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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Not my favorite Nesbit. The children aren't as individualized as the Bastables or the Five Children, and the plot is pretty aimless. I did enjoy the episode of the Ugly Wuglies.
Very, very English and of its time but I do love the way E.Nesbit narrates a story and the characters of the children are fantastic.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
It started off a little slow, but I still found the beginning to be very enjoyable. I got bored in the middle of the story, and wanted to stop reading, but I kept reading it in the hopes that it would get better.
I did like the part where the kids were trying to find the Ugly-Wuglies a place to stay and ended up at the Temple of Flora. I also liked the magic in the novel. It wasn’t very obvious, but it was mentioned. Plus, there were mentioned of greek gods and goddess, who have a role towards the end of the book.
I’d have to say that the beginning and the end were my favorite parts of the book, with the middle being the boring part of the book. However, it was an easy read, and I loved that ring was the source of the magic.
I give it a 3 out of 5.
I did like the part where the kids were trying to find the Ugly-Wuglies a place to stay and ended up at the Temple of Flora. I also liked the magic in the novel. It wasn’t very obvious, but it was mentioned. Plus, there were mentioned of greek gods and goddess, who have a role towards the end of the book.
I’d have to say that the beginning and the end were my favorite parts of the book, with the middle being the boring part of the book. However, it was an easy read, and I loved that ring was the source of the magic.
I give it a 3 out of 5.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars
Metaphorosis Reviews
There's nothing very surprising about the characters or plot here, but Nesbit has such a deft touch with characterization that you won't mind that. She's a little too enamored of Jerry, the eldest and leader, who's frankly a bit of a jerk. And the gender roles aren't any better than you might expect, with the girls tending toward supportive roles. But overall, the story is engaging and fun. There's a magic ring, and Nesbit ensures that everyone gets a turn with it. The children explore all the things they ought to, without any of the willful ignorance these stories sometimes rely on.
The explanation for it all, which comes clear at the end, is on the thin side, but the story is romantic enough that it's easy to let it slide. There's a romance, and everything comes out just right. Mostly, though, the charm of the story is in the viewpoint of the children and how they see the adults. Nesbit has just the right touch in making clear that she, the reader, and the children are all on the same side, and in bringing humor to the mundane situations we all face. All in all, an enjoyable story.
Metaphorosis Reviews
There's nothing very surprising about the characters or plot here, but Nesbit has such a deft touch with characterization that you won't mind that. She's a little too enamored of Jerry, the eldest and leader, who's frankly a bit of a jerk. And the gender roles aren't any better than you might expect, with the girls tending toward supportive roles. But overall, the story is engaging and fun. There's a magic ring, and Nesbit ensures that everyone gets a turn with it. The children explore all the things they ought to, without any of the willful ignorance these stories sometimes rely on.
The explanation for it all, which comes clear at the end, is on the thin side, but the story is romantic enough that it's easy to let it slide. There's a romance, and everything comes out just right. Mostly, though, the charm of the story is in the viewpoint of the children and how they see the adults. Nesbit has just the right touch in making clear that she, the reader, and the children are all on the same side, and in bringing humor to the mundane situations we all face. All in all, an enjoyable story.
Love the genre as always. Though I did find the gender-ed behavior got old fast; the challenge of reading turn of the century novels. They are some of childhood favorites ... though second to the childhood stories from between the wars.
I listened to the audiobook read by Johanna Ward.
This is another reliable children's fantasy by E. Nesbit, featuring her facetious wit which always surprises me, as if I assume people a hundred years ago didn't have a sense of humour. In places it is horribly dated but it is still an entertaining romp. She does recycle a couple of ideas from Five Children and It though. We get it, magic is a jerk.
This is another reliable children's fantasy by E. Nesbit, featuring her facetious wit which always surprises me, as if I assume people a hundred years ago didn't have a sense of humour. In places it is horribly dated but it is still an entertaining romp. She does recycle a couple of ideas from Five Children and It though. We get it, magic is a jerk.
The core idea is good, but there isn't enough development for the story, which makes it boring.