Reviews

The Curse of the Gloamglozer by Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell

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mgnc2867's review against another edition

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5.0

I read this as a kid, and I loved the series so much I decided to revisit. I was not disappointed.

annalise's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

oztamir's review against another edition

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3.0

The main problem I had with this book is the obvious storytelling. Too much of the hints given throughout the plot are as clear as the sun - you can clearly understand that the plot-purpose of some of the tidbits. Other than this, I had a nice time reading this book. Would recommend (with a grain of salt).

writinglivingbreathing's review against another edition

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An amazing look back at the life of Twig's father.

thatgirlinblack's review against another edition

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4.0

Maris, lonely daughter of the Most High Academe of Sanctaphrax. Quint, ambitious son of a famed sky pirate. And the Gloamglozer that brings them together in the adventure of their lives.

This is a divided Sanctaphrax, with Sky-scholars in control and Earth-scholars in disregard. The Most High Academe, Linius, desires peace and cooperation between the factions, which makes him unpopular. Whispers, lies, plotting and intrigue fill every corner in the city.

Quint isn't happy about being left in the stuffy city of Sanctaphrax, but Linius needs an apprentice to do certain tasks for him. Linius's daughter Maris doesn't appreciate the attention her father gives this newcomer, but the two youths are soon thrown together as they try to save Linus' life. Their adventures include forays into the ancient, abandoned Great Library, with trees and branches climbing up and out, all full of parchments containing knowledge; and spelunking journeys into the great floating rock Sanctaphrax is built on, a maze of twisting tunnels. These tunnels hide terrifying monsters, and a mysterious entity responsible for stunning happenings.

It turns out the Most High Academe has been experimenting with a very dangerous science indeed: the creation of life. This is clearly shown to be divine work, beyond the reach of mortals. The marvelous work of glisters, seedlings of life, being blown in from over the Edge, meeting with the Mother Storm, and becoming life -- this is nothing that can be recreated in a laboratory, as the ancient scholars found out. They left a chilling testament to this in the records, but Linius assumes he can avoid their mistakes; his pride goes before his fall. So what he creates, though seemingly useful and tame, is revealed to be foolish dabbling in something deadly. You can't control the evil you create.

That brings us to the evil itself: the monstrous Gloamglozer. Considered an ancient myth by virtually everyone, the horrific being actually comes to life through the efforts of Linius

Spoiler

, and is inadvertently released by Quint in his efforts to save Linius

. The Gloamglozer feeds off fear and pain, thus it seeks to perpetuate all kinds of evil and misfortune wherever it goes. This is truly a terrifying consequence to playing God, and a good reminder that we can do nothing good on our own. It's also a pretty accurate representation of the evil that abounds in our world; it's necessary to know that "our enemy the devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeing whom he may devour."

As always, there's everything I love about the Edge Chronicles: an easy read, depth and mystery, imaginative settings, memorable characters, action and adventure, and moral values!

Spoiler

Quint and Maris marry later (see the family tree in the end of some books), but they're just friends in this book.