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careinthelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
The Wooden Prince is a great re-telling of Pinocchio featuring wood-and-clockwork automatas (automatons), and the mystery, and discovery, of who one is. I loved the Italian renaissance/steam-punk feel, but didn't enjoy the writing all the much. (Ironically), it felt mechanical and clunky, rather than fluid. I do love a good fairy tale re-imagining though! For fans of Pinocchio, classics re-told, alternative histories.
writetoexpress's review against another edition
3.0
A unique retelling that I've read in a long while. Before reading this, I knew very little about the story of Pinocchio. I knew the obvious facts, such as his nose growing when he tells a lie and how he just wants to be a real boy. But besides the very minor basics, I didn't really know what to expect going into The Wooden Prince.
The one point that I must emphasize is Bemis' phenomenal ability to weave emotion throughout the book. Considering that this book is directed more towards middle graders, I found the writing to be perfect for any age group. The love, childhood innocence and humor felt genuine. I cannot emphasize that enough. It felt as if I were sitting down and conversing with one of my younger cousins.
I could easily picture this scene perfectly in my head. A child with a roaming curiosity. An adult who just wants to drop the subject altogether. Something, I sure we all can relate to.
I thoroughly enjoyed the unique steampunk twist on the story. Plus, I absolutely love the era of meticulous mechanics.
I thought the transitions of Pinocchio slowly turning into a living, breathing human were done differently than I'd originally though. For one, I didn't think the transition was going to skip around, starting with his feet, then his hands and arms, and eventually his entire body. I did; however, like the ability Pinocchio possessed but I don't say too much in fear of spoiling EVERYTHING.
I found the plot to be quite intriguing. A while back, I remember adding this book to my TBR. However, most of the books on that list either end of being marked as read or deleted later. I just so happened to stumble upon this book in the library and knew that as long as it was there, I would have to read it. So, I didn't entirely pick this book up on a whim, but in a way, I did. I don't regret it one bit. I loved the vast array of mythological characters and ridiculous situations they found themselves in.
I high recommend reading this book if you are a fan of retellings.
The one point that I must emphasize is Bemis' phenomenal ability to weave emotion throughout the book. Considering that this book is directed more towards middle graders, I found the writing to be perfect for any age group. The love, childhood innocence and humor felt genuine. I cannot emphasize that enough. It felt as if I were sitting down and conversing with one of my younger cousins.
"Why don't you live with her?"(pg. 52)
"She was killed," Geppetto said, his hand reflexively touching a jeweled pin on his shirt. "Along with my son."
"Oh," Pinocchio said. "Is that what happened to Don Antonio's automa?"
Geppetto frowned. "I did not kill Otto. Automa cannot die. They only stop functioning."
"But didn't your wife and son stop functioning when they were killed?"
"It's not the same," Geppetto said. "My family was once living. Otto was never truly alive."
I could easily picture this scene perfectly in my head. A child with a roaming curiosity. An adult who just wants to drop the subject altogether. Something, I sure we all can relate to.
I thoroughly enjoyed the unique steampunk twist on the story. Plus, I absolutely love the era of meticulous mechanics.
I thought the transitions of Pinocchio slowly turning into a living, breathing human were done differently than I'd originally though. For one, I didn't think the transition was going to skip around, starting with his feet, then his hands and arms, and eventually his entire body. I did; however, like the ability Pinocchio possessed but I don't say too much in fear of spoiling EVERYTHING.
I found the plot to be quite intriguing. A while back, I remember adding this book to my TBR. However, most of the books on that list either end of being marked as read or deleted later. I just so happened to stumble upon this book in the library and knew that as long as it was there, I would have to read it. So, I didn't entirely pick this book up on a whim, but in a way, I did. I don't regret it one bit. I loved the vast array of mythological characters and ridiculous situations they found themselves in.
I high recommend reading this book if you are a fan of retellings.
raine_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
tortacular's review against another edition
2.0
The world is interesting but the main characters fail to grab me.
writetoexpress's review against another edition
3.0
A unique retelling that I've read in a long while. Before reading this, I knew very little about the story of Pinocchio. I knew the obvious facts, such as his nose growing when he tells a lie and how he just wants to be a real boy. But besides the very minor basics, I didn't really know what to expect going into The Wooden Prince.
The one point that I must emphasize is Bemis' phenomenal ability to weave emotion throughout the book. Considering that this book is directed more towards middle graders, I found the writing to be perfect for any age group. The love, childhood innocence and humor felt genuine. I cannot emphasize that enough. It felt as if I were sitting down and conversing with one of my younger cousins.
I could easily picture this scene perfectly in my head. A child with a roaming curiosity. An adult who just wants to drop the subject altogether. Something, I sure we all can relate to.
I thoroughly enjoyed the unique steampunk twist on the story. Plus, I absolutely love the era of meticulous mechanics.
I thought the transitions of Pinocchio slowly turning into a living, breathing human were done differently than I'd originally though. For one, I didn't think the transition was going to skip around, starting with his feet, then his hands and arms, and eventually his entire body. I did; however, like the ability Pinocchio possessed but I don't say too much in fear of spoiling EVERYTHING.
I found the plot to be quite intriguing. A while back, I remember adding this book to my TBR. However, most of the books on that list either end of being marked as read or deleted later. I just so happened to stumble upon this book in the library and knew that as long as it was there, I would have to read it. So, I didn't entirely pick this book up on a whim, but in a way, I did. I don't regret it one bit. I loved the vast array of mythological characters and ridiculous situations they found themselves in.
I high recommend reading this book if you are a fan of retellings.
The one point that I must emphasize is Bemis' phenomenal ability to weave emotion throughout the book. Considering that this book is directed more towards middle graders, I found the writing to be perfect for any age group. The love, childhood innocence and humor felt genuine. I cannot emphasize that enough. It felt as if I were sitting down and conversing with one of my younger cousins.
"Why don't you live with her?"(pg. 52)
"She was killed," Geppetto said, his hand reflexively touching a jeweled pin on his shirt. "Along with my son."
"Oh," Pinocchio said. "Is that what happened to Don Antonio's automa?"
Geppetto frowned. "I did not kill Otto. Automa cannot die. They only stop functioning."
"But didn't your wife and son stop functioning when they were killed?"
"It's not the same," Geppetto said. "My family was once living. Otto was never truly alive."
I could easily picture this scene perfectly in my head. A child with a roaming curiosity. An adult who just wants to drop the subject altogether. Something, I sure we all can relate to.
I thoroughly enjoyed the unique steampunk twist on the story. Plus, I absolutely love the era of meticulous mechanics.
I thought the transitions of Pinocchio slowly turning into a living, breathing human were done differently than I'd originally though. For one, I didn't think the transition was going to skip around, starting with his feet, then his hands and arms, and eventually his entire body. I did; however, like the ability Pinocchio possessed but I don't say too much in fear of spoiling EVERYTHING.
I found the plot to be quite intriguing. A while back, I remember adding this book to my TBR. However, most of the books on that list either end of being marked as read or deleted later. I just so happened to stumble upon this book in the library and knew that as long as it was there, I would have to read it. So, I didn't entirely pick this book up on a whim, but in a way, I did. I don't regret it one bit. I loved the vast array of mythological characters and ridiculous situations they found themselves in.
I high recommend reading this book if you are a fan of retellings.
caties_books's review against another edition
3.0
This was certainly interesting. I generally like retellings of classic fairy tales/stories as long as they aren't too similar, so I did like that aspect. I kind of feel like it dragged on a bit, probably 50 pages or so could have been trimmed and it would have been better, less fluff. Also, I have never encountered such a complicated audio book!! I can understand why a lot of people didn't really like it or found it distracting, but I really liked it actually. I found that the constant sound effects drew me into the story rather than take me out of it. It was weird for sure, but kinda a good sort of weird.
(read with little brother)
(read with little brother)
bethmitcham's review
4.0
Audio had fun sound effects. Narrator was good, with different voices for different characters and a pleasing accent that evoked the European story.
morganthebookishbeagle's review
3.0
The book is curiously too detailed and very shallow at the same time. I don't feel like I got to know the characters very well, aside from Pinocchio, and there were a LOT of characters. The story races on and jumps from place to place at a frenetic pace. That being said, I really liked the Venetian setting and the mixture of historical fiction with myth and fairy tale. I hate the animated movie Pinocchio but I really enjoyed this version of the story! Pinocchio is a wonderful, strange, fascinating character that made me think about humanity a lot. I was also wrapped up in the story and wanted to know what was going to happen. I didn't feel much emotional attachment though. It was a clever, creative retelling that could have used more depth and less characters/settings.
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