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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is the story of Bod (short for "nobody" *sobs*), a young boy whose parents were murdered during his infancy, and he is then taken care of by the undead inhabitants of the titular graveyard, most notably his guardian, a vampire named Silas. If Bod ever leaves the graveyard though, he will be in danger, for the man who killed his parents, Jack, is still out there. This doesn't stop Bod from meeting new friends and having new experiences though.
The audiobook was narrated by the author, who did an excellent job. I listened to the audiobook in one day, as I ran errands and did my chores, as it was so easy to listen to and become entirely immersed in the story. Neil Gaiman is truly such a masterful, effortless writer, and I recognize this is aimed at middle-grade readers, but I think it's true of all his books. They're filled with familiar but curious world-building that feel accessible to any reader, even if you're not typically into fantasy or the supernatural. His writing is inviting and asks you to make a cuppa and stay a while.
I highly recommend this, and any of NG's works. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon, enveloped in his fictional worlds.
This is the story of Bod (short for "nobody" *sobs*), a young boy whose parents were murdered during his infancy, and he is then taken care of by the undead inhabitants of the titular graveyard, most notably his guardian, a vampire named Silas. If Bod ever leaves the graveyard though, he will be in danger, for the man who killed his parents, Jack, is still out there. This doesn't stop Bod from meeting new friends and having new experiences though.
The audiobook was narrated by the author, who did an excellent job. I listened to the audiobook in one day, as I ran errands and did my chores, as it was so easy to listen to and become entirely immersed in the story. Neil Gaiman is truly such a masterful, effortless writer, and I recognize this is aimed at middle-grade readers, but I think it's true of all his books. They're filled with familiar but curious world-building that feel accessible to any reader, even if you're not typically into fantasy or the supernatural. His writing is inviting and asks you to make a cuppa and stay a while.
I highly recommend this, and any of NG's works. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon, enveloped in his fictional worlds.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Bullying, Child death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
lexikersey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Murder
_thugbug_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Bod has my heart! This didn’t read like middle grade to me, because although the story follows a young boy. The atmosphere and world built around him goes deeper than I thought a usual middle grade book would. I rated it a bit low cause it was very slow to start for me, but it was very worth the read once the pace picked up!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Child death
magneticornot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
leannarapier's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
The start of the novel was disturbing, but necessary to set up the plot, but overall, this book was more endearing than frightening. After his family is murdered, Nobody Owens (Bod) is raised by ghosts in a graveyard. Sometimes living can be more scary than death. Fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
francescaastraea's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is deeply creepy, deeply sad and extremely satisfying. Like if a really delicious hot chocolate made you a bit weepy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
renwrites13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think one of my favourite books, so heart-warming, yet emotional. Dark, but light. It's a truly well-rounded story, that lets you feel so many things at once. The characters are soo loveable and you get quite attached.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Child death, Colonisation, Gore, and Physical abuse
fyre_flies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
xvicesx's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Murder, and Child death
sarasreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a very sweet story. Found families always gets me. I enjoyed the slow build, where we follow Bod as he grows up and get to know so many of the graveyard inhabitants. And how all the little details we learned through the book came together at the end for an exciting conclusion. And the last page got me all misty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Murder, Child death, and Bullying