Scan barcode
juller's review against another edition
3.0
I started with high interest and high hopes. I finished a little disappointed. When it came to the last few chapters, it just felt like a let down. I felt like the story was building, building, and then, the Cliff Note version of an ending. Then to throw out that last fact in the last few pages...?
Speaking in a literary sense, the death of one of the characters seemed pointless, as in it didn't seem to add to the plot, and the feelings/reaction of the character who should have been most affected were just glossed over. In short, it just seemed kind of tossed in the story at the last minute.
On a positive note, I liked the main character, Jess. She was strong and courageous.
Speaking in a literary sense, the death of one of the characters seemed pointless, as in it didn't seem to add to the plot, and the feelings/reaction of the character who should have been most affected were just glossed over. In short, it just seemed kind of tossed in the story at the last minute.
On a positive note, I liked the main character, Jess. She was strong and courageous.
telltalepage's review against another edition
4.0
Dark and mysterious, faeries, ouji boards and Victorian England? Count me in!
This book was quite good at bringing me into the time period, with Smith's grotesque and vivid representation of the times, especially as we follow the main character, Jessamine, from a prim and proper town to the slums of the East Side of London. The plotline was pretty basic and I figured out all of the "twists" before they happened; as a seasoned fantasy reader, it was easy to spot where some of the subplots were headed!
There was a lovely cast of characters (3 girls > 1 boy and a male faerie!!) which was fun to read about. I enjoyed Jess's determination, though I felt like the story happened much too quickly (internal timeline wise), and the ending chapter/plot point felt very haphazardly thrown into the mix just to give a more rounded ending. It didn't quite jive with me, but the rest of the book was so engaging because of the writing style, I was happy to give this a four star rating.
This book was quite good at bringing me into the time period, with Smith's grotesque and vivid representation of the times, especially as we follow the main character, Jessamine, from a prim and proper town to the slums of the East Side of London. The plotline was pretty basic and I figured out all of the "twists" before they happened; as a seasoned fantasy reader, it was easy to spot where some of the subplots were headed!
There was a lovely cast of characters (3 girls > 1 boy and a male faerie!!) which was fun to read about. I enjoyed Jess's determination, though I felt like the story happened much too quickly (internal timeline wise), and the ending chapter/plot point felt very haphazardly thrown into the mix just to give a more rounded ending. It didn't quite jive with me, but the rest of the book was so engaging because of the writing style, I was happy to give this a four star rating.
rjdenney's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS!!
Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith became one of my favorite books of all-time when I read it last year and I was eager to read more of Ronald’s books. I finally was able to get a hold of The Mesmerist and it was a pretty quick and fun read. I won’t say it is just as good as Hoodoo because it is not, but for a Middle-Grade supernatural thriller that takes place in the Victorian era, it was a good time. I read this with the audio book and the narrator was perfect for this story.
Of course I still want to read more of Ronald’s books and hope to find something of his that is just as amazing as Hoodoo. I will say if you’re looking for a middle-grade version of The Infernal Devices, this one is perfect for you.
Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith became one of my favorite books of all-time when I read it last year and I was eager to read more of Ronald’s books. I finally was able to get a hold of The Mesmerist and it was a pretty quick and fun read. I won’t say it is just as good as Hoodoo because it is not, but for a Middle-Grade supernatural thriller that takes place in the Victorian era, it was a good time. I read this with the audio book and the narrator was perfect for this story.
Of course I still want to read more of Ronald’s books and hope to find something of his that is just as amazing as Hoodoo. I will say if you’re looking for a middle-grade version of The Infernal Devices, this one is perfect for you.
mortaldivergence's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
It felt a little rushed at times, but was still a fun quick read!
It felt a little rushed at times, but was still a fun quick read!
jessethereader's review against another edition
This was not what I was expecting at all! It's definitely a pretty dark middle grade read, but it also had some fun moments. There were times where I felt the plot was all over the place, but it was still pretty enjoyable.
eatpizzaluvlife's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun little supernatural novel. The exposition was beautifully done having me really picture what was going on in the story. I did feel as though the ending was a bit rushed compared to the beginning. However, a great story was told, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
kice7788's review against another edition
4.0
Wow such a great kids book!! I cannot lie- I picked this up only because of the cover. Which is amazing by the way. But it really shocked me! I loved the plot and the magic system. Great for kids and older kids! Only reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars is because it didn’t explain everything I wanted it to and it’s not a series. I really enjoyed the main character and how you go through the story with her! I do have to say there were some plot points that didn’t really need to be told or to happen in general but it didn’t ruin the book for me!
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
Oooo, this was a dark one! A thrilling, paranormal/Victorian/horror MG read featuring lots of supernatural elements that I as they were revealed added layers of interesting plot points to the story. It took me a while to get through this, but overall I thought it was fun, super dark, and very sinister at times. Upper elementary through probably 7th graders readers would eat it up. It reminded me a little of a better kid's version of the first Miss Peregrine book with some Jackaby thrown in there with the supernatural Victorian setting stuff.
drea_design's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
It was an interesting story. I probably would have liked it better if I was a bit younger. I was obliviously not the target market for this book.
It was an interesting story. I probably would have liked it better if I was a bit younger. I was obliviously not the target market for this book.
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
Like Penny Dreadful without the moral ambiguity and most of the screaming - but definitely creepy-scary and with the same gorgeous Victorian verisimilitude. Opulence and squalor given the same lush treatment. A real page-turner!