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_readwithlauren_'s review against another edition
DNF at 50%
I was really excited to read this. But unfortunately, I could not make it through this.
This book follows Jake who opens a strange box containing a severed finger, he accidentally summons a grim reaper to drag him to the Eternal Void. We follow Jake and his gang trying to find the Embassy of the Dead and seek protection.
I think the reason I didn't like this was that it was a little too young for me. I love middle grade but I felt like this is for much younger readers. The characters felt flat and the plot wasn't that entertaining.
I wish I liked this, but it fell flat for me.
Thank you Candlewick Press for accepting my request to read this book as an E-ARC.
I was really excited to read this. But unfortunately, I could not make it through this.
This book follows Jake who opens a strange box containing a severed finger, he accidentally summons a grim reaper to drag him to the Eternal Void. We follow Jake and his gang trying to find the Embassy of the Dead and seek protection.
I think the reason I didn't like this was that it was a little too young for me. I love middle grade but I felt like this is for much younger readers. The characters felt flat and the plot wasn't that entertaining.
I wish I liked this, but it fell flat for me.
Thank you Candlewick Press for accepting my request to read this book as an E-ARC.
zoediane's review
3.0
A fun read, full of jokes, scares and a few ghosts. All in a days work! A great start to a new series and I'm excited to see what happens next for our lead character and his friendly (or not so friendly) ghost.
phyrre's review against another edition
3.0
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Walker Books for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
There’s absolutely nothing that says a ghost book can’t be funny! I was attracted to the idea that this book could do both and be the best of both worlds. Pun intended. Don’t hate me.
Embassy of the Dead is a funny, light story about a mix-up that could Jake his life … and death. When he’s thrust into a world of ghosts and rules, Jake has to figure out who to trust or it could cost him everything.
While I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t as funny as I expected. It had a sort of quite humor, with small jokes and puns, that was quirky rather than laugh-out-loud funny.
My Thoughts:
- The haunting in this is mild and tinged with humor, which makes it perfect for younger middle grade readers. There are small moments that build on the creepy atmosphere, but nothing particularly scary. Add that to the humor, and I can see this being a big hit for younger middle grade readers! There are some darker aspects, for sure, like the fact that Jake is being hunted by a Reaper and faces the punishment of being tossed into the Eternal Void. Still, the tone is mostly upbeat overall, and the plot flies along at a steady clip.
- This book is less spooky and more fun-filled adventure, with a few ghostly sidekicks thrown in for good measure. The best way to describe this cast is quirky, which made for a lot of fun while reading. Each character introduced was something new, and never exactly what you might expect, and it was a delight to get to meet them. Not all ghosts are made equal, after all. While the subject matter may sound like horror, I was left with more of an impression of adventure and think this would be well suited for someone looking for more of an adventure read. If you’re in this for the shivers, it’s probably not going to deliver. What it does deliver on is a fun cast, large stakes, and a fast-paced adventure that takes the reader a little through this world and a little through the ghost world.
- I sort of wish the embassy had been better explained in this and had more of a role. I mean … it’s kind of in the title, isn’t it? The Embassy ends up feeling more like a deus ex machina, providing an artificial conflict that I never got a real good feel for. The reason Jake ends up in trouble and threatened with the Eternal Void is never really explained more than an excuse akin to the one any parent gives when they don’t want to elaborate: “Because I said so.” I was hoping for a little more solid reasoning. All in all, the Embassy comes off looking entirely incompetent in this book, yet is also meant to provide the source of conflict, so the two concepts didn’t quite mesh well in my mind. I highly doubt a target reader will mind, but it was a bit of a sticking point for me.
- I’m not sure Jake actually really did anything in this book, other than drive a van? It feels like he mostly just … stumbled across things. In fact, that’s how he lands himself in this situation in the first place, and that’s the one time I totally bought it. That scene was funny, what can I say? After that, though, it seems like Jake’s wins and progress comes from having someone tell him what comes next, essentially, or accidentally stumbling upon something he needs or getting lucky. It would’ve really been nice to see him be a little more proactive, but instead, he comes across almost as a bystander. Except, you know, the part where he steals his father’s van, which isn’t cool, but whatever. It just all seemed a little too easy for him.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Walker Books for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
There’s absolutely nothing that says a ghost book can’t be funny! I was attracted to the idea that this book could do both and be the best of both worlds. Pun intended. Don’t hate me.
Embassy of the Dead is a funny, light story about a mix-up that could Jake his life … and death. When he’s thrust into a world of ghosts and rules, Jake has to figure out who to trust or it could cost him everything.
While I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t as funny as I expected. It had a sort of quite humor, with small jokes and puns, that was quirky rather than laugh-out-loud funny.
My Thoughts:
- The haunting in this is mild and tinged with humor, which makes it perfect for younger middle grade readers. There are small moments that build on the creepy atmosphere, but nothing particularly scary. Add that to the humor, and I can see this being a big hit for younger middle grade readers! There are some darker aspects, for sure, like the fact that Jake is being hunted by a Reaper and faces the punishment of being tossed into the Eternal Void. Still, the tone is mostly upbeat overall, and the plot flies along at a steady clip.
- This book is less spooky and more fun-filled adventure, with a few ghostly sidekicks thrown in for good measure. The best way to describe this cast is quirky, which made for a lot of fun while reading. Each character introduced was something new, and never exactly what you might expect, and it was a delight to get to meet them. Not all ghosts are made equal, after all. While the subject matter may sound like horror, I was left with more of an impression of adventure and think this would be well suited for someone looking for more of an adventure read. If you’re in this for the shivers, it’s probably not going to deliver. What it does deliver on is a fun cast, large stakes, and a fast-paced adventure that takes the reader a little through this world and a little through the ghost world.
- I sort of wish the embassy had been better explained in this and had more of a role. I mean … it’s kind of in the title, isn’t it? The Embassy ends up feeling more like a deus ex machina, providing an artificial conflict that I never got a real good feel for. The reason Jake ends up in trouble and threatened with the Eternal Void is never really explained more than an excuse akin to the one any parent gives when they don’t want to elaborate: “Because I said so.” I was hoping for a little more solid reasoning. All in all, the Embassy comes off looking entirely incompetent in this book, yet is also meant to provide the source of conflict, so the two concepts didn’t quite mesh well in my mind. I highly doubt a target reader will mind, but it was a bit of a sticking point for me.
- I’m not sure Jake actually really did anything in this book, other than drive a van? It feels like he mostly just … stumbled across things. In fact, that’s how he lands himself in this situation in the first place, and that’s the one time I totally bought it. That scene was funny, what can I say? After that, though, it seems like Jake’s wins and progress comes from having someone tell him what comes next, essentially, or accidentally stumbling upon something he needs or getting lucky. It would’ve really been nice to see him be a little more proactive, but instead, he comes across almost as a bystander. Except, you know, the part where he steals his father’s van, which isn’t cool, but whatever. It just all seemed a little too easy for him.
kba76's review
4.0
A story with humour, for fans of Skullduggery Pleasant.
Jake find himself on the wrong end of a meeting with a spirit. He takes possession of a box - and, without thinking, opens it. Inside is a severed finger. For Jake it’s also the start of a rather surreal adventure.
Jake finds himself hunted by employees of the Embassy of the Dead, and in his quest to avoid being sent to the Eternal Void he ends up befriending a Possessor, communing with the dead and doing all he can to keep his life.
Slightly tongue-in-cheek and this looks like the first in an interesting series. Thanks, NetGalley, for putting me on to something new for younger readers.
Jake find himself on the wrong end of a meeting with a spirit. He takes possession of a box - and, without thinking, opens it. Inside is a severed finger. For Jake it’s also the start of a rather surreal adventure.
Jake finds himself hunted by employees of the Embassy of the Dead, and in his quest to avoid being sent to the Eternal Void he ends up befriending a Possessor, communing with the dead and doing all he can to keep his life.
Slightly tongue-in-cheek and this looks like the first in an interesting series. Thanks, NetGalley, for putting me on to something new for younger readers.
mheste's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dewey027's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
loscamp4lyf's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
a cute story perfect for a young reader!
elderkinhv's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5