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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I've been on a J Fic binge read, apparently. I really liked this book when I first read it, which was when I had already read the Harry Potter series. I remember that this book brought me back to the world of boarding schools, magic, and friends who went on adventures and solved mysteries together, and for that, I was very grateful. After rereading it, I still really like it, but probably only because of the nostalgia factor. Without the nostalgia, I would give this book a much lower rating because a lot of the characters are one-dimensional and how the problem is resolved is a little bland.
(combined review of books 1 & 2 in the series)
Hot on the trail of some of the crumbs from the Harry Potter magic, this series has actually got something to recommend it (unlike some of the other HP ripoffs, which will not be mentioned here...). I must say, however, that the first one takes an awfully long time getting interesting, and in fact seems to stop rather abruptly. This is made up for in the second installment.
Charlie Bone lives with his mother and grandmother--nice normal people--as well as his uncle and other--not nice at all--grandmother in a house owned and run by the unpleasant grandma. His father is dead (or is he?) and his uncle is "strange." Luckily, he has a wonderful friend just across the street in Benjamin. When Charlie turns 10, he suddenly discovers that he can hear pictures, or rather he hears what's going on inside of pictures. His grandmother (and aunts) pounce on that discovery and immediately enroll him in a very creepy special school where his 'talent' can be developed.
Of course, some of the people specially 'endowed' (an unfortunate choice of words, IMHO) are evil, and some are good. Charlie quickly joins the good team, primarily because his aunts and grandmother are clearly on one team, and he wants nothing to do with them. OK, and because he's a nice guy too.
In the first book, he has something like quest in a labyrinth to accomplish. In the second, he has to help one of his ancestors who has time-traveled to the 21st century. They are very basic plots, serviceable and inventive, but not very complete. Where the world of HP holds together as a unit, and the people are (generally) realistic, Charlie's world has a large number of cardboard cutouts, which is ironic in light of his talent of bringing photos to life.
Hot on the trail of some of the crumbs from the Harry Potter magic, this series has actually got something to recommend it (unlike some of the other HP ripoffs, which will not be mentioned here...). I must say, however, that the first one takes an awfully long time getting interesting, and in fact seems to stop rather abruptly. This is made up for in the second installment.
Charlie Bone lives with his mother and grandmother--nice normal people--as well as his uncle and other--not nice at all--grandmother in a house owned and run by the unpleasant grandma. His father is dead (or is he?) and his uncle is "strange." Luckily, he has a wonderful friend just across the street in Benjamin. When Charlie turns 10, he suddenly discovers that he can hear pictures, or rather he hears what's going on inside of pictures. His grandmother (and aunts) pounce on that discovery and immediately enroll him in a very creepy special school where his 'talent' can be developed.
Of course, some of the people specially 'endowed' (an unfortunate choice of words, IMHO) are evil, and some are good. Charlie quickly joins the good team, primarily because his aunts and grandmother are clearly on one team, and he wants nothing to do with them. OK, and because he's a nice guy too.
In the first book, he has something like quest in a labyrinth to accomplish. In the second, he has to help one of his ancestors who has time-traveled to the 21st century. They are very basic plots, serviceable and inventive, but not very complete. Where the world of HP holds together as a unit, and the people are (generally) realistic, Charlie's world has a large number of cardboard cutouts, which is ironic in light of his talent of bringing photos to life.
I really wanted to like this series but I couldn't get into the story line. Everyone in the story seems so angry.
Midnight for Charlie Bone is definitely something that I would have loved reading at a much younger age. I liked aspects of the story and there were some very intriguing characters but being obviously out of the target audience, everything felt very underdeveloped. That being said, this book is something I would probably buy for my little brother or younger readers.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a great series for juvenile literature. Similar to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Charlie Bone, lead character, is forced to join a school for gifted students, since he himself is endowed, being able to listen to conversations for everyday photographs. The twists and turns will make any reader who loves magical realism turn the page and continue on to the next series, searching for answers.
medium-paced
I'm rereading this series before giving away the books to my new younger brother. This book was even more fun than I remember it being! It's about a formerly unexceptional boy named Charlie Bone who suddenly finds he can hear people in photographs. His life rapidly changes and he now has to go to an old school for children with exceptional abilities in art, music, or drama, which also teaches children with special powers like talking to animals and telekinesis. Adventures, mysteries, friendships and villains await him inside and outside the doors of Bloor's Academy.
Real rating = 3.5*
I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun and imaginative read! It does give me subtle Harry Potter vibes but it is different enough that i would not even think to compare the two.
I really enjoyed the concept that some children are born with abilities ranging from being able to talk to and understand animals, to being able to hear people talking through a photograph. All children with these abilities attend Bloors school which hosts a mixture of regularly talented children and children with these additional abilities. As you would expect, the children get up to mischief and mystery whilst at school and uncover a decade old secret that they are determined to set right again!
I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun and imaginative read! It does give me subtle Harry Potter vibes but it is different enough that i would not even think to compare the two.
I really enjoyed the concept that some children are born with abilities ranging from being able to talk to and understand animals, to being able to hear people talking through a photograph. All children with these abilities attend Bloors school which hosts a mixture of regularly talented children and children with these additional abilities. As you would expect, the children get up to mischief and mystery whilst at school and uncover a decade old secret that they are determined to set right again!