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lattelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so glad I picked up this book at the library. Fantasy isn't usually my first choice, but every now and then I have to break free from my chains. I'm so happy I did it with this book. This book was fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with great characters.
Also, modern fantasy? I know I don't spend a whole lot of time in the fantasy genre, but it's been a long time since I've seen something that isn't in the middle ages or its equivalent. There's mysterious artifacts, awesome powers, and a whole lot of paperwork that goes with it. There are rumors, and myths, and modes of commuter transportation that would make even the most experienced commuter give a side-eye to. As a whole, this book was just so creative.
What also made this book enjoyable for me is the fact that there were so many references to Sherlock Holmes. That being said, if you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, chances are you'll like this book for all the subtle hints. I mean, Baker Street? Mrs. Hudson? Agent Doyle? And that's just the beginning. Recognizing those tidbits brought a smile to my face, and made me feel privy to a secret that only I and the author knew (as well as everybody else who knows about Sherlock Holmes...but that's beside the point).
Ultimately, the plot was compelling, the characters were creative, and the book was overall fun. And, it's the first of a series, so I'm more than excited for whenever the next one comes out!
Get the full review here!
Also, modern fantasy? I know I don't spend a whole lot of time in the fantasy genre, but it's been a long time since I've seen something that isn't in the middle ages or its equivalent. There's mysterious artifacts, awesome powers, and a whole lot of paperwork that goes with it. There are rumors, and myths, and modes of commuter transportation that would make even the most experienced commuter give a side-eye to. As a whole, this book was just so creative.
What also made this book enjoyable for me is the fact that there were so many references to Sherlock Holmes. That being said, if you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, chances are you'll like this book for all the subtle hints. I mean, Baker Street? Mrs. Hudson? Agent Doyle? And that's just the beginning. Recognizing those tidbits brought a smile to my face, and made me feel privy to a secret that only I and the author knew (as well as everybody else who knows about Sherlock Holmes...but that's beside the point).
Ultimately, the plot was compelling, the characters were creative, and the book was overall fun. And, it's the first of a series, so I'm more than excited for whenever the next one comes out!
Get the full review here!
colorfulleo92's review
3.0
This was unfortunately not my cup of tea. Had hoped for a new series to be invested in but while it was okay to read it didn't make me curious to continue
rkiladitis's review
3.0
Thirteen year-old Jack Buckles is usually pretty great at finding things, but that doesn’t extend to his father, who’s disappeared in London. His mother goes out to search for him, leaving Jack in charge of his younger sister, Sadie. All they need to do is stay in the hotel room until their mom gets back, but Sadie manages to nudge Jack into going for breakfast – and then she swears she sees their dad, and takes off. Before Jack knows what’s going on, he’s learned that his father was a member of a secret society of detectives, and Jack is next in line for membership – maybe. He also learns that a villain calling himself the Clockmaker is holding his dad hostage in exchange for the Ember, an artifact linked to the Great Fire of London. Jack and Gwen, a young clerk at the Lost Property Office, dive into adventure that takes them through the history of London in order to save Jack’s father and her uncle, who worked with Jack’s dad.
The Lost Property Office stumbled a bit for me because I had trouble unraveling exactly what the Lost Property Office was. Was it the secret headquarters of the secret society? Was it a more amorphous concept that I wasn’t getting? The action kicks in quickly and the pace doesn’t let up, but a bit more exposition would have given me a more helpful grasp on the story; I found myself getting lost trying to relate all the subplots and elements. I wasn’t a big fan of Gwen, who I found more obnoxious than a foil/humorous frenemy.
This one’s an additional purchase for your puzzle and mystery/espionage fans. Pair this with Gitty Daneshvari’s League of Unexceptional Children, and James Ponti’s Florian Bates series. The Alex Rider series is always a good pick for adventure fans, too.
The Lost Property Office stumbled a bit for me because I had trouble unraveling exactly what the Lost Property Office was. Was it the secret headquarters of the secret society? Was it a more amorphous concept that I wasn’t getting? The action kicks in quickly and the pace doesn’t let up, but a bit more exposition would have given me a more helpful grasp on the story; I found myself getting lost trying to relate all the subplots and elements. I wasn’t a big fan of Gwen, who I found more obnoxious than a foil/humorous frenemy.
This one’s an additional purchase for your puzzle and mystery/espionage fans. Pair this with Gitty Daneshvari’s League of Unexceptional Children, and James Ponti’s Florian Bates series. The Alex Rider series is always a good pick for adventure fans, too.
bookslucyking's review
4.0
This was great fun. I loved the details of the ministry, the special powers and the way the author incorporated the history of the big fire of London into the story. The characters were cute and funny. I liked this duo. I am excited to read more from this serie. The only thing that I did not like that much were couple of american vs. british jokes and one little phrase about girls. I think that could be emited very easily....however, it was still very nice read, cozy, original, funny.
booksnorkel's review against another edition
4.0
I was able to get a copy of this from my work to read before it came out. First I really enjoyed this book, I liked the set up, and I really enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes nods. I thought this was a well thought out world and that the second book will be really solid. This one had a lot of world building and explaining it had to do and because of this, parts of this book felt a rushed I didn’t like that the whole book took place in like a day I felt like the author could have let the kids have at least two or three. I also am not a fan of the little sister using the word ‘Daddy’ so much. But overall a great read I recommend it to both girls and boys who like mysteries and kids with special talents grades fifth on up.
Jack is hypersensitive. He can hear everything and notices everything, he usually has to wear headphones while he’s out in public and have a game handy so that he doesn’t get terrible headaches. Though it does make him exceptionally good at finding things for his little sister and his mother, unfortunately his father has been missing for a while and even with his talents Jack doesn’t have any idea how to find him. Last seen in England Jack and his family are holding onto hope that his father is still alive. Waiting in a hotel lobby with his sister as his mother goes out to search Jack’s sister takes off after a man who ‘looks like daddy’ after winding up on the tube and getting off at a station far from the hotel Jack and his sister find themselves outside of the Lost Property Office (which is a real office in England) and with the help of a girl about Jack’s age they discover there’s always more to the story. Jack’s hyperawareness makes him special he is able to touch metal and ‘see’ into the past. His father is missing, and someone is trying to burn down London, can Jack solve the mystery that connects the London fire with this current day arsonist before it’s too late for London and his father? A sort of modern day Sherlock, meets X-men, with a Kingsman-esk agency.
Jack is hypersensitive. He can hear everything and notices everything, he usually has to wear headphones while he’s out in public and have a game handy so that he doesn’t get terrible headaches. Though it does make him exceptionally good at finding things for his little sister and his mother, unfortunately his father has been missing for a while and even with his talents Jack doesn’t have any idea how to find him. Last seen in England Jack and his family are holding onto hope that his father is still alive. Waiting in a hotel lobby with his sister as his mother goes out to search Jack’s sister takes off after a man who ‘looks like daddy’ after winding up on the tube and getting off at a station far from the hotel Jack and his sister find themselves outside of the Lost Property Office (which is a real office in England) and with the help of a girl about Jack’s age they discover there’s always more to the story. Jack’s hyperawareness makes him special he is able to touch metal and ‘see’ into the past. His father is missing, and someone is trying to burn down London, can Jack solve the mystery that connects the London fire with this current day arsonist before it’s too late for London and his father? A sort of modern day Sherlock, meets X-men, with a Kingsman-esk agency.
mayas003's review against another edition
1.0
The first part of this book is passable, but in the middle, I just lost interest. I wanted to finish this book just to say I read the whole book. The characters lacked personality. The main Character Jack leaves his sister locked up and goes off not carrying much for her. And what was will all the
info-dumps in the dialogue? The plot in a book is essential to me, but what makes me relate to the story are the characters, and the characters here were flat. Others may like the book, I just didn't feel connected to the characters, and that turned me off.
info-dumps in the dialogue? The plot in a book is essential to me, but what makes me relate to the story are the characters, and the characters here were flat. Others may like the book, I just didn't feel connected to the characters, and that turned me off.
sarahrusty's review against another edition
3.0
Great choice for those looking for fantasy tied into a lot of flashback historical fantasy moments. This is one of those books that has a lot of information and back story that requires full concentration.
kai93's review against another edition
2.0
1.5. I almost didn't finish this one. It didn't grab me at all. I found the writing a bit..l amateurish.
The overuse of epithets drove me nuts, especially in the beginning with Gwen who was constantly called "the clerk" but she pointed out several times that she was in fact an apprentice. The first time it was used (and it was used a LOT), I ended up flipping back to find out who had snuck into the scene without me noticing.
There was also the constant snipes at America. (I am not American and I really don't mind the occasional joke at their expense but this just sort of felt like author intrusion to me). "Don't stare, Jack, it's so American" , "Don't say that Jack, it's so American", "Honestly, Jack. It's a LIFT not an ELEVATOR. You must have SOME British blood in you."
Younger readers might find it more intriguing but I found it clumsy and slow. ("She gave him a freckle bounce." It was cute the first time but past that, just say smile. Really.) Under all of the awkward writing there is a decent story and there were times when I thought that it might make a decent movie.
The overuse of epithets drove me nuts, especially in the beginning with Gwen who was constantly called "the clerk" but she pointed out several times that she was in fact an apprentice. The first time it was used (and it was used a LOT), I ended up flipping back to find out who had snuck into the scene without me noticing.
There was also the constant snipes at America. (I am not American and I really don't mind the occasional joke at their expense but this just sort of felt like author intrusion to me). "Don't stare, Jack, it's so American" , "Don't say that Jack, it's so American", "Honestly, Jack. It's a LIFT not an ELEVATOR. You must have SOME British blood in you."
Younger readers might find it more intriguing but I found it clumsy and slow. ("She gave him a freckle bounce." It was cute the first time but past that, just say smile. Really.) Under all of the awkward writing there is a decent story and there were times when I thought that it might make a decent movie.
helliotine's review
4.0
Honnêtement j'aurais dû mieux apprendre mes cours de français, je saurais peut-être lire de façon critique ou dire des choses intéressantes sur mes lectures. Mais j'ai vraiment bien aimé, les personnages sont tous intéressants, l'intrigue est carrément sympa. Parfois des longueurs je suppose mais rien qui n'en vaille la peine. Envie d'en savoir plus sur Sadie.
Mais surtout, j'ai envie de lire la suite, ce qui est plutôt pas mal comme critique finalement.
Mais surtout, j'ai envie de lire la suite, ce qui est plutôt pas mal comme critique finalement.
bibliophilicjester's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Definitely an interesting story, even if there's no way these characters are 12/13. I didn't realize when I started that jack is an American in London...which is very much not a favorite. Gwen kept correcting Jack when he called the lift the elevator, which was incredibly annoying. You know what he means - that's all that should matter. I also don't love when children are running amok and the parents are somehow either incapacitated or just useless. I've found it bothers me more when it's a story grounded in the real world, which this is.
I'm curious about some unfinished threads, so I'm interested in continuing as of now...not sure how long these characters will stick with me though, so I might not come back to it. I really enjoyed the historical and obvious Sherlock references, and all the secret societies are really interesting. We'll see...
I'm curious about some unfinished threads, so I'm interested in continuing as of now...not sure how long these characters will stick with me though, so I might not come back to it. I really enjoyed the historical and obvious Sherlock references, and all the secret societies are really interesting. We'll see...