wanderinglynn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
2.0
I'll preface my review by stating that I am clearly not the intended audience. That being said, my biggest issue was that the writing style just didn't work for me. The tone was humorous and the story overall is easy to read, but I felt the pacing didn't quite work, the character development was lacking, and I felt there were some holes in the story.
As for the pacing, I thought that given there were 3 monsters that this might be the first in a trilogy with some build-up. Instead, it went quickly between two monsters in this book without any development in between—this is why I felt the pacing didn't quite work. These 3 monsters are basically supposed to be the end of times, like Ragnorak, and yet, *snap* two were defeated by a pre-teen boy with a sword but no training.
The minimal character development is likely due to the pacing. The story does move fast and so there's little time for character development. This is a pre-teen boy struggling with identity, both sexual and cultural. I thought more care and time might have been devoted to these issues, especially considering this is targeted at middle graders who might have similar issues.
As for the plot holes, basically I felt there was minimal detail on the history of the ring and Ashmedai. Maybe that's because of the age bracket this book is intended. But the story only told the basics and I felt I was missing something. Maybe because I’m not Jewish and I know little Judaism and its stories.
Overall, an interesting concept but it might have been fleshed out a bit more.
I received this book from BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.
As for the pacing, I thought that given there were 3 monsters that this might be the first in a trilogy with some build-up. Instead, it went quickly between two monsters in this book without any development in between—this is why I felt the pacing didn't quite work. These 3 monsters are basically supposed to be the end of times, like Ragnorak, and yet, *snap* two were defeated by a pre-teen boy with a sword but no training.
The minimal character development is likely due to the pacing. The story does move fast and so there's little time for character development. This is a pre-teen boy struggling with identity, both sexual and cultural. I thought more care and time might have been devoted to these issues, especially considering this is targeted at middle graders who might have similar issues.
As for the plot holes, basically I felt there was minimal detail on the history of the ring and Ashmedai. Maybe that's because of the age bracket this book is intended. But the story only told the basics and I felt I was missing something. Maybe because I’m not Jewish and I know little Judaism and its stories.
Overall, an interesting concept but it might have been fleshed out a bit more.
I received this book from BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review.
rebekah27's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and inkyard press for the arc of this book. Im going to start with the things that i disliked first and end with the things that i did like about this book. Firstly, there was very little to no build up to the plot and the things that happened. Secondly, to go along with the first one, it was too short, now the final version does seem to be longer than the arc that I received so hopefully this and all my other critiques will be fixed. Thirdly the side characters weren’t as developed as i would’ve liked. And my last critique is i didn’t connect with it as much as I wanted to, however this is a middle grade book written for 12 year olds and as I am not a 12 year old I can’t really hold that against it. Moving on to the things that I did like about it, it had short chapters, it puts you right into the action, it made me laugh out loud, and I would love to see little kids read this and hopefully get to see themselves, and/or learn about Jewish mythology. Overall this was an amazing book and it deserves to be read by as many little kids as possible.
directorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Vomit, Antisemitism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Eating disorder
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.75
micaelacccc'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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Antisemitism and Homophobia
scoutabout's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
raavenreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! I wasn’t sure because I’ve never read a book based in Jewish mythology but I was very excited to read it. I love learning new things as I read, and this being a queer mythology made it even more interesting.
It was entertaining and there was plenty of action and humor. Zach is a 12-year-old who is interested in horror and monster movies. He’s gay, even though he has a hard time vocalizing it. He has a crush on a boy in his class and is regularly bullied. One day at a flea market he and his little sister find a ring that gives them the ability to speak to animals. He also accidentally summons the king of demons who he calls Ash.
I will definitely read more from this author. I’m not used to reading middle grade and I’m more familiar with YA, but this had an interesting plot and characters and I’m ready to read more. If this series were to continue I’d also be happy. Thanks so much Inkyard Press for this one!
It was entertaining and there was plenty of action and humor. Zach is a 12-year-old who is interested in horror and monster movies. He’s gay, even though he has a hard time vocalizing it. He has a crush on a boy in his class and is regularly bullied. One day at a flea market he and his little sister find a ring that gives them the ability to speak to animals. He also accidentally summons the king of demons who he calls Ash.
I will definitely read more from this author. I’m not used to reading middle grade and I’m more familiar with YA, but this had an interesting plot and characters and I’m ready to read more. If this series were to continue I’d also be happy. Thanks so much Inkyard Press for this one!
mo_likesto_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ravenclaw_princess913's review against another edition
4.0
Title: Ring of Solomon
Author: Aden Polydoros
Genre: Middle Grade
Main Character: Ash, Zach, and Sandra
Donate or Keep? Donate
1st read or reread? 1st read
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Review: "The Ring of Solomon" by Aden Polydoros had a slow start but started picking up halfway through around the scene where the guy steals the Ring of Solomon and pushes Zach into the lion's pen at the zoo. I really loved it once it got intresting I wasn't able to put it down. I also love the cover it's really pretty and fits the story well.
Quote: "So, apparently, as the Inquisitors were hunting down people, the knights of the apocalypse were searching for biblical relics. Not just the Ring of Solomon, but also the Ark of the Covenant, the Staff of Moses, Holy Grail, and others." This quote is important in the story. The knights of the apocalypse is the group the zoo guy is in and they are the bad guys.
Author: Aden Polydoros
Genre: Middle Grade
Main Character: Ash, Zach, and Sandra
Donate or Keep? Donate
1st read or reread? 1st read
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Review: "The Ring of Solomon" by Aden Polydoros had a slow start but started picking up halfway through around the scene where the guy steals the Ring of Solomon and pushes Zach into the lion's pen at the zoo. I really loved it once it got intresting I wasn't able to put it down. I also love the cover it's really pretty and fits the story well.
Quote: "So, apparently, as the Inquisitors were hunting down people, the knights of the apocalypse were searching for biblical relics. Not just the Ring of Solomon, but also the Ark of the Covenant, the Staff of Moses, Holy Grail, and others." This quote is important in the story. The knights of the apocalypse is the group the zoo guy is in and they are the bad guys.