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lilymathildea's Reviews (503)
Brilliant read ! I could see this book as a series as I was reading. Partly thanks to the writing !
I honestly didn't know what to expect and I know for sure I haven't found what I might have expected. But it was all for the best !
Basically it is a detective story with a bonus. It felt like reading about the Ministry for Magic's Auror section simply with entirely new characters (I liked the big boss !).
At first I was slightly worried about the perspective shifts in the narrative, cause I usually find it to be the cheapest, least imaginative way of forcing suspens down the reader's throat. But not here, it isn't ! Here it actually gives the story more shape and depth, well done !
Adding to this a jokey tone that works with the excellent rhythm I felt throughout the read, I could have finished this book in a day ! But I didn't I took my time and it was just as well.
The characters are interesting and well built though though we don't get much background (I actually appreciated that), also I really appreciated the way the mains characters' inner thoughts were rendered in between lines. There weren't that many, and it actually added something, it never felt redundant.
Now for the bits I liked less, cause of course there are ... I thought the tone was a little too dramatic when it came to Brendan, especially at first. And though I always like a good colloquialism it was used a tad too often here.
To finish with, the main flaw in my opinion was the general and deliberate lack of explanations, I gather that it would have hindered the action and slowed down the read but I seriously felt like there was a prequel I should have read first to understand some stuff. Same feelings with the dialogues, sometimes rushed and implying knowledge I didn't have. It could get frustrating. Oh and I saw the "wow moment" coming from miles away... But none of this entirely takes away the pleasure of reading this thrilling story. I could barely put the book down by the end.
------------------ ALL IN ALL --------------------
This book is for you if
You want to read about detective work with something extra.
You always wondered what might go on at the Ministry for Magic's Auror section.
You enjoy finding folklore references in books.
This book isn't for you if
You need to know where everything is coming from (good luck with that here!)
You don't like colloquialism.
As for me : I liked the magic bits and references to actual lore. I loved the detective parts and the rhythm. I wish some things had been better explained/introduced. And I definitely recommend reading this book !
I received an advance review copy for free through booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I honestly didn't know what to expect and I know for sure I haven't found what I might have expected. But it was all for the best !
Basically it is a detective story with a bonus. It felt like reading about the Ministry for Magic's Auror section simply with entirely new characters (I liked the big boss !).
At first I was slightly worried about the perspective shifts in the narrative, cause I usually find it to be the cheapest, least imaginative way of forcing suspens down the reader's throat. But not here, it isn't ! Here it actually gives the story more shape and depth, well done !
Adding to this a jokey tone that works with the excellent rhythm I felt throughout the read, I could have finished this book in a day ! But I didn't I took my time and it was just as well.
The characters are interesting and well built though though we don't get much background (I actually appreciated that), also I really appreciated the way the mains characters' inner thoughts were rendered in between lines. There weren't that many, and it actually added something, it never felt redundant.
Now for the bits I liked less, cause of course there are ... I thought the tone was a little too dramatic when it came to Brendan, especially at first. And though I always like a good colloquialism it was used a tad too often here.
To finish with, the main flaw in my opinion was the general and deliberate lack of explanations, I gather that it would have hindered the action and slowed down the read but I seriously felt like there was a prequel I should have read first to understand some stuff. Same feelings with the dialogues, sometimes rushed and implying knowledge I didn't have. It could get frustrating. Oh and I saw the "wow moment" coming from miles away... But none of this entirely takes away the pleasure of reading this thrilling story. I could barely put the book down by the end.
------------------ ALL IN ALL --------------------
This book is for you if
You want to read about detective work with something extra.
You always wondered what might go on at the Ministry for Magic's Auror section.
You enjoy finding folklore references in books.
This book isn't for you if
You need to know where everything is coming from (good luck with that here!)
You don't like colloquialism.
As for me : I liked the magic bits and references to actual lore. I loved the detective parts and the rhythm. I wish some things had been better explained/introduced. And I definitely recommend reading this book !
I received an advance review copy for free through booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I don't feel like reading anything I usually turn to Neil Gaiman (always works a charm). So I re-read this book 12 years later and had just as much fun as I did the first time, minus the freak nightmares (yeah cause I'm all grown up now).
I definitely looked at it all from a new perspective and it was enchanting.
I loved learning about the Jacks of all trade as much as I despised each of them. I loved the little hints given as to what sort of creatures were depicted and the way Gaiman twisted each of them to make them more Gaimanesque (The Honour Guard !).
So basically this is a book for anyone between 9 and 99 years old (if you are older feel free to pick it up as well, if you are younger but a good reader also!) telling the story of a chosen one. Just as in Harry Potter, it was the big baddy's actions and choices that actually set it all up in motions which is a type of irony I always enjoy. Unlike Harry Potter, this is a one shot, but it feels like a many volumed series or a compilation of short stories : we go from one adventure to another, all linked but all different, all with a beginning a middle and an end, and all adding to the layers of the protagonists. My favourite ones are the one with the witch (love her) and the one at school, no surprises : they are the two adventures in which Bod learns his coolest tricks (fading, haunting and dreamwalking).
If you have never read [a: Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg] here is what to expect : super witty descriptions and well rounded protagonists, stories that will keep you on your toes and nice endings, also the occasionnal criticism of society.
--------------------BASICALLY-------------------
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF :
You like witty comments
You like stories of chosen ones and don't feel like starting another never-ending series
You like werewolves and vampires and other such supernatural characters
You like coming of age stories
You like Gaiman
THIS BOOK ISN'T FOR YOU IF :
You prefer never-ending series rehashing the same tropes over and over (nope not biaised at all)
You don't like short stories
You don't like graveyards (actually, scrape that, this book will make you like graveyards)
I definitely looked at it all from a new perspective and it was enchanting.
I loved learning about the Jacks of all trade as much as I despised each of them. I loved the little hints given as to what sort of creatures were depicted and the way Gaiman twisted each of them to make them more Gaimanesque (The Honour Guard !).
So basically this is a book for anyone between 9 and 99 years old (if you are older feel free to pick it up as well, if you are younger but a good reader also!) telling the story of a chosen one. Just as in Harry Potter, it was the big baddy's actions and choices that actually set it all up in motions which is a type of irony I always enjoy. Unlike Harry Potter, this is a one shot, but it feels like a many volumed series or a compilation of short stories : we go from one adventure to another, all linked but all different, all with a beginning a middle and an end, and all adding to the layers of the protagonists. My favourite ones are the one with the witch (love her) and the one at school, no surprises : they are the two adventures in which Bod learns his coolest tricks (fading, haunting and dreamwalking).
If you have never read [a: Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg] here is what to expect : super witty descriptions and well rounded protagonists, stories that will keep you on your toes and nice endings, also the occasionnal criticism of society.
--------------------BASICALLY-------------------
THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF :
You like witty comments
You like stories of chosen ones and don't feel like starting another never-ending series
You like werewolves and vampires and other such supernatural characters
You like coming of age stories
You like Gaiman
THIS BOOK ISN'T FOR YOU IF :
You prefer never-ending series rehashing the same tropes over and over (nope not biaised at all)
You don't like short stories
You don't like graveyards (actually, scrape that, this book will make you like graveyards)
