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plaidpladd's review
1.0
I really wanted to like this book. The title definitely hooked me, and I was interested to see why the main character, Theo, was being imprisoned by the clearly evil Dr. Saint. Unfortunately, the plot quickly slowed to a series of random events which did not mesh seamlessly (or really at all) into a whole plot. Theo himself is completely unlikeable, spending most of the book scared, unsure of himself, and not understanding what is going on around him, making his a very poor narrative point of view. His sidekick, Chloe, is mainly used as a deus ex machina. Each time the author writes himself into a corner--SURPRISE! Chloe is a double agent with secret connections, Chloe has memorized the secret system of tunnels, Chloe has been fighting the evil Society of Good Works since she was six! I can tell the author wants me to find Chloe funny, exciting, and awesome--mostly because Theo spends the whole book telling me she is--but I never found a good enough reason to care about her. I also spent most of the novel confused about the time period. The narrative had a very steampunk feel, but at one point someone hands Theo a laptop. Dakin's attempt at world-building seems haphazard at best. At the end, a very minor character dies, and we're told by a tearful Chloe that this character "was the real hero of the story". Unfortunately, this is true, as this character--appearing in probably two scenes at most and doing nothing in either--was by far my favorite, since she hadn't appeared often enough to be annoying. What was she like? I have no idea, but almost anything would be better than the "heroes" we have. Hopefully some of these issues are cleared up in the sequel, but I can't see myself attempting to slog through more of Dakin's uninspired prose to read.
ladylondonderry's review
4.0
The Candleman is a book about a glowing superhero. It's a quick read and has its funny moments and good characters. When reading it late at night, Theo and Chloe tend to transform into Chleo, which means its time to go to bed because things stop making sense at that point.
There are a few instances in this book that I became really frustrated with it as I read it - the first being that for the life of me I cannot figure out what time period it should be set in. The "fungus globes" being something I've never heard of are the only indication that this is not our own timeline, but the only other thing I've had to point me in the right direction is thay it is some time after World War II. It bugged me all the way through the book that I could not find the precise date. Furthermore, I know this is dumb, but I feel as though Theo should have collapsed from exhaustion and muscle degeneration long before the halfway point of the book. But that is just my personal experience and perhaps his being the Candleman helped him there somewhat.
There are a few instances in this book that I became really frustrated with it as I read it - the first being that for the life of me I cannot figure out what time period it should be set in. The "fungus globes" being something I've never heard of are the only indication that this is not our own timeline, but the only other thing I've had to point me in the right direction is thay it is some time after World War II. It bugged me all the way through the book that I could not find the precise date. Furthermore, I know this is dumb, but I feel as though Theo should have collapsed from exhaustion and muscle degeneration long before the halfway point of the book. But that is just my personal experience and perhaps his being the Candleman helped him there somewhat.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
3.0
Loved it! This book is fantastic, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
Reading it the second time, I still found this book really enjoyable. The mysteries of the past haunting everyone, the suspenseful magic being revealed, the ghoulish setting with steam punky elements everywhere... I loved it all!
I found the main character, Theo, to be an enigma, and that kept my attention throughout the book. Due to his secluded upbringing, he is weird and has strange ideas. He doesn't know how to act in society, so he is deliciously awkward and doesn't even know it. Watching him rediscover the world provided so much comedic relief in this book.
I was grossed out by the slime and the melting eyeball faces towards the end, but I'll bet boys would love that kind of thing.
Reading it the second time, I still found this book really enjoyable. The mysteries of the past haunting everyone, the suspenseful magic being revealed, the ghoulish setting with steam punky elements everywhere... I loved it all!
I found the main character, Theo, to be an enigma, and that kept my attention throughout the book. Due to his secluded upbringing, he is weird and has strange ideas. He doesn't know how to act in society, so he is deliciously awkward and doesn't even know it. Watching him rediscover the world provided so much comedic relief in this book.
I was grossed out by the slime and the melting eyeball faces towards the end, but I'll bet boys would love that kind of thing.
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