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vickylovesreading's review
5.0
The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith intrigued me right from the beginning and quickly launched into a world filled with ‘strange energy’ (a concept I want to know more about). The magical and scientific explanations created a fantastic world and concept that is sure to hook any reader. I read this book in one sitting as I am sure many others will, furiously wanting to know more and get to the end.
The story was fast paced and kept you wanting more throughout. I particularly enjoyed the riddles and it was fun to try and think how they might be solved. The characters were likeable and Kip’s plight throughout kept me engaged in the story. I just really hope there’ll be another story in this world!
The story was fast paced and kept you wanting more throughout. I particularly enjoyed the riddles and it was fun to try and think how they might be solved. The characters were likeable and Kip’s plight throughout kept me engaged in the story. I just really hope there’ll be another story in this world!
booksandlemonsquash's review
3.0
I received this from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sort of book that I was genuinely thrilled about. It’s a fantasy, but it’s also a mystery, and it sounded really cute. The idea is just great. Sadly, for me, the execution was a little obvious and tropey. Still a great read but not quite what I hoped for. Though super bonus points for having the fantasy be sort of sciencey and really encouraging that way of thinking!
Kip is really unhappy with life when we meet him, he’s had to move and has no friends and a stereotypically awful new school. So much so I got vague Matilda vibes (not that that’s a bad thing, mind). The riddles and mystery of getting to the school was really fun, and once there his life is luckily much happier!
Kip’s friends are good fun, though amused by how easily Leela and Timmi fold in given the apparent age difference. I kept forgetting they were so much older. The way the lessons work is a nice way of letting us see into the world and how things work, without showing us everything. I’d have loved a little more detail, but that’s because I’m a giant nerd and found the concept really fascinating.
Eartha’s riddles were definitely the high point for me - they were complex and well thought out while not being totally improbable that two first year newbies would solve them before adults.
However there were things I found very obvious - the bullies and bad guy elements didn’t surprise me at all.
I’m definitely intrigued by the rest of kip’s storyline though - I’m dying to know more in fact! Part of the reason I’ll be picking up book two for sure. This is a fun series with real potential. 3.5 stars.
This is the sort of book that I was genuinely thrilled about. It’s a fantasy, but it’s also a mystery, and it sounded really cute. The idea is just great. Sadly, for me, the execution was a little obvious and tropey. Still a great read but not quite what I hoped for. Though super bonus points for having the fantasy be sort of sciencey and really encouraging that way of thinking!
Kip is really unhappy with life when we meet him, he’s had to move and has no friends and a stereotypically awful new school. So much so I got vague Matilda vibes (not that that’s a bad thing, mind). The riddles and mystery of getting to the school was really fun, and once there his life is luckily much happier!
Kip’s friends are good fun, though amused by how easily Leela and Timmi fold in given the apparent age difference. I kept forgetting they were so much older. The way the lessons work is a nice way of letting us see into the world and how things work, without showing us everything. I’d have loved a little more detail, but that’s because I’m a giant nerd and found the concept really fascinating.
Eartha’s riddles were definitely the high point for me - they were complex and well thought out while not being totally improbable that two first year newbies would solve them before adults.
However there were things I found very obvious - the bullies and bad guy elements didn’t surprise me at all.
I’m definitely intrigued by the rest of kip’s storyline though - I’m dying to know more in fact! Part of the reason I’ll be picking up book two for sure. This is a fun series with real potential. 3.5 stars.
chloegwen16's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
imogen2012's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
helentheresa's review
4.0
Although it took me a while to get into the book, I enjoyed The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith, which provided a happy escape. This is a sci-fi adventure filled with riddles as Kip learns to navigate the new world around him at Quicksmiths. I enjoyed learning about Kip's backstory and his personal motivations behind his decision while also seeing his interactions in an unfamiliar setting.
makexbelieve's review
4.0
Packed full of action, amazing world building and plenty of puzzles, The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is a fun, magical story which children will love. Here are three reasons you should be buying it as a back-to-school gift.
1. The world building is complex and detailed. Full of fun facts and jokes, the world of Quicksmith academy is one all children will want to visit. It's a school full of endlessly fascinating new discoveries where curiosity and inventiveness are championed. There is so much to get your head around and I really hope there is more to come.
2. Kip and his friends all have different strengths and each is vital to their eventual success. Their accomplishments are a team effort, and its nice to see everyone's differences and individual talents celebrated. Quicksmiths is a place where everyone is special in their own way. Kip's backstory is also extremely touching, and a real driving force throughout the novel.
3. As the title suggests, The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is full of tension, excitement and puzzles. The riddles helped keep tension and stakes high and made me desperate to keep reading once they started. The pace of this story definitely picks up once the first riddle appears and it was during the hunt for clues that this novel really shone.
1. The world building is complex and detailed. Full of fun facts and jokes, the world of Quicksmith academy is one all children will want to visit. It's a school full of endlessly fascinating new discoveries where curiosity and inventiveness are championed. There is so much to get your head around and I really hope there is more to come.
2. Kip and his friends all have different strengths and each is vital to their eventual success. Their accomplishments are a team effort, and its nice to see everyone's differences and individual talents celebrated. Quicksmiths is a place where everyone is special in their own way. Kip's backstory is also extremely touching, and a real driving force throughout the novel.
3. As the title suggests, The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith is full of tension, excitement and puzzles. The riddles helped keep tension and stakes high and made me desperate to keep reading once they started. The pace of this story definitely picks up once the first riddle appears and it was during the hunt for clues that this novel really shone.
gherbud's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sarah5's review
3.0
I liked the puzzle / riddle aspect to this novel and I would definitely recommend it to my students to read. For me, personally, it was a little overloaded with characters and I would have preferred some more character development, particularly with the main character’s family.
Overall a great read though.
Thanks for NetGalley for this copy to review.
Overall a great read though.
Thanks for NetGalley for this copy to review.
saccalai's review against another edition
4.0
There is so much to love about Quicksmiths, it's like a whole other magical world. I would love to see the Large Hadron Kaleidoscope, Phantasm fields and Wormhole generators and most of all I want to visit the library! Kip's pet Pinky is so cute, watching over him at night to protect him. It's exciting to follow the clues and riddles as you read the book and get involved in the story.
Re-read the audiobook version and really enjoyed it, it gave new layers to the characters.
Re-read the audiobook version and really enjoyed it, it gave new layers to the characters.