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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
This is NOT YA, but it is a children's book. It belongs somewhere in between ages 8 and 12, and more for younger ones on that scale. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the best, either. For children who have already read Harry Potter, this might be a little boring, but it would be a great prelude to that series and Rick Riordan's books.
Really loved it! I immediately started reading book two, because I wanted to find out what happened to Jack.
Strong voice, tightly constructed world.
Strong voice, tightly constructed world.
I thought this was a really good kids book and a great start to a series. It is magical, interesting & sweet. It reminds me a little of a cross between Spiderwicke & Harry Potter.
This was in my "gym reading" collection and I got it quite a while ago. I generally am not very happy with juvenile fiction for myself, but this one was better written than most. I enjoyed the story a lot, though I don't think enough to continue with the series myself. However, I'll definitely recommend it to my daughter.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
No
This was dumb. Maybe i just wasnt in the mood for a kid's story, but it seemed to predictable and yet the world in which they lived as so flexible in physics and behavior of characters that it seemed pointless to me. I was annoyed reading it.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Although written for children, this is a story that can be enjoyed by adults who've retained their enjoyment of a simple but entertaining yarn. I admit I downloaded it because it was free, but also because the Amazon reviews (many from adult readers) were generally very positive. The 'chosen one' plotline was fairly cliché and the peril was pretty tame, but it was enlived by a cast of characters who were consistently engaging and well-drawn, even the minor ones.
I would have adored this book when I was a kid - especially the Night Guard rats and the trip back in time to Roman Britain! - and even as a cynical adult reader I still found it a charming and refreshing read. It makes a good opening novel for a series.
I would have adored this book when I was a kid - especially the Night Guard rats and the trip back in time to Roman Britain! - and even as a cynical adult reader I still found it a charming and refreshing read. It makes a good opening novel for a series.
Complete review available: The Golden Acorn
A really pleasant and quaint book that was wonderfully paced throughout. At times it felt as if scenes/moments were written more for a cinematic or theatrical adaptation/purpose, but on the whole well written. A novel children's book.
A really pleasant and quaint book that was wonderfully paced throughout. At times it felt as if scenes/moments were written more for a cinematic or theatrical adaptation/purpose, but on the whole well written. A novel children's book.