Scan barcode
callmecat's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook of this on overdrive and it was called Rebel Fire not Red Leech O_o
heather4994's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't read the first in this series, Death Cloud, but except for a few minor references to it, I don't think it hampered my understanding of this novel in any way. Sherlock is just learning to questions and observe, learning from his American teacher, Amyus Crowe, a sometimes agent for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Amyus can make a lesson out of anything, even getting beat up and shot! He's kind of a loud brash American. He and his daughter Virginia are comfortable with Sherlock, but what Amyus' true purpose is, I don't know. It may have been addressed in Death Cloud. But he is definitely an agent working for the government.
Through some accidental circumstances, Sherlock finds himself in the hands of some nefarious characters and just barely escapes with his life at the quick thinking of his friend Matty. Now, I know the character of the adult Sherlock, and I'm guessing Andrew Lane is planting the seeds of that character in this novel, but Sherlock has men with guns after him, and he stops on the stairs to look at Matty's handiwork and how he tripped the man chasing him with the gun. I would think as smart as Sherlock is, he'd get out of there. But then the adult version of Sherlock is known to be cryptic and somewhat exasperating. This Sherlock proves to be at times. The pages upon pages of observation about the workings of the steam engine of the ship was something I completely skipped. I couldn't picture it in my mind and to me it added nothing to the story. But again, this is the kind of information Sherlock would store away for future use. The story carries Sherlock, Amyus and Virginia Crowe to America aboard a ship. They are after Matty who has been kidnapped. Sherlock is often reckless in trying to help and I'm guessing is learning his lessons at this young age so that he is a more rational man in his older age.
I liked Amyus Crowe and Virginia, they were both very open and friendly. The English characters were stiff (as I believe the author meant them to seem) but Sherlock was more open than them. He's brilliant, even at this age. And brave. He doesn't have the best of living situations and he's desperate to hang on to his friends, Virginia and Matty. The story moved slowly in the Sherlock observation stages and then picked right back up because he was usually in mortal peril while he was making these observations. That was annoying. But again, that's Sherlock Holmes. In all, I really enjoyed the story and think this is definitely a great novel for young adult readers. If you enjoy mysteries, on a grand scale, history- this one dealt with the Civil War, and/or Sherlock Holmes, you'll really enjoy this one. I don't think I'd call this a boy book. I'd call it a Sherlock Holmes book and you can't really classify those for one gender or another. They are classics and this one is too. I can't wait to read the next one!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux through NetGalley. This in no way influenced my review of the novel.
Heather
Also, there is a very detailed list of sources the author used for his information in the book at the end which some of you may find interesting. It's clear that Andrew Lane takes building young Sherlock's character into the one Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote, seriously.
Through some accidental circumstances, Sherlock finds himself in the hands of some nefarious characters and just barely escapes with his life at the quick thinking of his friend Matty. Now, I know the character of the adult Sherlock, and I'm guessing Andrew Lane is planting the seeds of that character in this novel, but Sherlock has men with guns after him, and he stops on the stairs to look at Matty's handiwork and how he tripped the man chasing him with the gun. I would think as smart as Sherlock is, he'd get out of there. But then the adult version of Sherlock is known to be cryptic and somewhat exasperating. This Sherlock proves to be at times. The pages upon pages of observation about the workings of the steam engine of the ship was something I completely skipped. I couldn't picture it in my mind and to me it added nothing to the story. But again, this is the kind of information Sherlock would store away for future use. The story carries Sherlock, Amyus and Virginia Crowe to America aboard a ship. They are after Matty who has been kidnapped. Sherlock is often reckless in trying to help and I'm guessing is learning his lessons at this young age so that he is a more rational man in his older age.
I liked Amyus Crowe and Virginia, they were both very open and friendly. The English characters were stiff (as I believe the author meant them to seem) but Sherlock was more open than them. He's brilliant, even at this age. And brave. He doesn't have the best of living situations and he's desperate to hang on to his friends, Virginia and Matty. The story moved slowly in the Sherlock observation stages and then picked right back up because he was usually in mortal peril while he was making these observations. That was annoying. But again, that's Sherlock Holmes. In all, I really enjoyed the story and think this is definitely a great novel for young adult readers. If you enjoy mysteries, on a grand scale, history- this one dealt with the Civil War, and/or Sherlock Holmes, you'll really enjoy this one. I don't think I'd call this a boy book. I'd call it a Sherlock Holmes book and you can't really classify those for one gender or another. They are classics and this one is too. I can't wait to read the next one!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux through NetGalley. This in no way influenced my review of the novel.
Heather
Also, there is a very detailed list of sources the author used for his information in the book at the end which some of you may find interesting. It's clear that Andrew Lane takes building young Sherlock's character into the one Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote, seriously.
hoosgracie's review against another edition
4.0
Sherlock and friends head for the US to save Matty who has been kidnapped. A thoroughly enjoyable adventure. I like how the author shows where Sherlock learned his skills (this go round is the violin).
cumbersome_cookie2504's review
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
kaydowning's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio version of this book. It was not as well written as the first book about the young Sherlock Holmes. The infamous John Wilkes Booth is thought to be in England. Mycroft mentions this to Ameus Crowe, and Sherlock takes it upon himself to go and check out the location where he might be hiding. Sherlock takes Matty with him, and events start soon after leading Sherlock and his tutor into an adventure that takes them to America to solve this mystery.
bones_jackson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Nossa que livro incrível, amei cada parte dele, a história teve um plot muito bom e as referências as obras originais foram incríveis
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Confinement, Dementia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Chronic illness, Death, Kidnapping, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical content and Mental illness
Minor: War
rainbow_bookish_owl's review against another edition
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? No
3.5
neenor's review against another edition
3.0
Now I've said that I've been reading this book for about three weeks now, but I actually only really got into it this last week - and I have to say, I'm surprised that I didn't get into it sooner. I must admit that these novels are slow to start - but once they get going, they are truly gripping. This is definitely my favourite so far.
In this book, we continue from the point of view of the young Sherlock Holmes, as he continues to spend his summer at his aunt and uncle's house in Farnham, getting tutored by American Amyus Crowe, whilst spending his free time with Matty Arnatt and Virginia Crowe. However, when his elder brother Mycroft comes to visit him and Amyus, he discovers that a master American assassin is on the loose nearby - and, naturally, Sherlock goes after him, thus starting a chain reaction of kidnappings, travelling, murder, and everything else in between.
What I love about Lane, as I said in my previous review, is that he manages to recreate the perfect young Sherlock - it is believably still Conan Doyle's Sherlock, just younger. It really is an amazing talent, and if you love the original Sherlock's, you'll adore this.
What I didn't like, however, was that it also seemed unrealistic. I know some of the things are a bit far-fetched, but the point of the Sherlock books is that you can imagine there is a detective out there like this, solving mysteries just like these - it's down to logic, at the end of the day. But with these books, all the killing and travelling just isn't as realistic as it could be. I mean, for example, at one point Sherlock was riding on the top of the train - and he didn't fall off. I know they used to go slower than the current ones, but I still don't believe that a fourteen year old boy would be able to manage that. It was just small things like that that I had a problem with.
I also liked the characterization of the villains. I found that the fit that kind of olden thug stereotype, and I did find myself shivering over character's like Duke and Booth - they were genuinely creepy, and the ability to make the reader outwardly shiver through words is a pretty amazing talent.
I think that if you love the original Sherlock Holmes series, you'll love this, especially if you are around the ages of 12 - 16. The more I read into the series, the more I am getting into the overall series plot, and I am loving it so far. I am definitely going to keep reading it - look out for a review of Black Ice coming soon!
In this book, we continue from the point of view of the young Sherlock Holmes, as he continues to spend his summer at his aunt and uncle's house in Farnham, getting tutored by American Amyus Crowe, whilst spending his free time with Matty Arnatt and Virginia Crowe. However, when his elder brother Mycroft comes to visit him and Amyus, he discovers that a master American assassin is on the loose nearby - and, naturally, Sherlock goes after him, thus starting a chain reaction of kidnappings, travelling, murder, and everything else in between.
What I love about Lane, as I said in my previous review, is that he manages to recreate the perfect young Sherlock - it is believably still Conan Doyle's Sherlock, just younger. It really is an amazing talent, and if you love the original Sherlock's, you'll adore this.
What I didn't like, however, was that it also seemed unrealistic. I know some of the things are a bit far-fetched, but the point of the Sherlock books is that you can imagine there is a detective out there like this, solving mysteries just like these - it's down to logic, at the end of the day. But with these books, all the killing and travelling just isn't as realistic as it could be. I mean, for example, at one point Sherlock was riding on the top of the train - and he didn't fall off. I know they used to go slower than the current ones, but I still don't believe that a fourteen year old boy would be able to manage that. It was just small things like that that I had a problem with.
I also liked the characterization of the villains. I found that the fit that kind of olden thug stereotype, and I did find myself shivering over character's like Duke and Booth - they were genuinely creepy, and the ability to make the reader outwardly shiver through words is a pretty amazing talent.
I think that if you love the original Sherlock Holmes series, you'll love this, especially if you are around the ages of 12 - 16. The more I read into the series, the more I am getting into the overall series plot, and I am loving it so far. I am definitely going to keep reading it - look out for a review of Black Ice coming soon!
shoaib's review against another edition
4.0
لم تكد سحابة الموت تزول حتى بدأت نيران التمرد في البزوغ .. نيران تلك الفترة حينما قررت الولايات الجنوبية تكوين تحالف و الانفصال عن الاتحاد بالولايات المتحدة الامريكية .. وضع " ديوك بالتاسار " خطة محكمة لتسيطر قوات تحالف الولايات علي كندا و فصلها عن الحكم البريطاني .. فيجد شارلوك أخيه مايكروفت في عزبة فارنهايم يطلب من معلم شارلوك " اميوس غروي " التحري في الامر .. يجد شارلوك بسبب حبه للمغامرة نفسه في وسط الأحداث ..
عاجبني جدا التطور اللي علي مدى كل جزء أندرو بيعمله في شخصية شارلوك .. و الالتزام بقواعد السير أرثر كونان دويل .. أندرولين كاتب عبقري متمكن جدا
عاجبني جدا التطور اللي علي مدى كل جزء أندرو بيعمله في شخصية شارلوك .. و الالتزام بقواعد السير أرثر كونان دويل .. أندرولين كاتب عبقري متمكن جدا
rhiannonxgrace's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This was better than the first book, but there were still quite a few things I took issue with, particularly in the characterisation of a certain detective. The saving grace of this continues to be Dan Stevens’ wonderful performance. He brings each character to life and makes the whole experience bearable.