Reviews

3.5 stars
This is a great, clean adventure with a hint of magic that I remember I enjoying as a child.

Rereading this as an adult, I’m not sure why I enjoyed it so much. Sure, the book is full of whit, excitement and (mis-)adventures. It’s also full of historical references that were definitely over my head and a few too-descriptive paragraphs. Apparently either of these was enough to mar my enjoyment of the story.

The idea and execution of this book are well done. The book has an innocence to it that many other modern books are lacking. And my younger self definitely did enjoy this book.

I'd recommend this read to anyone looking for an innocent feeling historical fantasy.

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Content:
Religion: Robert buys a puzzle with winged bulls with men's heads, which turns out to be a Sunday puzzle about the ancient Nin eveh. A story is told about a Ninevite boy who was the son of King Sannecherib. In one chapter the children wish for wings. They discuss whether or not the priest will confuse them for angels. The children hang out in a churchyard once.
Violence: the children find themselves in a few dangerous situations.

Spoiler

They find themselves in a seiged castle. They're captured by Indians and nearly scalped and roasted. But then they're saved.

Romance: one reference to an unfortunate love affair.
Other: The children find a magical creature that grants wishes

dreamawakebooks's review against another edition

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5.0

This has been one of my favourite books since I was a child. This version is the tie-in released alongside the BBC series produced and aired in the early 1990s. Having a huge collection of books, only about a third of which I have previously read, I have developed a method through which I choose my next 'to-read'. Imagine my excitement when this little gem popped up! I have loved every second of reading this book, although my adult brain does have a tendency to over-analyse the parts of the story that would leave a child open mouthed. How wonderful it would be if we could all remain a little as a child, rather than having to completely grow up. My only gripe is that Nesbit wrote very long chapters, and my 20 minute lunch break wouldn't allow me to read enough! I can't wait until my son is old enough to read this! Still a complete masterpiece of children's literature!

magda_the_reader's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

angelique68's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

triniredreading's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

A family listen - this is one of the books of my childhood that I shared with my 9 y.o. who rated it 7/5. Its age shows in some dated racial and social stereotypes but generally lovely.

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