Customer Reviews

The Ladies of the Lake (Gilda Joyce)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The second book in the Gilda Joyce series, "The Ladies of the Lake," is a solid sequel with a plot that is tighter and more intricate then its predecessor, but there isn't as much of Gilda's over-the-top charm. Of course, there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments at our heroine's anecdotes, but I just wish there was a bit more of it. The way I feel about this book is that Jennifer Allison (the author, of course) got to KNOW Gilda through the first book, and by the second book she was comfortable enough with Gilda to focus on the story.

But what a story it is! Other than "not enough Gilda humor" there are no setbacks to this wonderful book. There are many characters, all very well developed, many secrets that are gradually discovered, and plot twists that will send the reader on a rollercoaster ride.

The story centers around Gilda Joyce, who believes herself to be a Psychic Investigator, attending a Catholic Girls School, with hopes to uncover the mystery behind the death of a girl who would have been a senior that year. The story is interesting, a bit creepy, and always witty.

I just have to add that Gilda Joyce is so REAL; I relate to her on so many things. The way that she acts, reacts, and thinks is so real and so honest that I just have to admire Jennifer Allison for creating such a great character.

In children's literature these days, the only books that have that can't-put-it-down quality are Harry Potter, and now Gilda Joyce.

9/10

I've read a lot of books in my life, but this has to be the best. It not only has a great story, but great details as well. It can be scary and wacky, but that didn't bother me much. I literally was attached to the book: I carried it around almost the whole time!! I don't believe in ghosts and spirits and pyschic stuff, but I found it realllly interesting. There was a dull spot in the whole book, which is pretty long. She's really different from other kids, and I like that. She's different from ANY character I've read about, actually. This book is AWESOME. ~Sarah

Gilda Joyce books are SO great. They are very different from other books and it is a fun-mystery. It really keeps you hooked. Gilda Joyce is a thirteen year old freshman who is attending "Our Lady of Sorrows" private girl school for the first time. She discovers the ghost of a past student at Our Lady of Sorrows drowned in the school lake and she thinks her ghost is haunting the school. I highly reccomend this book.

Thirteen-year-old Gilda Joyce has always been content with attending a public school. The way she sees it, as long as she's permitted to do what she pleases - which is investigate psychic/paranormal phenomena - and wear whatever she wants - including leopard-print jackets and stiletto heels - everything is good. Which is why, when Gilda's mother suggests that she apply for a scholarship to the private girls school Our Lady of Sorrows, Gilda is more than reluctant to agree. After all, why would Gilda possibly want to trade in her freedom to be trapped in a school surrounded by girls, and forced to wear an icky pink uniform to mark her as a freshman - aka, fresh meat. However, while on a tour of Our Lady of Sorrows, Gilda soon learns that a girl named Dolores Lambert drowned on the school grounds a mere three years ago, when she was a lowly freshman herself; and rumor has it that her spirit has haunted the grounds ever since. With information like that, Gilda is absolutely unable to turn-down the scholarship, and, come September, finds herself wearing the puke-pink uniform herself, and skipping along the concrete paths that lead to Our Lady. Now, using all of her psychic and investigative skills, Gilda begins digging deeper into the case of Dolores Lambert, and soon finds herself in the midst of a secret club, and the truth about Dolores' mysterious death. The truth that will ultimately put Gilda in more danger than she could have ever imagined, and leave her trying to reveal the culprits, but protecting herself from an untimely death at the same time.

After reading Jennifer Allison's first installment GILDA JOYCE PSYCHIC INVESTIGATOR, I was ecstatic to find that a sequel about the zany, psychic detective was being published. And, as much as I enjoyed the prequel, GILDA JOYCE: THE LADIES OF THE LAKE was even more entertaining, and kept me gripping the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end, leaving me with a chill up my spine. Gilda, as always, takes on her lovable, offbeat personality, and uses it to befriend - as well as pester - some of the most beautiful people at Our Lady of Sorrows. Her never-ending array of questions are hilarious, while reading about her misadventures - which happen to take place on every page - is absolutely enthralling, and truly makes the reader feel as if they are right there beside Gilda, helping her to solve the mystery of Dolores Lambert. Allison has created a character who will live on in readers' hearts for years to come, and keep them salivating for more of Gilda's wacky fun. An unstoppable sequel that exceeds expectations!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

When Gilda Joyce's mom suggests a private school, Gilda is less than thrilled. She enjoys going to school with her best friend, Wendy. Why would she even consider a snotty, upper class, private girls' academy? Trying to be civil--after all, her mom's boyfriend has greased the wheels for her entrance--Gilda agrees to check it out.

Our Lady of Sorrows is worse than Gilda expected. The only thing that can convince her to attend would be a good mystery. While on a tour of the campus, a mystery is just what she finds. As a "psychic detective," Gilda decides to go undercover to find out what really happened to Delores Lambert--the freshman who drowned in the school's lake three years earlier--even if it means wearing a ghastly pink uniform.

At Our Lady of Sorrows, Gilda makes new friends and enemies, and the ghost of Delores seems to haunt them all. What starts out as a mystery soon grows into something much larger, and more dangerous than Gilda ever expected.

Gilda is smart and sassy, yet she happily marches to her own beat. The concept of the "psychic detective" is fun for kids and creates a great opportunity to pull kids in to another great series. With all of the paranormal/magic series out there for kids, it's interesting to see a new character who deals with the unusual while existing in an otherwise "normal" world.

While this is a good pick for most kids, some parents may not care for the use of mildly explicit language (d***; a**) or for some ethical choices Gilda makes, especially toward the end. Fortunately, Gilda comes through in more ways than one.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
7/11/2006

4½-Balloons / 5-Stars for Amazon

In Gilda's second adventure, she enrolls in an all girls Catholic school, aptly named Our Lady of Sorrows. As the new kid on the block, she is not so confident in her nerdy pink uniform as she tries to find her place among the strict, forbidding teachers and the snooty rich girls. It doesn't take long for Gilda to sniff out the school's cover-up of a Dolores Lambert's tragic drowning. In her element as psychic investigator, Gilda regains her courageous spirit and launches into a full scale investigation, making many surprising discoveries. Readers will be swept along as Gilda delves in to the deep, dark secrets of Our Lady of Sorrows!

This second book by Jennifer Allison is an award winner. Gilda Joyce leverages her psychic powers and insights yet again to uncover the new mystery of the Ladies of the Lake. Jennifer Allison's writing keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read more and more and more. The all girl's school, the behind the scenes story, the life lessons, and the humor make the book a spell binding read - great for the young adult reader - girls and boys! Our 16 year old loved this second book from Jennifer Allison!

Gilda Joyce and The Ladies of The Lake
by Jennifer Allison
Book Review

Gilda Joyce personally doesn't want to attend Our Lady of Sorrows private school. So when her mother's new boyfriend helps her get in on scholarship, she isn't too thrilled. On the first day at her new school, Gilda dresses into her all pink uniform (the sign of a freshman), grabs her investigator's notebook, and catches the bus to a new opportunity. When she arrives, Our Lady of Sorrows is not what she expects. With it's medieval appearance, the secretive private school is looking more inviting to the 13 year old psychic investigator. With it's turrets, statues, and ruins, she can't help but feel like there are guards watching her from every nook and cranny. While exploring the ruins, which were put there purposely when the building was built, Gilda makes an interesting discovery, bridge. On the bridge is an engraving made out to someone named Delores Lambert. Gilda, intrigued, makes it her first priority to find out who this mysterious person is...and if possible, if they are still alive. A few days later, Gilda finds out that Delores Lambert was a freshman a few years back. That was before she died, by falling into the lake on school grounds. That was why the bridge was put in place, to keep people from crossing it while it was frozen, which until Delores died, the students of Our Lady did constantly. Curious, Gilda searches the ruins, looking for any clues or traces of Delores Lambert's past life. Nothing...but she does find something else. A document titled Pledge of The Ladies of The Lake. Gilda sets off to find out what that document means, and if it has any possible connection with the death of Delores Lambert.
I loved Gilda Joyce and The Ladies of The Lake! I thought it was the ultimate horror story, but at the same time it had that childish sort of touch on the writing. It definitely was a page turner, I just couldn't put it down! It's not just a morbid story though, it goes beyond that into the life of Gilda Joyce. The author put me into her shoes, how she feels about her mother's boyfriend, about her brother and his new car, and most importantly writing to her deceased father about everything that has happened, just to keep him updated and for Gilda to get her feelings out about everything. Gilda is a very interesting person, which makes the book very fun to read.
I would give Gilda Joyce and The Ladies of The Lake a 10-10! It was just such a fun and easy book to read. It reminded me of Scooby-Doo only with a teenage flair! It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat the entire book. This book has a very different story-line from everything i've read over the years. But this Gilda Joyce adventure isn't the first! It's actually the 3rd in a series, the first, Gilda Joyce; Psychic Investigator is along the same lines as this one. The second book Gilda Joyce and The Ghost Sonata is based in London! With a little surprise trip to Oxford University! This series isn't one that you have to read in order, though I would recommend it. I personally think that it is easier to understand if I can remember the characters and all the details from the stories. Though at the same time they are all very different books with very different stories that just happen to be written by the same author. I think that people who like horror, adventure, mystery, and a little touch of attitude would absolutely love this book and the series! What will Gilda find out about Delores? Who are the Ladies of the Lake? Will Gilda end up enjoying Our Lady of Sorrows? The answers are in Gilda Joyce and The Ladies of The Lake!

Parker

Gilda may not be very good at staying out of trouble, but with her quirky and lovable personality she is an expert at getting into the readers' hearts.

I thoroughy enjoyed the first Gilda Joyce book, so I was pleased to have the opportunity to read another one. I wasn't disappointed.

Jennifer Allison has successfully built a story with the perfect amount of complexity. It has just enough surprises to keep you guessing, but not enough to cause frustration.

Loved it!

Thirteen-year-old Gilda Joyce has always been content with attending a public school. The way she sees it, as long as she's permitted to do what she pleases - which is investigate psychic/paranormal phenomena - and wear whatever she wants - including leopard-print jackets and stiletto heels - everything is good. Which is why, when Gilda's mother suggests that she apply for a scholarship to the private girls school Our Lady of Sorrows, Gilda is more than reluctant to agree. After all, why would Gilda possibly want to trade in her freedom to be trapped in a school surrounded by girls, and forced to wear an icky pink uniform to mark her as a freshman - aka, fresh meat. However, while on a tour of Our Lady of Sorrows, Gilda soon learns that a girl named Dolores Lambert drowned on the school grounds a mere three years ago, when she was a lowly freshman herself; and rumor has it that her spirit has haunted the grounds ever since. With information like that, Gilda is absolutely unable to turn-down the scholarship, and, come September, finds herself wearing the puke-pink uniform herself, and skipping along the concrete paths that lead to Our Lady. Now, using all of her psychic and investigative skills, Gilda begins digging deeper into the case of Dolores Lambert, and soon finds herself in the midst of a secret club, and the truth about Dolores' mysterious death. The truth that will ultimately put Gilda in more danger than she could have ever imagined, and leave her trying to reveal the culprits, but protecting herself from an untimely death at the same time.

After reading Jennifer Allison's first installment GILDA JOYCE PSYCHIC INVESTIGATOR, I was ecstatic to find that a sequel about the zany, psychic detective was being published. And, as much as I enjoyed the prequel, GILDA JOYCE: THE LADIES OF THE LAKE was even more entertaining, and kept me gripping the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end, leaving me with a chill up my spine. Gilda, as always, takes on her lovable, offbeat personality, and uses it to befriend - as well as pester - some of the most beautiful people at Our Lady of Sorrows. Her never-ending array of questions are hilarious, while reading about her misadventures - which happen to take place on every page - is absolutely enthralling, and truly makes the reader feel as if they are right there beside Gilda, helping her to solve the mystery of Dolores Lambert. Allison has created a character who will live on in readers' hearts for years to come, and keep them salivating for more of Gilda's wacky fun. An unstoppable sequel that exceeds expectations!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer