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A review by mariahistryingtoread
The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson
4.0
This was the first Eva Ibbotson book I ever read as a kid. I had this special two books in one where it was paired with Island of the Aunts. I actually hate that format for books now, but I still purchased the same edition when buying the book for nostalgias' sake.
Anyways I would say this is one of her best. It's right up there with Which Witch? though now that I'm older I would say that Which Witch? is objectively better.
Similarly, this features more of an ensemble cast but it doesn't use them as effectively as that book does. I'm used to her characters not having a whole lot of depth in the first place, however, I felt this book had a perfect set-up (the rescue of the Prince from Up Top) that would have allowed Ibbotson to flesh the cast out more akin to the competition in Which Witch?
Otherwise it's her standard fare - upstanding and pragmatic kids, magical creatures, the villains being primarily selfish and greedy, a huge emphasis on how being a kind person takes you far, and a dash of mystery to make things interesting. If you've read any of her other books then you already know what I'm talking about.
In short, it's a quick read, it's charming and I love the way Ibbotson treats magical creatures with such compassion. This sentiment has informed my perception of magical creatures like my entire life; as long as they're not malicious they deserve rights too! Just because they look funny doesn't mean you should disrespect them.
If you want a comfort read, this is definitely it.
The Haunting of Granite Falls
Which Witch?
The Great Ghost Rescue
Anyways I would say this is one of her best. It's right up there with Which Witch? though now that I'm older I would say that Which Witch? is objectively better.
Similarly, this features more of an ensemble cast but it doesn't use them as effectively as that book does. I'm used to her characters not having a whole lot of depth in the first place, however, I felt this book had a perfect set-up (the rescue of the Prince from Up Top) that would have allowed Ibbotson to flesh the cast out more akin to the competition in Which Witch?
Otherwise it's her standard fare - upstanding and pragmatic kids, magical creatures, the villains being primarily selfish and greedy, a huge emphasis on how being a kind person takes you far, and a dash of mystery to make things interesting. If you've read any of her other books then you already know what I'm talking about.
In short, it's a quick read, it's charming and I love the way Ibbotson treats magical creatures with such compassion. This sentiment has informed my perception of magical creatures like my entire life; as long as they're not malicious they deserve rights too! Just because they look funny doesn't mean you should disrespect them.
If you want a comfort read, this is definitely it.
The Haunting of Granite Falls
Which Witch?
The Great Ghost Rescue