A student found dead on the beach. A web of unanswered questions. Someone poised to strike again.
One for Sorrow is the first instalment in the new series The Magpie Society written by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch. Set in an old english boarding school called Illumen Hall, the story follows Audrey (written by Amy) and Ivy (written by Zoe) as they try to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of another student.
Readers experience the point of view of Audrey, who is new to the school but has her own secrets, and Ivy, an Illumenite who knew the student who died. Initially the unwilling roommates don’t like each other but are predictably brought together over a guy. Seeing the situation from both perspectives was great and it was all put together seamlessly. I wouldn’t have known they were written by two different writers.
I enjoyed the setting – I mean, who wouldn’t want to explore an old building with secret rooms and passages? The mystery was intriguing and the podcast transcript chapters shed a lot of background information surrounding the death but I enjoyed following Ivy and Audrey’s discoveries more.
It was a nice easy read, however I don’t feel that I was able to connect with the main characters easily. We received hints about their backgrounds and secrets but they were largely overshadowed by other elements of the story. Due to this, I can’t decide if I actually really like either of the main characters but that may have been different if there was more of an insight into their lives and motivations.
I bought this book because of Zoe Sugg, having watched her Youtube videos for a few years now, but I don’t think it is a book I would have bought otherwise.
All in all, it was ok. The hooks at the end of each chapter and the ending itself, were really well written. So I will buy the next one in the series when it comes out because I want to know what happens next!
Also, I never knew there was a rhyme about magpies?
One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl, four for a boy,
Five for silver, six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.
Does this mean there will be 7 books in this series?
Megan H Lewis 