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lynsey23's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
x_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun adventure in the Enola Holmes series, but I can't help wishing Sherlock and Enola's relationship played a bigger part in this one.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Enola Holmes has certainly become one of my favorite characters ever. And maybe the book version even more than the movie version. (I think adding a love interest and possible love story to the movie may have ruined the Enola Holmes as she is in the books...) So, no matter what happens and no matter how many other books I have to read, I will make time every weekend for an Enola Holmes novel. (Well, I'll finish the last one next week...)
And this one was once again a truly nice story! The entire plot focusses on the case, mostly because this time the case hits very close to home, maybe even closer than the Watson case a few books back did. Enola's emotional investment really makes this case different from the other cases. She starts to make mistakes and she fails to make connections and in a way that's also really nice. It makes her human and very relatable. Especially because for once as a reader we can make some connections before Enola does.
Once more this book also shows ugly parts of society and especially the pressure it put on ladies. Although I don't really like the trope of invalids "faking it", I really understand where it comes from in this book and also why the character involved deemed it necessary. It says a lot about society, about the pressure on girls and the lengths they had to go to follow their dreams instead of being molded into perfect wives and mothers.
However, this case once more helped Sherlock Holmes to understand that what he thinks is best for his sister, might not actually be in her best interest. It took him five books to finally start to understand it, but we're getting there. And that's good for Enola, because can you imagine that a brilliant, free, creative and self reliant soul like Enola would not be able and allowed to use her talents anymore? Which, undoubtedly, was the story of a lot of girls in this time in history.
And this one was once again a truly nice story! The entire plot focusses on the case, mostly because this time the case hits very close to home, maybe even closer than the Watson case a few books back did. Enola's emotional investment really makes this case different from the other cases. She starts to make mistakes and she fails to make connections and in a way that's also really nice. It makes her human and very relatable. Especially because for once as a reader we can make some connections before Enola does.
Once more this book also shows ugly parts of society and especially the pressure it put on ladies. Although I don't really like the trope of invalids "faking it", I really understand where it comes from in this book and also why the character involved deemed it necessary. It says a lot about society, about the pressure on girls and the lengths they had to go to follow their dreams instead of being molded into perfect wives and mothers.
However, this case once more helped Sherlock Holmes to understand that what he thinks is best for his sister, might not actually be in her best interest. It took him five books to finally start to understand it, but we're getting there. And that's good for Enola, because can you imagine that a brilliant, free, creative and self reliant soul like Enola would not be able and allowed to use her talents anymore? Which, undoubtedly, was the story of a lot of girls in this time in history.
rlisaacs's review against another edition
5.0
Enola makes me so happy. Just... her heart and her mind and just, everything. I love her and I love these books, and now there's only two left and I want to read them, but I also don't want to because then it will be over!
And Sherlock (because you know that even in this book series where he's a bit dimwitted about what a woman truly needs, I still love him.) Every book gives me more hope that he might finally reach a place where Enola could trust him. And I mean really trust him, with her freedom and all. To not find her and then thrust her to a terrible boarding school.
And I love Florence Nightingale in this book. I love how Enola worked her way into seeing her, and I love how she was portrayed. And I also love that, at the end, she gave Sherlock a few things to think about when it comes to Enola and what might actually be best for her (hence my hope that he may finally come around). And her comment about Mycroft! HA! I love it! I also love how she kind of hinted that, if Mycroft weren't the one in charge of Enola's affairs, then maybe she would've informed Sherlock of Enola's whereabouts from time to time if she became aware of them. Just further proof that there is hope for Sherlock... though not his brother. (At least in my opinion, I could be wrong about that.)
Enola, as always, still has a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do. At fourteen, that's understandable. But she's still already so smart and so good and so brave. I imagine if this series somehow continued to see her as an adult, we'd get to see someone quite extraordinary.
And as for my comment left when I finished reading up to 65%... people, you need to read this series just for the sake of reading that scene. (It's probably only that funny to me. Maybe. Idk). But I laughed so hard. (And I was at work, so I had to try and not laugh too loud, which was hard.) But I loved it and laughed as Enola made her desperate escape.
Five solid stars. And onto the next one!
And Sherlock (because you know that even in this book series where he's a bit dimwitted about what a woman truly needs, I still love him.) Every book gives me more hope that he might finally reach a place where Enola could trust him. And I mean really trust him, with her freedom and all. To not find her and then thrust her to a terrible boarding school.
And I love Florence Nightingale in this book. I love how Enola worked her way into seeing her, and I love how she was portrayed. And I also love that, at the end, she gave Sherlock a few things to think about when it comes to Enola and what might actually be best for her (hence my hope that he may finally come around). And her comment about Mycroft! HA! I love it! I also love how she kind of hinted that, if Mycroft weren't the one in charge of Enola's affairs, then maybe she would've informed Sherlock of Enola's whereabouts from time to time if she became aware of them. Just further proof that there is hope for Sherlock... though not his brother. (At least in my opinion, I could be wrong about that.)
Enola, as always, still has a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do. At fourteen, that's understandable. But she's still already so smart and so good and so brave. I imagine if this series somehow continued to see her as an adult, we'd get to see someone quite extraordinary.
And as for my comment left when I finished reading up to 65%... people, you need to read this series just for the sake of reading that scene. (It's probably only that funny to me. Maybe. Idk). But I laughed so hard. (And I was at work, so I had to try and not laugh too loud, which was hard.) But I loved it and laughed as Enola made her desperate escape.
Five solid stars. And onto the next one!
allrianne's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
kberry513's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the addition of Mrs. Tupper's backstory, especially the addition of a Florence Nightingale who was a spy.
bailorg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
aa27266's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0