I really didn't like the Ivy Green/Bertie/Hetty thing. Ivy Green was (I believe) in her 30's or something, meanwhile Bertie was 15-16 (same age as Hetty). But then again, that is how people in the Victorian Era may have acted. Same with Samson Ruby and Hetty. I greatly enjoyed this book, it is tied as my favorite with Emerald Star, but there are a few downsides to it Feel sad on two counts. 1) I’ve now finished the Hetty Feather series of 5 books, and 2) My 12 year old, who I was reading it with most nights at bedtime , says this is my last bedtime story 😭 I did think some bits were very nitty gritty on the topic of Victorian London. I really liked how when something bad were to happen to Hetty/Diamond, you will generally feel saddened and sympathetic. I really liked how Hetty seemed to do a full circle, from the circus, to the music hall, to her foster home and in the end, living with Harry when she joins Marina Royal. A brilliant end-of-series novel, the sort with just the right amount of tragedy, love, adventure and excitement. - The Guardian

My favourite character in this one (apart from Hetty!) was Miss Gibson. What a legend! I did think Hetty might end up settling with her and having a sewing career.Speaking of found family, I think the greatest charm of this series, apart from its interminable cast of colourful characters, is its emphasis on found family and how it can be so much more important than any blood ties. This is definitely one of the reasons why I adore the story of Hetty Feather. Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million! The characters are so developed throughout this entire series, and we really get to see Hetty evolve from a child into a young adult, and witness how she's constantly searching for direction. She's fierce, ambitious and driven. I love how her new profession, acting, inspired by Marina Royal falls in line with one of her greatest talents from the very first book - imagining. Becoming a completely different person. Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award. Set in London in the 1800s, Hetty Feather is just a small baby when her mother leaves her at the Foundling Hospital. The Hospital cares for abandoned children but first Hetty must go to live with a foster family in the countryside until she’s big enough to attend school. When she turns six years old, Hetty’s returned to the Hospital and is secretly reunited with her mother who’s working there. She’s given a beautiful new name, Sapphire Battersea, and she hopes this will also mean a new life! But things don't always go as planned and the books follow the twists and turns of Hetty's adventures including when she goes out to work as a maid for a wealthy man.

Life in the countryside is sometimes hard, but with her foster brothers, Jem and Gideon, Hetty helps in the fields and plays vivid imaginary games. Together they sneak off to visit the travelling circus, and Hetty is mesmerised by the show - especially the stunning Madame Adeline and her performing horses.I also found that Diamond got quite annoying in this book, I understand she is a child but she did get on my nerves a bit. I just love this entire series, I've read plenty of books, but this is by far one of my favourite series. Although it's aimed at children, I believe anyone can thoroughly enjoy it. Jacqueline Wilson will surprise and delight old fans and new with this utterly original historical novel.

Hetty is still the same person, but she is older and everything steps up a little. All of her little dreams seemed big when she was little, but now, given her circumstances in 'Little Stars' at the cavalcade and with acting, they seem so small compared with her dreams now. Being the Ringmaster at the circus in 'Diamond' was such a big and fantastic thing, but now looking at her being a professional actor it seems like her circus life was not professional and not proper. Now Hetty's life is real professional, despite her still being called a child. Jacqueline is also a great reader, and has amassed over 20,000 books, along with her famous collection of silver rings. My, this was an absolute journey! Indeed, it sort of feels as if years have passed since the beginning of this book, and even more so since the beginning of the series (which is actually absolutely true in-universe), and while I'm still my old self, it's almost as if I've changed along with Hetty and her rich gallery of friends and found family.Edie is fascinated by Victorian times, and she's just desperate to be cast in the lead role of her drama club production of Oliver. When she's given a real Victorian notebook she's determined to write the best story ever, all about a girl in a workhouse. But when she starts writing, something strange happens. Some good points is that the story overall was great, Hetty going and performing at a musical hall was not what I expected, especially with poor Diamond but that is what Jacqueline Wilson gave us and I am not disappointed, it even gave Hetty and Bertie time to catch up again and see their relationship bloom again like it did in the second book, I liked the idea of Hetty and Bertie in the end getting together and while the ending of little star's seem to hint that they do I would still love to see more of it. One story that I think did not get much attention this time is the story of Jem. His wedding was kinda swept under the rug and I would of loved to of seen more interaction between him and Hetty. It's obvious that he still has feelings for Hetty and did not want to get married, instead wanting to run away with Hetty, but Hetty forces him to get married which makes an unhappy story for Jem, which I find sad as I really saw them having a chance. But what I want most of all is for Bertie and Jem to meet.

Bertie seeks out to find Hetty as the role of Young David Copperfield. When she is giving autographs he simply says how he doesn't want Emerald Star, just simply Hetty Feather. He too also lost his job at the music hall, and he is going to move on to a new act, called the gappy chappy. I felt that Bertie was better for Hetty because he had the stardom life that Hetty wanted, but Jem had the country life she never showed any interest for. Starring a cast of wonderful characters, both old favourites and new, this is the fifth fabulous Hetty Feather story. Read more Details She befriended Ida, the kitchen maid, who slipped her extra treats during mealtimes, and was good at receiving sweets on Sundays, although they were frequently stolen from her by bigger girls. Ida noticed that Hetty was often bored, and gave her Cook's old Police Gazettes. Hetty would use the stories from them to scare the other girls. But Hetty is no longer a simple country girl, and begins to fear she'll never truly belong anywhere. And even when she is reunited with her beloved childhood sweetheart Jem, Hetty still longs for adventure - especially when an enchanting figure from her past makes an unexpected reappearance. Could a more exciting future lie ahead for Hetty? Hetty Feather has begun a new chapter in her life story. Escaping from Tanglefield’s Travelling Circus with her dearest friend Diamond, Hetty is determined to find them positions as glamorous music hall artistes.Now onto a bit of a sore subject, none other than the 'sainted Jem'... why, he seems to have grown in reverse between the first two instalments and the latter three. I mean, speaking of marrying your much younger foster sister when you're a young child yourself and have no real understanding of the difference between platonic and romantic is one thing, but to persist in that idea as an adult... I don't know, but it rubbed me the wrong way in book 3, and it did that much more so here, resulting in the 'sainted' Jem becoming a fallen angel in my books, a shattered ideal, much like he was to Hetty. But such things happen in real life, alas, they do, and this felt rather inevitable. I'm definitely glad there was a sort of closure to that bit.