Scan barcode
thelibrarylady42's review against another edition
2.0
Free Friday Barnes and Noble book.
Gerald is a young man who is mostly unexceptional. He has lots of day dreams, sometimes in the middle of class, and he doodles all the time. When suddenly he is swept away to England in a private jet to attend the funeral of a great aunt he has never met before. A great aunt who was worth 20 billion pounds and she's left it all to him. She left it all to him for a special reason and she knows that he will help solve her murder. Now there are big mysteries to solve and it's up to Gerald and his friends to figure it out before someone else dies.
I give this one 2.5 stars because I can see it being popular with some readers in my library. For the most part it was an enjoyable read. The adventure was fun, and the mystery was sort of mysterious. There were a few things that bothered me that kept it from being a full fledged three or even a four.
First, there is the teacher in the opening scene. He is bullying Gerald. He isn't being hard on him he is flat out bullying him. Yes Gerald fell asleep in class but it's beyond reprimanding a student. He is making fun of his drawings and humiliating him in front of the entire class. It's awful. The teacher is just the first in a line of unreliable adults.
Which brings me to my second problem with the book. Children taking on all the adventure and danger by themselves. I know what you are going to say what about the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson books. In both Jackson and Potter children had some adults they could trust, could confide in and ask advice. There were reliable adults they could turn to when they needed. Gerald and his friends never once try to go to the police or other authority.
The last thing that really bothered me was I never found out the answers to many of the mysteries. Why did Gerald's aunt leave her fortune to him? What is so special about his family? What does King Arthur and the Holy Grail have to do with everything? The book felt like all prologue. It's okay to leave some mysteries for the second and third installment but give us some answers to hold us over.
That is not to say the book wasn't enjoyable. They mystery was fun. The younger characters were likeable.
The Verdict: Would fit well with reluctant readers and in places where adventure and mystery are big.
Gerald is a young man who is mostly unexceptional. He has lots of day dreams, sometimes in the middle of class, and he doodles all the time. When suddenly he is swept away to England in a private jet to attend the funeral of a great aunt he has never met before. A great aunt who was worth 20 billion pounds and she's left it all to him. She left it all to him for a special reason and she knows that he will help solve her murder. Now there are big mysteries to solve and it's up to Gerald and his friends to figure it out before someone else dies.
I give this one 2.5 stars because I can see it being popular with some readers in my library. For the most part it was an enjoyable read. The adventure was fun, and the mystery was sort of mysterious. There were a few things that bothered me that kept it from being a full fledged three or even a four.
First, there is the teacher in the opening scene. He is bullying Gerald. He isn't being hard on him he is flat out bullying him. Yes Gerald fell asleep in class but it's beyond reprimanding a student. He is making fun of his drawings and humiliating him in front of the entire class. It's awful. The teacher is just the first in a line of unreliable adults.
Which brings me to my second problem with the book. Children taking on all the adventure and danger by themselves. I know what you are going to say what about the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson books. In both Jackson and Potter children had some adults they could trust, could confide in and ask advice. There were reliable adults they could turn to when they needed. Gerald and his friends never once try to go to the police or other authority.
The last thing that really bothered me was I never found out the answers to many of the mysteries. Why did Gerald's aunt leave her fortune to him? What is so special about his family? What does King Arthur and the Holy Grail have to do with everything? The book felt like all prologue. It's okay to leave some mysteries for the second and third installment but give us some answers to hold us over.
That is not to say the book wasn't enjoyable. They mystery was fun. The younger characters were likeable.
The Verdict: Would fit well with reluctant readers and in places where adventure and mystery are big.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
Very fun, light and perfect for a middle school read-aloud. This book contains some great discussion points for English culture and mythology.
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
Remember when you were a kid and The Adventurous Four, The Famous Five and The Secret Seven were just the ticket for an exciting read (okay so you have to be of "a certain age" for that to apply), but I still remember how satisfying those books were. An adventure, a puzzle that had to be solved - by a bunch of kids of a similar age to yourself, all done and dusted and home in time for tea. Many a person "of a certain age" will attest that these books were the ones that got them started on a life-long love of reading. Perhaps that's partly because they were so easy to identify with, or had scenarios that the average kid could aspire to, dream of. THE BILLIONAIRE'S CURSE could very well be the same sort of book for kids of a current age.
Definitely set in a more current day world - the book blurb starts off with "What would you do if you suddenly became a billionaire?". It's the story of 13 year old Australian boy Gerald, who comes from a relatively staid, standard suburban life enlivened mostly by fantasies of great deeds and heroics. He could never have imagined the scenario that instead finds him home from school and bundled onto a luxury private jet, winging his way to London to become the richest thirteen-year-old in the world, as a hitherto unknown Great Aunt leaves the family fortune to him. Nor could he have dreamed up the theft of the world's most valuable diamond, and a murder that leads directly to Gerald's own life being in danger. Gerald's just the boy for the situation though - he's got his billionaire survival kit, he's got some new friends and they are off to solve the mystery!
Despite a considerably more current day setting and plotline than those great old books of our own childhood, there is quite a feel of the The Famous Five about the style of THE BILLIONAIRE'S CURSE. The language used is simple, yet engaging, slightly formal and every so slightly stagey, but it works. This is the sort of book that a child could read for themselves, or an adult would have great fun reading to children - either way the book works as a great entertainment, with just enough scary bits for a spot of hiding under the doona to add to the excitement.
The winner of the inaugural Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing, THE BILLIONAIRE'S CURSE made this adult reader very very happy. Whilst there is something nostalgic, old-fashioned, almost comfortable about reading a kids book about kids who save the day and solve the puzzle, there is something very satisfying about the idea that kids - of all ages - are still able to find a book like THE BILLIONAIRE'S CURSE that may, just may, lead to a life-long love of reading.
Definitely set in a more current day world - the book blurb starts off with "What would you do if you suddenly became a billionaire?". It's the story of 13 year old Australian boy Gerald, who comes from a relatively staid, standard suburban life enlivened mostly by fantasies of great deeds and heroics. He could never have imagined the scenario that instead finds him home from school and bundled onto a luxury private jet, winging his way to London to become the richest thirteen-year-old in the world, as a hitherto unknown Great Aunt leaves the family fortune to him. Nor could he have dreamed up the theft of the world's most valuable diamond, and a murder that leads directly to Gerald's own life being in danger. Gerald's just the boy for the situation though - he's got his billionaire survival kit, he's got some new friends and they are off to solve the mystery!
Despite a considerably more current day setting and plotline than those great old books of our own childhood, there is quite a feel of the The Famous Five about the style of THE BILLIONAIRE'S CURSE. The language used is simple, yet engaging, slightly formal and every so slightly stagey, but it works. This is the sort of book that a child could read for themselves, or an adult would have great fun reading to children - either way the book works as a great entertainment, with just enough scary bits for a spot of hiding under the doona to add to the excitement.
The winner of the inaugural Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing, THE BILLIONAIRE'S CURSE made this adult reader very very happy. Whilst there is something nostalgic, old-fashioned, almost comfortable about reading a kids book about kids who save the day and solve the puzzle, there is something very satisfying about the idea that kids - of all ages - are still able to find a book like THE BILLIONAIRE'S CURSE that may, just may, lead to a life-long love of reading.
sparklingreader's review against another edition
3.0
Take one 12 year old kid from Australia, one dead aunt in London - who also happens to be a billionaire - add a missing diamond, disinterested parents, and a butler reminiscent of Lurch from the Addam's Family, and you get an adventure full of twists and turns, murder and mayhem.
Gerald Wilkins has never met his great aunt Geraldine, but for some reason, she leaves him her entire estate when she dies. Gerald's mother is ecstatic and immediately takes off on "vacation," dumping Gerald with his aunt's stodgy lawyer and Mr. Fry, a dour butler/chauffeur who is not happy with his legacy of silverware.
Geraldine also leaves a cryptic note telling Gerald she was murdered and it is up to him to find out who killed her. Gerald and tow of his new friends go off on an adventure that includes kidnapping, murder and a hint at a paranormal ability Gerald doesn't know he has.
While the book is entertaining, the heavy British vocabulary may put off some readers. In addition, it is very obviously the first book in a series as many of the prominent threads are left dangling. Plus there are the issues of child abandonment since his parents take off as soon as the will is read and don't even return when he is seriously injured. I have issues with that. Beyond this, it is a decent enough book, but read with these cautions in mind.
Gerald Wilkins has never met his great aunt Geraldine, but for some reason, she leaves him her entire estate when she dies. Gerald's mother is ecstatic and immediately takes off on "vacation," dumping Gerald with his aunt's stodgy lawyer and Mr. Fry, a dour butler/chauffeur who is not happy with his legacy of silverware.
Geraldine also leaves a cryptic note telling Gerald she was murdered and it is up to him to find out who killed her. Gerald and tow of his new friends go off on an adventure that includes kidnapping, murder and a hint at a paranormal ability Gerald doesn't know he has.
While the book is entertaining, the heavy British vocabulary may put off some readers. In addition, it is very obviously the first book in a series as many of the prominent threads are left dangling. Plus there are the issues of child abandonment since his parents take off as soon as the will is read and don't even return when he is seriously injured. I have issues with that. Beyond this, it is a decent enough book, but read with these cautions in mind.
kryolitee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
textpublishing's review against another edition
5.0
‘I would suggest this book to anyone who likes a good mystery and is willing to risk a disrupted sleep pattern. An enthralling read.’
Gonzo, aged 16
‘It’s a suspenseful, thrilling adventure with great twists at every turn.’
Meg, aged 10
‘The Billionaire’s Curse was such an awesome book. I adored it! It was very interesting. It was like half action and half mystery. My favourite part was at the end when they are at the place where the casket is. I read it in exactly two and a half days. I can’t wait until the second one comes out!’
Declan, aged 10
‘I thought it was very good…it was like a crime novel and Indiana Jones put together.’
Mitchell, aged 9
‘Newsome has created a ripping whodunit-style yarn for young adults.’
Sunday Age
‘Filled with secret passageways and deadly booby traps, you’ll be on the edge of your seat!’
K-Zone
‘Weird dreams, kidnapping, attacks by bandits, hectic chases and eerie explorations in archaeological sites…slapstick humour, verbal wit and a pervasive spirit of youthful exuberance.’
Magpies
‘A rollicking good yarn.’
Weekend Herald
‘An irresistibly fun-tastic tale that’s virtually guaranteed to keep youngsters reading, chuckling and desperately waiting for the next book in the series.’
Independent Weekly
Gonzo, aged 16
‘It’s a suspenseful, thrilling adventure with great twists at every turn.’
Meg, aged 10
‘The Billionaire’s Curse was such an awesome book. I adored it! It was very interesting. It was like half action and half mystery. My favourite part was at the end when they are at the place where the casket is. I read it in exactly two and a half days. I can’t wait until the second one comes out!’
Declan, aged 10
‘I thought it was very good…it was like a crime novel and Indiana Jones put together.’
Mitchell, aged 9
‘Newsome has created a ripping whodunit-style yarn for young adults.’
Sunday Age
‘Filled with secret passageways and deadly booby traps, you’ll be on the edge of your seat!’
K-Zone
‘Weird dreams, kidnapping, attacks by bandits, hectic chases and eerie explorations in archaeological sites…slapstick humour, verbal wit and a pervasive spirit of youthful exuberance.’
Magpies
‘A rollicking good yarn.’
Weekend Herald
‘An irresistibly fun-tastic tale that’s virtually guaranteed to keep youngsters reading, chuckling and desperately waiting for the next book in the series.’
Independent Weekly
ilovedogs123's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Cursing
imabrunette23's review against another edition
5.0
This was actually a really cool YA book. I would have LOVED it when I was 11. I'm tempted to get the sequels because I liked it so much.
imzadirose's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable book. Would have rated higher but absolutely HATED his mother. I hate awful parents in books, they piss me off. Luckily she was only in the first 20% but still. She was awful and I hated her. :/ Other than that, not a bad book, and the kids were good characters. Might read more.
melmel1361's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5