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mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve read almost all of Eva Ibbotson’s ghost/creature books and this is definitely one of the better ones. Objectively speaking I’d say that Beasts of Clawstone Castle is the best though I personally enjoy Which Witch and The Secret of Platform 13 more. This was below the three aforementioned books, however, it is above The Great Ghost Rescue which will remain the worst unless Dial-A-Ghost turns out to be a bust or I’m misremembering the quality of Island of the Aunts.
As is customary of all her books in this category the quality of the book is directly related to how strong the mystery is. Ibbotson gets a lot of mileage out of the characters just missing one another which can be a little frustrating. I’d say the kids factor in a lot less than they normally would compared to the ghosts. This felt very ghost and mystery heavy. Ibbotson does not have particularly strong characters. They have a few characteristics so as not to be totally flat - the success of this fluctuates depending on the book - but Ibbotson prioritizes functionality over depth.
I honestly don’t have a lot to say. I usually end up reiterating the same points when it comes to reviews of Eva Ibbotson’s work. The books are fairly standard in structure and execution so most are fairly predictable outside of small twists that vary in efficacy. I like The Haunting of Granite Falls a lot, but the pinnacle of children’s literature it is not.
The Secret of Platform 13
Which Witch?
The Great Ghost Rescue
As is customary of all her books in this category the quality of the book is directly related to how strong the mystery is. Ibbotson gets a lot of mileage out of the characters just missing one another which can be a little frustrating. I’d say the kids factor in a lot less than they normally would compared to the ghosts. This felt very ghost and mystery heavy. Ibbotson does not have particularly strong characters. They have a few characteristics so as not to be totally flat - the success of this fluctuates depending on the book - but Ibbotson prioritizes functionality over depth.
I honestly don’t have a lot to say. I usually end up reiterating the same points when it comes to reviews of Eva Ibbotson’s work. The books are fairly standard in structure and execution so most are fairly predictable outside of small twists that vary in efficacy. I like The Haunting of Granite Falls a lot, but the pinnacle of children’s literature it is not.
The Secret of Platform 13
Which Witch?
The Great Ghost Rescue
lisawreading's review against another edition
4.0
I read this one out loud as a bed-time story for my 10-year-old -- this was one book that we both could enjoy. It worked well as a read-aloud, but a kid who’s comfortable reading chapter books solo should be able to handle this one just fine. We both found The Haunting of Granite Falls to have just the right combination of funny elements (a Viking ghost named Krok Fullbelly is good for all sorts of laughs) and dramatic action. 12-year-old Alex makes a fine hero as well, a nice mix of sensitivity and loyalty, with a dash of Scottish laird in him as well. I was a bit uncomfortable with the bad guys, who were more seriously threatening than I typically expect in a book aimed toward ages 8 – 12; in particular, the ringleader, a woman with many awful traits, among them a fondness for souvenirs of Hitler, was especially distasteful. Still, the book overall was a success. Author Eva Ibbotson has a delightful writing style, humorous and exciting, that really appeals to my son and keeps me entertained as well. We both give this one high marks.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
1.0
I did not enjoy this at all. The story didn't really keep me interested and I don't have much to say about this one. Eva Ibbotson can write some really fun and charming story's but this one didn't work for me
lissi_k's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
duriangray's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ninaliebtschokolade's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favourite books as a kid.
It's the absolutely hilarious story of a rich American, who buys a haunted castle. He hires people to dissemble it stone for stone and transport it to his home. BUT: The ghosts have to stay and find a new home.
I really love the (for a childrens book sometimes a bit dark) humor in tis one. One of the ghosts tries to drown itself on a regular basis for example, which will never work, as she is already dead of course.
So for the readers ages ten and up, who aren't squeamish or faint of heart, this a fabulous, funny, fast story!
It's the absolutely hilarious story of a rich American, who buys a haunted castle. He hires people to dissemble it stone for stone and transport it to his home. BUT: The ghosts have to stay and find a new home.
I really love the (for a childrens book sometimes a bit dark) humor in tis one. One of the ghosts tries to drown itself on a regular basis for example, which will never work, as she is already dead of course.
So for the readers ages ten and up, who aren't squeamish or faint of heart, this a fabulous, funny, fast story!
readingtheend's review against another edition
a very sweet, very classic Eva Ibbotson book, with all that that implies. I bought this for my nephew and read it to preview it, and it's so sweet but also contains these moments of fatphobia, racism, ableist ideas, weird gender policing. I put post-it notes inside it at the relevant moments telling my nephew that these are wrong, mean ideas and explaining our values about those things. hopefully this is an okay compromise?
narniarin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0