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ashleylm's review
2.0
Others have said there are diminishing returns here, as the publication dates increase (I'm reading them in internal chronological order, so that I get a few of the later, worse ones out of the way ahead of time, knowing there are better, earlier works yet to come).
This was my least favourite thus far. The author simply takes on too much: too many characters, too much world-building (her evocation of a slightly-alternate history England was just the right touch, but this book invites entire countries and cultures and peoples and mythologies and religions etc. etc.) ... it begins quickly to feel like an effort, not a joy, to read.
That said, I made it about 80% of the way on the strength of her other books, but ultimately resented the book too much to do more than skim to the end, which introduced yet more characters and more "facts" about this place. We get it, you're inventive.
And (despite reading 80% of it) I could barely tell you the plot. I think Dido was searching for Lord whatshisface, but once she found him, why they didn't leave I have no idea. It was a confusing morass of character and incident, and lots of trudging through landscapes. Where was the editor?
This one's eminently skippable, even for completists.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, I'm a bit more ruthless.
This was my least favourite thus far. The author simply takes on too much: too many characters, too much world-building (her evocation of a slightly-alternate history England was just the right touch, but this book invites entire countries and cultures and peoples and mythologies and religions etc. etc.) ... it begins quickly to feel like an effort, not a joy, to read.
That said, I made it about 80% of the way on the strength of her other books, but ultimately resented the book too much to do more than skim to the end, which introduced yet more characters and more "facts" about this place. We get it, you're inventive.
And (despite reading 80% of it) I could barely tell you the plot. I think Dido was searching for Lord whatshisface, but once she found him, why they didn't leave I have no idea. It was a confusing morass of character and incident, and lots of trudging through landscapes. Where was the editor?
This one's eminently skippable, even for completists.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, I'm a bit more ruthless.
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
it's not my favorite of the series, but still good fun ...
lonelyfangirlirl's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.0
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
4.0
Another fabulous book in the Wolves series! Dido is charged with finding Lord Herodsfoot on the distant island of Aratu, among the spice plantations, the witch doctors, and forest people. Lord Herodsfoot is searching for new and ancient games, which he hopes will entertain King James back in England. But the island is a troubled place with political unrest and violence around every turn. The island king's malicious brother is planning a coup, and only Dido and her strange new friends can save the island and restore balance to the people's lives.
Full of adventure and a little magic, this story keeps moving with a quick plot, weird and interesting characters, and of course, the excellent writing that I find in all Joan Aiken's books.
I love love love Dido! She really holds up well as a main character in so many of the Wolves books. I never get tired of her adventures! She's gutsy and thoughtful and wildly wonderful. I love how sensible she is, looking for practical solutions in each crazy situation. When everyone else is wasting time wailing over their misfortune, Dido rolls up her sleeves and gets to work fixing it. Her common sense is invaluable in every story!
There is some woodland "witchcraft" in this one, although it feels more like elemental magic. The forest women can meditate on the weather and cause it to change. They can look into the future too! I liked how innocent and clean the magic feels in this story, like a part of nature that the forest people can tap into just by listening.
They do have some weird beliefs though, like that ghosts will steal away a baby's soul if you don't christen it right away; and that if the population of the island gets too big, the ancestors will instruct about a hundred people to commit mass suicide to make room for the others. ??? Gah! That was creepy! But I liked that it gives this eerie backdrop for the story, and adds to the mystery of the island.
There are snakes in almost every chapter, which freaked me out! I hate snakes! But mostly people just throw rocks at them, or hit them with a stick, and they're dead. Only one guy gets bit, and has to take medicine for the snake poison. Ugh! So gross, and creepy, and yuck!
I just adore all the supporting characters! Lord Herodsfoot is especially important to the story, because we see his proper British self reacting to all the mysteries and enigmas of the island and its people. And he's rather dramatic and emotional as a counterpoint to Dido's "no-nonsense" attitude.
I loved the forest people that Dido meets! They are sweet and kind, but also full of secrecy and strange ways and customs. The structure of their forest society is so imaginative, from the way they eat and drink and build their homes, to their odd pets and mode of travel.
The story is wonderfully entertaining, and an excellent addition to this exciting series!
Full of adventure and a little magic, this story keeps moving with a quick plot, weird and interesting characters, and of course, the excellent writing that I find in all Joan Aiken's books.
I love love love Dido! She really holds up well as a main character in so many of the Wolves books. I never get tired of her adventures! She's gutsy and thoughtful and wildly wonderful. I love how sensible she is, looking for practical solutions in each crazy situation. When everyone else is wasting time wailing over their misfortune, Dido rolls up her sleeves and gets to work fixing it. Her common sense is invaluable in every story!
There is some woodland "witchcraft" in this one, although it feels more like elemental magic. The forest women can meditate on the weather and cause it to change. They can look into the future too! I liked how innocent and clean the magic feels in this story, like a part of nature that the forest people can tap into just by listening.
They do have some weird beliefs though, like that ghosts will steal away a baby's soul if you don't christen it right away; and that if the population of the island gets too big, the ancestors will instruct about a hundred people to commit mass suicide to make room for the others. ??? Gah! That was creepy! But I liked that it gives this eerie backdrop for the story, and adds to the mystery of the island.
There are snakes in almost every chapter, which freaked me out! I hate snakes! But mostly people just throw rocks at them, or hit them with a stick, and they're dead. Only one guy gets bit, and has to take medicine for the snake poison. Ugh! So gross, and creepy, and yuck!
I just adore all the supporting characters! Lord Herodsfoot is especially important to the story, because we see his proper British self reacting to all the mysteries and enigmas of the island and its people. And he's rather dramatic and emotional as a counterpoint to Dido's "no-nonsense" attitude.
I loved the forest people that Dido meets! They are sweet and kind, but also full of secrecy and strange ways and customs. The structure of their forest society is so imaginative, from the way they eat and drink and build their homes, to their odd pets and mode of travel.
The story is wonderfully entertaining, and an excellent addition to this exciting series!
xterminal's review against another edition
3.0
Joan Aiken, Dangerous Games (Delacorte, 1999)
I somehow got it into my head that Dangerous Games was the fifth Dido book, instead of the eleventh (and also found out that the one I thought was #4, The Stolen Lake, is actually the seventh); now I'm all messed up. Oh, well, reading them out of order has taken nothing out of my enjoyment of them, anyway.
In this eleventh episode of the journeys of Dido Twite, she, Mr. Multiple, and recent passenger Dr. Talisman put in at Aratu, a small island in the South Seas, in order to search for Lord Herodsfoot, who has been recalled to England. Dido, who it seems is finally on her way home, is a bit put out by yet another delay, but at least, she thinks, with Herodsfoot in two she'll have no choice but to get back to dear old Britain. Of course, things are never as simple as they seem, and before long, Multiple is in the hospital with a head wound, and Talisman, who saved his life, is being hunted by the town mayor for practicing medicine without a license. Then, to make things worse, their ship is seized. And Herodsfoot is off in the jungle somewhere. What now?
I've read a number of criticisms of the book, and I really can't refute them; Dangerous Games does feel phoned in at times, with the minor characters not getting anywhere near the development they should and the pace flagging now and again. Still, though, Dido and her adventures are a good deal of fun, and this one's as enjoyable as the next. I think. If you like the series, give this one a try, but be warned-- it seems a lot of Aiken fans were less than impressed by this one. ***
I somehow got it into my head that Dangerous Games was the fifth Dido book, instead of the eleventh (and also found out that the one I thought was #4, The Stolen Lake, is actually the seventh); now I'm all messed up. Oh, well, reading them out of order has taken nothing out of my enjoyment of them, anyway.
In this eleventh episode of the journeys of Dido Twite, she, Mr. Multiple, and recent passenger Dr. Talisman put in at Aratu, a small island in the South Seas, in order to search for Lord Herodsfoot, who has been recalled to England. Dido, who it seems is finally on her way home, is a bit put out by yet another delay, but at least, she thinks, with Herodsfoot in two she'll have no choice but to get back to dear old Britain. Of course, things are never as simple as they seem, and before long, Multiple is in the hospital with a head wound, and Talisman, who saved his life, is being hunted by the town mayor for practicing medicine without a license. Then, to make things worse, their ship is seized. And Herodsfoot is off in the jungle somewhere. What now?
I've read a number of criticisms of the book, and I really can't refute them; Dangerous Games does feel phoned in at times, with the minor characters not getting anywhere near the development they should and the pace flagging now and again. Still, though, Dido and her adventures are a good deal of fun, and this one's as enjoyable as the next. I think. If you like the series, give this one a try, but be warned-- it seems a lot of Aiken fans were less than impressed by this one. ***
veereading's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit, this has got to be one of my least favorite books in the series so far. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely some positives and I still enjoyed the ride. Let me begin with what I liked:
- the magic elements were super weird and cool. I liked the mysticism and the way in which those who could use magic were able to even convince the skeptics in the story.
- Talisman and the Forest People were by far my favorite characters in the story. They were so different and I think Aiken did a fantastic job in creating them and giving them the ropes.
- the plot against the King was typical Aiken and I loved it because it's everything I expected and love about this series!
So clearly, there were some positives. However, there were some flaws that made this book drop below my expectations:
-Dido lacked that charm I've become so accustomed to seeing. In this novel, she was quite flat and had no real purpose; this novel would have still moved fine without her presence.
-Lord Herodsfoot and King were really blah characters. I just didn't like their complete helplessness in every situation. I understand that Aiken created them specifically to be this way, but I just don't like useless characters.
- there were a lot of holes in the plot that didn't make sense (and that's saying something since most of the books in this series are wacky!) and the introduction into this adventure was very awkward and stilted. The transitions could definitely have been better!
Overall, the novel still maintained its wackiness and had an awesome fantasy element to it. However, it didn't tie things as well as it could have and Dido really didn't shine. I'm hoping that the next book in the series will be better; for now, this novel gets a 3.5/5 stars from me!
For more reviews, visit: www.veereading.wordpress.com
- the magic elements were super weird and cool. I liked the mysticism and the way in which those who could use magic were able to even convince the skeptics in the story.
- Talisman and the Forest People were by far my favorite characters in the story. They were so different and I think Aiken did a fantastic job in creating them and giving them the ropes.
- the plot against the King was typical Aiken and I loved it because it's everything I expected and love about this series!
So clearly, there were some positives. However, there were some flaws that made this book drop below my expectations:
-Dido lacked that charm I've become so accustomed to seeing. In this novel, she was quite flat and had no real purpose; this novel would have still moved fine without her presence.
-Lord Herodsfoot and King were really blah characters. I just didn't like their complete helplessness in every situation. I understand that Aiken created them specifically to be this way, but I just don't like useless characters.
- there were a lot of holes in the plot that didn't make sense (and that's saying something since most of the books in this series are wacky!) and the introduction into this adventure was very awkward and stilted. The transitions could definitely have been better!
Overall, the novel still maintained its wackiness and had an awesome fantasy element to it. However, it didn't tie things as well as it could have and Dido really didn't shine. I'm hoping that the next book in the series will be better; for now, this novel gets a 3.5/5 stars from me!
For more reviews, visit: www.veereading.wordpress.com
nigellicus's review against another edition
5.0
A lively, fast-moving tale from the Wolves Of Willoughby Chase sequence that takes place just after The Stolen Lake. Dido is still trying to return to England on The Thrush, but the ship is diverted and sent chasing after the wandering Lord Herodsfoot, who travels the world collecting games to entertain the ailing King James. Dido and co finally track him down on the Pacific island of Aratu. All is not well on the island, however. The putative ruler, John King is unwell and his ruthless brother has some nefarious plans that mean trouble for the indomitable Dido.
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