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gizmo_42's review
5.0
Second book complete
Such a brilliant second book, the more you read the more you get pulled into the story , you get introduced to some interesting characters along the way .. It makes you keep reading... Cannot wait to read the rest of the books from this set .... Darren Shan is an incredible author and his books are incredible
Such a brilliant second book, the more you read the more you get pulled into the story , you get introduced to some interesting characters along the way .. It makes you keep reading... Cannot wait to read the rest of the books from this set .... Darren Shan is an incredible author and his books are incredible
mandyist's review
5.0
Archibald Lox should have returned home to his foster parents after his adventures in the Merge in Archibald Lox and the Bridge Between Worlds. When we meet him again in Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan, he escapes those pursuing him in New York, steps onto a vine and is suddenly in the bell tower of Big Ben. There he meets another locksmith like himself, skilled in the art of opening impossible locks, and his adventure should have ended there.
Unfortunately, Winston-the-locksmith confesses to Archie that he is too old and weary to assist Inez on her quest and that the entire realm might fail as a result. Archie knows that he has no choice but to join Inez on the Pineapple Island and intriguingly, Winston believes Archie might just have the skills to unlock the most difficult lock of all.
That is why Archie and Inez find themselves in the realm of Suanpan, an impossibly massive world of domes and gamblers where the friends must risk everything in order to succeed in a game of wits and chance against the empress.
Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan is non-stop adventure from the very first page and once again transports readers to magical realms beyond their wildest imaginations. The world of Suanpan is wickedly Kafkaesque and the maniacal empress makes for a very dastardly foe as Archie and his friends come to terms with how real and dangerous their predicament is.
The second book of Volume One of Darren Shan's Archibald Lox series, Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan is another short yet incredibly readable book which will appeal to even the most reluctant young readers.
I give Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan a superb five out of five stars and am so pleased I've finally written this review so that I can start reading Archibald Lox and the Vote of Alignment, the final book in Volume One. If you're looking for a slightly longer read, all three books in Volume One are now available in one book, Archibald Lox Volume 1: The Missing Princess.
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Unfortunately, Winston-the-locksmith confesses to Archie that he is too old and weary to assist Inez on her quest and that the entire realm might fail as a result. Archie knows that he has no choice but to join Inez on the Pineapple Island and intriguingly, Winston believes Archie might just have the skills to unlock the most difficult lock of all.
That is why Archie and Inez find themselves in the realm of Suanpan, an impossibly massive world of domes and gamblers where the friends must risk everything in order to succeed in a game of wits and chance against the empress.
Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan is non-stop adventure from the very first page and once again transports readers to magical realms beyond their wildest imaginations. The world of Suanpan is wickedly Kafkaesque and the maniacal empress makes for a very dastardly foe as Archie and his friends come to terms with how real and dangerous their predicament is.
The second book of Volume One of Darren Shan's Archibald Lox series, Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan is another short yet incredibly readable book which will appeal to even the most reluctant young readers.
I give Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan a superb five out of five stars and am so pleased I've finally written this review so that I can start reading Archibald Lox and the Vote of Alignment, the final book in Volume One. If you're looking for a slightly longer read, all three books in Volume One are now available in one book, Archibald Lox Volume 1: The Missing Princess.
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marla_arguelles's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
tyrelljh's review
4.0
"Then I take the last few steps, the door opens, and with no idea of what lies ahead, I step into the Spin Zone."
The second installment was another spectacular hit! It was quite different from the first in terms of content, but not quality. Archie decides to take a quick detour before returning to London and seeing his family. Archie decides to save the world. The main and side characters are all quite enjoyable and fun to listen to ramble.
The plot was a bit less fun - I'm hoping the third book picks up a bit more speed.
Jumping into the third book immediately!
odettebrethouwer's review
5.0
Oh, how I love this.
This installment has a really different feel than number 1, but it still forms a coherent story with that one. The world keeps fascinating me, and the development of the characters and the storyline as well. I'm hooked!
I will definitely be binging this, starting the next one right away! Already dreading the moment I finish the third book and I have to wait for I don't know how long for the next....
Oh and let's all put our hands together for these GORGEOUS covers of these installments! I mean, LOOK AT IT. I want to own this RIGHT NOW in hardcopy, to bad I have to wait for that.. ;)
This installment has a really different feel than number 1, but it still forms a coherent story with that one. The world keeps fascinating me, and the development of the characters and the storyline as well. I'm hooked!
I will definitely be binging this, starting the next one right away! Already dreading the moment I finish the third book and I have to wait for I don't know how long for the next....
Oh and let's all put our hands together for these GORGEOUS covers of these installments! I mean, LOOK AT IT. I want to own this RIGHT NOW in hardcopy, to bad I have to wait for that.. ;)
bookish_bunny98's review
4.0
I really wish these books were just all one book, I feel like they are far too short and they are just over as the action starts.
The reason why I’ve rated this book 4 stars and not 5 is the same as the first book, I feel like there’s not much of a background to the story there’s no side stories, no plot twists, no real story development and no answers to my questions just yet. All those bad points to one side it’s still a great read, it’s so fast paced, characters are all loveable and the story is flowing.
I’m loving Archie as he discovers more about his abilities as a locksmith, how he can control different things. He was such a nervous character to start of with but now I feel he is coming more out of his shell and having confidence in his ability.
The sense of humour throughout this book was what stood out the most. I feel like it was well suited to the characters that were using it, as it felt that we were a part of the book and actually there picturing the scenes. So been able to picture the scenes also means that the amount of detail into each aspect of the new scenery was spot on.
Reading this book also gives me a sort of sci fi feeling too especially with some of the different realms, and all these portals we have to adventure through. I do realise that it is also very much a fantasy aspect but for some reason it just gives me this feeling. That’s possibly why I’m enjoying this series a lot of Darren shans because I’m a huge sci fi fan.
In this book we can tell that the friendship between the two main characters has developed quite a lot for the first book to the end of the second book, because there has been a lot of trustful moments and they’ve actually came out the other side of the problems still friends.
Another thing that I like within this book is that we are starting to meet different people within the different realms and we are learning how each one runs and more about the people that are on that realm. So I’m enjoying this aspect of the book. I just feel like we should know why she is been chased by the submerged, what her plan is, and what she hopes to get out of it. Maybe book 3 will give me this closure but then I don’t feel like it will.
The reason why I’ve rated this book 4 stars and not 5 is the same as the first book, I feel like there’s not much of a background to the story there’s no side stories, no plot twists, no real story development and no answers to my questions just yet. All those bad points to one side it’s still a great read, it’s so fast paced, characters are all loveable and the story is flowing.
I’m loving Archie as he discovers more about his abilities as a locksmith, how he can control different things. He was such a nervous character to start of with but now I feel he is coming more out of his shell and having confidence in his ability.
The sense of humour throughout this book was what stood out the most. I feel like it was well suited to the characters that were using it, as it felt that we were a part of the book and actually there picturing the scenes. So been able to picture the scenes also means that the amount of detail into each aspect of the new scenery was spot on.
Reading this book also gives me a sort of sci fi feeling too especially with some of the different realms, and all these portals we have to adventure through. I do realise that it is also very much a fantasy aspect but for some reason it just gives me this feeling. That’s possibly why I’m enjoying this series a lot of Darren shans because I’m a huge sci fi fan.
In this book we can tell that the friendship between the two main characters has developed quite a lot for the first book to the end of the second book, because there has been a lot of trustful moments and they’ve actually came out the other side of the problems still friends.
Another thing that I like within this book is that we are starting to meet different people within the different realms and we are learning how each one runs and more about the people that are on that realm. So I’m enjoying this aspect of the book. I just feel like we should know why she is been chased by the submerged, what her plan is, and what she hopes to get out of it. Maybe book 3 will give me this closure but then I don’t feel like it will.
neanjo's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thatbookhoarder's review
4.0
Looking forward to the next one! I just want answers though, IS ARCHIBALD DEAD? Why can normal people only half see him? Why does he have Merge powers?
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