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williamsdebbied's review against another edition
5.0
Evil Count Karlstein plans to sacrifice his two orphaned nieces, Charlotte and Lucy, to repay a debt to Zamiel the Demon Huntsman. A headstrong servant, Hildi Kelmar, overhears the count discussing his plans and helps the girls escape. What follows is a mix of suspense, thrills, and humor as the girls desperately try to escape their horrible fate.
HIghly entertaining, fast-paced read.
HIghly entertaining, fast-paced read.
jmcneill's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
madebyleila's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebriceiswrite's review against another edition
5.0
A witty, enjoyable, childish folktale.
Pullman displays a mastery of narrative voice.
Short, sweet, witty, and crisp.
Read it to your kids, your cat, your neighbor.
Pullman displays a mastery of narrative voice.
Short, sweet, witty, and crisp.
Read it to your kids, your cat, your neighbor.
malorisaurus's review against another edition
3.0
I am most familiar with Philip Pullman due to his "His Dark Materials" trilogy, and I have also read his short children's book "Clockwork". Count Karlstein is much more in line with the latter, and a book that I probably would have enjoyed at around 6 years of age (just as reference in the off chance that someone would like input on whether or not their child would like it). The story itself, while fun and exciting, really didn't hold much for me in terms of memorability. If you want something with a little more to it than a simple adventure, then I wouldn't recommend this book. However, that doesn't mean that it isn't a fine story! It is. I would like very much to read it aloud to a child because there are so many opportunities to really make the story come to life. Count Karlstein reads like a yarn that is told around a campfire, and so the best way to enjoy it seems to be to read it aloud.
**EDIT**
Turns out I also read "The Ruby in the Smoke" when I was 12, but I was unaware that it was written by Philip Pullman until just now! Fancy! I remember liking that very much, though I have a weakness for books with an extremely intelligent, violently stubborn female protagonist.
**EDIT**
Turns out I also read "The Ruby in the Smoke" when I was 12, but I was unaware that it was written by Philip Pullman until just now! Fancy! I remember liking that very much, though I have a weakness for books with an extremely intelligent, violently stubborn female protagonist.
graculus's review against another edition
3.0
Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the past few years will know Pullman's name, as he's written the phenomenally successful Northern Lights trilogy, the first of which has been made into a movie, and other equally successful YA books.
This was his first novel, republished, and unfortunately it shows a little. Count Karlstein isn't a bad book, it's just a bit predictable from quite early on - the moment the missing heir is mentioned, for example, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out just which of the other characters he really is. There's also a few too many coincidences for my liking, though it was a pleasant enough read.
This was his first novel, republished, and unfortunately it shows a little. Count Karlstein isn't a bad book, it's just a bit predictable from quite early on - the moment the missing heir is mentioned, for example, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out just which of the other characters he really is. There's also a few too many coincidences for my liking, though it was a pleasant enough read.
thecaffeinatedreader's review against another edition
3.0
https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2020/05/11/mini-review-day-4/
3.5/5
Usually, I adore anything Philip Pullman writes, I mean I may someday tattoo his name in a heart instead of the usually ‘Mom’ tattoo.
But, this wasn’t one I adored.
Wildly entertaining? Yes
A good read for Middle-Grade children? I want to say yes without hesitation but…but…I’m just not sure about the use of the word slut. Now, I’m not saying Middle-Grade children can’t handle it! Kids can always handle more than we think, YA, in general, is a good example of that, adults love YA books, but, they’re written for teens and despite what we may think of the content, there’s nothing wrong with it for YA aged audiences.
I just hate that the word Slut had to be used at all. And, that isn’t the only reason I gave it three stars lol, there’s not a lot of action for a book that should be packed with it. I think that my daughter would be a little bored in the lulls, but, the humour was on point and when there was action, it was delightful! So, I did enjoy this, I just didn’t love it. And I wanted to love it.
3.5/5
Usually, I adore anything Philip Pullman writes, I mean I may someday tattoo his name in a heart instead of the usually ‘Mom’ tattoo.
But, this wasn’t one I adored.
Wildly entertaining? Yes
A good read for Middle-Grade children? I want to say yes without hesitation but…but…I’m just not sure about the use of the word slut. Now, I’m not saying Middle-Grade children can’t handle it! Kids can always handle more than we think, YA, in general, is a good example of that, adults love YA books, but, they’re written for teens and despite what we may think of the content, there’s nothing wrong with it for YA aged audiences.
I just hate that the word Slut had to be used at all. And, that isn’t the only reason I gave it three stars lol, there’s not a lot of action for a book that should be packed with it. I think that my daughter would be a little bored in the lulls, but, the humour was on point and when there was action, it was delightful! So, I did enjoy this, I just didn’t love it. And I wanted to love it.
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