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mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this was a hilarious, great book, though there were a few things that I didn't particularly like.
While I did like our main character, at times I wondered how he could still be so weak, so afraid, so stupid. He has been trained since birth, he has seen all kinds of stuff, he has all kinds of things ready for him, yet he can't do anything without the help of others. And while I do like a character that isn't instantly strong, I would have liked to see some growth in our main character. He does seem to get smarter about stuff, but still, his strength, the things he is supposed to do? Only a little bit, other than that he still needs the help of people. And truly, it is a shame.
But, he is also a good character, he is pretty smart, and he does do his best to train, he does his best with monsters, but the fact is that he just doesn't want this, he wants something different. But yeah, tell that to your dad who is crazily focussed on passing the legacy. The kid doesn't have an easy life at times.
I loved how dedicated he was though, and how he tried to help out his dad, how he tried to solve the mysteries surrounding him.
Emmie/Emmy, I didn't trust her from the beginning, she just had that aura over her that screamed: WARNING WARNING! She was an interesting girl, but she was a bit too pushy, a bit too oblivious to some things.
Later when we find out a bit more about her and her family I started to slowly like her and started trusting her a bit more. Take note of that 'bit more'-part. I still didn't trust her entirely.
But she did give the book some extra dimension and some extra fun. And in the end she was a pretty trusty/dependable character.
I didn't like the villagers at all, they all seemed ungrateful and hateful. I can imagine it is no fun when monsters invade your town, and when stuff goes bad. Especially when the new Legend Hunter will be a boy who is a total wreck at the job, but still, I found it disgusting with what they did in the end.
The boy and his father (especially the father) did their best to get rid of the monsters, they tried their best to fix stuff, and yes stuff did go wrong, but you could have known that if you are going to live in such a village.
The story itself is really fun and I love the idea of villages in which monsters or Legends (but I will call them monsters) exists, monsters that pop up and that there are Legend Hunters hunting these monsters. All but the village of our main character is free of it, and so this book also explores the why is Darkmouth still bothered by the monsters? Why only this town? Is it due to something special? Is there something wrong?
I also liked that the weather acted up when there was a monster popping up. Really interesting and it gave something extra to the story, I am still curious as to why it happened (maybe it was explained, but at times I just lose myself too much in the story and I miss explanations).
The ending was interesting. Though the twist about a certain character was a bit predictable, still it was nice that it was added, it made the story even more exciting and I just wanted to see what would happen if people discovered and found out about it.
All in all, this is a book that will grab you and hold you tight. I do hope that our main character will get a bit more development (especially in the strong and brave part) in the next books.
I would really recommend this book. It has monsters, battles, twists and turns, and a lot of humour and fun.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
While I did like our main character, at times I wondered how he could still be so weak, so afraid, so stupid. He has been trained since birth, he has seen all kinds of stuff, he has all kinds of things ready for him, yet he can't do anything without the help of others. And while I do like a character that isn't instantly strong, I would have liked to see some growth in our main character. He does seem to get smarter about stuff, but still, his strength, the things he is supposed to do? Only a little bit, other than that he still needs the help of people. And truly, it is a shame.
But, he is also a good character, he is pretty smart, and he does do his best to train, he does his best with monsters, but the fact is that he just doesn't want this, he wants something different. But yeah, tell that to your dad who is crazily focussed on passing the legacy. The kid doesn't have an easy life at times.
I loved how dedicated he was though, and how he tried to help out his dad, how he tried to solve the mysteries surrounding him.
Emmie/Emmy, I didn't trust her from the beginning, she just had that aura over her that screamed: WARNING WARNING! She was an interesting girl, but she was a bit too pushy, a bit too oblivious to some things.
Later when we find out a bit more about her and her family I started to slowly like her and started trusting her a bit more. Take note of that 'bit more'-part. I still didn't trust her entirely.
But she did give the book some extra dimension and some extra fun. And in the end she was a pretty trusty/dependable character.
I didn't like the villagers at all, they all seemed ungrateful and hateful. I can imagine it is no fun when monsters invade your town, and when stuff goes bad. Especially when the new Legend Hunter will be a boy who is a total wreck at the job, but still, I found it disgusting with what they did in the end.
The boy and his father (especially the father) did their best to get rid of the monsters, they tried their best to fix stuff, and yes stuff did go wrong, but you could have known that if you are going to live in such a village.
The story itself is really fun and I love the idea of villages in which monsters or Legends (but I will call them monsters) exists, monsters that pop up and that there are Legend Hunters hunting these monsters. All but the village of our main character is free of it, and so this book also explores the why is Darkmouth still bothered by the monsters? Why only this town? Is it due to something special? Is there something wrong?
I also liked that the weather acted up when there was a monster popping up. Really interesting and it gave something extra to the story, I am still curious as to why it happened (maybe it was explained, but at times I just lose myself too much in the story and I miss explanations).
The ending was interesting. Though the twist about a certain character was a bit predictable, still it was nice that it was added, it made the story even more exciting and I just wanted to see what would happen if people discovered and found out about it.
All in all, this is a book that will grab you and hold you tight. I do hope that our main character will get a bit more development (especially in the strong and brave part) in the next books.
I would really recommend this book. It has monsters, battles, twists and turns, and a lot of humour and fun.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Billed as the 'next big thing', a new Harry Potter - I couldn't resist trying this to see...
And it's really, really good. I can see the comparisons, and also why the predictions have bene made. This is exciting fantasy, with scope for a long-lasting series of likeable characters, with backstory and all sorts of interesting creatures.
Our hero doesn't feel like a hero, though his family background would say otherwise. Finn is destined to become the 43rd generation of Legend Hunter in his family. His small Irish town of Darkmouth is now the only remaining place where creatures ('legends' such as manticores, basilisks and hogboons) can enter from their world into ours. Finn has been trained all his life to take on his role as protector of our world, but he isn't very good at it, and doesn't, in fact, want the job.
Finn is twelve, and can't seem to get it right, causing more problems than he stops with his attempts to best the Legends, to the constant frustration of Hugo the Great, his Hunter dad. In this world too, Finn's destiny and family is no secret, at school everyone knows what he's been doing (and what he's been getting wrong), and in this world too, the public are starting to rebel against the Hunters ways - they want to protect themselves.
A big invasion is planned, and Finn is caught up in a large battle that envelopes everyone in Darkmouth, including new friend and fan Emmie, as friendship, betrayal, death, and the safety of our world are all entangled in a Legend plot.
There are lots of nice little touches that rang true - Finn wearily interrupting all the "heard it before" stories of his dad's heroics, the poor Sergeant sick of policing the town and wanting to be posted elsewhere, a constantly desiccated and reanimated Legend called Broonie.
Hegarty has included stories from the Hunters books, some great family dynamics, and lots of fantastical creatures that are both funny and dangerous. It looks like a long book, but it whizzes by just like a Potter story.
The story ends on a cliffhanger that promises more episodes with a Finn who has grown in bravery and confidence in the first, who just like Harry we will probably get to see change through adolescence, with a small group of recurring characters around him. It's not as complete a world as Potter's but could become so.
There are some good relationships that I'd like to see again, between both adults and children, some 'superhero' conventions are played with, I LOVE Finn's house. Broonie reminded me a little of Mulch Diggums from Artemis Fowl, but without the physical attributes everyone likes about him, though he is sweet.
Maybe next time we'll see more of the Legends' world?
A great new fantasy series, one ripe for film plucking (wouldn't it be nice to see Irish accents on screen in a children's film?), and recommended for ages 8-13.
Billed as the 'next big thing', a new Harry Potter - I couldn't resist trying this to see...
And it's really, really good. I can see the comparisons, and also why the predictions have bene made. This is exciting fantasy, with scope for a long-lasting series of likeable characters, with backstory and all sorts of interesting creatures.
Our hero doesn't feel like a hero, though his family background would say otherwise. Finn is destined to become the 43rd generation of Legend Hunter in his family. His small Irish town of Darkmouth is now the only remaining place where creatures ('legends' such as manticores, basilisks and hogboons) can enter from their world into ours. Finn has been trained all his life to take on his role as protector of our world, but he isn't very good at it, and doesn't, in fact, want the job.
Finn is twelve, and can't seem to get it right, causing more problems than he stops with his attempts to best the Legends, to the constant frustration of Hugo the Great, his Hunter dad. In this world too, Finn's destiny and family is no secret, at school everyone knows what he's been doing (and what he's been getting wrong), and in this world too, the public are starting to rebel against the Hunters ways - they want to protect themselves.
A big invasion is planned, and Finn is caught up in a large battle that envelopes everyone in Darkmouth, including new friend and fan Emmie, as friendship, betrayal, death, and the safety of our world are all entangled in a Legend plot.
There are lots of nice little touches that rang true - Finn wearily interrupting all the "heard it before" stories of his dad's heroics, the poor Sergeant sick of policing the town and wanting to be posted elsewhere, a constantly desiccated and reanimated Legend called Broonie.
Hegarty has included stories from the Hunters books, some great family dynamics, and lots of fantastical creatures that are both funny and dangerous. It looks like a long book, but it whizzes by just like a Potter story.
The story ends on a cliffhanger that promises more episodes with a Finn who has grown in bravery and confidence in the first, who just like Harry we will probably get to see change through adolescence, with a small group of recurring characters around him. It's not as complete a world as Potter's but could become so.
There are some good relationships that I'd like to see again, between both adults and children, some 'superhero' conventions are played with, I LOVE Finn's house. Broonie reminded me a little of Mulch Diggums from Artemis Fowl, but without the physical attributes everyone likes about him, though he is sweet.
Maybe next time we'll see more of the Legends' world?
A great new fantasy series, one ripe for film plucking (wouldn't it be nice to see Irish accents on screen in a children's film?), and recommended for ages 8-13.
scoutfinch75's review against another edition
5.0
Darkmouth is a blighted village, where Legends ( monsters to us mere mortals ) open portals and enter the human realm, bent on creating carnage and destruction. Where there are Legends there are Legend Hunters, enter Hugo the Great and his twelve year old son Finn. Finn is the last of the Legend Hunters, and let's just say he still has a lot to learn!
I absolutely adore this book, and got swept up in a wave of excitement and adventure right from the beginning. The myths and history surrounding the Blighted Villages and the Legend Hunters is fascinating. The Legends themselves are terrifying mythological creatures that would instill fear into even the bravest of the brave.
The story is brilliant and captivating.
James de la Rue's amazing illustrations compliment the narrative to perfection!
I can't wait to read the sequel.
I absolutely adore this book, and got swept up in a wave of excitement and adventure right from the beginning. The myths and history surrounding the Blighted Villages and the Legend Hunters is fascinating. The Legends themselves are terrifying mythological creatures that would instill fear into even the bravest of the brave.
The story is brilliant and captivating.
James de la Rue's amazing illustrations compliment the narrative to perfection!
I can't wait to read the sequel.
dannyphantomsg1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.75
ihatefantasy_carebear's review
1.25
I'm not the target audience... A couple of years ago I would have enjoyed it more.
grizkata's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
dogearedandfurry's review
4.0
Really liked this. Picked it up in a Waterstones ages ago and the blurb looked interesting - got it on Kindle as it was just cheaper that way. Took me a while to get round to. Finn is the son of a Legend Hunter (in a long line of Legend Hunters) - Legends are what most would call monsters, like minotaurs, manticores and a few I think the author made up. They live in the Infested Side, but sometimes gateways open into our world, and they spill through into areas called Blighted Villages. This has mostly stopped barring Darkmouth, a village in Ireland.
Overall, very good. Humorous, good idea, well done. Sometimes this means they can try a little too hard or think themselves too funny (Derek Landy being a prime example), so that knocked it from 5* to 4* for me. Still a really good first in the series, will definitely check out book 2.
Overall, very good. Humorous, good idea, well done. Sometimes this means they can try a little too hard or think themselves too funny (Derek Landy being a prime example), so that knocked it from 5* to 4* for me. Still a really good first in the series, will definitely check out book 2.
lawbooks600's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Representation: N/A
Score: Seven points out of ten.
I wanted to read this for a while and then when one of the libraries I regularly go to had this on the display shelf I picked it up and finally read it. Unfortunately the library does not have all four books in the series since they only have this book and book two, despite that I enjoyed it but I don't think it will be one of the most memorable books I've read due to its flaws. It starts with the main character Finn whose last name I don't even know who lives in a town called Darkmouth in Ireland and in the beginning of the book it told me there were monsters (I give credit to the 3rd omniscient POV.) Here's the thing: Finn is the last monster or Legend as this book calls it hunter but he doesn't want to do it (it's giving me déjà vu from another book like this I've read here) which takes place during the first few pages of the book. The worldbuilding was intriguing and could be explored more in the second book and Finn was likable and someone I could root for but not connect to, is it me or is there some distance between us? I don't know. I think it's me. The middle part was paced slower than the beginning but that was to let me deeply explore the town of Darkmouth but the ending was much more fast-paced since Finn opened a portal, there was a clue to find a map so he found it which had an X and the novel ended in a cliffhanger. Wow.
Score: Seven points out of ten.
I wanted to read this for a while and then when one of the libraries I regularly go to had this on the display shelf I picked it up and finally read it. Unfortunately the library does not have all four books in the series since they only have this book and book two, despite that I enjoyed it but I don't think it will be one of the most memorable books I've read due to its flaws. It starts with the main character Finn whose last name I don't even know who lives in a town called Darkmouth in Ireland and in the beginning of the book it told me there were monsters (I give credit to the 3rd omniscient POV.) Here's the thing: Finn is the last monster or Legend as this book calls it hunter but he doesn't want to do it (it's giving me déjà vu from another book like this I've read here) which takes place during the first few pages of the book. The worldbuilding was intriguing and could be explored more in the second book and Finn was likable and someone I could root for but not connect to, is it me or is there some distance between us? I don't know. I think it's me. The middle part was paced slower than the beginning but that was to let me deeply explore the town of Darkmouth but the ending was much more fast-paced since Finn opened a portal, there was a clue to find a map so he found it which had an X and the novel ended in a cliffhanger. Wow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
Full trigger warnings: Near-death experience, blood depiction, physical injuryschasesears's review against another edition
3.0
This book was amazing and funny. Read about last year but forgot to put it on goodreads. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
sunnydee's review against another edition
5.0
Die Aufmachung war ja ganz mein Ding - herrliches Comic-Cover und dieses geniale Giftgrün. Inhaltlich habe ich eher befürchtet, dass es mich nur mittelmäßig begeistern kann, da ich etwas alà Percy Jackson erwartete. Ich wurde aber extrem positiv überrascht und das schon auf den ersten Seiten. Das Buch hat mich nämlich sowohl emotional als auch spannungstechnisch gepackt und das schaffen Kinderbücher eher selten bei mir. Für mich war es eine Mischung aus Ghostbusters und Harry Potter.
Inhaltlich geht es um Finn (12 Jahre), der Sohn eines Legendenjägers, der nun in die Fußstapfen seines Vaters treten soll. Allerdings möchte Finn gar nicht gegen Legenden (Monster) kämpfen sondern lieber Tierarzt werden. Sein Vater ist aber unerbittlich in seiner Ausbildung und egal wie ungeschickt Finn auch ist, sein Vater kennt keine Gnade. Die Legenden werden auf Ghostbuster-Manier eingefangen und geschrumpft. Obwohl dieses Legendenbekämpfen das alles übergreifende Thema ist, so spielt sich doch viel mehr über die Gefühlswelt von Finn im Umgang mit seiner 'normalen' Umwelt ab. Sein innerer Konflikt (Familie/Vater glücklich machen vs. kein Legendenjäger werden wollen) wird sehr deutlich und überzeugend dargestellt. Auch eine Freundschaft spielt eine große Rolle. Die Legenden nehmen da eher eine Nebenrolle ein, was mich aber nicht gestört hat.
Der Schreibstil war wirklich toll. Ich hatte Bilder vor Augen und konnte mir jeden einzelnen Charakter sehr gut vorstellen. Außerdem schaffte es der Autor mich richtig in die Geschichte hineinzuziehen und mich mitfühlen zu lassen.
Überhaupt war ich überrascht wie emotional mich das Buch packen konnte. Finn ist einfach ein unglaublich toller, sympathischer Charakter. Ich habe sehr mit ihm mitgefühlt. Seinen Vater hätte ich gern das ein oder andere mal geschüttelt.
Spannend war das ganze ungemein für mich. Hier wird man nicht mit einem halben Kapitel Finale abgespeist, wie bei vielen anderen Kinder- und Jugendbüchern. Nein, das Finale nahm gefühlt über ein Drittel des Buches ein. Ab etwa der Hälfte des Buches konnte ich es nicht mehr beiseite legen. Ich hatte ja eigentlich angefangen mit meinem elfjährigen Patenkind zu lesen, aber ich war sehr froh als er dann sein eigenes Exemplar hatte und ich schon unabhängig von unseren Leseabenden weiter lesen konnte. Die Kämpfe fand ich unglaublich spannend für ein Kinderbuch, obwohl es nie zu brutal aber eben auch nie zu einfach wurde. Ich finde es war wirklich gut für das Lesealter ab 10 Jahren abgestimmt. Wirklich überraschen wird Erwachsene nicht wer hier wo dahinter steckt, aber ich denke für das empfohlene Lesealter ist das ganze genau richtig.
Die Charaktere fand ich alle sehr gut ausgearbeitet. Einige Nebencharaktere blieben zwar etwas blass, aber die auf welche es ankam, konnten voll überzeugen. Finn ist ein toller Charakter für ein Kinderbuch. Er ist keine Memme aber auch kein Superheld - genau das womit sich viele junge Leser gern und einfach identifizieren können. Er ist ziemlich tollpatschig was das kämpfen und manchmal auch seine sozialen Fähigkeiten angeht, aber gerade das macht ihn so sympathisch. Lediglich seine vielen Fehler beim kämpfen frustrierten mich an manchen Stellen. Finns Vater machte es einem teilweise sehr schwer ihn zu mögen oder seine Liebe für Finn zu erkennen. Er fordert einfach viel zu viel von seinem Sohn und ist dabei oft sehr raubeinig und ignorant. Finns Mutter fand ich klasse, weil sie das ganze ausglich. Bei den anderen Nebencharakteren möchte ich nicht zu viel verraten, aber es sind noch zwei richtig interessante dabei.
Grundidee 4,5/5
Schreibstil 5+/5
Spannung 5+/5 (für eine Kinderbuch)
Emotionen 5/5
Charaktere 5/5
*Fazit:*
5+ von 5 Sternen
Das Buch hat mich wirklich total geflashed. Es konnte mich auf der emotionalen und auf der Spannungsebene überzeugen. Finn war ein toller Hauptcharakter für ein Kinderbuch und bot großes Identifikationspotenzial. Das letzte Drittel ist so spannend, dass man das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen mag, also haltet euch genug Zeit frei dafür. Ich kann es jedem Leser ab 10 Jahren empfehlen und auch Erwachsenen, die ab und zu ein gutes, spannendes Kinderbuch zu schätzen wissen, würde ich dieses Buch ans Herz legen. Ich möchte auf jeden Fall mehr davon.
Inhaltlich geht es um Finn (12 Jahre), der Sohn eines Legendenjägers, der nun in die Fußstapfen seines Vaters treten soll. Allerdings möchte Finn gar nicht gegen Legenden (Monster) kämpfen sondern lieber Tierarzt werden. Sein Vater ist aber unerbittlich in seiner Ausbildung und egal wie ungeschickt Finn auch ist, sein Vater kennt keine Gnade. Die Legenden werden auf Ghostbuster-Manier eingefangen und geschrumpft. Obwohl dieses Legendenbekämpfen das alles übergreifende Thema ist, so spielt sich doch viel mehr über die Gefühlswelt von Finn im Umgang mit seiner 'normalen' Umwelt ab. Sein innerer Konflikt (Familie/Vater glücklich machen vs. kein Legendenjäger werden wollen) wird sehr deutlich und überzeugend dargestellt. Auch eine Freundschaft spielt eine große Rolle. Die Legenden nehmen da eher eine Nebenrolle ein, was mich aber nicht gestört hat.
Der Schreibstil war wirklich toll. Ich hatte Bilder vor Augen und konnte mir jeden einzelnen Charakter sehr gut vorstellen. Außerdem schaffte es der Autor mich richtig in die Geschichte hineinzuziehen und mich mitfühlen zu lassen.
Überhaupt war ich überrascht wie emotional mich das Buch packen konnte. Finn ist einfach ein unglaublich toller, sympathischer Charakter. Ich habe sehr mit ihm mitgefühlt. Seinen Vater hätte ich gern das ein oder andere mal geschüttelt.
Spannend war das ganze ungemein für mich. Hier wird man nicht mit einem halben Kapitel Finale abgespeist, wie bei vielen anderen Kinder- und Jugendbüchern. Nein, das Finale nahm gefühlt über ein Drittel des Buches ein. Ab etwa der Hälfte des Buches konnte ich es nicht mehr beiseite legen. Ich hatte ja eigentlich angefangen mit meinem elfjährigen Patenkind zu lesen, aber ich war sehr froh als er dann sein eigenes Exemplar hatte und ich schon unabhängig von unseren Leseabenden weiter lesen konnte. Die Kämpfe fand ich unglaublich spannend für ein Kinderbuch, obwohl es nie zu brutal aber eben auch nie zu einfach wurde. Ich finde es war wirklich gut für das Lesealter ab 10 Jahren abgestimmt. Wirklich überraschen wird Erwachsene nicht wer hier wo dahinter steckt, aber ich denke für das empfohlene Lesealter ist das ganze genau richtig.
Die Charaktere fand ich alle sehr gut ausgearbeitet. Einige Nebencharaktere blieben zwar etwas blass, aber die auf welche es ankam, konnten voll überzeugen. Finn ist ein toller Charakter für ein Kinderbuch. Er ist keine Memme aber auch kein Superheld - genau das womit sich viele junge Leser gern und einfach identifizieren können. Er ist ziemlich tollpatschig was das kämpfen und manchmal auch seine sozialen Fähigkeiten angeht, aber gerade das macht ihn so sympathisch. Lediglich seine vielen Fehler beim kämpfen frustrierten mich an manchen Stellen. Finns Vater machte es einem teilweise sehr schwer ihn zu mögen oder seine Liebe für Finn zu erkennen. Er fordert einfach viel zu viel von seinem Sohn und ist dabei oft sehr raubeinig und ignorant. Finns Mutter fand ich klasse, weil sie das ganze ausglich. Bei den anderen Nebencharakteren möchte ich nicht zu viel verraten, aber es sind noch zwei richtig interessante dabei.
Grundidee 4,5/5
Schreibstil 5+/5
Spannung 5+/5 (für eine Kinderbuch)
Emotionen 5/5
Charaktere 5/5
*Fazit:*
5+ von 5 Sternen
Das Buch hat mich wirklich total geflashed. Es konnte mich auf der emotionalen und auf der Spannungsebene überzeugen. Finn war ein toller Hauptcharakter für ein Kinderbuch und bot großes Identifikationspotenzial. Das letzte Drittel ist so spannend, dass man das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen mag, also haltet euch genug Zeit frei dafür. Ich kann es jedem Leser ab 10 Jahren empfehlen und auch Erwachsenen, die ab und zu ein gutes, spannendes Kinderbuch zu schätzen wissen, würde ich dieses Buch ans Herz legen. Ich möchte auf jeden Fall mehr davon.