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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Definitely in the vein of Harry Potter, and a good choice for younger kids who don't think they want to tackle Potter yet. Also has a touch of Roald Dahl with the evil aunts and even the grandmother being pretty wicked. I liked the different 'powers' that each 'endowed' person has - interesting choices and they might bring about a good discussion about whether having a 'power' is a blessing or a curse.
Re-read. I'm on a kick of going back to my favorite books from when I was younger, and what better place to take that then the Children of the Red King? I've loved the Charlie Bone series since I was 8 years old and this first book kicks off with style. Powers, a boarding school, mystery -- and taking place in the U.K.? Plus it still managed to keep my attention despite being an adult.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was definitely a whirlwind of emotions.
Overall I think it was really a very good book, and I do plan to read/listen to the rest of the series as the premise of the book and world is very interesting.
For writing, and story, I would give this a 5 stars for the enjoyment. However, there were bits that I did not understand. Some of these things might have been, however, that I am not British and their customs (especially in regard to school aged children) are quite abnormal to me. These things also tend to pop up in other British books about children of a similar age, so I must assume that most of the confusion comes from a cultural non-understanding and not the writing. Still, this did dull my enjoyment of it, as some of the events in the book also seemed rather drastic for children who were around the age of 10.
I am also hoping that I will gain more insight as I go further into the story, as the book seemed to end in a cliffhanger that was closer to the middle of a chapter than the hook to a following book.
If you have access, as I did via my library, to not only the first one but the second one, I would recommend this book. I would however, if I were a parent, perhaps read this book before simply giving it to your child. Some of the more sensitive children might find the content warnings I noted difficult to get past.
Overall I think it was really a very good book, and I do plan to read/listen to the rest of the series as the premise of the book and world is very interesting.
For writing, and story, I would give this a 5 stars for the enjoyment. However, there were bits that I did not understand. Some of these things might have been, however, that I am not British and their customs (especially in regard to school aged children) are quite abnormal to me. These things also tend to pop up in other British books about children of a similar age, so I must assume that most of the confusion comes from a cultural non-understanding and not the writing. Still, this did dull my enjoyment of it, as some of the events in the book also seemed rather drastic for children who were around the age of 10.
I am also hoping that I will gain more insight as I go further into the story, as the book seemed to end in a cliffhanger that was closer to the middle of a chapter than the hook to a following book.
If you have access, as I did via my library, to not only the first one but the second one, I would recommend this book. I would however, if I were a parent, perhaps read this book before simply giving it to your child. Some of the more sensitive children might find the content warnings I noted difficult to get past.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying
Minor: Violence, Stalking
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes