Reviews

The Cuckoo Tree by Joan Aiken

luisasm's review against another edition

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3.0

Pretty funny, but a little creepy. Also kind of strange.

minabix's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 Danger! Intrigue! Magic! Suspense! An elephant!

Everything you want in a book: strong characters, cool settings, neverending mysteries, crazy action, clever plot twists, and such a satisfying, surprisingly heartwarming ending.

It is a bit grim/slow at the start, with too many antagonists and too few allies - but in the second half the pace really picks up which makes up for it. Made me gasp and laugh out loud, and I loved how characters from Aiken's other books were woven in.

lian_tanner's review against another edition

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4.0

Joan Aiken is always good value, and her books about Dido Twite, with their alternative history of England, are wonderful romps. Dido is an unstoppable force, brave, imaginative and hilarious. In 'The Cuckoo Tree' she is as fierce as ever. I suspect that a lot of modern fictional heroines owe a lot to this feisty wee girl and her adventures.

lonelyfangirlirl's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

quietjenn's review against another edition

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4.0

dido has finally made it back to england, but on the way to london she and the captain suffer a carriage accident and have to put up at a strange, semi-neglected country estate while he recovers from a broken leg. naturally, hijinks, dastardly plots and melodramatic adventures ensue. love.

knit_purrrl's review against another edition

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adventurous

3.75

crowyhead's review against another edition

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5.0

The adventures of Dido Twite continue in this installment of the Wolves of Willhoughby Chase series. Dido is back on British soil, but a carriage accident strands her in the middle of nowhere. Now she must evade the clutches of two sinister witches and the evil Miles Mystery, while she attempts to deliver a message to the King and foil a heinous assassination attempt. Fortunately, she has assistance in the form of goodhearted smugglers, who are willing to leave off their business of smuggling perfume and corkscrews in order to save England.

bert10's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this one and thinking these books work best when Dido isn't abroad. The cast of characters was wonderful and the villains were once again really terrible, which leads to the best stories. This was a really fun one to read.

kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition

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4.0

Non-stop action and mystery! Wonderful characters and an intriguing plot! Excellent writing!

brushelsprouts's review against another edition

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5.0

Dido and Simon reunited, my ship before I even know how to ship....