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katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I am really impressed with David Baddiel as a children's author, he has a very natural way of writing for them, he doesn't go overkill on the humour, and has a wonderful grasp on the wish-fulfilment ideas that grab at a young reader.
In his first, he tapped into the wish of (many?) children to change their parents. In his second, he goes for technology, and has his protagonists get their hands on a game controller that can control a connected person - change their appearance, make them a superhuman fighter. Who is going to be able to resist that premise?!
Fred and Ellie, twins, live with a food-obsessed dad and a Cash-in-the-Attic obsessed mum. Their own obsessions include a shared love of computer games. In a scene reminiscent of the film Pleasantville, the pair are given a new controller after their dad sits of theirs, and they soon find that they are able to use it to control the person wearing the connected bracelet. Fred enjoys being able to fight off the school bullies and play football like a professional, and Ellie falls under the spell of being able to change from a bespeckled skinny girl to a well-coiffed and curvy teenager.
The story moves along nicely, lots of short chapters and a pair of characters designed to appeal to both genders, with lots of tech-talk that I could just about follow and a 9-13 year old will lap up. Baddiel knows how to write 'funny' without pushing it too hard - he's just a natural.
The school bullies are a funny pair of smart and dumb, the iBabies a hilarious duo of young fans. I really enjoyed seeing Fred and Ellie explore their desires and use the controller, and I also thought the slightly sad and tender scenes of them and their parents were well handled (with themes of obsession and contemporary insular behaviour), though I wanted the controller to play more of a role in bringing them all together.
Will definitely be buying these titles for my school library, and will read any further by Baddiel. Highly recommended for KS2/KS3 reading, and would be wonderful for a class read.
In his first, he tapped into the wish of (many?) children to change their parents. In his second, he goes for technology, and has his protagonists get their hands on a game controller that can control a connected person - change their appearance, make them a superhuman fighter. Who is going to be able to resist that premise?!
Fred and Ellie, twins, live with a food-obsessed dad and a Cash-in-the-Attic obsessed mum. Their own obsessions include a shared love of computer games. In a scene reminiscent of the film Pleasantville, the pair are given a new controller after their dad sits of theirs, and they soon find that they are able to use it to control the person wearing the connected bracelet. Fred enjoys being able to fight off the school bullies and play football like a professional, and Ellie falls under the spell of being able to change from a bespeckled skinny girl to a well-coiffed and curvy teenager.
The story moves along nicely, lots of short chapters and a pair of characters designed to appeal to both genders, with lots of tech-talk that I could just about follow and a 9-13 year old will lap up. Baddiel knows how to write 'funny' without pushing it too hard - he's just a natural.
The school bullies are a funny pair of smart and dumb, the iBabies a hilarious duo of young fans. I really enjoyed seeing Fred and Ellie explore their desires and use the controller, and I also thought the slightly sad and tender scenes of them and their parents were well handled (with themes of obsession and contemporary insular behaviour), though I wanted the controller to play more of a role in bringing them all together.
Will definitely be buying these titles for my school library, and will read any further by Baddiel. Highly recommended for KS2/KS3 reading, and would be wonderful for a class read.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A controller that allows one to control a person? That sounds like such a delight, and I had to read the book when I spotted it at the library.
Plus add to that curiosity that I am gamer myself, so the book fitted me perfectly. I am a bit like Ellie, always quite good at games, and people at times teased me about it. Boys weren't all to happy I could defeat them. I was definitely a big fan of Ellie, in fact I was cheering for her quite often during the events of the book. Her control over the controller was amazing, and I loved her extensive knowledge of all sorts of games. She could switch between them, from Street Fighter to Mario, to more recenter games like Minecraft like it was nothing.
But I also recognised her insecurity (which definitely wasn't helped by the bullying). How she felt like she should change. I have to say that I didn't quite like the change, it was just too much, she was just not Ellie any more. She was someone else, and I am not sure if she wants to be that person forever. I am glad that she could also see that, it took quite some time, but you saw that she was slowing starting to become more accepting of how she looked. (Which may also have to do with Rashid.)
Then we have Fred, I did quite like Fred, he was interesting character, and it was fun finding out what was his superpower (as I would call it that, everyone has one after all). I had a niggling suspicion on what it could be from a certain point, and was happy to see it being confirmed at the end. Plus there were all sorts of hints to it.
Like Ellie he is insecure, but not in how he looks, but with his talents. His sister is awesome at gaming and that is something he gets teased about on school. Then there is his wish to be a soccer/football player and how that fares. He feels like he has got no talent at times, and I was just cheering for him to find that hidden power.
It was fun to see the two of them cooperate and play with the controller. I loved seeing what they did, from saving a cat to fighting bullies (no, nothing really overly violent, mostly it was dodging or swinging the enemy). They really used the controller to the max.
I loved the fact our main characters were twins. I always love stories about twins, it is just so interesting to see them interact, and I loved what the twins could do in this one. That is quite a nice skill, even though it may look silly to onlookers. :P
There are just a few questions I still have after reading the book: Who is the Mystery Man? Why did he pick Ellie and Fred? How did he know all the things he did? Where does the Mystery Man live? Is he stuck in that laptop? Or is it something else?
It was just a bit confusing. Sure, it was an interesting addition, but it feels to me as if it could be explored a bit further, now it felt like he didn't matter that much in the long run.
Near the end (with the football/soccer match) there was a mention of characters from other book by this author. I just adore it when characters make a cameo.
There is lots of fourth wall breaking, which I just love, of course when it is well done, which is the case in this book. There are also footnotes, but they didn't feel like too intrusive or a bother, if anything they fitted with book perfectly and even brought a smile on my face.
I didn't like Morris and Isla, they were just a bit too much and too annoying for me. I can't understand why the dad didn't see anything happen, or if he did, why he didn't do anything about it. But mostly I just wanted to have them out of the story. I hate bullies, and these really took it to the next level. :|
Then we have the iBabies, thank heaven that they don't have much time in the spotlight, because otherwise I would have just dropped the book. They were a pest. I can imagine that our twins would avoid them and even call them that. OK, the name was a bit mean, but I can see why the twins act like this. Then again, maybe just talk to them honestly and tell them how you feel, even if they are too young they may get it.
I am not too sure how I felt about the parents, I could see they loved their kids quite a lot, but the way they treated their kids, how they barely even noticed them was just painful, and I wanted to shake them. You got these wonderful kids, and you should care for them more. Look after them. Be there for them when they need you. And how, really how, can you not notice that your daughter is totally different from normal. *sighs*
The book is also covered in delightful illustrations, I am really happy there were so many of them, I really looked forward to them.
Mm, I think I have mentioned everything I wanted now, all I will say is that everyone should read this fun, hilarious book!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
Plus add to that curiosity that I am gamer myself, so the book fitted me perfectly. I am a bit like Ellie, always quite good at games, and people at times teased me about it. Boys weren't all to happy I could defeat them. I was definitely a big fan of Ellie, in fact I was cheering for her quite often during the events of the book. Her control over the controller was amazing, and I loved her extensive knowledge of all sorts of games. She could switch between them, from Street Fighter to Mario, to more recenter games like Minecraft like it was nothing.
But I also recognised her insecurity (which definitely wasn't helped by the bullying). How she felt like she should change. I have to say that I didn't quite like the change, it was just too much, she was just not Ellie any more. She was someone else, and I am not sure if she wants to be that person forever. I am glad that she could also see that, it took quite some time, but you saw that she was slowing starting to become more accepting of how she looked. (Which may also have to do with Rashid.)
Then we have Fred, I did quite like Fred, he was interesting character, and it was fun finding out what was his superpower (as I would call it that, everyone has one after all). I had a niggling suspicion on what it could be from a certain point, and was happy to see it being confirmed at the end. Plus there were all sorts of hints to it.
Like Ellie he is insecure, but not in how he looks, but with his talents. His sister is awesome at gaming and that is something he gets teased about on school. Then there is his wish to be a soccer/football player and how that fares. He feels like he has got no talent at times, and I was just cheering for him to find that hidden power.
It was fun to see the two of them cooperate and play with the controller. I loved seeing what they did, from saving a cat to fighting bullies (no, nothing really overly violent, mostly it was dodging or swinging the enemy). They really used the controller to the max.
I loved the fact our main characters were twins. I always love stories about twins, it is just so interesting to see them interact, and I loved what the twins could do in this one. That is quite a nice skill, even though it may look silly to onlookers. :P
There are just a few questions I still have after reading the book: Who is the Mystery Man? Why did he pick Ellie and Fred? How did he know all the things he did? Where does the Mystery Man live? Is he stuck in that laptop? Or is it something else?
It was just a bit confusing. Sure, it was an interesting addition, but it feels to me as if it could be explored a bit further, now it felt like he didn't matter that much in the long run.
Near the end (with the football/soccer match) there was a mention of characters from other book by this author. I just adore it when characters make a cameo.
There is lots of fourth wall breaking, which I just love, of course when it is well done, which is the case in this book. There are also footnotes, but they didn't feel like too intrusive or a bother, if anything they fitted with book perfectly and even brought a smile on my face.
I didn't like Morris and Isla, they were just a bit too much and too annoying for me. I can't understand why the dad didn't see anything happen, or if he did, why he didn't do anything about it. But mostly I just wanted to have them out of the story. I hate bullies, and these really took it to the next level. :|
Then we have the iBabies, thank heaven that they don't have much time in the spotlight, because otherwise I would have just dropped the book. They were a pest. I can imagine that our twins would avoid them and even call them that. OK, the name was a bit mean, but I can see why the twins act like this. Then again, maybe just talk to them honestly and tell them how you feel, even if they are too young they may get it.
I am not too sure how I felt about the parents, I could see they loved their kids quite a lot, but the way they treated their kids, how they barely even noticed them was just painful, and I wanted to shake them. You got these wonderful kids, and you should care for them more. Look after them. Be there for them when they need you. And how, really how, can you not notice that your daughter is totally different from normal. *sighs*
The book is also covered in delightful illustrations, I am really happy there were so many of them, I really looked forward to them.
Mm, I think I have mentioned everything I wanted now, all I will say is that everyone should read this fun, hilarious book!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
starp0tt3r's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emilia_booklover's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
luxxltyd's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
happy56's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
themaxdog's review against another edition
2.0
Full review and giveaway now up on my blog: http://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/2015/11/book-review-giveaway-person-controller.html
What originally attracted me to The Person Controller was the plot. It sounded like a completely new and inventive idea, and one that hooked me just from the description alone. That's just as well though, as in the end the plot was the only thing that kept this book going for me. It was fast-paced with plenty of action, packed with all the special moves from popular video game characters.
The book is funny, with the humour obviously targeting the younger audience, though it is very literal - perfectly encapsulating Baddiel's trademark brand of humour. However, the humour is too childlike for my taste, though of course that's just my personal opinion.
No, the biggest problem lies with the characters. The Person Controller is full of unoriginal stereotyped characters, completely at odds with the uniqueness of the plot. From the various sets of peas-in-a-pod twins, to the busy and preoccupied parents, to the big, mean opposition in Fred's football match.
But the worst example of this is the bullies, Isla and Morris (more twins). Morris, being the boy, is the muscle behind the operation. He's strong, but slow and incredibly stupid. Then Isla, as the girl, is the brains. She's clever, yet tends to leave the physical side of things to Morris. And of course, they're the headmaster's children. I don't think it's possible to get much more stereotypical than that.
What originally attracted me to The Person Controller was the plot. It sounded like a completely new and inventive idea, and one that hooked me just from the description alone. That's just as well though, as in the end the plot was the only thing that kept this book going for me. It was fast-paced with plenty of action, packed with all the special moves from popular video game characters.
The book is funny, with the humour obviously targeting the younger audience, though it is very literal - perfectly encapsulating Baddiel's trademark brand of humour. However, the humour is too childlike for my taste, though of course that's just my personal opinion.
No, the biggest problem lies with the characters. The Person Controller is full of unoriginal stereotyped characters, completely at odds with the uniqueness of the plot. From the various sets of peas-in-a-pod twins, to the busy and preoccupied parents, to the big, mean opposition in Fred's football match.
But the worst example of this is the bullies, Isla and Morris (more twins). Morris, being the boy, is the muscle behind the operation. He's strong, but slow and incredibly stupid. Then Isla, as the girl, is the brains. She's clever, yet tends to leave the physical side of things to Morris. And of course, they're the headmaster's children. I don't think it's possible to get much more stereotypical than that.
legaliste's review against another edition
1.0
never finished it i saw it on my brothers bookshelf lol
syasya_aisya's review against another edition
5.0
Okay first of all, this book has OFFICIALLY become one of my favourites. I admit though, the cover pulled me into buying it (it's just so pretty) but also cause I read Baddiel's The Parent Agency, which, well, also got me hooked. So I got pretty much high expectations for this one and it definitely blew me off (in some way?). IT'S A MUST READ.