sammymus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
misunosa's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
titanic's review against another edition
3.0
Although this book was as enjoyable as the rest, I can't help but feel like the author tried to put so much information into it. I felt like Billy didn't stay at the O'Gres long enough, and the whole Oaths were over and done with so quickly, I really would have preferred if Billy stayed with them a little bit longer.
I also feel like the author wrote in a few more characters, only for them to have one job and leave. I understand that they all had roles to play, but the fact that Billy's relative was brought in only to save Paton was annoying, the same with Alice, as she was only really needed at the end of the book to tell Olivia her endowment. I still don't understand what happened with the teacher, and why he was pretending to be two people, maybe that will get cleared up in the next book or two, or maybe I missed it...I'm not quite sure.
Overall, the book was interesting, but so much was packed into it that I felt she was skipping over important bits and dragging out boring bits...Not my favourite of this series.
I also feel like the author wrote in a few more characters, only for them to have one job and leave. I understand that they all had roles to play, but the fact that Billy's relative was brought in only to save Paton was annoying, the same with Alice, as she was only really needed at the end of the book to tell Olivia her endowment. I still don't understand what happened with the teacher, and why he was pretending to be two people, maybe that will get cleared up in the next book or two, or maybe I missed it...I'm not quite sure.
Overall, the book was interesting, but so much was packed into it that I felt she was skipping over important bits and dragging out boring bits...Not my favourite of this series.
aldean's review against another edition
4.0
My wife and I have been jumping all over in this series, dependent on the whims of fate as to which one is on the shelf at the library when the fit takes us. So we listened to #3 a long time ago, then recently #2 and now we are devouring #4 and #5 in quick succession.
I am growing into a big fan of this series. Throughout I like the collaborative nature of the childrens' various endowments, and how they have to work together to make it through the "big showdown" in every episode. Perhaps only because this is the first one I have been able to listen to all in essentially one sitting, but I thought this book more dramatic than I remember the previous volumes being, and it carried me along. It may also be that there is significantly more history of the Red King revealed in the course of the book.
I am growing into a big fan of this series. Throughout I like the collaborative nature of the childrens' various endowments, and how they have to work together to make it through the "big showdown" in every episode. Perhaps only because this is the first one I have been able to listen to all in essentially one sitting, but I thought this book more dramatic than I remember the previous volumes being, and it carried me along. It may also be that there is significantly more history of the Red King revealed in the course of the book.
caroline_slaughter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
3.0
Charlie never learns. He learns a big secret and promises not to tell anyone. He tells all his gazillion friends. Billy can't be trusted, but they talk around him anyway. He finds out and tells the evil people that run their school. And speaking of that, if you're kid (niece, whatever) was kidnapped by the evil people that run the school and you finally got her back, why the heck would you then send her back to the same school? These adults in these books are all nuts!
alexk02's review against another edition
3.0
I normally speed through these books but lately I’ve been slumpy and I don’t know why so my slump diminished my reading experience I believe. Still an enjoyable read just wasn’t my favorite.
mkaycop's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? No
3.0
kmdegarmo's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorite book series of all time. It’s been a while since I’ve read this series. I’m surprised by most of the stuff that happens since it’s been so long and I don’t really remember exactly what happens. I don’t remember Olivia being endowed though.