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wendigo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
franklin_1105's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
aftanith's review against another edition
2.0
In Targus the Night Horse, the fourth installment of the Beast Quest series, things remain strictly formula. Citizens are attacked by Beast -> Tom and Elenna meet/help citizens -> miscellaneous hardships are overcome -> rather simple epic battle against the Beast -> Congratulations, it's the end.
In this particular installment, Tom and Elenna spend seventy-six pages finding and battling the fourth Beast under Malvel's spell, a centuar named Tagus... who is never once referred to as a centaur. Only a "night horse".
Seriously, it's kind of weird. I thought it was odd in the previous book that the Cyclops was referred to only as a "Mountain Giant", but now I'm starting to think it's a trend. From what I can tell from the covers of the later installments, the children are going to battle a yeti referred to as an "ice beast", a phoenix only referred to as a "winged flame", and a naga referred to as a "snake man".
...and I will admit I don't quite get it. Why are dragon, sea serpent, minotaur, and gorgon acceptable, while Cyclops, centaur, yeti, phoenix, and naga given euphemisms? Color me confused.
Regardless, Targus the Night Horse is another mediocre-to-good installment in the Beast Quest series. I'm finding that the books are slightly improving as I delve further into the series, though I believe that might simply be because Blade has gotten the exposition out of the way (for the most part) while I'm getting more invested in the characters and their quest. I hope to see the plots improve over the next few novels, and I'm longing for the rigid formula of these first few books to be broken soon.
In the meantime, though, Beast Quest is proving itself to be a consistent fantasy series ideal for young readers of (very short) chapter books.
In this particular installment, Tom and Elenna spend seventy-six pages finding and battling the fourth Beast under Malvel's spell, a centuar named Tagus... who is never once referred to as a centaur. Only a "night horse".
Seriously, it's kind of weird. I thought it was odd in the previous book that the Cyclops was referred to only as a "Mountain Giant", but now I'm starting to think it's a trend. From what I can tell from the covers of the later installments, the children are going to battle a yeti referred to as an "ice beast", a phoenix only referred to as a "winged flame", and a naga referred to as a "snake man".
...and I will admit I don't quite get it. Why are dragon, sea serpent, minotaur, and gorgon acceptable, while Cyclops, centaur, yeti, phoenix, and naga given euphemisms? Color me confused.
Regardless, Targus the Night Horse is another mediocre-to-good installment in the Beast Quest series. I'm finding that the books are slightly improving as I delve further into the series, though I believe that might simply be because Blade has gotten the exposition out of the way (for the most part) while I'm getting more invested in the characters and their quest. I hope to see the plots improve over the next few novels, and I'm longing for the rigid formula of these first few books to be broken soon.
In the meantime, though, Beast Quest is proving itself to be a consistent fantasy series ideal for young readers of (very short) chapter books.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
3.0
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Same format as the first three books in the series. The books follow a pretty consistent story arch, which gets a little dull and predictable after a while. Nice, short chapter book that is good for reluctant readers. Quick pace and adventure make it interesting.
I found the first four books in the clearance section at a book store. Now that I've read them, I think it's the end of the series for me. I was thinking I'd finish the last two monsters, but I'm pretty sure I get the basic direction of the series by now so I'll probably just skip them. Plus, there are over 80 books in the total series. Not really that into the series.
Good short books filled with adventure, but not much creativity.
Same format as the first three books in the series. The books follow a pretty consistent story arch, which gets a little dull and predictable after a while. Nice, short chapter book that is good for reluctant readers. Quick pace and adventure make it interesting.
I found the first four books in the clearance section at a book store. Now that I've read them, I think it's the end of the series for me. I was thinking I'd finish the last two monsters, but I'm pretty sure I get the basic direction of the series by now so I'll probably just skip them. Plus, there are over 80 books in the total series. Not really that into the series.
Good short books filled with adventure, but not much creativity.
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
Book four of team Blade's Beast Quest series and another what you would expect story almost by the numbers but still with enough in it to be mildly diverting and engaging and helps you escape dreariness for little while.
ricksilva's review against another edition
3.0
This is from the first Beast Quest series. My son is checking these out of the school library in somewhat random order. Not really a problem, since the books follow a pretty set formula as far as I can tell (after admittedly reading only two, but the pattern was really glaringly obvious).
In this original series, the various beasts are creatures of good magic which have been forced to do evil through some cursed item placed by the "Big Bad" of the series, Malvel. Tom, the hero, must free the beasts from the curse.
This story takes place on the Central Plains of Avantia, in cattle country, which allows for just a hint of cowboy flavor as the plot moves on. The beast is Tagus, a huge centaur (although the book sticks to "horse-man"), who is on the rampage causing stampedes and brushfires.
Tom and Elenna will need to earn the trust of the cattle herders before their confrontation with Tagus.
Elenna gets better treatment in this story than in the other one I read, but Tom still leaves her behind initially to go fight Tagus. I'd still like to see her as more of an equal partner in these stories.
The Kiddo (he's in second grade) didn't have much reaction to this one, although he was attentive and is definitely eager to read more of the series. He did insist on me reading off the (fairly meaningless) statistics on the trading cards that come attached to the back cover.
In this original series, the various beasts are creatures of good magic which have been forced to do evil through some cursed item placed by the "Big Bad" of the series, Malvel. Tom, the hero, must free the beasts from the curse.
This story takes place on the Central Plains of Avantia, in cattle country, which allows for just a hint of cowboy flavor as the plot moves on. The beast is Tagus, a huge centaur (although the book sticks to "horse-man"), who is on the rampage causing stampedes and brushfires.
Tom and Elenna will need to earn the trust of the cattle herders before their confrontation with Tagus.
Elenna gets better treatment in this story than in the other one I read, but Tom still leaves her behind initially to go fight Tagus. I'd still like to see her as more of an equal partner in these stories.
The Kiddo (he's in second grade) didn't have much reaction to this one, although he was attentive and is definitely eager to read more of the series. He did insist on me reading off the (fairly meaningless) statistics on the trading cards that come attached to the back cover.
lisadee's review
3.0
Son:”We’re going to be reading this series for a long time!” (Holds up book 16 in another series in the Beast Quest world)
Me: “That’s actually a different series, but I guess we’re in this world for a while”
Son: “we didn’t get that far in the 39 clues.”
Definitely loves his fantasy. Mysteries not so much.
Me: “That’s actually a different series, but I guess we’re in this world for a while”
Son: “we didn’t get that far in the 39 clues.”
Definitely loves his fantasy. Mysteries not so much.
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