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thealiplante's review against another edition
3.0
Very sweet book that makes me wish I was on Nantucket.
byhwdy1's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book as a child. I'd really like to find it and read it again to see if it's as good as I remember it being!
kiwikathleen's review against another edition
4.0
AT the end of [b:Black Hearts in Battersea|36637|Black Hearts in Battersea (The Wolves Chronicles, #2)|Joan Aiken|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388981387l/36637._SY75_.jpg|1145979], Dido Twite is missing at sea presumed dead. We, the readers, of course are confident that there will be more to come for her and Joan Aiken, this great children's author, agrees with us. So we find her at the beginning of this book, in a coma on board a whaling ship.
I've loved Joan Aiken's work since I was a child - she uses words beautifully, she tells hard facts (like the killing and butchering of a whale) in a matter-of-fact way, no simpering to soften it, but no shock factor. Other writers might have skipped over such items, but Aiken takes us fully into the world she creates and I totally respect that.
This is excellent historical fiction (in a slightly alternative history) and great adventure with terrific characters. I loved it as much on this reading as I did when I was a child.
I've loved Joan Aiken's work since I was a child - she uses words beautifully, she tells hard facts (like the killing and butchering of a whale) in a matter-of-fact way, no simpering to soften it, but no shock factor. Other writers might have skipped over such items, but Aiken takes us fully into the world she creates and I totally respect that.
This is excellent historical fiction (in a slightly alternative history) and great adventure with terrific characters. I loved it as much on this reading as I did when I was a child.
from_the_stacks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Brilliant fun from Joan Aiken, as always! She's such a clever writer - there's just enough description to spark your imagination, the dialogue is snappy (with super inventive slang), the characters are larger than life, and the plot swings from twist to twist without getting tangled in any unnecessary fluff. Dido and Pen make a good team and the villainous plot in this one is wonderfully crazy. The song verses sprinkled through the book are another nice touch. I only wonder what happened to the lobsters ... hahaha.
we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
4.0
The book featuring a daughter named Dutiful Penitence and her Aunt Tribulation, as mentioned in another review. I do not read a ton of middle grade fiction lately but The Wolves Chronicles so far are among the best.
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
3.0
I am not sure how I got this book, but it was in my house, and I read it. I'm not familiar with the author or with the series, but I found this to be a charming story with some twists.
leesmyth's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely more fun than I expected! Probably 3.5 stars.
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
4.0
The third installment of The Wolves Chronicles feels awfully similar to the previous entry, Black Hearts in Battersea. There are missing people, folks hiding their identities, and Hanoverian plot to overthrow the sitting king of England, which it is up to the children of the story to put a stop to. This time we get a different setting- on board a whaling ship to start, and then on the island of Nantucket. The story is fun and whimsical. It includes a pink whale that follows a sea captain around, and a huge cannon that is purported to fire across the Atlantic Ocean. These magical elements add a little something extra to the cozy, fireplace-read. Dido is a much better character in this installment than she was in the previous one, and Dutiful Penitence grows on you as she evolves into the best version of herself. It's a fun little adventure, and I honestly can't wait to get my hands on the next!