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katykelly's review
5.0
Excellent 'mash-up', featuring death and decay but... wholesomely?
I've read one of this series before, and really enjoy the dark way it's twisted to still be palatable and child-friendly, but with just the right amount of gleeful gruesomeness and morbidity.
Sound like your child may like? A mix of - well - Rumpelstiltskin and Frankenstein, a taxidermist called Bryony is forced to go and work for the King after her father boasts her skills with a needle can 'bring your pets back to life'. There's hype for you.
Following the formula and story well known in the fairy tale, she must prove her skill to retain her breathing privileges - but why? What does the king want? And who is the little creature so keen to help her?
Not many children's stories feature taxidermists. It also manages to talk about animal conservation and grief, so really does cover quite a lot.
Half text and half illustration (the stitches and ickyness of the subject matter are nicely conveyed in these), this flies by, only taking a short time to read. Short chapters make it suitable for newly confident readers as well, but the subject may still appeal to those at the end of Primary school.
Fab idea for a series, and neither too babyish as a fairy tale or too mature in its subject matter. Just right.
For ages 6-11.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
I've read one of this series before, and really enjoy the dark way it's twisted to still be palatable and child-friendly, but with just the right amount of gleeful gruesomeness and morbidity.
Sound like your child may like? A mix of - well - Rumpelstiltskin and Frankenstein, a taxidermist called Bryony is forced to go and work for the King after her father boasts her skills with a needle can 'bring your pets back to life'. There's hype for you.
Following the formula and story well known in the fairy tale, she must prove her skill to retain her breathing privileges - but why? What does the king want? And who is the little creature so keen to help her?
Not many children's stories feature taxidermists. It also manages to talk about animal conservation and grief, so really does cover quite a lot.
Half text and half illustration (the stitches and ickyness of the subject matter are nicely conveyed in these), this flies by, only taking a short time to read. Short chapters make it suitable for newly confident readers as well, but the subject may still appeal to those at the end of Primary school.
Fab idea for a series, and neither too babyish as a fairy tale or too mature in its subject matter. Just right.
For ages 6-11.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
pastelplanet's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kstrange's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
chrissireads's review
3.0
3.5 stars
A really quick but brilliant read! I shall be putting this book in our school library.
A really quick but brilliant read! I shall be putting this book in our school library.
whatbritreads's review
4.0
Is there anything better than dipping into a fun little middle grade book with whimsical storytelling, beautiful illustrations and those glossy pages that smell nice? Absolutely not. The joy felt reading this was very wholesome.
I think this is exactly the kind of book I’d give to and read with the younger people in my life, it had references to common fairy tales and stories but put a very fresh and unique spin on the plot that took me pleasantly by surprise. I loved how fun and engaging this one was, with it’s snappy pacing and funny dialogue. The descriptions were ridiculous in the best way and I will admit that the description of someone being ‘spaghettified’ made me actually laugh out loud.
This is one of those books that will keep you along for the ride and make you want to read more. I really enjoyed it.
Not a full five star because I thought some of the dialogue was a little challenging so it was kind of unclear who this was supposed to be aimed at. Also there was a couple of (kind of) rhyming sentences at the beginning that were introduced then dropped which confused me on the structure of the storytelling. It felt like a random addition that didn’t really work for me.
I think this is exactly the kind of book I’d give to and read with the younger people in my life, it had references to common fairy tales and stories but put a very fresh and unique spin on the plot that took me pleasantly by surprise. I loved how fun and engaging this one was, with it’s snappy pacing and funny dialogue. The descriptions were ridiculous in the best way and I will admit that the description of someone being ‘spaghettified’ made me actually laugh out loud.
This is one of those books that will keep you along for the ride and make you want to read more. I really enjoyed it.
Not a full five star because I thought some of the dialogue was a little challenging so it was kind of unclear who this was supposed to be aimed at. Also there was a couple of (kind of) rhyming sentences at the beginning that were introduced then dropped which confused me on the structure of the storytelling. It felt like a random addition that didn’t really work for me.
cassiekins92's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0