Reviews

The Van Gogh Deception by Deron R. Hicks

abbx's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging funny informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I was a bit confused with the POV at first. Maybe cause I listened to the book. But after a while I started to get used to it. I love how there was so much information about art. 


<Spoiler> I love arts dad. How much he cared and acted. <Spoiler>

books_with_ave's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous informative fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

mrowkoob's review

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

femkepemke's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

soph_wolf's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ilovedogs123's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

mb_runs's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Very enjoyable. I would describe it as Dan Brown meets Jason Bourne...for kids. I admit a lot of my curiosity to read this book was because it contains QR codes. I didn’t think I’d like it, and under normal circumstances probably not, however—it was very cool to be able to instantly pull up the famous works of art referenced in the story. Very clever.

genieinanovel's review

Go to review page

5.0

Initial reaction: Wow, wow, wow! It's been a while since I've read an entire book in one sitting!

I found this book by accident at work (perks of being a librarian) and it was while I was reading Vincent and Theo, so I had to pick it up! It was one of those books that I knew I'd enjoy, but I underestimated how much I would! I read it in one day - that's how good the book is!

Art, or at least that's what he thinks his name is, is found at Washington DC's National Gallery with no memory of how he got there or why he's there, so he's placed temporarily with a foster parent. The only thing he really knows is that he knows all about art history. So when the little family - the foster mother, her daughter, and Art - go back to the gallery in hopes to trigger his memories, he finds himself on the run from a group of agents... and he has no idea why.

This book had a very Spy Kids/Home Alone feel to it, what with it focusing on Art and Camille and their adventure to outsmart the bad guys and solve the mystery of Art himself. The kids were able to take out agents that were the best at what they do, leaving the man behind the heist completely baffled as to what was going on. I liked that you got to see multiple perspectives, not just of Art and Camille, but also the people behind the art heist and the cops trying to find the kids. It made for the book to be a real page-turner and kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next.

What was the coolest part of this book though, was the QR codes hidden throughout the book that, when scanned, led you to websites with the art pieces talked about in the book. Classic pieces of art that are definitely worth tons of money and also highly appreciated by art lovers. I'm not an art lover, but I thought it was very cool to see the pieces that were talked about in the book and thought it was a genius feature to interact with the story.

So without a doubt, I recommend this book if you're looking for something that will keep you wanting to know what will happen next. It's fast-paced, but leaves out no details which makes for a great art-heist story!

suzannedix's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I haven't read a mystery in awhile and this was so enjoyable. It was the perfect mix of art history, a likable main character and his witty sidekick and a believable plot about an art forgery. Very well done and I know this will appeal to any mystery lover looking to solve an interesting puzzle.

The novel also includes QR codes so that readers can view the masterpieces being described. Very clever and classy approach.

Grades 6 and up.

jbojkov's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Another great book from the 2018-2019 Lone Star list. I think this fast-paced mystery is probably a little more suited to upper-elementary readers, but hopefully middle graders will give it a shot. It has a solid art-history element and I think the author did a good job of blending in little tidbits of information without making it seem like he was giving a lesson. The two main characters were interesting and spunky and they tumbled from one tight spot to the next. Give this to kids who like smart, fast-paced, mysteries.