thepolybrary's review
4.0
~*Review first appeared on The Bent Bookworm!*~
The Once and Future Geek is a fun, fast frolic through time and space as the young protagonists try to keep history’s course steady. While the target audience is middle grade, and the writing and plot make that clear, even as an adult I enjoyed the story – especially since I’ve been a gamer (in another time, when I *had* many free hours in a day) and so many of the phrases and occurences in the story had me laughing and nodding because yes, that is indeed what happens when you play an MMO.
This is NOT your high fantasy King Arthur story. Don’t go looking for that, and you’ll probably be just as happy with it as I was. I love the banter between the various characters. I did think it was a little odd that the kids were just totally okay with Merlin lying to them at the very beginning…has no one ever told them creepy old men stalk kids online?!? But anyway…the story itself was entertaining, if a bit lacking on historical detail and high in artistic license. I sort of got a Percy Jackson meets Ready Player One vibe. All the family relationships and time switcheroos got a little confusing part way through the book, but then I got so interested in what was going on with Sophie’s parents that I didn’t care.
4/5 stars, minus a star due to some odd wordiness and events that I felt were a little too eye-rolling worthy even for the target audience. Also at the end the author clearly sounded like an adult trying to speak to children, or trying to sound LIKE a child, which irritates me to no end and I’m sure would be off-putting for a kid. Otherwise a really solid read and one I would love to add to my shelf! A refreshingly positive, upbeat take on the King Arthur legends.
I loved Sophie and Stu – their friendship, their geekiness, and their acceptance of each other and other people. Sophie’s attitude was awesome, and given that ending I really hope the series gets continued now that this reprint is out!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book for free in exchange for an honest review! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram | Google+
The Once and Future Geek is a fun, fast frolic through time and space as the young protagonists try to keep history’s course steady. While the target audience is middle grade, and the writing and plot make that clear, even as an adult I enjoyed the story – especially since I’ve been a gamer (in another time, when I *had* many free hours in a day) and so many of the phrases and occurences in the story had me laughing and nodding because yes, that is indeed what happens when you play an MMO.
“I’d rather my heart be broken a thousand times than spend one day without her,” Arthur declared valiantly. Merlin groaned. “I seriously don’t know why I bother,” he muttered under his breath.
This is NOT your high fantasy King Arthur story. Don’t go looking for that, and you’ll probably be just as happy with it as I was. I love the banter between the various characters. I did think it was a little odd that the kids were just totally okay with Merlin lying to them at the very beginning…has no one ever told them creepy old men stalk kids online?!? But anyway…the story itself was entertaining, if a bit lacking on historical detail and high in artistic license. I sort of got a Percy Jackson meets Ready Player One vibe. All the family relationships and time switcheroos got a little confusing part way through the book, but then I got so interested in what was going on with Sophie’s parents that I didn’t care.
4/5 stars, minus a star due to some odd wordiness and events that I felt were a little too eye-rolling worthy even for the target audience. Also at the end the author clearly sounded like an adult trying to speak to children, or trying to sound LIKE a child, which irritates me to no end and I’m sure would be off-putting for a kid. Otherwise a really solid read and one I would love to add to my shelf! A refreshingly positive, upbeat take on the King Arthur legends.
I loved Sophie and Stu – their friendship, their geekiness, and their acceptance of each other and other people. Sophie’s attitude was awesome, and given that ending I really hope the series gets continued now that this reprint is out!
She was going to knock some sense into this little once and future twerp’s head if it was the last thing she did.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this book for free in exchange for an honest review! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram | Google+
camillelowkey's review against another edition
5.0
I've been meaning to read a book from Mari Mancusi for a while now, considering all the fantastic things I've heard from her other novels.
I picked "The Camelot Code" because it boasted to things I love: time travel and King Arthur's legend. Let me assure you, I was not disappointed.
Even if this book is meant for a teenage audience (or even Middle Grade), I loved it. It's a sweet story about friendship and family, in which the characters from Medieval Camelot become entangled with the 21st Century. It was fun to see the legendary characters such as Morgan Le Fay, Merlin, King Arthur, & Lady Guinevere ("Guin") discover the USA in the 21st century. Stuart & Sophie, the two main characters who time travel to the past are gamers who love playing the game "The Camelot Code". I enjoyed how their storyline evolved throughout the game, from two friends, to a shared first kiss.
The book is full of witty references to our time, from pepperoni pizza, cell phones, & computers (the magic box), to every-day-expressions such as `let's do eeeeet'. I had a great time rediscovering our time with a new pair of eyes thanks to this book, not to mention exploring Medieval England.
A good recommendation to anyone who remembers falling in love for the first time, or who dreams of time travelling. I just realized that it's in a series of standalone novels called "First Kiss Club" and will now check out the first in the series "Skater boy".
Have fun reading!
I picked "The Camelot Code" because it boasted to things I love: time travel and King Arthur's legend. Let me assure you, I was not disappointed.
Even if this book is meant for a teenage audience (or even Middle Grade), I loved it. It's a sweet story about friendship and family, in which the characters from Medieval Camelot become entangled with the 21st Century. It was fun to see the legendary characters such as Morgan Le Fay, Merlin, King Arthur, & Lady Guinevere ("Guin") discover the USA in the 21st century. Stuart & Sophie, the two main characters who time travel to the past are gamers who love playing the game "The Camelot Code". I enjoyed how their storyline evolved throughout the game, from two friends, to a shared first kiss.
The book is full of witty references to our time, from pepperoni pizza, cell phones, & computers (the magic box), to every-day-expressions such as `let's do eeeeet'. I had a great time rediscovering our time with a new pair of eyes thanks to this book, not to mention exploring Medieval England.
A good recommendation to anyone who remembers falling in love for the first time, or who dreams of time travelling. I just realized that it's in a series of standalone novels called "First Kiss Club" and will now check out the first in the series "Skater boy".
Have fun reading!
mickeydoodle99's review against another edition
5.0
This was another book that I read on wattpad, the first, to be exact. When I read this I was looking for a quick read that would distract and entrance me. I wasn't disappointed! It was amazing. I loved the characters and I thought the character development was wonderful. As Arthur realizes his destiny and the other characters discover theirs alongside him, it is a real eye opener. Definitely worth the read.
katsmiao's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome.
What a great surprise this book turned out to be. Great story, well written, a great read in every way.
I LOVED this one!!
What a great surprise this book turned out to be. Great story, well written, a great read in every way.
I LOVED this one!!
emsley7's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
aprilk's review against another edition
4.0
The Camelot Code is part of The First Kiss Club series of standalone novels by Mari Mancusi. It's a wonderful mix of Arthurian legend, time travel, and teen romance.
I thought The Camelot Code was delightfully fun and adorable. I have never read any books about Arthur but after absolutely loving the TV series ,Merlin, I decided to give it a go. I am so pleased that I did. The fact that this story mixed in modern days and teen love made it fun and current. The way Mancusi wove together these very different characters and time periods was brilliant. Of course there was the added suspense of time travel. As with any good time travel story you have to worry about changing the course of history and such. It wasn't all suspense though. It was also very funny at times. I thought it was so fun when Arthur and Guin discovered Google. " The Google Lies!", That line had me cracking up.
I highly recommend The Camelot Code as a fun read for fans of Arthurian legend and teen romances.
** I received a review copy of this book through Netgalley. **
I thought The Camelot Code was delightfully fun and adorable. I have never read any books about Arthur but after absolutely loving the TV series ,Merlin, I decided to give it a go. I am so pleased that I did. The fact that this story mixed in modern days and teen love made it fun and current. The way Mancusi wove together these very different characters and time periods was brilliant. Of course there was the added suspense of time travel. As with any good time travel story you have to worry about changing the course of history and such. It wasn't all suspense though. It was also very funny at times. I thought it was so fun when Arthur and Guin discovered Google. " The Google Lies!", That line had me cracking up.
I highly recommend The Camelot Code as a fun read for fans of Arthurian legend and teen romances.
** I received a review copy of this book through Netgalley. **
tatertot_reader's review
adventurous
fast-paced
3.5
Fast paced and a fun read!
Spoiler
the ending was a little anticlimactic thoughethan_bluestone's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lazygal's review
3.0
It had to happen: an update to Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, with a gaming twist. I'm not sure that there's anything that needs to be added in terms of summary, except that it's relatively cute and perfect for middle grade readers.