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karrama's review against another edition
5.0
Kevin Sands’ Blackthorn Key is well written. Period. I would share it in a heartbeat, and it's a quick and easy read.
Christopher was an orphan in the busy London of the mid 1600’s. Taken as an apothecary’s apprentice at eleven, he’s bonded to his master. What’s more, he’s good at learning the trade. There’s a murderer about, and he stalks apothecaries. The rest you’ll have to read.
It’s been a long time since a book’s impressed me this much. Christopher and Tom are likeable, and the sensations of London come across palpably. Kevin Sands’ solid writing, the good editing, the accurate historical setting, the puzzles without making reading difficult, all of it adds together to make a great book for the 4-7th grade readers.
The only reservation that I have about it is the inclusion of a particular cult that along with some of the history wouldn’t make sense (it’s a very specific year in England’s history) to a young reader. A second concern is the deaths that start the mystery are pretty grim, though off-screen.
~review based on an ARC
Christopher was an orphan in the busy London of the mid 1600’s. Taken as an apothecary’s apprentice at eleven, he’s bonded to his master. What’s more, he’s good at learning the trade. There’s a murderer about, and he stalks apothecaries. The rest you’ll have to read.
It’s been a long time since a book’s impressed me this much. Christopher and Tom are likeable, and the sensations of London come across palpably. Kevin Sands’ solid writing, the good editing, the accurate historical setting, the puzzles without making reading difficult, all of it adds together to make a great book for the 4-7th grade readers.
The only reservation that I have about it is the inclusion of a particular cult that along with some of the history wouldn’t make sense (it’s a very specific year in England’s history) to a young reader. A second concern is the deaths that start the mystery are pretty grim, though off-screen.
~review based on an ARC
sumayyaha's review against another edition
4.0
(2nd Read)
Rating - 4 Stars
Ahhh. I read it again, because why not?
I love this series so much, it is hands down my favorite middle-grade series. At least for now. And I still agree with everything in my last review but I do think it's more of a 4-star for me where as the rest of the books are 5.
Once again, can't stress just how much great friendship and loyalty is in here. It is the most wholesome friendship (that evolves into a friend trio later on).
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book then and now, I only just realized some things which may come with age. There is alchemy is this book so it touched on that subject of 'attaining' God's power or even a fraction of it which, now that I think about it, was a bit strange for Christians. You'd think they'd revere it too much to try and take hold of it. But I wonder if they realized this later on in the book when ... let's say some realizations were made (without spoiling). I guess they did (in a roundabout way) say you shouldn't mess with that kind of power. Which is a good message to children, in my opinion.
One more thing. This book is a bit gruesome for a middle grade but I was one of those kids who liked that so I thoroughly enjoyed the high stakes and bloodshed (not war or anything like that, but violence nonetheless).
____________________________________
(1st Read)
Rating - 5 Stars
Characters, dialogue, plot, everything was on point.
Fair warning, does get graphic when you get farther in, and bits at the beginning. If that really bothers you, don't go on. If it doesn't, please read it.
Christopher was a great main character. His friend, Tom was such a great companion. I can't think of better friendships. Also, the dialogue was humorous at the right times and serious at others, nice. The plot was amazing, who would've thought that apothecaries interested me so much? I had no idea. I highly recommend this book.
Rating - 4 Stars
Ahhh. I read it again, because why not?
I love this series so much, it is hands down my favorite middle-grade series. At least for now. And I still agree with everything in my last review but I do think it's more of a 4-star for me where as the rest of the books are 5.
Once again, can't stress just how much great friendship and loyalty is in here. It is the most wholesome friendship (that evolves into a friend trio later on).
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book then and now, I only just realized some things which may come with age. There is alchemy is this book so it touched on that subject of 'attaining' God's power or even a fraction of it which, now that I think about it, was a bit strange for Christians. You'd think they'd revere it too much to try and take hold of it. But I wonder if they realized this later on in the book when ... let's say some realizations were made (without spoiling). I guess they did (in a roundabout way) say you shouldn't mess with that kind of power. Which is a good message to children, in my opinion.
One more thing. This book is a bit gruesome for a middle grade but I was one of those kids who liked that so I thoroughly enjoyed the high stakes and bloodshed (not war or anything like that, but violence nonetheless).
____________________________________
(1st Read)
Rating - 5 Stars
Characters, dialogue, plot, everything was on point.
Fair warning, does get graphic when you get farther in, and bits at the beginning. If that really bothers you, don't go on. If it doesn't, please read it.
Christopher was a great main character. His friend, Tom was such a great companion. I can't think of better friendships. Also, the dialogue was humorous at the right times and serious at others, nice. The plot was amazing, who would've thought that apothecaries interested me so much? I had no idea. I highly recommend this book.
parmpotato'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mcayers316's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook version of this, and I enjoyed it quite a bit! I've had this on my list for a long time, so I'm glad I finally made time to read it. I loved the mysteries in the story, although I think for those in particular, it might have been better to read a physical copy of the book. It was hard to decipher listening to the narrator reading off random letters in the clues. Other than that, I enjoyed the narration and am looking forward to listening to the next book in the series......
nordicreads's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely phenomenal debut! Intense, gripping and yet knows how to wrench your heart out. Written cleverly so easy to enjoy even for older readers. There are certain scenes where the book doesn't really hold back on pain, torture, suffering, or murder which had me going, "are we sure this book shouldn't be listed as for 'teens' instead of '9-12'?" But for me personally it was refreshing to read something that didn't skirt around the topics for once. Thoroughly enjoyable.
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
This book says it is for 10 to 14 year olds, so it kind of crosses over from middle grade to YA. There are parts that are particularly violent, but nothing too offensive for an older child. I'm just not a fan of violence, so I was a bit more sensitive. I read that he is working on a sequel, but I have to say I appreciate that the story wasn't written to leave us hanging.
mochipandabear's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the best middle grade books I’ve read in a while. I almost forgot it was one at one point because it read like an average… historical fiction(?). It was fantastic and I found myself unable to put myself down wanting to know how Christopher got himself in and out of each situation (typically with an explosion or two). I was hooked on the mystery till the very end and I am excited to start the next book to see what happens next! 5/5 Stars!!!
sallyavena's review against another edition
4.0
Captivating mystery that we listened to on a car trip. The reader (British guy...don't remember his name) was amazing!
rathew's review against another edition
This is one of my favorite book series of all time. I loved the mix of fantasy that is actually just science. The characters are so lovable and interesting. The imagery is so good I could almost smell the dirty streets and saltpeter.
joe16210's review against another edition
5.0
I expected a childish book about chemistry and alchemy, but it was surprisingly good and really well written. The story was full of action and it turned out to be a crime story actually. Strongly recomnended.