Hallway 100 Comics

You should have expected that this review was full of spoilers. That’s how reviews work, you know? You don’t? Well, then I don’t know why you’d even expect to get into Princeton. You’re clearly not as smart as you look.

Recommendation: Loved it! Highly recommend at Grade A+. Top shelf material for sure. Amazing characters. Hilarious, yet thrilling. You just have to read it to experience how incredible this teen caper is.

Trouble is a Friend of Mine, by Stephanie Tromly

I had an incredible amount of fun reading this novel. There’s something about a novel where the protagonist is begrudgingly dragged into a conspiracy they want no part in unraveling that gets me going. I call it the MacGyver effect (c’mon, you know he never wanted to be there, especially when Jack was involved). It was a thrilling page turner. The mystery intrigued me and kept me guessing. There were enough layers to it that all connected perfectly at the end — an ending I never would have guessed.

Digby made the book. He is a one-of-a-kind character. Definitely has some psychological issues, but there’s not a bad bone in his body. He cares about his friends, and as inconsiderate as he may seem, I think it all stems from his attention problems and compulsive issues. He doesn’t know how to verbalize affection, but he does show it. Or randomly voice it before changing the subject. His comments and antics kept me laughing throughout the entire book. Haven’t laughed that much in a long time.

Princeton is a narrator that you relate to instantly. Digby would be a hard POV–I don’t think I could connect with him. Princeton solves this problem. She is the new girl, trying to fit in, and secretly enjoying these crazy adventures, though she’d be loathe to admit to the instigator. Considering how Digby is the breakout character, it says something that Princeton can hold her own and keep the story interesting when he isn’t around.

The other characters grew on me. Henry, Sloan, Felix. The end with all of them together was a blast. Sloane’s begrudging respect for Princeton was pretty darn cool. Henry is a dimwit at times, but his friendship with Digby was a true, teenage bromance. One day they hate each other, the next day they’re inseparable.

The reveal of the cult being a drug sting blew my mind. I was sure that they were secretly stealing kids from around the neighborhood to build their cult, and that Digby’s sister was there. I loved being wrong about that. The way it connected the creepy doctor, the cult family, and the school drug ring was brilliant. And I also had no idea that Mama Princeton was dating the cop, though it does explain why the cop’s actions seemed creepy towards her at one point.

My favorite part of the book was the costume bear attack. I cried, I was laughing so hard. And Digby’s explanations for things was awesome. Just classic.

The abrupt ending is my only complaint. But it makes me ready for the next adventure. I could care less about the mystery–more time with these characters is all anyone could ask for! Highly recommend, hands down. A must read!  Grade A+ (Top Shelf Status)

Confused by my grading scale, click here to find out how the grades relate to star-ratings you’re more used to seeing.