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A review by paperprivateer
The Extraordinary Curiosities of Ixworth and Maddox by J D Grolic
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
On one of her many days alone, Chloe wanders into a curiosities shop in London when she wasn't supposed to. She discovers that the shop's owners, Mr. Ixworth and Mr. Maddox, sell real magic. When Ixworth disappears, Chloe and Maddox get swept into a world of strange magic, kidnappings, and magic thefts to discover what happened to their friend.
This is the kind of book that I craved as a kid. Fun magical items, strange magical creatures and an almost found family aspect when discovering a magic world were all things I loved finding in books. However, as a grown-up, I couldn't stop thinking about how two middle-aged men were hanging out alone with and calling an eleven-year-old girl. Curse my adult sensibilities. Beyond that, the book was charming overall.
The characters in the book are one of the highlights. Chloe, Ixworth, and Maddox are a little different, but how they get along and understand each other is delightful. The curiosity shop is as whimsical and fun as the people who inhabit it. The descriptions make me feel like I could follow the general directions and find my way to the shop if I were visiting London.
The book lacks a little in terms of plot. There isn't a lot of tension, and there was so much foreshadowing in some parts that it felt like a drag to get to the part that was foreshadowed. The story picks up slowly. While it's fun to enjoy the whimsy of the magical situation, it was harder to get invested in the storyline. At the end, the darker elements didn't match up the rest of the book.
The book reminded me of books like Alice and Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with toned-down whimsy and danger. The characters reminded me of books like The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Chrestomanci series, although I wouldn't say this book has the same quality as any of the books I've listed. If you're wanting something with a similar feel, however, this might be worth picking up.
Overall, I thought it was a fun book that unfortunately fell a little short of being truly great, although it's an enjoyable read nonetheless. If you're looking for a cozy, magical read with a touch of humor and an interesting mystery, this book might be a good fit for you.
This is the kind of book that I craved as a kid. Fun magical items, strange magical creatures and an almost found family aspect when discovering a magic world were all things I loved finding in books. However, as a grown-up, I couldn't stop thinking about how two middle-aged men were hanging out alone with and calling an eleven-year-old girl. Curse my adult sensibilities. Beyond that, the book was charming overall.
The characters in the book are one of the highlights. Chloe, Ixworth, and Maddox are a little different, but how they get along and understand each other is delightful. The curiosity shop is as whimsical and fun as the people who inhabit it. The descriptions make me feel like I could follow the general directions and find my way to the shop if I were visiting London.
The book lacks a little in terms of plot. There isn't a lot of tension, and there was so much foreshadowing in some parts that it felt like a drag to get to the part that was foreshadowed. The story picks up slowly. While it's fun to enjoy the whimsy of the magical situation, it was harder to get invested in the storyline. At the end, the darker elements didn't match up the rest of the book.
The book reminded me of books like Alice and Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but with toned-down whimsy and danger. The characters reminded me of books like The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Chrestomanci series, although I wouldn't say this book has the same quality as any of the books I've listed. If you're wanting something with a similar feel, however, this might be worth picking up.
Overall, I thought it was a fun book that unfortunately fell a little short of being truly great, although it's an enjoyable read nonetheless. If you're looking for a cozy, magical read with a touch of humor and an interesting mystery, this book might be a good fit for you.