mjenae's reviews
246 reviews

I already knew the story, and many retellings, but I don't know if I've ever actually read the original. It's funnier than I expected—little dry witicisms scattered throughout. Oh, and the narrator for this edition is perfect. Deep British accents are always good for a mysterious atmosphere.

A great depiction of both autism and OCD (although stronger on the autism aspect). I love the way Charlie doesn't just stay wrapped up in his comfortable box but risks experiences that to him are terrifying—and how each step helps him grow stronger. I'd reccomend this book just for the character development. There's a lot to learn, in every scene and chapter.

It was fun. When I was in the mood for it, I could hardly put it down. Full of adventure and tension and intrigue.
But the characters were largely the same. Dex, Keefe, and Elwin were about the only ones who had distinct personalities. Even the MC, Sophie, had nothing to hold her apart other than her origin story, her abilities, and her fear of doctors. Elves, of course, are all flawlessly beautiful—unless they eat ruckleberries—so they don't have many physical distinctions, either. It was all just a little too cliche and perfect for me.
One thing I LOVED (and I wish the author would focus more on this) was the whole fairytale setting. Gnomes working in the gardens, an underwater Atlantis, mystical creatures and the people who care for them (we love you, Grady). It took me back to my Pixie Hollow days, made me feel cozy and remembered.

TL;DR: I would've preferred more focus on the characters and their inner lives, as I think they would be very interesting if the author had actually taken the time to flesh them out. Might read the rest of the series, if just because they're a fun mind-recess.

Great fun. There's something refreshing about bluntly honest satire, even if it's not best quality reading. Makes me laugh every time.

I will continuously make excuses and exceptions for this man's work because he hits the spot every single time and I have rarely if ever walked away disappointed.
Some of the reasons this book might be my new favorite of Mr. Martin's:
The "rag-tag band of strangers brought together by circumstances" trope (and fabulous strangers, at that, especially Bones and Ellie and Gunner). Oceans and rivers and waterways—most of the book takes place on and around boats. A dog. An orphan. Mysteries, high-speed chases, plot twists. Suspense that kept me up til 2:00 two nights in a row. Emotional tension. Anger, love, grief, death-defying bravery. The signature "tie-it-up-neatly-with-a-bow" conclusion.

Charles Martin isn't right for everyone, and I can see the reasons right there on the page, but I brush them away every time because it doesn't matter—the stories enthrall me. You know when you love someone enough that even their noticeable flaws can't make you upset? That's how reading these books feels.
I'm so glad this is part of a series. I'm reading the next book ASAP.

Excellent. I think this book should have a lot more hype around it than it does, although I suppose the time in which it would've done the most good is already past and gone. Very important topic, and addressed with a skillful hand.
I love love Trip and Dee, and even Trip's friends are pretty great. The majority of the adults made me quite angry, and because of that, Trip's parents made me nearly giddy with happiness. I am so extremely proud of him and his family, and how they didn't just settle for how things were and ignore the flaws in their culture just like everyone else was. Sometimes it takes a little kid to unveil the misconceptions of a whole town. And this kid did a fabulous job of it.

[*grins from ear to ear]
Such a diversity of characters and experiences in one small book. Always something new. I could hardly put the book down. I especially loved Soman Chainani's "Flying Lessons." Like, "re-reading the last page and staring into space in wonderment" loved it. I'll have to check out more of his work.
Definitely reccomend for a quick read (with an abundance of great lessons) if you like middle grade.

Things I loved:

1. The setting/atmosphere. I picked this book up at just the right time—it was a great entrance into fall. Rainy days, murder mysteries, haunted mansions, forest trails, developing photos in a darkroom, late-night dance parties lit by candles and paper lanterns. It's one of the most fallish middle grade books I've read to date.
2. Mo. Not for relatability, but for originality. She's so quick-witted and brave and unabashedly herself. I'm impressed by the way the author is able to make even the prose ring with Mo's voice. The style is definitely my favorite thing about this series as a whole so far.
3. The café. I love the whole trope of "one restaurant in a small town where all the locals gather for biscuits and gossip." (That can be a trope, can't it?) And of course, I love the Colonel and Miss Lana and Grandmother Miss Lacy. All the conversations while Mo was serving and taking orders were my favorites.
4. Nellie Blake. So, obviously I don't believe this whole ghost thing could happen just as they describe it in the book, but she was a character all to herself and I liked that. And the whole "interview with a ghost" plot was loads of fun. I stayed up late reading this book in the dark a couple times and it was perfect.
5. Harm Crenshaw. He was the "new boy in town," but not in the way you'd naturally assume. I can't really say much about him without spoiling the book, but I just really liked his character and the parts he played in every aspect of the plot.

The final dance with Nellie was actually kind of touching, not gonna lie.

Ms. Stowe is the newest of my heros.

Would I reccomend it? No. I think it's too unrealistic.
But I like how Green made a point of how messy and desperate and unromantic death is. "Funerals are for the living," Hazel says. The things we say about death are more for ourselves than for the dying. I like that the author managed to be so honest and yet not unkindly so.
And I liked Isaac. He's pretty cool.

(The impact the book had on me might also be affected by the fact that I had the ending spoiled for me before I picked it up, so there was no surprise element.)