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Disney Descendants: School of Secrets #2
Freddie's Shadow Cards
The School of Secrets series of chapter books continues the story of Mal and her friends, plus new Villain kids and Auradon kids introduced in the popular Wicked World short form videos. Enjoy these all-new tales of mystery, magic and adventure from the world of the hit movie Descendants!
188 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2016
327 people are currently reading
809 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Brody
60 books2,809 followersJessica Brody is the author of more than 20 novels for teens, tweens, and adults including The Geography of Lost Things, The Chaos of Standing Still, Amelia Gray is Almost Okay, A Week of Mondays, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, the Unremembered trilogy, and the System Divine trilogy which is a sci-fi reimagining of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, co-written with Joanne Rendell. She’s also the author of the #1 bestselling novel-writing guides, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel and Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel as well as several books based on popular Disney franchises like Descendants and LEGO Disney Princess. Jessica’s books have been translated and published in over 20 languages and several have been optioned for film and television. She’s the founder of the Writing Mastery Academy and lives with her husband and three dogs near Portland, OR.
Visit her online at JessicaBrody.com or WritingMastery.com. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram @JessicaBrody
Visit her online at JessicaBrody.com or WritingMastery.com. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram @JessicaBrody
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 2, 2025
I love it when fictional universes that started as movies or television shows also have other stories that are only available in literary form. It makes me glad I'm a longtime bookworm alongside being an ardent consumer of audiovisual entertainment.
This book was fun; it's a bit different from the DCOMs that inspired it, but, I still enjoyed it. It's nice to read something lighthearted after a bunch of serious space operas and historical dramas.
This book was fun; it's a bit different from the DCOMs that inspired it, but, I still enjoyed it. It's nice to read something lighthearted after a bunch of serious space operas and historical dramas.
January 29, 2024
This book was pretty good. I’m a bit disappointed that they have changed the names of the kids for example Freddie is dr Faciliers daughter but in the movie her name is Celia
March 9, 2017
Freddie is one of my favorite characters in the Descendants Wicked World shorts. I really enjoyed this book! In the first two chapters of Freddie's Shadow Cards, we learn what Freddie's life was like before coming to Auradon Prep and how she dreams of being a jazz singer rather than just a Villain Kid. We Also learn that Freddie is having trouble fitting in at Au radon Prep and is missing her friend CJ back home. When Freddie sees that that the school's singing group, The Auradonnas is holding auditions it seems like things are turning around. However, not all the members want Freddie in the group because she is a Villain Kid. Upset and angry Freddie decides to use her Shadow Cards to get her way. At first things go fine but when the Shadow cards demand payment, Things start going wrongs and its up to Freddie to fix it. I really like the lessons Freddie leans through in the story. She learns that if you want something you need to work hard for it not take the easy way out. She also learns about friendship. If you Love Descendants like I do, pick up this book.
October 8, 2024
I get why many don't like this series because it is basically like the movies with VK's and AK's. Thing is it is to help teens also realize that even the most villain of people can be friendly. Freddie, Ally, and Jordan are all unique also have trio of friendship in the oddest way. Carlos is just Carlos. You got to look at the books as you were a teen again.
The ending was really endearing and glad Freddie got her happiness.
I recommend if you like Descendants. Otherwise, I am happy to continue this series.
The ending was really endearing and glad Freddie got her happiness.
I recommend if you like Descendants. Otherwise, I am happy to continue this series.
Want to read
July 4, 2016I'll buy this book. Want to know more about Freddie and her family history. But I'm afraid that such a wonderful character will spoil, turning it into a reformed child of the villain. Freddie is unique. She doesn't need to become pious doll.
February 4, 2017
I liked it. I was a great and easy read. I love Freddie's character. I think she might be my favorite character so far.
September 7, 2017
I love the decendants books I've read all of them and I loved this one too!
September 18, 2025
Freddie’s Shadow Cards (Updated)
On her 10th birthday, Freddie receives a strange pack of card tied together with a piece of old yellow string. Her father disapprovingly with her question of what they are says they’re shadow cards. Shadow Cards not only can predict the future but they can also tell you which path to take to find what you desire the most. Freddie asks if they work and he becomes angered. The cards of course don’t work because magic doesn’t work on the Isle. The cards have images on them of a woman with three heads, a heart pierced by a sword, a castle on fire. She says she loves them. He asks if she knows how to use them and she says no. He smiles mischievously and tells her someday she will. And he’s right.
At Auradon Preo, Freddie sees a sign announcing an audition for Auradonna (a cappella group at Auradon Prep and they were one of the best a cappella groups in all of Auradon Kingdom). So, Freddie rushes over to the chapel (Freddies dream is to be a jazz singer and she’s been one of the lucky VK’s to get into AP). When she gets there, Audrey acts like she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. There are no auditions. You have to get *invited* into the group. Ally speaks up and says she posted the sign because the song for the competition is sounding kind of stale and she thought they needed a new voice. But Audrey intimidates Alice into not wanting to be like the Queen (of Hearts), she takes a vote, and no one (but Alice) wants to go against her. So, Freddie leaves furious after Audrey tells her she doesn’t have the right “tone” and she’s better as an independent singer.
Freddie knows her best chance into the group is through Ally but wonders why everyone is letting Audrey run things when All y is the captain. Things have been tense with Freddie and Mal ever since the last book where she and CJ snuck out. Evie tells her tho that she’s just stressed over the tour she’s going on with Ben. Not wanting any trouble to pop up. In her room, Jordan delivers a bottle to Freddie that has a message inside from CJ. She’s left her a gift buried under one of the bleachers on the Tourney field. It turns out to be the shadow cards her father gave her. It’s the perfect timing!
Freddie doesn’t know how to make them work so she shuffles them and just picks one. It’s a pig sleeping in mud. She notices on the backs are two hands facing away from each other. In each hand is a black eye. When she first tries to use the cards, she feels a spark but then it’s gone. Then she remembers an old nursery her dad use to sing her. Masters of the Shadow Land, I call upon your knowing hand. I offer you this sinner’s song. To guide the path I walk upon. Freddie’s shadow then shrinks and starts to slither like a snake toward the cards and brings them alive. It then forms question marks on the cards.
A card directs her to the Mad for Tea (tea shop) owned by Ally’s parents. Before heading out she sticks the cards in her pocket thinking she’ll have to be careful so the Fairy Godmother doesn’t find out about them. She gives herself a quick pep talk that even tho she’s trying to get into the Auradonna’s she’s still a VK-just a different kind-. When she gets to the shop, everything has been redone. Ally is in tears because she’s supposed to be over a fund-raising party to get new costumes but no one’s RSVP’d After consoling her doesn’t work, Freddie tells Ally to stop crying and figure out a solution. Ally says *they* can advertise by making fliers and posters. Freddie feels the cards influence and tells Ally “Let’s make a deal”.
Ally is hesitant about getting involved with dark magic but concedes to do it. She says she’ll only let Freddie into the Auradonna’s if she helps raise enough money for the costumes. The cards show Allie Mal and Evie’s door. Allie *convinces* Freddie to go with her. They stand in the hallway for 10 minutes. All they see is Evie studying and talking to her magic mirror. Ally says maybe they should have just asked the mirror because Freddie’s cards don’t seem to work. Freddie gets offended and is about to storm off, but then Alice tells her (her) idea. They’ll have a raffle and the winner will get to ask Evie’s magic mirror a question.
The party is so crowded with people coming from Kingdoms all over (thanks to Jordan’s show) they have to push furniture into a storage space. After it’s over, Freddie reminds Ally of her promise and makes Ally promise not to tell anyone about the cards. She says she won’t but Freddie has a bad feeling and wonders how much she can trust an AK. True enough, days later Jordan comes to Freddie asking to use her Shadow Cards.
Up until a few hours ago, she had the most popular Web show in Auradon! Then Snow White released footage of Sneezy’s son blowing his nose in Auto-Tune, and her numbers skyrocketed! So wants Freddie to ask the shadow cards how to get more views. Because she’s cool and Freddie really wants her to be her “friend” she agrees. Freddie makes her promise not to tell and she says Genie’s honor. The cards point her in the direction of the banquet hall and she decides to do a show on the Inside of Auradon Prep.
Jordan stops Freddie before class and tells her (her) video has already gone viral. The video is of Ben and Chad challenging each other at a porridge eating contest. Jordan suggests they hang out later. The cards have done it again! Freddie drops her cards and Fairy Godmother is standing there, but just as she’s trying to figure out how to get them without her noticing, Dude starts to make a fuss. Carlos says he saw the cards fall and sent Dude as a distraction. Now in return he wants the cards to show him how to get some of the attention Jay gets for Tourney. The cards show him the winning play from the other team. Now Carlos can intercept it.
Back in Freddie’s room, an angry Jordan accuses Freddie of *tricking* her into using the cards because she’s a VK. Ben’s tour is now being delayed because the advisors don’t think anyone will take him seriously and now wants to wait until it blows over. Because Jordan posted the clip on her show, Fairy Godmother says she can’t go live for a month. She tells Freddie to fix it or she’ll tell Fairy Godmother.
But when it rains it pours. When they get to the tea shop, When they pushed the furniture into the back room during the party, one of the chairs shoved up against a water pipe. The pressure was too much! The pipe burst this morning and flooded the whole tea shop! The plumber told me how much it’s going to cost just to fix the broken pipe and it’s all the money we made from the fund-raiser! And that doesn’t even include getting all this water out—which means we won’t have anything left over to buy the new costumes. Ally blames Freddie’s cards. Her mother will be home in 2 days.
Jordan also blames Freddie’s cards. They get a text. Carlos dislocated his shoulder but they did win the game. They all get into a big argument because Ally is now mad at Jordan for telling Carlos. Ally says Freddie can forget getting into the Auradonna’s. She no longer trust her (thinking she messed her over on purpose). It’s the one thing Ally and Jordan agree on. They can’t trust Freddie. That night, Freddie remembers a conversation she had with her father. When she asked him why they called him the Shadow Man he told her because all his favors come with a dark side. Freddie realizes that all the favors she granted came with a price and now that debt was paid.
Freddie tells Jordan and Ally she wants to take them to Mama Odie in the Bayou to reverse the spell. Jordan is instantly in. Ally is hesitant but agrees. Still, she tells Freddie she’s not letting her into the Auradonna’s. Once in the bayou, they’re all hungry and decide to go to a benne’s (fried dough). Ally’s never heard jazz and there’s a jazz band playing. Freddie amazes them and everyone in the club by giving the Auradonna’s contest song some jazz flava. When one of the band comes over to compliment her, things turn ugly when Ally reveals the Shadow Man is Freddie’s dad. He put a bad spell on the man’s grandmother.
Jordan causes a way for escape and they all make a run for it. There are some challenges on the way (a cougar, a bamboo trap) but finally find Mama Odie. They meet her daughter Opal whose holding down the fort while her mom is gone. Opal says she won’t help and neither will her mom. They aren’t allowed to use magic anymore. Besides, she says they don’t need her help or her mothers. They already know how to fix their problems. She says everything they need they learned on their jouney there. She tells them to have faith in themselves.
Besides where’s the fun in just *telling* them. She tells them like her mother said they just gotta dig a little deeper. When they get back, Freddie helps Ally clean up the tea shop (no charge). She admits she feels guilty for what she did. Freddie then has an idea and goes to Jordan. She tells her Fairy Godmother said *she* couldn’t film any more episodes. She didn’t say anything about Freddie not being able to. And she takes over the show. Good thing because Jordan has just lost 50 more subscribers,
Jordan and Freddie make a video of Freddie singing in different locations (the Auradonna’s competition song). They turn her into a 4 woman group. Everyone loves it! Then she goes to the hospital to apologize to Carlos. Freddie offers to help him and Carlos says he needs someone to take Dude for walks. Freddie says she’s “happy to help”. Then admits that ok maybe she’s overdoing it.
Since Ben’s entourage won’t be wearing the flashy costumes Evie made, Freddie gets Evie to give them to the Auradonnas, On the night of the contest, Freddie decides to stay in her room with Dude. She thinks about all the trouble the cards have causes her. Evie comes to her room and tells her to come quick. Ally has lost her voice and they need her. She’s the only one that knows the song. Sword in the Tone (the opposing group) sings there song, but Freddie comes up with the idea to sing the song with a jazzy flavor just like in the Bayou. And Freddie sings the hell out of it! The crowd eats it up!
Allie admits that she never lose her voice. After what she did for her and Jordan she knew she had to help. All the Auradon’s vote her in (except for Audrey). Then she says whatever and raises her hand. Freddie realizes Opal was right. They got what they wanted because of friendship. Not magic. Freddie takes Ally’s invitation to be an honorary AK but says she’ll always be from the Isle and warns not to tell anyone else she agreed to be an AK,
My Thoughts:
On this read, I thought how much I would have loved to have these shadows cards! I’ve been digging into books about shadow work and have taken an extreme interest in it. I didn’t necessarily think it was the *cards* fault. I think the cards did what they were supposed to do. They pointed you in a direction. Carlos, Jordan, and Ally made interpretations. It just provided them with ideas. Just like in shadow work It’s INNER work.
It struck a bad chord with me that Freddie wasn’t accepted into the Auradonna’s because she’s a “villain kid” And I saw “villain kid” sarcastically. But here’s the thing. I really don’t see why Freddie was so pressed to join this group that did not want her. I don’t care WHO it is, we don’t need to run up behind prejudice organizations like this. Freddie could have easily with the voice she had went about this so many different ways.
She could have asked could she perform at the Bayou sometimes. If not while at Auradon maybe ask if she could possibly perform there in the future. She had a really good idea to use Jordan’s web cast. This could have gotten the attention of *someone* that could have offered her a recording contract. I just don’t like to see her play herself with the Auradonna’s who didn’t give a damn about what she had to offer (wouldn’t even give her a chance) but when she saved their butts THEN they speak up against Audrey. And speaking of that also with Jordan. Jordan was another one that acted snotty with her until she needed her to save her documentary. I kinda got the feeling she was into her as more than a friend. But overall, it's good to see that dark means might help you get your foot in the door, but all along sometimes the answers really are inside you and make your way to the top you just have to use your head! And even tho this book didn’t show it I took from it you DEFINETLY don’t need people that aren’t checking for you. But I guess in the end, it does kinda feel good to show people up that put you down so..
Rating: 7
On her 10th birthday, Freddie receives a strange pack of card tied together with a piece of old yellow string. Her father disapprovingly with her question of what they are says they’re shadow cards. Shadow Cards not only can predict the future but they can also tell you which path to take to find what you desire the most. Freddie asks if they work and he becomes angered. The cards of course don’t work because magic doesn’t work on the Isle. The cards have images on them of a woman with three heads, a heart pierced by a sword, a castle on fire. She says she loves them. He asks if she knows how to use them and she says no. He smiles mischievously and tells her someday she will. And he’s right.
At Auradon Preo, Freddie sees a sign announcing an audition for Auradonna (a cappella group at Auradon Prep and they were one of the best a cappella groups in all of Auradon Kingdom). So, Freddie rushes over to the chapel (Freddies dream is to be a jazz singer and she’s been one of the lucky VK’s to get into AP). When she gets there, Audrey acts like she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. There are no auditions. You have to get *invited* into the group. Ally speaks up and says she posted the sign because the song for the competition is sounding kind of stale and she thought they needed a new voice. But Audrey intimidates Alice into not wanting to be like the Queen (of Hearts), she takes a vote, and no one (but Alice) wants to go against her. So, Freddie leaves furious after Audrey tells her she doesn’t have the right “tone” and she’s better as an independent singer.
Freddie knows her best chance into the group is through Ally but wonders why everyone is letting Audrey run things when All y is the captain. Things have been tense with Freddie and Mal ever since the last book where she and CJ snuck out. Evie tells her tho that she’s just stressed over the tour she’s going on with Ben. Not wanting any trouble to pop up. In her room, Jordan delivers a bottle to Freddie that has a message inside from CJ. She’s left her a gift buried under one of the bleachers on the Tourney field. It turns out to be the shadow cards her father gave her. It’s the perfect timing!
Freddie doesn’t know how to make them work so she shuffles them and just picks one. It’s a pig sleeping in mud. She notices on the backs are two hands facing away from each other. In each hand is a black eye. When she first tries to use the cards, she feels a spark but then it’s gone. Then she remembers an old nursery her dad use to sing her. Masters of the Shadow Land, I call upon your knowing hand. I offer you this sinner’s song. To guide the path I walk upon. Freddie’s shadow then shrinks and starts to slither like a snake toward the cards and brings them alive. It then forms question marks on the cards.
A card directs her to the Mad for Tea (tea shop) owned by Ally’s parents. Before heading out she sticks the cards in her pocket thinking she’ll have to be careful so the Fairy Godmother doesn’t find out about them. She gives herself a quick pep talk that even tho she’s trying to get into the Auradonna’s she’s still a VK-just a different kind-. When she gets to the shop, everything has been redone. Ally is in tears because she’s supposed to be over a fund-raising party to get new costumes but no one’s RSVP’d After consoling her doesn’t work, Freddie tells Ally to stop crying and figure out a solution. Ally says *they* can advertise by making fliers and posters. Freddie feels the cards influence and tells Ally “Let’s make a deal”.
Ally is hesitant about getting involved with dark magic but concedes to do it. She says she’ll only let Freddie into the Auradonna’s if she helps raise enough money for the costumes. The cards show Allie Mal and Evie’s door. Allie *convinces* Freddie to go with her. They stand in the hallway for 10 minutes. All they see is Evie studying and talking to her magic mirror. Ally says maybe they should have just asked the mirror because Freddie’s cards don’t seem to work. Freddie gets offended and is about to storm off, but then Alice tells her (her) idea. They’ll have a raffle and the winner will get to ask Evie’s magic mirror a question.
The party is so crowded with people coming from Kingdoms all over (thanks to Jordan’s show) they have to push furniture into a storage space. After it’s over, Freddie reminds Ally of her promise and makes Ally promise not to tell anyone about the cards. She says she won’t but Freddie has a bad feeling and wonders how much she can trust an AK. True enough, days later Jordan comes to Freddie asking to use her Shadow Cards.
Up until a few hours ago, she had the most popular Web show in Auradon! Then Snow White released footage of Sneezy’s son blowing his nose in Auto-Tune, and her numbers skyrocketed! So wants Freddie to ask the shadow cards how to get more views. Because she’s cool and Freddie really wants her to be her “friend” she agrees. Freddie makes her promise not to tell and she says Genie’s honor. The cards point her in the direction of the banquet hall and she decides to do a show on the Inside of Auradon Prep.
Jordan stops Freddie before class and tells her (her) video has already gone viral. The video is of Ben and Chad challenging each other at a porridge eating contest. Jordan suggests they hang out later. The cards have done it again! Freddie drops her cards and Fairy Godmother is standing there, but just as she’s trying to figure out how to get them without her noticing, Dude starts to make a fuss. Carlos says he saw the cards fall and sent Dude as a distraction. Now in return he wants the cards to show him how to get some of the attention Jay gets for Tourney. The cards show him the winning play from the other team. Now Carlos can intercept it.
Back in Freddie’s room, an angry Jordan accuses Freddie of *tricking* her into using the cards because she’s a VK. Ben’s tour is now being delayed because the advisors don’t think anyone will take him seriously and now wants to wait until it blows over. Because Jordan posted the clip on her show, Fairy Godmother says she can’t go live for a month. She tells Freddie to fix it or she’ll tell Fairy Godmother.
But when it rains it pours. When they get to the tea shop, When they pushed the furniture into the back room during the party, one of the chairs shoved up against a water pipe. The pressure was too much! The pipe burst this morning and flooded the whole tea shop! The plumber told me how much it’s going to cost just to fix the broken pipe and it’s all the money we made from the fund-raiser! And that doesn’t even include getting all this water out—which means we won’t have anything left over to buy the new costumes. Ally blames Freddie’s cards. Her mother will be home in 2 days.
Jordan also blames Freddie’s cards. They get a text. Carlos dislocated his shoulder but they did win the game. They all get into a big argument because Ally is now mad at Jordan for telling Carlos. Ally says Freddie can forget getting into the Auradonna’s. She no longer trust her (thinking she messed her over on purpose). It’s the one thing Ally and Jordan agree on. They can’t trust Freddie. That night, Freddie remembers a conversation she had with her father. When she asked him why they called him the Shadow Man he told her because all his favors come with a dark side. Freddie realizes that all the favors she granted came with a price and now that debt was paid.
Freddie tells Jordan and Ally she wants to take them to Mama Odie in the Bayou to reverse the spell. Jordan is instantly in. Ally is hesitant but agrees. Still, she tells Freddie she’s not letting her into the Auradonna’s. Once in the bayou, they’re all hungry and decide to go to a benne’s (fried dough). Ally’s never heard jazz and there’s a jazz band playing. Freddie amazes them and everyone in the club by giving the Auradonna’s contest song some jazz flava. When one of the band comes over to compliment her, things turn ugly when Ally reveals the Shadow Man is Freddie’s dad. He put a bad spell on the man’s grandmother.
Jordan causes a way for escape and they all make a run for it. There are some challenges on the way (a cougar, a bamboo trap) but finally find Mama Odie. They meet her daughter Opal whose holding down the fort while her mom is gone. Opal says she won’t help and neither will her mom. They aren’t allowed to use magic anymore. Besides, she says they don’t need her help or her mothers. They already know how to fix their problems. She says everything they need they learned on their jouney there. She tells them to have faith in themselves.
Besides where’s the fun in just *telling* them. She tells them like her mother said they just gotta dig a little deeper. When they get back, Freddie helps Ally clean up the tea shop (no charge). She admits she feels guilty for what she did. Freddie then has an idea and goes to Jordan. She tells her Fairy Godmother said *she* couldn’t film any more episodes. She didn’t say anything about Freddie not being able to. And she takes over the show. Good thing because Jordan has just lost 50 more subscribers,
Jordan and Freddie make a video of Freddie singing in different locations (the Auradonna’s competition song). They turn her into a 4 woman group. Everyone loves it! Then she goes to the hospital to apologize to Carlos. Freddie offers to help him and Carlos says he needs someone to take Dude for walks. Freddie says she’s “happy to help”. Then admits that ok maybe she’s overdoing it.
Since Ben’s entourage won’t be wearing the flashy costumes Evie made, Freddie gets Evie to give them to the Auradonnas, On the night of the contest, Freddie decides to stay in her room with Dude. She thinks about all the trouble the cards have causes her. Evie comes to her room and tells her to come quick. Ally has lost her voice and they need her. She’s the only one that knows the song. Sword in the Tone (the opposing group) sings there song, but Freddie comes up with the idea to sing the song with a jazzy flavor just like in the Bayou. And Freddie sings the hell out of it! The crowd eats it up!
Allie admits that she never lose her voice. After what she did for her and Jordan she knew she had to help. All the Auradon’s vote her in (except for Audrey). Then she says whatever and raises her hand. Freddie realizes Opal was right. They got what they wanted because of friendship. Not magic. Freddie takes Ally’s invitation to be an honorary AK but says she’ll always be from the Isle and warns not to tell anyone else she agreed to be an AK,
My Thoughts:
On this read, I thought how much I would have loved to have these shadows cards! I’ve been digging into books about shadow work and have taken an extreme interest in it. I didn’t necessarily think it was the *cards* fault. I think the cards did what they were supposed to do. They pointed you in a direction. Carlos, Jordan, and Ally made interpretations. It just provided them with ideas. Just like in shadow work It’s INNER work.
It struck a bad chord with me that Freddie wasn’t accepted into the Auradonna’s because she’s a “villain kid” And I saw “villain kid” sarcastically. But here’s the thing. I really don’t see why Freddie was so pressed to join this group that did not want her. I don’t care WHO it is, we don’t need to run up behind prejudice organizations like this. Freddie could have easily with the voice she had went about this so many different ways.
She could have asked could she perform at the Bayou sometimes. If not while at Auradon maybe ask if she could possibly perform there in the future. She had a really good idea to use Jordan’s web cast. This could have gotten the attention of *someone* that could have offered her a recording contract. I just don’t like to see her play herself with the Auradonna’s who didn’t give a damn about what she had to offer (wouldn’t even give her a chance) but when she saved their butts THEN they speak up against Audrey. And speaking of that also with Jordan. Jordan was another one that acted snotty with her until she needed her to save her documentary. I kinda got the feeling she was into her as more than a friend. But overall, it's good to see that dark means might help you get your foot in the door, but all along sometimes the answers really are inside you and make your way to the top you just have to use your head! And even tho this book didn’t show it I took from it you DEFINETLY don’t need people that aren’t checking for you. But I guess in the end, it does kinda feel good to show people up that put you down so..
Rating: 7
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2017
Review:
Protagonist: Coming off the end of CJ's Treasure Chase, Freddie wants to make a name for herself in Auradon as a jazz singer, and the best way to do that is apparently to join an acapella group? Yeah, I understand the experience would be good for her and help get her name out there, but it felt a bit of a stretch. Anyway, after a less than stellar auditions experience, Freddie would do just about anything to get her shot on the acapella team. Enter her shadow cards. These are cards her father gave her on her tenth birthday that she's just recently rediscovered. Could this be just what she needs? Freddie's adventures with her shadow cards lead her on a voyage of self-discovery that will show her where she belongs. I really liked Freddie's character development in this story. She isn't as evil and villainous as CJ was at the start of her adventure, but she's a long way from a hero and her journey in this story really helps to liven things up because this story doesn't leave Auradon Prep for very long.
World Building: Honestly, the world building in this story wasn't the best. Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy all of the facets of this world that we did get to see. However, I had thought/hoped this series would entail adventuring across the United States of Auradon and seeing the various kingdom states that make up the land. This story is, however, far more character driven. Freddie is, of course, the main driving force, but she does have some burgeoning friendships. These friendships were a fun treat to see develop over the course of the book. Most of the time with this world characters seem to either be friends or not, and the road to a real friendship is either skipped over or fast tracked as to not get in the way of the plot. However, in this story, Freddie's unlikely friendships are a fantastic subplot that helps drive the main story along at a fun and dare I say addicting pace. We do get to see the world outside Auradon Prep, and even get to do some old fashioned adventuring, however, it doesn't last all that long and while these characters do meet a new AK along the way, the need for that character wasn't all that strong, to begin with and the out of place character sort of detracted from the story just a small bit.
Predictability: Honestly, I have to say this story was fairly unpredictable. However, that's mostly because this wasn't the story I expected and while I could see some small vague story points coming, the specifics really caught me off guard. I really did enjoy all of the little surprises this story had in store. There's a theme of magic coming with a price in this story and how that plays out was really the most surprising part of the story to me, and how that entire thing is resolved, while not exactly surprising, was a great element to the story and I was awed by how much I enjoyed that bit of resolution.
Ending: As for the ending, I was hoping this story would end in a way that wasn't too idealistic since I've seen that can be a trope for books aimed at a younger audience. The ending starts out very well, as the resolution isn't something that would be achieved easily, and there is some real work that needs to be put into things to even hope for a happy ending. That being said though, even though there's some effort needed to get to where Freddie is in the end, things still felt a bit too easily resolved and things ended just a bit too idealistically.
Rating:
While I did enjoy this short adventure, it wasn't as exciting as the previous one, and even though Freddie's character development was extremely compelling, things just turned out a bit too idealistically. That being said I'm still looking forward to reading more in this hard to piece together canon.
Protagonist: Coming off the end of CJ's Treasure Chase, Freddie wants to make a name for herself in Auradon as a jazz singer, and the best way to do that is apparently to join an acapella group? Yeah, I understand the experience would be good for her and help get her name out there, but it felt a bit of a stretch. Anyway, after a less than stellar auditions experience, Freddie would do just about anything to get her shot on the acapella team. Enter her shadow cards. These are cards her father gave her on her tenth birthday that she's just recently rediscovered. Could this be just what she needs? Freddie's adventures with her shadow cards lead her on a voyage of self-discovery that will show her where she belongs. I really liked Freddie's character development in this story. She isn't as evil and villainous as CJ was at the start of her adventure, but she's a long way from a hero and her journey in this story really helps to liven things up because this story doesn't leave Auradon Prep for very long.
World Building: Honestly, the world building in this story wasn't the best. Don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy all of the facets of this world that we did get to see. However, I had thought/hoped this series would entail adventuring across the United States of Auradon and seeing the various kingdom states that make up the land. This story is, however, far more character driven. Freddie is, of course, the main driving force, but she does have some burgeoning friendships. These friendships were a fun treat to see develop over the course of the book. Most of the time with this world characters seem to either be friends or not, and the road to a real friendship is either skipped over or fast tracked as to not get in the way of the plot. However, in this story, Freddie's unlikely friendships are a fantastic subplot that helps drive the main story along at a fun and dare I say addicting pace. We do get to see the world outside Auradon Prep, and even get to do some old fashioned adventuring, however, it doesn't last all that long and while these characters do meet a new AK along the way, the need for that character wasn't all that strong, to begin with and the out of place character sort of detracted from the story just a small bit.
Predictability: Honestly, I have to say this story was fairly unpredictable. However, that's mostly because this wasn't the story I expected and while I could see some small vague story points coming, the specifics really caught me off guard. I really did enjoy all of the little surprises this story had in store. There's a theme of magic coming with a price in this story and how that plays out was really the most surprising part of the story to me, and how that entire thing is resolved, while not exactly surprising, was a great element to the story and I was awed by how much I enjoyed that bit of resolution.
Ending: As for the ending, I was hoping this story would end in a way that wasn't too idealistic since I've seen that can be a trope for books aimed at a younger audience. The ending starts out very well, as the resolution isn't something that would be achieved easily, and there is some real work that needs to be put into things to even hope for a happy ending. That being said though, even though there's some effort needed to get to where Freddie is in the end, things still felt a bit too easily resolved and things ended just a bit too idealistically.
Rating:
While I did enjoy this short adventure, it wasn't as exciting as the previous one, and even though Freddie's character development was extremely compelling, things just turned out a bit too idealistically. That being said I'm still looking forward to reading more in this hard to piece together canon.
December 12, 2025
P51
Turrets
P56
Ally sighed. “Well, I suppose it’s fitting. Mum did once travel through a keyhole.”
.
P62
Sidled up
P63(typo)
Silk chaise longue ((( lounge )))
P71
Harrumphed
P72
Supplant me
P109 ( typo )
P137
Thicket of weeds
P150-151
“But, “Freddie complained, “I don’t understand. If you have the ability to help us, why won’t you? “
Opal smiled. It was a genuine smile this time. “Because, “Opal said, kindly, “you don’t need my help. Or my mother’s.
“Yes, we do, “Jordan argued. “We really, really do. “
Opal shook her head and went back to stirring the gumbo pot. “Sweetie pies, “she said silky Lee, “you already know how to fix your problems. All of them. “
Freddie frowned, confused. “No, we don’t. That’s why we came here. “
“Well, see, “opal said, adding a dash of hot sauce to the pot and stirring again. “That’s the thing. Everything you need, you already learned on the journey here. “
“What? “Freddie asked. “No, we didn’t. “
Opal turned from her pot and stared intensely at Freddie. “Or, have faith in yourself, sugarplum, “Opal said soothingly. “Besides, I know for certain you’ll figure it out. “
Freddie squinted “how do you know?
Opal gave her a coy wink. “Because I’ve already seen it happen. “
Freddie felt frustration boiling up inside her.
Why is Opal being so difficult? Why can’t she just tell us straight up what to do?
“Now, where would be the fun in that? “Opal said, once again answering the question in Freddie’s mind. “If I told you exactly what to do, you’d Mix miss out on the adventure of discovering it yourself. “
Freddie shook her head. “I don’t want any more adventures! I just want to fix this. “
“And fix it you will, “Opal said confidently as she lowered herself back down into the rocking chair. “As my mama always said, “you just gotta dig a little deeper. “
P152
#ByeYou
P153
Dejectedly
P163
Wicked good chops
Reverberating
P174
The all powerful queen of the shadows
P179 (typo)
Turrets
P56
Ally sighed. “Well, I suppose it’s fitting. Mum did once travel through a keyhole.”
.
P62
Sidled up
P63(typo)
Silk chaise longue ((( lounge )))
P71
Harrumphed
P72
Supplant me
P109 ( typo )
P137
Thicket of weeds
P150-151
“But, “Freddie complained, “I don’t understand. If you have the ability to help us, why won’t you? “
Opal smiled. It was a genuine smile this time. “Because, “Opal said, kindly, “you don’t need my help. Or my mother’s.
“Yes, we do, “Jordan argued. “We really, really do. “
Opal shook her head and went back to stirring the gumbo pot. “Sweetie pies, “she said silky Lee, “you already know how to fix your problems. All of them. “
Freddie frowned, confused. “No, we don’t. That’s why we came here. “
“Well, see, “opal said, adding a dash of hot sauce to the pot and stirring again. “That’s the thing. Everything you need, you already learned on the journey here. “
“What? “Freddie asked. “No, we didn’t. “
Opal turned from her pot and stared intensely at Freddie. “Or, have faith in yourself, sugarplum, “Opal said soothingly. “Besides, I know for certain you’ll figure it out. “
Freddie squinted “how do you know?
Opal gave her a coy wink. “Because I’ve already seen it happen. “
Freddie felt frustration boiling up inside her.
Why is Opal being so difficult? Why can’t she just tell us straight up what to do?
“Now, where would be the fun in that? “Opal said, once again answering the question in Freddie’s mind. “If I told you exactly what to do, you’d Mix miss out on the adventure of discovering it yourself. “
Freddie shook her head. “I don’t want any more adventures! I just want to fix this. “
“And fix it you will, “Opal said confidently as she lowered herself back down into the rocking chair. “As my mama always said, “you just gotta dig a little deeper. “
P152
#ByeYou
P153
Dejectedly
P163
Wicked good chops
Reverberating
P174
The all powerful queen of the shadows
P179 (typo)
February 3, 2018
This second book in the School of Secrets series was better than the first. I'm not sure if I just liked Freddie better or if I preferred the plot more, but I enjoyed it more. I also really liked the shadow magic in the book. That was really cool. This is great for anyone who enjoys Descendants and wants a little more than just what we get from the movies.
Thanks Katie for sending this to me!
Thanks Katie for sending this to me!
May 13, 2021
I think this book is fantastic because at the end Freddie got to sing with the Auradonnas. I can not believe that Opal did not help Ally,Jordan, and Freddie.Ally and Jordan went to find Mama Odie to fix the mess that the shadow cards made. It made Ally’s shop flood and Jordan not being able to do her shows. This is a nice show too! And movie. I think the movie is better than the shows.
July 10, 2020
A descendants tale from Disney
The daughter of a voodoo doctor is trying to fit in with the good guys. The misuse of magic has a few consequences. All works out in the end . Suitable for teens
The daughter of a voodoo doctor is trying to fit in with the good guys. The misuse of magic has a few consequences. All works out in the end . Suitable for teens
May 30, 2023
Carlos' mannerism in this were a better representation than most of the other things in the franchise.
I really liked seeing Jordan and Freddie together and Ally with them was a great bonus.
I wish we could hear more about Dr. Facilier and Celia maybe?
Overall I really enjoyed this one.
I really liked seeing Jordan and Freddie together and Ally with them was a great bonus.
I wish we could hear more about Dr. Facilier and Celia maybe?
Overall I really enjoyed this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2018
Will Freddie be able to undo the damage the shadow cards caused? Find out in this installment of Disney Descendants School of Secrets.
October 20, 2019
This spinoff series is perfect for Descendants fans of all ages!
August 16, 2020
It cool
October 1, 2020
love it
November 6, 2020
1000/10
This book was amazing! 🕙 wait the clock looks like a ✓! That must be why it's so awesome
🎩
🐀 ratitule
This book was amazing! 🕙 wait the clock looks like a ✓! That must be why it's so awesome
🎩
🐀 ratitule
November 28, 2020
Very interesting and fun!
Read
April 24, 2021I like when Freddie make friends and they makes sure the shadow cards are a secret between them
June 23, 2021
A book showing Friendship is the Key to everything.
April 3, 2022
Amé absolutamente todo. Extrañaba este mundo y estaba feliz de volver con un gran personaje como lo es Freddie✨
July 28, 2022
Definitely my favourite one out of all the 5 books, freddie is a really fun character. People who liked princess and the frog and Descendants should read this :D
Read
November 7, 2022Good book
August 31, 2023
It was good I read it like years ago. If you have watched any of the descendants (1,2,3) you would like this book and the other one.
January 17, 2024
I liked it! My only issue is that I wish there was romance in it, but other than that it was good!
May 15, 2024
so good freedie was iconic she kinda made me mad but she fixed it ally is sush a amzing person deff will read the whole book seris 9.2 /10
August 18, 2024
Cute lil story like the movie too
October 28, 2025
I finished this in a day
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews