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Miss Mabel's School for Girls

Miss Mabel’s School for Girls is a YA fantasy novel, and the first in The Network Series, by Katie Cross.

Sixteen-year-old Bianca Monroe has been planning for this day her entire life.

First, she has to be allowed into Miss Mabel’s School for Girls – one of the schools within the Network that teaches young witches how to use their magic. Then she has to safely pass through the foggy forest of Letum Wood. Finally, she has to break all tradition and volunteer for a competition that first year’s never touch.

Why?

Because Bianca must be able to confront Miss Mabel – a witch who cast a devastating curse on her family.

And the only way to meet Miss Mabel is to win the competition.

No one believes that a first year would have a single, solitary chance of beating trained third years.

Yet they don’t realize…

Bianca’s been training all sixteen years of her life…

Miss Mabel’s School for Girls was a revelation for me!!!

At the beginning I was a little thrown, because I couldn’t place a setting or time period for the story. Essentially, it is a fantasy in a witchy world – more details are revealed as you read Miss Mabel’s School for Girls. I was able to get past that initial hiccup fairly quickly.

There are some Harry Potter similarities, of course. A lot of times I felt like I was at the Triwizard Tournament. Potions feel familiar, things like that.

Yet, let me be very clear: this is a story completely of its own.

I swiftly was caught up in the suspenseful, atmospheric test of abilities. Bianca is very smart, very strong and very likable. I was truly stunned by how nerve wracking the novel was – it’s surprisingly page-turning!!!

Gripping, mesmerizing and disturbing at times – Miss Mabel’s School for Girls does not as much focus on the magic itself – though the magic is cool – but rather the intrigue, puzzles and tests surrounding it. There’s a whole level of political espionage going on and a truly dark, frightening sense that Bianca could be in over her head.

And Miss Mabel?

Yeah, she’s pretty much psychotically, brilliantly disquieting.

As you can tell, I was impressed and found Miss Mabel’s School for Girls to exceed my expectations!

I really, really want more.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm impressed too! This sounds great... I'm not too good for some Harry Potter readalikes :) Thanks for the review!

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