Contains Spoilers For 13 Little Blue Envelopes
Book Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
The Last Little Blue Envelope
In this hilarious follow up to 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Maureen Johnson finally lets her readers know what is contained in The Last Little Blue Envelope to Ginny Blackstone from her dead Aunt Peg. Hilarity, Harry Potter, Dr. Who, and an epic trip around bits of Western Europe ensue.
As you may recall, in 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the last blue envelope was stolen from Ginny in Greece at the end of the book, so we never do find out what exactly is in that envelope. By strange quirk of fate, Ginny receives an email from someone saying they have the 13th envelope. Owing to a developing sense of adventure, Ginny flies back to England to collect the envelope and finish the epic quest Aunt Peg has put her on. Of course, not all is sunny in England and Keith isn’t quite as faithful as we would wish him to be what with a new girlfriend and all. Also, the guy with the letter? He wants cashmoney for the letter, also his name is Oliver and he is tall.
I very much enjoyed this new journey with Ginny. Johnson’s writing retains a certain charm, even though the subjects are not always easy. It’s not easy facing your first heartbreak, it’s not easy losing a loved one, and it’s not easy finding yourself. What I like is that though these situations kind of suck, the book isn’t a depress-fest. Instead, Johnson’s characteristic quirkiness is brought to the table and while Ginny is discovering truths about herself, one can’t help but smile.
My one main criticism of The Last Little Blue Envelope is that I felt Keith made an aboutface from 13 Little Blue Envelopes. He, in my opinion, does Ginny wrong. He treats Oliver, the other male lead, terribly. I was so irritated at this and the fact that Ginny just stands there. While I understand Oliver isn’t the most upstanding citizen, it is no excuse to sink to his level. It just seemed to me that the characteristics I liked about Keith disappeared.
I thought The Last Little Blue Envelope was a pleasant way to pass the time, but didn’t inspire insane capslocking or anything from me. However, it’s a worthy follow-up to it’s predecessor and I do recommend it to Maureen Johnson fans and for those of us with a bit of wanderlust in our blood.
Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley.
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April (Books&Wine) – who has written 1074 posts on Good Books And Good Wine.
April is 24 years old. She is an educator. In her free time she can be found reading, working out, or eating junk food. She often wears her sunglasses at night.
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Yes! Keith — WTHeck, man? He was a huge bully and Ginny just let him be mean like that. Of course, Oliver WAS a jerk but still. Thanks for the review!
Mary @ Book Swarm
I really liked 13 Little Blue Envelopes but I have heard this one isn’t as good. It is too bad that Keith has a complete change of character. I will still probably read this anyway. Even with the flaws I will probably enjoy reading about Ginny’s travels. Thanks for your review!
reading this now.
I totally agree! Keith was just…ugh. Mostly it was because how he kept on flirting with Ginny while he had a girlfriend. But overall, it was an ‘okay’ book. And I found the whole book kind of empty, like the crew just went to three places(which they did) and collected sandwiches( Actually, art…) along the way. It was definitely lacking something, but again, it was an okay something to pass the time
I totally agree about the Keith part! I adored him in the first book, I found him adorable, funny, charming, and a bit quirky. But in the second book he just, was kind of a jerk. I wanted Ginny to end up with him SO badly, so I wish he hadn’t been written so terribly in the second book. :/
I think it’s funny that you thought Keith did an about face. I reread 13 Little Blue Envelopes before reading The Last Little Blue Envelope and was struck by how little Keith and Ginny seemed to have a relationship in the first book. Like…he never really seemed to care about her. I can’t give examples because it’s been too long now, but I specifically remember when reading that I felt like Johnson had set it up perfectly.
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