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kryten4k's review against another edition
2.0
There was a wonderful Wodehouse reference, but apart from that it felt a little forced.
thehodgenator's review against another edition
4.0
In this delightful children's tale, we are taken into the world of Horton Halfpott, no one special, just the kitchen boy who cannot tell a lie.
Angleberger hooks readers from page one with his introduction paragraph. It's simple - "there are so many exciting things in this book - a stolen diamond, snooping stable boys, a famous detective, the disappearance of a valuable wig, love, pickle eclairs, unbridled evil, and the black deeds of the shipless pirates - "
And thus the author summarizes the entire novel with a simple paragraph. Yet, the plot is more than just that. It is a delightful, chuckle-filled read.
Angleberger hooks readers from page one with his introduction paragraph. It's simple - "there are so many exciting things in this book - a stolen diamond, snooping stable boys, a famous detective, the disappearance of a valuable wig, love, pickle eclairs, unbridled evil, and the black deeds of the shipless pirates - "
And thus the author summarizes the entire novel with a simple paragraph. Yet, the plot is more than just that. It is a delightful, chuckle-filled read.
couillac's review against another edition
3.0
A silly romp through victorian cliches, kinda like the Mysterious Howling. For those kids who like to imagine themselves as charming, adventuresome orphans and the like, though kudos to the author for making the hero, Horton, so unassuming. Pure fun.
karenrenka's review against another edition
4.0
This is a perfect book for relunctant boy readers. It is funy, silly, and strange. There are shipless pirates bumbling detectives, disguises, and a stolen diamond known as The Lump. It would be a great starting novel for those who enjoy graphic novels because it is a descriptive but fast paced.
It sets up a household that is filled disgruntled workers and a spoiled noble family that is oblivious to anything other than their own needs. Horton is the kitchen boy with a good heart but bad things keep happening to him. He works for the Luggertuck's in Smugwick Manor. His only friends are the stable boys Blight, Bump, and Blemish but he might be falling in love with the visiting Lady Celia but don't worry! This is not a kissing book.
Wackiness ensues throughout the book! As I said earlier, this book will delight boys with it's irreverant humor and looniness. A lot of fun is packed into this book! Plus the cover glows in the dark.
It sets up a household that is filled disgruntled workers and a spoiled noble family that is oblivious to anything other than their own needs. Horton is the kitchen boy with a good heart but bad things keep happening to him. He works for the Luggertuck's in Smugwick Manor. His only friends are the stable boys Blight, Bump, and Blemish but he might be falling in love with the visiting Lady Celia but don't worry! This is not a kissing book.
Wackiness ensues throughout the book! As I said earlier, this book will delight boys with it's irreverant humor and looniness. A lot of fun is packed into this book! Plus the cover glows in the dark.
marie6's review against another edition
2.0
Summer Kidlets Preread... Nothing especially wrong with it, but I doubt it will be as huge a hit with any of them as some other Angleberger books have been. I, personally, found most of the 4th wall comments a bit tedious... and at times heavy handed. I can't imagine embracing the series, but will honestly allow any of the kids interested to read it (well, the 1st grade twins might need audio versions or to just wait and thus have fewer vocabulary questions).
colleenish's review against another edition
3.0
I don't feel that the vocabulary quite matches up with the intended age level and it's not quite as good as series of unfortunate events or Benedict society. But still a good time. Worth reading for the charmingly exaggerated pictures.
reader44ever's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
I liked this story, but it didn't wow me. I somehow feel that the story didn't live up to it's cover, which I loved (and which is why I wanted to read this book in the first place). There were so many different things going on in the story: the end result for me is that I felt underwhelmed. The "fiendish mystery" promised on the cover left me feeling flat. And for a protagonist, Horton sure was dull. I got more out of the storylines involving Bump, Blight and Blemish. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood to appreciate this story, but I was hoping to find it humorous, and, sadly, I failed.
I liked this story, but it didn't wow me. I somehow feel that the story didn't live up to it's cover, which I loved (and which is why I wanted to read this book in the first place). There were so many different things going on in the story: the end result for me is that I felt underwhelmed. The "fiendish mystery" promised on the cover left me feeling flat. And for a protagonist, Horton sure was dull. I got more out of the storylines involving Bump, Blight and Blemish. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood to appreciate this story, but I was hoping to find it humorous, and, sadly, I failed.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
Trying to identify the style of this book. Reminds me a little of the fractured fairy tales on TV long ago, but also of something else. Very different from Angleberger's Origami Yoda.
ekendall's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pleasant surprise. I laughed out loud more than once.