titanic's review against another edition
3.0
Although this book was as enjoyable as the rest, I can't help but feel like the author tried to put so much information into it. I felt like Billy didn't stay at the O'Gres long enough, and the whole Oaths were over and done with so quickly, I really would have preferred if Billy stayed with them a little bit longer.
I also feel like the author wrote in a few more characters, only for them to have one job and leave. I understand that they all had roles to play, but the fact that Billy's relative was brought in only to save Paton was annoying, the same with Alice, as she was only really needed at the end of the book to tell Olivia her endowment. I still don't understand what happened with the teacher, and why he was pretending to be two people, maybe that will get cleared up in the next book or two, or maybe I missed it...I'm not quite sure.
Overall, the book was interesting, but so much was packed into it that I felt she was skipping over important bits and dragging out boring bits...Not my favourite of this series.
I also feel like the author wrote in a few more characters, only for them to have one job and leave. I understand that they all had roles to play, but the fact that Billy's relative was brought in only to save Paton was annoying, the same with Alice, as she was only really needed at the end of the book to tell Olivia her endowment. I still don't understand what happened with the teacher, and why he was pretending to be two people, maybe that will get cleared up in the next book or two, or maybe I missed it...I'm not quite sure.
Overall, the book was interesting, but so much was packed into it that I felt she was skipping over important bits and dragging out boring bits...Not my favourite of this series.
itsmeboo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
fj1204's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
schnoebs13's review against another edition
4.0
The promise of adoptive parents for Billy Raven might finally happen thanks to Ezekiel Bloor but uncertainty remains. At the same time, a war horse with the evil heart of one of the original children of the red king has been resurrected from death. These new events are pushing the balance of the endowed children off at the academy and danger lurks around every corner. Charlie Bone must do everything he can to help keep the balance but will he be able to do that when it appears he might be one step closer to discovering the whereabouts of his father?
I really had a fun time with book and enjoyed the increased history we received surrounding the original children of the red king. One of the biggest things is that Charlie is shown to not be perfect and that his actions have consequences. I appreciated the role the adults played in this book and helping to lead the children in the direction they must go in. The discussion around keeping the balance really played a vital role in this and I appreciated seeing how that factor influenced the course of the book.
I really had a fun time with book and enjoyed the increased history we received surrounding the original children of the red king. One of the biggest things is that Charlie is shown to not be perfect and that his actions have consequences. I appreciated the role the adults played in this book and helping to lead the children in the direction they must go in. The discussion around keeping the balance really played a vital role in this and I appreciated seeing how that factor influenced the course of the book.
librarylisa614's review against another edition
4.0
Liking the series more as we go... the pacing has picked up and I am attached to the characters. After all, a poor imitation of a Harry Potter series is better than no imitations of Harry Potter :) Still clean and suitable for younger readers. Someone said darn in the book *gasp* and someone else called a character fat, so the language is just fine.
shaekin's review against another edition
4.0
This one had better moments than some of the previous ones. Some of the resolutions weren't as predictable and they FINALLY know who is father is, which everyone knew who that was from book one. I would say my interest in the series is increasing.
corisb32's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
aspasia17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0