eden_2000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
daisy_boi's review against another edition
5.0
Tình yêu trong "Lockwood và Đồng sự" được thể hiện qua nhiều cách. Nó hiển hiện trong những bữa sáng lúc đã xế trưa, những tách trà nóng, những thanh socola chia năm sẻ bảy khi làm nhiệm vụ. Tình yêu tràn ngập căn bếp ngôi nhà số 35 đường Portland như ánh nắng sau mỗi vụ án thành công, cho dù những con người ngồi trong có những vết thương dù thể xác hay tinh thần. Tình yêu ẩn trong hành động của các nhân vật khi họ không hề mong muốn những người mình thân yêu hiện tại có kết cục như những người trong quá khứ. Tình yêu trong nỗi đau thương cũng như trong hạnh phúc ở mọi tập sách "Lockwood."
Bộ sách của Jonathan Stroud có một số điểm yếu: cách viết Lucy theo trope "not like other girls", các nhân vật như George và Holly thiếu đất để phát triển. Mình khá tiếc khi tác giả không đào sâu thêm vào quá khứ hay gia đình của nhân vật Lucy, nhưng có lẽ cũng đúng với tính cách của con bé khi vào vai người dẫn truyện.
Tuy vậy, bộ sách thực sự cuốn hút trong cách xây dựng thế giới, mối quan hệ giữa các nhân vật... Yếu tố kinh dị, trinh thám và tính kịch được hòa quyện khéo léo, thể hiện những đặc điểm cần có cho một bộ sách cho trẻ em và thiếu niên.
Điều mình rất bất ngờ là vấn đề sức khỏe tâm thần và trầm cảm đã được lồng vào nhân vật Anthony, đặc biệt trong một bộ sách thiếu nhi như vậy. Thực sự, tình yêu không thể hóa giải mọi vết thương tinh thần nhưng vẫn là một sợi dây gắn kết tới sự sống. Hi vọng các nhân vật, đặc biệt là Anthony, có thể chữa lành sau những sự kiện này khi tất cả vẫn còn có nhau.
Nói riêng về tập cuối, tác giả đã làm khá tốt. Các plot twist và cách trận đánh rất gay cấn, giữ đúng phong cách của cả bộ sách. 4.5 sao god bless
calcitestar's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book as much as I had the first in the series. Gave the characters a different slant and changed their interaction which was good.
bookishtory2665's review against another edition
4.0
It's two in the morning, there's a mouse in the kitchen, and I stayed up finishing this series. And while I'm more than a little freaked about the mouse, the Empty Grave, book #5 and the last in the Lockwood & Co. series, did not disappoint. I literally couldn't put it down -- and given that there was a mouse lurking about, that's a testimonial to how much I was pulled into the story.
I cared about the characters, had a chance to get to know them, and see them grow over time. Experiences bring about change and if you're lucky, growth. So, I look for that in a story and when its lacking, that's an epic fail. And in these books, I wasn't disappointed.
I take that back. I have to confess I was a little disappointed.
And that's because of the beginning. I'm not a fan of foreshadowing. I don't want to be let off the hook. Ever. First couple of pages aside, the world-building was inventive and detailed; I especially liked how the over-arching story, about the origin of the problem (the extraordinary number of ghosts and such haunting London) was revealed, layer by layer, in way that made sense. Keep in mind, this series was written for younger readers but even so, I felt it all came to a satisfying conclusion.
Well worth reading.
I cared about the characters, had a chance to get to know them, and see them grow over time. Experiences bring about change and if you're lucky, growth. So, I look for that in a story and when its lacking, that's an epic fail. And in these books, I wasn't disappointed.
I take that back. I have to confess I was a little disappointed.
And that's because of the beginning. I'm not a fan of foreshadowing. I don't want to be let off the hook. Ever. First couple of pages aside, the world-building was inventive and detailed; I especially liked how the over-arching story, about the origin of the problem (the extraordinary number of ghosts and such haunting London) was revealed, layer by layer, in way that made sense. Keep in mind, this series was written for younger readers but even so, I felt it all came to a satisfying conclusion.
Well worth reading.
natcommon's review against another edition
5.0
I'm dead. And pouty, but I loved this book. It was non-stop fun, laughs, sadness, action and amazingness! Everyone needs to read this series. I'm seriously surprised that this series doesn't have more public love (like on BookTube and such). Start at the beginning and finish this series. It is well worth it.
montemoji's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
uzaii's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful ending to a wonderful serie.
Was it predictable?
Yes. But sometimes being predictable is very much ok when it just, makes sense and ties beautifully a 5 books serie.
I wish there were more though.
Was it predictable?
Yes. But sometimes being predictable is very much ok when it just, makes sense and ties beautifully a 5 books serie.
I wish there were more though.
cerilou's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0