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The Black Sisterhood Files
Crime has befallen the quaint town of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Upon moving to her new home, Lexie Torres soon realizes that her life has morphed into a never-ending cycle of murder, mystery, and peculiar discoveries. Lexie joins a town clan called The Black Sisterhood, a group of teenage girls that often assists the police with solving crimes. Every night, Lexie notices a cloaked figure standing by the neighboring house, a residence with dreadful past events. Soon after, the killings spring into motion. The Black Sisterhood will reveal the cloaked murderer's true identity through a compelling tale of love, murder, and adventure -- a tale bound to keep readers hooked until the final page.
- GenresMysteryYoung Adult
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2020
25 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 4, 2020
When the author, Ms Kristina Naydonova, was looking for people to read and review her new book, I jumped at the opportunity! A story about a group of girls who solved mysteries alongside the police? Sign me up! But wow, this book was not what I expected...
I gave this book 2 stars - meaning, "it was ok". The plot and premise were good. I was intrigued till the end. The ideas were well-constructed and mostly unique, except for one of the challenges of the initiation process that was very alike the faction test from the "Divergent" books. While this book has lots of potential, good suspense building and good use of adjectives, metaphors and similes (I feel like an English teacher marking a 6th grade essay lol), it requires A LOT of work. Major editing needs to be done.
I hate highlighting writing faults and reviewing negatively, but the author asked me to review this book and if I am not honest it would go against my values and morality. That been said, there are a few unfavourable aspects of this book that I need to address. For starters: while the plot IDEA was good, the plot FLOW was not. Reading the book gave me the feel of mismatched puzzle pieces forced together. Bits and pieces of the story did not make sense or fit in. There was a lot about the book that I found unrealistic. But I guess that's the beauty of fiction, right? I must applaud the author on the visceral and well-written death scenes though. The murder descriptions and action scenes prove that the writer has a niche for the mystery and thriller genre.
Now let's talk about characters. I, personally, was not a fan of the main character. She was irrational, easily irritable and her emotions rarely corresponded with the relative scenes. A lot about the characters' emotions was not fully explored. Deaths and losses of loved ones, while well-written in the moment, did not have the complementing consequential emotions or succeeding plotlines. I am confused as to the ages of the main characters? The ages are not mentioned. At times they appeared incredibly young, fickle and immature, while other times they are driving cars, carrying guns and possessing incredible knowledge of codes, encryptions and murder methods (no explanation is provided as to explain how these characters miraculously obtained this knowledge and it all seemed a bit too unrealistic). The main character, Lexie, goes from being a self-proclaimed new, weird loner whom no one wants to associate themselves with, to have many friends that were never introduced (where did Ava and Midge come from?). Also, Lexie and Sophia become "close friends" incredibly quickly. Lexie ricochets from hating Sophia to being overjoyed by her attention and being her close friend. Lexie's recruit into the Black Sisterhood is strange in itself. I liked that the main character was part of the LGBTQ+ community. The character's inner monologue about her feelings was written beautifully and I'm sure many members of the LGBTQ+ community can relate.
While lies, betrayal and manipulation are crucial in a good mystery or thriller, there is also the issue of overloading. However, in totality the plot twists were good. I admit that I figured out who the "Clocked One's helper" was pretty quickly, but I was skeptical about the identity of the "Clocked One" himself. There were quite a few points that weren't explained though, and I was left confused about certain plot holes. The last scene itself was bittersweet (both literally and literary). Without giving much away to future readers, I can say that it was well-written but also emotionally confusing. Without context it would make complete sense, but having read the entire book the characters' words and actions did not make sense.
I am not here to criticise this book, but to instead provide constructive criticism. Like all books, this book had good aspects and bad aspects. I encourage the author to do thorough and extensive editing (preferably with a proper editor, if not done already). I also encourage the author to continue writing, as both the story and the writing has lots of potential!
I gave this book 2 stars - meaning, "it was ok". The plot and premise were good. I was intrigued till the end. The ideas were well-constructed and mostly unique, except for one of the challenges of the initiation process that was very alike the faction test from the "Divergent" books. While this book has lots of potential, good suspense building and good use of adjectives, metaphors and similes (I feel like an English teacher marking a 6th grade essay lol), it requires A LOT of work. Major editing needs to be done.
I hate highlighting writing faults and reviewing negatively, but the author asked me to review this book and if I am not honest it would go against my values and morality. That been said, there are a few unfavourable aspects of this book that I need to address. For starters: while the plot IDEA was good, the plot FLOW was not. Reading the book gave me the feel of mismatched puzzle pieces forced together. Bits and pieces of the story did not make sense or fit in. There was a lot about the book that I found unrealistic. But I guess that's the beauty of fiction, right? I must applaud the author on the visceral and well-written death scenes though. The murder descriptions and action scenes prove that the writer has a niche for the mystery and thriller genre.
Now let's talk about characters. I, personally, was not a fan of the main character. She was irrational, easily irritable and her emotions rarely corresponded with the relative scenes. A lot about the characters' emotions was not fully explored. Deaths and losses of loved ones, while well-written in the moment, did not have the complementing consequential emotions or succeeding plotlines. I am confused as to the ages of the main characters? The ages are not mentioned. At times they appeared incredibly young, fickle and immature, while other times they are driving cars, carrying guns and possessing incredible knowledge of codes, encryptions and murder methods (no explanation is provided as to explain how these characters miraculously obtained this knowledge and it all seemed a bit too unrealistic). The main character, Lexie, goes from being a self-proclaimed new, weird loner whom no one wants to associate themselves with, to have many friends that were never introduced (where did Ava and Midge come from?). Also, Lexie and Sophia become "close friends" incredibly quickly. Lexie ricochets from hating Sophia to being overjoyed by her attention and being her close friend. Lexie's recruit into the Black Sisterhood is strange in itself. I liked that the main character was part of the LGBTQ+ community. The character's inner monologue about her feelings was written beautifully and I'm sure many members of the LGBTQ+ community can relate.
While lies, betrayal and manipulation are crucial in a good mystery or thriller, there is also the issue of overloading. However, in totality the plot twists were good. I admit that I figured out who the "Clocked One's helper" was pretty quickly, but I was skeptical about the identity of the "Clocked One" himself. There were quite a few points that weren't explained though, and I was left confused about certain plot holes. The last scene itself was bittersweet (both literally and literary). Without giving much away to future readers, I can say that it was well-written but also emotionally confusing. Without context it would make complete sense, but having read the entire book the characters' words and actions did not make sense.
I am not here to criticise this book, but to instead provide constructive criticism. Like all books, this book had good aspects and bad aspects. I encourage the author to do thorough and extensive editing (preferably with a proper editor, if not done already). I also encourage the author to continue writing, as both the story and the writing has lots of potential!
July 29, 2020
I was asked by the author, Ms. Naydonova, to read and review her debut novel. Before I begin with the review, I applaud her for being 12-years old and having not only written a book, but publishing it as well. It is something she should be quite proud of and certainly shows a lot about her passion for writing.
Onto the review: I kept in mind the author’s age while reading the book and writing this review. Overall, I liked the entire idea of this book; there are many layers which is key for a thriller book. The first chapter, the author hit it out of the park with description and dialogue. Having 2 teenagers, the conversation and tone between Lexie and Carly was on point and very much how my own children talk. I found that the author was not confident in her dialogue with adult characters. They were a bit simple and unbelievable.
As I said, layers is key to a great thriller and this has such potential, but the layers in this book were not completely thought through and there were many instances that the story and actions were scarcely credible and downright ludicrous. I found having to tell myself this was some dystopian society to continue reading. First, I want to know the backstory of the Black Sisterhood. It’s a well-known club within the community that is privy to police files and crime scenes, and even seems to have more capabilities and leverage than the police yet they are 15-16 year old students (the age is unclear other than high school). Another point that raised questions is that the girls are skilled with knives and guns. I could understand the original group of girls but not Lexie having just moved to town and going through the steps of initiation. There were also some mistakes that could have been easily corrected before printing had an editor, or perhaps a teacher or other adult, proofread the book prior. A few include doctors not riding on ambulances, Lexie’s mom, a waitress, knowing how to surgically remove a bullet to a shoulder, the types of weapons police carry (an AK-47 seems a bit much for a small town police force), and the overall behavior, lack of action, and emotional state of Lexie’s parents when Carly runs away.
The ending chapters became much too unbelievable at times and I think that characters emotional state to their actions and conversations were not inline. The group kept saying that there would be no sisterhood without Lexie, so I’m curious what crimes did they solve before she moved to town. In the funeral scene, the killers would not be present. I had a difficult time even reading that.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and the idea of this; it just needs some more research, explanation, and editing. I could see this being a series and with editing and some research this book has great potential. I commend the author for her passion; I think she has found her niche in the thriller genre and as she continues to writing and learning her talent will no doubt show.
Onto the review: I kept in mind the author’s age while reading the book and writing this review. Overall, I liked the entire idea of this book; there are many layers which is key for a thriller book. The first chapter, the author hit it out of the park with description and dialogue. Having 2 teenagers, the conversation and tone between Lexie and Carly was on point and very much how my own children talk. I found that the author was not confident in her dialogue with adult characters. They were a bit simple and unbelievable.
As I said, layers is key to a great thriller and this has such potential, but the layers in this book were not completely thought through and there were many instances that the story and actions were scarcely credible and downright ludicrous. I found having to tell myself this was some dystopian society to continue reading. First, I want to know the backstory of the Black Sisterhood. It’s a well-known club within the community that is privy to police files and crime scenes, and even seems to have more capabilities and leverage than the police yet they are 15-16 year old students (the age is unclear other than high school). Another point that raised questions is that the girls are skilled with knives and guns. I could understand the original group of girls but not Lexie having just moved to town and going through the steps of initiation. There were also some mistakes that could have been easily corrected before printing had an editor, or perhaps a teacher or other adult, proofread the book prior. A few include doctors not riding on ambulances, Lexie’s mom, a waitress, knowing how to surgically remove a bullet to a shoulder, the types of weapons police carry (an AK-47 seems a bit much for a small town police force), and the overall behavior, lack of action, and emotional state of Lexie’s parents when Carly runs away.
The ending chapters became much too unbelievable at times and I think that characters emotional state to their actions and conversations were not inline. The group kept saying that there would be no sisterhood without Lexie, so I’m curious what crimes did they solve before she moved to town. In the funeral scene, the killers would not be present. I had a difficult time even reading that.
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and the idea of this; it just needs some more research, explanation, and editing. I could see this being a series and with editing and some research this book has great potential. I commend the author for her passion; I think she has found her niche in the thriller genre and as she continues to writing and learning her talent will no doubt show.
July 12, 2020
I want to congratulate Kristina for chasing after her dreams. Wow! This must've taken a lot of effort!
Unfortunately, as much as I would like to support the young author, I also want to point out that I am going to be blunt about this, just as I am straightforward with every other book I've talked about. The book, unfortunately, was not what I expected.
The first few pages were written well, however, as the book continued, the writing lacked and the pacing was too fast for my liking. The novel felt like Riverdale in novel form, and the storyline was unrealistic for me. There were many grammatical errors in the book, and it was very clear the book was self-published, which I tried to look past. Anyone can self-publish a book, and I could definitely tell this book was.
I do however, see a great potential in Kristina. I think she should practice and clarify her writing more, and I look forward to her writings as she grows older.
Unfortunately, as much as I would like to support the young author, I also want to point out that I am going to be blunt about this, just as I am straightforward with every other book I've talked about. The book, unfortunately, was not what I expected.
The first few pages were written well, however, as the book continued, the writing lacked and the pacing was too fast for my liking. The novel felt like Riverdale in novel form, and the storyline was unrealistic for me. There were many grammatical errors in the book, and it was very clear the book was self-published, which I tried to look past. Anyone can self-publish a book, and I could definitely tell this book was.
I do however, see a great potential in Kristina. I think she should practice and clarify her writing more, and I look forward to her writings as she grows older.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2020
Review time! I was asked by the author to give an honest review in exchange for reading her book. Let me start by saying the author is 12 years old and really tried to put out a great book, however her age and experience level may be a factor in why the book fell flat. There are a few things that could be addressed in order to bring it up to a higher level. The premise of the book is a great idea but the level of writing makes it a difficult read. I absolutely believe with time and experience her work will soar!
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First the editing. Edit, then edit again, then have someone else edit, then edit again.
.
Second is proper chapters and/or breaks in a chapter. The flow is off a bit. I can see why the chapters are written the way they are but putting in breaks to signify a bit of time passing helps.
.
Third is making sure what is wrtten makes sense, or is what someone is actually able to or would do, for example writing on homework while walking to a car isn't feasible. Another example is going to school after your sister runs away. There are so many examples for this I could use.
.
Forth is backgrounds to the characters are very important. Why they think like they do and what has happened in their lives makes you fall in love with them and their story.
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Fifth is not overusing adjectives.
.
I think this author is off to a great start on her career of writing. Every author has a few kinks to work out when beginning and I hope she sees that in time, her work may be read by millions. For your first book, you did great at the premise of the book. Just keep writing and keep working at it. ❤️
.
.
.
Lexie is in highschool after moving here and becomes friends with other girls that created a club called The Black Sisterhood. They help the Mayor and police in solving crime. There is a muderer in town and they help to solve the mystery. This could potentially make a great series for young readers.
.
First the editing. Edit, then edit again, then have someone else edit, then edit again.
.
Second is proper chapters and/or breaks in a chapter. The flow is off a bit. I can see why the chapters are written the way they are but putting in breaks to signify a bit of time passing helps.
.
Third is making sure what is wrtten makes sense, or is what someone is actually able to or would do, for example writing on homework while walking to a car isn't feasible. Another example is going to school after your sister runs away. There are so many examples for this I could use.
.
Forth is backgrounds to the characters are very important. Why they think like they do and what has happened in their lives makes you fall in love with them and their story.
.
Fifth is not overusing adjectives.
.
I think this author is off to a great start on her career of writing. Every author has a few kinks to work out when beginning and I hope she sees that in time, her work may be read by millions. For your first book, you did great at the premise of the book. Just keep writing and keep working at it. ❤️
.
.
.
Lexie is in highschool after moving here and becomes friends with other girls that created a club called The Black Sisterhood. They help the Mayor and police in solving crime. There is a muderer in town and they help to solve the mystery. This could potentially make a great series for young readers.
August 19, 2020
ACTUAL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
RECOMMEND TO: People who like fast-paced mystery thrillers
I need to start this off by saying this type of book isn’t usually my cup of tea, and maybe due to that I didn’t enjoy it as much as someone who is actually a fan of mystery.
Besides that, I also must say I was thoroughly impressed by the writing style and plot building of the 12 year-old author.
When she asked me to review this and I asked for more information about the book, she said “the dialogue and paragraphs are always quick and fast paced” and I have to say, she wasn’t kidding around with that. From the very first word to the last, there is tension and mystery (this is something that impressed me because I’ve read mystery thrillers by authors that have more than one book published in the genre and who still can’t achieve or maintain this level of mystery throughout a whole book).
The reason I can’t really give this book more stars is because there wasn’t a lot of character depth. A lot of it was rushed and most of the MC’s reactions felt very out of left field. In the very first chapter, she already had the sense that something dark and gloomy was happening in town despite not having enough evidence to the fact...
All in all, I think this author is really promising. I mean, if she can write something like this at this age, imagine the masterpieces she will be able to create once she is even more experienced and able to write more fleshed-out , complex characters.
RECOMMEND TO: People who like fast-paced mystery thrillers
I need to start this off by saying this type of book isn’t usually my cup of tea, and maybe due to that I didn’t enjoy it as much as someone who is actually a fan of mystery.
Besides that, I also must say I was thoroughly impressed by the writing style and plot building of the 12 year-old author.
When she asked me to review this and I asked for more information about the book, she said “the dialogue and paragraphs are always quick and fast paced” and I have to say, she wasn’t kidding around with that. From the very first word to the last, there is tension and mystery (this is something that impressed me because I’ve read mystery thrillers by authors that have more than one book published in the genre and who still can’t achieve or maintain this level of mystery throughout a whole book).
The reason I can’t really give this book more stars is because there wasn’t a lot of character depth. A lot of it was rushed and most of the MC’s reactions felt very out of left field. In the very first chapter, she already had the sense that something dark and gloomy was happening in town despite not having enough evidence to the fact...
All in all, I think this author is really promising. I mean, if she can write something like this at this age, imagine the masterpieces she will be able to create once she is even more experienced and able to write more fleshed-out , complex characters.
July 4, 2020
⭐️⭐️/5 stars
I was asked by the author to read and review this book.
I want to start by saying how impressed I am with this young author’s first full-length novel’s ambition. It’s certainly not easy to push yourself to complete such a task at any age. Kudos for living your dream!
The descriptive passages in this work are definitely its strong point. The use of imagery is very well crafted and impressive. Its presence throughout the novel is entirely appropriate and integral.
However, the book fails on many levels. The believability of much of the plot was very lacking. Even the basic premise of a group of teenage girls given free reign as crime fighters is a stretch. Many plot holes were apparent and loose ties in the characters actions always simplistically or incompletely filled in. Dialogue often did not relate to the tone of the moment. I think more rigorous outlining could have really helped in shaping the action chapter by chapter.
A great first foray into full-length novel writing and many areas to grow in. You’ll get there!
I was asked by the author to read and review this book.
I want to start by saying how impressed I am with this young author’s first full-length novel’s ambition. It’s certainly not easy to push yourself to complete such a task at any age. Kudos for living your dream!
The descriptive passages in this work are definitely its strong point. The use of imagery is very well crafted and impressive. Its presence throughout the novel is entirely appropriate and integral.
However, the book fails on many levels. The believability of much of the plot was very lacking. Even the basic premise of a group of teenage girls given free reign as crime fighters is a stretch. Many plot holes were apparent and loose ties in the characters actions always simplistically or incompletely filled in. Dialogue often did not relate to the tone of the moment. I think more rigorous outlining could have really helped in shaping the action chapter by chapter.
A great first foray into full-length novel writing and many areas to grow in. You’ll get there!
September 24, 2020
Author asked me to read/review:
I have to say that I can't recommend reading this book. The author is good for her age, but there were some concepts that bothered me. She has a lot of potential for the future.
It seems that the only characters in the book who aren't white are either murderers or worthy of being beat up without remorse. This really puts a bad taste in my mouth.
A lot of the story line also seems a bit unrealistic: the technology used, how unconcerned her parents seemed when her sister went missing, girls having access to evidence before it's available to the public, live police interviews, ready availability of numerous weapons to kids, extreme anger/violence issues that are made to seem normal, lack of medical attention from trained professionals...
I have to say that I can't recommend reading this book. The author is good for her age, but there were some concepts that bothered me. She has a lot of potential for the future.
It seems that the only characters in the book who aren't white are either murderers or worthy of being beat up without remorse. This really puts a bad taste in my mouth.
A lot of the story line also seems a bit unrealistic: the technology used, how unconcerned her parents seemed when her sister went missing, girls having access to evidence before it's available to the public, live police interviews, ready availability of numerous weapons to kids, extreme anger/violence issues that are made to seem normal, lack of medical attention from trained professionals...
August 14, 2020
Crime has befallen the quaint town of Parkersburg, West Virginia. Upon moving to her new home, Lexi soon realizes that her life has morphed into a never-ending cycle of murder, mystery, and peculiar discoveries. Lexie joins a town clan called The Black Sisterhood, a group of teenage girls that often assists the police with solving crimes. Every night, Lexie notices a cloacked figure standig by the neighboring house, a residence with dreadful past events. Soon after, the killings spring into motion. The Black Sisterhood will reveal the cloacked murderer’s true identity through a compelling tale of love, murder and adventure.
I was asked by the author to read and review her debut novel, she’s just 12 years old and already written and published a book.
I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about this story already, and it may need some polishing but considering the age of the author I found it really impressive and I’m sure this is just the start of a successfull career.
I really enjoyed and had fun reading this.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
I was asked by the author to read and review her debut novel, she’s just 12 years old and already written and published a book.
I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about this story already, and it may need some polishing but considering the age of the author I found it really impressive and I’m sure this is just the start of a successfull career.
I really enjoyed and had fun reading this.
http://www.instagram.com/booksandcoff...
October 18, 2020
I'm writing this review with the thought in mind that this story was written by a 12 year old girl.
There is a ton of action in this story, these teenage girls are involved in some crazy things. It reminded me a little bit of Pretty Little Liars. The girls are a part of a secret society who seem to have immense power, to join one must pass 5 tests. The ideas behind this story are very intriguing and there is lots of well done dialogue.
That said, what's missing is the exposition. There is no intro that gets you to understand these characters and their motives or why Lexie would even want to join the society. There is also a lot going on in her personal life and she shrugs a lot of it off as no big deal when I think in real life it would be earth-shattering for a young teen to deal with. I think the book needs 100 or so more pages to fill out some of the usual background we get in a typical story.
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
There is a ton of action in this story, these teenage girls are involved in some crazy things. It reminded me a little bit of Pretty Little Liars. The girls are a part of a secret society who seem to have immense power, to join one must pass 5 tests. The ideas behind this story are very intriguing and there is lots of well done dialogue.
That said, what's missing is the exposition. There is no intro that gets you to understand these characters and their motives or why Lexie would even want to join the society. There is also a lot going on in her personal life and she shrugs a lot of it off as no big deal when I think in real life it would be earth-shattering for a young teen to deal with. I think the book needs 100 or so more pages to fill out some of the usual background we get in a typical story.
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 7, 2021
“They are not bad children. There is no such thing. They are merely youngsters endeavoring to battle through the currents of life’s hardships”
when the author kristina Naydonova reached out to me and asked if i would be interested in reading and reviewing her book, i was honored to do so.!!
First let me just say that the author of The black sisterhood files is a 13 year old girl who published the book at age 12!! Isn’t that insanely incredible?!!
With that being said, this book blew me away!! I kept trying to guess what would happen, but I would always end up being wrong. I was very impressed by this book! The author has done an amazing job with her first book and i honestly cannot wait to see what books she’ll be writing next!!
What I loved about The black sisterhood files was that the plot didn’t bore me out, it kept me reading! Not to mention how pretty fast paced it was!! And without spoiling anything I would just like to say, my jaw dropped while finishing the book!!
kristina Naydonova is an amazing young author who has written and published an amazing novel! Her age didn’t stop her from writing/publishing a book, age doesn’t matter, if you want to do something, Do It! I’m fully recommending this book!! Support new and young authors!!
You can purchase The black sisterhood files on amazon, either a physical copy or e-reader version.
when the author kristina Naydonova reached out to me and asked if i would be interested in reading and reviewing her book, i was honored to do so.!!
First let me just say that the author of The black sisterhood files is a 13 year old girl who published the book at age 12!! Isn’t that insanely incredible?!!
With that being said, this book blew me away!! I kept trying to guess what would happen, but I would always end up being wrong. I was very impressed by this book! The author has done an amazing job with her first book and i honestly cannot wait to see what books she’ll be writing next!!
What I loved about The black sisterhood files was that the plot didn’t bore me out, it kept me reading! Not to mention how pretty fast paced it was!! And without spoiling anything I would just like to say, my jaw dropped while finishing the book!!
kristina Naydonova is an amazing young author who has written and published an amazing novel! Her age didn’t stop her from writing/publishing a book, age doesn’t matter, if you want to do something, Do It! I’m fully recommending this book!! Support new and young authors!!
You can purchase The black sisterhood files on amazon, either a physical copy or e-reader version.
August 9, 2020
I'm a huge fan of noir crime and thrillers, so I was super excited to read this one! Kristina, you did an awesome job and I am really looking forward to reading any and all of your future works. The premise of this one was super interesting and I found myself having a connection with a lot of the characters, especially Lexie Torres! I felt her angst at having to move to a new town, make new friends, and be greeted with an intricate and deliciously horrifying murder mystery. This book was an easy and quick read; finished it in one sitting on my Kindle and super happy I picked it up! Highly recommend. Insta: @adairethescottishreader
September 2, 2020
I loved this book. Kristina perfectly encapsulates the emotions of a teenager, struggling to make be in a new town, all while dealing with a mysterious and very dangerous killer on the loose. Considering she wrote it at the age of eight and got published at twelve, this one is a must read for absolutely everyone. I devoured it within one day and couldn't help but go into both Amazon and GoodReads and leave five star reviews! Stay tuned for my review on my Instagram: tristnyowensreads.
September 2, 2020
Amazing book; couple very trivial grammar errors, but for a twelve year-old kid's first novel, this just blew me away. Relatable characters, gripping and intriguing premise, and overall awesome! The ending was SO UNPREDICTABLE Y'ALL!
March 15, 2021
The author is 12 years old and shows real potential. The book could use some heavy editing.
July 30, 2020
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Highly recommend
August 1, 2020
This was a great spooky read, and I applaud the author for writing such a comprehensive and interesting book, especially at her age. I was definitely getting Pretty Little Liars vibes from it just the Black Sisterhood isn't a secret. If you liked that or just want a quick spooky read as we get closer to fall and Halloween then I would definitely recommend this! There were a few parts that didn't seem very realistic considering these are teenage girls when it came to fighting and carrying dead weight, but other than that it was well researched and a great read!
July 17, 2020
Thank you to Kristina Naydonova for asking me to read her novel and provide an honest review.
The Black Sisterhood Files tells a story of Lexi Torres, the new girl in school. Lexie is approached by The Black Sisterhood, a crime fighting gang of girls, to join their group. This book is a young adult mystery/thriller: a true whodunnit whose ending I couldn’t even guess! The pace of the book is well done, and the imagery is fantastic. The character development of Lexi from a timid new girl into a brave heroine is brilliant. This book would be a great start to a young adult series! It is truly a tale of finding your own bravery to do what is right. Naydonova has great ideas and creativity, and I can’t wait to see where she goes in her career as an author.
The Black Sisterhood Files tells a story of Lexi Torres, the new girl in school. Lexie is approached by The Black Sisterhood, a crime fighting gang of girls, to join their group. This book is a young adult mystery/thriller: a true whodunnit whose ending I couldn’t even guess! The pace of the book is well done, and the imagery is fantastic. The character development of Lexi from a timid new girl into a brave heroine is brilliant. This book would be a great start to a young adult series! It is truly a tale of finding your own bravery to do what is right. Naydonova has great ideas and creativity, and I can’t wait to see where she goes in her career as an author.
July 18, 2020
This book was a gripping and suspenseful thriller, written by a twelve-year-old author! It did have a couple grammatical errors, but there is always room for improvement in the realms of any novel, and especially considering that Kristina began to write The Black Sisterhood Files when she was eight. I loved reading it and recommend to anybody who enjoys a fast-paced murder mystery, able to be devoured within one sitting!
March 17, 2021
The plot of the book could have been good, if done differently - or even if the author had given it another two or three years to develop and (for lack of a better term) grow up. But everything aside from the plot really isn't very good. Everything is rushed, illogical and inconsistent. Let me elaborate:
1. Rushed:
The book rushes from scene to scene without any filler or moments of calm, to an extent where characters talk about a lost loved - something they were bawling their eyes out sentences before - and then just dive into what needs to happen next with a simple: "Anyways, so about that makeover...".
Sadly, it really seems like having a published book was more of a priority here than writing the best book one can, not only plot-wise, but also writing-wise. I am aware that the author is very young and that it still is quite the achievement, but still, it doesn't even look like it had been edited at all, as it is filled with typos, spelling errors, word repetitions, misused words and even some nonexistent ones.
2 Illogical:
This too, can be split up into book-flaws and writing-flaws for me. As for the book, none of what any character does seems even remotely plausible. Characters act nowhere near reasonable and their feelings are rarely appropriate for the situations. Two examples are our main character just deciding to not trust and hate a girl at her new school, because she had the audacity to walk up to her and ask if she needed help fining a classroom or all characters experiencing massive trauma on a daily basis and simply snapping back into tough badass every time. Or how about our villain simply telling us that he has an accomplice rather than keeping it a secret to his own advantage?
What also has to be said is that I doubt that much research was done at all by the writer. This first occurred to me when the main character is about to play russian roulette and is presented with an actual game, as if it was just a slight deviation from the "normal roulette". And later again, when what is supposed to be a policeman suggests a SWAT-Team to investigate a crime scene. Things like that really make it seem like the author didn't care enough about what she was writing to double-check, as both of those things require nothing but a google-search to find out whether or not your idea of what they are is correct.
3. Inconsistent:
The only thing worse than the flawed logic and atrocious pacing to me, is that the author apparently didn't even care what she herself set up within the world of the book, as for example on page 5, she mentions her main Character, Lexie, living in a one-room apartment without a bed, before then, on page 12 having Lexie laying in her bed when her mother not only knocks at her door to say goodnight, but also making her way over to her sister's room to do the same there. Later, on page 137, suddenly there is mention of "downstairs" and finally on page 187, they suddenly have guestroom. The characters are similarly carelessly written, as at least three of them are first presented wearing leather jackets and/or pants, but not too long after, one of them is having a fit over snakeskin boots and telling Lexie that she won't tolerate boots made from real animal skin.
All that being said, however, those are all things that could've been taken care of by editing, so that is really a shame. But I have to say, that with more practice and more care, I really see this author becoming something and if and when she releases another book (maybe even a sequel?) I will definitively give it a try, as I would love to see her improve...
1. Rushed:
The book rushes from scene to scene without any filler or moments of calm, to an extent where characters talk about a lost loved - something they were bawling their eyes out sentences before - and then just dive into what needs to happen next with a simple: "Anyways, so about that makeover...".
Sadly, it really seems like having a published book was more of a priority here than writing the best book one can, not only plot-wise, but also writing-wise. I am aware that the author is very young and that it still is quite the achievement, but still, it doesn't even look like it had been edited at all, as it is filled with typos, spelling errors, word repetitions, misused words and even some nonexistent ones.
2 Illogical:
This too, can be split up into book-flaws and writing-flaws for me. As for the book, none of what any character does seems even remotely plausible. Characters act nowhere near reasonable and their feelings are rarely appropriate for the situations. Two examples are our main character just deciding to not trust and hate a girl at her new school, because she had the audacity to walk up to her and ask if she needed help fining a classroom or all characters experiencing massive trauma on a daily basis and simply snapping back into tough badass every time. Or how about our villain simply telling us that he has an accomplice rather than keeping it a secret to his own advantage?
What also has to be said is that I doubt that much research was done at all by the writer. This first occurred to me when the main character is about to play russian roulette and is presented with an actual game, as if it was just a slight deviation from the "normal roulette". And later again, when what is supposed to be a policeman suggests a SWAT-Team to investigate a crime scene. Things like that really make it seem like the author didn't care enough about what she was writing to double-check, as both of those things require nothing but a google-search to find out whether or not your idea of what they are is correct.
3. Inconsistent:
The only thing worse than the flawed logic and atrocious pacing to me, is that the author apparently didn't even care what she herself set up within the world of the book, as for example on page 5, she mentions her main Character, Lexie, living in a one-room apartment without a bed, before then, on page 12 having Lexie laying in her bed when her mother not only knocks at her door to say goodnight, but also making her way over to her sister's room to do the same there. Later, on page 137, suddenly there is mention of "downstairs" and finally on page 187, they suddenly have guestroom. The characters are similarly carelessly written, as at least three of them are first presented wearing leather jackets and/or pants, but not too long after, one of them is having a fit over snakeskin boots and telling Lexie that she won't tolerate boots made from real animal skin.
All that being said, however, those are all things that could've been taken care of by editing, so that is really a shame. But I have to say, that with more practice and more care, I really see this author becoming something and if and when she releases another book (maybe even a sequel?) I will definitively give it a try, as I would love to see her improve...
July 31, 2020
The Black Sisterhood Files by Kristina Naydonova is an amazing accomplishment because its author is only 12 years old. The discipline and foresight to write a murder mystery at any age is impressive but at 12 it is truly astounding.
Lexie Torres is not happy that practically overnight her family is forced to move from her happy home in Pennsylvania to small town Parkersburg, West Virginia and she has to start a new high school.
Things get even weirder when she spies a dark cloaked person staring at her house during the night. At school she meets Sophia who invites her to join the black sisterhood that secretly helps the town fight crime. In order to join she must complete 5 tasks. As Lexie prepares for these tasks people are starting to get killed and her parents are acting strange, her sister has run away, and her new friends have more secrets than they are telling her.
This story is definitely not for the very young. I would say 12 years and up is best. There is a lot of death in its 126 pages. There are some logic issues like the girls in the sisterhood know scientists who help with tasks that are similar to some of the mind bending tests in the Divergent series. They are able to decode messages that stump the police. One young cop is shot and they bring him home and remove the bullet themselves rather than take him to the hospital.
There is still a good mystery here on who the killer is and his assistant. I figured out the killer but was a bit surprised by the assistant but the author did a great job explaining why they had to help the killer.
I can easily see this being a series just like Pretty Little Liars; especially with a good editor guiding the writer. If her imagination took her this far to publish her first book I cannot wait to see her accomplishments in the future.
QTOD: What new author has you excited for their next book?
AOTD: Kristina Naydonova of course!
I was asked to review this book by the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Lexie Torres is not happy that practically overnight her family is forced to move from her happy home in Pennsylvania to small town Parkersburg, West Virginia and she has to start a new high school.
Things get even weirder when she spies a dark cloaked person staring at her house during the night. At school she meets Sophia who invites her to join the black sisterhood that secretly helps the town fight crime. In order to join she must complete 5 tasks. As Lexie prepares for these tasks people are starting to get killed and her parents are acting strange, her sister has run away, and her new friends have more secrets than they are telling her.
This story is definitely not for the very young. I would say 12 years and up is best. There is a lot of death in its 126 pages. There are some logic issues like the girls in the sisterhood know scientists who help with tasks that are similar to some of the mind bending tests in the Divergent series. They are able to decode messages that stump the police. One young cop is shot and they bring him home and remove the bullet themselves rather than take him to the hospital.
There is still a good mystery here on who the killer is and his assistant. I figured out the killer but was a bit surprised by the assistant but the author did a great job explaining why they had to help the killer.
I can easily see this being a series just like Pretty Little Liars; especially with a good editor guiding the writer. If her imagination took her this far to publish her first book I cannot wait to see her accomplishments in the future.
QTOD: What new author has you excited for their next book?
AOTD: Kristina Naydonova of course!
I was asked to review this book by the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 12, 2021
Kristina Naydonova approached me and asked me to review her debut novel and provide feedback, buttressing her aspiring career. I was shocked to discover that this talented author is only 13 years old! It has taken Naydonova 4 years to get to this point; two years to write and two years to edit. The novel was published this summer and is available on Amazon.
Synopsis:
Naydonova has published a crime fiction mystery that encompasses six girls’ adventure to unearth the identity of a mysterious killer who has massacred their town.
The Black Sisterhood is a team of girl detectives who assist the Parkersburg Police. To become a member of this elite group, each must pass a rigorous set of trials, thereby deeming them worthy of this group. Many teenagers have attempted the trials; unfortunately, some have died in their attempt at eligibility.
Due to family finances, Lexie Torres has recently moved to Parkersburg with her family. While at school, she is approached by the leader of the Black Sisterhood, Sophie, and invited to partake in the membership trials.
Competently gaining membership, Lexie delves into a mysterious and secretive case. Just when she thinks she has a grasp on things, her family begins to fall apart and she notices a mysterious figure who lingers about her street.
My thoughts:
Similar to the Nancy Drew Series, the Parkersburg police force desperately needs the Black Sisterhoods expertise to help solve cases! I thought the plot, although gory at times, was well-paced, with fantastic imagery and amazing character development. It was great to read about the shy Lexi who started school in a new neighbourhood blossom into a competent sleuth. Central to the theme is the idea of finding one’s inner voice and developing bravery in order to do what’s inherently right.
Considering this is a debut novel from a rising teen author, I feel that this is a fantastic novel to begin a young adult mystery thriller series. You are amazing, Kristina. Keep writing!
Synopsis:
Naydonova has published a crime fiction mystery that encompasses six girls’ adventure to unearth the identity of a mysterious killer who has massacred their town.
The Black Sisterhood is a team of girl detectives who assist the Parkersburg Police. To become a member of this elite group, each must pass a rigorous set of trials, thereby deeming them worthy of this group. Many teenagers have attempted the trials; unfortunately, some have died in their attempt at eligibility.
Due to family finances, Lexie Torres has recently moved to Parkersburg with her family. While at school, she is approached by the leader of the Black Sisterhood, Sophie, and invited to partake in the membership trials.
Competently gaining membership, Lexie delves into a mysterious and secretive case. Just when she thinks she has a grasp on things, her family begins to fall apart and she notices a mysterious figure who lingers about her street.
My thoughts:
Similar to the Nancy Drew Series, the Parkersburg police force desperately needs the Black Sisterhoods expertise to help solve cases! I thought the plot, although gory at times, was well-paced, with fantastic imagery and amazing character development. It was great to read about the shy Lexi who started school in a new neighbourhood blossom into a competent sleuth. Central to the theme is the idea of finding one’s inner voice and developing bravery in order to do what’s inherently right.
Considering this is a debut novel from a rising teen author, I feel that this is a fantastic novel to begin a young adult mystery thriller series. You are amazing, Kristina. Keep writing!
July 1, 2020
A quick and easy read for any mystery lover!
I was very surprised this book had been written by such a young author, and that has been taken into account with this review.
The plot was very easy to follow and there was a twist with the ending that I was not expecting, sometimes the story became slightly far fetched and a bit confusing but other than that an enjoyable read.
The idea of a group of teenage girls aiding the police to protect the community is a very good story line and drew my attention straight away, but this also made for some confusing parts to the book and many questions that weren't answer into the background of how this group began and how they became such a solid part of the community.
I was very surprised this book had been written by such a young author, and that has been taken into account with this review.
The plot was very easy to follow and there was a twist with the ending that I was not expecting, sometimes the story became slightly far fetched and a bit confusing but other than that an enjoyable read.
The idea of a group of teenage girls aiding the police to protect the community is a very good story line and drew my attention straight away, but this also made for some confusing parts to the book and many questions that weren't answer into the background of how this group began and how they became such a solid part of the community.
August 6, 2021
I would put this in the category of YA horror. When I found out it was written by and 11 year old I was amazed! She did a wonderful job telling the story.
I loved the idea of the sisterhood! It was creepy and mysterious. The story had many twists and turns and was a total page turner.
Some of the depth of the characters was only surface level and a lot of the happenings (especially the parents involvement) seemed unrealistic.
I loved the idea of the sisterhood! It was creepy and mysterious. The story had many twists and turns and was a total page turner.
Some of the depth of the characters was only surface level and a lot of the happenings (especially the parents involvement) seemed unrealistic.
August 20, 2020
The Black Sisterhood Files by Kristina Naydonova
I want to say up front, before my review, that the young author, who is now twelve, wrote this book when she was eleven. This is a remarkable feat for an author this young. First of all, there is the commitment to the project, a genuine attempt to write a novel, start to finish. In fact, it is a 250 page book (the font, though, is a bit larger than standard) and that in and of itself is an accomplishment for one so young. She loves to write and you and see that in her writing and in her fulfillment of the task. There are some passages in which you forget that the author is still a child and that is amazing. You can already see her natural strengths which lie in plot concept, drama, a sense of dialogue and a grand finale with a surprise ending to try and offer satisfaction. She is very intrigued with the genre of murder mystery but it is too early to say if that is where she will stay. So I have to first compliment Ms. Naydonova on her accomplishments. She is a born writer and with practice and life experience she will be a fine writer. I know she will be out with another book soon, so she is indeed serious and has kept at it.
With the ability to self-publish, we can now see the early attempts of future seasoned authors. If ones’ parent/parents are supportive and there is enough means to do so, a young writer can see their work in print. It is a different world. I’m sure if we saw the first serious attempts of many great writers, we would not see mature works; we would see the potential. In fact, that is true with the Bronte sisters, for an example, as we have surviving work from their childhood to read. We love reading their youthful attempts because they are now famous and deservedly so. But those early works themselves are flawed, overly dramatic and the character development is shallow. But the talent is there and it is remarkable to study these early works and certainly fun to read.
So that is how I am viewing Kristina Naydonova’s first attempt at a novel. It is a precursor to the mature author that I believe she will become. The skills are developing, but uneven. At times it feels “on spot” and then slips into a more childlike viewpoint, contrivance or explanation. The character development is one-dimensional. How could it not be so? The Black Sisterhood, made up of special teens who solve murders, is never fully explained (how and why they have the power and skills that they have) but is a wonderful idea for a YA novel. It could be further developed in a sequel. The plot, a murder mystery about a serial killer, is clever. But despite some good points in the plot, there are many more points in which the plot becomes far-fetched. It does feels conceived of by a child. The pace is continuously dramatic, with not much breathing space to allow the drama to have its full impact. The emotions are written at a high pitch, (understandably at times when people die, parents lie and a father is killed) but then the heart felt emotions are quickly discarded, without much impact on the characters and the reader is on to a new dramatic situation. The tragic events don’t offer any deep psychological meaning to the main character, the girls of the sisterhood or others in the story. It is an action packed experience, but not really made believable. There is no way of getting around the truth that it is written by a very talented and precocious 11-year-old.
So, if you want to have some fun, support a budding talent, and do not expect to read a fully developed, psychologically astute murder mystery, please have some fun and get it. A child in your life might very much enjoy reading an action-packed book written by a peer and be less critical; inspiring them to read and maybe write themselves. I look forward to her next book and to following Ms. Naydonova writing career.
I want to say up front, before my review, that the young author, who is now twelve, wrote this book when she was eleven. This is a remarkable feat for an author this young. First of all, there is the commitment to the project, a genuine attempt to write a novel, start to finish. In fact, it is a 250 page book (the font, though, is a bit larger than standard) and that in and of itself is an accomplishment for one so young. She loves to write and you and see that in her writing and in her fulfillment of the task. There are some passages in which you forget that the author is still a child and that is amazing. You can already see her natural strengths which lie in plot concept, drama, a sense of dialogue and a grand finale with a surprise ending to try and offer satisfaction. She is very intrigued with the genre of murder mystery but it is too early to say if that is where she will stay. So I have to first compliment Ms. Naydonova on her accomplishments. She is a born writer and with practice and life experience she will be a fine writer. I know she will be out with another book soon, so she is indeed serious and has kept at it.
With the ability to self-publish, we can now see the early attempts of future seasoned authors. If ones’ parent/parents are supportive and there is enough means to do so, a young writer can see their work in print. It is a different world. I’m sure if we saw the first serious attempts of many great writers, we would not see mature works; we would see the potential. In fact, that is true with the Bronte sisters, for an example, as we have surviving work from their childhood to read. We love reading their youthful attempts because they are now famous and deservedly so. But those early works themselves are flawed, overly dramatic and the character development is shallow. But the talent is there and it is remarkable to study these early works and certainly fun to read.
So that is how I am viewing Kristina Naydonova’s first attempt at a novel. It is a precursor to the mature author that I believe she will become. The skills are developing, but uneven. At times it feels “on spot” and then slips into a more childlike viewpoint, contrivance or explanation. The character development is one-dimensional. How could it not be so? The Black Sisterhood, made up of special teens who solve murders, is never fully explained (how and why they have the power and skills that they have) but is a wonderful idea for a YA novel. It could be further developed in a sequel. The plot, a murder mystery about a serial killer, is clever. But despite some good points in the plot, there are many more points in which the plot becomes far-fetched. It does feels conceived of by a child. The pace is continuously dramatic, with not much breathing space to allow the drama to have its full impact. The emotions are written at a high pitch, (understandably at times when people die, parents lie and a father is killed) but then the heart felt emotions are quickly discarded, without much impact on the characters and the reader is on to a new dramatic situation. The tragic events don’t offer any deep psychological meaning to the main character, the girls of the sisterhood or others in the story. It is an action packed experience, but not really made believable. There is no way of getting around the truth that it is written by a very talented and precocious 11-year-old.
So, if you want to have some fun, support a budding talent, and do not expect to read a fully developed, psychologically astute murder mystery, please have some fun and get it. A child in your life might very much enjoy reading an action-packed book written by a peer and be less critical; inspiring them to read and maybe write themselves. I look forward to her next book and to following Ms. Naydonova writing career.
August 14, 2020
I was asked by the author to read and review this book - thank you to the author for bringing this story to my attention.
The premise of this book is that schoolgirl Lexie and her family move from Pennsylvania to a West Virginia town where murders are happening. At school she is aquatinted with Sophia, the leader of the ‘black sisterhood’, a group of girls who help solve crime. Lexie notices a cloaked figure near a house with a tragic history during the night when she first moves there and dreadful events have occurred since she’s been there.
This book was entertaining and it kept me reading. In my opinion, this is a young adult murder mystery book. Perhaps I was not the target audience for this young adult book (perhaps more on the middle grade side), but I still enjoyed the story to some extent.
I definitely have mixed feelings - I am utterly impressed by the fact the author is twelve years old and has published a book. I cannot imagine myself doing the same thing at her age. But at the same time, it wasn’t my favourite book I’ve ever read. I noticed several spelling errors, very convenient plot points and some very random character development.
For me, the pacing was way off. The main character Lexie felt like a totally different person in the second half of the book to the first half. The story itself was compelling enough to make me speed through this to find out what happens, but sadly not enough characters were introduced at the beginning of the book to make the twist at the end that surprising. I ended up predicting the ending; this book unfortunately just fell a little flat for me despite it being relatively entertaining.
I need to talk about the romance - that was even quicker than overnight. I was completely baffled by the romance that developed and didn’t see it coming in any way, shape or form. It seemed rushed and almost unnecessary. It was far too quick and far too random. I didn’t feel I knew the main character particularly well and suddenly a relationship was blossoming - it was a shock for me especially with the main storyline being extremely serious, what with trying to find out who the killer is and all. I think overall the book was too short for the story it told. It needed more background; more time in general. I felt as though other aspects of the story were not fully explained or elaborated and I was left wanting more from some of the subplots that didn’t feel resolved to me. There were also some aspects of the book that felt familiar - one of the tasks to get into the black sisterhood felt very reminiscent of something that happens in the divergent series.
I was disappointed that I predicted the ending but at the same time, I’m probably not the target audience. I only felt suspenseful for a short while before I had basically figured out the end. There were some points in this book where I was surprised and didn’t predict.. which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed the found family trope that was definitely present in this book.
In general, I’m so impressed that someone so young can create a story like this and I definitely applaud the author. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. I might be intrigued to read more from this author however I’m just not sure if it’s my taste entirely. It just felt extremely unbelievable. However I probably would recommend this to someone a lot younger than myself.
The premise of this book is that schoolgirl Lexie and her family move from Pennsylvania to a West Virginia town where murders are happening. At school she is aquatinted with Sophia, the leader of the ‘black sisterhood’, a group of girls who help solve crime. Lexie notices a cloaked figure near a house with a tragic history during the night when she first moves there and dreadful events have occurred since she’s been there.
This book was entertaining and it kept me reading. In my opinion, this is a young adult murder mystery book. Perhaps I was not the target audience for this young adult book (perhaps more on the middle grade side), but I still enjoyed the story to some extent.
I definitely have mixed feelings - I am utterly impressed by the fact the author is twelve years old and has published a book. I cannot imagine myself doing the same thing at her age. But at the same time, it wasn’t my favourite book I’ve ever read. I noticed several spelling errors, very convenient plot points and some very random character development.
For me, the pacing was way off. The main character Lexie felt like a totally different person in the second half of the book to the first half. The story itself was compelling enough to make me speed through this to find out what happens, but sadly not enough characters were introduced at the beginning of the book to make the twist at the end that surprising. I ended up predicting the ending; this book unfortunately just fell a little flat for me despite it being relatively entertaining.
I need to talk about the romance - that was even quicker than overnight. I was completely baffled by the romance that developed and didn’t see it coming in any way, shape or form. It seemed rushed and almost unnecessary. It was far too quick and far too random. I didn’t feel I knew the main character particularly well and suddenly a relationship was blossoming - it was a shock for me especially with the main storyline being extremely serious, what with trying to find out who the killer is and all. I think overall the book was too short for the story it told. It needed more background; more time in general. I felt as though other aspects of the story were not fully explained or elaborated and I was left wanting more from some of the subplots that didn’t feel resolved to me. There were also some aspects of the book that felt familiar - one of the tasks to get into the black sisterhood felt very reminiscent of something that happens in the divergent series.
I was disappointed that I predicted the ending but at the same time, I’m probably not the target audience. I only felt suspenseful for a short while before I had basically figured out the end. There were some points in this book where I was surprised and didn’t predict.. which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed the found family trope that was definitely present in this book.
In general, I’m so impressed that someone so young can create a story like this and I definitely applaud the author. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me. I might be intrigued to read more from this author however I’m just not sure if it’s my taste entirely. It just felt extremely unbelievable. However I probably would recommend this to someone a lot younger than myself.
January 4, 2021
Brave. That’s how I would describe teenage narrator, Lexi Torres. Although constantly in a state of fear as the world shifts wildly around her, Lexi tackles every new issue with determined ferocity. She amazed me with her outward fearlessness as she accomplished tasks I feel would break most. It was inspiring to watch her jump so quickly into a new and terrifying environment. The story could not have gone on without her boldness.
The Black Sisterhood Files follows Lexi as she navigates a new town, a new home, a new school, and new friends. However, the town of Parkersburg, West Virginia is not as ordinary as it firsts appears. When Lexi begins seeing a sentinel-like cloaked figure standing idly by, seeming to watch her every move, she spirals into a sea of nightmares, further fueled by overheard conversations of a girl’s death. (Seriously. It was bad vibes all around). Soon, Lexi is recruited to join a not-so-secret organization called the Black Sisterhood. The initiation is very gang-like as the girls work to create dangerous tasks to prove her bravery and wit. After passing the first couple tasks, Lexi is expected to dress as the others see fit, robbing her of her sense of individuality, as well as defend the sisterhood through whatever means necessary. The morals and ideals of the Black Sisterhood are considerably black and white, leaving no room for questionable gray areas. Everything is either right or wrong, the collective sisterhood possessing an authority complex over the town. The adults, save for a few members of the police department, allow these teenage girls to consistently put themselves in danger, even going as far as to encourage them in their quests. The world in which this version of Parkersburg exists is indeed an alternate reality.
I was a little off-put by the ending. It seemed the author, Kristina Naydonova, was attempting to draw some kind of meaningful lesson from a couple character’s inhumane actions, but instead managed to (hopefully, by accident) romanticize murder. Despite this mishap, the ending held some beautiful lines.
I gave this mystery/thriller/horror three stars because I felt like the author deserved to be rated on her story, not her young age. For a twelve year old, Kristina Naydonova is quite talented and therefore, I believe her talent will be exponential as she grows into a future of writing compelling stories. I hope to see more of Naydonova’s writing in the future. However, the Black Sisterhood Files held a few inconsistencies. I definitely had a few questions I wished the author could have elaborated on in the story. Also, I think because of the author’s age, there were some facts that were a little far-fetched, for lack of a better term. Since this is a work of fiction, I can only assume that this version of Parkersburg came with its own set of laws, therefore dismissing any qualms I have with certain facts. All in all, this book was truly thrilling. Thank you, Kristina Naydonova, for writing such a fast-paced, compelling story. Keep up the good work!
The Black Sisterhood Files follows Lexi as she navigates a new town, a new home, a new school, and new friends. However, the town of Parkersburg, West Virginia is not as ordinary as it firsts appears. When Lexi begins seeing a sentinel-like cloaked figure standing idly by, seeming to watch her every move, she spirals into a sea of nightmares, further fueled by overheard conversations of a girl’s death. (Seriously. It was bad vibes all around). Soon, Lexi is recruited to join a not-so-secret organization called the Black Sisterhood. The initiation is very gang-like as the girls work to create dangerous tasks to prove her bravery and wit. After passing the first couple tasks, Lexi is expected to dress as the others see fit, robbing her of her sense of individuality, as well as defend the sisterhood through whatever means necessary. The morals and ideals of the Black Sisterhood are considerably black and white, leaving no room for questionable gray areas. Everything is either right or wrong, the collective sisterhood possessing an authority complex over the town. The adults, save for a few members of the police department, allow these teenage girls to consistently put themselves in danger, even going as far as to encourage them in their quests. The world in which this version of Parkersburg exists is indeed an alternate reality.
I was a little off-put by the ending. It seemed the author, Kristina Naydonova, was attempting to draw some kind of meaningful lesson from a couple character’s inhumane actions, but instead managed to (hopefully, by accident) romanticize murder. Despite this mishap, the ending held some beautiful lines.
I gave this mystery/thriller/horror three stars because I felt like the author deserved to be rated on her story, not her young age. For a twelve year old, Kristina Naydonova is quite talented and therefore, I believe her talent will be exponential as she grows into a future of writing compelling stories. I hope to see more of Naydonova’s writing in the future. However, the Black Sisterhood Files held a few inconsistencies. I definitely had a few questions I wished the author could have elaborated on in the story. Also, I think because of the author’s age, there were some facts that were a little far-fetched, for lack of a better term. Since this is a work of fiction, I can only assume that this version of Parkersburg came with its own set of laws, therefore dismissing any qualms I have with certain facts. All in all, this book was truly thrilling. Thank you, Kristina Naydonova, for writing such a fast-paced, compelling story. Keep up the good work!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2020
Summary: I enjoyed this book for what it was. I think there’s a lot of room for growth here and I think that as the author grows up and goes through deeper emotional experiences, her writing will grow as a result. I’m not recommending this one, but I’m not not recommending it. Do with that what you will.
Positives: I think there’s a lot of material within the concept the author has created. A group crime-fighting teenage girls is always a good way to start a story and gives me Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vibes in a good way! I’m not sure if the author plans to make this a series or move on to another concept, but if she does continue to use this idea, I’d be interested to see where she takes it. Another aspect I really enjoyed was (most of) the mystery. I’m not sure how I felt about the end... it felt kind of unsatisfying and it didn’t carry as much emotional weight as it seemed like it was trying to, but the majority of the mystery was compelling and kept me guessing. The plot was strong and we love LGBT representation.
Negatives: The biggest downside for me was probably the writing. There were times when it was passable, but there were also times that really showed the author’s age. There were a couple of word choices throughout the book that weren’t literally wrong, but me feel ✨u n c o m f y✨In those moments, it felt like the author knew the denotation of a word, but didn’t know the connotation (something that would come from being 12 years old). Moreover, the majority of the writing in this book is fairly juvenile, except for a few sections where it seems like someone vomited a thesaurus. These sections made the writing worse, not better. The lack of conservatism when choosing which words to elongate makes these sections sound like dictionary soup while the use of some legitimately interesting vocabulary makes the rest of the writing seem childish. There are also a lot of typos. Just, watch out for that. Finally, the characters are pretty bad. I don’t think I could name a single unique personality trait within Shella, Bella, or Ella. The dad has no character, the mom’s character is more confusing than fleshed out due to how many times it changes throughout the book and even Lex and Sophia are hitting the bare minimum when it comes to complex characterization. I don’t care about any of these people and whenever someone dies, I’m simply reminded of how little I care. Finally, pacing, dear God, pacing. This book moves so fast I think I got whiplash. Spread it out, give me more detail, more scenes where the characters get to know each other and bond instead of going straight to the next tragedy. It seems the author is afraid that if she stops the killing for a second you will become disinterested and put down the book, it’s okay to have slower sections, it’s okay to build up tension, people will keep reading if you do it well.
Overall, this book just makes me shrug my shoulders. There’s plenty of room to grow and, since the author is so young, almost a guarantee that there will be growth. My biggest piece of advice would be: slow down. Slow down the writing in your book, slow down your writing process so you can catch those pesky typos and give your ideas time to fully develop, and slow down in real life. The more you experience complex and difficult emotions the easier they’ll be to write. Give it a few years before publishing your next book, write some stuff for yourself instead of the public and watch as, simply through practice and age, your writing improves immensely.
Positives: I think there’s a lot of material within the concept the author has created. A group crime-fighting teenage girls is always a good way to start a story and gives me Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys vibes in a good way! I’m not sure if the author plans to make this a series or move on to another concept, but if she does continue to use this idea, I’d be interested to see where she takes it. Another aspect I really enjoyed was (most of) the mystery. I’m not sure how I felt about the end... it felt kind of unsatisfying and it didn’t carry as much emotional weight as it seemed like it was trying to, but the majority of the mystery was compelling and kept me guessing. The plot was strong and we love LGBT representation.
Negatives: The biggest downside for me was probably the writing. There were times when it was passable, but there were also times that really showed the author’s age. There were a couple of word choices throughout the book that weren’t literally wrong, but me feel ✨u n c o m f y✨In those moments, it felt like the author knew the denotation of a word, but didn’t know the connotation (something that would come from being 12 years old). Moreover, the majority of the writing in this book is fairly juvenile, except for a few sections where it seems like someone vomited a thesaurus. These sections made the writing worse, not better. The lack of conservatism when choosing which words to elongate makes these sections sound like dictionary soup while the use of some legitimately interesting vocabulary makes the rest of the writing seem childish. There are also a lot of typos. Just, watch out for that. Finally, the characters are pretty bad. I don’t think I could name a single unique personality trait within Shella, Bella, or Ella. The dad has no character, the mom’s character is more confusing than fleshed out due to how many times it changes throughout the book and even Lex and Sophia are hitting the bare minimum when it comes to complex characterization. I don’t care about any of these people and whenever someone dies, I’m simply reminded of how little I care. Finally, pacing, dear God, pacing. This book moves so fast I think I got whiplash. Spread it out, give me more detail, more scenes where the characters get to know each other and bond instead of going straight to the next tragedy. It seems the author is afraid that if she stops the killing for a second you will become disinterested and put down the book, it’s okay to have slower sections, it’s okay to build up tension, people will keep reading if you do it well.
Overall, this book just makes me shrug my shoulders. There’s plenty of room to grow and, since the author is so young, almost a guarantee that there will be growth. My biggest piece of advice would be: slow down. Slow down the writing in your book, slow down your writing process so you can catch those pesky typos and give your ideas time to fully develop, and slow down in real life. The more you experience complex and difficult emotions the easier they’ll be to write. Give it a few years before publishing your next book, write some stuff for yourself instead of the public and watch as, simply through practice and age, your writing improves immensely.
August 9, 2020
I have just finished this. Not something I would have ordinarily picked up but the author contacted me on here to tell me about it. Kristina is 12 years old and has written this story. When I think back to me at 12 years old I am full of admiration for her, this is no small feat and she should be very proud of herself.
So The Black Sisterhood Files focuses on Lexie who's family have just moved to a small town. Lexie is invited to try out for the black sisterhood who are a team of young women who help the towns police solve crimes.
So despite the fact I am 31 I do enjoy a young adult novel and this premise screamed Nancy Drew meets Veronica Mars to me which is my childhood into teenage fictional dream world!
The story held a lot of promise and I think with experience and age if this was to be rewritten it would have been much better.
There were a few grammatical issues which really puts me off a book, again Kristina is 12 so I can look past these. Parts of it though screamed as though she wanted to use more sophisticated language and basically looked at a few words in a thesaurus and changed them leading to sentences not making much sense. One that sticks out to me was when she says she was being carried along by epinephrine. Unless this is something Americans say then this just sounded silly. Epinephrine is the medical term. You wouldn't have a surge of epinephrine if there was an emergency, you would have a surge of adrenaline.
The tasks bordered on illegal, task 3 - not a hope.
The second half of the book was just farcical, OK gun laws are relaxed in America but these are children at the end of the day, there is no way they had access to their supposed arsenal of weapons.
Mum is a waitress and can perform minor surgery. Her parenting is also completely unrealistic. As a parent myself I was completely horrified by her judgement calls, again I think this is a maturity issue which will come with age.
The girls failed to report a crime, tampered with crime scenes and sat in on interviews with the police?
Good idea just needs more development and experience behind it. Still well done Kristina, keep it up!
So The Black Sisterhood Files focuses on Lexie who's family have just moved to a small town. Lexie is invited to try out for the black sisterhood who are a team of young women who help the towns police solve crimes.
So despite the fact I am 31 I do enjoy a young adult novel and this premise screamed Nancy Drew meets Veronica Mars to me which is my childhood into teenage fictional dream world!
The story held a lot of promise and I think with experience and age if this was to be rewritten it would have been much better.
There were a few grammatical issues which really puts me off a book, again Kristina is 12 so I can look past these. Parts of it though screamed as though she wanted to use more sophisticated language and basically looked at a few words in a thesaurus and changed them leading to sentences not making much sense. One that sticks out to me was when she says she was being carried along by epinephrine. Unless this is something Americans say then this just sounded silly. Epinephrine is the medical term. You wouldn't have a surge of epinephrine if there was an emergency, you would have a surge of adrenaline.
The tasks bordered on illegal, task 3 - not a hope.
The second half of the book was just farcical, OK gun laws are relaxed in America but these are children at the end of the day, there is no way they had access to their supposed arsenal of weapons.
Mum is a waitress and can perform minor surgery. Her parenting is also completely unrealistic. As a parent myself I was completely horrified by her judgement calls, again I think this is a maturity issue which will come with age.
The girls failed to report a crime, tampered with crime scenes and sat in on interviews with the police?
Good idea just needs more development and experience behind it. Still well done Kristina, keep it up!
August 19, 2020
The Black Sisterhood Files
Book Review
Ms. Naydonova, the author of this novel, asked me to read and review her work in exchange for a free ecopy of her book. Before I begin the review I would first like to mention that this author is TWELVE years old. To have a novel published by this age is an outstanding accomplishment in itself and I am very excited to see her work in the future.
Review: I love a good thriller and this one had so many layers as any successful thriller does! The Black Sisterhood files follows a group of teenage female crime fighters that assist the local police in solving cases. The author does a fabulous job of using imagery to describe the events in this story, especially the murders! The dialogue in this book was clearly written but didn’t always align with the mood of the moment. I love Naydonova’s idea for this novel and characters, but as is the case with many new authors, there are several things that could use work.
The downfall with this book is that a lot of the layers don’t fit and the story oftentimes can get a bit confusing. There are also several scenarios in the novel that seemed a bit unrealistic. I would like to have known more about the characters and why they acted/spoke/thought a certain way. Character development is KEY to having a successful novel. Readers want to fall in love and feel connected with the characters of a story.
The author of this novel is young, and probably lacking the life experiences that come with producing deep, thought-provoking work. With an editorial team, coaching, maturity, and more life experiences I have no doubt that this author will bust out some seriously great books in her future. This whole idea of a crime fighting friend group would make a great YA series! Just saying (;
Keep up the great work! You will get there!
Book Review
Ms. Naydonova, the author of this novel, asked me to read and review her work in exchange for a free ecopy of her book. Before I begin the review I would first like to mention that this author is TWELVE years old. To have a novel published by this age is an outstanding accomplishment in itself and I am very excited to see her work in the future.
Review: I love a good thriller and this one had so many layers as any successful thriller does! The Black Sisterhood files follows a group of teenage female crime fighters that assist the local police in solving cases. The author does a fabulous job of using imagery to describe the events in this story, especially the murders! The dialogue in this book was clearly written but didn’t always align with the mood of the moment. I love Naydonova’s idea for this novel and characters, but as is the case with many new authors, there are several things that could use work.
The downfall with this book is that a lot of the layers don’t fit and the story oftentimes can get a bit confusing. There are also several scenarios in the novel that seemed a bit unrealistic. I would like to have known more about the characters and why they acted/spoke/thought a certain way. Character development is KEY to having a successful novel. Readers want to fall in love and feel connected with the characters of a story.
The author of this novel is young, and probably lacking the life experiences that come with producing deep, thought-provoking work. With an editorial team, coaching, maturity, and more life experiences I have no doubt that this author will bust out some seriously great books in her future. This whole idea of a crime fighting friend group would make a great YA series! Just saying (;
Keep up the great work! You will get there!
August 30, 2020
Title: The Black Sisterhood Files
Author: Kristina Naydonova
Genre: YA, Thriller, Mystery
The author, @kristinanaydonova, contacted me and asked me to read and review her work. And firstly, may I express how insanely impressed I am that the author is only 12 years old and has the drive to write such an interesting novel! The book follows a group of teen girls, known as The Black Sisterhood, as they try to solve a series of murders that have befallen their small town and unmask 'The Cloaked One's' true identity. While the idea is not so unique, the amount of detail and language used shows just how much the author is into thrillers and murder mysteries. I had to keep stopping and being like, wait, this was written by a middle schooler? And I need a dictionary to understand some of these words?! She was very descriptive and the writing was very adult. There were points in the story where I felt the plot and techniques used to solve the mystery were a little convoluted and far out there, especially considering the main characters were teenagers. The adults in this story also just didn't seem to be fully developed and were not acting like actual adults. The ending lost me a little, and the murderer was predictable, but I appreciate the use of a red herring and the final plot twist. And although the book needs some heavy editing, I did try to keep in mind that this was a first attempt by a young author. Overall, I was impressed by the amount of detail that went into this book and it is obvious that the author has found her niche in her passion for murder mysteries. It was a fast and entertaining read that kept my attention and I look forward to more of her work.
Rating:⭐⭐⭐
#theblacksisterhoodfiles #murder #mystery #thriller #teen #bookstagrammers #bookstagram #youngadult #young #youngauthor #selfpublished
Author: Kristina Naydonova
Genre: YA, Thriller, Mystery
The author, @kristinanaydonova, contacted me and asked me to read and review her work. And firstly, may I express how insanely impressed I am that the author is only 12 years old and has the drive to write such an interesting novel! The book follows a group of teen girls, known as The Black Sisterhood, as they try to solve a series of murders that have befallen their small town and unmask 'The Cloaked One's' true identity. While the idea is not so unique, the amount of detail and language used shows just how much the author is into thrillers and murder mysteries. I had to keep stopping and being like, wait, this was written by a middle schooler? And I need a dictionary to understand some of these words?! She was very descriptive and the writing was very adult. There were points in the story where I felt the plot and techniques used to solve the mystery were a little convoluted and far out there, especially considering the main characters were teenagers. The adults in this story also just didn't seem to be fully developed and were not acting like actual adults. The ending lost me a little, and the murderer was predictable, but I appreciate the use of a red herring and the final plot twist. And although the book needs some heavy editing, I did try to keep in mind that this was a first attempt by a young author. Overall, I was impressed by the amount of detail that went into this book and it is obvious that the author has found her niche in her passion for murder mysteries. It was a fast and entertaining read that kept my attention and I look forward to more of her work.
Rating:⭐⭐⭐
#theblacksisterhoodfiles #murder #mystery #thriller #teen #bookstagrammers #bookstagram #youngadult #young #youngauthor #selfpublished
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