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bmg20's review
4.0
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
A copy of Magic Marks the Spot was provided to me by HarperCollins/Edelweiss for review purposes.
After recently being denied admittance to The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates simply because she's a girl, Hilary is now being forced into attending Miss Pimm's Finishing School for Delicate Ladies. Not that she has any desire to become a Delicate Lady. She can tread water for 37 minutes, can tie a knot that cannot be undone and hates dresses because dresses make climbing ship's rigging next to impossible.
While Hilary is quite the vibrant character on her own, her gargoyle side-kick provided the comic relief when the story veered too far into weighty territory. The weighty territory mostly involved the odd choice in bad guy, which was a bit of a shock and surprise, however it was handled well. While the story was only occasionally serious, the remaining characters were still just as lighthearted making this a perfect read for young kids. In addition to the story there are between chapter snippets of letters, newspaper articles and other assorted information that was a charming addition.
Magic Marks the Spot is an extremely cute Middle Grade novel that comes equipped with a super spunky heroine, entertaining pirates, magical gargoyles and treasure hunting adventures. While this works as a stand-alone novel with its solid wrap-up ending, it's actually a brand new start to a planned trilogy. Definitely looking forward to future mischief from Ms. Hilary!
A copy of Magic Marks the Spot was provided to me by HarperCollins/Edelweiss for review purposes.
After recently being denied admittance to The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates simply because she's a girl, Hilary is now being forced into attending Miss Pimm's Finishing School for Delicate Ladies. Not that she has any desire to become a Delicate Lady. She can tread water for 37 minutes, can tie a knot that cannot be undone and hates dresses because dresses make climbing ship's rigging next to impossible.
While Hilary is quite the vibrant character on her own, her gargoyle side-kick provided the comic relief when the story veered too far into weighty territory. The weighty territory mostly involved the odd choice in bad guy, which was a bit of a shock and surprise, however it was handled well. While the story was only occasionally serious, the remaining characters were still just as lighthearted making this a perfect read for young kids. In addition to the story there are between chapter snippets of letters, newspaper articles and other assorted information that was a charming addition.
Magic Marks the Spot is an extremely cute Middle Grade novel that comes equipped with a super spunky heroine, entertaining pirates, magical gargoyles and treasure hunting adventures. While this works as a stand-alone novel with its solid wrap-up ending, it's actually a brand new start to a planned trilogy. Definitely looking forward to future mischief from Ms. Hilary!
kelleemoye's review
5.0
Review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=8269
One of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to!
If you have been following my reviews, you know that I thoroughly enjoyed these books. I listened to all of them, and the narrator, Katherine Kellgren, is brilliant. Her ability to do the different voices and accents is just superb! Now, it does make it even easier to love because the books are so well done and so much fun! Hilary Westfield has become one of my favorite strong female protagonists because she just does not care what anyone else thinks or expects of her, she is going to be a fearsome pirate no matter who steps in her way. Additionally, the gargoyle is one of my favorite sidekicks in any book.
One of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to!
If you have been following my reviews, you know that I thoroughly enjoyed these books. I listened to all of them, and the narrator, Katherine Kellgren, is brilliant. Her ability to do the different voices and accents is just superb! Now, it does make it even easier to love because the books are so well done and so much fun! Hilary Westfield has become one of my favorite strong female protagonists because she just does not care what anyone else thinks or expects of her, she is going to be a fearsome pirate no matter who steps in her way. Additionally, the gargoyle is one of my favorite sidekicks in any book.
brandypainter's review
3.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson is the first book in the new series, The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates. I was happy to receive an e-galley and can say with confidence that teachers and librarians will want to take note of this book. Kids are going to eat it up.
Magic Marks the Spot is full of all sorts of fun. In a world where buried treasure is valuable if it's magic instead of gold, and nefarious High Society members use the little magic the country has to be unpleasant, it takes a special group of pirates to find the treasure and stop the evil plans of those who would hoard it all themselves. Here we certainly find an interesting group of pirates that include a young finishing school escapee, her erstwhile governess, and a gargoyle head. The book has a lot of quirky and a rather nonsensical sense of humor. It's the sort of writing that ensnares children and keeps them coming back for more. (Bit took one look at the cover and salivated. She can't wait to get her hands on a copy of the book.) I think that this will be the case in librarians and classrooms everywhere.
I found it to be a cute and fun read, if predictable and a bit too quirky for my tastes. I am happy to have found a new book to encourage my students to read. (Not that they will need much encouragement.)
I read an e-galley made available by the publisher, Harper Children's, via Edelwiess. Magic Marks the Spot is available for purchase September 10.
Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson is the first book in the new series, The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates. I was happy to receive an e-galley and can say with confidence that teachers and librarians will want to take note of this book. Kids are going to eat it up.
Magic Marks the Spot is full of all sorts of fun. In a world where buried treasure is valuable if it's magic instead of gold, and nefarious High Society members use the little magic the country has to be unpleasant, it takes a special group of pirates to find the treasure and stop the evil plans of those who would hoard it all themselves. Here we certainly find an interesting group of pirates that include a young finishing school escapee, her erstwhile governess, and a gargoyle head. The book has a lot of quirky and a rather nonsensical sense of humor. It's the sort of writing that ensnares children and keeps them coming back for more. (Bit took one look at the cover and salivated. She can't wait to get her hands on a copy of the book.) I think that this will be the case in librarians and classrooms everywhere.
I found it to be a cute and fun read, if predictable and a bit too quirky for my tastes. I am happy to have found a new book to encourage my students to read. (Not that they will need much encouragement.)
I read an e-galley made available by the publisher, Harper Children's, via Edelwiess. Magic Marks the Spot is available for purchase September 10.
fionna_a's review
4.0
A fun middle grade book that made me chuckle aloud. The spunky protagonist wants to be a pirate but is sent to finishing school instead. She runs away and joins the crew of a pirate ship trying to find the Enchantress' hidden magic and return it to the people of the country. Very cute book that should appeal to girls and boys.
postitsandpens's review
4.0
This book was so much fun! I adored Hilary's stubbornness and love of piracy, and the supporting cast of characters were equally as lovable. I will definitely be checking out any further installments of this fabulous new MG series!
Full review to come soon!
Full review to come soon!
kellydaphne's review
5.0
I’ve read this book more than five times, and the author’s wit and verbosity always make every reading an enjoyable experience <3
balletbookworm's review
5.0
Adorable and then the fact that the audio is so great...recommend for road trips!
(I love how almost all elderly English ladies in audiobooks sound like Dame Edith Evans)
(I love how almost all elderly English ladies in audiobooks sound like Dame Edith Evans)
catnapper13's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
kvltprincess's review
5.0
What a delightful book. Fun, high-seas swashbuckling adventure that had be reliving my childhood fantasies of becoming a pirate and giggling like mad late into the night. Completely charming.