Curse of the Arctic Star

Nancy Drew Diaries, Book 1

By: Carolyn Keene

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie

Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Dear Diary...Bess, George, and I are actually in Alaska! Everywhere you look, there are massive mountains and sparkling, deep-blue waters. We're on the maiden voyage of the Arctic Star luxury cruise ship, and my old friend, Becca Wright, the assistant cruise director, needs our help. She received threatening emails before even setting sail; then a bloody body turned up in the swimming pool. And when a chandelier came crashing down in the dining room, we thought the Arctic Star may be cursed! There are so many passengers onboard, I don't know where to begin. But I'd better hurry; if I don't act fast, this might be everyone's final - and fatal - voyage!

©2015 Aladdin (P)2015 Oasis Audio

Please read my review (very helpful)

Well,I’d like to start off with the best part about this review! I think that Jorjeana Marie does an extremely awesome job narrating this book. I am not going to give you any spoilers on this book because I want you to enjoy this book as much as I did when I didn’t know what to expect. Also you should probably try the sample first though because you might not agree with what I like so agree to disagree and i hope you have a very nice day ( because really it’s day all the time just part of the day is spent in the dark and sleeping) your welcome for the fact bye!

Best ever

I love the story and the narrator roles read this book it. Is a little twis on nancy Drew abut love it

Curse of the Arctic Star

Introduction:
Greetings, fellow readers of frosty tales! I, Kiba Snowpaw, your furry ice wolf, am here to recount my thoughts on "The Nancy Drew Diaries #1: Curse of the Arctic Star" by Carolyn Keene. Join me on this thrilling literary adventure as we sail through the icy waters of this modern Nancy Drew series.

Basic Plot Summary:
Our story kicks off with the spunky teenage detective, Nancy Drew, along with her trusty pals Bess and George, embarking on a cruise to Alaska on the luxurious Arctic Star. The catch? They've been secretly invited by Becca Wright, the Assistant Cruise Director and an old friend of Nancy's. Becca suspects that someone is out to tarnish the reputation of Superstar Cruises, and our young sleuths are on the case!

As the cruise sets sail, a series of strange incidents unfold. The ship's swimming pool turns into an unexpected watery grave, a famous passenger feels threatened, and even the mini-golf course becomes a hazardous playground. With the scenic Alaskan backdrop, our trio must unravel this chilling mystery, all while the dangers loom large.

Characters:
-Nancy Drew: The brainy and brave detective with a penchant for solving mysteries. She's as resourceful as ever but exhibits a touch of impatience.
-Bess Marvin: Nancy's sophisticated and well-dressed friend, showing more maturity and style than before.
-George Fayne: The tomboyish and uncouth member of the trio, whose character seems a bit less focused.
-Becca Wright: The Assistant Cruise Director, a friend of Nancy's, and the key to this mystery.
-Alan: Bess's boyfriend, along for the cruise and potential suspect.

Structure:
"The Curse of the Arctic Star" is the first entry in the Nancy Drew Diaries series. It uses first-person narration, which, while modern, differs from the original Nancy Drew mysteries. The story unfolds with chapters and diary entries, though it's not truly epistolary in nature. The plot execution is somewhat mediocre, with potential clues scattered haphazardly.

Impact:
This modern adaptation incorporates contemporary language and technology, making it relatable for readers in the 21st century. However, some elements don't quite capture the essence of the original Nancy Drew tales.

Hook and Thesis:
While the premise of a cruise ship mystery is intriguing, the book falls short in terms of engaging storytelling and character development. The plot is muddled by an abundance of suspects and random clues.

Praise and Critique:
The book's execution doesn't match the charm of the classic Nancy Drew mysteries. The mystery resolution is abrupt, and readers might feel unsatisfied. Character portrayals have been altered, and the camaraderie among the trio seems less genuine. However, the incorporation of modern technology and lingo may appeal to newer generations of readers.

Evaluation:
As a seasoned gamer and adventurer, I appreciate a good mystery, and while "The Curse of the Arctic Star" has potential, it fails to fully capture the magic of Nancy Drew's earlier adventures. It's a suitable read for younger audiences, but Nancy's character seems less remarkable in this adaptation.

Comparison:
In comparison to the original Nancy Drew mysteries, this modern take falls short in terms of plot execution, character development, and the essence of a true mystery adventure.

Conclusion:
"The Nancy Drew Diaries #1: Curse of the Arctic Star" is a chilly, but not quite thrilling, mystery adventure. While it may appeal to new readers, longtime fans of Nancy Drew may find themselves longing for the classic tales of sleuthing and suspense. For those seeking a quick and light read, this may suffice, but for a more immersive and nostalgic experience, one might want to revisit the original Nancy Drew mysteries. Happy reading, fellow adventurers!

What a wonderful book

This book made my childhood and is what got me hooked on the Nancy drew books I am rereading this series and the books are even better than I remembered 😁😁😁

Trip down memory lane

There will never be a recreation of the excitement of opening the cover of a new Nancy novel when I was a girl. I was drawn to this series, and was not disappointed. Granted, it is not the 1928 version, but was a pleasing introduction of this much loved character in 2024.

Pretty Good

This was a pretty good story, but I was disappointed when it ended in a bit of a cliffhanger. Nancy uncovers the truth in one mystery, but there’s another to be solved. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to listen to the next one.

The narrator did an excellent job.

Very interesting

I liked this book because of Nancy had to answer a lot of puzzling questions.

Curse of theArctic Star

Great
I loved this book and couldn’t put my phone down it was so great!

good

it was a great audio book. good author and narrator. greatest story ever! Read or listen this book

Too expensive for a 3 hr book

My 9 yr old daughter loved this book and is already begging me to get the next one. However, I didn't love the narration. Nancy sounds a bit like she has a stuffy nose for the whole book. Its also way too expensive for a 3 hr kids book. I'd keep buying them if they price was closer to $7 or 8 rather than $11. I guess she'll have to wait for my turn to check it out using my free library app.