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pmmdive26's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
nahogani's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. It was perfect for just before bed, being relatively light and amusing. There were some elements of the plot towards the end that felt a little rushed or not exactly explained as much as I would've liked. However, overall I would definitely recommend this book to friends.
cheryl6of8's review against another edition
3.0
This book had its ups and downs for me. It is one I picked up a while back intending to give away but curiosity got the better of me. It has dark spots and spots of hope and wisdom and spots that were not as interesting to me as they might have been to a younger person with less knowledge of historical true crime. The idea that confession is good for the soul and the relief of telling difficult secrets is something that works with my therapist training. The concept of people hearing promises that were not made when they were desperate for hope also makes sense. But I am not sure I would sell my secret to a Secret Pawnbroker, even if I did trust him to follow his own rules and do no harm.
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a great combo of Dickensian era mystery, suspense and philosophy. Really unusual.
Ludlow Fitch runs away from his parents, who want to sell his teeth to raise money. He meets a mysterious stranger, Joe Zabbidou, who sets up shop as a pawnbroker in a small town. Ludlow. for the first time in his life, has a warm, safe place to sleep and someone who seems to care about his wellbeing. As the townspeople visit the shop, Ludlow starts to realize how much they are all in debt to their greedy and heartless landlord, Jeremiah Ratchet. And each villager has a secret, which they, one by one, sell to Joe--and Ludlow writes them in the big black book. They feel better--but then they start to expect Joe to deal with Ratchett, which he has never promised. Will the villagers turn against Joe & Ludlow? Who is Joe? Where does he get his money? Can Ludlow trust him?
It reminds me a bit of Funke's Thief Lord, which has a great setting and suspenseful plot, with a supernatural twist at the end. Here I felt it blended in better with the rest of the story.
Ludlow Fitch runs away from his parents, who want to sell his teeth to raise money. He meets a mysterious stranger, Joe Zabbidou, who sets up shop as a pawnbroker in a small town. Ludlow. for the first time in his life, has a warm, safe place to sleep and someone who seems to care about his wellbeing. As the townspeople visit the shop, Ludlow starts to realize how much they are all in debt to their greedy and heartless landlord, Jeremiah Ratchet. And each villager has a secret, which they, one by one, sell to Joe--and Ludlow writes them in the big black book. They feel better--but then they start to expect Joe to deal with Ratchett, which he has never promised. Will the villagers turn against Joe & Ludlow? Who is Joe? Where does he get his money? Can Ludlow trust him?
It reminds me a bit of Funke's Thief Lord, which has a great setting and suspenseful plot, with a supernatural twist at the end. Here I felt it blended in better with the rest of the story.
emilyyjjean's review against another edition
5.0
This story was fantastic!
I think the plot of this story was really unique. A 'secret' pawnbroker; someone who pays customers to tell their secrets. They of course can buy them back if they ever wish, but in this case they were not bought back and were kept in the Black Book of Secrets.
I liked how this book was set into different parts: the narration, accounts from Ludlow, and then excerpts from the Black Book of Secrets. I loved reading all three, but I have to say reading people's secrets was my favorite part of the book. They were pretty good!
I was never bored with the story, and I continually wanted to read more and more. I liked how the events of the story laid out. It was a very smooth transition, and was never choppy or confusing. I think this also helped it to be an easy and fast read.
Mystery, I assume a little magic/supernatural, and definitely fantasy. I highly recommend this book! I will definitely be reading the next in the series [book:The Bone Magician|1802711]
I think the plot of this story was really unique. A 'secret' pawnbroker; someone who pays customers to tell their secrets. They of course can buy them back if they ever wish, but in this case they were not bought back and were kept in the Black Book of Secrets.
I liked how this book was set into different parts: the narration, accounts from Ludlow, and then excerpts from the Black Book of Secrets. I loved reading all three, but I have to say reading people's secrets was my favorite part of the book. They were pretty good!
I was never bored with the story, and I continually wanted to read more and more. I liked how the events of the story laid out. It was a very smooth transition, and was never choppy or confusing. I think this also helped it to be an easy and fast read.
Mystery, I assume a little magic/supernatural, and definitely fantasy. I highly recommend this book! I will definitely be reading the next in the series [book:The Bone Magician|1802711]
heyshay07's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this books! It was so engrossing and captivating. The characters were absolutely phenomenal. I think that middle schoolers would definitely enjoy this books because it is a little dark (deaths, murders) but not in a completely morbid and pointless way. However, since it is a little dark, I don't know if I could choose it as a book club possibility but I think it would be a great add to a library. I like the premise that everyone has a secret and something you just have to talk about that eats you up until you let it go because everyone can relate to that. That characters aren't perfect and there is no clear "hero" per say once you've finished the book makes it different from a lot of other children's books. I absolutely recommend this one to everyone 4th grade and older.
taaya's review against another edition
4.0
Ein junger Mann wird von seinen kriminellen Eltern misshandelt und nur als Geldquelle gesehen. Es gelingt ihm, zu fliehen, und er kommt in ein kleines, verschneites, armes Dorf, wo ein Grundbesitzer alle Leute tyrannisiert. In der selben Nacht, in der er kommt, kommt aber auch Joe Zabbidou im Dorf an, der ihn gleich einstellt. Joe ist ein Pfandleiher, der auf unerklärliche Weise genug Geld hat, um den Leuten viel mehr für ihre Ware zu geben, als diese Wert ist. Und das, obwohl nie jemand etwas kauft. So verändert sich langsam die Gemeinschaft im Dorf. Und warum gehen die Leute um Mitternacht zu ihm?
Ein Jugendbuch, das zuerst wie Fantasy anmutet, aber letztlich doch recht normal ist, was in dem Fall aber nicht schlecht ist. Es wirft allerdings im Verlauf mehr und mehr Fragen auf und zwischendurch kommt es fast schon Folter gleich, dass es sich mit der Beantwortung so viel Zeit lässt. Genau deswegen liest man aber weiter.
Einen Stern musste ich allerdings abziehen, weil nicht alles vollständig beantwortet wird. Ausreichend, dass die Geschichte einen Abschluss kriegt und rund ist, ja. Aber für den neugierigen Leser fehlt noch ein kleines Bisschen. Und darüber hinaus dauert es sehr lange bis zur Auflösung, die dann sehr plötzlich und fast übereilt kommt, teilweise schon, als wenn der Autorin nicht eingefallen wäre, wie sie es besser in den Fluss der Geschichte einbauen könnte. Dennoch letztendlich ein spannendes, gleichzeitig aber schnell zu lesendes Buch. Und als Pluspunkt: Obwohl es einer Reihe angehört, ist es eine in sich geschlossene Geschichte.
Ein Jugendbuch, das zuerst wie Fantasy anmutet, aber letztlich doch recht normal ist, was in dem Fall aber nicht schlecht ist. Es wirft allerdings im Verlauf mehr und mehr Fragen auf und zwischendurch kommt es fast schon Folter gleich, dass es sich mit der Beantwortung so viel Zeit lässt. Genau deswegen liest man aber weiter.
Einen Stern musste ich allerdings abziehen, weil nicht alles vollständig beantwortet wird. Ausreichend, dass die Geschichte einen Abschluss kriegt und rund ist, ja. Aber für den neugierigen Leser fehlt noch ein kleines Bisschen. Und darüber hinaus dauert es sehr lange bis zur Auflösung, die dann sehr plötzlich und fast übereilt kommt, teilweise schon, als wenn der Autorin nicht eingefallen wäre, wie sie es besser in den Fluss der Geschichte einbauen könnte. Dennoch letztendlich ein spannendes, gleichzeitig aber schnell zu lesendes Buch. Und als Pluspunkt: Obwohl es einer Reihe angehört, ist es eine in sich geschlossene Geschichte.
camillejoy's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a very Dickensian feel to it. I liked the characters and the atmosphere, but it was a little bit predictable and lacked action.
booksandbabble's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
indigo78180's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25