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lazygal's review
3.0
Usually I love Ibbotson books, but this one left me a little cold (no pun intended). There was just a little too much going on, as if cramming more action would be better than staying in one place and making that chapter better. The humor also felt a little stale at times. Sigh.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
jasonfurman's review
3.0
Sort of amusing, sort of decently written, just overly decent--The Abominables kept the children entertained with the story of a delightfully friendly group of Yetis who make the trek from Tibet to England in search of a refuge from the often beastly, but just as often noble, humans. Lots of Roald Dahl, including noble children in a world of cruel adults who make their way to Buckingham Palace to get the queen to intercede on their behalf, but none of the darkness, edge, or witty writing.
shogins's review
3.0
A cute middle-grade novel about Lady Agatha's discovery of a family of Yetis and their journey from the Himalayas to her ancestral home in England. Feels a little lost in time - there is some weird classism in the bones of the story - but thoroughly enjoyable. The ultimate message is a little saddening - they only manage to save the Yetis because the Queen of England wants her trash picked up, not because the rally/demonstration actually changed anyone's mind!?
Still, I enjoyed this book's silliness and its version of Yetis was original and enjoyable.
Still, I enjoyed this book's silliness and its version of Yetis was original and enjoyable.
scostner's review
4.0
I really enjoy Eva Ibbotson's stories. There is always adventure and humor and the bad guys generally get taught a lesson about their horrible behavior. The Abominables has all of those characteristics. Con and Ellen are brave children who embark on a risky journey to help their friends, the Yetis, reach a safe home. Along the way from the Himalayas to Farlingham Towers in England, they meet all sorts of people - evil zoo keepers, greedy sultans, kindly monks, matadors, and evil hunters. Each challenge causes them to use all their intelligence and bravery to overcome danger and continue on to their goal.
If you have read any of Eva's other books like The Great Ghost Rescue you know this is a story you will enjoy. If you haven't tried out her writing yet, why not start with this one? After all, it's not often you get the chance to read about yodeling Yetis.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
If you have read any of Eva's other books like The Great Ghost Rescue you know this is a story you will enjoy. If you haven't tried out her writing yet, why not start with this one? After all, it's not often you get the chance to read about yodeling Yetis.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
lindzee's review
4.0
Very entertaining. It made me sad as I read to realize that there will not be any books by Ibbotson, but this book concluded her work nicely.
The best thing about Ibbotson is that she treats children as human beings, not just kids. That is particularly true here.
The best thing about Ibbotson is that she treats children as human beings, not just kids. That is particularly true here.
heatherdmoore's review
3.0
3.5 stars rounded down. Read aloud with my 12 year old for our kids book club. This was a sweet story, and we loved the yetis and their charming character traits. But the story felt like it was missing something. I’m not sure what that something was, but it just felt like it was a good story that could’ve been a better story.
tamarayork's review
2.0
Read aloud to my 8 and almost 10 year olds. It sounds like a fun journey story with yetis. It took a few unexpected turns and was VERY preachy about hunting. I am not pro-hunting by any means but the sheer volume of detail with describing heads, skins, and violence towards animals was troubling for my sensitive kid and unnecessary. Moral messages in stories should be subtle, in my opinion. The ones in this book slapped you in the face.
My other beef with this story is that it was unexpectedly religious in nature. We are a secular family and don’t typically read books with a religious bent. You wouldn’t expect a book about yetis to be religious, but these are very devout yetis. They sing hymns every night and quote biblical teaching. Just a heads up. If you are Christian, that probably won’t bother you. But if you aren’t, just know it’s there.
My other beef with this story is that it was unexpectedly religious in nature. We are a secular family and don’t typically read books with a religious bent. You wouldn’t expect a book about yetis to be religious, but these are very devout yetis. They sing hymns every night and quote biblical teaching. Just a heads up. If you are Christian, that probably won’t bother you. But if you aren’t, just know it’s there.
dadams's review against another edition
4.0
Delightful! A beautiful last story from one of my favorite authors.