mayreads_19's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
decafplease's review against another edition
5.0
“I was ten years old when my parents were killed by pirates. This did not bother me as much as you might think - I hardly knew my parents.”
What a way to start a story! Jaclyn Moriarty's The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone (2017) has a daunting page count at 512. But the pace is brisk so don’t you worry. Let’s get the plot out of the way: Bronte’s parents got murdered by pirates and left behind a will, which sends Bronte on a journey to deliver gifts to all her aunts. If she doesn’t do it on her own. her town is destroyed. If she doesn’t do it according to the schedule attached to the will, her town is destroyed. If she doesn’t leave in 3 days, her town is destroyed. Because, you know, fairy magic and all.
Bronte is one gutsy child. It is no coincidence that ‘mettle’ is in her name. She’s got plenty of that for sure! When she’s not rescuing hapless adults out of their own predicament, she’s making wry observations that show naivete and self-awareness in equal measures. It perfectly captures that state of in-between for all tweens. You feel like you should be more knowing and mature. But when you look at the adults around you, they don’t seem like they know what they’re doing either. And so, hilarity ensues.
I know the book seems hefty. It is over 500 pages. But I simply raced through it and finished it in one day because a) it is easy to read, and b) I have to know what Bronte Mettlestone is up to next! Definitely read this if you’re looking for a book to read on a rainy day for extra cosy feels!
What a way to start a story! Jaclyn Moriarty's The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone (2017) has a daunting page count at 512. But the pace is brisk so don’t you worry. Let’s get the plot out of the way: Bronte’s parents got murdered by pirates and left behind a will, which sends Bronte on a journey to deliver gifts to all her aunts. If she doesn’t do it on her own. her town is destroyed. If she doesn’t do it according to the schedule attached to the will, her town is destroyed. If she doesn’t leave in 3 days, her town is destroyed. Because, you know, fairy magic and all.
Bronte is one gutsy child. It is no coincidence that ‘mettle’ is in her name. She’s got plenty of that for sure! When she’s not rescuing hapless adults out of their own predicament, she’s making wry observations that show naivete and self-awareness in equal measures. It perfectly captures that state of in-between for all tweens. You feel like you should be more knowing and mature. But when you look at the adults around you, they don’t seem like they know what they’re doing either. And so, hilarity ensues.
I know the book seems hefty. It is over 500 pages. But I simply raced through it and finished it in one day because a) it is easy to read, and b) I have to know what Bronte Mettlestone is up to next! Definitely read this if you’re looking for a book to read on a rainy day for extra cosy feels!
kjersten's review against another edition
5.0
this book was so charming! there is an australian illustration and an american illustration and I am enchanted by the american one but honestly would likely not have gravitated to the australian one. but I am not from australia so I’m sure they are delighted with their version as well.
I’ll say again that this book was so charming. I loved the way that everything was woven together in a fantastical mystery adventure. I loved bronte’s honesty and the way that the book was narrated. at quite a few points I literally laughed out loud due to this. I also was very pleased with how no details were wasted and everything came together in the end. would definitely recommend!
ps loved the depiction of the water sprites and the librarian especially!! and the true identity of her aunt and the butler and the reveal about the artist at the end!!
I’ll say again that this book was so charming. I loved the way that everything was woven together in a fantastical mystery adventure. I loved bronte’s honesty and the way that the book was narrated. at quite a few points I literally laughed out loud due to this. I also was very pleased with how no details were wasted and everything came together in the end. would definitely recommend!
ps loved the depiction of the water sprites and the librarian especially!! and the true identity of her aunt and the butler and the reveal about the artist at the end!!
jomaerosa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
scribe391's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Narrated by ten year old Brontë Mettlestone, when she receives a letter telling her that her parents are dead.
The will has an enchantment that requires Brontë to visit ten Aunts and give them gifts.
The will has an enchantment that requires Brontë to visit ten Aunts and give them gifts.
avery_lehman54's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
carstensena's review against another edition
4.0
Very clever and charming, although there are so many events and characters I struggled to keep them all straight (which is probably my fault for reading over a long span of time and via ebook).
puddleglum1983's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mora55's review against another edition
i have a soft spot for straightforward whimsy
impatientchild's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent