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chriskoppenhaver's review against another edition
4.0
Three stars for the story itself, five stars for the smart aleck storytelling and audiobook narrator, so I averaged it out to a four. Because there is an exciting tale of intrigue and espionage starring an inventive father, his two sons and one daughter, a host of government agents and goons, and all the people they meet over the course of their adventure, but this isn't really a book based on plot and character development. No, the joy of this tale is the telling, the constant clever asides, snarky comments, witty puns and plays on language, ridiculous situations and set-ups, and cerebrally silly humor. I was most happily amused.
A few examples:
The secret government agency whose agents go by their initials, spelled out, so we get "names" like Agent Aitch Dee, Agent El Kyoo, and Agent Gee Doubleyou.
---
As the station wagon pulled back onto the highway, the sun was slowly sinking below the horizon like a leaky boat. Well, except for the fact that boats are not generally round, orange, and on fire. Hmm. Come to think of it, in no way whatsoever did the sun, in this instance, resemble a leaky boat. My apologies. That was a dreadful attempt at simile. Please allow me to try again.
As the station wagon pulled back onto the highway, the sun was slowly sinking below the horizon like a self-luminous, gaseous sphere comprised mainly of hydrogen and helium.
---
There was a time when, if you encountered someone with a tattoo, you could pretty much assume he was either a sailor or had, at one time or another, been in prison. There was something, it seemed, about men being cooped up together that made them want to draw on themselves.
---
All gifts are not created equal. Historically speaking, there are good gifts and there are bad gifts.
Good gifts: A bottle of champagne, a box of fine Belgian chocolates, the Statue of Liberty.
Bad gifts: A bottle of shampoo, a box of fine Belgian matches, the Trojan Horse.
---
If I could give you all just one word of advice, it would be . . . well, an incomplete sentence. Besides being grammatically iffy, I'm sure you'd agree that a single word of advice is rarely of much use. Even the phrase "Look out!" (which could prove to be life-saving advice--especially where large falling objects or missing manhole covers are concerned) is two words.
To simply shout out "Look!" to a friend as a tuba falls from a ninth-story window toward his unsuspecting head will, at best, only serve to make sure he gets a good look at the tuba before it parades him, unceremoniously, into the sidewalk.
And so, throughout this book, I will attempt to offer more than one word of wisdom whether you want it or not because, after all, that is what we do here at the National Center for Unsolicited Advice.
A few examples:
The secret government agency whose agents go by their initials, spelled out, so we get "names" like Agent Aitch Dee, Agent El Kyoo, and Agent Gee Doubleyou.
---
As the station wagon pulled back onto the highway, the sun was slowly sinking below the horizon like a leaky boat. Well, except for the fact that boats are not generally round, orange, and on fire. Hmm. Come to think of it, in no way whatsoever did the sun, in this instance, resemble a leaky boat. My apologies. That was a dreadful attempt at simile. Please allow me to try again.
As the station wagon pulled back onto the highway, the sun was slowly sinking below the horizon like a self-luminous, gaseous sphere comprised mainly of hydrogen and helium.
---
There was a time when, if you encountered someone with a tattoo, you could pretty much assume he was either a sailor or had, at one time or another, been in prison. There was something, it seemed, about men being cooped up together that made them want to draw on themselves.
---
All gifts are not created equal. Historically speaking, there are good gifts and there are bad gifts.
Good gifts: A bottle of champagne, a box of fine Belgian chocolates, the Statue of Liberty.
Bad gifts: A bottle of shampoo, a box of fine Belgian matches, the Trojan Horse.
---
If I could give you all just one word of advice, it would be . . . well, an incomplete sentence. Besides being grammatically iffy, I'm sure you'd agree that a single word of advice is rarely of much use. Even the phrase "Look out!" (which could prove to be life-saving advice--especially where large falling objects or missing manhole covers are concerned) is two words.
To simply shout out "Look!" to a friend as a tuba falls from a ninth-story window toward his unsuspecting head will, at best, only serve to make sure he gets a good look at the tuba before it parades him, unceremoniously, into the sidewalk.
And so, throughout this book, I will attempt to offer more than one word of wisdom whether you want it or not because, after all, that is what we do here at the National Center for Unsolicited Advice.
paigeturner22's review against another edition
4.0
In a very Lemony Snicket-ish manner, Dr. Cuthbert Soup introduces us to the Cheeseman family. I would share their names here but unfortunately, they change quite often! You see the Cheesemans are on the run from a few top secret agencies because of Mr.Cheeseman's invention, the LVR, an unfinished time machine. To keep himself and his three children, hairless psychic dog, and sock puppet friend safe, Cheeseman has taught his family to be ready to relocate at a moment's notice. There is never quite enough time to make new friends, join clubs, or just be comfortable because each time they do, the agents catch up to them. These same agents are responsible for the death of Mrs. Cheeseman, so the family knows there is no end to what they'll do to get their hands on the LVR.
I rather enjoyed this book once I got into it. I began the audio version first, and though the voice work is great, it was hard to keep up with the different special agents and groups. Getting the book in print version made it much easier to follow. The dry wit and ironic humor was familiar and very entertaining. Each secret agency has sent out a quirky set of agents on the Cheeseman trail, all with their own unique(and hilarious) behavior.
The Cheeseman's are a sweet family, and quite funny!
I rather enjoyed this book once I got into it. I began the audio version first, and though the voice work is great, it was hard to keep up with the different special agents and groups. Getting the book in print version made it much easier to follow. The dry wit and ironic humor was familiar and very entertaining. Each secret agency has sent out a quirky set of agents on the Cheeseman trail, all with their own unique(and hilarious) behavior.
The Cheeseman's are a sweet family, and quite funny!
ndowd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
therealkateclysm's review against another edition
3.0
Very fun, good friendships and uncomplicated plot line. Even though there's potential for time travel involved, there's no pesky talk about paradox's so it's perfect for middle-schoolers probably.
I enjoyed it too!
I enjoyed it too!
jmarchek's review against another edition
5.0
This book is hilarious - best YA novel (actually younger than YA - all my kids loved this). It's the story of a scientist and his 3 children as he tries to develop a time machine to go back in time to get his wife who was poisoned. Meanwhile they are pursued by the weirdest cast of spies, government agents, and corporate goons. I haven't laughed this much with any book - highly recommended.
erine's review against another edition
3.0
Tried to read this, and based on the other reviews, I may have to give it another try. But the perpetually changing names of the main characters had me confused and disinterested before the story had a chance to hook me.
Second try: made it past the changing names and found the story to be a mostly humorous adventure. A little Lemony Snicket-y, without the complete lack of hope.
Second try: made it past the changing names and found the story to be a mostly humorous adventure. A little Lemony Snicket-y, without the complete lack of hope.
logan08's review against another edition
5.0
This book reminded me so much of the Secret Series and how Pseudonymous Boch writes. I love books where the author puts a word in as the story is being told, in a humorous way. There was never a dull moment and I loved Captain Jiffy and the rest of his crew. I can't wait to read the next one.
meghan_solo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gmamartha's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not a Snicket fan, so this didn't wow me. After the narrator let the story take over, it was much better. But "my" book club kids seem to love it.
iceangel32's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story of the LVR, a psychic, hairless dog, top secret government agents, international superspies, corporate villains, a cowboy poet, a raveling circus, three attractive, relatively odor- free children, and a sox puppet names Steve. This was a great little story that made you laugh and relate to the characters the whole time. I think that this story is good for any age if you are still a child at heart.