daffodill37's review against another edition
3.0
Fun
Overall, I enjoyed this series. I liked the characters and loved the adventures. I think the author does a great job of setting up the scene for us. I'd recommend this to younger readers who enjoy fantasy and are just getting into it. In the end, I'm just not the target audience here. However, this kept me much more entertained than other MG titles I've tried to read. Good series.
Overall, I enjoyed this series. I liked the characters and loved the adventures. I think the author does a great job of setting up the scene for us. I'd recommend this to younger readers who enjoy fantasy and are just getting into it. In the end, I'm just not the target audience here. However, this kept me much more entertained than other MG titles I've tried to read. Good series.
katreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
The story comes together as a series of glimmers, with the backdrop changing and the characters adapting each time Light and Dark reset for a new battle. The action in the story is best described as interplay between two worlds, with Will going through normal Christmastime activities with his family that then become dangerous situations where Will must face the Dark. Time and scenery play a role as well. The Old Ones can move between different centuries, through doors that appear and the haunting music that leads the way. Similarly, the scenery flickers between the Light and the Dark. The snow, wind, and rain come and go as part of the battle between Light and Dark, each one paving the way for the next battle. This makes a story with a reasonably straightforward main theme of good and evil more unique as all of these ‘glimmers’ drive the storyline and the main action. The characters also follow this mold, which can be seen through character shifts throughout the story. Will seems to flicker between being an 11-year-old boy and an “Old One,” who is mature and wise far beyond his 11 years. This makes Will very realistic, as the reader understands the dilemmas that he faces from both the perspective of the boy and of the Old One. The interplay of Light and Dark in the novel is most clearly defined in the character of the Walker/Hawkin . Like Will, the reader is sympathetic and saddened by what he has gone through but knows that his decision to side with the Dark will lead to his downfall. Overall, this structure for the novel adds to what is an interesting and entertaining story.
bldinmt's review against another edition
3.0
While there is a physical "bad guy" in this book most of the scary/creepy factor is much more ephemeral in a way that made it more suspenseful reading for me. The darkness of night which brings on a paralysing sense of dread or a malevolent winter storm, isolating and freezing all, seems more hair-raising to me than just a bad wizard or serial killer or something concrete like that.
carmelade6645's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
popsicleplease's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.25
rainysakura's review against another edition
3.0
This book has lived rent free in my mind since I was in sixth grade. I have distinct memories of carrying it with me everywhere, sketching the cover in my notebooks... Despite all that, I never actually finished it that I recall. It's always been on my list of things to finish, so here we are, at the ripe old age of 33, finishing this book. Unfortunately, it's best left for the mind of a 12 year old. The adventure felt too simple and the characters too flat. I can't think of the last time I put an audiobook on x2 speed to get through a book, but here we are. 3.5 stars, rounded down. Sad face.
kevinc's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve held this book as one of my favourites since I first read it as a child 30+ years ago and it’s probably 20+ years since I last read it. I find that I now have to downgrade it.
While the story itself still holds up and the use of British mythology still gives it a somewhat dark and somber tone it is very much a children’s book.
The characters are drawn quite starkly, the divide between the good and bad characters is unambiguous, there’s no mistaking which side someone is on.
Our main character, Will Stanton, makes his way though a number of mini quests but when he succeeds it’s through no skill of his own. His triumphs are handed to him on a plate and his failures don’t have lasting consequences.
There were often points where Will would ask questions of his mentors/advisors and they weren’t answered for reasons that I’d describe as “for the drama”. Often the question wasn’t answered when asked but would just be answered a few pages later. This seemed to be less about allowing space for the character and reader to work out the answer than it was to manufacture some suspense.
I still think this is a really great book for children and a good read for adults. I fear that nostalgia raised my expectations a little to high for reading again as an adult.
While the story itself still holds up and the use of British mythology still gives it a somewhat dark and somber tone it is very much a children’s book.
The characters are drawn quite starkly, the divide between the good and bad characters is unambiguous, there’s no mistaking which side someone is on.
Our main character, Will Stanton, makes his way though a number of mini quests but when he succeeds it’s through no skill of his own. His triumphs are handed to him on a plate and his failures don’t have lasting consequences.
There were often points where Will would ask questions of his mentors/advisors and they weren’t answered for reasons that I’d describe as “for the drama”. Often the question wasn’t answered when asked but would just be answered a few pages later. This seemed to be less about allowing space for the character and reader to work out the answer than it was to manufacture some suspense.
I still think this is a really great book for children and a good read for adults. I fear that nostalgia raised my expectations a little to high for reading again as an adult.
annrhub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
309804490's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
Reread because Rachel was raving about them...and now that I'm not ten and spooked so easily, it was awesome! Much praise is due for using the "quest for ancient magical/sacred items" gimmick successfully.