momo_sama's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ottiedottie's review against another edition
4.0
4.2
While this made me feel nostalgic for a story I'd never read before it felt fresh, biting and contemporary in its commentary. Despite the content limitations posed by its target audience, a sense of dread and foreboding was so impeccably built up. I still shudder when I think of the lizards. And despite that, I was able to let my heart melt at the friendship between these two sweet boys- a friendship, a curse and a lullaby that meandered and pulled back together through generations and generations of history.
I love that it dealt with consequence in a way that wasn't totally dependent on saccharine morality. But even so, it didn't fall into the pitfall of being too grim and depressing.
While of course I was charmed by the two of them tredging up the thumb of a mountain, eating onions, as one does, the scenes that touched me the most for some reason were those of Stanley teaching Zero how to read. I didn't particularly care too much for the Kissing Kate Barlow storyline but I am too taken with this charming story to care all that much. I wish I'd read Holes in my childhood.
While this made me feel nostalgic for a story I'd never read before it felt fresh, biting and contemporary in its commentary. Despite the content limitations posed by its target audience, a sense of dread and foreboding was so impeccably built up. I still shudder when I think of the lizards. And despite that, I was able to let my heart melt at the friendship between these two sweet boys- a friendship, a curse and a lullaby that meandered and pulled back together through generations and generations of history.
I love that it dealt with consequence in a way that wasn't totally dependent on saccharine morality. But even so, it didn't fall into the pitfall of being too grim and depressing.
While of course I was charmed by the two of them tredging up the thumb of a mountain, eating onions, as one does, the scenes that touched me the most for some reason were those of Stanley teaching Zero how to read. I didn't particularly care too much for the Kissing Kate Barlow storyline but I am too taken with this charming story to care all that much. I wish I'd read Holes in my childhood.
sheyde's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ethanses's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
athena_child's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
adamc90's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
emadisonc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
galoshes's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was wonderfully memorable. The book is so short but the characters are so vibrant. The reveals are perfectly executed. No scene is worthless or wasted. It felt like every little detail was woven intentionally with the greater story and I'm absolutely here for it. This is masterful storytelling.