Reviews

Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory

Only show reviews with written explanations

jackiejae's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The author is a master of dialogue and character development as well as creative plot. This was SO FUN to listen to. The narrator of the audiobook was excellent and the story was super entertaining!

linzalou's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense slow-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

3.5

It took me a little while to get into the story, and I was overwhelmed by how many characters there were to learn. But once I picked up on who the characters and the overall arc of the story, I was invested in the story and the characters. Buddy is probably my favorite character. The end of the book was fairly predictable, but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

tishywishy's review against another edition

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4.0

Spoonbenders tells the story of the Telemachus family who enjoyed some fame for their psychic abilities until they were debunked on national television. The story is set in the early 90’s, about 20 years after their famous debacle, and the family is in trouble. They must now use their abilities to save each other and in some cases, stay alive. It’s eccentric, entertaining, heartwarming and engaging. The characters diverse and witty, proving tons of humorous moments and relatable situations that all families go through, psychic powers or not. A fun reading journey sure to really bring many readers back to the entertaining spectacle of magic shows.

I fluctuated between the audiobook and novel. The audiobook was ok but the narrator sounded similar for many of the voices, which lead to me being confused about which character was speaking a few times.

katykelly's review against another edition

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4.0

Family story with a difference. Saga of three generations of an unusual clan, slow-moving but fascinating.

4.5 stars.

This is a little, in my mind, like The Royal Tenenbaums - a 'gifted' clan, who for one reason or another have problems in their lives, it feels meandering - there isn't much in the way of 'action' but with several characters to follow, it doesn't flag or feel overlong.

The Telemachus family have special skills - psychic abilities, seeing the future, moving telekinesis. They were even famous and featured on television... before the family is shattered. In the present, the family are floundering, the next generation still reeling from their history and 'gifts'.

A story where a family's powers are real? While it feels like it should be a fantasy, I soon simply accepted this anomaly and sat back to accept the various Telemachus special gifts and watch their journeys over the years.

It reminded me of some of Jonathan Franzen's fiction, the scope and family-wide scope. The novel worked on audiobook, with an engaging narrator covering both male and female voices with ease.

It feels quite long, but I did enjoy the length and seeing what would happen to each character, every storyline was engaging and it was an original and fresh idea, well presented and darkly humorous.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

theglossreview's review against another edition

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4.0

Original! It might not be for everyone as it takes some adjusting. But as soon as you come to appreciate the quirkiness, you will really love it! Highly ironic is the fact that it was more enjoyable on the second read (or rather, listen) because I could then remember the events that would take in the future of the story. Remembering the future - does that sound familiar?

And now it’s even more enjoyable on the third read because I realised that Spoonbenders’ premise is: Home Alone meets Encanto! A large, magical family’s house in Chicago is threatened by criminals. It even includes the construction work and the fortune-telling uncle!

motherofladybirds's review against another edition

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5.0

I enjoyed the premise and the characters. More about family than about powers. I liked the mix of con artist and supposedly real psychic abilities and the negative effects this could have on relationships.