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rosemarieshort's review against another edition
4.0
I was a little late on the bandwagon with this one, I think the aimed for age group is nine to fourteen and I was probably about fourteen when I first read them. However that was at absolutely no detriment to the story. I read that Debi Gliori wrote this simply to prove that she could. Well she can. I'd say that this could work as a story for your six year old or a guilty pleasure for you yourself. I have the whole series and while the story takes a darker turn as the books go on this is a light, enjoyable and magical beginning to a great series.
missprint_'s review
3.0
Debi Gliori's novel Pure Dead Magic first caught my attention as a library page for two simple reasons: the unique title and the rather enticing plaid background of the cover (which also features a neat illustration by Glin Dibley). Before embarking on Pure Dead Magic, a work of longer fiction, Gliori had written and illustrated picture books for children. I have seen this book, the first in a trilogy, shelved both with children's and young adult books. I'm more inclined to call it a children's book although I also have no problem imagining teens who would enjoy it. That said, let's talk about what happens between the covers of this book.
Twelve-year-old Titus Strega-Borgia and his ten-year-old sister Pandora do not live in what most people would term a normal household. Things are strange at StregaSchloss, the family's house near the Scottish Highlands, even before their father Luciano mysteriously disappears. Dealing with an unwieldy household while completing her degree in advanced witchcraft, Baci Strega-Borgia is overextended. Enter Mrs. Flora McLachlan who tries to bring some order to the household along with fries that are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, and the occasional lullaby for Damp, the youngest of the Strega-Borgia children.
But order doesn't reign for very long at StregaSchloss before things get out of hand. Thirteen baby rats go missing, followed soon after by Damp. Then the gangster in the rabbit suit shows up and everything gets even messier.
If any of the plot brought to mind the Addams family, it's not a coincidence. I have no proof for this, but feel strongly that the Strega-Borgia's might be distant cousins of Morticia and Gomez. Gliori pulls off a blend of humor and the macabre, with the odd man-eating monster thrown in, admirably and much in the style so common to the Addams family movie.
Needless to say this novel does require a willing suspension of disbelief, but once you get into the story it's really fun. Gliori's prose is straightforward and broken up into manageable chapters (usually four or so pages at a time) which make it a good pick for a reluctant reader who might not want to read a long chapter in one sitting.
The characters are also excellent. In addition to the family and staff, several mythical beasts and one hungry crocodile also add a lot of dimension to the book. Pure Dead Magic is one of those books that, if you can tolerate some fantastical elements, has something for everyone: a variety of characters, excitement, suspense, and humor. A well-rounded book for anyone looking for a story that will leave them smiling.
Twelve-year-old Titus Strega-Borgia and his ten-year-old sister Pandora do not live in what most people would term a normal household. Things are strange at StregaSchloss, the family's house near the Scottish Highlands, even before their father Luciano mysteriously disappears. Dealing with an unwieldy household while completing her degree in advanced witchcraft, Baci Strega-Borgia is overextended. Enter Mrs. Flora McLachlan who tries to bring some order to the household along with fries that are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, and the occasional lullaby for Damp, the youngest of the Strega-Borgia children.
But order doesn't reign for very long at StregaSchloss before things get out of hand. Thirteen baby rats go missing, followed soon after by Damp. Then the gangster in the rabbit suit shows up and everything gets even messier.
If any of the plot brought to mind the Addams family, it's not a coincidence. I have no proof for this, but feel strongly that the Strega-Borgia's might be distant cousins of Morticia and Gomez. Gliori pulls off a blend of humor and the macabre, with the odd man-eating monster thrown in, admirably and much in the style so common to the Addams family movie.
Needless to say this novel does require a willing suspension of disbelief, but once you get into the story it's really fun. Gliori's prose is straightforward and broken up into manageable chapters (usually four or so pages at a time) which make it a good pick for a reluctant reader who might not want to read a long chapter in one sitting.
The characters are also excellent. In addition to the family and staff, several mythical beasts and one hungry crocodile also add a lot of dimension to the book. Pure Dead Magic is one of those books that, if you can tolerate some fantastical elements, has something for everyone: a variety of characters, excitement, suspense, and humor. A well-rounded book for anyone looking for a story that will leave them smiling.
alyssabeth's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't enjoy this book at all. It felt like the author was trying WAY too hard to make it funny, but all it added up to was a mess. First, what kind of names are Titus Pandora and Damp? Especially damp, who would name their baby damp. The worst names, though, were the parents. The mothers name was Signora Baci Strega-Borgia and the father’s name was Signor Luciano Strega-Borgia, I didn’t get the difference until about halfway through the book and was utterly confused as to why signora/signor Strega-Borgia appeared to be two places at once. The nanny seemed irrelevant and didn’t play much of a role in the book at all, and I often wondered why she was even there. And a pet crocodile how original, and if I remember it right, its name was TOCK!!! I know, even worse! This book was far too complicated for children and too dull for adults. Overall, well, it stunk.
ok, I do admit I liked the easter bunny mafia gangsta...
ok, I do admit I liked the easter bunny mafia gangsta...
jankmammal's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't finish this, I was too worried about the baby rats! :o
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
3.0
For more reviews, check out my blog Craft-Cycle
Definitely a weird book.
The blurb on the cover told me it would be, "Harry Potter meets Lemony Snicket in a high-tech setting." This was mostly true, but the only comparison to Harry Potter this book can claim is that it has some magical elements: mythical creatures, magic wands, spells. But even the magic is very different. It's more of a mash-up of witchcraft and computers. This made it a little difficult to wrap your head around a times. The back cover calls it, "Mary Poppins meets the Addams Family in a nonstop farce", which I think is more accurate.
The technology element was a bit confusing as well and took some getting used to. It is less technology-based and more just fantastical computer abilities (i.e. being able to travel by email).
It feels like a pretty dense book given all of the details in it. The plot is kind of complex and very confusing at times. I did really enjoy the descriptions. The author definitely has a gift for setting the scene: "The sight of all those teeth, askew like tombstones in a disused graveyard..." The metaphors and similes were amazingly creative.
A dark book, a bit creepy. Overall, I liked it though.
Definitely a weird book.
The blurb on the cover told me it would be, "Harry Potter meets Lemony Snicket in a high-tech setting." This was mostly true, but the only comparison to Harry Potter this book can claim is that it has some magical elements: mythical creatures, magic wands, spells. But even the magic is very different. It's more of a mash-up of witchcraft and computers. This made it a little difficult to wrap your head around a times. The back cover calls it, "Mary Poppins meets the Addams Family in a nonstop farce", which I think is more accurate.
The technology element was a bit confusing as well and took some getting used to. It is less technology-based and more just fantastical computer abilities (i.e. being able to travel by email).
It feels like a pretty dense book given all of the details in it. The plot is kind of complex and very confusing at times. I did really enjoy the descriptions. The author definitely has a gift for setting the scene: "The sight of all those teeth, askew like tombstones in a disused graveyard..." The metaphors and similes were amazingly creative.
A dark book, a bit creepy. Overall, I liked it though.
wispila's review against another edition
3.0
Hauska ja toiminnantäyteinen, mutta jälkeen päin on vaikea muistaa juonikuvioita.
funsizelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the best books EVER! Now, I may be a bit prejudiced because it's based in Scotland, and I LOVE that. But it has magic and a wickedly European sense of humor that really makes me laugh out loud. I so recommend this one!
spiderhands's review against another edition
3.0
This book is pure silly fun - such a lovely bit of escapism, and I love Nanny McLachlan and Tarantella especially!
ladysanctuary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jcbyrne71's review against another edition
1.0
I read a lot of adolescent books and this was by far the worst one yet!
The character development was poor. According to the book jacket the mother in the story was struggling in her training as a witch - but nothing was ever discussed about her learning or her struggles until at one point another character took over a spell because it would have been too difficult for her.
I would not recommend this book to anyone - not even an adolescent!
The character development was poor. According to the book jacket the mother in the story was struggling in her training as a witch - but nothing was ever discussed about her learning or her struggles until at one point another character took over a spell because it would have been too difficult for her.
I would not recommend this book to anyone - not even an adolescent!