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sofia_santana's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
robin_nescu's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Grief, Abandonment, and Death
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
It has been a good week for me. A Chris Riddell week. I read Fortunately, the milk... with illustrations by Chris Riddell, and now I read his latest book (100% Riddell) named Goth Girl and the Ghost of a mouse.
I can say I absolutely adored and loved the book. The cover and the pages were beautiful, I love the little skulls adoring the inner pages before you start the book, and if you close the book the pages are purple and shiny. Totally awesome.
Before I start with saying what I thought of the story however, let me mention this little titbit I found while reading. There are 2 parts in the book that mention our lovely main character's eyes. In both sentences the eye colour is said to be green. If you check the cover and the backside of the book however, you will see they are blue. Nothing big, but interesting. :)
Now for the story, ah such a wonderful story. And so many details, so many magical creatures (monsters, harpies and more!), so many fun things. But also sad things. Ada who lost her mom, her father who is still full of grief and avoids Ada.
There are also villains, governesses and a secret club meeting in the attic!
It was really fun to read this book, Chris Riddell's illustrations just completed, complimented and made the story even better.
Also I loved the little book about the mouse and his journey/adventure. :)
Ada was a really lovely and likeable character and I can assure you, you will enjoy her adventures, cheer for her and help her with sleuthing!
I really hope that Chris Riddell will continue with another book about Ada!
I can say I absolutely adored and loved the book. The cover and the pages were beautiful, I love the little skulls adoring the inner pages before you start the book, and if you close the book the pages are purple and shiny. Totally awesome.
Before I start with saying what I thought of the story however, let me mention this little titbit I found while reading. There are 2 parts in the book that mention our lovely main character's eyes. In both sentences the eye colour is said to be green. If you check the cover and the backside of the book however, you will see they are blue. Nothing big, but interesting. :)
Now for the story, ah such a wonderful story. And so many details, so many magical creatures (monsters, harpies and more!), so many fun things. But also sad things. Ada who lost her mom, her father who is still full of grief and avoids Ada.
There are also villains, governesses and a secret club meeting in the attic!
It was really fun to read this book, Chris Riddell's illustrations just completed, complimented and made the story even better.
Also I loved the little book about the mouse and his journey/adventure. :)
Ada was a really lovely and likeable character and I can assure you, you will enjoy her adventures, cheer for her and help her with sleuthing!
I really hope that Chris Riddell will continue with another book about Ada!
lovely_99's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐
Muy bonito y divertido. Un mundo super extraño y lleno de personajes con personalidades extravagantes. Me encariñe mucho con Ada y el final fue un poco agridulce para mi pero súper lindo✨
Voy a continuar con los libros. Captaron lo suficiente mi atención, me recuerdan mucho a los libros que solía leer en mi infancia, mas qué todo lo que senti al leer el jardín secreto
Muy bonito y divertido. Un mundo super extraño y lleno de personajes con personalidades extravagantes. Me encariñe mucho con Ada y el final fue un poco agridulce para mi pero súper lindo✨
Voy a continuar con los libros. Captaron lo suficiente mi atención, me recuerdan mucho a los libros que solía leer en mi infancia, mas qué todo lo que senti al leer el jardín secreto
audreylee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
While much of the humor felt aimed at a more adult audience, the resolution felt overly simplistic. Fun but forgettable. The format change to ebook played mix and match with the text and footnotes. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
As ever, Chris Riddell's illustrations are stunning: imaginative and beautiful to look at. The cover art and hardback design are great - purple edges a lovely touch. A pleasure to hold and admire.
It's inside I was a little puzzled. It was like watching a Pixar movie, but one in which every joke flew over the heads of the intended audience of youngsters. As an adult I smirked and smiled to recognise the references (and even I know I didn't know them all), but will a ten-year-old really understand the 'mad, bad and dangerous to gnomes' line? Or the mouse introducing himself as "Call me Ishmael"? One could argue that they might be there for parents reading with their children, but at that age there can't be many parents reading alongside their kids (I hope to be but who knows).
I'm sure young readers will still enjoy the story, the characters, the humour but it did feel strange that so much will fly past the majority of them.
The plot is fun - motherless Ada in her huge Ghastly-Gorm Hall (get it?) with only her grieving father for company discovers a nefarious plot is afoot for the upcoming Indoor Hunt. Ada picks up ghostly friends and explores her huge house and grounds and must try to save the day. Her story starts with the discovery of a ghostly mouse Ishmael, and though he's sweet, I personally saw no need for him to be in the plot at all, other than for the author to include the (frankly marvellous Gulliver-like) mini-book of his previous adventures in the cover.
Overall, I was confused. Who was the target audience? There's lots for a child to enjoy but it really seemed aimed at older readers looking for a light read in many ways. Surprised it won the Costa award. Fantastic illustrations and lots of sly in-jokery.
I'm sure to be proved wrong as I know that I as a smart enough kid would have enjoyed the book but know that so much would have gone over my head.
As ever, Chris Riddell's illustrations are stunning: imaginative and beautiful to look at. The cover art and hardback design are great - purple edges a lovely touch. A pleasure to hold and admire.
It's inside I was a little puzzled. It was like watching a Pixar movie, but one in which every joke flew over the heads of the intended audience of youngsters. As an adult I smirked and smiled to recognise the references (and even I know I didn't know them all), but will a ten-year-old really understand the 'mad, bad and dangerous to gnomes' line? Or the mouse introducing himself as "Call me Ishmael"? One could argue that they might be there for parents reading with their children, but at that age there can't be many parents reading alongside their kids (I hope to be but who knows).
I'm sure young readers will still enjoy the story, the characters, the humour but it did feel strange that so much will fly past the majority of them.
The plot is fun - motherless Ada in her huge Ghastly-Gorm Hall (get it?) with only her grieving father for company discovers a nefarious plot is afoot for the upcoming Indoor Hunt. Ada picks up ghostly friends and explores her huge house and grounds and must try to save the day. Her story starts with the discovery of a ghostly mouse Ishmael, and though he's sweet, I personally saw no need for him to be in the plot at all, other than for the author to include the (frankly marvellous Gulliver-like) mini-book of his previous adventures in the cover.
Overall, I was confused. Who was the target audience? There's lots for a child to enjoy but it really seemed aimed at older readers looking for a light read in many ways. Surprised it won the Costa award. Fantastic illustrations and lots of sly in-jokery.
I'm sure to be proved wrong as I know that I as a smart enough kid would have enjoyed the book but know that so much would have gone over my head.
dg_trout's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
marta_lasa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
juliettechihyu's review against another edition
3.0
A very whimsical tale with beautiful illustrations that perfectly complement the atmosphere of the book.