait to read on. One last thing that I really liked about the book that really stood out to me was the fact that there were clues in the first book that were used in the second book. I really enjoyed this because I think it was a very realistic representation of what it is like to working on something, like a case, in real life because not everything is going to be clear and organised and sometimes you have to look to places that you wouldn’t even consider and look back to something from months ago in order to make sense of a situation. It also made it clear to me that this was what Holly Jackson had been planning all along and it made me truly think about what I was going to encounter in the last book. Good Girl, Bad Blood was an incredible second and I just can’t wait to see what’s in store for me with the final book in the series. 

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Although I definitely loved both books and wouldn’t trade reading them for the first time for anything, I think personally I liked A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder a little more than Good Girl, Bad Blood. There wasn’t really anything that I found was better in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and mainly I think that the only reason I liked it better was that the whole experience was a lot newer and more shocking and interesting. However, there was one minor thing that I found I enjoyed more in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder than the second book: the plot. Both plots were incredible and I loved the whole Jamie’s disappearance thing and both books had the same amount of shocking plot twists, but I just liked the plot from the first book more because I could actually predicted the killer if I had just paid a lot more attention. All the clues were there and once everything was explained at the end I knew what I had missed. In contrast, in Good Girl, Bad Blood there were no clues at all that would’ve been able to point to the real bad guy in the end and I found that slightly disappointing. I also enjoyed the whole closed murder situation that was going on in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and the fact that there was not just one bad guy, but several, just like there is in real life because not everything can be clean and simple. However, I definitely enjoyed reading both books and I know I will love the third and final novel too. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend reading this book; however you do need to read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder before. I think it is a particularly great read for those who are over 14 and enjoy some crime, drama and mystery.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A shocking mystery novel with twists and turns that no one could’ve ever seen coming.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER by Holly Jackson

“The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for their final-year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?”

What is the book about?

Five years ago, teenager Andie Bell disappeared and was presumed dead and allegedly murdered by Sal Singh. Everyone in town, including the police, are confident that he did it and in their minds there is no ‘allegedly’ – Sal Singh was the murderer, which he clearly stated in his last message, where he confessed to the murder before killing himself. However, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure and her gut is telling her that Sal didn’t do it and the real killer is still running free in their small town. So, when she has to decide on a topic for her EPQ (the project completed alongside A-Levels), she realises that this is the perfect opportunity to discover the truth of what happened that night 5 years ago. As she starts to uncover more secrets than she could have ever thought Little Kilton could hold, it is made clear that there is someone in town who is desperate to keep these secrets hidden and that they may stop at nothing to stop Pip from uncovering the truth. The real killer may actually be out there, roaming the same streets as Pip and watching her every move and it may be possible that Pip has taken on more than she can handle. Will she get to the truth before the killer gets to her?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I first heard of these books about a year ago I knew that I needed to have them and, after several months of sitting on my book wish-list, I finally decided it was time to purchase them and add them to the many unread books still on my shelf. This probably wasn’t not the best decision I could have made money and space wise, however, when I finally decided to pick up the book only a couple days ago, I knew that reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was going to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Once I finally started reading I found that the book was impossible to put down. After reading only a couple of chapters I was fully engrossed in the book and I actually finished in only a day. It was intriguing and full of mystery from the very beginning and, even though I had known from before even reading it, it was an incredible book and I loved it from the second I held in in my hands. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This decision wasn’t as difficult as it usually is for me and I was actually able to choose my favourite character in less than a minute. My favourite character in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is definitely Pippa Fitz-Amobi. I really liked her for many reasons. One reason was because Pip was so intelligent and actually reminded me a lot of myself. She was very studious, did her homework right away and was always working independently in her room. She wasn’t like other teens and didn’t really like going to parties, just like me. These weren’t the only similarities between Pip and me, her parents also acted similarly with her as mine act with me – they’d tell her to study less and go out to parties or spend time with friends, unlike how all other parents act with their normal kids. Another reason was because she was so fearless. She was so confident in herself and was able to pursue her investigation without worrying too much about the risks that came with uncovering new secrets. However, although she appeared fearless, she wasn’t without any fears and common sense. She knew that there was a huge risk of her or her family being hurt and when the time came she put her foot down and stopped the investigation because she didn’t want to let anyone get hurt. Pip was a great character and I loved that she was the main character because she made the book that much better. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Making this decision was a lot harder than choosing my favourite character, however I was about to decide my favourite part of the book. My favourite part of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was when the pieces finally came together near the end of the book. I loved following Pip’s investigation and I found it so much fun trying to piece together the clues, as I always love to do. However, the best part of the book was when the clues that I had initially missed started to actually make sense and all the pieces fell into place, pointing to the real killer and the truth finally made sense. I loved being able to finally discover the truth and it was my favourite part because, as I felt like I was part of the story and the investigation, it felt great to finally solve the mystery of who was actually to blame for the deaths of Andie Bell and Sal Singh. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was an absolutely amazing read and I loved every second of it. One thing that I loved about the book was how easy I found reading it. I literally finished the whole thing in one sitting and got from front to back so quickly. It flowed so well and I found that I was completely immersed in the world that Holly Jackson created when she wrote the book. I completely forgot that I was reading and was able to fully allow myself to experience the book as if I was one of the main characters, helping Pip uncover the truth. I love this feeling because it makes me feel like anything is possible because someone words on paper have been able to transport me to another world, just like magic. Another thing that I really loved about the book was that it was one of the first books I have ever read that was actually set in England. This made the book and the characters so much more relatable. I usually find it so hard to understand the school system in America (where books tend to be set) and I always have to look up which out of Junior Year or Sophomore Year comes after Freshman Year (and I still don’t know). However, in this case Pip and her friends were in sixth form doing their A-Levels in their last year of school (AKA Year 13), which I found very easy to understand and relate to as I am only a year below. I loved this and it was so entertaining how often they drank tea, as all British people do. One last thing that I really loved about the book was that, although it was written in the third person, there were sections of Pip’s EPQ also included in the book, which were written in the first person as a bit of a diary showing Pip’s inner thoughts and her research. I loved this because it really helped me feel involved in the investigation and I love being able to feel as though I am part of the story. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder was an incredible book and I think it is definitely making it into my favourite books list. I just can’t wait to read the next book in the series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 10000000% recommend reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, especially for over 14 year olds who are a fan of a well-written murder mystery novel. It is perfect for mystery, crime, drama and thriller lovers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling, secret filled murder mystery novel that is impossible to put down.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego