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jennifermreads 's review for:
The Crooked Sixpence
by Jennifer Bell
Received advanced reader copy from publisher via Baker & Taylor book supplier
Ivy and her brother Seb find themselves pulled into a magical world that lies beneath London. In Lundinor, regular objects like yo-yos, buttons, and bells do magical things like become weapons, cure illnesses, and provide directions. When Ivy and Seb discover that their family has a secret that impacts the entirety of Lundinor, they race against time to find the object at the center of the secret – and save their parents from the darkness of Lundinor.
The blurb on the cover of the ARC says that it is part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling. I think that is stretching it a bit – and it could suffer from comparisons to those iconic figures. It is a charming story with a fun, magical world being built in this first volume. I really like the idea that objects we see and use every day actually hold magical powers when used in the Uncommon world of Lundinor. I found Ivy enchanting while I didn’t feel like her brother Seb was developed quite enough. The character of Valian was intriguing and I would be eager to see where his path goes across the entire series.
But, I’m not sure that I care quite enough about these characters to continue with the series. Something was missing from this volume that I cannot put my finger on. It just lacked that bit of luster that would edge it over into a series I would gobble up and await continuing series books eagerly. There was quite a bit of world-building here. I dare say almost too much as I find myself struggling to recall details just a few days after finishing the book!
I will however suggest this to upper elementary and middle grade readers looking for a bit more in the magical adventure genre. It was strong enough to entertain and I can see others being swept into its world with eagerness.
Ivy and her brother Seb find themselves pulled into a magical world that lies beneath London. In Lundinor, regular objects like yo-yos, buttons, and bells do magical things like become weapons, cure illnesses, and provide directions. When Ivy and Seb discover that their family has a secret that impacts the entirety of Lundinor, they race against time to find the object at the center of the secret – and save their parents from the darkness of Lundinor.
The blurb on the cover of the ARC says that it is part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling. I think that is stretching it a bit – and it could suffer from comparisons to those iconic figures. It is a charming story with a fun, magical world being built in this first volume. I really like the idea that objects we see and use every day actually hold magical powers when used in the Uncommon world of Lundinor. I found Ivy enchanting while I didn’t feel like her brother Seb was developed quite enough. The character of Valian was intriguing and I would be eager to see where his path goes across the entire series.
But, I’m not sure that I care quite enough about these characters to continue with the series. Something was missing from this volume that I cannot put my finger on. It just lacked that bit of luster that would edge it over into a series I would gobble up and await continuing series books eagerly. There was quite a bit of world-building here. I dare say almost too much as I find myself struggling to recall details just a few days after finishing the book!
I will however suggest this to upper elementary and middle grade readers looking for a bit more in the magical adventure genre. It was strong enough to entertain and I can see others being swept into its world with eagerness.