suey's review against another edition
5.0
What a quaint fun story! I really loved this one about three kids living in a New York type city over a hundred years ago. One of them is a street performer and has to answer to a mean old dude who rules over him. Another is a working as a maid in a fancy hotel trying to keep her family afloat, and another is a clock master's apprentice. This is the story of how they all come together and help each other accomplish all their various different goals. It's a sweet, heartwarming, captivating story. I loved it.
lizbusby's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good. I was disappointed that the fantasy element wasn't more fleshed out, but the character's storylines are fairly superb.
cstrauel's review against another edition
5.0
It was so touching. I beautiful story. Will read again.
emwoodley's review
medium-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? Yes
4.0
krishmys's review against another edition
3.0
The whole book was like a reminding tribute to King Killer Chronicles, having read the two books and awaiting eagerly for the third.
The story revolve around a set of people who it seems are destined to meet and have an adventure, although I felt there were unnecessary details about persons, his or her movement, appeal, attitude etc. and about environment every now and then.
I would have very much liked if it was a bit short here and there, like there is an instance where Hannah is on top of a branch and observing her surroundings in McCauley park and then she scratches her head and notices how thick her hair is and how her mom used to wash it and that and this. Who needs such things? it was kind of making people seem more real but at the same time stretching the book and holding back the details until it was about to get stale.
As said earlier the Giu, a child prodigy, and his adventure with the "Green Violin" (Madam Pomeroy refused to inform us about it, even though she was aware of it) very much felt like Kvothe with his lute. and the plot was like reading Dan Brown, except Dan Brown keeps his chapters short.
All in all it was a quite slow moving adventure and half written, unnecessary details had had the chance of being replaced by necessary details would have made the story even more agreeable. Still it was adventurous and quite a bit challenging (if it is a right word I could use). And all in all I am eagerly waiting to try his other novels and see how they go.
The story revolve around a set of people who it seems are destined to meet and have an adventure, although I felt there were unnecessary details about persons, his or her movement, appeal, attitude etc. and about environment every now and then.
I would have very much liked if it was a bit short here and there, like there is an instance where Hannah is on top of a branch and observing her surroundings in McCauley park and then she scratches her head and notices how thick her hair is and how her mom used to wash it and that and this. Who needs such things? it was kind of making people seem more real but at the same time stretching the book and holding back the details until it was about to get stale.
As said earlier the Giu, a child prodigy, and his adventure with the "Green Violin" (Madam Pomeroy refused to inform us about it, even though she was aware of it) very much felt like Kvothe with his lute. and the plot was like reading Dan Brown, except Dan Brown keeps his chapters short.
All in all it was a quite slow moving adventure and half written, unnecessary details had had the chance of being replaced by necessary details would have made the story even more agreeable. Still it was adventurous and quite a bit challenging (if it is a right word I could use). And all in all I am eagerly waiting to try his other novels and see how they go.
greektragedyy's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good. The plot was intricatly woven,and very believable. After bieng sold, Giouseppe longs to go home to Italy. Hannah wants to keep her joband heal her father from stroke. She is looking for a treasure.Frederick is the clockwork's apprentice and is secretly making a mechanical man... They all have a different story, and after a few coincidences,the children unite and create a stunning plot. I would recommend this to anyone in search of a tale of friendship
deanamos's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
aileenginny's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent storyline, where the three main characters have distinct problems they work toward solving throughout the book. The audio version has an interesting collection of excerpts from historic news articles that inspired the story.
hadiqa01's review against another edition
4.0
To think that the book was inspired by someone real is uplifting. So much love, kindness, care and compassion was shown by characters is not so easily available and How three different stories came together as one, making it a intriguing piece of art! Beautiful, inspiring words!
And even though this is no Fantasy novel, I felt an unspoken magic between every word and every turn of the page.
And even though this is no Fantasy novel, I felt an unspoken magic between every word and every turn of the page.