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marije_neeltje's review
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
This book was exactly as I remembered it from reading it almost 10 years ago. There is perfect world building, the atmosphere is so vivid and pulls you right into this thrilling mystery. The side characters are wonderful, with their distinct accents and heroic (Jim, Fred, Nicholas, Trembler) or villainous (Mrs. Holland) traits.
It's just So Much Fun to read this!!
I love that it's a stand alone novel, but I can still look forward to three more books in this Sally-universe!
It's just So Much Fun to read this!!
I love that it's a stand alone novel, but I can still look forward to three more books in this Sally-universe!
fxp's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
What a densely packed Victorian cloak-and-dagger story. It was so much fun to read.
dinnureads's review against another edition
4.0
It was an easy and enjoyable read, a nice old school adventure mystery story, set in Victorian England with stories of India and China. I really like to read about Victorian England the most when reading historical novels and it shows...
missmim's review against another edition
4.0
Cute as a button and such a quick read. It's quite a short book, so it's a nice little distraction if you're trying to plow your way through a pile of books, or one that's particularly long. I really did come to feel fond of the characters, and I like that despite Pullman's flights of fancy, the book can still be quite dreadfully realistic at times (in the best of ways). I'm thinking of the kids living in the basement who catch rats, and of Adelaide's fate as well.
missbookiverse's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay but also boring in a way. Well maybe not boring but just not that interesting to me, due to the topics (opium dealing) and genre (historic crime literature).
The story was very well read and I enjoyed the characters (Sally = girl power = yay!) and their different voices (and lovely accents!). I found some descriptions way too detailed though, for example the one of Sally's new gun.
All in all just not my piece of candy. I might read the sequel one day (just because I already own the book) but I don't think I'll ever read the whole series.
The story was very well read and I enjoyed the characters (Sally = girl power = yay!) and their different voices (and lovely accents!). I found some descriptions way too detailed though, for example the one of Sally's new gun.
All in all just not my piece of candy. I might read the sequel one day (just because I already own the book) but I don't think I'll ever read the whole series.
gingerliss's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced mystery set in the streets of Victorian London. I really enjoyed it and it was a nice quick read.
I loved Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy, which I read more than once as a teenager and I've had the first two books in the Sally Lockhart series for absolutely ages but never started reading them until now and I'm glad I finally did!
I really liked all the different characters in the book, the good ones and the bad ones. I like that Sally is a strong independent girl/woman, something that Pullman likes to work with I believe.
I like that the book ended with a proper close. It means that I can read something else in between if I choose. Although I am looking forward to the next one...
I loved Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy, which I read more than once as a teenager and I've had the first two books in the Sally Lockhart series for absolutely ages but never started reading them until now and I'm glad I finally did!
I really liked all the different characters in the book, the good ones and the bad ones. I like that Sally is a strong independent girl/woman, something that Pullman likes to work with I believe.
I like that the book ended with a proper close. It means that I can read something else in between if I choose. Although I am looking forward to the next one...
nikinikt's review
3.0
A certainly pleasant read taking the reader for a trip over the xix century london, with a curious mystery hook. Cannot give more than 3 start though, since the plethora of characters, while having a broad, bold stroke unique to each of them, was not build up nearly enough to create more gripplying narrative. On top of that, the ending felt rushed and luckluster, which was a bit of a letdown since the beginnig was quite promising.
tiggy1991's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? No
5.0
beccajoek's review against another edition
3.0
this was a good quick read. pullman is very good at creating the characters but some of the story got lost i think. i will probably read the rest of the series.