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abaugher's review against another edition
4.0
at first this seems to be another version of "powerful male victorian genius misanthrope domineers young street urchin for his own nefarious ends". and it is for a bit, but deviates from that motif more as the story continues. lovely descriptions, you can almost feel the snow settling over the city (despite the fact that it's summer in my worlod right now). And Boy's character develops even more in this book.
guardianghost's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
missbookiverse's review against another edition
4.0
It only took me 6 years to pick up this sequel to [b:The Book of Dead Days|208159|The Book of Dead Days (Book of Dead Days, #1)|Marcus Sedgwick|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389499473s/208159.jpg|2919250]. I'm glad I did though because it's a decent addition to its predecessor and it made me realize that Boy's story was not yet complete. The story is pretty straight-forward but the writing and the audiobook narration are beautiful and turned this into a magical little story.
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
2.0
Not as good as the first, but this will give you a couple of answers to some questions...but not the really really interesting ones! This book goes by rather quickly so I would say if you read the first one you might as well read this one to finish it up.
gbliss's review against another edition
2.0
When a book is a mere, oh, 250 pages -- and little pages at that -- it is unfortunate that such a significant portion of the limited space and time of the book is consumed with the "stage business" of this as a sequel. For the first 60 to 80 pages, it felt as if any one step forward required five steps backwards and sideways to connect the action in this book with the events of the previous book.
Once again, the description and atmosphere are the best parts. But here the connections between Boy and Willow are very sweet and compelling.
The author does a better job -- and feels more "at home" -- writing about the dark maze of streets in the town or the vast network of underground rivers and tunnels. When he has to describe scenes of great opulence, the originality in his voice fades and the passages read like generic gushing about gilt and marble and polished wood and etc.
Agreed, I am, oh, "a little" outside the target demographic for this book, but I take the approach that the perspicacity of readers should never be underestimated. To that end, it was pretty obvious where the somewhat thin mystery was leading pretty early on.
Would not have stuck with this one if it had been any longer.
Once again, the description and atmosphere are the best parts. But here the connections between Boy and Willow are very sweet and compelling.
The author does a better job -- and feels more "at home" -- writing about the dark maze of streets in the town or the vast network of underground rivers and tunnels. When he has to describe scenes of great opulence, the originality in his voice fades and the passages read like generic gushing about gilt and marble and polished wood and etc.
Agreed, I am, oh, "a little" outside the target demographic for this book, but I take the approach that the perspicacity of readers should never be underestimated. To that end, it was pretty obvious where the somewhat thin mystery was leading pretty early on.
Would not have stuck with this one if it had been any longer.
carolineroche's review
3.0
I think this book would have been improved for me had I not unwittingly picked up the second book in a series and not realised it. The book is a dark story, suitable for Years 5-7, but it didn’t grip me like the later Sedgwick’s have.
efabri123's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely not as great or exciting as the first book but I enjoyed the ending and how things were wrapped up.
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
2.0
Not an entirely unenjoyable book, but...the love story, the Phantom, the silly Emperor -- all of it failed to convince me. Of anything. Also made me like the first book less. Ah, well.
daria_nedelcu19's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Enjoyment ★★★☆☆
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆
Characters ★★☆☆☆
Plot ★★★☆☆
Pacing ★★★★★
World Building ★★★☆☆
Ending ★★★☆☆
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★★☆☆
Characters ★★☆☆☆
Plot ★★★☆☆
Pacing ★★★★★
World Building ★★★☆☆
Ending ★★★☆☆
anywiebs's review against another edition
2.0
A disappointing conclusion to The Book of Dead Days. The atmosphere is less dark, the story predictable and slow. And there are too many repitions. Sad. I expected more.