The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

I had to take a break from reviewing--but only because I read a book that meant so much to me in the end that I honestly didn't know how to review it. It wouldn't fit on a five-star scale. Reviewing it at all felt wrong somehow, so I was stuck. Maybe I'll write that review sometime. But meanwhile I have been reading other books. Here's a review of the recent hit for kids and YA readers--The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani.

Sophie knows that she would be the perfect princess, and at the book's opening she can't wait to be swept off her feet by the mysterious schoolmaster and taken to the legendary school for good and evil, where she would study to be a fairy tale heroine and graduate to have a magical life of her own. Her best friend Agatha is different. Agatha is plain and down-to-earth and honestly a bit concerned about her friend's fascination with being kidnapped and taken to an "imaginary" school. I don't think I'm spoiling much by saying that both girls get kidnapped--and that their roles are hilariously reversed as Sophie is sent to the School for Evil as a witch and Agatha is forced into learning all things princessy while looking for a way out.

I expected a fun read when I first picked this book up, but to be honest I had no idea it would be so entertaining. It doesn't matter if you're 12 or 92, the antics of the two girls trying to determine the fate of their fairy tale in this wonderfully bizarre world was one of the most amusing things I've read in a while, with a totally satisfying and unexpected ending that should win just about anyone's heart. I recently finished the sequel--A World Without Princes--and will probably write a review of that soon.

In the meantime if you're looking for something fun and casual to spruce up your reading routine, be sure to check this one out!

Five stars!

*****