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andib_reads's review
4.0
Story Thieves was good. It wasn't my favorite and I was often a bit confused because of the POV switches every other chapter, but other than that, it was good. I loved the relationship between Kiel and Bethany and the ending was so unexpected. I'm kind of excited to read the next book.
dragonwriter's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
numbuh212's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
2.5
punchofwishes's review against another edition
5.0
Owen Conners lives a typical boring life until he sees his classmate Bethany jump into a book. Unraveling the mysterious power of fictional world, he gets much more than he asked for, from being held captive by a fictional magician to encountering the mysterious Nobody to taking a heroes place. This engaging and innovative book really grips you and doesn’t let go. A book for book lover’s!
eagoldberg's review
4.0
I've been wandering back into middle-grade lit lately and this is the best I've read so far! Hilarious and with a lot of heart.
I would also be remiss to mention that the "Acknowledgements" section is worth a read as well.
I would also be remiss to mention that the "Acknowledgements" section is worth a read as well.
raynreads's review
4.0
I wish I could jump around books and live like my favorite characters for a day (or a lifetime)
verkisto's review against another edition
3.0
Story Thieves was an impulse buy, something I found on the shelves at Target and figured it was worth a shot. It sounded a little like a kids' version of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, and as much as I like that series, it was a no-brainer. Maybe I should have recognized that I would see the book as derivative, and left it alone.
It's about Owen, an avid reader who finds the regular world boring. He wishes his life were more like Kiel Gnomenfoot, the central character of his favorite series of books (think Harry Potter, but a lot more arrogant), and when he discovers that one of his classmates has the ability to go inside books and live in their worlds, of course he has to find a way into the Kiel Gnomenfoot books so he can meet his hero. Once inside, he can't help but get involved, which throws the book off the rails and sets into motion a series of events that threatens more than just Kiel Gnomenfoot's world.
The book isn't bad, really, but it's hard to care much about the three central characters. Owen is obnoxious and duplicitous, since he has to trick his classmate, Bethany, into bringing him into the books, and Kiel is arrogant and self-centered. Bethany is the closest thing to being sympathetic, but it feels like she's pushed aside for the two boys' stories. Owen's story takes place without her, and though she's involved with Kiel's story, his use of magic makes him the active player in their conflict. She's integral to the story -- she's the one with the power to go in and out of books, after all -- and she's the smartest of the three, but I wish she'd received more of a share of the action. The characters grow over the course of the story, but it's hard hanging in long enough to get to that point.
I waffled over giving the book two or three stars, and ultimately went with three, rounding up from two-and-a-half. I would recommend it to kids who like clever fantasy stories, but adults might find it lacking. I'll move on to the next book (I've already placed the hold on it through the library), so I hope it improves.
It's about Owen, an avid reader who finds the regular world boring. He wishes his life were more like Kiel Gnomenfoot, the central character of his favorite series of books (think Harry Potter, but a lot more arrogant), and when he discovers that one of his classmates has the ability to go inside books and live in their worlds, of course he has to find a way into the Kiel Gnomenfoot books so he can meet his hero. Once inside, he can't help but get involved, which throws the book off the rails and sets into motion a series of events that threatens more than just Kiel Gnomenfoot's world.
The book isn't bad, really, but it's hard to care much about the three central characters. Owen is obnoxious and duplicitous, since he has to trick his classmate, Bethany, into bringing him into the books, and Kiel is arrogant and self-centered. Bethany is the closest thing to being sympathetic, but it feels like she's pushed aside for the two boys' stories. Owen's story takes place without her, and though she's involved with Kiel's story, his use of magic makes him the active player in their conflict. She's integral to the story -- she's the one with the power to go in and out of books, after all -- and she's the smartest of the three, but I wish she'd received more of a share of the action. The characters grow over the course of the story, but it's hard hanging in long enough to get to that point.
I waffled over giving the book two or three stars, and ultimately went with three, rounding up from two-and-a-half. I would recommend it to kids who like clever fantasy stories, but adults might find it lacking. I'll move on to the next book (I've already placed the hold on it through the library), so I hope it improves.
elisehedlund's review
5.0
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was outstanding, the author was creative and wrote well, the layout was great, and the characters were AMAZING!!!!!! Starring a girl who can leap into books, it is told from an omniscient perspective, but different chapters are based on different characters, all of which I loved. I even loved the evil characters because I hated them so fiercely, considering the were written about so well. All the characters had great motives. The plot was so interesting and creative, but easy to follow, which is very important to me. The author also made everything interesting, including the about the author and even the acknowledgements (both of which you should read, btw). I am definitely reading this incredible book again!