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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Exactly my type of book - fantastical historical fiction sprinkled with humor.
This review is by my 10-year-old who read the book and liked it.
He say's he enjoyed the characters, mystery and found the puzzles to be fine. Rated: 4.5 Stars
He say's he enjoyed the characters, mystery and found the puzzles to be fine. Rated: 4.5 Stars
A little historical fiction, a little mystery, and not quite fantasy, but with a fantasy feel -- it was very enjoyable. I don't know if middle readers will snort at the humor the way I did, but it moves along very quickly and is very readable, so I think it may appeal to some of the more hard-to-please readers.
This book was very interesting because it had a very suspenseful ending. The mystery of it all was great.
Christopher is an orphan apprenticed to an apothecary in the mid-1600s. With quite the knack for mixing healing potions, ciphers, and mischief, Christopher has it easy with Benedict Blackthorn. But then local apothecaries are murdered and the blame is put on the Cult of the Archangel, which Blackthorn says doesn't really exist. When events hit close to home, Christopher and his best friend Tom find they're the only ones on the right track to finding the murderer, and their own lives are danger. A page-turning mystery.
Upper elementary/JHS
Upper elementary/JHS
I enjoyed it, my kid loved it. The verifiable facts of the history are correct, which makes my little history lovin' heart happy. I'm not so sure that some of the finer points (some people's attitudes) were true to 17th Century London, but this is a kid's book, not a PhD thesis. We're continuing with the series.
I haven't read a middle grade book this good in awhile. Completely satisfying characters, with secret codes, puzzles, adventure. It was so much fun that I didn't want it to end. I have always been fascinated by alchemy and medieval science and I found this one well researched with fascinating details and a fast paced plot that keeps you guessing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
Interesting read. Really liked the characters and the murder mystery and twists. It was a little long for a MG, but I liked Christopher's story and the love he had for his Master. I'll read the next one. :)
An impulse check out at the local library, The Blackthorn Key was a well-plotted, adventure story for the YA crowd.
Here are some great elements to this book:
• Smart heroes and villains thinking two or three steps ahead.
• Using science (in a magic potions kind of way) to solve problems.
• Finding family and honor in unlikely places.
• Interesting historical fiction for YA readers
• A hidden underground lab with a door that requires working knowledge of the elements.
• Though it is sure to be a series, this one can stand alone. No cliffhanger ending. Thank you Kevin Sands.
This one was a welcome surprise.
Here are some great elements to this book:
• Smart heroes and villains thinking two or three steps ahead.
• Using science (in a magic potions kind of way) to solve problems.
• Finding family and honor in unlikely places.
• Interesting historical fiction for YA readers
• A hidden underground lab with a door that requires working knowledge of the elements.
• Though it is sure to be a series, this one can stand alone. No cliffhanger ending. Thank you Kevin Sands.
This one was a welcome surprise.