Pulpy fluff, like all of the other Dan Brown novels, but I enjoyed this one more than Inferno, for sure. There were definitely some ridiculous momentsPulpy fluff, like all of the other Dan Brown novels, but I enjoyed this one more than Inferno, for sure. There were definitely some ridiculous moments, but fewer than in most of his other books. I was super surprised that the climax of the book came so far before the end. It was a refreshing change from his past books, particularly Inferno, which just seemed to have one thing after another happen right up until the end of the book. In this case, I had more or less guessed who was behind the mystery, but that didn't really diminish the story for me. I was really engaged in the book the whole time. Super entertaining, if you can't suspend your disbelief and just go with it.
Merged review:
Pulpy fluff, like all of the other Dan Brown novels, but I enjoyed this one more than Inferno, for sure. There were definitely some ridiculous moments, but fewer than in most of his other books. I was super surprised that the climax of the book came so far before the end. It was a refreshing change from his past books, particularly Inferno, which just seemed to have one thing after another happen right up until the end of the book. In this case, I had more or less guessed who was behind the mystery, but that didn't really diminish the story for me. I was really engaged in the book the whole time. Super entertaining, if you can't suspend your disbelief and just go with it....more
This was a very breezy little story with a good message. I liked it, although I understand what some other reviewers say about it not being too deep. This was a very breezy little story with a good message. I liked it, although I understand what some other reviewers say about it not being too deep. I think the story could resonate with 4-5th grade students.
Merged review:
This was a very breezy little story with a good message. I liked it, although I understand what some other reviewers say about it not being too deep. I think the story could resonate with 4-5th grade students....more
Good beach read. I enjoyed it. The only thing is that I was quite annoyed in this book by the way that the author built the suspense in the novel. It Good beach read. I enjoyed it. The only thing is that I was quite annoyed in this book by the way that the author built the suspense in the novel. It was just overdone. I think this was true in her previous books, too, but it really struck me this time. From the beginning, there is "what happened at the barbecue" hanging over everything and referred to constantly. A little more than halfway through the book, we find out more or less what happened. I think that the book could have been just as successful (and probably better) without this false "suspense" hanging over everything. Everything in the book is like that... Referred to early on and then you have to wait and wait for the reveal. What was Erika's childhood secret? And Oliver's? How did Tiffany get rich? How is Harry connected to everything? What is it that Erika can't remember? I could go on... From the smallest to the largest plot points, everything is a secret to be revealed. (I won't mention some other things so as not to spoil.)
For the most part, I had actually more or less guessed at the answers to most of these secrets before they were revealed, particularly the big ones that you learn at the very end of the book.
Despite all of that, I still enjoyed the book. It is pretty well written and the story itself was good. I would just like for Moriarty to tone down the suspense/reveal a bit in the future....more
I think I liked this book better than the first in the series. I felt that it dove into the intrigue more quickly and had more action going on throughI think I liked this book better than the first in the series. I felt that it dove into the intrigue more quickly and had more action going on throughout. However, much of that action was not very credible. Too many moments that could not possibly happen (especially the encounters with the Germans near the end) and that seemed out of place historically. I'll still probably give the next book a try....more
We had watched the Disney version first and then decided to listen to the audiobook. I found the movie version to be stronger. From looking at some otWe had watched the Disney version first and then decided to listen to the audiobook. I found the movie version to be stronger. From looking at some other comments, I think that the book would have been better as well because of the graphic elements.
There are some funny moments, but Timmy is not a super likable character since he is very self-centered (only sees his own POV) and often quick mean to others. I often tell my kids that it's good to be weird and do your own thing, but Timmy is so extreme--in a way that is often quite self-destructive or at least unhelpful to himself. I had to have a little debriefing afterwards on healthy limits.
My 9 year old liked it, so I'll give it an average rating....more
Not quite as good as the first book in the series. My kids still really enjoyed reading about Peter and Fudge and their relationship. There are lots oNot quite as good as the first book in the series. My kids still really enjoyed reading about Peter and Fudge and their relationship. There are lots of entertaining and funny bits. But, as others have said, I was a bit surprised by the chapter about Christmas and what it reveals about Santa. Luckily, I was reading aloud to my boys and managed to skip through the parts that I didn't want to reveal. I think that it would have been kind of sad if I had given the book to my son to read on his own. I want him to be able to hang on to his sense of wonder and innocence as long as he can, so I wouldn't want that to be taken away by a book. ...more
I read this series of books when I was a kid, and now I'm reading them with my two young sons (5 & 9). My boys absolutely loved this book! They reallyI read this series of books when I was a kid, and now I'm reading them with my two young sons (5 & 9). My boys absolutely loved this book! They really couldn't get enough of the naughtiness of Fudge and the relationship between the brothers. I think that my older son could really connect with Peter, since he is also an older brother to a somewhat more active little brother. But, it also showed my son that his little brother could be a lot worse!
I think this is the first book that my kids tell stories about to others. There is so much authenticity in it that they talk about the characters almost as if they are kids they know. We will definitely keep reading this series together....more
I'm going to give this four stars because I don't think it will stick with me in the way that some books do. But, this is a very good book. I knew theI'm going to give this four stars because I don't think it will stick with me in the way that some books do. But, this is a very good book. I knew the story ahead of time--I had a broad idea of what took place with Harvey Weinstein and had heard Ronan Farrow speaking about it once the story had come out. I'd also heard tons of praise about the book and thought that it would be well written. But, I was kind of on the fence about Ronan Farrow--he seemed a bit of "golden boy" to me, someone who had been born to privilege and may not have truly earned all the praise. Reading this book showed me how mistaken I was. I didn't realize how many forces have actually been at work against him over the years. I had heard that this was like a "spy novel". What I didn't realize was that there were actual spies at work trying to undermine Farrow's (and other's) reporting. It is shocking, though not that surprising, to read about the power that the wealthy and powerful have to influence everything--including the news media. I developed a lot of respect for Farrow and the other reporters/producers/editors around him (and let me say, also the women) who continued to try to get to the truth and tell it, even when faced with intimidation and threats. It just reinforced for me the need for a strong, independent media.
I definitely think this is a book that should be read by many.
I liked the historical fiction account of Crazy Horse in this book, and my 9 year old son enjoyed the story quite a bit. I think that the structure ofI liked the historical fiction account of Crazy Horse in this book, and my 9 year old son enjoyed the story quite a bit. I think that the structure of the book was a little confusing, particularly at the beginning of the book, because it was following the travels of Crazy Horse. This meant that there was quite a lot of moving backward and forward in time within the story of Crazy Horse. I found it a bit hard to follow, so that would be magnified for younger kids. Finally, I liked the idea that the story was meant to teach the grandson, Jimmy, a valuable lesson about courage, but I just didn't feel as if the connection between the two stories was strong enough. I still think the book is worth reading....more
Another good entry in this series. At first, I didn't like the "reincarnated client" case in this book, which was the main story line, since I don't rAnother good entry in this series. At first, I didn't like the "reincarnated client" case in this book, which was the main story line, since I don't really like more fantastical elements in my cozy mysteries. I actually found some of the other side stories a little more interesting (like the snoring husband of the former client). But, in the end, I liked how the main story came together. I appreciated the historical element of the money system part of the story, but I don't think that it really added all that much to the book. Overall, I enjoyed this book and will continue to read the series....more
I liked this book quite a lot--much more than many of the newer "popular" mystery choices. I was relieved that this book didn't rely primarily on the I liked this book quite a lot--much more than many of the newer "popular" mystery choices. I was relieved that this book didn't rely primarily on the unreliable narrator trick. The book is told in three different perspectives. It is, at first, perhaps a little confusing. But, after a few chapters, the reader can start to figure out who is who and how they are related.
I do think that the beginning of the book was a lot stronger than the end. I was a bit disappointed by how the book ended and, in particular, how predictable everything turned out to be. I could see everything coming pretty early on. Still, overall, I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it for a light bit of reading....more
I liked this book more than #14. At least here there weren't any of the supernatural elements. But, this book didn't live up to some of the earlier onI liked this book more than #14. At least here there weren't any of the supernatural elements. But, this book didn't live up to some of the earlier ones. This book takes place mainly in Washington, DC and somewhat in Baltimore. I understand why the authors might have wanted to switch up the formula and move away from New York, but I didn't love the new setting. I kind of missed the usual gang of characters (although some of them showed up near the end) and I didn't really care for all of the spy references. I hope the series goes back to the regular old mysteries in the next books in the series....more
I'm a bit torn about this book. I enjoyed parts of it for sure. I was actually kind of surprised that it was a rehash of the Hunger Games. I mean, anoI'm a bit torn about this book. I enjoyed parts of it for sure. I was actually kind of surprised that it was a rehash of the Hunger Games. I mean, another set of kids in the arena, albeit old-school and therefore less interesting this time around.
Overall, I think Collins wants the reader to understand and maybe even empathize with Snow. I found this problematic because there is this attempt to make him out to be a kid trying to deal with difficult circumstances, when in fact everything he does is self-serving.
It was an okay read. I did want to finish it, but was left disappointed in the end. I think I had expected and hoped for something different......more
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