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mountie9's review
4.0
The Good Stuff
Enjoyed the fleshing out of the character of Mycroft
More fast paced than the first story in series -- which I think will interest the intended audience a little more
Nice light humour
You can really see how this Sherlock could develop into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock
Love how the author throws in some history, science etc so subtlety that kids won't pick up the fact that they are learning stuff
The historical notes at the end are a fabulous addition
Lots of twists and turns
Need to find out what Mrs Egaltine's agenda is
Not as dark as book 1
Accidentally read book #3 instead of book #2 -- but didn't feel too lost or disorientated from missing it (Now going to start book #2 to fill in the blanks)
The Not So Good Stuff
Still a wee bit slow - it works, but might turn off some more reluctant readers
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"This is all very interesting," Sherlock said cautiously, but I'm not likely to take up fishing as a hobby. It seems to consist of a whole lot of sitting around waiting for something to happen. If I'm going to sit around for a long period of time, I'd rather have a good book in my hands than a fishing rod."
"Less than an hour before he had been running for his life through dark tunnels, and now he was sitting in the sunshine waiting for cake to arrive. Life could be strange, sometimes. Actually, he reflected, life could be strange a lot of the time."
"The problem with life," Mycroft observed. "is that it rarely gives us what we want, or even what we need. I've heard it said that the Lord does not give us anything that we cannot cope with. In my experience this is not true, and merely serves as a mechanism for helping religious people accept the unacceptable. Life is harsh, and we cannot even hope to survive it."
Who Should/Shouldn't Read
Perfect for boys 10 and up who like action and mystery
Might be more suited for a stronger reader rather than a reluctant reader, but that is just my uneducated guess
Jake is going to love this in probably a year or two -- he's a wee bit sensitive so I am going to wait for a while
Girls will enjoy this as well - especially the more "tomboy" type
4.25 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in Exchange for an Honest Review
Enjoyed the fleshing out of the character of Mycroft
More fast paced than the first story in series -- which I think will interest the intended audience a little more
Nice light humour
You can really see how this Sherlock could develop into Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock
Love how the author throws in some history, science etc so subtlety that kids won't pick up the fact that they are learning stuff
The historical notes at the end are a fabulous addition
Lots of twists and turns
Need to find out what Mrs Egaltine's agenda is
Not as dark as book 1
Accidentally read book #3 instead of book #2 -- but didn't feel too lost or disorientated from missing it (Now going to start book #2 to fill in the blanks)
The Not So Good Stuff
Still a wee bit slow - it works, but might turn off some more reluctant readers
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"This is all very interesting," Sherlock said cautiously, but I'm not likely to take up fishing as a hobby. It seems to consist of a whole lot of sitting around waiting for something to happen. If I'm going to sit around for a long period of time, I'd rather have a good book in my hands than a fishing rod."
"Less than an hour before he had been running for his life through dark tunnels, and now he was sitting in the sunshine waiting for cake to arrive. Life could be strange, sometimes. Actually, he reflected, life could be strange a lot of the time."
"The problem with life," Mycroft observed. "is that it rarely gives us what we want, or even what we need. I've heard it said that the Lord does not give us anything that we cannot cope with. In my experience this is not true, and merely serves as a mechanism for helping religious people accept the unacceptable. Life is harsh, and we cannot even hope to survive it."
Who Should/Shouldn't Read
Perfect for boys 10 and up who like action and mystery
Might be more suited for a stronger reader rather than a reluctant reader, but that is just my uneducated guess
Jake is going to love this in probably a year or two -- he's a wee bit sensitive so I am going to wait for a while
Girls will enjoy this as well - especially the more "tomboy" type
4.25 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in Exchange for an Honest Review
britterization's review
DNF at 2/6 cds. I tried to listen to this book, but the narration was just not for me. Very monotone. I also didn't realize that this was third in a series...oops!
swagner's review against another edition
3.0
I remember picking up this book when it first came out a couple of years ago. After reading the first two installments of this series, I wanted more, especially after the sheer sinister antagonist's story-line in the second book. However, book 3 had to wait to be read and I deeply regret not reading it before now. I can only imagine, (but judging from my liking of the first 2 books that I read when I was about Sherlock's age (14)) but I can't help to feel like I would have liked this book a lot more if I had been younger. It is easily read and rather quick-paced, which is good for getting out of a reading slump, however doesn't fulfill my personal need of complexity that I expect a book about Sherlock Holmes to have. By that I mean that the "villain" is not as intimidating as I would have wished him - or rather them - to be. The riddles were not as enjoyable as I remembered them to be from book 1 and 2 because they were mostly just Mycroft or Amyus Crowe listening to Sherlock figuring out an answer while being omniscient about it all which was a little tiring.
All in all, an enjoyable and easy-to-follow entertaining read, but simply not my present taste in literature.
All in all, an enjoyable and easy-to-follow entertaining read, but simply not my present taste in literature.
alexandra19's review against another edition
5.0
Iata un alt volum care mi se pare ca l-a intrecut cu mult pe anteriorul. Daca in precedentul se vobeste mult mai multe de factori politici si istorici, ei bine aici toate acestea sunt impletite cu o inscenare de crima, agenti secreti, nume false si o intreaga actiune care te tine cu sufletul la gura pana cand tanarul Sherlock realizeaza ca toate intamplarile ce au loc inca de la inceput duc in acel punct si descopera o imensa tradare care il vizeaza pe fratele sau. Imi place toata aceasta atmosfera de thriller conferita cartii si na pana la urma ce pot spune mai mult, e Sherlock Holmes!
millidb's review
5.0
I adore the Young Sherlock Holmes series so far! This one was a bit of a slow starter but once the action started, it didn’t stop! Absolutely loved it.
wiebkeandherbooks's review
3.0
Ein Buch für zwischendurch mit einem angenehmen Schreibstil. Der Plot ist aber sehr schnelllebig und könnte mehr Tiefe und Ausschmückung vertragen. Für die Zielgruppe (Teenager 11-15 Jahre vielleicht) ist es aber durchaus ein guter und spannender dritter Teil der Reihe!
tasjaak's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
theartolater's review against another edition
1.0
The "Young X" trend in YA is troubling for a few reasons, probably most notably because the books haven't been that engaging. With such a classic character as Sherlock Holmes, especially with the popularity given the two television programs currently running, catching kids early on this character is a must.
Unfortunately, this book, from the uninspired title to the lackluster mystery to the almost James Bond-ification of Holmes in this iteration to the overall dry writing, just didn't work in any way shape or form for me. As a fan of Holmes, I was disappointed. As a fan of young adult literature, I expected something more.
Unfortunately, this book, from the uninspired title to the lackluster mystery to the almost James Bond-ification of Holmes in this iteration to the overall dry writing, just didn't work in any way shape or form for me. As a fan of Holmes, I was disappointed. As a fan of young adult literature, I expected something more.
a_spencer's review
4.0
Just as enjoyable reading the second time around! I read this book when it first came out when I was young and it still does not disssapoint, even when I am far past the target age audience for the series.