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gringuitica's review against another edition
3.0
This is an intriguing, engaging and imaginative book for its target audience — middle graders. That's right, ya bunch of haters, this one's for 8-12 year-olds. And it's just right for that group.
Herein, you'll find lots of love for books, libraries and learning. Fun enigmas and trivia, plus lots of we-wish-it-were-true tech. Because when is a library more than a library? When it's a state-of-the-art children's museum, too.
Note to self: If you read this one aloud, let the kiddo work out the puzzles.
Herein, you'll find lots of love for books, libraries and learning. Fun enigmas and trivia, plus lots of we-wish-it-were-true tech. Because when is a library more than a library? When it's a state-of-the-art children's museum, too.
Note to self: If you read this one aloud, let the kiddo work out the puzzles.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
Wow this was a super fun book. I loved that it took place in a library, though it felt more like a media centre than a real library. For instance, the games, the reality stuff, I just didn't think it fitted.
But other than that? I wanted to be in that library and get lost there for days and days. It seems like such a fun place, filled with books, filled with stories. I really loved the fact they had holographic librarians from all kinds of times. Or even fairy tale or famous people to help people in the library.
The characters were all fun and nice, well all... with exception of Charles, or mister Bratty I-know-it-all-and-you-all-suck. I really disliked him and his attitude and how he did everything to win, no matter how dirty or mean. Even if it meant treating people like poo.
Kyle was a really great character though. At first I thought he was just your typical boy, with nothing more on his mind than games, games and comics. But in this book we can see him change. At first he doesn't like the books that much, but sooner or later you see him longing for a book, wanting to know more about the book. And it all happened pretty believable, it wasn't an instant switch from dislike and disdain to like and thinking it is pretty cool.
Add to that that Kyle was pretty smart, even though you get the impression he is not. I liked how he treated his team, and how he tried to add more people or to help people even when they don't belong to his team. It shows character.
My favourite character out of all characters? Sierra. Getting lost in books, shy and an overall awesome girl who knows a lot about her books.
Of course, the who will win this contest thing was obvious, but I blame that mostly to the fact this is a kids book, and what I noticed is that often kids books have a predictable plot or ending. Which isn't that bad, but still is a bit of a shame. Still I had fun cheering for our protagonists and their battles, their puzzles.
Oh and on that matter. I loved the puzzles, I had lots of fun trying to puzzle and try to figure out the mystery by myself.
I also loved the various references to other books, to other series. Some I didn't get (because I hadn't read the book), but quite a few I got and they had me laughing and cheering. You don't often see books getting referenced in another book.
All in all I loved this book, it was really interesting and it also reminded me a bit of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This time a contest and a tour through a library. :) I would really recommend this one to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Wow this was a super fun book. I loved that it took place in a library, though it felt more like a media centre than a real library. For instance, the games, the reality stuff, I just didn't think it fitted.
But other than that? I wanted to be in that library and get lost there for days and days. It seems like such a fun place, filled with books, filled with stories. I really loved the fact they had holographic librarians from all kinds of times. Or even fairy tale or famous people to help people in the library.
The characters were all fun and nice, well all... with exception of Charles, or mister Bratty I-know-it-all-and-you-all-suck. I really disliked him and his attitude and how he did everything to win, no matter how dirty or mean. Even if it meant treating people like poo.
Kyle was a really great character though. At first I thought he was just your typical boy, with nothing more on his mind than games, games and comics. But in this book we can see him change. At first he doesn't like the books that much, but sooner or later you see him longing for a book, wanting to know more about the book. And it all happened pretty believable, it wasn't an instant switch from dislike and disdain to like and thinking it is pretty cool.
Add to that that Kyle was pretty smart, even though you get the impression he is not. I liked how he treated his team, and how he tried to add more people or to help people even when they don't belong to his team. It shows character.
My favourite character out of all characters? Sierra. Getting lost in books, shy and an overall awesome girl who knows a lot about her books.
Of course, the who will win this contest thing was obvious, but I blame that mostly to the fact this is a kids book, and what I noticed is that often kids books have a predictable plot or ending. Which isn't that bad, but still is a bit of a shame. Still I had fun cheering for our protagonists and their battles, their puzzles.
Oh and on that matter. I loved the puzzles, I had lots of fun trying to puzzle and try to figure out the mystery by myself.
I also loved the various references to other books, to other series. Some I didn't get (because I hadn't read the book), but quite a few I got and they had me laughing and cheering. You don't often see books getting referenced in another book.
All in all I loved this book, it was really interesting and it also reminded me a bit of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This time a contest and a tour through a library. :) I would really recommend this one to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
bartleybranson's review against another edition
3.0
This had a cute concept that I appreciated. I loved all the bookish references, and how at the end of the story, all of the characters were so excited about libraries. The mystery aspect of it was pretty well-crafted too. I kept reading to find out how they were going to escape. This is also slightly interactive in that it has some puzzles and riddles for you to figure out right alongside the characters, which I thought was fun.
That being said, it was very juvenile, and just a liiiiiittle bit cheesy at times. That's not a bad thing, of course, but I think a truly great middle grade book can appeal to all ages if its writing is on point.
I'm not sure if I'll recommend this to adults, but if you have a kid or know a kid who's reading middle grade, please encourage them to read this book or read it to them! Hopefully it will get them excited about their local public library if they aren't already. :)
That being said, it was very juvenile, and just a liiiiiittle bit cheesy at times. That's not a bad thing, of course, but I think a truly great middle grade book can appeal to all ages if its writing is on point.
I'm not sure if I'll recommend this to adults, but if you have a kid or know a kid who's reading middle grade, please encourage them to read this book or read it to them! Hopefully it will get them excited about their local public library if they aren't already. :)
ses1978's review against another edition
5.0
An intense live action game in a new library. The library basically became an escape room. Very fast-paced read that was hard to put down.
cindysbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
Creative and fun, listened to it on a car ride with my kids. It kept our attention.
zbmorgan's review against another edition
4.0
A combination love letter to libraries and kids Escape the Room game, this is sure to appeal to many. The characters don't get as fleshed out as I'd like because there is so much action, but you never doubt their motivation. The fact that there are puzzles to solve and reading lists for the kid who might be looking for something else to read next are icing on the cake.
bchoike's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
dmfsharp's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
z_tennille's review against another edition
4.0
I love books about books! I think this is geared toward the middle grade crowd but I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult. I picked up the audio version at my local library which Mr. Lemoncello would think highly of my doing so. I thought it was inventive with a clue game sorta mystery going throughout. I will say at times with the audio it could be a tad confusing so I may read the hard copy at a later date. I look forward to reading the #2 in the series. I learned a bit about some books I had not heard of and have now decided I need to read at least one of the Sherlock Holmes series.