Amusing, witty and full of magic - FLUNKED has a wonderful assortment of fairytales and their characters, most notably, their villains. A wonderful book that will make you think about what defines the good from the bad, giving second chances and who your true friends are.

This review will appear on my blog on December 18, 2021 in a collection of mini-reviews.

This book was alright. The adorable looking cover is what first caught my eye, and I'm always a sucker for any book that features a reform school. I did find the story to be a little bit under-developed for my taste, even for a middle grade novel. When writing a fairy tale retelling or continuation, I feel like there's so much potential for world-building to suck you into the world that your favourite familiar characters are living in, and I was a little disappointed that this potential was untapped

However, despite feeling that the story didn't entirely live up to the potential I feel like it could have reached, I still think that this was a very cute, quick read that really would be great for its target middle-grade audience.

Just a quick mention, my review copy was an ebook copy from NetGalley, and I think the formatting of the ebook was weird. So, I did not get to see some of the pictures that was incorporated into the book. Anyhow, I think this was a quick read for any young reader in middle school.
I thought the premise of reformed criminals into heroes was interesting with the twist of fairy tales. The plot is quick to summarize; Gilly is sent to FTRS, and then finds out that there something fishy is going on. I enjoyed Gilly's character, and thought she was smart for her age. The other characters (the teachers, and new friends) were just as enjoyable, but I think there could have been more character development.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had more world-building, and more development in the characters. I would have like to see some more scenes that did not involve all the crazy evil stuff that happens, that way you could understand the characters, and world better. For example more scenes about the different classes that FTRS students have to take would have been nice to read. I think because this book is geared towards middle grade readers, this could explain for the quick, and exciting pace, but I wouldn't have minded some more slower parts in the book. I would highly recommend this book to readers who like quick books that would not involve too much world-building. Flunked was a cute read though, and I think people who like fairy tale retellings, will like this book.

*NOTE: This a review of the entire series.*

Even though I'm 27, every now and then I like to read a middle-grade novel. There's something magical about a good middle-grade book. I love getting swept up in a story of good versus evil, where the good guy always wins in the end. It just leaves you with a warm and cozy feeling. I was looking through the books on my Kindle and saw that I owned all of the Fairy Tale Reform School series, and decided to binge read it. I loved it. I flew through the entire series in less than a week.

I think the FTRS series is one of the best middle-grade series I've read recently. It reminded me a lot of Harry Potter, if Harry Potter had fairy tale creatures in it. There are many similarities, such as a constant change of professors, moving hallways, and a school setting. However, FTRS series isn't a Harry Potter copycat. It takes those tropes, and turns them into something completely unique and fun to read about. I loved trying to figure out how the kids were going to solve their problems. Just when I thought the books were getting predictable, it would take a completely different. route and surprise me all over again.

At first, I thought the series should have ended after the second book. I thought that there was no way the author could keep the series interesting without jumping the shark after the way book two ended, but I was completely wrong. She shocked me with how well she continued the story with the addition of Rumplestiltskin and the Stiltskin Squad. It kept things fresh, and got me re-interested in the storyline all over again. The very subtle political references had me cracking up laughing. My only complaint is that books three and four were a bit slow at times, but I think that's because the reader is introduced to so many new characters and plot mechanics. Everything changes, and with that comes a lot of world building.

I loved the FTRS series so much. It's one of my favorite middle-grade series I've ever read. Possibly one of my favorite series in general. I thought Switched was the last book in the series because it's the last book shown on Goodreads, but I hope it isn't. Switched left a lot of unanswered questions. I hope the author writes at least one more book in the series so we can get answers. I am looking forward to the spin-off series, Royal Academy, which comes out in late 2018. I can't wait to immerse myself back into this world, and hopefully see some more of my favorite characters. I recommend this series for anyone who wants to read a great middle-grade series with some fun fairy tale and fantasy elements.

Cute quick read. I think it could work for readers looking for more like The Isle of the Lost.