schnittlaucheis's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
emmaaxtco's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't realize it was a kids (young adult) book when I started it. It seemed so hastily written. It's as though he it made up rules as he went along, rather than thinking things out clearly before putting it all on paper. If this guy can get published, I'm sure I can too.
eerupps's review
3.0
The book did not focus on Flamel as much as I expected - he was a secondary character. As I was reading, I was reminded a lot of the book Inkheart because the books flowed the same way. Likeable core characters, but too many interactions with too many other characters and too many totally farfetched things going on (yes i realize this book is meant to be sci-fi or fantasy, but it got excessive). It also seemed to drag on in places. The ending was so wide open that it almost makes me want to read the sequel...but I said the same thing about Inkheart, and I own that sequel and have yet to read it.
reasie's review against another edition
3.0
My niece loved these books so I'm reading them to keep up with her.
My favorite character is Scatty. I'm glad there are strong women in it, though it does seem like the male characters do more and sometimes I wanted to skim because it is definitely written for young audiences.
My favorite character is Scatty. I'm glad there are strong women in it, though it does seem like the male characters do more and sometimes I wanted to skim because it is definitely written for young audiences.
haymaker's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kaitlin_dubray's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
fuzzyhebrew's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
The more I think about this book the less I like it. I think I was not the correct audience, but I feel like it is possible to write good children's books that adults can enjoy. Josh was an entitled brat who we were supposed to feel sorry for and I did not care for him at all. It felt like he had no comprehension that he was in a life or death situation, and there were bigger things to care about than who gets their magical powers first. In addition, he was incredibly stupid. There is no way anyone reading this book was surprised that the old woman was Hekete. And yet Josh could not grasp that concept even after it was explained to him. The rest of the characters were nothings. The plot was predictable and read like a bad fantasy film rather than a new and exciting world. This book came out in May 2007, and Harry Potter ended in July 2007, so I see how the marketing strategy worked in Scott's favor. But don't read this, and don't read Harry Potter. Go read Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko.
sobecksk1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Love ❤️