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stephxsu's review against another edition
4.0
High school senior and aspiring journalist Maggie Quinn just wants to survive the last few weeks of high school without getting sucked into the prom madness. However, there’s more on her plate to worry about when strange and horrible things begin to happen to her grade’s “elite crowd,” lovingly called the Jocks and the Jessicas by Maggie. These boys and girls suffer accidents or lose what is most important to them, and Maggie, with the help of her friends, reluctantly admits that something sinister and distinctly hellish might just be happening, and it might take a trip to the prom for her to come get to the bottom of it.
Oh, Rosemary, how do I love thy writing? Let me count the ways. Maggie is my kind of protagonist: smart, snappy, and always ready with a quip, even at the most inappropriate moments. Here is a girl who’s not afraid to bust out SAT words in her narrative, even as she’s demeaning her admittedly stereotypical but never uninteresting lower-intelligence classmates, or trying to kick evil’s butt. She’s a no-nonsense, smart-alecky girl thrown into a situation that’s quickly turning unbelievable and distinctly UN-funny, and yet Maggie keeps her cool—and her snarky comments—consistently throughout.
Because of Clement-Moore’s fantastic writing style, even characters such as Maggie’s two possible love interests—Brian Baywatch, the rebel Jock with the lifeguard looks, and Justin, a student of the occult at the nearby university—don’t dissolve into stereotypical shining white knights (even if that is their character type). I would like to see more dimensions in Maggie’s parents and her grandmother in future books in this series, but that is a minor complaint. The strength of Maggie’s character is the thing that carries this book by far.
If you’re looking for a paranormal read that puts a smart twist on a familiar setting, look no further than Rosemary Clement-Moore’s Maggie Quinn: Girl vs Evil series. I can’t wait to read the next books!
Oh, Rosemary, how do I love thy writing? Let me count the ways. Maggie is my kind of protagonist: smart, snappy, and always ready with a quip, even at the most inappropriate moments. Here is a girl who’s not afraid to bust out SAT words in her narrative, even as she’s demeaning her admittedly stereotypical but never uninteresting lower-intelligence classmates, or trying to kick evil’s butt. She’s a no-nonsense, smart-alecky girl thrown into a situation that’s quickly turning unbelievable and distinctly UN-funny, and yet Maggie keeps her cool—and her snarky comments—consistently throughout.
Because of Clement-Moore’s fantastic writing style, even characters such as Maggie’s two possible love interests—Brian Baywatch, the rebel Jock with the lifeguard looks, and Justin, a student of the occult at the nearby university—don’t dissolve into stereotypical shining white knights (even if that is their character type). I would like to see more dimensions in Maggie’s parents and her grandmother in future books in this series, but that is a minor complaint. The strength of Maggie’s character is the thing that carries this book by far.
If you’re looking for a paranormal read that puts a smart twist on a familiar setting, look no further than Rosemary Clement-Moore’s Maggie Quinn: Girl vs Evil series. I can’t wait to read the next books!
ladytiara's review against another edition
3.0
Maggie Quinn is an aspiring photojournalist, who stumbles upon an evil demon plot in her high school. She attempts to solve the mystery with the help of her awesome grandmother, a jock who's stepping outside his clique, and a very cute college student.
The plot isn't terribly original, but beyond that, there's a lot to like about this book. For starters, it's really funny, something that's lacking in most YA paranormal novels (the sturm und drang of tortured romance doesn't really lend itself to big laughs, I guess). Maggie isn't a passive heroine by any means. She's smart, funny, and strong, and she wants to solve this mystery and save her classmates. What she really doesn't want is to have to go to prom, but she may have to make that ultimate sacrifice to save her fellow students.
There's a potential romance, and it's a refreshing change from all the tortured YA romances out there right now. Maggie's love interest is perfectly human, and the romance feels rather normal (in a good way). Another departure from typical YA tropes is that Maggie has parents who are involved and interested in her life. (I understand that absentee parents are a convenient plot device to avoid any adult interference in a swoon-worthy romance, but it gets old sometimes). Maggie's grandmother is also a very cool character, and she's a big help with the investigation.
The plot and the heroine are definitely reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I can't fault anyone for wanting to pay homage to Joss Whedon. And even with these similarities, Prom Dates from Hell is a fast, funny, and extremely enjoyable read.
The plot isn't terribly original, but beyond that, there's a lot to like about this book. For starters, it's really funny, something that's lacking in most YA paranormal novels (the sturm und drang of tortured romance doesn't really lend itself to big laughs, I guess). Maggie isn't a passive heroine by any means. She's smart, funny, and strong, and she wants to solve this mystery and save her classmates. What she really doesn't want is to have to go to prom, but she may have to make that ultimate sacrifice to save her fellow students.
There's a potential romance, and it's a refreshing change from all the tortured YA romances out there right now. Maggie's love interest is perfectly human, and the romance feels rather normal (in a good way). Another departure from typical YA tropes is that Maggie has parents who are involved and interested in her life. (I understand that absentee parents are a convenient plot device to avoid any adult interference in a swoon-worthy romance, but it gets old sometimes). Maggie's grandmother is also a very cool character, and she's a big help with the investigation.
The plot and the heroine are definitely reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I can't fault anyone for wanting to pay homage to Joss Whedon. And even with these similarities, Prom Dates from Hell is a fast, funny, and extremely enjoyable read.
jmitschke's review against another edition
4.0
A plucky heroine in the spirit of Nancy Drew, Veronica Mars and Buffy who fights the forces of darkness at her high school prom.
katiebookqueen's review against another edition
5.0
Reviewed At: http://queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co.uk/
I can’t even begin to express my love for Prom Dates from Hell. This book is brilliant. That’s all there is to it. I love a book that manages to have the perfect mixture of action, humour and a bit of romance and this one defiantly ticks all those boxes.
Prom Dates from Hell follows senior, Maggie Quinn, as she battles a Demon that begins taking down the popular crowd at her school.
I love Maggie Quinn. She is amazingly hilarious with her sarcastic humour. She very much reminded me of Suze Simon from my The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot (which, if you don’t know, happens to be my most treasured book series of all time).
There are some seriously funny moments in this book. There were many times I laughed out loud whilst reading this one. I also adored Maggie’s dad, he’s such a sweetheart!
This is a really funny and enjoyable read. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery YA novel.
I can’t even begin to express my love for Prom Dates from Hell. This book is brilliant. That’s all there is to it. I love a book that manages to have the perfect mixture of action, humour and a bit of romance and this one defiantly ticks all those boxes.
Prom Dates from Hell follows senior, Maggie Quinn, as she battles a Demon that begins taking down the popular crowd at her school.
I love Maggie Quinn. She is amazingly hilarious with her sarcastic humour. She very much reminded me of Suze Simon from my The Mediator Series by Meg Cabot (which, if you don’t know, happens to be my most treasured book series of all time).
There are some seriously funny moments in this book. There were many times I laughed out loud whilst reading this one. I also adored Maggie’s dad, he’s such a sweetheart!
This is a really funny and enjoyable read. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good mystery YA novel.
gloriaoliver's review against another edition
5.0
Fun little romp into teenage life and the horrors of the Prom!
carrionlibrarian's review against another edition
2.0
The narrator is wonderfully sarcastic and snarky. However, the novel's theme of "But I don't WANT to be a psychic" gets old real fast just like every other novel to ever use this shtick. The plot was amusing (most of the high action takes place in formal wear = hilarious to think about) and there were some laugh out loud moments, but sometimes the narrator came off as very cruel instead of funny, which made me less sympathetic about anything that happened to her later in the novel.
stronggirlreads's review against another edition
4.0
This book had me rolling with laughter and still have some really intense moments. I loved this book and can't wait till I get the next one.
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Having only read "Spirit and Dust" (aimed towards slightly older YA) I looked up Clement-Moore's other books and decided to give this slightly "younger" story of a high school journalist's prom from hell (literally) a go.
Such delicious, acerbic wise-crackery, it's almost too much.
Maggie Quinn happens to photograph the Jocks and Jessicas terrorizing a nerd one day on the high school 2nd floor breezeway. All of a sudden, strange things begin to happen to the people around Maggie, and she can no longer deny that her "special" dreams she's tried to ignore all her life, can give her insight into what's really going down.
Add in a young, college boy studying occult anthropology, a science teacher named Silas Blackthorne who refers to his class as "potions class," a best friend named D&D Lisa, and you've got one funtastic, snarky high school tale. There's a bit of kissing, but otherwise I'll totally recommend this one to my 4th and 6th grade daughters just because Maggie's voice is so snarky. And the way she talks about all the social factions at school makes the bullying, pressures, and social jostling less scary.
What I liked best, though is that sprinkled amidst the rampant snarkery are the small details about school-life that Maggie is constantly commenting on. Like the color of the "class song" ballot. "A student council drone shoved a half-sheet of paper in my face. Astrobright Orange is painful at any time of day, but at seven-thirty am it was vomit inducing. Also, the only perky I want in front ofm e at that hour is a coffeemaker. Since the drive-thru at Take-Your-Bucks had stretched to Canada, I was still severely caffeine deprived."
Snarky fun all over with a side of supernatural.
Such delicious, acerbic wise-crackery, it's almost too much.
Maggie Quinn happens to photograph the Jocks and Jessicas terrorizing a nerd one day on the high school 2nd floor breezeway. All of a sudden, strange things begin to happen to the people around Maggie, and she can no longer deny that her "special" dreams she's tried to ignore all her life, can give her insight into what's really going down.
Add in a young, college boy studying occult anthropology, a science teacher named Silas Blackthorne who refers to his class as "potions class," a best friend named D&D Lisa, and you've got one funtastic, snarky high school tale. There's a bit of kissing, but otherwise I'll totally recommend this one to my 4th and 6th grade daughters just because Maggie's voice is so snarky. And the way she talks about all the social factions at school makes the bullying, pressures, and social jostling less scary.
What I liked best, though is that sprinkled amidst the rampant snarkery are the small details about school-life that Maggie is constantly commenting on. Like the color of the "class song" ballot. "A student council drone shoved a half-sheet of paper in my face. Astrobright Orange is painful at any time of day, but at seven-thirty am it was vomit inducing. Also, the only perky I want in front ofm e at that hour is a coffeemaker. Since the drive-thru at Take-Your-Bucks had stretched to Canada, I was still severely caffeine deprived."
Snarky fun all over with a side of supernatural.
catiekmmm's review against another edition
3.0
A little slow but a good story about a fun and sarcastic girl.