Miss Mabel's School for Girls (The Network Series Book 1)

Reading this book was impossible. I am not sure if it was my Kindle or something with the way the book was set up. Although I have never had this problem before, but there was a blank pages every 3 to 8 pages randomly through the book. If it was my Kindle it seems odd that it has never happened before. If it was the book, it seems like someone else would have mentioned it.

If you like magic and suspense, you will love this book. Bianca, who has inherited a curse through her grandmother, is trying to save the women of her family from the evil dark witch, Miss Mabel. She has help from two friends... a future-seeing Leda and a bumbling sweet girl named Camille.

I started reading these books out of curiosity because I adopted a cat that someone at the shelter had named Miss Mabel and we had decided to keep the name. They are pretty fun accessible reads and other reviewers are right that the second book adds more depth (rather than be the in-between book in a trilogy).

I don't normally write reviews but I had the strange experience of getting to the part where they reveal Miss Mabel's mother's name as Angelina, which is also my name. And I'm the one who adopted Miss Mabel... What sorcery is this?!?!?!?!?

So I guess now I'll have to read all of the books.

I don't write reviews - as cliché as that sounds. However, I feel I need to for Katie Cross' book Miss Mabel's School for Girls. It's an absolute must read. It was simply phenomenal. One of the best books I've read this year. I was sucked in from the very first page. It was extremely well written - no typos, mistakes or grammatical errors. The characters were rich and multi-layered. I loved the action sequences and was never bored. I was so sad when I finished the book. I'm dying waiting for the second book. If you like books about witches, books with action or books that take place in the past - you will love this.

I originally downloaded this book because it was free and I like books about magic (Harry Potter fan). Quicly became hooked. It's darker than I expected which I loved about this book. Crazy what a 16 year old has to go through and sad what she was born into. I'm so excited to read the next book.

Katie Cross has created a likeable protagonist in Bianca Monroe, and one of the cruelest, most selfish antagonist in her erstwhile headmistress Miss Mabel. If what doesn't kill you makes you stronger it should be an interesting series.

This book is not for everybody.

For example, if you want a book to take along on a vacation with friends, this book is not for you. If you want a book to download to your Kindle app, to read sneakily under your desk at work when your boss isn't paying attention, this book is not for you. If you want a book you can read a few pages at a time while your grilled cheese sandwich is toasting, your coffee is percolating, your clothes washer is doing its final rinse, or your child is napping, THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU.

Let me put this another way: YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.
You will alienate your friends by ignoring them all vacation, get caught by your boss with your phone on a thirty minute bathroom break, burn your sandwich (or your house) and ignore your chores and children. Don't blame yourself. Blame it on witchcraft. Blame it on a curse. Blame it on Katie Cross.

This story is everything a good story should be, but yet somehow manages to do that while bypassing the "formula" for predictable young adult fiction. Bianca is not the typical 16 year old girl/witch in modern fiction, yet she has enough of the "typical" in her that I was frequently pulled back to memories of what it felt to be 16. However, at no time did I feel like I was reading something targeted exclusively to that demographic. IIt was so much better than anything targeted at any one age, or type of person.

Bianca petitions for entrance at Miss Mabel's School for Girls as a result of a horrible curse that was placed on her family decades before. Her entire life has been spent in preparation for this moment; Miss Mabel is the only one with the power to reverse the curse, but Miss Mabel doesn't do favors. She does however, make deals, and so Bianca finds herself in a battle of wits, power, honor, and strength as she negotiates for her life and those of her family members. The story starts right into the plot without a lot of introduction or background. This makes for a first thirty pages or so that don't immediately engage you, because you aren't entirely sure what type of story you have landed yourself in the middle of. However, as the plot begins to occur around you, you realize you wouldn't have it any other way. Details are revealed in such a way that they catch you by surprise as events unfold and intricacies fall into place, one by one. The second half of the book is riddled with alternating "Aha!" moments and gasps of shock. As Bianca races against time, you find yourself racing to the next page. And the next, and the next. And then the last.
And then it's over. And you wish you hadn't gone so fast, because then it wouldn't already be over.

Stop reading reviews-- Click "Buy Now" and start reading something so much better.

OMG!!!! I loved this book. It was a cross between the Harry Potter books and "American Horror story: Coven". Pulled me right in and would not let me out. This would make a great movie. I can only hope. On to book 2.

This was a fun read. As another reviewer pointed out, the girls act less maturely than their chronological ages would lead us to expect in our current society. I do look forward to reading future adventures.

I thought it was surprising that Bianca's teacher was the evil villain in this story. Mabel really is horrid and I appreciate how nasty and selfabsorbed she is. The murder at the end surprised me and now I must read more to find out what happens.

This book wrapped you up in each character's life story as if it were your own. The emotional responses you feel are surprisingly real. I enjoyed the writing skill of this author. I will definitely continue to follow this series.

This book surprised me. I love how you slowly learn about the main character and some of her secrets. Even in the last chapters you still wonder what she is capable of. You also can feel her emotions from the helplessness of her situation to the building rage that can empower or destroy her. The school atmosphere, holidays and events are very visual. I can't wait to continue this series.

This book wrapped you up in each character's life story as if it were your own. The emotional responses you feel are surprisingly real. I enjoyed the writing skill of this author. I will definitely continue to follow this series.

This book surprised me. I love how you slowly learn about the main character and some of her secrets. Even in the last chapters you still wonder what she is capable of. You also can feel her emotions from the helplessness of her situation to the building rage that can empower or destroy her. The school atmosphere, holidays and events are very visual. I can't wait to continue this series.

A fun quick read. Loved the excitement, mystery, and overall plot. Also, I loved that a dreamy man didn't have to swoop in a save the day, our young heroine had to use her brain, talents, and skills to overcome all odds. (And that's coming from someone who loves a good romance!) I look forward to reading and recommending this book to youth and also adults who enjoy a clean and exciting book. Excited for the sequel!