daisycakesco's review against another edition
4.0
What fun! Petronella Eunice Arbuthnot finds herself, on night of her coming-out party, faced with a most difficult problem: Her uncle and guardian, beloved Augustus, has suddenly developed an insatiable appetite for bugs. Add to this the kidnapping of two prominent guests at the party, her unrequited love for her best friend's brother, and the arrival of her most difficult and trying extended family, and Petronella seems to have more than a young lady can handle. Or can she? Fans of Enola Holmes will definitely enjoy this mystery.
elusivesue's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this on the train ride to and from NYC. I thought the idea of Augustus' problem extremely creative, but sometimes a little squeamish. [I thought the author took great effort to make it palatable by inserting a lot of comic relief or using 'off screen' actions] The language and tone reminded me of some other books I've really enjoyed - the Incorrigible series, Cecelia & the Chocolate Pot, and Flora Segunda.
Do I wish Petronella was less swoony when it comes to a certain young man she knows? Absolutely, but I think her character's heart flutterings are typical for someone her age in her situation, and she is intrepid and does things on her own when she believes she must. She's not a complete rebel, but she's not a hothouse flower, either. It will be interesting to see if she starts leaning more towards one part or the other of her character in future stories [I'm hoping there are future stories], or if this balance is maintained.
Do I wish Petronella was less swoony when it comes to a certain young man she knows? Absolutely, but I think her character's heart flutterings are typical for someone her age in her situation, and she is intrepid and does things on her own when she believes she must. She's not a complete rebel, but she's not a hothouse flower, either. It will be interesting to see if she starts leaning more towards one part or the other of her character in future stories [I'm hoping there are future stories], or if this balance is maintained.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
We absolutely loved this little book! I was shocked to read reviews that lambast it for the exact reasons we cherish it - the setting is late Victorian, yet the main character, 16-year-old Petronella, is an active sleuth and wonderfully radical, in her own right. No overt sex or foul language, although there's a crush / obsession on a childhood friend, but it's the kind of "romance" my 15-year-old loves - the main character is a heroine in her own right!
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Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
namjooningihope5's review against another edition
2.0
I got to nearly half way and just gave up. I don't do this either, so it pains me to admit that. It could have been SO great, really, but it just wasn't.
Petronella is just dull. Her uncle was more interesting than her only because he ate bugs. So that's saying something. If you get through this whole book, power to you! I just couldn't. It was so boring and I tried to think it wasn't, but the plot was a mess.
Petronella is just dull. Her uncle was more interesting than her only because he ate bugs. So that's saying something. If you get through this whole book, power to you! I just couldn't. It was so boring and I tried to think it wasn't, but the plot was a mess.
quietjenn's review against another edition
2.0
clever enough attempt, but a bit of a one-noter. jokes are hard to sustain over an entire book, people. and the fact that i kept falling asleep during it can't be a good sign.
breenakm's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun read! Delightful wording. Very descriptive and unusual. Bugs? Really? Yuck! But so so funny.
dandelionfluff's review against another edition
This reminds me a bit of [b:Scones and Sensibility|6390352|Scones and Sensibility|Lindsay Eland|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320529591s/6390352.jpg|6578755], but mostly because the narrative style ended up driving me away. According to other reviews, this is meant to be satire, but that wasn't my impression of the text. It struck me as being a middlegrade historical fiction novel that doesn't intend to be historically accurate; rather, it's trying to be good fun, playing around with elevated social graces and flowery language. I couldn't quite get over the uncle's obsessive consumption of bugs, though, and couldn't quite get into the mystery itself. Some readers are concerned with the imperialist attitudes characters tend to have, which I think might go over the heads of younger readers. Maybe that sort of reader who's beginning to be interested in this time period could enjoy it. I'll be sure to hand my copy over to the library book sale so someone else can have a go.
kellis22's review against another edition
5.0
It was a real treat. I laughed numerous times from thew wit and craft. I think this will be the gift I give everyone for Christmas this year.
absentminded_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Witty, wry, delightful. This book had a very strong voice and an endearing main character. Definitely a new favorite. I am curious how my daughter’s will react to the book. The vocabulary is vintage Austen, which only added to the charm for me but may provide a barrier for those with a lighter lexicon.
Interesting that the book is referred to as the “…Tales of Augustus T. Percival” since clearly Petronella is the heroine and driving character. Dear Uncle Augustus provides flavor.
The short chapters helped provide the story with a brisk pace, yet were still filled with magnificent language. This book is a humorous treat, and one I highly recommend.
Interesting that the book is referred to as the “…Tales of Augustus T. Percival” since clearly Petronella is the heroine and driving character. Dear Uncle Augustus provides flavor.
The short chapters helped provide the story with a brisk pace, yet were still filled with magnificent language. This book is a humorous treat, and one I highly recommend.