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mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
Short review.
This book is wonderful, however I didn't particularly like the ending. It felt a bit incomplete and like there could be sequel (after all, who knows what will happen with that evil guy).
But the rest of the book is good. It switches between Amanda and Rudger (what a name), though quickly it is mostly about Rudger and his quest to find Amanda. I must say out of these 2 Rudger was my favourite character, because quite soon we find out Amanda is pretty rude and mean towards Rudger, treating him more as a slave than a friend. At first she was pretty nice and I loved their friendship, but as soon as Rudger has any thoughts for himself... well that is when all hell breaks loose. So you can imagine my happiness when we only got Rudger's point of view after a certain event.
Poor Rudger, alone in the world and h(a)unted by a bad guy and his evil sidekick. I loved his journey and I kept cheering for him to find Amanda (yes, even though she was a total stuck-up brat).
The battles, the whole imaginary world and how it works, add to that something else, it was pretty much perfect.
Not only that but we got various illustrations that add something extra with it. It was really fun reading about various things and then seeing them back in the illustrations. That way I could see the horror that our antagonist is even better (though I could easily imagine it given the various descriptions).
All in all, I would highly recommend this one. Children and adults will love it.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Short review.
This book is wonderful, however I didn't particularly like the ending. It felt a bit incomplete and like there could be sequel (after all, who knows what will happen with that evil guy).
But the rest of the book is good. It switches between Amanda and Rudger (what a name), though quickly it is mostly about Rudger and his quest to find Amanda. I must say out of these 2 Rudger was my favourite character, because quite soon we find out Amanda is pretty rude and mean towards Rudger, treating him more as a slave than a friend. At first she was pretty nice and I loved their friendship, but as soon as Rudger has any thoughts for himself... well that is when all hell breaks loose. So you can imagine my happiness when we only got Rudger's point of view after a certain event.
Poor Rudger, alone in the world and h(a)unted by a bad guy and his evil sidekick. I loved his journey and I kept cheering for him to find Amanda (yes, even though she was a total stuck-up brat).
The battles, the whole imaginary world and how it works, add to that something else, it was pretty much perfect.
Not only that but we got various illustrations that add something extra with it. It was really fun reading about various things and then seeing them back in the illustrations. That way I could see the horror that our antagonist is even better (though I could easily imagine it given the various descriptions).
All in all, I would highly recommend this one. Children and adults will love it.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent imaginary friend story for children. A little like a younger 'Memoirs of an imaginary friend' (Matthew Green), with some rather scary bad guys and a specially created world of Imaginaries.
Rudger finds himself conscious one day, in Amanda's wardrobe, with nobody but her able to see and hear him. he is her imaginary friend and they quickly become close. Until the day Mr Bunting shows up with a keen interest in Rudger...
Rudger ends up by himself and fading - how can he survive if nobody can see him?
A wonderful flight of imaginative fancy ensues, a moving story of imaginary creatures and Amanda and Rudger's friendship.
Bunting makes a quite menacing villain, calling Amanda "It" and in his Hawaiian shirt and shorts is a memorable character.
Harrold's writing style is accessible to young readers/listeners and both exciting and emotional at times. Emily Gravett, already a picture book favourite in our house, does a fine job in accompanying the text with beautiful illustrations that add much to the book.
It made me wish that I had an imaginary friend as a child.
Wouldn't be surprised if this is made into a cartoon or feature film.
An excellent choice to inspire the imagination of six to twelve year olds.
Rudger finds himself conscious one day, in Amanda's wardrobe, with nobody but her able to see and hear him. he is her imaginary friend and they quickly become close. Until the day Mr Bunting shows up with a keen interest in Rudger...
Rudger ends up by himself and fading - how can he survive if nobody can see him?
A wonderful flight of imaginative fancy ensues, a moving story of imaginary creatures and Amanda and Rudger's friendship.
Bunting makes a quite menacing villain, calling Amanda "It" and in his Hawaiian shirt and shorts is a memorable character.
Harrold's writing style is accessible to young readers/listeners and both exciting and emotional at times. Emily Gravett, already a picture book favourite in our house, does a fine job in accompanying the text with beautiful illustrations that add much to the book.
It made me wish that I had an imaginary friend as a child.
Wouldn't be surprised if this is made into a cartoon or feature film.
An excellent choice to inspire the imagination of six to twelve year olds.
erinwolf1997's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Bullying, and Car accident
varsh31's review against another edition
4.0
Such a beautiful, well crafted book. It's as dark as Roald Dahl but with all of the same beauty that teaches children about hope and friendship. Aimed towards kids between 6 - 9 but I think even kids of all age groups will appreciate this.
scoutfinch75's review against another edition
5.0
Amanda's mum is the kind of mum I try to be! Reading this as an adult was a wonderful trip down memory lane, remembering imaginary friends, adventures in space, and the magic a child's imagination can create.
I loved Rudger so much, his determination to be the best friend he could be. His bravery and strength.
Mr Bunting filled me with horror and made my skin crawl!
Amazing story, filled with magic and wonder. I would definitely recommend this and will to the juniors at school.
I loved Rudger so much, his determination to be the best friend he could be. His bravery and strength.
Mr Bunting filled me with horror and made my skin crawl!
Amazing story, filled with magic and wonder. I would definitely recommend this and will to the juniors at school.
kaelino's review against another edition
3.0
I was drawn to this by the beautiful cover, and while I enjoyed the illustrations by Emily Gravett throughout, I could not attach myself much to the story. I had to pick it up and put it down about three different times before finally finishing it on Audible. Writing was fine, just not a story I could really get into, plot wise or character wise.
sfinn95's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.25
hayleybeale's review against another edition
5.0
A spirited, completely charming, slightly scary and, yes, hugely imaginative novel about imaginary friends and their friends. Sparkling writing and illustrations that bring the characters alive. This would be a fabulous readaloud. Read my full review here. Thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.