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protoman21's review against another edition
3.0
I'm still sticking with this series though my interest is waning. You would hope that you would feel closer to the characters and feel like the story is building to something, but I just haven't gotten that from these books. The climax of this book felt rather bland and I was left feeling disappointed.
southernbelladonna78's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
itsbumley's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
tmholsman_1994's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5) The biggest thing that kept me hooked to this story, specifically in this book, was definitely the journey of Charlie finding his father after so many years. The only downfall in my opinion about this series is that Billy would sell Charlie and the other people he calls “friend” for a cup of hot chocolate, but he never sold out Cook and her secret room.
thebooklovingpanda's review against another edition
5.0
Really really good. It's full of mystery and twists and it's fast-paced and never gets boring.
dinnureads's review against another edition
4.0
It's a nice and simple middle grade book series and I am quite interested in where this story is eventually going!
marawii's review against another edition
5.0
Charlie bone series is getting better with each book! I am currently marathon-ing the series starting from book 3 (because I read 1 and 2 when I was still at school) and I still love it! Even though this book is somewhat similar to Harry Potter - which I am a huge fan of - I believe this series is unique by itself. Charlie goes to a school with people who are endowed with special powers. He tries to help his friends against his 3 evil great aunts and the family that owns his school.
As for this book, I was really hoping that the pianist found in the castle of mirrors was his father (and got really disappointed when it turns out that he wasn't ), but was really happy that Olivia ended up to be endowed. I hope that in the upcoming books, Billy does end up having nice parents.
As for this book, I was really hoping that the pianist found in the castle of mirrors was his father (and got really disappointed when it turns out that he wasn't ), but was really happy that Olivia ended up to be endowed. I hope that in the upcoming books, Billy does end up having nice parents.
tasha_v's review against another edition
5.0
Love the ending of this. Olivia is amazing. I really related to her. Still sort of do. But more relate to Emma right now.
bupdaddy's review against another edition
2.0
The magical children of Bland Academy set off on another uninspired adventure that take them to a mirrored castle that really doesn't do anything, and they defeat some bad guys and I don't really get the point of anything.
My favorite thing about the book by far is that the kid, at least as drawn on the cover, looks kind of like Art Stukas.
Clearly a ripoff of Harry Potter, and clearly written for a lower grade level, and clearly written by somebody who has observed people but doesn't get them. So activities and appearances and magical quirks substitute for real character. I imagine the author has a bunch of note cards tacked to the board behind her monitor-
Charlie Bone
- tall
- funny hair
-impetou impechuou control issues
Billy Raven
- short
- white hair
- talks to animals (remember - animals talk like Elmo!)
Paton
- tall
- light bulbs break wherever he goes
- likes Julia
It leads to excellent writing such as these passages demonstrate:
See? There's nothing terrible in there, but nothing interesting either. Even the magic is dull and pointless. It reads like an outline fleshed out by Jack Webb. I'm beginning to understand that what J.K. Rowling accomplished is really pretty special.
My favorite thing about the book by far is that the kid, at least as drawn on the cover, looks kind of like Art Stukas.
Clearly a ripoff of Harry Potter, and clearly written for a lower grade level, and clearly written by somebody who has observed people but doesn't get them. So activities and appearances and magical quirks substitute for real character. I imagine the author has a bunch of note cards tacked to the board behind her monitor-
Charlie Bone
- tall
- funny hair
-
Billy Raven
- short
- white hair
- talks to animals (remember - animals talk like Elmo!)
Paton
- tall
- light bulbs break wherever he goes
- likes Julia
It leads to excellent writing such as these passages demonstrate:
Charlie got a brief glimpse of Lysander's house as they passed a pair of tall wrought-iron gates. Lysander's father was the famous Judge Sage and the house reflected his important position.
If Albert was shocked, he didn't show it. Maybe some of his memories were coming back to him. Memories that were so bad, nothing would ever surprise him again.
She threw Charlie a quick, furtive glance and then disappeared. Curious about her strange behavior, Charlie ran across the road.
See? There's nothing terrible in there, but nothing interesting either. Even the magic is dull and pointless. It reads like an outline fleshed out by Jack Webb. I'm beginning to understand that what J.K. Rowling accomplished is really pretty special.
swiss_miss_73's review against another edition
5.0
Great series! It's not HP, but then I don't think it's trying to be HP. Good in its own way.