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reader4evr's review
4.0
The love the concept of this book with being able to check out "magical" items, how cool is that! It was fun and full of adventure and lots of fantasy. I use to love fairy tales as a child and use to read them but there were some stories that I was not familar with. I do know that the Brother Grimm fairy tales are a little darker than the ones that I read.
I loved Elizabeth and all of the characters in the story even the quirky librarians. There were a couple times when you learn about Elizabeth's family, I thought she was going to be interwined into the story about a girl who wears a glass slipper if you know who I'm talking about. Maybe if a second books is wrote maybe that will come into play. All of the other characters meshed well together and I thought all of the friendships and relationships were geninue and realistic.
I would love to get a job at the repository. This would be the dream job for any librarian I think. It sounds so much fun, too bad I would have to move to New York.
The beginning was kind of confusing at times and dragged but once she was able to get into the Grimm Collection and finding out that items were being stolen and that huge bird was attacking people then the story really picked up.
The story would definitely please any fan of fantasy and would be appropriate for middle or high school students.
I loved Elizabeth and all of the characters in the story even the quirky librarians. There were a couple times when you learn about Elizabeth's family, I thought she was going to be interwined into the story about a girl who wears a glass slipper if you know who I'm talking about. Maybe if a second books is wrote maybe that will come into play. All of the other characters meshed well together and I thought all of the friendships and relationships were geninue and realistic.
I would love to get a job at the repository. This would be the dream job for any librarian I think. It sounds so much fun, too bad I would have to move to New York.
The beginning was kind of confusing at times and dragged but once she was able to get into the Grimm Collection and finding out that items were being stolen and that huge bird was attacking people then the story really picked up.
The story would definitely please any fan of fantasy and would be appropriate for middle or high school students.
cutenanya's review
4.0
Actually a 3.5.
This book has a very interesting premise, a library of objects instead of books, some even magical! I think it will be a very cool idea if we actually have a library of stuff in the real world. Unfortunately, there are certain drawbacks in this book that prevented me from giving a higher rating.
First, the characters. While I like all the characters, in general, each of them is flawed in their own ways.
Second, the romance. Frankly, I still have trouble comprehending when the characters fell for each other, especially Elizabeth and her love interest (no spoiler).
Third, the plot. Aside from being over simplistic, I think the setting is interesting enough to warrant a more intricate plot. The only problem is that the author has spent too much time describing the inferior complex and jealousy of Elizabeth and Aaron and has thus failed to focus more on weaving a denser plot.
Still, the story is fascinating and the reading (or hearing) experience was enjoyable. I would recommend it to readers who have experience working at a library and who love fairy tales.
This book has a very interesting premise, a library of objects instead of books, some even magical! I think it will be a very cool idea if we actually have a library of stuff in the real world. Unfortunately, there are certain drawbacks in this book that prevented me from giving a higher rating.
First, the characters. While I like all the characters, in general, each of them is flawed in their own ways.
Second, the romance. Frankly, I still have trouble comprehending when the characters fell for each other, especially Elizabeth and her love interest (no spoiler).
Third, the plot. Aside from being over simplistic, I think the setting is interesting enough to warrant a more intricate plot. The only problem is that the author has spent too much time describing the inferior complex and jealousy of Elizabeth and Aaron and has thus failed to focus more on weaving a denser plot.
Still, the story is fascinating and the reading (or hearing) experience was enjoyable. I would recommend it to readers who have experience working at a library and who love fairy tales.
katykelly's review
4.0
Really interesting idea - library of magic objects - and well executed. Not perfect, villain not very scary or hard to beat, but I liked the magic in the everyday world and the young characters. And the use of Grimms' fairy tales.
ageekybibliophile's review
3.0
I saw the word grimm on the library shelf and I was immediately drawn to the book. Very fun read and really enjoyed the characters and the elements in the story. Looking forward to book two.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
3.0
When I saw this book on the shelves of a second hand bookstore, I just had to get it. This year is the year of the fairytales. I'm reading loads of retellings and enjoying it immensely. I'm still not bored and I'm still not done with them. So, a story where a young girl discovers that all the Grimm objects and magic is real? That can't go wrong.
And the premise of the story is really lovely. As a bookworm and a fairytale lover, I really loved the atmosphere of the building, the endless stacks with items, the magical mirror, the magical keys, tables, shoes. I really enjoyed the description of the smell, the dust, the labyrinth and the plans on the walls helping everyone to find their way. And the tube system used to transport the messages sounded so awesome.
The characters in the story were also nice enough. They weren't very complicated or layered. They also didn't have that much depth, but they were nice and kind and likeable and it was easy to root for them, to want them to succeed.
But, the plot felt a little flat and dull. It's hard to explain why the plot didn't really work for me. Maybe it's because I didn't get the feeling that the threat was made serious, intelligent and dangerous enough. Once they dive into the mystery it's solved quite easily and rapidly and it feels like the so called "villains" don't really do much to prevent it all. It felt like the author was, just like me, fascinated by the atmosphere and the stacks and the building and shelves and then remembered she needed a plot too.
It was an amusing read, but not as brilliant and enchanting as I had hoped it would be.
And the premise of the story is really lovely. As a bookworm and a fairytale lover, I really loved the atmosphere of the building, the endless stacks with items, the magical mirror, the magical keys, tables, shoes. I really enjoyed the description of the smell, the dust, the labyrinth and the plans on the walls helping everyone to find their way. And the tube system used to transport the messages sounded so awesome.
The characters in the story were also nice enough. They weren't very complicated or layered. They also didn't have that much depth, but they were nice and kind and likeable and it was easy to root for them, to want them to succeed.
But, the plot felt a little flat and dull. It's hard to explain why the plot didn't really work for me. Maybe it's because I didn't get the feeling that the threat was made serious, intelligent and dangerous enough. Once they dive into the mystery it's solved quite easily and rapidly and it feels like the so called "villains" don't really do much to prevent it all. It felt like the author was, just like me, fascinated by the atmosphere and the stacks and the building and shelves and then remembered she needed a plot too.
It was an amusing read, but not as brilliant and enchanting as I had hoped it would be.
rjdenney's review
5.0
Enthralled once again!
Ever since "13 Treasures" by Michelle Harrison, I didn't think another book
would make me feel enthralled & take me on another captivating adventure.
I loved the story and the characters. I really enjoyed the setting and how it was written like it could be made into a movie, which it needs to be. Elizabeth was a fun & relatable main character and I loved reading from her point of view. The other characters were enjoyable especially Jaya.
This had suspense, mystery, fantasy, and it held all of those together perfectly. I think if you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code & Night at the Museum you will LOVE this.
-R.D.
Ever since "13 Treasures" by Michelle Harrison, I didn't think another book
would make me feel enthralled & take me on another captivating adventure.
I loved the story and the characters. I really enjoyed the setting and how it was written like it could be made into a movie, which it needs to be. Elizabeth was a fun & relatable main character and I loved reading from her point of view. The other characters were enjoyable especially Jaya.
This had suspense, mystery, fantasy, and it held all of those together perfectly. I think if you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code & Night at the Museum you will LOVE this.
-R.D.
phangirl's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75