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aepbuilder's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
amberdawn0249's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
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
3.0
reads_mei's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I’m super impressed, this book was so awesome! So was the book before it! It’s really starting to make me wonder how many years of history class the author must of taken to write suck a fascinating book. Oh right, I also love all the different clues. Those we’re super fun. I’d really like to use them, but I don’t think any Melchior or Galen would be real. I was super shocked to find out that some deaths were actually not caused by the plague. I knew it! I knew Melchior was up to something. I just didn’t believe Galen was in it too! I better go read the next book.
peyton_'s review against another edition
3.0
This is another good adventure story with Christopher. I appreciate the historical elements that are based on real events. I am enjoying this series and am looking forward to the next book.
the_one_av's review against another edition
5.0
It was even better than its predecessor shaping up to be a great second edition to the series. The twist was even more complex than I had originally thought, even though I was sure I had got it right on the nail. But it's a great read for those who want a sort of mystery set within the past.
msjennymax's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bibliomania_express's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Medical trauma
cornmaven's review against another edition
5.0
A continuation of the Blackthorn Key finds Christopher, his friend, Tom, and new recruit Sally, trying to keep the apothecary shop afloat after Benedict Blackthorn's death and in the midst of a plague. Christopher is still not an official apothecary, so he can't sell his remedies, and people are definitely desperate for a cure.
Into town comes a "prophet" who claims to be able to predict who will die, and another man who claims he has the one and only cure for the plague. And thus begins Christopher's quest to find out the truth, as people do die and people are seemingly cured, but something doesn't add up.
Sands' writing does not disappoint, and this story moves Christopher ever closer to fully realizing his gifts and talents and learning what he can become. Loved it loved it loved it. The villains are really bad, Master Benedict's spirit is ever present as it guides Christopher, and this kid can figure out codes like no one else.
Highly recommended.
NOTE: This review may appear on my library's social media book review channel in the future.
Into town comes a "prophet" who claims to be able to predict who will die, and another man who claims he has the one and only cure for the plague. And thus begins Christopher's quest to find out the truth, as people do die and people are seemingly cured, but something doesn't add up.
Sands' writing does not disappoint, and this story moves Christopher ever closer to fully realizing his gifts and talents and learning what he can become. Loved it loved it loved it. The villains are really bad, Master Benedict's spirit is ever present as it guides Christopher, and this kid can figure out codes like no one else.
Highly recommended.
NOTE: This review may appear on my library's social media book review channel in the future.
nateoldrin's review against another edition
5.0
WARNING: review for both The Blackthorn Key AND Mark of the Plague.
You know how every once in a while you come across a book that makes you grateful that you have learned to read? This is the experience I had with The Blackthorn Key, and double that with its sequel – Mark of the Plague.
The Blackthorn Key Adventure (I’m not sure whether this is the official title of the series, but I saw it mentioned on the cover of Mark of the Plague) are, in a word, extremely refreshing books. The author has managed to take such a well-known and probably overused time period and and turn it absolutely fascinating – all the while assisted by the fact that he has obviously done his research. But more than that, the characters don’t feel forced into the time period, which in itself doesn’t feel to be just used for aesthetic; all of the ideas are skillfully put together in harmony like pieces of a puzzle.
Segue into my next point – the puzzles! I have read a number of puzzle based books which emphasized the concept so much that I would honestly just get tired and confused. The Blackthorn Key once again manages to merge the idea of puzzles and puzzle solving so well into the world that you barely even notice (and more importantly, you don’t feel left out of the characters’ conversation when it comes to the solutions). None of the characters’ interactions with said puzzles seems unnatural or forced – for example the contrast between the way Christopher and his friend Tom view the puzzles emphasizes on their different personality aspects and worldview in a way that just compliments the rest of the narrative.
The prose is absolutely wonderful: it doesn’t take itself too seriously or try to be dark just for the sake of being Edgy; the humor that’s peppered carefully throughout the narrative is tasteful and incredibly entertaining (and laugh-out-loud!), but most of all Kevin Sands also knows when to be serious. The dialogue is extremely engaging without trying too hard, the expositions are solid, the pacing is steady, the narration is stable and smooth, and makes the characterization very clear. You are never left wondering about anyone’s intentions unless the author wanted you to – and in those cases, it is absolutely clear that any mystery surrounding anything or anyone was intentional, and leaves you wanting for more rather than, once again, feeling as if you’ve been left out of the loop and are simply eavesdropping at the door.
Another extremely positive point that I must simply mention is that the appearance of a female character in Mark of the Plague did in no way introduce romance into the series right away. I have great respect for the author for not taking that step quite yet (in a way, I’m hoping that Sally remains outside of romance even if Chris and Tom don’t). Which brings me to my next point! The characters! Oh God, the characters! It has been a while since I have been so enamored with characters! They’re fresh, interesting, sympathetic and different. You can almost immediately tell who says what in dialogues even if the speaker isn’t indicated clearly, which means they are extremely solid. The relationships each of them have with other people and with themselves is so well-explored and clear that you definitely can’t help but love even the villains. Not to mention that none of them are really that big a stereotypes as you might expect, the biggest surprise for me being Lord Ashcombe, whom, quite frankly, I was expecting to find strict beyond reason and righteous to a fault. The emotional aspects of the everyone’s struggles are also handled wonderfully and show very well the meaning of cause-and-consequence. This makes none of the characters’ actions feel illogical (even emotionally so) or misplaced at any point.
Quite frankly, I have not found a single sentence, word or comment that was misplaced in the entirety of both books. Also, judging by a couple of brief e-mails I exchanged with him, Kevin Sands himself seems to be a rather cool guy. Bonus points!
// https://firebirdreviews.wordpress.com/
You know how every once in a while you come across a book that makes you grateful that you have learned to read? This is the experience I had with The Blackthorn Key, and double that with its sequel – Mark of the Plague.
The Blackthorn Key Adventure (I’m not sure whether this is the official title of the series, but I saw it mentioned on the cover of Mark of the Plague) are, in a word, extremely refreshing books. The author has managed to take such a well-known and probably overused time period and and turn it absolutely fascinating – all the while assisted by the fact that he has obviously done his research. But more than that, the characters don’t feel forced into the time period, which in itself doesn’t feel to be just used for aesthetic; all of the ideas are skillfully put together in harmony like pieces of a puzzle.
Segue into my next point – the puzzles! I have read a number of puzzle based books which emphasized the concept so much that I would honestly just get tired and confused. The Blackthorn Key once again manages to merge the idea of puzzles and puzzle solving so well into the world that you barely even notice (and more importantly, you don’t feel left out of the characters’ conversation when it comes to the solutions). None of the characters’ interactions with said puzzles seems unnatural or forced – for example the contrast between the way Christopher and his friend Tom view the puzzles emphasizes on their different personality aspects and worldview in a way that just compliments the rest of the narrative.
The prose is absolutely wonderful: it doesn’t take itself too seriously or try to be dark just for the sake of being Edgy; the humor that’s peppered carefully throughout the narrative is tasteful and incredibly entertaining (and laugh-out-loud!), but most of all Kevin Sands also knows when to be serious. The dialogue is extremely engaging without trying too hard, the expositions are solid, the pacing is steady, the narration is stable and smooth, and makes the characterization very clear. You are never left wondering about anyone’s intentions unless the author wanted you to – and in those cases, it is absolutely clear that any mystery surrounding anything or anyone was intentional, and leaves you wanting for more rather than, once again, feeling as if you’ve been left out of the loop and are simply eavesdropping at the door.
Another extremely positive point that I must simply mention is that the appearance of a female character in Mark of the Plague did in no way introduce romance into the series right away. I have great respect for the author for not taking that step quite yet (in a way, I’m hoping that Sally remains outside of romance even if Chris and Tom don’t). Which brings me to my next point! The characters! Oh God, the characters! It has been a while since I have been so enamored with characters! They’re fresh, interesting, sympathetic and different. You can almost immediately tell who says what in dialogues even if the speaker isn’t indicated clearly, which means they are extremely solid. The relationships each of them have with other people and with themselves is so well-explored and clear that you definitely can’t help but love even the villains. Not to mention that none of them are really that big a stereotypes as you might expect, the biggest surprise for me being Lord Ashcombe, whom, quite frankly, I was expecting to find strict beyond reason and righteous to a fault. The emotional aspects of the everyone’s struggles are also handled wonderfully and show very well the meaning of cause-and-consequence. This makes none of the characters’ actions feel illogical (even emotionally so) or misplaced at any point.
Quite frankly, I have not found a single sentence, word or comment that was misplaced in the entirety of both books. Also, judging by a couple of brief e-mails I exchanged with him, Kevin Sands himself seems to be a rather cool guy. Bonus points!
// https://firebirdreviews.wordpress.com/