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freckleduck's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is clearly written for kids. The characters aren’t fleshed out and I didn’t love it.
agentbird's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maryd826's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick fun read that made me reminiscent of reading scary story collections as a kid—a good balance of spooky and silly.
What I Liked:
The descriptions/language. I felt like I was right in the pages with these people.
It balances the scary stuff with the overall plot. There’s enough injected into the action to make it a little spine-tingly (it is for kids after all).
What I Didn’t Like:
Sadly...Lewis. ☹️ I just didn’t like how he was written at all. It seemed like his go to plan for everything was crying, or at least getting weepy. I also hated that he was constantly trying to be/remain friends with, and impress someone who was basically a bully to him throughout the entire book.
The clock was anticlimactic. I mean, other than being the title, it’s mentioned occasionally over the course of the story; however, the ending was rather abrupt, and less daunting than the earlier parts of the book made it seem. Even for a children’s novel.
Overall, though, it was fun to read to get into a Halloween/Fall mood.
What I Liked:
The descriptions/language. I felt like I was right in the pages with these people.
It balances the scary stuff with the overall plot. There’s enough injected into the action to make it a little spine-tingly (it is for kids after all).
What I Didn’t Like:
Sadly...Lewis. ☹️ I just didn’t like how he was written at all. It seemed like his go to plan for everything was crying, or at least getting weepy. I also hated that he was constantly trying to be/remain friends with, and impress someone who was basically a bully to him throughout the entire book.
The clock was anticlimactic. I mean, other than being the title, it’s mentioned occasionally over the course of the story; however, the ending was rather abrupt, and less daunting than the earlier parts of the book made it seem. Even for a children’s novel.
Overall, though, it was fun to read to get into a Halloween/Fall mood.
mommy_mabel's review against another edition
4.0
Great little thriller that emphasizes mystery and not gore.
slvq's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
venysnizel's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely geared towards children. A cute read, but relatively anti-climactic. I’m interested in seeing what they do with the movie version.
bookcat01's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favorite books growing up... I have distinct memories of my 10-year-old self sitting and reading in shivery delight. And it was with this book that I discovered my lifelong love of [a:Edward Gorey|21578|Edward Gorey|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1200338278p2/21578.jpg]'s illustrations. As I've been slowly making my way through the delightful [b:Floating Worlds: The Letters of Edward Gorey & Peter F. Neumeyer|11461883|Floating Worlds The Letters of Edward Gorey & Peter F. Neumeyer|Edward Gorey|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327891958s/11461883.jpg|16396043], this story has been on my mind, but I had a little trepidation about going back and re-reading it: what if, almost 40 years after my initial reading, the story fell flat for me? How disappointing! But yesterday I faced my fears and opened it up again, and needn't have worried: the magic of [a:John Bellairs|101070|John Bellairs|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1197854239p2/101070.jpg] swept me right back in with his warm and humorous writing and his quirky characters. I love Lewis and Uncle Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman, and the Izards ooze evil. It was a real treat to go back and re-read this favorite.
heartsdesire's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 chocolate cookies for Lewis, lol.
this book keeps my focus on it among my hectic schedule, and voila, I finish it. congratulations me! lol. I'm happy to finish it before the movie comes out on September. though it keeps me around, I'm still kinda dissapointed because it doesn't fill my expectations.
I wish for more actions, real and elaborated or at least not that simple. I expect for more magic shown by Lewis, Uncle Jonathan, and Mrs. Z. further it seriously paces up around the ending; seriously pacing up, trust me on this. I mean for example the problem starts around this month and solved in 3-4 months and it has s l o w development until somewhere along the line I'm not sure this is the problem because it's not (yet) problematic enough. I repeatedly thought "okay, only this?" next, about Lewis, well I sometimes lose patience with him because he's that naive about sling suck boy Tarby and he couldn't even show Tarby what he actually deserves for being that kind of dull and annoying person, lol. he needs to be woken.
apart from lacking in those departments, it's a wonderful journey with this one. the sentences enthrall you, or at least me. I can feel the magic tiptoeing in every corner wherever I look up on the story and hell yes this is what I want. the magic may lack of apparition, lol, but THE FEEL, I LOVE IT. the main idea about a house with a clock ticking in its walls itself has hooked me right to the gut, so I'm sold. probably going to peek around the second book; I want to live longer in 100 High Street!
this book keeps my focus on it among my hectic schedule, and voila, I finish it. congratulations me! lol. I'm happy to finish it before the movie comes out on September. though it keeps me around, I'm still kinda dissapointed because it doesn't fill my expectations.
I wish for more actions, real and elaborated or at least not that simple. I expect for more magic shown by Lewis, Uncle Jonathan, and Mrs. Z. further it seriously paces up around the ending; seriously pacing up, trust me on this. I mean for example the problem starts around this month and solved in 3-4 months and it has s l o w development until somewhere along the line I'm not sure this is the problem because it's not (yet) problematic enough. I repeatedly thought "okay, only this?" next, about Lewis, well I sometimes lose patience with him because he's that naive about sling suck boy Tarby and he couldn't even show Tarby what he actually deserves for being that kind of dull and annoying person, lol. he needs to be woken.
apart from lacking in those departments, it's a wonderful journey with this one. the sentences enthrall you, or at least me. I can feel the magic tiptoeing in every corner wherever I look up on the story and hell yes this is what I want. the magic may lack of apparition, lol, but THE FEEL, I LOVE IT. the main idea about a house with a clock ticking in its walls itself has hooked me right to the gut, so I'm sold. probably going to peek around the second book; I want to live longer in 100 High Street!
bethlee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0