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tsharrison93's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
justlynn_andbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
angorarabbit's review
4.0
I am still waiting for Red Side Story so thought I'd try this. Apparently I am a fan of the get people in and out of books genre, who knew.
TW: non-graphic death and violence, discrimination, family relationships stillbirth. Triggers are not discussed in this review.
After being so violently disappointed by Just One Damned Thing After Another, I am leary of authors being compared to Jasper Fforde. While in the same genre as Fforde, Parry focuses on a family's relationships. It makes for an endearing story admist all the fictional characters running amok. There also is not as much word play and comedy as FFord's novels. I was chuffed at guessing a secret identity despite how long it's been since I've read the relevant books.
All in all a good, fun, clean read with heart.
Now the nitpicking criticisms. Too many climaxes. the first less than 1/2 through the novel. Climaxes are fun to write and this was the author's first published novel so forgivable. Also while I felt that meeting the final boss was a little weak the last chapter was a perfect ending.
Second: Where is Trollope? Uriah Heep, the Artful Dodger, David Copperfield, Fagin, and Scrooge, Nancy, Charles Dickens himself, but no Obadiah Slope (played by Alan Rickman in the Barchester Chronicles mini series), George Vavasor, or the fabulous Glencora. I understand keeping the cast of characters to a manageable level but this was very Dickens heavy.At least Kipling only received a rude mention.
To make matters worse Trollope only gets a mention in the June 2023 version of the Wikipedia article about Victorian Literature. Humph.
Never mind. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a good read.
TW: non-graphic death and violence, discrimination, family relationships stillbirth. Triggers are not discussed in this review.
After being so violently disappointed by Just One Damned Thing After Another, I am leary of authors being compared to Jasper Fforde. While in the same genre as Fforde, Parry focuses on a family's relationships. It makes for an endearing story admist all the fictional characters running amok. There also is not as much word play and comedy as FFord's novels. I was chuffed at guessing a secret identity despite how long it's been since I've read the relevant books.
All in all a good, fun, clean read with heart.
Now the nitpicking criticisms. Too many climaxes. the first less than 1/2 through the novel. Climaxes are fun to write and this was the author's first published novel so forgivable. Also while I felt that meeting the final boss was a little weak the last chapter was a perfect ending.
Second: Where is Trollope? Uriah Heep, the Artful Dodger, David Copperfield, Fagin, and Scrooge, Nancy, Charles Dickens himself, but no Obadiah Slope (played by Alan Rickman in the Barchester Chronicles mini series), George Vavasor, or the fabulous Glencora. I understand keeping the cast of characters to a manageable level but this was very Dickens heavy.At least Kipling only received a rude mention.
To make matters worse Trollope only gets a mention in the June 2023 version of the Wikipedia article about Victorian Literature. Humph.
Never mind. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a good read.
noemigaravaglia's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
drakoulis's review
4.0
Short review since I read this book 2 years ago, before I had started my Goodreads account.
It is a tribute to Dickens and Victorian era book characters taking place in New Zealand, combining the supernatural with a troubled family background and stakes which grow higher and higher.
A pleasant read which will be valued even more by fans of classic British literature.
It is a tribute to Dickens and Victorian era book characters taking place in New Zealand, combining the supernatural with a troubled family background and stakes which grow higher and higher.
A pleasant read which will be valued even more by fans of classic British literature.
jessln23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
mnemosyne139's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The two big reveals in the book were pretty easy to predict (I think I knew both of them before the halfway point), but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. The heart of the story is about family, and that is executed well. And I love the discussion about what makes something "real".
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Inkheart, especially if you're more interested in the impact on the "real" world.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Inkheart, especially if you're more interested in the impact on the "real" world.
sarahmadams's review
adventurous
slow-paced
3.75
Love the concept of this book and loved parts of it. The pacing through the middle was rough—to the point where I didn’t know if I would finish, though I’m glad I did. I also had a tough time with Rob for much of the book. But still, there were many fun bits and I would give another book by this author a go,
srnovak95's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
brakebills42's review
I read up to the chapter titled 11 (the 12th chapter overall). I don't think I know enough about Victorian England literature to really enjoy this book.