Reviews

King Ottokar's Sceptre by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper, Hergé, Michael Turner

chapman's review against another edition

3.0

An amusing read. The creation of a handy Eastern European country for some political intrigue hits the usual predictable notes and most of the amusement is Tintin being able to waltz into this foreign country, immediately gain the unquestioning trust of the King and all those in the most senior positions in the Palace, if they weren't conspirators to overthrow said King.

First appearance of the Opera Singer Bianca Castafiore in a cameo part. Some classic chases, intrigue, mystery and adventure. With Snowy helping save the day of course several times.

wyrmbergmalcolm's review

4.0

Another Tintin adventure I read for the first time so this one didn't have the fuzz of nostalgia on its side. After finding a case on a park bench, Tintin goes on another adventure with a very obvious impostor that the very clever Tintin is able to completely not notice.
Not as interesting as the other Tintin books.

dreeva's review against another edition

4.0

Seru juga petualangan Tintin kali ini di Syldavia.
Baru ngeh juga nama tempatnya ya, ceritanya juga kayaknya jauh dari Frankfrut trus Prague baru nyampe deh tuh.

bengisue's review

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition

3.0

Alors qu'il se promène dans un parc avec son chien Milou, Tintin tombe par hasard sur une mallette oubliée. Il décide alors de la ramener à son propriétaire, le professeur Hallambique, qui lui dit être un éminent sigillographie (quelqu'un qui étudie les sceaux). Hallambique est justement à la recherche d'un secrétaire pour son prochain voyage, qui doit le mener en Syldavie, afin d'y étudier un sceau très rare. Tintin lui propose donc de l'accompagner. Mais durant le voyage vers le pays syldave, Tintin a des doutes envers le professeur: certaines manies du savant semblent avoir disparues, et il s'est mis à fumer ! Ne s'agirait-il pas d'un imposteur ? Toutes ses tentatives pour le démasquer échouent, mais le doute subsiste. Quelles sont les motivations réelles qui poussent le professeur à se rendre en Syldavie ? Tintin décide d'enquêter.

chutten's review against another edition

4.0

Our introduction to vaguely-balkan Syldavia, where Tintin goes as an attache to a sig-- syg--... er, a guy interested in crests.

The mystery is well put together, the drawings keep getting lovelier, and the story is a fun ride. There's still too much depending on Tintin's own exceptionalism (his ability to get up after being rendered unconscious and otherwise surviving things that ought to kill him), but if you can let go of it, what fun.

ratrug's review against another edition

French. 

blueyorkie's review against another edition

4.0

In this adventure, Tintin will escape on each page from plane crashes, roll into ravines, and be stunned several times. But it will solve a far-fetched enigma and save the local king.
But the most important is the Syldavians' borders, in these mountainous states of a not-so-distant Europe, with its mafias, wrens, crooks, and usurpers.
The scenario is compelling, and the drawing is tasty, especially when it launches into local history. The landscapes are superb! A book to look in.

shonagh_catherine's review

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.75

bsmcd's review

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0