**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
“Welcome to the club…”
School Spirits released on March 9th 2023 on Paramount+ with the first three episodes available to stream now. The remaining five episodes will air weekly. The YA supernatural mystery series stars Peyton List, Kiara Pichardo, Kristian Flores, and Spencer MacPherson. Each episode runs for approximately 44-48 minutes.
Maddie winds up stuck in limbo in her high school as she attempts to investigate her own mysterious disappearance with the help of other ghosts who reside there.
Here is the trailer:
School Spirits is a delightful mix of Ghosts and Nancy Drew with a mystery that really pulls you in. Is this YA series worth your time?Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Paramount+
Light and fun.
This series could have easily overdone it with teen drama and excess fluff, but it already managed to find the perfect balance of mystery and fun from the very start, which is not always easy to do.
The show is filled with likable characters and I really like Maddie, which has kept me more invested in the mystery revolving around her own disappearance.
The episodes aren’t super long and the pacing has been on point for the most part, knowing just how to hook the audience at the end of each episode, reeling us back in for more.
Images courtesy of Paramount+
A solid mystery.
Sure, it may not be that original, but I’m already forming my own list of suspects and I really want to know what happened to Maddie. The time jumps were a little jarring at first, but I started to get used to them as the series progressed, giving us more clues to ponder over. I’m hoping for a shocking reveal, but it’s too early to tell how this mystery will unfold.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Paramount+
Weekly episodes…
I watched the first three episodes in one sitting and was ready for more, but we’ll have to wait for the rest of the episodes to release each week, which is a bummer. This is one of those shows where you get really wrapped up in the story so I’m just afraid that viewers may forget to tune back in or could lose interest without the binge-watching option available. You may be better off waiting until all the episodes drop before watching this one…
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Paramount+
I’m in!!!
School Spirits has a super cute premise and a charming cast with an addicting mystery at its core.
This series has been a pleasant surprise so far and I can’t wait to watch more episodes!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on School Spirits in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
DON’T TAKE THE JOB…
It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!
Happy Saturday TV fans! After watching Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina season 1 episode 11, we were reminded that ‘Tis the Season for seances during the witching hour. While we all have our own traditions during the holidays, the Spellman family wished us a “Happy Solstice” and asked that “Satan bless us everyone.” Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In episode 11, “Chapter Eleven: A Midwinter’s Tale,” the Spellman family prepares for the “Winter Solstice,” but Sabrina has a few magical ideas of her own. Meanwhile, Susie gets in a bit of trouble during her holiday job and Aunt Zelda is preoccupied with baby Leticia. My top 5 moments from Chilling Adventures of Sabrinaseason 1 episode 11 holiday special are:
5
“Christmas is the best time for ghost stories.”
In the beginning of the episode, we learn a bit about some of the Spellman family traditions during the holidays, which center around burning a “Yule Log,” which is meant to ward off evil spirits during the solstice. It is very important that the “Yule Log” fire does not go out or the Spellman family will be vulnerable to many magical threats. Sabrina recognizes that things are very different this year, but she can’t help missing her parents during this time, as she looks at a photo ornament of them that is very dear to her heart. Sabrina remembers that she crossed paths with her mother in limbo and is desperate to find a way to help her, but perhaps this isn’t the best night to do so.
4
“Too soon or too weird?”
Sabrina is determined to contact her mother with a seance, recognizing that the veil thins between the living and the dead during the solstice. After Ambrose turns down her request, Sabrina goes to see Miss Wardwell, who initially seems willing to help Sabrina, but recognizes that she will need to run some interference to prevent Sabrina from going down the wrong path. Sabrina tries to include her mortal friends, but they are not really too excited about participating in the seance. Sabrina does not take “no” for an answer; however, as she recruits Prudence and her sisters to assist with the ritual. It seems like everything is working perfectly when the spirit of Diana Spellman appears before them, but other magical beings begin to break through the veil as well, which threatens everyone in the Spellman home.
3
“Is this what it’s like being a witch?”
During all the commotion at the Spellman residence, we also learn that Susie has gone missing when her Santa Claus boss, Mr. Bartel, tries to turn her into a wax figure for his creepy collection. We learn that Bartel is actually a demon, but Sabrina and her aunts are ready to help save the day, as they enlist the help of Gryla, who is a demon that gathers the lost souls of children. It looks like Susie will be OK and everything is back to normal for now, but I think she will be researching her next job opportunity with a little bit more care next time.
2
“Please don’t ever do that again. Use magic.”
During the episode, we also get a Harvina moment, as Sabrina tries to make amends with Harvey by giving him an enchanted pencil set. Harvey later gives the gift back to Sabrina and explains that he doesn’t want her to use magic anymore with him. Sabrina clearly cares about Harvey a lot, but she also recognizes that he may not be ready or willing to walk down the path of night with her. I’m still hoping that these two can work things out; however, because they are absolutely adorable together.
1
“Mom…you’re beautiful.”
In a heartwarming moment, Sabrina gets a very brief moment with her mother and confides in her about Harvey and some of her doubts and fears. Her mom helps her quite a bit, even though she cannot stay for very long, but it looks like Sabrina will cherish this brief encounter forever. Sabrina’s mother was mortal and understands all too well what it means to walk down the path of night, but Sabrina may need to experience this for herself, as her path may be different. At the end of the episode, Zelda decides to bring baby Leticia to Desmelda to keep her safe, which leaves us with some more unanswered questions. Is Desmelda a friend or foe? What will Miss Wardwell do next? Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday special. I appreciated that the show took the time to celebrate with our favorite characters, while continuing the plot as well to get us ready for new episodes on April 5th 2019. Stay tuned!
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in the comments section below. Happy viewing!
**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites! Thank you!
If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.Thanks for your support!
I am so excited to announce that my book,The Search for Alice, is now available!If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I hope you enjoy!
When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.
Want to read more? You can click the linkdirectly below for a free preview. Thanks for your support!
So after finishing up FX’s American Horror Story: Cult last night, I started thinking about how it held up against the other seasons. Before the premiere of AHS : Cult, Ryan Murphy, co-creater of the series, had posted the nine circles of hell from Dante’s Inferno:
Limbo (Murder House)
Lust
Gluttony (Hotel)
Greed (Freak Show)
Anger (Roanoke)
Heresy (Cult)
Violence
Fraud (Asylum)
Treachery (Coven)
Murphy had previous explained that each season is connected, but the link to the nine circles of hell invests the viewer into new theories and also suggests that the series will have an end after season 9. Perhaps it is all meant to keep fans on the edge of their seats, but it does make one really think about the similarities to each circle of hell and how they are all intertwined. After watching all of the seasons so far, I have ranked them in the following order (best-worst):
Coven
Hotel
Murder House
Cult
Asylum
Freak Show
Roanoke
While you may agree or disagree with my rankings, it really got me thinking about how this matches up with Inferno’s nine circles of hell. The last (ninth) circle of hell is “treachery” which matches up with my overall pick for best season, AHS: Coven. For me, the betrayal in “Coven” really scratches beneath the surface and tugs at your soul. On the surface, the witch-craft element is very entertaining and reminiscent of the movie, The Craft. However, there are a lot more elements going on in the show and treachery is at its core.
My second favorite season is AHS: Hotel which pairs up with “gluttony.” According to Inferno, “Gluttony” is the third circle of hell. Those who are guilty of “gluttony” are forced to lie in a slush created by an icy rain which is meant to represent those who have overindulged in “food, drink, and other worldly pleasures.” The icy rain that brings an eternal bitter cold to the sinner connects me to the Countess portrayed by Lady Gaga in AHS: Hotel. She is a vampire already representing eternity and feeds on the blood of others. What’s really interesting to me is that in this circle of hell, the beings punished are not able to see the other victims lying near them because of their own selfishness. Not being able to feel remorse or love for others is dangerous enough, but its combination with gluttony is even more so.
My third favorite season is the first season AHS: Murder House. Interestingly enough, this aligns with “Limbo,” which is the first circle of hell. This could be just a coincidence, but those who are trapped here are unable to move on to heaven and are forced to reside in an inferior version, much like ghosts who are unable to move on, which appear throughout Murder House.
If the theory is true, that would leave AHS with 2 more seasons representing “Lust” and “Violence.” While I am not sure if we will see any burning rain or violent winds, it really gives the viewer a lot to think about in terms of what type of premise we will see next.
As of August 2018, we now also know that the series has been picked up for a tenth season and will continue through 2020. I still think that the “nine circles of hell” idea is important and relevant to the show, but I am curious to explore more and see where we are headed. I am counting the days until the premiere on September 12th. How about you?
Feel free to post your thoughts and theories on AHS below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
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If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the followbutton on your way out to subscribe.Thanks for your support!
I am so excited to announce that my book,The Search for Alice, is now available! If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I hope you enjoy!
When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.
Want to read more? You can click the link directly below for a free preview. Thanks for your support!
