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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
People often approach the Children of the Red King series as a Harry Potter rip-off; which, you know, fair. Nimmo was definitely trying to get in on the Rowling craze of the era. But stopping there, only reading it as a derivative work, is so disingenuous and would break ten-year-old me’s heart. And, past “magic school” and “newly discovered magic” I really don’t feel like there are as many similarities as people like to claim. I feel that magic in Nimmo’s work reads a lot better through the lens of class and the quasi-caste class system in England than the racial tones lining Rowling’s work. But that’s just me!
ANYWAY!! This book is definitely written for kids (as I said, I ate this UP at age ten) and, as many a review will point out, it reads as such. “Blah blah, simple sentences; blah blah, see-thru plot”; congratulations Einstein, you’ve deciphered children’s literature. A tiara for your lofty head will be doled out in two to three business weeks. People always attempt to read children’s literature through adult eyes rather than appreciating the fact that what it’s trying to do does not necessarily align with what we (adults) typically look for when we read. Children’s literature wants to be somewhat transparent, it want to introduce child readers to themes and archetypes (the outcast child, the big screwed-up family, the tight-knit friend group) that continue to appear in our literature as we grow up, as well as allow children their own “a-ha!” moments. I don’t know, I just wish people would take children’s literature seriously AS children’s literature, not as “literature for mini adults, what do you MEAN this author DARED to use a pared down sentence with only ONE big word!” Like…bffr. Go read Ivanhoe then, Mr Big Man on Campus.
Don’t get me wrong: this is far from a perfect book (content-wise I think it’s pretty top-tier, but style-wise, even with it being a children’s book, it’s lacking some of the OOMPH the people want). But it also sets up the series in a way that feels really genuine and interesting (once again, as a child I read this one weekend and took home the rest of the series from the school library the next Monday) and ENGAGING!!! Like, THIS is what children’s literature is about!!! As one of the ten-year-olds I hang out with sometimes says: “frick the haters”. And if you dislike this book you’re a certified hater.
These books are great for kids who aren't quite ready for Harry Potter. These kids at school have magical powers, and things get intense sometimes, but not scary. Start your would-be magicians out on these books. All are good, so I won't review each one individually.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I was completely satisfied with this book! I really enjoyed the idea of the whole plot. Although some descriptions became a little repetitive, still a very good read.
This book is about a boy named Charlie Bone, who lives a normal life. He lives with his mom, grandmas, and his uncle. His best friend Benjamin who has a dog named runner bean. That all changes with one discovery. Charlie Bone can hear photos and pictures. His grandmothers tested him and sure enough he was endowed. Everything changed and Charlie is now having to go to to a school called to Bloor's Academy he is allowed to come home on the weekend end. There are so many secrets. He is given a case that was once traded for a baby. Charlie feels that it is his duty to find the missing child and answer is questions. As he goes more questions are reviled as others are answered.
I found this book really interesting and had a great plot to it!!!
I found this book really interesting and had a great plot to it!!!
I loved this book when I was young but for some reason never finished the series. It was nostalgic to read with fun characters and magical elements. Hoping for more character development and more complex plot in future books.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read this series as a kid and wanted to re-read it as I had never finished the final books. Charlie is a well-written character and this book serves as a wonderful introduction to the world of Bloor's Academy.