Young Ada Goth returns for her fourth (and final?) adventure in Goth Girl and the Sinister Symphony. Author Chris Riddell has given readers an amazing series, both in his writing and his beautiful art throughout each book, and it would truly be a sad thing to see this series come to an end. But, if this is the end, at least Riddell wraps it up nicely and gives Ada an unexpected surprise that she truly deserves.
From the first book in this series, Ada has been struggling to fit in, trying to garner the attention of her always-distracted father, and working hard to grow up without a mother. She has had to deal with a ghostly mouse, a crazed cook-off, and a ludicrous literary dog show - and now her father has opened the doors to Ghastly-Gorm Hall once again - this time, for a music festival! It's Gothstock, a festival of new music! Maltravers (who, Ada is sure, has his own agenda with this whole thing) is organizing the various musical talents to perform at the festival, and people from all over are on their way to camp out on the spacious Dear Deer Park (yes, that's what it is called, because it is where all the dear deer roam freely) to enjoy the festival. Ada isn't sure what to make of her father's latest project, but that becomes the least of her concerns when she gets two very unexpected surprises...
First, she finds a young fawn sleeping in her closet (he's used to sleeping in wardrobes - those who enjoy reading might figure out what reference Riddell is making here! And, of course, if that is not enough of a clue, how about the young lion cub named Alsatian and the old wardrobe left abandoned in a lonely part of the great Ghostly-Gorm mansion)...
Second, her grandmother, Lord Goth's mother, the one and only Lady Carole, has come for a visit, and she's brought with her three eligible young ladies who are vying for Lord Goth's attention - there's Mademoiselle Badoit; Miss Highland Spring; and Miss Malvern...
Ada and her friends (the Attic Club, including Emily, William, Ruby, Arthur, and Kingsley) aren't really sure what to make of the three potential partners for Ada's father. Quite frankly, Ada isn't too fond of any of them - so she and Emily come up with their own schemes to make them as unattractive as possible to her father. Thankfully, Lady Carole has brought her own seamstress - the ever-so-talented Tailor Extremely-Swift (yes, yes, the pun is very blunt with this one) - who quickly becomes friends with Ada.
The mystery pretty much plays second-fiddle (no pun intended there) to the outlandish characters - from the various musicians to the silly attendees; Riddell pulls out all of the stops to ensure that the reader giggles, smile, groans, rolls his/her eyes, and outright laughs at the names, descriptions, and antics of these characters. Riddell even pokes a bit of fun at our POTUS, with the orange-faced guest by the name of Donald Ear-Trumpet, whose hair looks like a raccoon-skin hat and who has the tiniest of hands! No one and nothing is off-limits to Riddell's humorous takes on literary, musical, and otherwise famous (and infamous!) people, so if you love to read at all, you will find the Goth Girl series to definitely be to your liking.
The novel ends in the most wondrous way, and fans of Ada Goth will be more than pleased with her change in circumstances. (The ending also pretty much confirms the conclusion of the series, sadly, but I would much prefer for Riddell to wrap up the series than to try and force out more stories when he doesn't really have any more to tell...). It's been a fun run, and to Riddell, I give the highest praise for a series well-done!
RATING: 10 dinner served by The Frying Scotsman out of 10 for good, clean, fun reading that brings a true smile to your face!
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