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the_dragon_starback's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent sequel! I loved the character development, the many middle of the night escapades and the growing friendship between the three kids. And I most heartily approve of the librarian, robot, and disguises. Aunt Esther is the BEST!
The Jurassic Park thing in the middle there is a bit weird, and that new character there is a bit . . . impossible? Actually, the last 50 pages or so were all pretty much impossible. So I would recommend going into this one with an open mind, and if you get really confused just turn off the logical side of your brain until the book is done. You'll be okay. And if you are a mother, keep a REALLY open mind. Just saying.
In the end, though, this was just fantastic. I really appreciate how Laura Ruby can combine an edge-of-your-seat mystery adventure with a breathtaking world and crazy, real characters who ask tough questions and deal with actual problems and are coming awake to the world in which they live.
Another favourite aspect of The Clockwork Ghost is the writing. It is clever, funny, insightful. It brings this whole world to life.
I have many (many, many) questions after this book, but this is the biggest: how in any world is Laura Ruby going to wrap this up in one more book?
Some favourite quotes:
'"I see you and your cynical eyeballs, Theodore," Aunt Esther said, plunking a glass of lemonade in front of him. "They're going to get stuck that way."' (Like I said, Aunt Esther is the BEST)
'She smelled of something sweet, like jam, and also something woody, like oak. As if she had been cooking up a batch of marmalade while carving wands for wizards.'
'Every kid knew not to ask an adult any questions until that adult had had at least one cup of coffee.'
The Jurassic Park thing in the middle there is a bit weird, and that new character there is a bit . . . impossible? Actually, the last 50 pages or so were all pretty much impossible. So I would recommend going into this one with an open mind, and if you get really confused just turn off the logical side of your brain until the book is done. You'll be okay. And if you are a mother, keep a REALLY open mind. Just saying.
In the end, though, this was just fantastic. I really appreciate how Laura Ruby can combine an edge-of-your-seat mystery adventure with a breathtaking world and crazy, real characters who ask tough questions and deal with actual problems and are coming awake to the world in which they live.
Another favourite aspect of The Clockwork Ghost is the writing. It is clever, funny, insightful. It brings this whole world to life.
I have many (many, many) questions after this book, but this is the biggest: how in any world is Laura Ruby going to wrap this up in one more book?
Some favourite quotes:
'"I see you and your cynical eyeballs, Theodore," Aunt Esther said, plunking a glass of lemonade in front of him. "They're going to get stuck that way."' (Like I said, Aunt Esther is the BEST)
'She smelled of something sweet, like jam, and also something woody, like oak. As if she had been cooking up a batch of marmalade while carving wands for wizards.'
'Every kid knew not to ask an adult any questions until that adult had had at least one cup of coffee.'
ohhellored's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cheyenneb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heather62's review against another edition
2.0
Unlike the first book which I found whimsical and fun this book was doom and gloom. This book also had more questions than answers. I very much dislike when a second book in a series does not stand alone. The first book was great so this was a let down. Nonetheless I'm going to immediately read the third.
katiespina's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, but the ending felt a little like the author wrote herself into a corner rather than this was the plan at the start of book one.
pammi's review against another edition
4.0
Just great!
I read this with my daughter, we really enjoyed working out the codes together and learning more about code breaking!
I read this with my daughter, we really enjoyed working out the codes together and learning more about code breaking!
goldenbeebookshop's review against another edition
4.0
Another wonderfully charming and engaging chapter in the York saga. For every bit of whimsy I adored there was a also a new mystery a new and complex piece of the puzzle.
I loved the giggling mechanical spiders, the characters with sharp minds and mysterious pasts, the strange animals. I loved that amongst the delightfully fictional that there are real, truly important ideas, like reminding readers that the NYC police were created for rich white people, and that the world often wants to make people who are different or people of color feel smaller. And sometimes the evil men of the world get their comeuppance.
As an adult in her thirties I am so delighted by this world that I can only imagine what a treat it must be for younger readers as well.
I was already looking forward to the third book, but after that shocking ending, I can't pick it up fast enough.
I loved the giggling mechanical spiders, the characters with sharp minds and mysterious pasts, the strange animals. I loved that amongst the delightfully fictional that there are real, truly important ideas, like reminding readers that the NYC police were created for rich white people, and that the world often wants to make people who are different or people of color feel smaller. And sometimes the evil men of the world get their comeuppance.
As an adult in her thirties I am so delighted by this world that I can only imagine what a treat it must be for younger readers as well.
I was already looking forward to the third book, but after that shocking ending, I can't pick it up fast enough.
jmross10's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cchu1215's review against another edition
4.0
I inhaled this book. A great follow up to the first, and I loved the deeper character developments and finding more clues and the cliffhanger ending. I hope book 3 comes out soon. Thank you Ms. Ruby for your love of New York City and of its long history.
always_reading_a_novel's review against another edition
5.0
Great
This book was great! Like the first book it ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am looking forward to reading the final book so I can get answers!
This book was great! Like the first book it ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am looking forward to reading the final book so I can get answers!