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schwimfan's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
njtigers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rjdenney's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first time reading The Figure in the Shadows, even though I'm a HUGE John Bellairs fan, there are still quite a few of his books I haven't read and this was one of them. It was fun, scary, and kept me on the edge of my seat during the last pages as do most Bellairs books do. Since this is the sequel/companion to The House with a Clock in its Walls, I'm thinking they might try to adapt this to a movie since the first one did so well in theaters, if so I think it will be a pretty cool and creepy movie. :)
- Richard
- Richard
posies23's review against another edition
4.0
The sequel to THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS is another solid gothic adventure. It's not quite up to the standard of CLOCK, but Bellairs does a nice job of balancing the fears and concerns of children with the supernatural and creepy.
sher221bb's review against another edition
5.0
Emocionante y lleno de misterios y un obejeto muy especial que le otorga esa valentÃa que Lewis deseaba, y una sombra que atormenta al pobre lewis a lo largo de la HISTORIA .....
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
I read this in quick succession after The House with a Clock In Its Walls (because I have a trilogy anthology, yo!), and I liked it better than the original. Possibly because I read it faster (these are short books, in youth lit tradition, and tearing through it more or less in a sitting is both possible and pleasurable), and possibly because the character of Rose Rita is a fantastic addition that the not-totally-likable Lewis benefited from. The realism of the world continues to charm, with just enough slightly unusual twistiness to keep it interesting, until the actual spookery comes in. That is not quite as believable, but it's also limited to such small doses that it isn't off-putting. The scale of the magic is in keeping with the rest of the world.
As in the previous, I am amused at how little regard Lewis' caretakers have for sleep or appropriate nutrition. I do believe the child subsists on a diet of chocolate chip cookies and cocoa. But I also appreciate how the adults are portrayed doing their own adult things and letting the kids do their thing, while simultaneously including them in the family life. There is a trope in YA literature of grown-ups being insufferably stupid and needing to be protected from the dangers in which the youthful protagonists get swept up, and it is nice to see that subverted.
As in the previous, I am amused at how little regard Lewis' caretakers have for sleep or appropriate nutrition. I do believe the child subsists on a diet of chocolate chip cookies and cocoa. But I also appreciate how the adults are portrayed doing their own adult things and letting the kids do their thing, while simultaneously including them in the family life. There is a trope in YA literature of grown-ups being insufferably stupid and needing to be protected from the dangers in which the youthful protagonists get swept up, and it is nice to see that subverted.
tallpaul's review against another edition
5.0
Apparently, this is the second book in the series. I happened to get this on the cheap and figured I'd read it before buying the first book in the series, The House with a Clock in it's Walls.
The Figure in the Shadows
Lewis, an overweight 11 year old who is always being picked on, comes across a lucky curio in his grandfather's old trunk. With his best friend Rose-Rita, who always stands up for Lewis when push comes to shove, they unlock the secret of this mysterious item. Rose Rita is arguably the stronger and more memorable character here. The topics of bullying and gender roles are strong in this one.
My daughter (7) and I fell in love with these characters. Admittedly, I tend to like stories that have strong female protagonist. That's not to say Lewis wasn't well written. I could relate to this wimpy preteens more than I'd like to admit.
Anyway, now we have to go read the first in the series!
The Figure in the Shadows
Lewis, an overweight 11 year old who is always being picked on, comes across a lucky curio in his grandfather's old trunk. With his best friend Rose-Rita, who always stands up for Lewis when push comes to shove, they unlock the secret of this mysterious item. Rose Rita is arguably the stronger and more memorable character here. The topics of bullying and gender roles are strong in this one.
My daughter (7) and I fell in love with these characters. Admittedly, I tend to like stories that have strong female protagonist. That's not to say Lewis wasn't well written. I could relate to this wimpy preteens more than I'd like to admit.
Anyway, now we have to go read the first in the series!
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
"A painfully overweight sixth-grade boy receives a magic amulet which brings him luck, but also terrifying side effects." (From Amazon)
A great mystery paranormal children's novel
"A painfully overweight sixth-grade boy receives a magic amulet which brings him luck, but also terrifying side effects." (From Amazon)
A great mystery paranormal children's novel