Reviews

The Train to Impossible Places: A Cursed Delivery by P.G. Bell

orlaithma's review against another edition

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4.0

Review to come as I'm dying with the flu and my brain is struggling to form sentences.

nightresplendent's review against another edition

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4.0

Review to come as I'm dying with the flu and my brain is struggling to form sentences.

dprice805's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

4.0

skylarkblue1's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-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

2.0

I'd say this book feels a bit like Strangeworlds Travel Agency, Alice in Wonderland and Dr Who with a train instead of a TARDIS lmao. I think the mix works quite well, but there's somehow not quite enough oomph to make this really work.

I'm not quite sure what happened with this book. I was really enjoying the start and part of the middle, I really loved some scenes especially like the ghosts. But then when we got to the big finale I kinda just... stopped paying attention/wasn't able to pay attention. I think by that point there was just *so* many characters with so many moving parts and a plot that was just so flat but also so convoluted at the same time that I just didn't really care much for the end of that plotline. 

With how many characters there were, it was really hard to really tell them apart and none of them felt particularly fleshed out because of the short time each one had. There never could be just 1 additional character introduced, whenever a new character came around there was another like 5 characters ontop in addition. All with their own names, role and like a sentence of backstory just to make it all even more convoluted. Wilmot was the only character that actually felt fleshed out, WAY more than even Suzy was - and Suzy is meant to be the main character!! I think the only fact I can think of for Suzy is just "she likes physics and maths, but physics more as it gives maths a purpose". The plot kinda just happens to her, she doesn't really grow at all during the story...

The world was super interesting though, I loved how the different worlds where described and portrayed, I loved the duel-tower approach as well (that's the part that felt very alice in wonderland-y). I would have loved to have more worldbuilding though instead of a hand-wavy "I don't have time to explain all that please go ask someone else" even if it was a question that's been asked *multiple* times throughout the book.

I feel like it's a good start, and maybe the sequel and the 3rd book are a lot better, but I'm not sure about the writing for this honestly. Not sure I'll pick up the next book.

b00kh0arder's review against another edition

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5.0

Review to come soon at The Wales Arts Review.

jowithtwoiis's review against another edition

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4.0

Suzy Smith was a lovely character and I enjoyed going on her incredible journey to impossible places! This book was a rollicking good adventure story with a quirky cast of characters, imaginative locations, and thrilling story. I was cheering for Suzy as she navigated the incredible world of the Impossible Places Postal Service and her attempts to right a wrong without all the pertinent information. This is a great story for girls that don't want to deal with mushy story lines, the plot is crisp and stays on point, never running into sentimentality or typical "girl story" tropes. I think because of this many boys would like it too. This is another book I'll be recommending to our younger patrons. :-)

miss_mouse_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous funny medium-paced

3.5

teacherkc's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted slow-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? N/A

3.0

edshara's review against another edition

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4.0

This was such a fun read. I loved the characters, as well as, the mix of science, math, and fantasy. I look forward to the next adventure.

matildateymur's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5*