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102 reviews for:
Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery, a Very Strange Adventure
Lissa Evans
3.81 AVERAGE
102 reviews for:
Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery, a Very Strange Adventure
Lissa Evans
3.81 AVERAGE
This was quite bland, and despite the intrigue from the synopsis and cover, I really didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. I wanted more mystery, more adventures, more something! The ending is just abrupt and unsatisfying. I don’t think I will continue on with the series because this one did not leave me feeling like I wanted more. Which is sad because I usually love middle grade mystery/adventure type books but this one was just not my cup of tea.
Thought the name was familiar, having recently read Wed Wabbit as part of the 2018 Carnegie Shadowing. This story also explores themes of family and loss, but in a more light-hearted way.
Stuart Horton is used to being short. He’s mocked for it, and when his parents move him to Beeton (where nothing ever happens) he’s expecting a wholly uneventful summer holiday. That’s not what he gets at all!
Stuart learns about his great-uncle Tony, a magician of some repute, who disappeared mysteriously. Nobody knows anything of his whereabouts, but when Stuart discovers a letter and a series of clues from Tony himself, he is determined to work out where his secret workshop is.
In this story Evans provides us with a great adventure and a character with plenty of heart - perfect for bridging that upper primary/lower secondary age.
Stuart Horton is used to being short. He’s mocked for it, and when his parents move him to Beeton (where nothing ever happens) he’s expecting a wholly uneventful summer holiday. That’s not what he gets at all!
Stuart learns about his great-uncle Tony, a magician of some repute, who disappeared mysteriously. Nobody knows anything of his whereabouts, but when Stuart discovers a letter and a series of clues from Tony himself, he is determined to work out where his secret workshop is.
In this story Evans provides us with a great adventure and a character with plenty of heart - perfect for bridging that upper primary/lower secondary age.
I like the scavenger hunt-like aspect of the plot, but honestly this was boring.
A reread, first read almost 7 years ago and recently found at a library sale. Not as "miraculous" as I recall, and I downgraded to 4 stars for this read - originally a 5 star for me. Different life stage, and maybe I need to read the second one again too.
This is a fun little story about an unusually short boy who is taken from all his favorite things when his family moves away. They move to his father's hometown and Stuart becomes aware of a family legacy in magic. He also catches the eye of an evil rival magician hoping to cash in on his famous uncle's tricks. Stuart is the only one who can find them, and he enlists the help of a set of neighborhood nuisances, I mean triplets.
There is adventure and discovery here, puzzles and being clever play a big part, plus there are some sweet friendships and lessons learned. Well-written, and I think I'll check for non-Horten books by this author.
This is a fun little story about an unusually short boy who is taken from all his favorite things when his family moves away. They move to his father's hometown and Stuart becomes aware of a family legacy in magic. He also catches the eye of an evil rival magician hoping to cash in on his famous uncle's tricks. Stuart is the only one who can find them, and he enlists the help of a set of neighborhood nuisances, I mean triplets.
There is adventure and discovery here, puzzles and being clever play a big part, plus there are some sweet friendships and lessons learned. Well-written, and I think I'll check for non-Horten books by this author.
Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms is a charming read. It manages to combine elements of some of my favorite American books from childhood - Encyclopedia Brown, Harriet the Spy - while managing to have a decidedly British flavor of storytelling. In its storytelling style it reminds me most of Joan Aiken with a bit of Roald Dahl mixed in. If you're thinking that this is high praise, it is. This book really delivers.
Horten is a misfit kid, plopped into a new environment, and given that very best thing of all - an adventure. There are puzzles and clues and destinations and secrets and evildoers plus it's all one great big scavenger hunt. Along the way Horten gains confidence and makes friends in unlikely places. Everything wraps up into a delicious ending and the entire book was an enormous pleasure to read. Highly recommended for middle grades and up (that includes all the rest of you that really need a good kids' book to read).
Horten is a misfit kid, plopped into a new environment, and given that very best thing of all - an adventure. There are puzzles and clues and destinations and secrets and evildoers plus it's all one great big scavenger hunt. Along the way Horten gains confidence and makes friends in unlikely places. Everything wraps up into a delicious ending and the entire book was an enormous pleasure to read. Highly recommended for middle grades and up (that includes all the rest of you that really need a good kids' book to read).
Marvelous fun for this age group! Inventions, puzzles, and magic (both illusory and "real") that pull you through the book. It's surprisingly short, though, so one is forced to run right out and purchase [b:Horten's Incredible Illusions: Magic, Mystery & Another Very Strange Adventure|13584622|Horten's Incredible Illusions Magic, Mystery & Another Very Strange Adventure|Lissa Evans|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346632239s/13584622.jpg|21849141]. Well if I must, I must.
It's a mystery-adventure with a touch of magic. I will be recommending this book to any kids looking for a good mystery. A page-turner all the way!
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced