Reviews
Brambleheart: A Story About Finding Treasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship, by Henry Cole
stenaros's review against another edition
1.0
Read for Librarian Book Group.
Talking animals aren't usually my thing, and so it was for this novel. Also, an adversary suddenly became an ally with no explanation. How did that get by the people who are supposed to be putting out quality books?
Upon further reflection, and after attending book group where no one else liked it either, I'm demoting this to one star. There's nothing redeeming about this novel. Nothing!
Talking animals aren't usually my thing, and so it was for this novel. Also, an adversary suddenly became an ally with no explanation. How did that get by the people who are supposed to be putting out quality books?
Upon further reflection, and after attending book group where no one else liked it either, I'm demoting this to one star. There's nothing redeeming about this novel. Nothing!
bookdingo's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first attempt to do a chapter each night with the kids, and while they didn't always pay attention (or at all, really), I enjoyed it thoroughly and it was nice hearing a story in installments.
The prose and descriptions in Brambleheart are excellent. Cole paints a very clear picture of The Hill and its inhabitants. You get the impression that he wants us to care for the environment with all the messages about garbage.
So the protagonist, Twig, stumbles upon this dragon egg and it hatches. Twig sucks at school, at metalcraft, at just about everything he sets his mind to, UNTIL this dragon egg hatches and he realizes he can use the baby dragon, dubbed Char, as a blowtorch for his take-home school projects. Twig exploits Char for unpaid and strenuous baby dragon labor and Twig's projects quickly become well-known and praised by all his instructors. This is apparently a story about friendship, but considering how Twig often took advantage of Char and how his clumsiness is magically solved through this "friendship", it was a little difficult for me to see this as a positive friendship story. His instructors also do nothing to help him during his scholastic troubles and they often belittle him in front of his peers, who also want nothing to do with him aside from his sole friend Lily. Even Lily's own motivations are unknown other than she's kind enough to take pity on Twig (while he doesn't do much for her in return).
The prose and descriptions in Brambleheart are excellent. Cole paints a very clear picture of The Hill and its inhabitants. You get the impression that he wants us to care for the environment with all the messages about garbage.
So the protagonist, Twig, stumbles upon this dragon egg and it hatches. Twig sucks at school, at metalcraft, at just about everything he sets his mind to, UNTIL this dragon egg hatches and he realizes he can use the baby dragon, dubbed Char, as a blowtorch for his take-home school projects. Twig exploits Char for unpaid and strenuous baby dragon labor and Twig's projects quickly become well-known and praised by all his instructors. This is apparently a story about friendship, but considering how Twig often took advantage of Char and how his clumsiness is magically solved through this "friendship", it was a little difficult for me to see this as a positive friendship story. His instructors also do nothing to help him during his scholastic troubles and they often belittle him in front of his peers, who also want nothing to do with him aside from his sole friend Lily. Even Lily's own motivations are unknown other than she's kind enough to take pity on Twig (while he doesn't do much for her in return).
Spoiler
This book does NOT end though, and that's infuriating.bookishheart's review against another edition
3.0
It was cute and I LOVE the chipmunk and illustrations (that's why I got it) and I love dragons, but there almost wasn't a meaning to it all. I'm glad there was a quote at the end to explain the title of the book. I will definitely read the next one. I would have liked to know what Twig is meant to be, but I guess if it's described in the next that would be okay.
mctmama's review against another edition
3.0
good for elementary school age - a little young for middle grade. I really loved "A Nest for Celeste", which had a lot of historical information about Audubon, as well as Henry Cole's lovely pencil drawings. Brambleheart had the same lovely drawings, but I wasn't drawn into the story of a chipmunk raising a dragon. I did like the themes of society's classification system, and the anxiety of someone trying to fit in.
ourgraylives's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
justabutterfly's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars. Quick and cute, the pictures were great, and it did unfortunately end on a cliff hanger, but otherwise very nice.
aeculley's review
4.0
I confess I bought this book because I liked the title and it was a beautiful book; hardcover with lovely rough cut pages.
The story is sweet and the pencil sketch illustrations are lovely.
The story is sweet and the pencil sketch illustrations are lovely.
qemorio's review
4.0
We read this one for bedtime and both my son and I enjoyed the story. The drawings are very cute and definitely helped us connect with the characters. The basic set up is a little chipmunk who is faltering in school goes for a long walk and finds a dragon!
simsbrarian's review
4.0
**Spoilers**
Twig the Chipmunk has never felt he fit into any of his home's potential Master apprentice options and despairs of ever getting to be part of a Naming Ceremony to become a crafter. When he sets out on a journey he discovers a strange globe which ends up being a dragon's egg! The adventures truly begin from here as Twig, his rabbit friend Lily, and his weasel nemesis Basil cope with a dragon in their wee home. When it is clear that being captive is making the dragon (Char) ill; the adventurers must forge out to find his home. There is art throughout (cute black and white sketches showing story scenes) and the chapters are fairly short (12 pages with usually 6 or more sketches throughout), making this a good one for younger chapter readers.
Anything you didn’t like about it? The first part which describes Twig's strange attempts to become a Crafter in his "school" are rather strange and don't feel like they fit with the rest of what reads as a good dragon and finding-friendship adventure story. Also, be warned that this is definitely a Book One; the friends and dragon only barely BEGIN to set off on the river to seek out Char's home by the last page.
To whom would you recommend this book? Recommend to young chapter readers who would enjoy a fantasy adventure with woodland creatures as the main characters.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Twig the Chipmunk has never felt he fit into any of his home's potential Master apprentice options and despairs of ever getting to be part of a Naming Ceremony to become a crafter. When he sets out on a journey he discovers a strange globe which ends up being a dragon's egg! The adventures truly begin from here as Twig, his rabbit friend Lily, and his weasel nemesis Basil cope with a dragon in their wee home. When it is clear that being captive is making the dragon (Char) ill; the adventurers must forge out to find his home. There is art throughout (cute black and white sketches showing story scenes) and the chapters are fairly short (12 pages with usually 6 or more sketches throughout), making this a good one for younger chapter readers.
Anything you didn’t like about it? The first part which describes Twig's strange attempts to become a Crafter in his "school" are rather strange and don't feel like they fit with the rest of what reads as a good dragon and finding-friendship adventure story. Also, be warned that this is definitely a Book One; the friends and dragon only barely BEGIN to set off on the river to seek out Char's home by the last page.
To whom would you recommend this book? Recommend to young chapter readers who would enjoy a fantasy adventure with woodland creatures as the main characters.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.