lauravilarnau's review against another edition
4.0
era para lite pero es muy chulooooo y bonito, reminded me of harry potter ⭐️⭐️⭐️
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
This was a delightful read that I completed in one sitting. It tells the story of Clementine, a girl whose life consists on living in a dirty cellar, attending to the whims of her ferocious aunt and devious uncle. Set within a Victorian-esque backdrop, Clementine seeks for a life beyond the confines of the house she is trapped in, she is looking for a home. When Gilbert, a cat far wiser than he might first seem, befriends her, he sets in motion a series of events that leads Clementine down a path of adventure that will change her life.
All the ingredients of the rags to riches story are here accompanied prolifically throughout by Wormell's illustrations which slip between realistic and farcical. Pages bedecked with animal helpers, smoggy, Victorian backdrops and colourful landscapes, Aiken-esque villains and a healthy dose of hope make up the ingredients of a most wonderful tale.
A welcome shift perhaps lies in our hero, Clementine, who celebrates the strong women of traditional tales who had always been there until the Grimms and Perrault shifted the narrative perspective away from them. She brims with hope, is defiant, smart and self-reliant. A great character for all children to encounter.
All the ingredients of the rags to riches story are here accompanied prolifically throughout by Wormell's illustrations which slip between realistic and farcical. Pages bedecked with animal helpers, smoggy, Victorian backdrops and colourful landscapes, Aiken-esque villains and a healthy dose of hope make up the ingredients of a most wonderful tale.
A welcome shift perhaps lies in our hero, Clementine, who celebrates the strong women of traditional tales who had always been there until the Grimms and Perrault shifted the narrative perspective away from them. She brims with hope, is defiant, smart and self-reliant. A great character for all children to encounter.
spilled_ink_on_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bookshelves4paperelves's review against another edition
5.0
You know I’ve enjoyed a book when I read it all in one go.
I didn’t go into this book with any preconceived expectations as this is a new author for me, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this read.
The illustrations captured my heart. I absolutely adore them! And the description. Oh the description! I can’t even explain how much this book hit me with all the feels!
I have never experienced a book that has allowed me to imagine the story so vividly, until I read this and I cannot recommend this enough!
I didn’t go into this book with any preconceived expectations as this is a new author for me, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this read.
The illustrations captured my heart. I absolutely adore them! And the description. Oh the description! I can’t even explain how much this book hit me with all the feels!
I have never experienced a book that has allowed me to imagine the story so vividly, until I read this and I cannot recommend this enough!
mummytails's review against another edition
4.0
A pleasant little read, my daughter picked it from the library and enjoyed it and recommend I read it too
lizzillia's review against another edition
4.0
This book was sent to me digitally by Netgalley in return for a review.
This was an utterly charming book and it was so refreshing to read a tale where there were no references to mobile phones, laptops or Xbox games. Instead we had a story with good old fashioned villains.
The story, set in what seems to be a Victorian landscape, is about Clementine who lives with her Aunt Vermilia and Uncle Rufus - two of the most dreadful people you could come across. The way they are described is wonderful and the illustrations that run through the book capture their 'evilness' brilliantly and we are shown in detail how they commit their crimes. Although I say that Clementine lives with these two characters, in truth, she has a metal bed in an empty cellar room that she is locked in regularly. Her one friend is a white cat, Gilbert, who keeps appearing. Clementine has never been outside, she has never seen the world but dreams of a Magic Place where she could be happy.
The writing style is perfect for an adult reading aloud to children, the author uses questions to encourage to the child to think, to search through the beautifully detailed illustations. Reading this reminded me of the books that I used to read when my own son was young - a perfect book to share. The story - well, I won't spoil it but what normally happens to villains? But - look out for the dogs, that's all I'll say. Terrific fun.
All in all a great book for kids.
Thank you Netgalley.
This was an utterly charming book and it was so refreshing to read a tale where there were no references to mobile phones, laptops or Xbox games. Instead we had a story with good old fashioned villains.
The story, set in what seems to be a Victorian landscape, is about Clementine who lives with her Aunt Vermilia and Uncle Rufus - two of the most dreadful people you could come across. The way they are described is wonderful and the illustrations that run through the book capture their 'evilness' brilliantly and we are shown in detail how they commit their crimes. Although I say that Clementine lives with these two characters, in truth, she has a metal bed in an empty cellar room that she is locked in regularly. Her one friend is a white cat, Gilbert, who keeps appearing. Clementine has never been outside, she has never seen the world but dreams of a Magic Place where she could be happy.
The writing style is perfect for an adult reading aloud to children, the author uses questions to encourage to the child to think, to search through the beautifully detailed illustations. Reading this reminded me of the books that I used to read when my own son was young - a perfect book to share. The story - well, I won't spoil it but what normally happens to villains? But - look out for the dogs, that's all I'll say. Terrific fun.
All in all a great book for kids.
Thank you Netgalley.
a_robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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Information:
- Library book
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Review:
This was a lovely little book
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Review previously placed on my blog:
Review previously placed on my blog:
I have read The magic place by Chris Wormell. Read a physical copy from the library.
I randomly saw this at the library and picked it up. I'm glad I did. This was a very good and fun story to read. There were tropes I normally don't really like in this book, but in this one, because of the more fantasy aspect of the story, it worked for me. Also loved all the drawings a lot.
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almas's review against another edition
adventurous
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
georgialouise's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning of this book was so good' I thought it was so creative and funny. A mix between Harry Potter and Matilda it had so much potential but the latter half just let it down.
I still enjoyed the book but I did find myself skipping a lot of the end.
I did however love the illustrations, they added so much to the story and made the reading experience much better.
I still enjoyed the book but I did find myself skipping a lot of the end.
I did however love the illustrations, they added so much to the story and made the reading experience much better.