Reviews

I'm late to the Sherlock Holmes party. One could even argue if it's still fashionably late or just really really late. However, even though I didn't read the original books yet, I've discovered that I love retellings or other books inspired by this famous detective. And when I watched the movie of Enola Holmes on release day, I was immediately sold. Will I read the original books one day? Yes, I certainly will. But for now I will enjoy all those young adults!

The book and the movie are actually quite different in a way. Where the movie needs to resolve part of the "where is mother" storyline in a more visual way, the book doesn't do so. The first half of the book is focussed on the disappearance of the mother and Enola gathering her courage to go after her. The second half is focussed on the mystery that gave the book its title. In the end we also do get some information on what happened to the mother. It's not half as impressive as in the movie, but it's maybe more satisfying.

One thing didn't change: Enola is just as amazing on paper as on screen. Maybe she's even more amazing on paper. In the movie she has an entire set of skills that no woman in that time should have, in the book she really believes that she's a stupid girl who can't do anything. Which also means that she has a lot more character growth to do. This book marks the beginning of that character growth and I can't wait to see where it goes.

This book is, on top of that, a very easy read. It's very clearly more a middle grade than a young adult. The mystery in this book is a lot less complicated than in the movie, things are much more straight forward and Enola is only fourteen, which makes her an adult in her society, but very clearly still a child according to our standards. It's therefore a book that's quite fun to read together with younger girls. It has all the awesomeness of Sherlock Holmes and a little dash of girlpower.

lynsey23's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

irinam's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jessvm's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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