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ebp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
asweettoothedvampire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was definitely a whirlwind of emotions.
Overall I think it was really a very good book, and I do plan to read/listen to the rest of the series as the premise of the book and world is very interesting.
For writing, and story, I would give this a 5 stars for the enjoyment. However, there were bits that I did not understand. Some of these things might have been, however, that I am not British and their customs (especially in regard to school aged children) are quite abnormal to me. These things also tend to pop up in other British books about children of a similar age, so I must assume that most of the confusion comes from a cultural non-understanding and not the writing. Still, this did dull my enjoyment of it, as some of the events in the book also seemed rather drastic for children who were around the age of 10.
I am also hoping that I will gain more insight as I go further into the story, as the book seemed to end in a cliffhanger that was closer to the middle of a chapter than the hook to a following book.
If you have access, as I did via my library, to not only the first one but the second one, I would recommend this book. I would however, if I were a parent, perhaps read this book before simply giving it to your child. Some of the more sensitive children might find the content warnings I noted difficult to get past.
Overall I think it was really a very good book, and I do plan to read/listen to the rest of the series as the premise of the book and world is very interesting.
For writing, and story, I would give this a 5 stars for the enjoyment. However, there were bits that I did not understand. Some of these things might have been, however, that I am not British and their customs (especially in regard to school aged children) are quite abnormal to me. These things also tend to pop up in other British books about children of a similar age, so I must assume that most of the confusion comes from a cultural non-understanding and not the writing. Still, this did dull my enjoyment of it, as some of the events in the book also seemed rather drastic for children who were around the age of 10.
I am also hoping that I will gain more insight as I go further into the story, as the book seemed to end in a cliffhanger that was closer to the middle of a chapter than the hook to a following book.
If you have access, as I did via my library, to not only the first one but the second one, I would recommend this book. I would however, if I were a parent, perhaps read this book before simply giving it to your child. Some of the more sensitive children might find the content warnings I noted difficult to get past.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Bullying
Minor: Violence and Stalking
brynalexa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Read this to my kids at bedtime for a few weeks. Was nostalgic for me but some words and situations didn’t age well. Very cute mystery in a magic school/alternative to Happy Potter.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Grief, Stalking, and Death of parent
kirkspockreads's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A good quick, fun read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, and Death of parent
dontwritedown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
A lot of people call the Children of the Red King a Harry Potter clone, but they clearly didn't read the book. Besides not everyone is magical and one book has more diversity than Rowlings entire series.
I picked up the audiobook as a way to stay awake during the long commute to and from work and it helped me pick up on a few jokes I didn't understand as a kid.
That being said though, I still do not understand what happened during the final battle, specifically towards Asa and Billy Raven. I'm not sure if it's poorly written or if I'm just not getting Britain's English phrasing.
I picked up the audiobook as a way to stay awake during the long commute to and from work and it helped me pick up on a few jokes I didn't understand as a kid.
That being said though, I still do not understand what happened during the final battle, specifically towards Asa and Billy Raven. I'm not sure if it's poorly written or if I'm just not getting Britain's English phrasing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Stalking