Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This book brought a nice change from the fantasy section of literature. It suprised me on how much I enjoyed it, and I'm excited about the sequels.
I am so glad that I found these books! This series is one of my favorites!
Well, I don't have the latest one, but I just finished books 1-5. Lots of similarities with Harry Potter, but this series is targeted toward readers who are a bit younger. Charlie Bone is a young boy who discovers that he can hear pictures talking. Once his aunts discover his talent, they send him to Bloor's Academy, a creepy private school where he will study with kids who are rich and/or gifted in music, art, or drama and/or endowed with magical talents. Each book tends to focus on someone who has been held hostage by the evil members of the Bloor or Yewbeam families. Charlie and the good endowed children rescue various victims from the bad endowed children.
The Books:
Midnight for Charlie Bone
Charlie Bone and the Time Twister
Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King
Charlie Bone and the Beast
There are some good moments. Charlie is an interesting character and I absolutely love the flame cats. There are some truly funny moments in the animal cafe. On the whole, this is a better series for younger readers than Harry Potter--not as scary. Recommended for younger readers or readers who are looking for something like Harry Potter, but lighter.
The Books:
Midnight for Charlie Bone
Charlie Bone and the Time Twister
Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King
Charlie Bone and the Beast
There are some good moments. Charlie is an interesting character and I absolutely love the flame cats. There are some truly funny moments in the animal cafe. On the whole, this is a better series for younger readers than Harry Potter--not as scary. Recommended for younger readers or readers who are looking for something like Harry Potter, but lighter.
1.5★
I'll admit up front that the reason I didn't like this book is because I'm not the target audience (I'm 26). I love middle-grade books, but this book had no finesse, and really seemed aimed at a little less than middle-grade (or at least the very early age spectrum). Plot "twists", including future ones, like, were glaringly obvious; magically gifted children are required to go to a certain school, Bloor's, but it doesn't help further their gifts. Children are divided by drama, music etc, but the gifted don't even have to take those classes; or, I should say, we never see Charlie in music class. They could get the same education anywhere, why waste a private school on them? The gifted don't even make up the majority of the student body at Bloor's. What's the point? Another issue is that POV changes perspective without notice, within the same chapter without any significant spacing, or motifs, between POVs to indicate something new. This book ends with loose ends as well, so be prepared.
I'll admit up front that the reason I didn't like this book is because I'm not the target audience (I'm 26). I love middle-grade books, but this book had no finesse, and really seemed aimed at a little less than middle-grade (or at least the very early age spectrum). Plot "twists", including future ones, like
Spoiler
who Charlie's father is
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I remember when I read this a few years ago; I was absolutely stunned and hooked and had to get my hands on the rest of the series. I finished it fast and enjoyed it.
I read it again this year and am starting to wonder what got me so entralled. The book is a lot like Harry Potter--but nothing can actually compare--and the setting as well. A skinny boy without a father, raised in a family who hates him, to discover he has a magical power. It's your typical 'boy is about to embark on magical journey that changes his life completely' book. He goes to a school, but with bad guys running it for a twist, which I'm fairly happy about. A thing that sort of got me angry was the fact that Charlie Bone dos NOT, and I repeat does NOT, act like an average eleven year-old. He is wise beyond his years, which some of you may argue is because of his messed up past. No, I doubt just because he lives with an evil grandmother, doesn't mean he's entitled to be really smart.
The school itself is a bit more of a piss-off. I read about it and realize more and more that the author isn't that great of a story-teller.
What gave the story another star was the fact that I've never read a story with Charlie's power. He can read the thoughts and voices in pictures, which is pretty cool.
So, yeah, I was a bit disappointed many years later, but the plot has a bit of something that let me read on.
I read it again this year and am starting to wonder what got me so entralled. The book is a lot like Harry Potter--but nothing can actually compare--and the setting as well. A skinny boy without a father, raised in a family who hates him, to discover he has a magical power. It's your typical 'boy is about to embark on magical journey that changes his life completely' book. He goes to a school, but with bad guys running it for a twist, which I'm fairly happy about. A thing that sort of got me angry was the fact that Charlie Bone dos NOT, and I repeat does NOT, act like an average eleven year-old. He is wise beyond his years, which some of you may argue is because of his messed up past. No, I doubt just because he lives with an evil grandmother, doesn't mean he's entitled to be really smart.
The school itself is a bit more of a piss-off. I read about it and realize more and more that the author isn't that great of a story-teller.
What gave the story another star was the fact that I've never read a story with Charlie's power. He can read the thoughts and voices in pictures, which is pretty cool.
So, yeah, I was a bit disappointed many years later, but the plot has a bit of something that let me read on.
I remember being really interested in this series, and in fact I still remember a few scenes and lines from the first few books.
tl;dr I was quite disappointed.
tl;dr I was quite disappointed.