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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I'm scared of both clowns and dolls, so this was a trying read for me :B
Katherine Arden does do a fantastic job at setting the scene here with the carnival as the background setting. There is already so much tension right at the start due to Ollie's situation and that gets worse and worse as the plot progresses. There are many many scenes with scary clowns and the kids running for their lives and I have to say that, while I do hate clowns and had to pause a few times, they are some of the best parts of the book.
It is really interesting how some of the dynamics shift here with Ollie's absence. Brian, Coco, and Phil have to learn how to deal with all of it without Ollie and her watch and juggle their parents' suspicions all the way. Some of the twists regarding that are very well executed and show how adults are dummies sometimes.
So after all of the danger and tension and clowns and dolls I had to deal with... the ending is a disappointment. In 10 pages, everything is solved. So much build up for so little pay off: the kids' reunion is glossed over, the smiling man continues to be the smiling man, the parents go back to how they were before. I expected a lot more from this finale in terms of the kids defeating the smiling man after what they went through. There is nothing--aside from a happy ending, that is.
Katherine Arden does do a fantastic job at setting the scene here with the carnival as the background setting. There is already so much tension right at the start due to Ollie's situation and that gets worse and worse as the plot progresses. There are many many scenes with scary clowns and the kids running for their lives and I have to say that, while I do hate clowns and had to pause a few times, they are some of the best parts of the book.
It is really interesting how some of the dynamics shift here with Ollie's absence. Brian, Coco, and Phil have to learn how to deal with all of it without Ollie and her watch and juggle their parents' suspicions all the way. Some of the twists regarding that are very well executed and show how adults are dummies sometimes.
So after all of the danger and tension and clowns and dolls I had to deal with... the ending is a disappointment. In 10 pages, everything is solved. So much build up for so little pay off: the kids' reunion is glossed over, the smiling man continues to be the smiling man, the parents go back to how they were before. I expected a lot more from this finale in terms of the kids defeating the smiling man after what they went through. There is nothing--aside from a happy ending, that is.
Oh no, I was truly disappointed with this one. Granted, the atmosphere was fantastic and I was creeped out due to hating clowns but the ending was sooo rushed, especially for the last in the series. I just think it could have taken another couple of chapters and it would have been much nicer for those of us that have truly enjoyed the series. What a shame!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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:
N/A
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
a fitting ending
I liked how this series ended. I also did enjoy the humanization of the smiling man. But also I’m not sure about that message for middle grade kids. Enjoyable read all the same.
I liked how this series ended. I also did enjoy the humanization of the smiling man. But also I’m not sure about that message for middle grade kids. Enjoyable read all the same.
very good end to the series. loved how it switched from ollie’s pov in the carnival to the kids pov outside of the mist.
5 star series for middle schoolers.
5 star series for middle schoolers.
The book was so good till the ending. It was so easy... it felt rushed like the author wanted it to end.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
I loved the ending! It felt more intense/creepy than the other sequels, but it still wasn't too much for me. This was a solid series for me and I loved this final installment.