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New Class at Malory Towers
It's time to welcome new girls to Malory Towers, the famous boarding school by the sea, in four brand-new stories by outstanding authors, set in Enid Blyton's much-loved school.
YA and Waterstones Book Prize-winner Patrice Lawrence introduces us to proud Marietta with her magnificent head of braided hair. A dormitory argument reveals something unusual about Marietta, and something equally unexpected about Alicia.
In Guardian and Stylist columnist Lucy Mangan's story, student librarian Evelyn is wary of her lively, lacrosse-playing classmates. When one of them becomes a regular visitor to the hushed domain of the library, can Evelyn really trust her?
Sunita Sharma joins Malory Towers surrounded by a sense of mystery, in Narinder Dhami's fabulous story. But is Sunita really as glamorous as Gwendoline imagines?
In Rebecca Westcott's heartwarming story, Darrell and friends fear the worst when spoilt Gwendoline's cousin joins the school. But Maggie is very different from her stuck-up relative . . .
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2019
71 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Enid Blyton
5,131 books6,337 followersSee also:
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
Ένιντ Μπλάιτον (Greek)
Enida Blaitona (Latvian)
Энид Блайтон (Russian)
Inid Blajton (Serbian)
Інід Блайтон (Ukrainian)
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was an English author of children's books.
Born in South London, Blyton was the eldest of three children, and showed an early interest in music and reading. She was educated at St. Christopher's School, Beckenham, and - having decided not to pursue her music - at Ipswich High School, where she trained as a kindergarten teacher. She taught for five years before her 1924 marriage to editor Hugh Pollock, with whom she had two daughters. This marriage ended in divorce, and Blyton remarried in 1943, to surgeon Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters. She died in 1968, one year after her second husband.
Blyton was a prolific author of children's books, who penned an estimated 800 books over about 40 years. Her stories were often either children's adventure and mystery stories, or fantasies involving magic. Notable series include: The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Five Find-Outers, Noddy, The Wishing Chair, Mallory Towers, and St. Clare's.
According to the Index Translationum, Blyton was the fifth most popular author in the world in 2007, coming after Lenin but ahead of Shakespeare.
See also her pen name Mary Pollock
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 16, 2021
Honestly this was disappointing. It might just be that I'm a bit tired of this series having spent the last 4 1/2 months reading it. New Class at Malory Towers is a collection of four short stories. The short story format didn't work for me or my little sister (8yrs old, to whom I was reading this book). We didn't find it long enough to get invested in the plots or get to know the new characters. The timing of where these stories fit into the original series jumps around so just follow where they take you and suspend your disbelief as to why these characters only appear for a term and Darrell never mentions them or . In good news, for the most part the old faces are familiar and the writing wasn't jarringly different to the originals.
The Show Must Go On by Rebecca Westcott was my favourite of the four, we get to see more of Gwen (in both bad and good lights) and also get some drama .
A Bob and a Weave by Patrice Lawrence was good, but I don't enjoy the decision to have the character keep a secret from the reader. I know she's keeping it from the other characters but it's not enjoyable to read constant hints at an upcoming reveal (I'm not a mystery fan clearly). There's more time given to showing Marietta's home-life than any other character, and I liked how Alicia plays out in this one.
Bookworms by Lucy Mangan felt the least authentic, bit strange honestly.
The Secret Princess by Narinder Dhami. Always cool to have more tricks (especially the way the trick is acquired) and I enjoyed when .
The Show Must Go On by Rebecca Westcott was my favourite of the four, we get to see more of Gwen (in both bad and good lights) and also get some drama .
A Bob and a Weave by Patrice Lawrence was good, but I don't enjoy the decision to have the character keep a secret from the reader. I know she's keeping it from the other characters but it's not enjoyable to read constant hints at an upcoming reveal (I'm not a mystery fan clearly). There's more time given to showing Marietta's home-life than any other character, and I liked how Alicia plays out in this one.
Bookworms by Lucy Mangan felt the least authentic, bit strange honestly.
The Secret Princess by Narinder Dhami. Always cool to have more tricks (especially the way the trick is acquired) and I enjoyed when .
January 12, 2023
A new installment to one of my favourite childhood series, based on the original characters written by Enid Blyton.
A Bob and a Weave by Patrice Lawrence ⭐⭐
This was my least favourite of the four as I thought the circus story was quite random. And Alicia shaving her hair off? Didn't really fit in with the series.
Bookworms by Lucy Mangan ⭐⭐⭐
I liked the focus on the library and the new character, but I thought Alicia and Betty's pranks were quite ridiculous and out of character. And not getting a teacher involved after what they had done was also ridiculous.
The Secret Princess by Narinder Dhami ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
This was by far my favourite. Dhami perfectly captured Blyton's tone and I loved the new character, Sunita. This was great fun.
The show must go on by Rebecca Westcott ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was also more enjoyable, and I liked the exploration of Gwen having a cousin. However it didn't quite ring true to the original series, as the girls would have never given up on Maggie so quickly when she isolated herself from them.
A Bob and a Weave by Patrice Lawrence ⭐⭐
This was my least favourite of the four as I thought the circus story was quite random. And Alicia shaving her hair off? Didn't really fit in with the series.
Bookworms by Lucy Mangan ⭐⭐⭐
I liked the focus on the library and the new character, but I thought Alicia and Betty's pranks were quite ridiculous and out of character. And not getting a teacher involved after what they had done was also ridiculous.
The Secret Princess by Narinder Dhami ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
This was by far my favourite. Dhami perfectly captured Blyton's tone and I loved the new character, Sunita. This was great fun.
The show must go on by Rebecca Westcott ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was also more enjoyable, and I liked the exploration of Gwen having a cousin. However it didn't quite ring true to the original series, as the girls would have never given up on Maggie so quickly when she isolated herself from them.
December 31, 2021
I wasn’t sure whether I would like this new version of Mallory Towers but, I was pleasantly surprised. It was written extremely well by four different writers spilt into four stories. All the original char are in there along with some new ones. All the tricks are in there which add to the stories and the warmth of the girls friendships are as strong as they ever were. This was a great book to finish 2021.
September 2, 2019
Malory Towers is having a moment. The past couple of years have seen theatre adaptations, news of the rights being sold to the BBC, and the publication of this: four new Malory Towers stories from Patrice Lawrence, Narinder Dhami, Rebecca Westcott and Lucy Mangan. It's worthwhile pointing out now that I come to these stories from a very particular place. I have written about Malory Towers academically. I'm working on an article about it now. I'm not really, I think, the target age group for this volume. That honour goes to new readers, fresh to the series, looking for a way in. It's very much for the new reader. Not the old one who goes 'does this volume edit out Darrell lamping everyone in sight or does it keep it in'.
For my tastes, this volume could have done with a little more curation. A little foreword before each story would have been nice; something just to set the scene and tell the reader where they are. The Malory Towers saga is big - and that's even when you just consider the original texts. If you consider the bind-ups, Pamela Cox's sequels, the general mythologies about the series, let alone the mythology about Blyton herself, you have a lot to deal with. And I can feel where these stories are going; they want readers to find their space at Malory Towers. They want readers to be part of that, and I love it, but I'd have liked a little more curation.
Having said that, however, some of the stories are excellent. They're all very good, because I don't think you get away with not being good in a volume when there are only four authors to begin with. There's nowhere to hide, and all of the authors set out their stall delightfully. Lucy Mangan is very on brand with her bookish tale, and I very much want Patrice Lawrence to write something longer. Her opener about new girl Marietta strains at the edges of its word count; there's the promise of something rather brilliant here and I'd love Lawrence to come back to the school story genre at some point. I also had a lot of time for Narinder Dhami's funny and lively story of new girl Sunita Sharma and Gwendoline's mistaken identity. Talking of Gwendoline, Rebecca Westcott is unusual and welcome in how she seeks to give Gwen some depth as opposed to making her the punchline. There's a lot in Westcott's story to love, though the conclusion didn't quite work for me.
I think the 'new girl' premise stumbles a little the more you go through this volume, though each author is strong enough to make it work for themselves. There is, however, a little note of repetition to certain elements and a slight sense of everybody hitting the same beats. It's important to note however that Blyton loved this sort of thing and embraced it at every chance she got. It's also important to note that the school story genre adores these sort of rhythms and so this is very much on point. Now, if I can have that Patrice Lawrence boarding school story?
For my tastes, this volume could have done with a little more curation. A little foreword before each story would have been nice; something just to set the scene and tell the reader where they are. The Malory Towers saga is big - and that's even when you just consider the original texts. If you consider the bind-ups, Pamela Cox's sequels, the general mythologies about the series, let alone the mythology about Blyton herself, you have a lot to deal with. And I can feel where these stories are going; they want readers to find their space at Malory Towers. They want readers to be part of that, and I love it, but I'd have liked a little more curation.
Having said that, however, some of the stories are excellent. They're all very good, because I don't think you get away with not being good in a volume when there are only four authors to begin with. There's nowhere to hide, and all of the authors set out their stall delightfully. Lucy Mangan is very on brand with her bookish tale, and I very much want Patrice Lawrence to write something longer. Her opener about new girl Marietta strains at the edges of its word count; there's the promise of something rather brilliant here and I'd love Lawrence to come back to the school story genre at some point. I also had a lot of time for Narinder Dhami's funny and lively story of new girl Sunita Sharma and Gwendoline's mistaken identity. Talking of Gwendoline, Rebecca Westcott is unusual and welcome in how she seeks to give Gwen some depth as opposed to making her the punchline. There's a lot in Westcott's story to love, though the conclusion didn't quite work for me.
I think the 'new girl' premise stumbles a little the more you go through this volume, though each author is strong enough to make it work for themselves. There is, however, a little note of repetition to certain elements and a slight sense of everybody hitting the same beats. It's important to note however that Blyton loved this sort of thing and embraced it at every chance she got. It's also important to note that the school story genre adores these sort of rhythms and so this is very much on point. Now, if I can have that Patrice Lawrence boarding school story?
November 3, 2025
I can’t even blame this on my children’s literature unit, this was purely for my own enjoyment 💀
June 27, 2019
Four new authors write about four new girls attending Malory Towers during Darrell River's years there.
On the plus side, the tone is almost perfect all the way through. I'm not too sure about Mam'zelle in the last one, but I can let it slide. The girls are recognizably themselves - although neither Alicia nor Gwen were ever quite that mean in Enid's stories. The new girls are intriguing and interesting in and of themselves, and the stories go along nicely.
This is a great addition to the classic stories and will go well.
'Shall we show you to your dormy?' asked Sally, her voice shaking. She was an excellent leader but she hated conflict and the tension in the common room was so thick that it felt like a heavy fog hanging in the air. 'It's really lovely.'
'What is that supposed to mean?' Margaret's words were quiet and her eyes bored into Gwen. 'What about my parents?'
'I expect your trunk has been taken upstairs by now,' said Darrell, slightly desperately. She could see that Alicia was loving every second of the confrontation but there was something about Margaret's voice that was making Darrell feel increasingly nervous.
'Oh, you know very well!' Gwen clearly wasn't about to back down. 'My mother married up and your mother married down and that is why I am who I am and you are, well-' she gestured at Maggie -'you.'
There was silence and the rest of the girls held their breath. They were used to arguments between them but they'd never heard anyone say anything so personal and unkind before.
'I'd rather be me with my wonderful parents, than spoilt darling Gwendoline Mary,' murmured Margaret, her face pale. 'There isn't enough money in the world that would make me ever want to swap places with you.' She turned and let her gaze sweep over them all. 'I wouldn't want to be like any of you. Not even for one day.'
And then she turned and ran from the room, her long legs striding across the floor and out of the door before anyone could stop her.
On the plus side, the tone is almost perfect all the way through. I'm not too sure about Mam'zelle in the last one, but I can let it slide. The girls are recognizably themselves - although neither Alicia nor Gwen were ever quite that mean in Enid's stories. The new girls are intriguing and interesting in and of themselves, and the stories go along nicely.
This is a great addition to the classic stories and will go well.
'Shall we show you to your dormy?' asked Sally, her voice shaking. She was an excellent leader but she hated conflict and the tension in the common room was so thick that it felt like a heavy fog hanging in the air. 'It's really lovely.'
'What is that supposed to mean?' Margaret's words were quiet and her eyes bored into Gwen. 'What about my parents?'
'I expect your trunk has been taken upstairs by now,' said Darrell, slightly desperately. She could see that Alicia was loving every second of the confrontation but there was something about Margaret's voice that was making Darrell feel increasingly nervous.
'Oh, you know very well!' Gwen clearly wasn't about to back down. 'My mother married up and your mother married down and that is why I am who I am and you are, well-' she gestured at Maggie -'you.'
There was silence and the rest of the girls held their breath. They were used to arguments between them but they'd never heard anyone say anything so personal and unkind before.
'I'd rather be me with my wonderful parents, than spoilt darling Gwendoline Mary,' murmured Margaret, her face pale. 'There isn't enough money in the world that would make me ever want to swap places with you.' She turned and let her gaze sweep over them all. 'I wouldn't want to be like any of you. Not even for one day.'
And then she turned and ran from the room, her long legs striding across the floor and out of the door before anyone could stop her.
November 1, 2021
I adored the Malory Towers books as a child and came across this volume of four new short stories, each by a different author. The stories each centre on a new girl starting at the school, but otherwise Darrell, Gwendoline, Alicia et al are all present, and they’re all written in the spirit of the originals.
Obviously no new story is going to be quite the same, because it’s a) not Enid Blyton writing and b) not the 1940s. In some ways, that’s even a good thing ;) But I think it was clever of the publisher to ask four different authors to contribute a story: in that way, it doesn’t feel like someone is trying to impersonate Enid Blyton, but rather that each author is writing their own version of an Enid Blyton story. And this 32-year-old still thoroughly enjoyed them :D
Obviously no new story is going to be quite the same, because it’s a) not Enid Blyton writing and b) not the 1940s. In some ways, that’s even a good thing ;) But I think it was clever of the publisher to ask four different authors to contribute a story: in that way, it doesn’t feel like someone is trying to impersonate Enid Blyton, but rather that each author is writing their own version of an Enid Blyton story. And this 32-year-old still thoroughly enjoyed them :D
January 9, 2025
I hate to say this, but this was absolutely unenjoyable!
Sunita's was the only one I genuinely liked, though Maggie's was interesting at times.
The whole thing just feels very out of character for so many of the characters, and it especially felt like the writers had a vendetta against Alicia.
She would not say or do all that!!!!
Sunita's was the only one I genuinely liked, though Maggie's was interesting at times.
The whole thing just feels very out of character for so many of the characters, and it especially felt like the writers had a vendetta against Alicia.
She would not say or do all that!!!!
December 4, 2019
Thank you so much to @panmacmillankids for this #gifted review copy.
Before Harry Potter existed, and Hogwarts was but a twinkle in JK Rowling’s eye, Malory Towers was the original boarding school that I wished I could attend.
When I saw that there were new Malory Towers stories, I couldn’t wait to visit the school by the seaside again. I have such fond memories of reading about Darrel and her friends when I was growing up.
With these four new stories set during Darrel Rivers’ time at Malory Towers, the authors did an excellent job in recreating the tone of the original stories but with a bit more diversity. There were a couple of missteps where characters were more malicious and bullying than they ever were in the original books, but in general it was a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane to see Darrel and her friends again.
I would highly recommend this middle grade read to any young readers who love learning about fun, loyalty, friendships and so much more.
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Before Harry Potter existed, and Hogwarts was but a twinkle in JK Rowling’s eye, Malory Towers was the original boarding school that I wished I could attend.
When I saw that there were new Malory Towers stories, I couldn’t wait to visit the school by the seaside again. I have such fond memories of reading about Darrel and her friends when I was growing up.
With these four new stories set during Darrel Rivers’ time at Malory Towers, the authors did an excellent job in recreating the tone of the original stories but with a bit more diversity. There were a couple of missteps where characters were more malicious and bullying than they ever were in the original books, but in general it was a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane to see Darrel and her friends again.
I would highly recommend this middle grade read to any young readers who love learning about fun, loyalty, friendships and so much more.
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟
December 10, 2019
The first ‘big girl’ books I can ever remember reading were Malory Towers and the Famous Five, and I spent my childhood re-reading them again and again. They are so dear to my heart and still mean so much to me.
So it was with mild trepidation that I picked up this book - which has 4 stories based on Malory Towers but by modern day authors. Reader, I need not have worried a jot, they all did Enid Blyton so proud. I had a big grin on my face hearing about those familiar characters interspersed with new ones; Mam’zelle, Mary-Lou, Irene, Jean, Alicia, the wonderful Miss Grayling, and the fair but occasionally fiery Darrell Rivers, to name but a few. Ahh, such old friends of mine and how exquisitely wonderful to hear from them again. The 4 authors have done a superb job of capturing Blyton’s style, almost seamlessly. What a wonderful tribute.
So it was with mild trepidation that I picked up this book - which has 4 stories based on Malory Towers but by modern day authors. Reader, I need not have worried a jot, they all did Enid Blyton so proud. I had a big grin on my face hearing about those familiar characters interspersed with new ones; Mam’zelle, Mary-Lou, Irene, Jean, Alicia, the wonderful Miss Grayling, and the fair but occasionally fiery Darrell Rivers, to name but a few. Ahh, such old friends of mine and how exquisitely wonderful to hear from them again. The 4 authors have done a superb job of capturing Blyton’s style, almost seamlessly. What a wonderful tribute.
September 2, 2021
I loved this book. I loved the bit when Sunita was pretending that she was a princess and when Gwendolin tried to be friends with her as she thought that she was a princcess but she actually was not. However all the other girls knew the truth and knew that Gwendolin thought that she as a princess so she carried on as it was so hilarious. She pretended she was a princess and said "at home I have servants that close the door for me. "That just made Gwendoline ever more sure she was princess but Sunita was not. However, when Gwendoline realized she was being tricked she had her own revenge. Sunita bought in a bottle of crystal gems that she created her self with a bit of help from her father and if you pour some in and put them with water it will smoke and they wanted to play that trick on a teacher. However, if you pour the whole bottle in it is to powerful so only a bit. Gwen needed revenge. They decided to do the trick and trick Mam'zelle Dupont after half term because they might miss half term for their punishment and they could not let that happen. Sunital put the crystals in her locker. They needed to see their parents. They all agreed exept from Alicia was not happy about it but she knew she had to see her parents. Gwen needed revenge and heard about Sunita's crystals. She had a wonderful plan. She stole Sunita's crystals and activated it and carelessly put the all the crystals in even though she heard it was to powerful. Soon, the class started. Gwendoline's eyes where only concentrating on her plan. Soon, Darrell, Alicia, Sunita and many other girls saw it and everyone was shocked. Mam'zelle Dupont thought the smoke was coming from fire until she realized it was not. They went out of the room all coughing and then they started talking. Then, they started to blame Sunita but it was Gwendoline. However, Darrell thought and said she was sure that it was not Sunita.
There are three books and this is the second book. If you want to find out what happens next then read it :D.
There are three books and this is the second book. If you want to find out what happens next then read it :D.
August 5, 2020
I loved this book. I really enjoy about how new girls come and they help her settle in. I also loved the bit when Sunita was pretending that she was a princess and when Gwendolin tried to be friends with her as she thought that she was a princcess but she actually was not. However all the other girls knew the truth and knew that Gwendolin thought that she as a princess so she carried on as it was so hilarious. She pretended she was a princess and said "at home I have servants that close the door for me. "That just made Gwendoline ever more sure she was princess but Sunita was not. However, when Gwendoline realized she was being tricked she had her own revenge. Sunita bought in a bottle of crystal gems that she created her self with a bit of help from her father and if you pour some in and put them with water it will smoke and they wanted to play that trick on a teacher. However, if you pour the whole bottle in it is to powerful so only a bit. Gwen needed revenge. They decided to do the trick after half term because they might miss half term for their punishment and they could not let that happen. They needed to see their parents. They all agreed exept from Alicia was not happy about it but she knew she had to see her parents. Sunita put the potion in her locker, however Gwendoling heard the conversation about the crystals and wanted to steal them. When no one was looking, she went throught Sunita'slocker and stole them. She activated it a couple minutes before the class started and done the trick herself. However, she pulled the whole bottle in! When class started the smoke got bigger and bigger. Gwendoline's eyes where focused on the smoke. Darrell relized the some as well as Alicia, Sunita and many other girls and got mad at Sunita. However, when Sunita saw the smoke she had a very surprised face.
That is a bit a bit of what happened in the second story. There are three stories. Read it if you want to find out what happens next :D.
That is a bit a bit of what happened in the second story. There are three stories. Read it if you want to find out what happens next :D.
January 24, 2021
I have been the hugest fan of Malory Towers for years together, and I was honestly looking forward to this book. But it disappointed me because the authors clearly failed to capture the narrative of the books and the voice of the characters. It felt like I was reading a fanfiction on wattpad, rather than an anthology published by Hodder books. Nevertheless, this gets a 3 stars rating because Narinder Dhami's story was executed perfectly and it made up for the disappointment of the rest of the book.
September 28, 2019
I just really love Malory towers and I loved sinking back into one of my favourite childhood series ❤️
December 4, 2024
3.5
Nothing beats the OG! I need to plan my re-read of the original series.
Nothing beats the OG! I need to plan my re-read of the original series.
October 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3-Star Review: New Class at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton (continued by Narinder Dhami)
As someone who’s always loved Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series, I was really excited (and a little nervous) to read New Class at Malory Towers. This continuation by Narinder Dhami tries to capture the charm, warmth, and boarding-school spirit of the original books — and while it succeeds in some places, it also falls short in others. Overall, it’s a decent read for nostalgic fans or younger readers discovering the series for the first time, but it doesn’t quite reach the same magical feeling that Blyton’s originals had.
The story introduces a new set of girls arriving at Malory Towers, each with their own quirks, ambitions, and insecurities. I liked how the author gave them modern personalities while still keeping that sense of teamwork, friendship, and school spirit that the original series was known for. There’s the hardworking one who feels she must always prove herself, the mischievous prankster, the shy girl trying to fit in, and of course, a few proud and dramatic types who add tension to the group. Their interactions felt believable and often fun, and some of their character development was handled quite nicely.
However, one of my main issues with the book is that it doesn’t fully capture the heart of the original Malory Towers. The pacing is uneven — some parts feel rushed, while others drag a little too long on small details. At times, the dialogue also feels too modern or forced, which slightly breaks the old-fashioned charm that Blyton’s writing had. I understand that this is meant to update the story for a new generation, but sometimes it feels like it’s trying too hard to be “relatable,” rather than naturally engaging.
On the bright side, Dhami clearly respects Blyton’s legacy. The setting — the cliffs, the sea views, the dormitories — is described vividly enough to make readers feel like they’re walking through Malory Towers again. There’s a nice mix of school fun, mystery, and moral lessons, just like the original stories. Themes of honesty, friendship, teamwork, and growing up responsibly are still at the center of the book, which I really appreciated.
That said, there are moments when the story feels a little predictable. The conflicts between the girls, the misunderstandings, and the eventual resolutions all follow a familiar formula, and I found myself guessing the outcomes quite early on. While that makes it comforting and easy to read, it also makes the story less exciting for older fans who might be hoping for something fresh or surprising.
I also wished the book spent a bit more time exploring the emotional side of the characters. There were a few heartfelt moments that stood out — especially when some of the girls learned valuable lessons about kindness or forgiveness — but I felt like these could have gone deeper. The ending wraps things up neatly, though maybe too neatly, without leaving much room for reflection.
In the end, New Class at Malory Towers is a pleasant, feel-good read, but it doesn’t quite reach the same classic status as the original books. It’s a good effort that will definitely entertain younger readers and those who love school stories, but longtime fans might find it a little underwhelming in terms of emotional depth and originality.
If I had to sum it up: it’s charming, nostalgic, and enjoyable enough for a lazy afternoon, but not unforgettable.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 out of 5)
A decent continuation that captures some of the old Malory Towers magic, but not all of it. Great for a new generation, but missing a bit of the old sparkle that made the originals so timeless.
As someone who’s always loved Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series, I was really excited (and a little nervous) to read New Class at Malory Towers. This continuation by Narinder Dhami tries to capture the charm, warmth, and boarding-school spirit of the original books — and while it succeeds in some places, it also falls short in others. Overall, it’s a decent read for nostalgic fans or younger readers discovering the series for the first time, but it doesn’t quite reach the same magical feeling that Blyton’s originals had.
The story introduces a new set of girls arriving at Malory Towers, each with their own quirks, ambitions, and insecurities. I liked how the author gave them modern personalities while still keeping that sense of teamwork, friendship, and school spirit that the original series was known for. There’s the hardworking one who feels she must always prove herself, the mischievous prankster, the shy girl trying to fit in, and of course, a few proud and dramatic types who add tension to the group. Their interactions felt believable and often fun, and some of their character development was handled quite nicely.
However, one of my main issues with the book is that it doesn’t fully capture the heart of the original Malory Towers. The pacing is uneven — some parts feel rushed, while others drag a little too long on small details. At times, the dialogue also feels too modern or forced, which slightly breaks the old-fashioned charm that Blyton’s writing had. I understand that this is meant to update the story for a new generation, but sometimes it feels like it’s trying too hard to be “relatable,” rather than naturally engaging.
On the bright side, Dhami clearly respects Blyton’s legacy. The setting — the cliffs, the sea views, the dormitories — is described vividly enough to make readers feel like they’re walking through Malory Towers again. There’s a nice mix of school fun, mystery, and moral lessons, just like the original stories. Themes of honesty, friendship, teamwork, and growing up responsibly are still at the center of the book, which I really appreciated.
That said, there are moments when the story feels a little predictable. The conflicts between the girls, the misunderstandings, and the eventual resolutions all follow a familiar formula, and I found myself guessing the outcomes quite early on. While that makes it comforting and easy to read, it also makes the story less exciting for older fans who might be hoping for something fresh or surprising.
I also wished the book spent a bit more time exploring the emotional side of the characters. There were a few heartfelt moments that stood out — especially when some of the girls learned valuable lessons about kindness or forgiveness — but I felt like these could have gone deeper. The ending wraps things up neatly, though maybe too neatly, without leaving much room for reflection.
In the end, New Class at Malory Towers is a pleasant, feel-good read, but it doesn’t quite reach the same classic status as the original books. It’s a good effort that will definitely entertain younger readers and those who love school stories, but longtime fans might find it a little underwhelming in terms of emotional depth and originality.
If I had to sum it up: it’s charming, nostalgic, and enjoyable enough for a lazy afternoon, but not unforgettable.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 out of 5)
A decent continuation that captures some of the old Malory Towers magic, but not all of it. Great for a new generation, but missing a bit of the old sparkle that made the originals so timeless.
July 11, 2019
'It's time to welcome new girls to Malory Towers, the famous boarding school by the sea, in four brand-new stories by outstanding authors, set in Enid Blyton's much-loved school.
YA and Waterstones Book Prize-winner Patrice Lawrence introduces us to proud Marietta with her magnificent head of braided hair. A dormitory argument reveals something unusual about Marietta, and something equally unexpected about Alicia.
In Guardian and Stylist columnist Lucy Mangan's story, student librarian Evelyn is wary of her lively, lacrosse-playing classmates. When one of them becomes a regular visitor to the hushed domain of the library, can Evelyn really trust her? Sunita Sharma joins Malory Towers surrounded by a sense of mystery, in Narinder Dhami's fabulous story. But is Sunita really as glamorous as Gwendoline imagines?
In Rebecca Westcott's heartwarming story, Darrell and friends fear the worst when spoilt Gwendoline's cousin joins the school. But Maggie is very different from her stuck-up relative . . .'
I absolutely loved this book.
I was a little worried going into this book. As a huge fan of Enid Blyton I didn't know how I would feeling having new authors write her amazing stories. As it turns out, I needn't have worried, they were perfect.
I loved all these new stories so much. I do have a favourite but that's only because it was about books. Each of the stories were fantastic and perfectly written.
I loved getting to catch up with my favourite characters and visit my favourite places in a fresh new way. The new characters in each story added a fun new layer to Enid Blyton's wonderful world.
I really enjoyed watching my favourite characters interact with these new characters and it was fantastic to see the new characters grow and fall in love with Malory Towers.
I am so glad that I read this book. I will be re reading it many times in the future.
Enid Blyton: New Class At Malory Towers is a must have for all Enid Blyton fans.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
YA and Waterstones Book Prize-winner Patrice Lawrence introduces us to proud Marietta with her magnificent head of braided hair. A dormitory argument reveals something unusual about Marietta, and something equally unexpected about Alicia.
In Guardian and Stylist columnist Lucy Mangan's story, student librarian Evelyn is wary of her lively, lacrosse-playing classmates. When one of them becomes a regular visitor to the hushed domain of the library, can Evelyn really trust her? Sunita Sharma joins Malory Towers surrounded by a sense of mystery, in Narinder Dhami's fabulous story. But is Sunita really as glamorous as Gwendoline imagines?
In Rebecca Westcott's heartwarming story, Darrell and friends fear the worst when spoilt Gwendoline's cousin joins the school. But Maggie is very different from her stuck-up relative . . .'
I absolutely loved this book.
I was a little worried going into this book. As a huge fan of Enid Blyton I didn't know how I would feeling having new authors write her amazing stories. As it turns out, I needn't have worried, they were perfect.
I loved all these new stories so much. I do have a favourite but that's only because it was about books. Each of the stories were fantastic and perfectly written.
I loved getting to catch up with my favourite characters and visit my favourite places in a fresh new way. The new characters in each story added a fun new layer to Enid Blyton's wonderful world.
I really enjoyed watching my favourite characters interact with these new characters and it was fantastic to see the new characters grow and fall in love with Malory Towers.
I am so glad that I read this book. I will be re reading it many times in the future.
Enid Blyton: New Class At Malory Towers is a must have for all Enid Blyton fans.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
July 10, 2019
A fascinating revisitation of Enid Blyton's boarding school series, these four short stories bring some much-needed (yet still period-accurate) diversity to Malory Towers. Some of the stories do a much better job than others of capturing the language and tone of the original books than others, and there were some missteps with the characters at times (Alicia was never quite as malicious as she's portrayed here, and I can't imagine stolid Sally Hope tearing up at a sad story!) but as a Malory Towers fan from childhood I found all of the stories entertaining and a pleasant addition to the series.
November 6, 2022
vier Autoren, vier Geschichten – und alle finden im vertrauten Umfeld von Malory Towers [Burg Möwenfels] statt. Einer so bekannten Reihe neue Geschichten hinzuzufügen ist ein Wagnis … Die ersten beiden (›A Bob and a Weave‹ und ›Bookworms‹) konnte ich auch weniger gut mit den bekannten verbinden, die anderen (›The Secret Princess‹ und ›The Show Must Go On‹) aber umso besser. Für mein Empfinden fügt sich ›The Secret Princess‹ am besten ein …
Nett in ›Bookworms‹ fand ich, wie Evelyn [nicht Gwendoline, die in der deutschen Ausgabe Evelyn heißt!] so ganz in ihrem Amt aufgeht und wahrscheinlich für jede eine passende Empfehlung hat (schade, dass Alicia noch keine bekam).
Nett in ›Bookworms‹ fand ich, wie Evelyn [nicht Gwendoline, die in der deutschen Ausgabe Evelyn heißt!] so ganz in ihrem Amt aufgeht und wahrscheinlich für jede eine passende Empfehlung hat (schade, dass Alicia noch keine bekam).
February 19, 2020
Loved this - back to Malory Towers - I lived there in my childhood; so fantastic to go back and meet those lovely characters again, plus some new ones. The stories are all fun - if you were a bookie girl like me you will particularly like the Lucy Mangan story of Evelyn schoolgirl librarian - ah .. such nostalgia
October 8, 2024
Lovely extra stories about favourite Malory Towers characters. After reading through the 6 extra books about Felicity's year group it's been a real joy to hear again about Darrell and Sally and Alicia and Gwendoline Mary as well as mentions of Irene, Jean and Emily. Plus, as always, the new girls do not disappoint! Thank you writers!
January 7, 2025
I actually liked the 3 first stories, but the fourth story missed the mark! It just came to close to the originals without fitting, having Gwen with a cousin there in the lower fourth that doesn’t exist in the originals just doesn’t make sense!
However, the other 3 stories were really very good! Bookworms was my favourite!
However, the other 3 stories were really very good! Bookworms was my favourite!
July 2, 2019
Four stories by modern writers, each with their distinctive takes on Blyton's recongasable Malory Towers. Enjoyable, fun and a great place to begin if you want discover these four authors as well as to re-read the originals to find out how it all began with Darrell.
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April 16, 2020Perfectly readable, but none of the stories really capture the feel of the original. I liked Sunita best of the new girls, though, and it's extremely enjoyable to read versions of the stories with the unthinking classism and racism removed.
May 26, 2020
Great snapshot portraits of Malory Towers
Four stories from four excellent authors capturing all the things Malory Towers is famous for. A must for all fans of the original EB series.
Four stories from four excellent authors capturing all the things Malory Towers is famous for. A must for all fans of the original EB series.
May 5, 2021
This book is awesome. It has 4 stories in this book and I loved each and every story. I would like to read stories like these. I learnt a lot of new words and now Enid Blyton is one of my famous authors!
December 31, 2023
This book is entertaining and enjoyable. It isn't written by Enid Blyton but by other authors who were inspired by her. It wasn't as good as the other Malory Towers books but it was still an enjoyable read!
June 27, 2019
They were a little bit "fan-fiction" y but not a bad attempt at the traditional Malory Towers books :-)
June 30, 2019
Great to revisit
Four wonderful stories which took me right back to my childhood. To meet those characters again was a real treat!
Four wonderful stories which took me right back to my childhood. To meet those characters again was a real treat!
March 28, 2020
Reading this book was like a meeting with childhood friends, and made me smile. The four authors have kept very much to the style of the original books, such a delight to read 😊
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