5 Words: Magic, selfish, silly-little-girls, tragedy, love. 
 When I first started this, I wasn't so sure about it. But by the end, I knew I'd loved it. 
 I haven't read any of the Private series itself, but I want to, especially if the writing's as immersing as this. Pity that not a single library in three whole counties near me have the first books. They have books 9-14 though :/ Is it worth reading, fellow readers? 
 Although the characters appeared to be 15/16 the writing was much younger. But it was refreshing to read a rather "clean" YA that still had intrigue and attraction and naughty-goings-on. 
 I'm a sucker for boarding school situations. Let's blame that on reading the The Twins at St Clare's and The Worst Witch books growing up. And this book did not disappoint on that front. It reminded me of all of those childhood reading memories, only a little more grown-up, and I probably loved this book all the more for it. 
 The characters weren't the most likeable I've read. They were pretty much all spoilt little rich girls who were bored and trying to have fun. But that didn't matter, because without that the book wouldn't have worked. 
 The ending was pretty spectacular, and the build up to it was wonderful. Although there are a few loose ends that I would have preferred were cleared up, I was generally entertained by the book and enjoyed it a lot. 
 I particularly like how this book can be read on its own. There's no pressure to read the rest of the Private series to better understand the world, and I think this book would likely be rather different anyway, being set almost 100 years in the past.