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bavariancowriot's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't find this book all that extraordinary. It was entertaining, but didn't have the depth of character development that I prefer. It's very action-focused, with each (short) chapter ending on some kind of cliffhanger or new development. I think this book would translate to an entertaining movie for kids, but not a lasting work in either written or movie format. It had a similar feel as the Artemis Fowl books (very action packed, minimal character development), so might be a good recommendation for an Artemis Fowl fan that's looking to get into longer books and new characters.
goddess_andraste's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a ride. Kept me guessing until the end. An awesome beginning to a great new series! Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!
lisatries's review against another edition
2.0
I also wanted to really like this book. The amount of violence (much of it described in graphic detail) experienced by these three children may make for a great action scene in a movie, but here merely seemed inappropriate and out-of-touch with the intended audience. I really wanted to give it one star.
kiwikathleen's review against another edition
2.0
I tried to like this book but basically found it too unsophisticated. It's like the author wanted to write a fantasy novel for kids in which they get drawn into an alternate world, but he couldn't be bothered putting the energy into creating a world with everything that a world needs, i.e. rules for how it operates, etc. etc., and so he decided to make it a combination of 3 adventure stories that some evil author had written.
The idea isn't new - going into a book - but it has been done much better. And what I particularly didn't like was the readiness the two companion fictional characters had in accepting that they were fictional. That was probably what made this book one that I couldn't recommend.
The idea isn't new - going into a book - but it has been done much better. And what I particularly didn't like was the readiness the two companion fictional characters had in accepting that they were fictional. That was probably what made this book one that I couldn't recommend.
casualcostumer's review against another edition
2.0
I was very disappointed by this book. I will not read any more in this series.
The concept was great, but it was very poorly executed. There were pointless characters, pointless events, and a lot just plain didn't make sense. There was no logic to this book. Yes, it's about magic, but magic needs to have its own established logic.
There were just too many holes in this story and too much that went unexplained for it to be good.
The concept was great, but it was very poorly executed. There were pointless characters, pointless events, and a lot just plain didn't make sense. There was no logic to this book. Yes, it's about magic, but magic needs to have its own established logic.
There were just too many holes in this story and too much that went unexplained for it to be good.
j_rowley's review against another edition
4.0
The Walkers have seen a lessening of fortune since "the incident." They seem to luck out when a house comes on the market in a chi-chi neighborhood with beautiful furnishings and at a reasonable price. Now the three kids, Cordelia, Brendan, and Eleanor find themselves in the Kristoff house built by a man who had some connection to their grandfather. Soon the three find themselves drawn into a world that they are ill prepared for.
Jumanji meets Land of Stories.
Jumanji meets Land of Stories.
rok's review against another edition
4.0
Despite the size of this book it did not take very long to read. I felt like it could have easily been brought down a hundred pages or so in size. The author focused very much on certain plot lines and characters while ignoring others. There was quiet a bit of scenery description and repetitiveness. A little can go a long way.
laweiteve's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The roller coaster plot!!
leon_irie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol