Exciting story, but... - Rated 
... I don't like it as much as the other books.
The only likable character in this book is Sally, Darrell's best friend, who is a really good head-girl. And Daphne's development is quite interesting as well - in the beginnning, she is vain and selfish, but then she rescues Mary-Lou - so she can cancel out her bad deeds... And I like Belinda, a new girl in the second form, who is a talent artist and a scatter-brain like Irene - of course, the two of them become friends!
So why I don't like this book?
I think there are too many "baddies" - one new girl is taking advantage of mary-Lou (Mary-Lou helps her with her French). Besides, she is a thief and a liar, who is even ready to see an innocent girl being expelled for stealing (fortunately the innocent girl is not actually expelled, but the thief believes it), then there is a cheat who tries to read the exam papers beforehand, Alicia is jealous of head-girl Sally and tries to make her feel uncomfortable, she brings Belinda into trouble and does not have the decency to own up and she accuses the wrong girl (without proof) for stealing, and Darrell loses her temper...
Too many unlikable characters for only one book, I think.
Blast from the past, a must read for young and old - Rated 
I was excited when I realised the Malory Towers series was back in print and will be buying for my granddaughters. I want them to experience the boarding schools regime and midnight feasts, the excitement of their adventures and there growing from teenagers to early adulthood. Although most school days, public or boarding are much the same I loved the ambiance and comradeship this story exhumed. A place to escape as a child when my own existence was too hard to cope with. Yes I feel like I am welcoming an old friend recommended reading for all ages.
Delightful - Rated 
It has been a sheer delight to re-read this book again after nearly 20 years. I enjoyed reading about the exploits of teenage girls in an English boarding school back then immensely, and still feel the same today. They have a timeless appeal and I will introduce this and the other books in the series to my young daughter when she is old enough to read books. I am sure she will enjoy them too.
This book is worth reading - Rated 
This book is definately worth reading. It is way cool and I have read it alot of times. It's great!! I have read the whole series of Malory Towers.
STOP button was it`s enemy - Rated 
If you`ve never read the book or heard the tape, Second Form at Malory Towers, here`s a quick review - Darrell Rivers is off to Malory Towers, her school, for a quiet year. Little does she no how much adventure there will be. The new faces, Ellen Wilson, the grumpy scholar-ship girl, Belinda Morris, her malicious pencil capturing anything and everything and Daphne Turner, the worst of the lot, make the story seem more realistic. Before Darrell can say "Quiet Term" the adventures started. It`s when people`s expensive items go missing when others shows their real colours. But I can`t say anymore than that. You`ll just have to read or listen to it. An action-packed storyline, which almost everyone can relate to, all set inside the supposedly quiet Malory Towers. The only downfall is if you, like me, read the book whilst listening to the tape, you`ll have to jump about because, although almost everything in the book is in the tape, the tape doesn`t follow the book too closely. But, other than that, a perfect story for almost anyone. Happy listening or reading.
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