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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Reminiscent of Harry Potter. Only nowhere near as good. The storyline is a bit weak in places, but overall there was enough mystery to keep me interested.
Rip off Harry Potter. Not amazingly well written. Entertaining enough for an afternoon by the pool or the fireplace.
This book was almost exactly like Harry Potter. The author just changed barely enough to get around copyright laws.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
3.5 really.
I was told a long time ago to read this because I'm a Harry Potter fan. That was exactly why I stayed away from it for so long - I knew I would compare the two and this one would not come out the better for it. But now, reading this with some distance from my beloved HP was pretty fun. Definitely a younger target audience than the bulk of the HP series.
Charlie finds out he has a hidden talent for hearing voices from photos and is sent to a school for the gifted. Not all of the students are "endowed" like Charlie. In fact, only a few others have these magical talents. The majority have more mundane talents in music or drama.
Through his gift, Charlie discovers there is a secret hidden at Bloor's Academy and he won't stop until he's discovered it.
It's not great literature, but it's a fun read for about 3rd/4th to 5th/6th graders.
I was told a long time ago to read this because I'm a Harry Potter fan. That was exactly why I stayed away from it for so long - I knew I would compare the two and this one would not come out the better for it. But now, reading this with some distance from my beloved HP was pretty fun. Definitely a younger target audience than the bulk of the HP series.
Charlie finds out he has a hidden talent for hearing voices from photos and is sent to a school for the gifted. Not all of the students are "endowed" like Charlie. In fact, only a few others have these magical talents. The majority have more mundane talents in music or drama.
Through his gift, Charlie discovers there is a secret hidden at Bloor's Academy and he won't stop until he's discovered it.
It's not great literature, but it's a fun read for about 3rd/4th to 5th/6th graders.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I listened to the book and I think that is why I may have liked it more than some. There's something about a book being read with an English accent that makes anything better.
This book is very much like Harry Potter with enough differences so that Nimmo's not called for it by Rowling. There are quite a few differences as well. For me it was not written with enough detail to character and plot development. Billy's deal with Grandpa Bloor could have had a greater impact on the story as could the awakening of Amelia and her subsequent capture and escape.
I will read or listen to the second book in the series before I make any final decisions on whether I will recommend the series or not.
This book is very much like Harry Potter with enough differences so that Nimmo's not called for it by Rowling. There are quite a few differences as well. For me it was not written with enough detail to character and plot development. Billy's deal with Grandpa Bloor could have had a greater impact on the story as could the awakening of Amelia and her subsequent capture and escape.
I will read or listen to the second book in the series before I make any final decisions on whether I will recommend the series or not.
First described to me as "Harry Potter" for younger readers, the Charlie Bone series, Children of the Red King, so far has not been up to the hype. Yes, it has fantasy and yes the main character boy is misunderstood who suddenly finds out he has a special power then goes to a special school.
I didn't think he really got to use his power that much. Maybe later in the series it will be used more often? I'll continue reading the series through at least book 3, but I think I'll stop there. I enjoyed it, but I can tell it won't stay with me as other book characters often do.
I didn't think he really got to use his power that much. Maybe later in the series it will be used more often? I'll continue reading the series through at least book 3, but I think I'll stop there. I enjoyed it, but I can tell it won't stay with me as other book characters often do.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Really more like 2.5 stars. The plot is full of holes and hard to follow, especially toward the end.