msjoanna 's review for:

Charlie Bone Lúc Nửa Đêm by Jenny Nimmo

3.0

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I read this book with my seven year old when we'd finished Harry Potter and wanted something else to read. I think he'll soon be a strong enough reader to read these on his own, which wouldn't be true of the Harry Potter books for a while yet. But therein lies the problem with these books for an older audience. They are written in such simple language and with basically uncomplicated characters, so they don't hold quite as much appeal as J.K. Rowling's books do. The magical premise here is interesting -- the "endowed" each have a talent specific to the individual. But it wasn't until the final chapter or two that this book really came together with any world-building or plot that felt strong enough to continue the series. I'm sure we'll read the next one because my son is excited about it, but I wouldn't continue as an adult reader.