mummytails's review against another edition
4.0
A pleasant little read, my daughter picked it from the library and enjoyed it and recommend I read it too
lizzillia's review against another edition
4.0
This book was sent to me digitally by Netgalley in return for a review.
This was an utterly charming book and it was so refreshing to read a tale where there were no references to mobile phones, laptops or Xbox games. Instead we had a story with good old fashioned villains.
The story, set in what seems to be a Victorian landscape, is about Clementine who lives with her Aunt Vermilia and Uncle Rufus - two of the most dreadful people you could come across. The way they are described is wonderful and the illustrations that run through the book capture their 'evilness' brilliantly and we are shown in detail how they commit their crimes. Although I say that Clementine lives with these two characters, in truth, she has a metal bed in an empty cellar room that she is locked in regularly. Her one friend is a white cat, Gilbert, who keeps appearing. Clementine has never been outside, she has never seen the world but dreams of a Magic Place where she could be happy.
The writing style is perfect for an adult reading aloud to children, the author uses questions to encourage to the child to think, to search through the beautifully detailed illustations. Reading this reminded me of the books that I used to read when my own son was young - a perfect book to share. The story - well, I won't spoil it but what normally happens to villains? But - look out for the dogs, that's all I'll say. Terrific fun.
All in all a great book for kids.
Thank you Netgalley.
This was an utterly charming book and it was so refreshing to read a tale where there were no references to mobile phones, laptops or Xbox games. Instead we had a story with good old fashioned villains.
The story, set in what seems to be a Victorian landscape, is about Clementine who lives with her Aunt Vermilia and Uncle Rufus - two of the most dreadful people you could come across. The way they are described is wonderful and the illustrations that run through the book capture their 'evilness' brilliantly and we are shown in detail how they commit their crimes. Although I say that Clementine lives with these two characters, in truth, she has a metal bed in an empty cellar room that she is locked in regularly. Her one friend is a white cat, Gilbert, who keeps appearing. Clementine has never been outside, she has never seen the world but dreams of a Magic Place where she could be happy.
The writing style is perfect for an adult reading aloud to children, the author uses questions to encourage to the child to think, to search through the beautifully detailed illustations. Reading this reminded me of the books that I used to read when my own son was young - a perfect book to share. The story - well, I won't spoil it but what normally happens to villains? But - look out for the dogs, that's all I'll say. Terrific fun.
All in all a great book for kids.
Thank you Netgalley.
a_robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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Information:
- Library book
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Review:
This was a lovely little book
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Review previously placed on my blog:
Review previously placed on my blog:
I have read The magic place by Chris Wormell. Read a physical copy from the library.
I randomly saw this at the library and picked it up. I'm glad I did. This was a very good and fun story to read. There were tropes I normally don't really like in this book, but in this one, because of the more fantasy aspect of the story, it worked for me. Also loved all the drawings a lot.
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almas's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
georgialouise's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning of this book was so good' I thought it was so creative and funny. A mix between Harry Potter and Matilda it had so much potential but the latter half just let it down.
I still enjoyed the book but I did find myself skipping a lot of the end.
I did however love the illustrations, they added so much to the story and made the reading experience much better.
I still enjoyed the book but I did find myself skipping a lot of the end.
I did however love the illustrations, they added so much to the story and made the reading experience much better.
bookshelves4paperelves's review against another edition
5.0
You know I’ve enjoyed a book when I read it all in one go.
I didn’t go into this book with any preconceived expectations as this is a new author for me, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this read.
The illustrations captured my heart. I absolutely adore them! And the description. Oh the description! I can’t even explain how much this book hit me with all the feels!
I have never experienced a book that has allowed me to imagine the story so vividly, until I read this and I cannot recommend this enough!
I didn’t go into this book with any preconceived expectations as this is a new author for me, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this read.
The illustrations captured my heart. I absolutely adore them! And the description. Oh the description! I can’t even explain how much this book hit me with all the feels!
I have never experienced a book that has allowed me to imagine the story so vividly, until I read this and I cannot recommend this enough!
saccalai's review against another edition
4.0
Clementine is kept locked up by her horrible aunt and uncle and only sees the outside by looking up her chimney to see a small square of sky. Despite this she has always dreamed of a place with huge mountains and green and wind, she calls this The Magic Place and it is what keeps her going even though everything at home seems so horrible.
I just knew this was going to be a magical book right from the start. I loved how the pictures weren't just illustrations but were actually a part of the story. Though I must say the vivid descriptions were quite expressive even without the pictures to look at. I could imagine the beetle-like Aunt Vermilia and crocodile Uncle Rufus.
Although Clementine doesn't seem to have much to hope for, she shows her strength and bravery. She manages to keep her defiance and gets back at her aunt and uncle is some small ways, even though she knows she will be punished. She always holds on to her hope that one day she will get away from them and find The Magic Place. I absolutely love a magical pet, and surely Gilbert is part magic as he is such a clever cat! He and a group of very persistent dogs actually play a big part in helping to save the day. With Gilbert's support, Clementine doesn't give up on her wish to escape.
I just knew this was going to be a magical book right from the start. I loved how the pictures weren't just illustrations but were actually a part of the story. Though I must say the vivid descriptions were quite expressive even without the pictures to look at. I could imagine the beetle-like Aunt Vermilia and crocodile Uncle Rufus.
Although Clementine doesn't seem to have much to hope for, she shows her strength and bravery. She manages to keep her defiance and gets back at her aunt and uncle is some small ways, even though she knows she will be punished. She always holds on to her hope that one day she will get away from them and find The Magic Place. I absolutely love a magical pet, and surely Gilbert is part magic as he is such a clever cat! He and a group of very persistent dogs actually play a big part in helping to save the day. With Gilbert's support, Clementine doesn't give up on her wish to escape.
ros_lanta's review against another edition
I really wasn't keen on either the plot or the writing style.
lilyp7's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you so much, NetGalley and David Fickling Books, for the chance to read and review this book!
TW: kidnapping and child abuse
Mistreated and abused by her wicked aunt and uncle, Clementine dreams of a magic place from her cellar bedroom, hoping she will, one day, escape the Great Black City. With the help of a peculiar and magical cat, Gilbert, one day Clementine decides to make her dreams come true.
With amazing illustrations, The magic place is a wonderful and lovely fairytale. funny and heartbreaking, intriguing and moving. Clementine was abused and hurt all her life and she's determined to survive and escape from her prison and her awful relative. I loved the descriptions, so evocative and intense and how the author and the illustrator describe the Great Black City, The magic place, the characters and their adventures.
Gilbert, the Grimbles, are intriguing characters, well written and rounded and I loved reading this book!
It filled me with hope and magic and it's absolutely splendid.
TW: kidnapping and child abuse
Mistreated and abused by her wicked aunt and uncle, Clementine dreams of a magic place from her cellar bedroom, hoping she will, one day, escape the Great Black City. With the help of a peculiar and magical cat, Gilbert, one day Clementine decides to make her dreams come true.
With amazing illustrations, The magic place is a wonderful and lovely fairytale. funny and heartbreaking, intriguing and moving. Clementine was abused and hurt all her life and she's determined to survive and escape from her prison and her awful relative. I loved the descriptions, so evocative and intense and how the author and the illustrator describe the Great Black City, The magic place, the characters and their adventures.
Gilbert, the Grimbles, are intriguing characters, well written and rounded and I loved reading this book!
It filled me with hope and magic and it's absolutely splendid.