This new series makes the Girl Detective books seem like Pulitzer Prize winners. Usually, I am forgiving with the portrayal of modern Nancy Drew and friends, but the characters in this new book are utterly awful. Nancy is dumb, as much as I hate to use the word, and also far too forgetful for someone who is supposed to be a decent sleuth; George is outright rude, more negative than amusing, and just annoying, which pains me to say since she is my favorite ND character; Bess is completely flat and boring. The plot development is also terrible, jumping from unexpected event to Nancy thinking about something to being interrupted by another unexpected event with no real connection between them. I can only think of one instance where she does any actual snooping, which merely consists of following someone for a page. The ending is laughable, and the suspicion of at least one character is so painfully obvious while Nancy either has no clue about their weird behavior or keeps forgetting about it. Since I'm so fond of ND books, and since I enjoy reading about her in a current day setting, I'll continue for the sake of having more ND - and also because this book clearly leads into the next one, much to my annoyance. Let me start by saying, I really enjoy the Nancy Drew books (original and Girl Detective), games, and the movie. I am a bit older than the target demographic now, of course, but I still have had lots of fun times solving mysteries with Nancy, Bess, and George (and the Hardy boys). So I was intrigued to see a new Nancy Drew series. But now I’m just disappointed and a bit confused. This story was quite similar to the Girl Detective series and I'm unsure why they launched a new one; I liked the previous series before they started writing them as trilogies and changed Nancy's age and demeanor. And why call this the Nancy Drew Diaries? There are just two short "diary" entries, at the beginning and end. Otherwise, it's still just told in first person like the Girl Detective series. Anyways, this series continues the serial format, so the book does not end. It just leads into the next book, which I don't particularly care to read, since this one was boring. Most of the book is spent with Nancy, Bess, and George trying to evade Bess's boyfriend so they can talk or find time to consult with the lady who hired them, neither of which they are ever very successful at. And Nancy doesn't figure anything solid out until the very end, when she has a sudden epiphany. There is no "solving the case." There is just "Nancy getting absolutely nowhere," followed by "Nancy solved the case." In my opinion, this is rather sloppy storytelling and I don't think I will bother with the next installment. If I want to read Nancy Drew, I’ll go back and re-read the original or Girl Detective novels.
What do You think about Curse Of The Arctic Star (2013)?
A CLIFFHANGER? Nancy Drew, WHAT IS THIS? But seriously enjoyable. Full review to come.
—lhazen
I thought it was a great story want to read the rest of books.
—laurakinz
