This was a super cute middle-grade book that I would have loved when I was younger. Even now, at thirty, this was a whimsical, quick read. The characters were spunky, the setting was familiar but fun, and the plot was easy to follow. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of this series and this author in the future!

This was such a fun, magical mystery! I enjoyed the array of abilities people had and trying to figure out what was going on with our main character. I also love a caring adult who stands up for their kids no matter what.
I hope there will be a sequel!

4.25/5. This felt nostalgic of the my favorite childhood books, but with some new events and characters. I LOVED the characters! Vin is a promising main character who is relatable and just wants to belong and have a home. I liked how the author created a little close knit friend group that have their own unique quirks and powers. Being set in the modern world but with magic known is something I want to know more about, but can definitely be flushed out more. The plot was a bit scattered, but it kept me entertained. I will definitely continue in this series!

Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for the eARC in exchange for a review.

2.5 stars.

This was difficult book for me to get through as I kept putting it down as it wasn’t holding my interest and then not having a big desire to get back to it. Probably should have given up on it but I was stubborn about finishing it. One of my main issues was these characters are supposed to be around 12, they don’t read like they’re 12. They read older, usually around 16 imo. It almost feels like a YA that was written down to a MG.

Another issue I had was the world building had issues. The whole way the magical world is set up makes no sense, the way the boarding schools located all over the world work make no sense, how no one knows Vin’s parents aren’t around and she has no guardian looking after her makes no sense.

A lot of potential interesting things, a lot of potential fun scenes and this book largely chooses to ignore it, glides over it or just tells you isn’t of showing you. It made this book feel so lacking of whimsy and fun. The inspirations for this book were also very noticeable, sometimes painfully so.

Middle grade fantasy books are some of my all time favs and this book will be at the top of the list. It is so creative and full of magical twists and turns, and kindness. I was so impressed with Vin and the friends she meets at the school. The events that come about were surprising and enjoyable.

Vin arrives at Last Hope School with no hope. She doesn’t understand her magic and her journey is fantastic. Gilly, Araminta, and Theo were fantastic. I appreciated how they extended their friendship to Vin without question. Headmistress Hope was my favorite. I loved how kind, patient, and understanding she was. The school she created for these misunderstood magical kids was awesome.

This book has it all. Exciting magic, great kids, strong and brave protagonist, thrilling climax, fantastic back story of villains, and so much more.

Huge thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval. All views are my own.

I absolutely adored this group of misfits at the Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents! My new magical school go to for recommendations. I hope to see more from this world.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an engaging and unique story that I cannot wait to continue! Because there will be more, I believe, right?
I felt connected to the FMC immediately for some reason. Very well written and fun!

I have enjoyed every Nicki Pau Preto book I have ever read. This one is no exception. Although I have seen her YA books talked about frequently, I was surprised to see this on NetGalley when I originally requested it. The main character, Vin, finds herself at the end of the line when it comes to magical boarding schools having been shipped off by parents who seem to care far more about their research than her. (I hope that Preto explores this more as the series continues.) Her magic keeps getting her expelled so if this "last chance" school doesn't work, she's completely out of luck. When she arrives, she finds a school and friends, that defy her expectations. Preto does not break new grounds with this narrative but she does not need to. This installment lays the groundwork for this magical world hidden within our mundane world while building a solid cast of characters with the introduction of a plausible villain at the end.

A cosy, magical middle grade read focused on Lavinia! Vin is running out of time as she’s gotten herself kicked out of one too many schools and so she’s landed at Last Hope. Vin, for the very first time in her life, feels like she belongs and has started to kindle friendships with others. Of course, this all is put on the line when student attacks start up at the school. This book was a wonderful blend of powerful themes for young readers like friendship, feeling like a misfit, self-acceptance and humor. I was a quiet kid growing up who often felt outcasted and I just know little me would’ve been absolutely enthralled by Vin and truly felt seen. This is such a magical read for young readers about accepting who you are and for readers who also love a little mystery.

This book is ideal for middle-grade readers who loved Upside Down Magic and are ready for a more mature story. The story begins with Lavinia (Vin), who struggles to fit in at every magical school she attends. After being expelled once again, she’s sent to the Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents. There, Vin finally finds friends and the freedom to embrace her chaotic magic. But when mysterious attacks on students begin, Vin is quickly blamed. Can she and her friends uncover the real culprit before it’s too late?
This book weaves powerful messages for young readers through themes of magic, friendship, and self-acceptance. For anyone who’s ever felt like an outcast, Preto’s powerful message is that even amongst loneliness there is still hope in friendship and embracing who you truly are.

*Thank you to Nicki Pau Preto, ​​PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

If you're looking for a book to fill the magical school hole in your heart, definitely give The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents a try.

Lavinia “Vin” Lucas is on her last school. If The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents kicks her out, she doesn't know what she'll do. Vin is so used to being kicked out of schools for magical mishaps she doesn't understand, that she never even unpacks when she arrives at a new school. This school has been thought to be where the worst students with magical abilities are houses, the ones no other school can handle. When Vin learns though is that this is a school where they take special care for their students. Where the students are offered a cup of hot chocolate on a hard day and asked to explore their magical abilities. Vin quickly finds here people at this school. When an outside force comes to threaten the school, it's up to the students to protect their home.

I have no doubt in my mind that this is the first in a future middle grade series. Although made for younger readers, this series is perfect for adults seeking a little magic in their lives. If you love a certain series with a horrible author, you know the one, give this one a shot. They seem to be good companions. It's also a good book for those that enjoyed the series Wednesday on Netflix and are looking for something similar.

The "darkness" in the book isn't overwhelming and can be easily read by sensitive readers. I can't wait for Preto to write the next book in this series. I look forward to gifting this to younger readers in my life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

If you're a Harry Potter lover, this is book would be up your alley! Nicki Pau Preto created a unique, fun magic system with the most lovable characters! Vin, our main character, is a delinquent-as the title eludes to-and has gotten kicked out of so many schools she finally ends up at Last Hope School. She is challenged along the way, not only to hone her exceptional powers, but to trust others and make friends. The end will have you on your toes, screaming for more!

A great read. The characters were lovable and their relationships were so heartwarming.
I loved Brucifer, he is iconic.
Not going to lie, I thought the leaders would be someone else, but it kind of still makes sense.
The one thing is, it didn’t seem like a 12/13 year old’s pov. I know she would be bound to be more mature based on what she has gone through, but still.
I highly recommend this for you to read for a cozy, fun, and thought inducing read. I hope to read the continuation.

Great book and interesting story. will keep children and anyone else interested in the story from the beginning. would recommend

This is a great pick for middle grade readers who love magical stories set in magical schools with great underdog characters who rise up to save the day. Vin has been kicked out of almost every magical school possible. Her parents never visit her, and she's never really had friends. And she's never really understood her powers. Until she ends up at the Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents. Friendships form, and powers are revealed. I was furiously turning pages for the last 1/4 of the book, in particular, to find out what happened next. Excellent characters and big themes about good vs. evil, how to be a good friend, owning your power, and forgiveness of self and others give this book an emotional charge that complements the fast-paced fantasy nature of the book. I highly recommend it to fans of books like School for Good & Evil, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and Harry Potter.

A cute, fun read for younger middle grade. I went in with slightly different expectations which it didn't quite reach, but I think that is a fault of me and not the book.
I enjoyed the magic system and thought that it was well fleshed out, and I think there is a good base for the next installment!

The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is an exciting read for kids who are especially drawn to “boarding school” and magical fantasy books/series — think The School for Good and Evil, Witchlings, Harry Potter, etc.

Vin is such a likeable character, accidentally causing havoc while trying to remain invisible. She’s street smart but doesn’t believe in herself or her magic. She’s relatable, even though her story is set in a world of magic.

And what a world of magic. Author Nicki Pau Preto has created a magical system that’s intriguing without being confusing. It’s these magical elements that really bring the story to life. The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is Preto’s middle-grade debut, but it doesn’t feel like one. Preto’s writing is strong and assured and fun to read.

The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is a standalone novel, but there’s room for more books in this world. Fingers crossed!

Fun magic school book for older middle graders. I really enjoyed the set up of this school, the fact that it’s all the delinquent students kicked out of all the other magic schools. Very cool magic system and some great characters.

This was delightful. A mix of Upside Down Magic and Harry Potter, it takes the kids with strange and unexpected magic concept from Upside Down Magic and gives it higher stakes.

I loved the characters. They were all charming delinquents with unexpected magic, including the headmaster. Brucifer was just wonderful.

I was thoroughly hooked the entire time and I can't wait to read more books in this series. I will be looking up Nicki Pau Preto's other books now based on how much I enjoyed this one.

I would recommend it to kids who loved Harry Potter and Nevermoor, and would consider it a step up in maturity from Upside Down Magic and a great next step for kids who loved that.

*Thanks to Viking Books for Young Readers for providing an early copy for review.

Great fun read! reminiscent of Harry Potter with a little bit of X-men mixed in. The school sounds amazing I want to go there myself. The magic systems is simple but well done. The story had me hooked from start to finish. The book does leave off on a cliffhanger so I am hoping the next one comes out soon!