librovert's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars for the Story - 0 Stars for the Audiobook.
I paid $3.95 for this audiobook during an Audible sale. It was not worth it. The narration itself was good, not in the kind of way that I would run out to buy every book ever narrated by Ralph Lister, but in the way that I wasn't bored listening to him.
However, this audiobook has sound effects. Awful, awful sound effects. At the very beginning of the book, Pinocchio is in a wooden crate and is hearing a discussion taking place outside the crate - the dialogue is muffled and I thought it was clever. But it was downhill from there. We meet Maestro (Bemis' shout out to Jiminy Cricket) who has a chittering cricket like echo imposed over the narrator every time he talks. We have Princess Lazuli, the blue fairy, who has a tinkling noise reverberating over her voice. When Pinocchio stands up there's the sound of gears whirring (he's an automaton instead of a marionette in this rendition). In some of the more action-packed scenes of fights and chaos I felt like I was listening through the sound effects to hear the narration. It was really distracting and took away from the story.
The story itself was a clever retelling of Pinocchio. Similar enough that many of the same ideas still stand, but different enough that Bemis made it his own. The Wooden Prince is a fun, insightful read for the intended age group - but it lacked some depth for me as an adult reader. We got to learn a lot about Pinnochio, but many of the other characters seemed lifeless. Definitely, recommend it for the middle grades, but probably won't pick up the next in the series (and definitely won't pick up the next audiobook).
I paid $3.95 for this audiobook during an Audible sale. It was not worth it. The narration itself was good, not in the kind of way that I would run out to buy every book ever narrated by Ralph Lister, but in the way that I wasn't bored listening to him.
However, this audiobook has sound effects. Awful, awful sound effects. At the very beginning of the book, Pinocchio is in a wooden crate and is hearing a discussion taking place outside the crate - the dialogue is muffled and I thought it was clever. But it was downhill from there. We meet Maestro (Bemis' shout out to Jiminy Cricket) who has a chittering cricket like echo imposed over the narrator every time he talks. We have Princess Lazuli, the blue fairy, who has a tinkling noise reverberating over her voice. When Pinocchio stands up there's the sound of gears whirring (he's an automaton instead of a marionette in this rendition). In some of the more action-packed scenes of fights and chaos I felt like I was listening through the sound effects to hear the narration. It was really distracting and took away from the story.
The story itself was a clever retelling of Pinocchio. Similar enough that many of the same ideas still stand, but different enough that Bemis made it his own. The Wooden Prince is a fun, insightful read for the intended age group - but it lacked some depth for me as an adult reader. We got to learn a lot about Pinnochio, but many of the other characters seemed lifeless. Definitely, recommend it for the middle grades, but probably won't pick up the next in the series (and definitely won't pick up the next audiobook).
teacher2library's review against another edition
4.0
More like 3.5 out of 5 stars. Glad to have another good retelling for my middle grade fairy tale fans!
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
My son doesn't usually delve into retold fairy tales, but the promise of an Italian gangster and sci-fi setting drew him in. A good read.
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Immersive fantasy with steampunk elements. A heartfelt journey of discovering the joys and kindness of humanity.
Disney's "Pinocchio" wasn't a movie I much cared for. I felt it an odd and frightening look at how bad things happen to good-intending people.
While this book takes elements from the original story but enhances them. From magical lands to a princess trying to rescue her father to an outcast alchemist to the faithful wooden puppet, this story shines a fresh new light on an old tale. I thoroughly enjoyed Pinocchio's point of view and innocence. The ensemble around him was also fantastic.
Very enjoyable retelling. I'd definitely read book 2 of this series!
Disney's "Pinocchio" wasn't a movie I much cared for. I felt it an odd and frightening look at how bad things happen to good-intending people.
While this book takes elements from the original story but enhances them. From magical lands to a princess trying to rescue her father to an outcast alchemist to the faithful wooden puppet, this story shines a fresh new light on an old tale. I thoroughly enjoyed Pinocchio's point of view and innocence. The ensemble around him was also fantastic.
Very enjoyable retelling. I'd definitely read book 2 of this series!
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
The Wooden Prince is a great re-telling of Pinocchio featuring wood-and-clockwork automatas (automatons), and the mystery, and discovery, of who one is. I loved the Italian renaissance/steam-punk feel, but didn't enjoy the writing all the much. (Ironically), it felt mechanical and clunky, rather than fluid. I do love a good fairy tale re-imagining though! For fans of Pinocchio, classics re-told, alternative histories.
writetoexpress's review against another edition
3.0
A unique retelling that I've read in a long while. Before reading this, I knew very little about the story of Pinocchio. I knew the obvious facts, such as his nose growing when he tells a lie and how he just wants to be a real boy. But besides the very minor basics, I didn't really know what to expect going into The Wooden Prince.
The one point that I must emphasize is Bemis' phenomenal ability to weave emotion throughout the book. Considering that this book is directed more towards middle graders, I found the writing to be perfect for any age group. The love, childhood innocence and humor felt genuine. I cannot emphasize that enough. It felt as if I were sitting down and conversing with one of my younger cousins.
I could easily picture this scene perfectly in my head. A child with a roaming curiosity. An adult who just wants to drop the subject altogether. Something, I sure we all can relate to.
I thoroughly enjoyed the unique steampunk twist on the story. Plus, I absolutely love the era of meticulous mechanics.
I thought the transitions of Pinocchio slowly turning into a living, breathing human were done differently than I'd originally though. For one, I didn't think the transition was going to skip around, starting with his feet, then his hands and arms, and eventually his entire body. I did; however, like the ability Pinocchio possessed but I don't say too much in fear of spoiling EVERYTHING.
I found the plot to be quite intriguing. A while back, I remember adding this book to my TBR. However, most of the books on that list either end of being marked as read or deleted later. I just so happened to stumble upon this book in the library and knew that as long as it was there, I would have to read it. So, I didn't entirely pick this book up on a whim, but in a way, I did. I don't regret it one bit. I loved the vast array of mythological characters and ridiculous situations they found themselves in.
I high recommend reading this book if you are a fan of retellings.
The one point that I must emphasize is Bemis' phenomenal ability to weave emotion throughout the book. Considering that this book is directed more towards middle graders, I found the writing to be perfect for any age group. The love, childhood innocence and humor felt genuine. I cannot emphasize that enough. It felt as if I were sitting down and conversing with one of my younger cousins.
"Why don't you live with her?"(pg. 52)
"She was killed," Geppetto said, his hand reflexively touching a jeweled pin on his shirt. "Along with my son."
"Oh," Pinocchio said. "Is that what happened to Don Antonio's automa?"
Geppetto frowned. "I did not kill Otto. Automa cannot die. They only stop functioning."
"But didn't your wife and son stop functioning when they were killed?"
"It's not the same," Geppetto said. "My family was once living. Otto was never truly alive."
I could easily picture this scene perfectly in my head. A child with a roaming curiosity. An adult who just wants to drop the subject altogether. Something, I sure we all can relate to.
I thoroughly enjoyed the unique steampunk twist on the story. Plus, I absolutely love the era of meticulous mechanics.
I thought the transitions of Pinocchio slowly turning into a living, breathing human were done differently than I'd originally though. For one, I didn't think the transition was going to skip around, starting with his feet, then his hands and arms, and eventually his entire body. I did; however, like the ability Pinocchio possessed but I don't say too much in fear of spoiling EVERYTHING.
I found the plot to be quite intriguing. A while back, I remember adding this book to my TBR. However, most of the books on that list either end of being marked as read or deleted later. I just so happened to stumble upon this book in the library and knew that as long as it was there, I would have to read it. So, I didn't entirely pick this book up on a whim, but in a way, I did. I don't regret it one bit. I loved the vast array of mythological characters and ridiculous situations they found themselves in.
I high recommend reading this book if you are a fan of retellings.
raine_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
tortacular's review against another edition
2.0
The world is interesting but the main characters fail to grab me.