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Ally's World #6
Sisters, Super Creeps and Slushy, Gushy Love Songs
Book by McCombie, Karen
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Karen McCombie
186 books196 followersKaren McCombie is a bestselling author of children's and young adult novels, and has had more than 90 books published. She is the author of the much-loved series 'Ally's World' (early 2000s) and her most recent books include the Carnegie-nominated historical adventure 'Little Bird Flies' (2019) and it's newly published partner novel 'Little Bird Lands' (2020, Nosy Crow Books), plus the 'St Grizzle's School' series for younger readers (Stripes). She has several books publishing in 2021.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 21, 2014
*SERIES REVIEW*
I have finally finished the series. All fourteen books, in a space of ten days. I read the first four books in the series when I was ten or eleven, and I adored them. This January, I really felt like revisiting them, as well as continuing with the rest of the books in the series that were still in the garage. I was scared that I wouldn't like them anymore in case I felt that they were too young for me...but I think I loved them even more this time round. IT WAS JUST...SO... PERFECT! *sobs* And I am now officially emotionally attached to this series.
The whole Ally's World series centers around thirteen year old Ally who lives in Crouch End in London, in her ramshackle house with her quirky family. Throughout the series we are introduced to her sweet, but dippy dad; her seventeen year old sister Linn, who is neat freak and is quite grouchy with the fact that she has to live in such a chaotic house; Rowan, who is fifteen years old and is away with the fairies, her room is completely overtaken by fairy-lights and her own misshapen art projects; last but not least is her seven year old brother Tor, who is an animal fanatic, with a bedroom that doubles as the equivalent of London zoo. The only person missing in this equation is there mom who left them four years ago, battling bad post-natal depression after having Tor, to go travel the world that she has always wanted to see.
I absolutely ADORE Ally's family. They are all so loveable and quirky and I just adore them! Linn is the super-sensible, neat-freak and the oldest one out of the siblings. She also thinks that she has actually been adopted and belongs to a royal family somewhere out there. I felt sorry for Linn, at times I wished she wouldn't be so grouchy, but I could understand the frustration that she felt. I completely adored Rowan, she was utterly adorable and so sweet! I loved how she wasn't afraid to be different and dress quirkily, as it really just made her such a fantastic character that was strong in her own way. Tor was utterly adorable, he is such a cute character, and I loved reading about all his endless pets. I also loved Ivy, who was such a sweet little thing, she is only introduced way later in the series though, so I won't say much else!
I love that Karen McCombie has shown us all these little things that the characters do and how different their personality traits are. She wrote the family aspect amazingly - capturing the chaotic, yet wonderful, every day life of being in a big family. The characters had their ups and downs, where they lent on each other for support when there were times as trouble and I could clearly see the strong bond they all had with each other. It was truly wonderful the way Karen McCombie wrote the life of the Love family.
Throughout Ally's World, we also become acquainted with Sandie, Ally's best friend who can win the award for being The Shyest Person in the Universe; Kyra (my name!), who, at first sights, is seen as rude and obnoxious...but there is more than meets the eye; Billy, Ally's boy best mate and her four other friends who we also begin to know, but not quite as well as the others, who are made up of Chloe, Jen, Salma and Kellie.
The characters in this series are fantastic!
Ally is such a phenomenal character! She is sarcastic, funny, kind and she tells her stories with such an authentic voice. Throughout the series it honestly feels like we have become best friends. I love the way she tells the stories of her everyday life and how she deals with certain situations. She is also a character that I can relate to, as we are both professional worriers.
Then there are Ally's three best friends: Sandie, who is such a sweet character that I immediately liked, although she did disappoint me later on in the story as she did something that she really shouldn't have done, but I suppose it did all workout in the end. Billy, I adored Billy! He is, as Ally calls him, such a berk. He's absolutely hilarious and I often found myself laughing at the ridiculous antics that he could get up to. Then there is Kyra...at first I was disappointed to share my name with her, as she was quite rude and obnoxious without a singular tactful bone in her body.
However, I soon learned about Kyra's troubled home life in book four and I felt sorry for her. Kyra, as a character, definitely improves throughout the series. She is still loud and obnoxious...but she is funny and sarcastic too, which is a good thing. I think.
This is a truly phenomenal series. I would love to say more, especially about books 10 to 14 in the series. Some truly shocking things happened and there were times where I wanted to cry, scream, hug the books and fling them across the room.
Whenever I started reading the next book in the series, I felt like I was being welcomed into my second home. It felt like I was literally living in the story, and partaking in the hustle of the Love household's every day life. I felt like part of the family. I know the characters' histories, I know their fears, their wants and I know each of them as they were my own sibling.
I think that's the truly amazing thing that Karen McCombie accomplished when she wrote the stories, is how she makes you feel like you're living in their world. She makes the characters seem so unbelievably real.
When you open another Ally's World book, you'll feel as if you are walking into your second home.
These books are absolutely perfect. The characters are loveable, the dialogue is fantastic and Karen McCombie has a way with words that will have you devouring every word on the page and constantly in hunger for more.
The last book was highly emotional, as I saw how far the characters had come, compared to where they were at in the first book. Laughs will be had, tears will be shed, hearts will broken, unexpected love lurks around the corner, families will fall and families will be completed. The last book was stunning and I was a highly emotional person after the final page had been read. A series that I will cherish. After reading this whole series, I can safely say Karen McCombie is now one of my favourite authors.
If you are to read these books, I'd recommend that you make sure you have all the books in the series at your fingertips, as you'll want to keep reading and drinking in the words and completely losing yourself in Ally's World.
I give it: 5/5 CUPCAKES!
I have finally finished the series. All fourteen books, in a space of ten days. I read the first four books in the series when I was ten or eleven, and I adored them. This January, I really felt like revisiting them, as well as continuing with the rest of the books in the series that were still in the garage. I was scared that I wouldn't like them anymore in case I felt that they were too young for me...but I think I loved them even more this time round. IT WAS JUST...SO... PERFECT! *sobs* And I am now officially emotionally attached to this series.
The whole Ally's World series centers around thirteen year old Ally who lives in Crouch End in London, in her ramshackle house with her quirky family. Throughout the series we are introduced to her sweet, but dippy dad; her seventeen year old sister Linn, who is neat freak and is quite grouchy with the fact that she has to live in such a chaotic house; Rowan, who is fifteen years old and is away with the fairies, her room is completely overtaken by fairy-lights and her own misshapen art projects; last but not least is her seven year old brother Tor, who is an animal fanatic, with a bedroom that doubles as the equivalent of London zoo. The only person missing in this equation is there mom who left them four years ago, battling bad post-natal depression after having Tor, to go travel the world that she has always wanted to see.
I absolutely ADORE Ally's family. They are all so loveable and quirky and I just adore them! Linn is the super-sensible, neat-freak and the oldest one out of the siblings. She also thinks that she has actually been adopted and belongs to a royal family somewhere out there. I felt sorry for Linn, at times I wished she wouldn't be so grouchy, but I could understand the frustration that she felt. I completely adored Rowan, she was utterly adorable and so sweet! I loved how she wasn't afraid to be different and dress quirkily, as it really just made her such a fantastic character that was strong in her own way. Tor was utterly adorable, he is such a cute character, and I loved reading about all his endless pets. I also loved Ivy, who was such a sweet little thing, she is only introduced way later in the series though, so I won't say much else!
I love that Karen McCombie has shown us all these little things that the characters do and how different their personality traits are. She wrote the family aspect amazingly - capturing the chaotic, yet wonderful, every day life of being in a big family. The characters had their ups and downs, where they lent on each other for support when there were times as trouble and I could clearly see the strong bond they all had with each other. It was truly wonderful the way Karen McCombie wrote the life of the Love family.
Throughout Ally's World, we also become acquainted with Sandie, Ally's best friend who can win the award for being The Shyest Person in the Universe; Kyra (my name!), who, at first sights, is seen as rude and obnoxious...but there is more than meets the eye; Billy, Ally's boy best mate and her four other friends who we also begin to know, but not quite as well as the others, who are made up of Chloe, Jen, Salma and Kellie.
The characters in this series are fantastic!
Ally is such a phenomenal character! She is sarcastic, funny, kind and she tells her stories with such an authentic voice. Throughout the series it honestly feels like we have become best friends. I love the way she tells the stories of her everyday life and how she deals with certain situations. She is also a character that I can relate to, as we are both professional worriers.
Then there are Ally's three best friends: Sandie, who is such a sweet character that I immediately liked, although she did disappoint me later on in the story as she did something that she really shouldn't have done, but I suppose it did all workout in the end. Billy, I adored Billy! He is, as Ally calls him, such a berk. He's absolutely hilarious and I often found myself laughing at the ridiculous antics that he could get up to. Then there is Kyra...at first I was disappointed to share my name with her, as she was quite rude and obnoxious without a singular tactful bone in her body.
However, I soon learned about Kyra's troubled home life in book four and I felt sorry for her. Kyra, as a character, definitely improves throughout the series. She is still loud and obnoxious...but she is funny and sarcastic too, which is a good thing. I think.
This is a truly phenomenal series. I would love to say more, especially about books 10 to 14 in the series. Some truly shocking things happened and there were times where I wanted to cry, scream, hug the books and fling them across the room.
Whenever I started reading the next book in the series, I felt like I was being welcomed into my second home. It felt like I was literally living in the story, and partaking in the hustle of the Love household's every day life. I felt like part of the family. I know the characters' histories, I know their fears, their wants and I know each of them as they were my own sibling.
I think that's the truly amazing thing that Karen McCombie accomplished when she wrote the stories, is how she makes you feel like you're living in their world. She makes the characters seem so unbelievably real.
When you open another Ally's World book, you'll feel as if you are walking into your second home.
These books are absolutely perfect. The characters are loveable, the dialogue is fantastic and Karen McCombie has a way with words that will have you devouring every word on the page and constantly in hunger for more.
The last book was highly emotional, as I saw how far the characters had come, compared to where they were at in the first book. Laughs will be had, tears will be shed, hearts will broken, unexpected love lurks around the corner, families will fall and families will be completed. The last book was stunning and I was a highly emotional person after the final page had been read. A series that I will cherish. After reading this whole series, I can safely say Karen McCombie is now one of my favourite authors.
If you are to read these books, I'd recommend that you make sure you have all the books in the series at your fingertips, as you'll want to keep reading and drinking in the words and completely losing yourself in Ally's World.
I give it: 5/5 CUPCAKES!
September 11, 2024
Podle ostatních Goodreads hodnocení by se dalo říct, že celou sérii nadhodnocuji, ale ona má skutečně natolik specifickou a uklidňující atmosféru, že to jinak nejde. Tento díl je obzvláště vzrušující, neboť zde máme hned dvě milostná dramata. První je v podobě nejstarší ze sester Loveových a namachrovaného zpěváka studentské kapely a druhé u samotné protagonistky. Ne že by tam bylo něco skutečně romantického, pouze se jí podaří konečně normálně komunikovat se svým crushem, kvůli čemuž jsem zcela dětinsky kopala nožičkami.
Příběh je dobře vystavěn a umožňuje nám lépe pochopit Linn, se kterou kdybych nesoucítila při četbě předešlých knih, teď bych určitě začala. Loveovic rodinka vám prostě přiroste k srdci a donutí vás přečíst celou sérii čítající neuvěřitelných patnáct dílů. Tedy, zatím jsem u šestého, ale věřím, že nepolevím ani v budoucnu.
Děj se odehrává v Anglii, což vzhledem k tomu, že to je jedna z mých oblíbených zemích a zároveň i brzy navštívená destinace, četbě dodalo na tematičnosti.
Příběh je dobře vystavěn a umožňuje nám lépe pochopit Linn, se kterou kdybych nesoucítila při četbě předešlých knih, teď bych určitě začala. Loveovic rodinka vám prostě přiroste k srdci a donutí vás přečíst celou sérii čítající neuvěřitelných patnáct dílů. Tedy, zatím jsem u šestého, ale věřím, že nepolevím ani v budoucnu.
Děj se odehrává v Anglii, což vzhledem k tomu, že to je jedna z mých oblíbených zemích a zároveň i brzy navštívená destinace, četbě dodalo na tematičnosti.
May 9, 2023
There's nothing really wrong with this one, but there's nothing that grabs me and makes me want to give it four stars either. I enjoyed it, but I think this story could have been done better. McCombie does very well in making us see why Linn is so grumpy, and I even feel a bit sorry for her, but it isn't at all clear why she thinks having Q as a boyfriend is the answer. He doesn't stop acting like a jerk when she's around, and in no way can he appeal to her longing for order and tidiness.
Kyra becoming 'a rubbish mate', meanwhile, I now see is a gradual thing. Her behaviour at the belly dancing class in the last book may have started it, and now her faults are being amplified little by little, while her good points are still coming across, but not so much; it's a real shame that they're about to peter out.
Kyra becoming 'a rubbish mate', meanwhile, I now see is a gradual thing. Her behaviour at the belly dancing class in the last book may have started it, and now her faults are being amplified little by little, while her good points are still coming across, but not so much; it's a real shame that they're about to peter out.
July 22, 2022
Další ze série ujetých a pološílených příběhů ze života Alice Loveové a její rodinky. Autorka se opět věnuje tématům, které se mohou v životě stát každému dospívajícímu - tentokrát hlavně na téma první lásky, která je zaslepující a směřuje k nesprávné osobě - a jak to pak dopadá, když člověk dělá z lásky blbosti. Autorka přitom neztrácí humor, zase jsem se u toho pěkně pobavila, i když tentokrát mám pocit, že kniha je trošilinku slabší než předchozí díly. Ale i tak je to pořád srdcovka. Je to psané s lehkostí, je to pubertálně střelené a teď během léta vlastně dost fajn oddechová záležitost.
January 20, 2019
So at this point I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said about this series. I love each and every book and cannot fault the story!
In this book Ally's sister Linn gets a boyfriend! The whole Love family disapprove of him but Linn is smitten, will she finally see him for who he really is or is he actually a really nice guy?
If you've never heard of this series (and haven't read any of my previous reviews), it is about the Love family who go through various adventures. It is a book that is mainly aimed at teenagers however I still enjoy it. You can easily read it in one sitting and the best way to describe it is as a cosy read. You're reading about a family who have normal family problems e.g. messy houses, irritating siblings etc. and it's just nice to see how everything comes together at the end
Also there is always an important message in each story, I won't give away the one in this book as it would be a spoiler (and it's only a short book so would definitely ruin the whole thing)
If you're looking for a short, quick read to start the year off then definitely pick this one up, in order to learn about all the characters you will have to pick up the story from the start (aka book 1) however each book is less than 200 pages so do not be disheartened by the length of the series, once you know the characters you can jump into the books as and when you feel like it. Although they have the same characters they do not follow on from each other, each book is its own individual story so there's no pressure of reading them all in one go!
In this book Ally's sister Linn gets a boyfriend! The whole Love family disapprove of him but Linn is smitten, will she finally see him for who he really is or is he actually a really nice guy?
If you've never heard of this series (and haven't read any of my previous reviews), it is about the Love family who go through various adventures. It is a book that is mainly aimed at teenagers however I still enjoy it. You can easily read it in one sitting and the best way to describe it is as a cosy read. You're reading about a family who have normal family problems e.g. messy houses, irritating siblings etc. and it's just nice to see how everything comes together at the end
Also there is always an important message in each story, I won't give away the one in this book as it would be a spoiler (and it's only a short book so would definitely ruin the whole thing)
If you're looking for a short, quick read to start the year off then definitely pick this one up, in order to learn about all the characters you will have to pick up the story from the start (aka book 1) however each book is less than 200 pages so do not be disheartened by the length of the series, once you know the characters you can jump into the books as and when you feel like it. Although they have the same characters they do not follow on from each other, each book is its own individual story so there's no pressure of reading them all in one go!
February 18, 2024
my second book in ally's series and i don't regret it even a bit!
characters: [10] ally is so much like me, gosh! not just about her actions, but even her inner monologue feels so relatable!! (p.s i might as well have a crush on alfie, sorry not sorry, ally pally)
atmosphere: [6] the loves' home is the perfect example of a messy yet cosy home.
writing: [10] this is my favorite part of the book! karen's writing style feels like it just flows right out of her mind. and these types of books are extremely rare to find. also, it's been a very long time since a book has made me laugh out loud.
plot: [9] perfectly captures the transitional phase of teens and it taught me that it's perfect okay to have mood swings every now and then!
intrigue: [8] really had me biting off my fingers (with anger, btw) whenever Q popped up in the book. but, i wish there were more scenes with ally and alfie together, those were the best pair in the book.
logic: [9] i guess all the parts of the book made sense, at least to a teenager :)
enjoyment: [10] absolute banger and so far the best book i've read this year!
(the ratings don't add up to five stars, but i can't bring myself to give a four-star rating to this gem!!)
characters: [10] ally is so much like me, gosh! not just about her actions, but even her inner monologue feels so relatable!! (p.s i might as well have a crush on alfie, sorry not sorry, ally pally)
atmosphere: [6] the loves' home is the perfect example of a messy yet cosy home.
writing: [10] this is my favorite part of the book! karen's writing style feels like it just flows right out of her mind. and these types of books are extremely rare to find. also, it's been a very long time since a book has made me laugh out loud.
plot: [9] perfectly captures the transitional phase of teens and it taught me that it's perfect okay to have mood swings every now and then!
intrigue: [8] really had me biting off my fingers (with anger, btw) whenever Q popped up in the book. but, i wish there were more scenes with ally and alfie together, those were the best pair in the book.
logic: [9] i guess all the parts of the book made sense, at least to a teenager :)
enjoyment: [10] absolute banger and so far the best book i've read this year!
(the ratings don't add up to five stars, but i can't bring myself to give a four-star rating to this gem!!)
April 21, 2023
Série: Alice a ... . Tuto sérii jsem naprosto milovala. Alice je velmi vtipná a blázen. Oblíbila jsem si celou rodinu a mimo to i Alfieho. Rozhodně doporučuji, sice je Alice 13 let, ale myslím, že knížku si můžou přečíst i starší. ;)
November 15, 2013
**GENERAL REVIEW FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES**
Aww, man....
I started reading these books when I was about nine years old. I don't think I even read them in order at first, just got whichever ones I could find out of my schools library. I loved them. LOVED.
Eventually I figured out the order and filled in the gaps. And then proceeded to read the entire series about five times over. Those were the times.
Ally was my spirit animal in those days. She was a little awkward, wasn't quite sure where she fit into her family, had a nice group of friends but only a special few that she considered best friends. She was unlucky in love, to say the least. That's not even mentioning all of the unbelievably embarrassing moments.
Coupled with a few other series, these books pretty much sum up my childhood reading. I think my heart sank a little when I realised I was reading the last one.
Aww, man....
I started reading these books when I was about nine years old. I don't think I even read them in order at first, just got whichever ones I could find out of my schools library. I loved them. LOVED.
Eventually I figured out the order and filled in the gaps. And then proceeded to read the entire series about five times over. Those were the times.
Ally was my spirit animal in those days. She was a little awkward, wasn't quite sure where she fit into her family, had a nice group of friends but only a special few that she considered best friends. She was unlucky in love, to say the least. That's not even mentioning all of the unbelievably embarrassing moments.
Coupled with a few other series, these books pretty much sum up my childhood reading. I think my heart sank a little when I realised I was reading the last one.
August 9, 2013
Love, love, LOVE this book!!!!! (Spoiler alert!) When Ally held Alfie's hand I just DIED. The romance was really toned up here, but it turned out kind of disappointing in the end. Dad was proved not to be such a big dope as he looks, so the part about how he managed to brush off Q and Linn was pretty cute.
July 24, 2013
I have read manybooks, but this one must be the worst, i dont understand what is going on, there is to many characters,i dont understand who is who and whos the cat and so on. I haven't read all of the book and im not going to, the parts i have read is so confusing.
September 24, 2010
LOVE IT!!! LOVE IT!!! LOVE IT!!!
October 9, 2013
Great book for girls aged 11-13
October 21, 2016
3.5 stars.
Read
June 13, 2015funny and enjoyable
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