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mabeebe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iffer's review against another edition
4.0
I quite enjoyed this novel. Although it was an "easy" read insofar as the reading level, the language was smooth and flowing. Higgins's The Black Book of Secrets was a breath of fresh air for me in the children's literature genre since it was finally a new idea. The mood of the book is dark, and the "feeling" that it gave me while I was reading it was in the vein of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery." The plot is definitely "slow" in terms of what most kids would probably like, since there isn't much action except for the attention-grabbing opening, but I think that it's well worth the read.
The Black Book of Secrets revolves around the idea that everyone lives their lives with secrets and regret, yet everyone deserves to have the chance to unburden themselves and receive a second chance. Like the main "villain" in the story, Higgins also emphasizes that all people have choices, and it is these choices that define and shape our destinies. I think that Higgins manages to address these ideas without sounding too much like she's preaching. The novel is also written with in a quirky tongue-in-cheek style that relieves what could otherwise be too dark for a children's novel.
The Black Book of Secrets revolves around the idea that everyone lives their lives with secrets and regret, yet everyone deserves to have the chance to unburden themselves and receive a second chance. Like the main "villain" in the story, Higgins also emphasizes that all people have choices, and it is these choices that define and shape our destinies. I think that Higgins manages to address these ideas without sounding too much like she's preaching. The novel is also written with in a quirky tongue-in-cheek style that relieves what could otherwise be too dark for a children's novel.
flosch's review against another edition
4.0
-made me day-dream of creating a sweet reading fort/cave and staying up all night to finish reading it
-storyline was fun, whimsical yet incredibly dark, and geared toward your goth emo 6th grader
-would love to own
-immediately checked out the next two books by the author.
-storyline was fun, whimsical yet incredibly dark, and geared toward your goth emo 6th grader
-would love to own
-immediately checked out the next two books by the author.
cleverruhs's review against another edition
3.0
A Dickensian story about a boy who escapes the cruelties of the city, only to find that dark secrets lurk in even the most harmless of villages. Ludlow Fitch, running from a horrible past, finds himself in the village of Pagus Parvus. Arriving that same night is a mysterious pawnbroker named Joe Zabbidou. Zabbidou does not deal just in the buying and selling of used items--he deals in secrets. And as Ludlow joins Zabbidou in collecting and protecting the secrets of the villagers, Ludlow struggles with his own dark memories.
otteroftheworld's review against another edition
5.0
When everyone wanted me to read Twilight in 2008 (or around that time), I bought this book instead, and I have never regretted it.
annamlewis's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, and I am very appreciative to how an author puts in true historical details but doesn't hit you over the head. The weaving of the story and the book --- and the introduction of the Fates at the end was very creative and well done.
In reading other reviews for this book, I learned a new term Dalhesque --- new word seemlingly created to describe this book. And, interestingly, google thought I meant Daliesque.
In reading other reviews for this book, I learned a new term Dalhesque --- new word seemlingly created to describe this book. And, interestingly, google thought I meant Daliesque.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
3.0
Ludlow Fitch, a young pick-pocket on the run from his nefarious parents, escapes one night to the tiny town of Pagus Parvus. In the town he meets another newcomer to the community, also arrived just that night: Joe Zabbidou, a pawnbroker of secrets. Joe sets up shop in Pagus Parvus and takes Ludlow on as his assistant and soon the two begin writing down all the townspeople's darkest secrets.
This book tries very hard to maintain an air of mystery throughout but somehow fails overall. The events in the novel are largely non-events and very little happens. There is little character progression, little action and little of real interest. The pacing is decent but tepid, the writing is also decent but tepid. The characters are mildly interesting though prone to becoming mere charicatures. It's a short book, so a quick read. I kept hoping for a nice twist or a good reveal but the novel just never delivered. Largely disappointing overall.
This book tries very hard to maintain an air of mystery throughout but somehow fails overall. The events in the novel are largely non-events and very little happens. There is little character progression, little action and little of real interest. The pacing is decent but tepid, the writing is also decent but tepid. The characters are mildly interesting though prone to becoming mere charicatures. It's a short book, so a quick read. I kept hoping for a nice twist or a good reveal but the novel just never delivered. Largely disappointing overall.
brits_got_books's review against another edition
3.0
I found myself intrigued by the spine of the book--the edition I found on my local library's shelves looks exactly like the black book described in the story. As for the novel itself, I felt there were a few topics the author could have further explained but it's not anything so serious that it affected my complete feelings for the story itself. I could definitely see this being a series.
shahrun's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really great adventure book, filled with mild peril, mystery and secrets! Just the sort of thing kids love to read by forth light under the duvet! But good solid story telling and an original idea, which even big kids can enjoy. Love the front cover too. Can't wait to get hold of the rest of the series.
m4film's review against another edition
4.0
I was holding my son as we walked through the library. He happened to reach out and pick this book. I took a look and decided to give it a try. To my delight it was a quick and enjoyable read. It's also very original as it's told from all points of view. Here's the note from the author:
I came across Joe Zabbidou's Black Book of Secrets and Ludlow Fitch's memoirs in a rather curious manner. They were tightly rolled up and concealed within the hollow of a wooden leg. How I came to be in possession of the leg is unimportant right now. What matters is the story the documents tell.
Unfortunately neither Joe's Black Book nor Ludlow's memoirs survived the centuries intact, and when I unrolled them, it was obvious that they had suffered damage. Not only were the pages brittle and water-stained, but much of what I had was also illegible. The fragments and extracts are reproduced here exactly as they were written. I corrected Ludlow's spelling - it really was quite dreadful- but I did no more than that. As for the parts that are missing, what else could I do but draw upon my own imagination to fill in the gaps? I pieced the story together in the way I thought best. I like to think I stayed as close to the truth as I could with the few facts I had. I do not claim to be the author of this story, merely the person who has tried to reveal it to the world.
I came across Joe Zabbidou's Black Book of Secrets and Ludlow Fitch's memoirs in a rather curious manner. They were tightly rolled up and concealed within the hollow of a wooden leg. How I came to be in possession of the leg is unimportant right now. What matters is the story the documents tell.
Unfortunately neither Joe's Black Book nor Ludlow's memoirs survived the centuries intact, and when I unrolled them, it was obvious that they had suffered damage. Not only were the pages brittle and water-stained, but much of what I had was also illegible. The fragments and extracts are reproduced here exactly as they were written. I corrected Ludlow's spelling - it really was quite dreadful- but I did no more than that. As for the parts that are missing, what else could I do but draw upon my own imagination to fill in the gaps? I pieced the story together in the way I thought best. I like to think I stayed as close to the truth as I could with the few facts I had. I do not claim to be the author of this story, merely the person who has tried to reveal it to the world.