Reviewed by Leah on
What I love about the series is it generally doesn't take itself too seriously, but All That Glitters definitely had a more mature tone to it, which I liked. Harriet is growing up, whether we like it or not, and it can't always be amazing modelling adventures and everything is sparkling and great, because school and life is never like that. Mind you, it is still hard to read about what Harriet's going through because she feels like a friend, someone you're welded to, and it hurts to see a friend hurt. You just want to make it better.
All That Glitters broke my heart on a lot of occasions. It still had its hilariously funny moments and Harriet was still as clumsy/geek/awkward as ever, but this is the first time we've really seen her out of her comfort zone - her friends aren't talking to her (and she doesn't know why), Nick is in Australia (SOB), her new modelling agent isn't interested, until she suddenly is and to see Harriet implement her plan to be a "new and improved" Harriet Manners made me want to weep because I love her as she is, but I understood why she did it, because who doesn't want to have friends and be thought of as cool? We all do, really.
I'm so sad that there are now only two books left in the Geek Girl series (I wonder if we can persuade Holly to do more, or do a Harriet-as-an-adult series?!?!?!). I have no idea where the final two books will take us - will Nick return? is probably my main question, but I would also LOVE to see more of Jasper. Despite his antagonism toward Harriet I actually really liked him, and sometimes the best relationships come from antagonistic backgrounds, so we'll see. He definitely made an impression.
Holly Smale is such a fantastic, bright young author. I admire her so much for bringing me a heroine like Harriet Manners, because geeks really do bloody rule.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 26 February, 2015: Finished reading
- 26 February, 2015: Reviewed