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beatniksafari's review
3.0
I knew very little about the character of Sherlock Holmes before reading this book, besides that he solves mysteries and is highly analytical. While reading this story of Sherlock as a teenager, I probably missed a lot of inside references that would make sense to devoted Holmes fan. As it was, I found this an average mystery, with a few too many coincidences and over-the-top situations. More than once, I thought, "Oh, come on," as Sherlock once again narrowly escaped death. I did recommend the book to some of my middle school students who are fans of the Doyle books or the movie versions, but I do not see myself continuing with this series.
mhfarmer's review
2.0
Recommended for middle grades and younger teens who like mysteries, as well as those kids who fly through all of the fantasy series and need something else to get into. I don't think I'd give this to older teens who are fans of the BBC show starring Benedict Cumberbatch, because this version of Sherlock just doesn't have the same fun eccentricity, but it is a solid plot.
madmads126's review
adventurous
challenging
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
3.0
ipreferquiet's review
3.0
While I appreciate the effort to explore the youth of Sherlock Holmes, this story was too far fetched and implausible at times.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
3.0
If you are a Sherlock fan, aren’t you even a teensy interested in his childhood? How did he get those skills of deduction? Was he always a solitary soul? Who are Sherlock’s family? Death Cloud: Young Sherlock Holmes will give you glimpses of the answers to all these questions.
While spending the summer with his aunt and uncle, two of the local villagers die after displaying symptoms of the plague. Is a new plague outbreak forthcoming? Holmes investigates the deaths with the assistance of his tutor Amyus Crowe – and thus crosses the path of a villain as evil as the infamous Moriarty.
I am relatively new to the world of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, I knew of Sherlock but I had never read Sherlock. While the theatrical release of Robert Downey, Jr.’s movies piqued my interest, it was Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal as the legendary detective that pushed me to start reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. And, I am now addicted to all things Sherlock.
Andrew Lane’s introduction to a younger Sherlock provides an intriguing glimpse into what could have been the sleuth’s introduction to sleuthing and deduction. I read with eagerness, absorbing details about friends (he had friends?!? Before Watson?!), education, family (more than just Mycroft?!?), and, oh yes, murder, mayhem, and mystery.
I listened to the audio version of this book. I never found myself distracted or uncomfortable in how the story was being read to me. For someone who much prefers reading paper versions of books, not being distracted by the narrator is a BIG deal!
I will undoubtedly pick-up another edition in this series. At the same time, I'm also eager to dive into some of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's less talked about stories. The quest for all-things-Sherlock continues!
While spending the summer with his aunt and uncle, two of the local villagers die after displaying symptoms of the plague. Is a new plague outbreak forthcoming? Holmes investigates the deaths with the assistance of his tutor Amyus Crowe – and thus crosses the path of a villain as evil as the infamous Moriarty.
I am relatively new to the world of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, I knew of Sherlock but I had never read Sherlock. While the theatrical release of Robert Downey, Jr.’s movies piqued my interest, it was Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal as the legendary detective that pushed me to start reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. And, I am now addicted to all things Sherlock.
Andrew Lane’s introduction to a younger Sherlock provides an intriguing glimpse into what could have been the sleuth’s introduction to sleuthing and deduction. I read with eagerness, absorbing details about friends (he had friends?!? Before Watson?!), education, family (more than just Mycroft?!?), and, oh yes, murder, mayhem, and mystery.
I listened to the audio version of this book. I never found myself distracted or uncomfortable in how the story was being read to me. For someone who much prefers reading paper versions of books, not being distracted by the narrator is a BIG deal!
I will undoubtedly pick-up another edition in this series. At the same time, I'm also eager to dive into some of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's less talked about stories. The quest for all-things-Sherlock continues!
starryworlds's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book because it gave me an insight into how Sherlock Holmes could have been like when he was younger even though I personally think he could have been different when he was younger to the way that he was portrayed in this book and I think the book could have been a lot better.
I love the twist that it was actually bees that were killing people rather than a disease and the way that Sherlock uncovered the Baron's plans.
However one of the bad things about this book is that Matty trusted Sherlock straight away whereas in the Victorian times, homeless people weren't trustful with people especially people who came from a rich background.
Reading this book, it has highlighted the fact that I need to read the Arthur Conan Doyle books because I just really want to read the original books now.
I love the twist that it was actually bees that were killing people rather than a disease and the way that Sherlock uncovered the Baron's plans.
However one of the bad things about this book is that Matty trusted Sherlock straight away whereas in the Victorian times, homeless people weren't trustful with people especially people who came from a rich background.
Reading this book, it has highlighted the fact that I need to read the Arthur Conan Doyle books because I just really want to read the original books now.
palomasstefani's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
opticflow's review
4.0
Good lord, so earnest! Plucky young Sherlock looking up to big bro Mycroft, confused by girls and horses, and learning all those deductive skills from an American! The audacity. Ha ha.
But if you love SH canon this will not disappoint. Bees, hansom cabs, boxing, helpful urchins, Sherrinford Holmes, Mycroft's mysterious government job, solving a mystery at all costs, analyzing crime scene samples, and pining for someone to help organize and write down his thoughts? Yeah, that pretty much nails it.
But if you love SH canon this will not disappoint. Bees, hansom cabs, boxing, helpful urchins, Sherrinford Holmes, Mycroft's mysterious government job, solving a mystery at all costs, analyzing crime scene samples, and pining for someone to help organize and write down his thoughts? Yeah, that pretty much nails it.
leahegood's review against another edition
4.0
At fourteen years old, Sherlock Holmes thinks he is facing a boring vacation in exile. Instead, he finds himself confronted with his first mystery, a new friend and relentless enemies. Even if he manages to escape with his life, Sherlock's life is changed forever.
Fun, fast paced read.
Fun, fast paced read.
roxolotl's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
1.75
made me laugh a lot but not in a good way :') the scene where our man rides a horse into a house where said horse proceeds to open a door almost gave me an aneurysm