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artmajorese's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-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? No
4.0
lozziereads's review against another edition
3.0
man... not the telepathic four year old curing his narcolepsy
mdjohnson's review against another edition
2.0
A favorite quote: "What good did worrying do? At this very moment Sticky was sitting beside him on the step, recounting a study he'd read on the 'potentially salubrious effects of daydreams on mental health,' and below them Constance was attempting to retie her shoe with her mittens still on, and Kate was there in the yard, spinning with her arms out wide and gazing up at her falcon in the sky. Reynie took a mental picture, and saved it." (p. 36)
Did I cry?: no/a little bit/a good amount/wept
Loved:
I love the idea of basing this book around the "prisoner's dilemma" presented at the very beginning. The themes of loyalty, trust, and honor are interwoven throughout the story, forcing both the reader and the characters to face the "dilemma" in a variety of scenarios.
Other notes:
We all know this is the weakest book of the original trilogy. The pacing is a little weird. Nothing really "happens" until about halfway through the book, and by the time you get to the end, everything is happening very quickly.
This book's sense of "purpose" isn't as strong as the first two, at least to me. The first book, like any good introduction to a series, establishes the characters and their enemies in an action-packed adventure. The second book takes those characters we have grown to love and lets them bloom; each member of the Society experiences a good amount of character development. But what does this book do for the characters? It's obvious to me that Stewart intended this to be the original ending to the series, although we now know he wrote a fourth book about a decade later. Of course, I haven't read the fourth book yet, so maybe this is coming. But for the original ending of the series, it just doesn't stick the landing. Maybe this re-read just rubbed me the wrong way. I'm open to the possibility that I might revisit this book in a few years and love it and think it's actually the best book in the series.
Did I cry?: no/a little bit/a good amount/wept
Loved:
I love the idea of basing this book around the "prisoner's dilemma" presented at the very beginning. The themes of loyalty, trust, and honor are interwoven throughout the story, forcing both the reader and the characters to face the "dilemma" in a variety of scenarios.
Other notes:
We all know this is the weakest book of the original trilogy. The pacing is a little weird. Nothing really "happens" until about halfway through the book, and by the time you get to the end, everything is happening very quickly.
Spoiler
Stewart spends all this time building up Mr. Benedict potentially being able to cure his narcolepsy using the Whisperer, and then when Constance is actually able to cure him at the very end of the book, the scene is about two pages long and gives no real details as to how she actually did it.This book's sense of "purpose" isn't as strong as the first two, at least to me. The first book, like any good introduction to a series, establishes the characters and their enemies in an action-packed adventure. The second book takes those characters we have grown to love and lets them bloom; each member of the Society experiences a good amount of character development. But what does this book do for the characters? It's obvious to me that Stewart intended this to be the original ending to the series, although we now know he wrote a fourth book about a decade later.
Spoiler
Was the point of this book to provide a satisfying ending to Mr. Curtain's story? Because, due to the aforementioned pacing issues, I don't think it really does that. There seem to be a lot of loose ends and plot holes, unless I'm missing something. Do we really think Mr. Curtain is just going to sit in jail for the rest of his life without attempting any more evil plans?revrebeccatankersley's review against another edition
4.0
Better than book 2. And kids are pleased I read it!
katie_browske's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
anna_ozsvath's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.5
emklem's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ashcarpelibrum's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
This is such a great series for middle grade but even adults can enjoy.
Book 3 showed the children were beginning to grown up in their thinking and developing more patience to think things through.
Book 3 showed the children were beginning to grown up in their thinking and developing more patience to think things through.
bookwyrm242's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Abandonment