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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
Well, that was different. As others noted, we seem to be about to take a new direction.
Bradley is, I think, 75 now but his website says he's working on #7 of a planned 10 Flavia books.
Flavia is her delightful self again, showing some signs of growing up. We learn a lot about her family situation and history here, but there's still a puzzle to be solved too.
Her father continues to be more of a pill in each book. Sighing, looking out the window, and that oldest literary cliché of all, refusing to eat even a bite of his meals. He needs a good smack.
Dogger, with his increasing habit of appearing out of nowhere AND his increasing medical capability, will soon become Terry Pratchett's Igor. He'll thoon thtart lithping and thewing people together from thpare parth.
But Flavia's slight separation from her sisters is addressed, and a path is set for her character to expand in future books.
Not as good, perhaps, as some of the others, but probably a necessary step to keep the series at the high level we're used to. Still a very good read.
Bradley is, I think, 75 now but his website says he's working on #7 of a planned 10 Flavia books.
Flavia is her delightful self again, showing some signs of growing up. We learn a lot about her family situation and history here, but there's still a puzzle to be solved too.
Her father continues to be more of a pill in each book. Sighing, looking out the window, and that oldest literary cliché of all, refusing to eat even a bite of his meals. He needs a good smack.
Dogger, with his increasing habit of appearing out of nowhere AND his increasing medical capability, will soon become Terry Pratchett's Igor. He'll thoon thtart lithping and thewing people together from thpare parth.
But Flavia's slight separation from her sisters is addressed, and a path is set for her character to expand in future books.
Not as good, perhaps, as some of the others, but probably a necessary step to keep the series at the high level we're used to. Still a very good read.
thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
I received this advance copy as a Goodreads giveaway.
This story zips along from start to finish. And while it has some macabre moments, overall it is probably the strongest of the series to date.
It resolves the cliffhanger from the last book, so that one is essential reading before picking up this one.
The story of Flavia de Luce's family, so troubled and enigmatical for so long now, is finally explained in this story. Why did Flavia's mother leave her young family ten years ago to be a supposed thrillseeker in the Himalayas? Why do Flavia's sisters resent her so much more than seems reasonable? What exactly happened to her father and Dogger during the war?
Some of the plot at first glance just seems bizarre, but you have to remember that you are reading the wishful thinking of an 11-year-old. An incredibly intelligent 11-year-old, but still, also one who has grown up bereaved of a mother in a very unusual family, and remains fairly naive about things other than chemistry.
And the explanations that come from Aunt Felicity are also, in a way, straight out of an 11-year-old's box of "amazing things that should happen." And yet there's just enough detail and characterization that you as a reader are mostly willing to accept it.
This series has just crossed into new territory. It'll be interesting to see where it goes next.
This story zips along from start to finish. And while it has some macabre moments, overall it is probably the strongest of the series to date.
It resolves the cliffhanger from the last book, so that one is essential reading before picking up this one.
The story of Flavia de Luce's family, so troubled and enigmatical for so long now, is finally explained in this story. Why did Flavia's mother leave her young family ten years ago to be a supposed thrillseeker in the Himalayas? Why do Flavia's sisters resent her so much more than seems reasonable? What exactly happened to her father and Dogger during the war?
Some of the plot at first glance just seems bizarre, but you have to remember that you are reading the wishful thinking of an 11-year-old. An incredibly intelligent 11-year-old, but still, also one who has grown up bereaved of a mother in a very unusual family, and remains fairly naive about things other than chemistry.
And the explanations that come from Aunt Felicity are also, in a way, straight out of an 11-year-old's box of "amazing things that should happen." And yet there's just enough detail and characterization that you as a reader are mostly willing to accept it.
This series has just crossed into new territory. It'll be interesting to see where it goes next.
stuckinwonderland's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely insane from start to finish. I adore Flavia’s mother.
Can you imagine your boring, old, mean aunt being The Gamekeeper?? Hello!!! Alan Bradley you’ve done it again.
Can you imagine your boring, old, mean aunt being The Gamekeeper?? Hello!!! Alan Bradley you’ve done it again.
squeakywindow's review against another edition
5.0
A feeling of dread hit me the moment i started this one. The cliffhanger from the last book into this is NOT what I was expecting and I could not help but feel the despair by the de Luce family. However, so much is revealed in this one that I feel is the start of something even better than what we have read already!
toastyghosty13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This was an oddly unsettling book that I have read of this series thus far. Most of the mysteries that Flavia solves are somewhat detached from Flavia and the De Luce family, but this time they find her mother's body. Flavia then starts the arduous and emotional process of proving her mother's murder and solving it, which would be traumatic for anyone.
The ending of this book was a slight cliffhanger that was a great setup for the next book. I am heavily invested in Flavia, and I feel like this fits very well with the fact that I have been reading the Gallagher Girls series lately too. I love Flavia's adventures and I think the next books will be a great change of pace for her.
The ending of this book was a slight cliffhanger that was a great setup for the next book. I am heavily invested in Flavia, and I feel like this fits very well with the fact that I have been reading the Gallagher Girls series lately too. I love Flavia's adventures and I think the next books will be a great change of pace for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Murder
applegnreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this series but I'm wondering what future books will look like. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable. I love Flavia.
flutegirl24's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
madmooney's review against another edition
5.0
I had received this book in advance of its publilcation date, so I was among the first cohort of fans to receive momentary closure on the final "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA?" moment in 'Speaking from Among the Bones', the previous novel.
So Flavia's mother is found, and she is coming home...what will this mean for the DeLuce's? What will this mean for Buckshaw's crumbling halls, and the financial weight that has plagued the Colonel from book 1?
The book certainly satisfies many questions I have had about the series so far, many mysteries have been dragged out into the light. One would argue this is the point where the book was eventually going to hit, as the series concludes.
However, once again, the quickening moments in the book's final chapter not only puts those feelings of series-finality to rest, but it makes me SO VERY EXCITED for where the story will go next!!!! *cough*Toronto*cough*
So Flavia's mother is found, and she is coming home...what will this mean for the DeLuce's? What will this mean for Buckshaw's crumbling halls, and the financial weight that has plagued the Colonel from book 1?
The book certainly satisfies many questions I have had about the series so far, many mysteries have been dragged out into the light. One would argue this is the point where the book was eventually going to hit, as the series concludes.
However, once again, the quickening moments in the book's final chapter not only puts those feelings of series-finality to rest, but it makes me SO VERY EXCITED for where the story will go next!!!! *cough*Toronto*cough*
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite Flavia mystery, but still a worthwhile read and an important piece in the books that will follow. Changes are afoot!