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mbenzz's review
4.0
If you enjoyed Christopher Healy's 'League of Princes' trilogy, then you should enjoy this as it takes place in the same world, the Thirteen Kingdoms.
Lila the Lilac is the sister of one of the main characters in the Prince's trilogy, and in this book, she gets her own story.
Lila is tired of living under the confines of her selfish royal parents and is determined to make a name for herself as a mighty Bounty Hunter. She travels many Kingdoms away in the hopes no one will recognize her true identity, and along the way, she befriends Netta, a plucky young lady who wants nothing more than to be invited into the Guild of Bards.
Lila and Netta end up trapped together in the creepy Castle Angbar, trying to solve first a theft, then a murder. There's quite an eclectic cast of characters locked in the castle with them, and if they want to get out alive, the Lilac needs to solve the case before sunrise, or the magic cast by a powerful magician will crush them all.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Even though I had guessed very early on who the culprit was, I was surprised by some of the twists at the end that I didn't see coming.
Side note: If you're a fan of audible books, I would recommend listening to this if he has Bronson Pinchot narrate it as he did for all his other books. Bronson Pinchot (he played Balki Bartokomous on Perfect Strangers for those of you over 40) is a FANTASTIC narrator, and he does an amazing job with these books.
Lila the Lilac is the sister of one of the main characters in the Prince's trilogy, and in this book, she gets her own story.
Lila is tired of living under the confines of her selfish royal parents and is determined to make a name for herself as a mighty Bounty Hunter. She travels many Kingdoms away in the hopes no one will recognize her true identity, and along the way, she befriends Netta, a plucky young lady who wants nothing more than to be invited into the Guild of Bards.
Lila and Netta end up trapped together in the creepy Castle Angbar, trying to solve first a theft, then a murder. There's quite an eclectic cast of characters locked in the castle with them, and if they want to get out alive, the Lilac needs to solve the case before sunrise, or the magic cast by a powerful magician will crush them all.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Even though I had guessed very early on who the culprit was, I was surprised by some of the twists at the end that I didn't see coming.
Side note: If you're a fan of audible books, I would recommend listening to this if he has Bronson Pinchot narrate it as he did for all his other books. Bronson Pinchot (he played Balki Bartokomous on Perfect Strangers for those of you over 40) is a FANTASTIC narrator, and he does an amazing job with these books.
heidi_may91's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mwrars's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
voracious_book_addict's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Hysterical and entertaining. Like Clue meets Monty Python, meets a Mel Brooks Movie with fantasy elements. The narration was top notch, lots of distinct character voices and entertaining moments.
boathon's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
stephaniesb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
forsidious's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
This was so cute - there are moments of convoluted convenience (namely people being knocked out at inconvenient times) but overall a well put together mystery where everyone has secrets to hide. Things wrap up in a fun way there's a fun false ending to throw you off - I was disappointed in the fake ending so was happy to see it wasn't the true one A cute message at the end and I love that all the ladies are throwing away convention for their benefit. I enjoyed the narrator and funny bits throughout. They're silly, and it lightens up an otherwise quite dark story for middle grade. The twist of their family being bakers and the house just breaking to look spooky genuinely had me laughing
Props to the author for writing some pretty badass female characters without any of them being "not like other girls" or similar toxic tropes, or being perfect. Just different girls/women doing their thing and feeling freer to be themselves at the end of the book by empowering themselves and each other. it was nice to see.
C- 10, A - 10, W - 9, P - 9, I - 9, L - 8, E - 9
Props to the author for writing some pretty badass female characters without any of them being "not like other girls" or similar toxic tropes, or being perfect. Just different girls/women doing their thing and feeling freer to be themselves at the end of the book by empowering themselves and each other. it was nice to see.
C- 10, A - 10, W - 9, P - 9, I - 9, L - 8, E - 9
leandrathetbrzero's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
A wizard, a bounty hunter, and a bard enter the castle....one of them is murdered!
Thank you Christopher Healy, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy of No One Leave the Castle in exchange for this honest review.
What a creative middlegrade genre blend!! A well-balanced mix of fantasy and mystery elements. Hands down, this was my favorite MG read of 2023, and I am just itching for another mystery--if there ever will be one--that follows the Lilac and her loyal bard companion, Dulcinetta.
This duo is adventurous and clever, hilarious, and wonderfully supportive (sometimes in ways that gets them more in trouble). I loved that the aspiring bounty hunter had to turn sleuth as her bard sang her praises, some truths and some lies mixed together. And, on that note, the entire cast is incredibly fresh and dynamic. I thoroughly enjoyed switching POVs among the characters, all as we try to discover everyone's secrets before the bubble surrounding the castle crushed them. And I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending, turning a few mystery tropes on their heads!
This is a mystery I will be recommending to all ages, and it is one I now own my own copy of. Already excited for the eventual reread!!
Thank you Christopher Healy, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy of No One Leave the Castle in exchange for this honest review.
What a creative middlegrade genre blend!! A well-balanced mix of fantasy and mystery elements. Hands down, this was my favorite MG read of 2023, and I am just itching for another mystery--if there ever will be one--that follows the Lilac and her loyal bard companion, Dulcinetta.
This duo is adventurous and clever, hilarious, and wonderfully supportive (sometimes in ways that gets them more in trouble). I loved that the aspiring bounty hunter had to turn sleuth as her bard sang her praises, some truths and some lies mixed together. And, on that note, the entire cast is incredibly fresh and dynamic. I thoroughly enjoyed switching POVs among the characters, all as we try to discover everyone's secrets before the bubble surrounding the castle crushed them. And I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending, turning a few mystery tropes on their heads!
This is a mystery I will be recommending to all ages, and it is one I now own my own copy of. Already excited for the eventual reread!!
christajls's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This is a really fun fantasy-mystery and an absolutely delightful audiobook. Would be a good recommendation for fans of Discworld.
jadeyrae's review
4.0
8.29 on CAWPILE.
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Such a fun time with so many twists and turns. Got me excited to pick up more middle grade again, so I am very thankful to have read this one!
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Such a fun time with so many twists and turns. Got me excited to pick up more middle grade again, so I am very thankful to have read this one!