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A review by mehsi
The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz
4.0
New kid Elliot and Uchenna become fast friends and also quickly discover that the world they live in has mystical creatures!
I love Adam Gidwitz's books. He has a wonderful way of writing and his books always make me laugh. I am delighted that he started a new series this time featuring a Unicorn Rescue Society (though they have never seen any unicorns).
In this one our new kid Elliot finds out that the first day of his new school is starting of with a field trip to a forest not that far away. He quickly bonds with Uchenna (whose name I still don't know how to pronounce, sorry girl). As they get further in the woods they see and learn of things that lurk in the forest. I love it that they discover a mystical creature and that they help it out. Others would probably have run away... but these two? Go for it.
But it seems when they saved the creature... it attached itself to them. So now the kids got a very cute little monster with them. I loved the name they gave him (though they also have alternatives). The creature is written very creative and fun, and even without the illustrations I could imagine him so well. I had such a big laugh when we learn that that little monster is NOT amused by balloons. What follows is more adventures.
I liked both the characters, they were fun, adventurous and really complimented each other. Elliot had a lot of smarts, Uchenna was brave. I loved how they clicked together and how fast they became friends.
The professor was a weird person but also interesting. But at times also a bit annoying. I am not sure what it is, but something just didn't sit right for me. I would love to learn more about him and the society he and others run. I guess now the kids know about it all we will learn more in the next books. I cannot wait what more mystical creatures we will meet in the upcoming books.
The only reason why I am rating this one a bit lower is that it feels more like a prologue that is very long instead of a first book in a series. I am not sure how to explain it better, but that is how it felt for me. There are things happening, but it all just feels very introductory. And yes, it is the first book, but no first book ever really gave me a feel of being a prologue and had me constantly waiting for more.
The illustrations were OK. Not totally my fav, but I am still glad that they were added.
All in all, I will keep on reading this series in the hopes for more friendship and magical adventures.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I love Adam Gidwitz's books. He has a wonderful way of writing and his books always make me laugh. I am delighted that he started a new series this time featuring a Unicorn Rescue Society (though they have never seen any unicorns).
In this one our new kid Elliot finds out that the first day of his new school is starting of with a field trip to a forest not that far away. He quickly bonds with Uchenna (whose name I still don't know how to pronounce, sorry girl). As they get further in the woods they see and learn of things that lurk in the forest. I love it that they discover a mystical creature and that they help it out. Others would probably have run away... but these two? Go for it.
But it seems when they saved the creature... it attached itself to them. So now the kids got a very cute little monster with them. I loved the name they gave him (though they also have alternatives). The creature is written very creative and fun, and even without the illustrations I could imagine him so well. I had such a big laugh when we learn that that little monster is NOT amused by balloons. What follows is more adventures.
I liked both the characters, they were fun, adventurous and really complimented each other. Elliot had a lot of smarts, Uchenna was brave. I loved how they clicked together and how fast they became friends.
The professor was a weird person but also interesting. But at times also a bit annoying. I am not sure what it is, but something just didn't sit right for me. I would love to learn more about him and the society he and others run. I guess now the kids know about it all we will learn more in the next books. I cannot wait what more mystical creatures we will meet in the upcoming books.
The only reason why I am rating this one a bit lower is that it feels more like a prologue that is very long instead of a first book in a series. I am not sure how to explain it better, but that is how it felt for me. There are things happening, but it all just feels very introductory. And yes, it is the first book, but no first book ever really gave me a feel of being a prologue and had me constantly waiting for more.
The illustrations were OK. Not totally my fav, but I am still glad that they were added.
All in all, I will keep on reading this series in the hopes for more friendship and magical adventures.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/