Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

85 reviews

bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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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. 

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thecandiegirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.5


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moonlightjuju's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I dove into "The Graveyard Book" audiobook yesterday, and I emerged today with a heart full of wonder and a five-star rating in tow. Neil Gaiman's enchanting tale kept me captivated from start to finish, weaving a spellbinding narrative that felt like a warm embrace. 🌟


From the very beginning, I was drawn into this world of mystery and magic. Gaiman's storytelling is so beautifully endearing that I knew I was in for a treat. As I journeyed alongside Nobody Owens, affectionately known as Bod, I found myself deeply invested in his growth and adventures. 📖


What I adored most was how the story came full circle, allowing me to witness Bod's evolution from a curious child to a courageous young man. Each character, from the ghosts to the living, won my heart with their unique quirks and wisdom. But it was Bod himself who stole the show—my sweet little potato pie, as I affectionately dubbed him. His kindness and intelligence were truly admirable, yet it was his hint of vengefulness that added depth to his character—a trait that I surprisingly found myself drawn to. 💖


The graveyard's inhabitants, with their colorful personalities and poignant life advice, added layers of richness to the narrative. I delighted in every tale from their past lives, each one contributing to the tapestry of Bod's upbringing. 👻🌿


"The Graveyard Book" is not just a story; it's an experience—a journey that will stay with me long after the final chapter. Neil Gaiman's masterful prose and the impeccable narration in the audiobook form breathed life into this tale, making it an absolute delight to immerse myself in. 🎙️


In conclusion, if Neil Gaiman were to pen another novel centered around Nobody Owens, I would eagerly devour it without hesitation. "The Graveyard Book" has firmly secured its place as one of my all-time favorites, earning a well-deserved five-star rating and a permanent spot on my bookshelf. 📚


#BookReview #TheGraveyardBook #NeilGaiman #Audiobook #Bookworm #Bookstagram #ReadingCommunity #FantasyBooks #BookLovers #MustRead #MagicalReads

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mariakureads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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

4.0

I absolutely loved that right from the beginning, it was easy to imagine this story about a boy and the graveyard that not just saves him but allows him to grow and learn from. I was entertained by y the additional amount of spirits, ghouls, and specters that Gaiman intros us to.

Gaiman narrates this story and I love that he narrates most of his books because there is something quite magical in how he reads them that just reallyets me imagine his world building and the characters within 

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_thugbug_'s review against another edition

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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! 

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magneticornot's review against another edition

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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


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izzykai's review against another edition

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

5.0

An easy read and feel-good story. Meant for kids but I'm 32 and loved it! Has pictures!! More books need pictures 

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mreequalsmc2's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

I want a whole series about my guy Silas

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leannarapier's review against another edition

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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.

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saraj0211's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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