If you've been following my reviews for any length of time, you know of my penchant for Middle Grade books. Quirky characters, important lessons, vast new worlds, all it makes me smile. I honestly believe that MG books build readers. Which is why I always look at these stories from two points of view. Would I have liked this as an MG reader, and do I think it carries over to how I read now?

When considering this book, I think your best bet would be to think of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I'll be the first to admit that I hate comparing books, but in this case it is honestly impossible not to. Two siblings, absent parents, disturbing caretakers, and a fourth wall breaking narrator all make a debut in this story. It's tough not to see the similarities. My problem was that, while both stories have a depressing atmosphere overall, Witherwood Reform School didn't have the same mildly hopeful feel to it. It was missing that bit of quirk I needed.

The writing was okay, if a bit dry at times. I'm not sure if I would have appreciated this more as a reader in the age group it is aimed at or not. I've always been a fan of writing that allows me to immerse myself in the story. While I liked Tobias and Charlotte, they never felt like true companions. That might sound odd, but I wanted to feel like I was with them, not just reading about them. Add in an ending with no discernible climax, and a to-be-continued hanging out there in the wind, and I was a disappointed reader. On the bright side, it's very easy to follow the plot and that makes this a quick read.

Would I recommend this to MG readers? I think so. I'm sure they would take a lot of what I had issues with much better than I did. There's not a lot of explanation into how things get to the level that they end up at, but there's a fair amount of adventure and intrigue towards the middle. I don't see many adult readers enjoying this, but younger readers might just eat this up. For that I'll give it three stars without a second thought. ( )

They’re trapped at a creepy reform school full of monsters, mysteries, and mind control.

After a slight misunderstanding involving a horrible governess, oatmeal, and a jar of tadpoles, siblings Tobias and Charlotte Eggars find themselves abandoned by their father at the gates of a creepy reform school. Evil mysteries are afoot at Witherwood, where the grounds are patrolled by vicious creatures after dark and kids are locked in their rooms. Charlotte and Tobias soon realize that they are in terrible danger―especially because the head of Witherwood has perfected the art of mind control.

If only their amnesiac father would recover and remember that he has two missing children. If only Tobias and Charlotte could solve the dark mystery and free the kids at Witherwood―and ultimately save themselves. publisher ( )

I was so disappointed by this book. After reading the entire book, I feel like I still haven't read the book. Why? Because NOTHING HAPPENED.

So the story is basically two siblings get taken into a twisted reform school by accident. They try for the entire novel to escape, getting foiled a few times to make things exciting as they discover more about the school each time. At this point, you're halfway through the novel and you can get the feeling that Skye is going to be writing a sequel. Even with that inkling though, you would expect the main characters to either escape completely and have to come back in the sequel to expose the dirty operation, or end up being unable to escape due to the proficiency of twisted reform school everywhere, right?

Nope. Instead, the main characters manage to escape to their father who was actually searching for them...but got lost. They get into the car all excited because finally they were free. PSYCH. The dad drives up to the school gates for directions. This is where the novel ends.

THE WHOLE NOVEL WAS JUST SEQUEL BAIT. I AM SO ANNOYED.

(And in the end, nothing is clear, not even the plot really.) ( )

An interesting book, kind of reminiscent of Lemony Snickett adventures. The ending is a cliff-hanger, so the reader has to read the sequel to discover the truth about the school and Tobias and Charlotte's lessons at the Witherwood Reform School. ( )