Scan barcode
limeywesty's review against another edition
2.0
The premise of this book is fantastic, the no fuss, eager way it descends upon the plot, also good, however the applause ends there for me. The characters are lack lustre, the narrative repetitive and despite the potentially cool-graphic-novel-esque illustrations, the book fails to be punchy. There is just not enough captivating about this novel to maintain an interest for both children, and its visiting older readers: it's such a shame this book falls into the "only OK" category. It does not quite live up to the calibre of the "Word Spy" whose ideals it is attempting to build upon.
dustytiger29's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-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
4.5
Although a little slow going at the beginning, this book really heated up about 40 or 50 pages in. As a lover of words, history and adventure it was almost like this book was written specifically for me. Reading it as an adult meant that some of the little easter eggs placed throughout the book were a little easier for me to find but I really enjoyed it for what it was, kids fiction. As a primary school teacher it's easy for me to know the kids in my class that I will be recommending this to.
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
The idea of this series is really fascinating, but the execution is less than satisfying, after the first book. Little background, and maybe you get more as you go along, but it felt more focussed on having another action like sequence than helping understand the story.
Overall it was average, hopefully the second one will be better.
Overall it was average, hopefully the second one will be better.
bethadele's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad start to a trilogy, but not a great start either. It does feel as though the book is trying a little too hard to be clever, but I suspect now that the world of the word hunters has been established that future instalments will be tighter and a little less pretentious. The illustrations are quirky and cute.
lossie56's review against another edition
5.0
Word Hunters: The Curious Dictionary – Nick Earls/Terry Whidborne
UQP, August 2012
Paperback, 240 pp
ISBN: 978 0 7022 4945 7
RRP: $14.95
As a long time fan of Nick Earls’ works (often laughing helplessly when reading them), and a total word nerd, I was eager to read the first instalment of the Word Hunters series – a collaboration between Nick and Terry Whidborne.
Al and Lexie are twins from Fig Tree Pocket in Brisbane and as different as twins could possibly be. Al is a history ‘freak’ as described by his sister Lexie, who apparently acquires all her knowledge from reality tv shows. When Al’s pet rat escapes in the school library and scoots into a hole in the wall amidst the ‘out of bounds’ renovations, Al retrieves him but also finds a very strange, very old book called Walker & Fuller’s Curious Dictionary.
Much to the twins’ surprise, and indeed dismay, the book mysteriously and magically transports them back in time where they find themselves dressed in period clothing in 19th century Menlo Park, New Jersey – in close proximity to Thomas Edison’s laboratory. It becomes apparent to the twins that they are firstly on the trail of the history of the word ‘hello’ and their quest leads them in turn to a 19th century whaling ship, the Battle of Hastings, the library at Alexandria and more. From tracing the stable lineage of one of the oldest words in the world to learning about the origins of family names, the twins realise they must work together to survive all manner of sometimes dangerous situations.
Along the way the twins are introduced some very strange characters, particularly Caractacus ,and come to realise that they are not the only ‘word hunters’. Could the mysterious disappearance of their grandfather somehow be connected with word hunting? Who are the ‘H’ characters who have left their initials carved throughout time, along with tantalising anachronistic clues.
This adventure mystery is lively, funny and enlightening and Terry Whidborne’s steampunk-ish illustrations wonderfully match the style and pace of the story. Etymology has never been so much fun!
The second in the series The Lost Hunters is now out and the third in the series War of the Word Hunters is on its way.
Highly recommended for readers 10 and up who relish a well-paced exciting story.
UQP, August 2012
Paperback, 240 pp
ISBN: 978 0 7022 4945 7
RRP: $14.95
As a long time fan of Nick Earls’ works (often laughing helplessly when reading them), and a total word nerd, I was eager to read the first instalment of the Word Hunters series – a collaboration between Nick and Terry Whidborne.
Al and Lexie are twins from Fig Tree Pocket in Brisbane and as different as twins could possibly be. Al is a history ‘freak’ as described by his sister Lexie, who apparently acquires all her knowledge from reality tv shows. When Al’s pet rat escapes in the school library and scoots into a hole in the wall amidst the ‘out of bounds’ renovations, Al retrieves him but also finds a very strange, very old book called Walker & Fuller’s Curious Dictionary.
Much to the twins’ surprise, and indeed dismay, the book mysteriously and magically transports them back in time where they find themselves dressed in period clothing in 19th century Menlo Park, New Jersey – in close proximity to Thomas Edison’s laboratory. It becomes apparent to the twins that they are firstly on the trail of the history of the word ‘hello’ and their quest leads them in turn to a 19th century whaling ship, the Battle of Hastings, the library at Alexandria and more. From tracing the stable lineage of one of the oldest words in the world to learning about the origins of family names, the twins realise they must work together to survive all manner of sometimes dangerous situations.
Along the way the twins are introduced some very strange characters, particularly Caractacus ,and come to realise that they are not the only ‘word hunters’. Could the mysterious disappearance of their grandfather somehow be connected with word hunting? Who are the ‘H’ characters who have left their initials carved throughout time, along with tantalising anachronistic clues.
This adventure mystery is lively, funny and enlightening and Terry Whidborne’s steampunk-ish illustrations wonderfully match the style and pace of the story. Etymology has never been so much fun!
The second in the series The Lost Hunters is now out and the third in the series War of the Word Hunters is on its way.
Highly recommended for readers 10 and up who relish a well-paced exciting story.
rainbowhero789's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
thiefofcamorr's review against another edition
Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
kiarachelseamai's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
More...