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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
3.5
What I remember most about this book is its creepiness, and how much I disliked the protagonist.
Good read nonetheless.
What I remember most about this book is its creepiness, and how much I disliked the protagonist.
Good read nonetheless.
The perfect blend of spooky, sassy and even sweet moments. Loved every minute of this masterful middle grade novel, especially the main character. Victoria just can't let a mystery in her well-ordered world go unsolved... even if it means standing up to big bad bugs, an evil gardener, a creepy house, and other things that go bump in the night.
Review originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 6/20/14: I don’t read a ton of middle grade books, but when Alyssa, Amy and volunteered for the Kids Author Carnival this year at BEA and found out that it was being co-hosted by Claire LeGrand, we really wanted to read one of Claire’s books before the event! We featured the book just the other week for On the Same Page and all of us really enjoyed it!
What really struck me about the book first of all was how visually appealing it was. I just loved being able to picture everything that was going on and how Victoria’s life was slowly changing from the organized, structured ways that she had established and quickly spiraling out of control with the growing presence of Mrs. Cavendish, the owner of the orphanage in the neighborhood. It was slightly terrifying to witness how Victoria’s world was changing around her and how she had to figure out not only how NOT to get sucked in but how to change it back.
I also really loved the friendships in this book. Victoria’s only friend is Lawrence, an untidy boy who she doesn’t even consider a friend but a project. Victoria only takes him on as her project to teach him how to look smarter and act proper. Naturally when Lawrence mysteriously disappears, Victoria commits to getting him back and starts to realize that maybe they really were closer friends than she even admitted to herself. I really liked how easily their friendship developed, even without Victoria knowing it. I just really love great friendships in books and it was refreshing reading a middle grade book where obviously friendships are more prominent since the characters are too young to develop romantic relationships.
I was definitely hooked the whole book. Claire LeGrand left the perfect amount of suspense and mystery to keep the readers invested and I was desperate to figure out what exactly the deal was with Mrs. Cavendish and said home for boys and girls. The crazy things that were going on would be absolutely terrifying if I were actually experiencing them as an adult so I can’t even imagine how Victoria held it together! But she’s also a person very much driven by logic and reasoning so she probably didn’t really stand for all of the off-kilter events. It definitely had a Tim Burton sort of feel for me which really added to my reading experience!
What really struck me about the book first of all was how visually appealing it was. I just loved being able to picture everything that was going on and how Victoria’s life was slowly changing from the organized, structured ways that she had established and quickly spiraling out of control with the growing presence of Mrs. Cavendish, the owner of the orphanage in the neighborhood. It was slightly terrifying to witness how Victoria’s world was changing around her and how she had to figure out not only how NOT to get sucked in but how to change it back.
I also really loved the friendships in this book. Victoria’s only friend is Lawrence, an untidy boy who she doesn’t even consider a friend but a project. Victoria only takes him on as her project to teach him how to look smarter and act proper. Naturally when Lawrence mysteriously disappears, Victoria commits to getting him back and starts to realize that maybe they really were closer friends than she even admitted to herself. I really liked how easily their friendship developed, even without Victoria knowing it. I just really love great friendships in books and it was refreshing reading a middle grade book where obviously friendships are more prominent since the characters are too young to develop romantic relationships.
I was definitely hooked the whole book. Claire LeGrand left the perfect amount of suspense and mystery to keep the readers invested and I was desperate to figure out what exactly the deal was with Mrs. Cavendish and said home for boys and girls. The crazy things that were going on would be absolutely terrifying if I were actually experiencing them as an adult so I can’t even imagine how Victoria held it together! But she’s also a person very much driven by logic and reasoning so she probably didn’t really stand for all of the off-kilter events. It definitely had a Tim Burton sort of feel for me which really added to my reading experience!
gooooooooood, this was just so GOOD. i feel young during Halloween time again!!!!!!! and i think it was a terrible decision to read this after his dark materials because i just kept crying during certain bits of this book? FRIENDSHIP. SAVING EACH OTHER. VICTORIA, IN GENERAAAAAAL. i'm sry i keep doing these reviews when i'm loopy at the middle of the night. the point is this was just such a delight!!
Wonderfully gothic and put me in mind of Coraline and Neil Gaiman's other children's stories.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A brilliantly crafted creepy yet totally tons of fun middle grade. This is my first read by Claire Legrand and it was such a treat. I never wanted to put it down hence why I finished it in about 2 days.
This is a middle grade novel so it was a bit cheesy but it was surprisingly not that predictable. I mean there were a couple parts where I was like, "Yeah that was obvious" but I found myself being pleasantly shocked by some of the twists and reveals sprinkled throughout this story. The main character Victoria was a nice fire cracker and I adored her. Some of the side characters were fun to.
There was a nice underlying theme throughout this book. From what I gathered, it's pretty much about the world isn't perfect. No one is and there is not one single person who can change you besides you. I really like this theme because the youth of today (since this is geared towards middle grade) really needs to hear this. Live your life doing what makes you happy.
All in all this middle grade standalone was just the right amount of creepy and fun and I enjoyed myself immensely.
This is a middle grade novel so it was a bit cheesy but it was surprisingly not that predictable. I mean there were a couple parts where I was like, "Yeah that was obvious" but I found myself being pleasantly shocked by some of the twists and reveals sprinkled throughout this story. The main character Victoria was a nice fire cracker and I adored her. Some of the side characters were fun to.
There was a nice underlying theme throughout this book. From what I gathered, it's pretty much about the world isn't perfect. No one is and there is not one single person who can change you besides you. I really like this theme because the youth of today (since this is geared towards middle grade) really needs to hear this. Live your life doing what makes you happy.
All in all this middle grade standalone was just the right amount of creepy and fun and I enjoyed myself immensely.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
How is this a book for kids! Omg it was so spooky- maybe even too spooky for me? I loved it. Really original story.