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taneilcasey's review against another edition
2.0
My review on this book will be interesting, because I love the storyline, but there are several things that drop down my rating. There was a smattering of crude humor and language, and several paragraphs that I prefered to skip.
On the other hand, like I said the story is facinating. You have to read it to discover the storyline, I am afraid that anything I say will give it away.
On the other hand, like I said the story is facinating. You have to read it to discover the storyline, I am afraid that anything I say will give it away.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
3.0
Okay so it took about 6 months be we finally finished this. It was good. I mean I wouldn't read it just for fun but reading it with my son WAS fun. It may have been a bit beyond his 11-year old reading level but that's another reason it was good to read this with him. He didn't ever seem to get bored so that's a good sign.
It's basically a medieval "fantasy" with no magic, set in a world with christianity but different countries. It seems kind of strange to mix the two becuase for a while you're wondering, "Is this earth?" But then there's no mention of "real" places like England or France or anything.
This isn't a romping adventure over hill and dale, it's the story of a young prince that has been captured by an enemy king. There are moments of tension and suspense and you REALLY want the good guys to win the whole time because the situation is pretty grim.
So I would suggest this to 11-13 year-olds who like medieval settings.
It's basically a medieval "fantasy" with no magic, set in a world with christianity but different countries. It seems kind of strange to mix the two becuase for a while you're wondering, "Is this earth?" But then there's no mention of "real" places like England or France or anything.
This isn't a romping adventure over hill and dale, it's the story of a young prince that has been captured by an enemy king. There are moments of tension and suspense and you REALLY want the good guys to win the whole time because the situation is pretty grim.
So I would suggest this to 11-13 year-olds who like medieval settings.
lopezy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
honeypielovesbooksnthebeatles's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
richardpierce's review against another edition
3.0
Solid and engrossing read. Took me a day. Reminded me of Inkheart but in no way derivative. Really enjoyable.
squishies's review
4.0
Brief premise: The kings of Moltovia and Vinland have long hated each other, and the people passes on stories on how undesirable and repugnant the other is.
It was strange then that the King of Vinland, Theodo, invited King Philip to a peace-offering banquet in his castle. Strange, but to Prince Florin of Moltovia that meant that there will be finally peace between the neighbouring countries.
When Prince Florin receives a missive from his father to join him at the banquet, he sets off eagerly and impatiently... until King Theodo reveals his treachery upon his arrival: King Philip and his court dirty, wounded, tortured, and in chains - his army retinue dead.
Prince Florin's sharp retorts to the ridiculing jester, Mimus, earns him a place as the jester's pupil, little Mimus, and his true identity hidden from the castle's staff.
Mimus, though, is not all what he seems and help comes from the most unlikely places.
Translated from German into English by John Brownjohn.
The story is pretty engrossing (enough to make me miss my station!) and the majority of it is of Florin learning how to become a jester - much against his will, but finds that he has a knack for it (well I think so anyways).
Mimus is such a complex character... like an onion (or parfait) there are layers and layers of it. Quite like him and it kind of feels like Florin doesn't quite get Mimus and his intentions until the scene has played out.
Good pace; quite clever i thought.
It was strange then that the King of Vinland, Theodo, invited King Philip to a peace-offering banquet in his castle. Strange, but to Prince Florin of Moltovia that meant that there will be finally peace between the neighbouring countries.
When Prince Florin receives a missive from his father to join him at the banquet, he sets off eagerly and impatiently... until King Theodo reveals his treachery upon his arrival: King Philip and his court dirty, wounded, tortured, and in chains - his army retinue dead.
Prince Florin's sharp retorts to the ridiculing jester, Mimus, earns him a place as the jester's pupil, little Mimus, and his true identity hidden from the castle's staff.
Mimus, though, is not all what he seems and help comes from the most unlikely places.
Translated from German into English by John Brownjohn.
The story is pretty engrossing (enough to make me miss my station!) and the majority of it is of Florin learning how to become a jester - much against his will, but finds that he has a knack for it (well I think so anyways).
Mimus is such a complex character... like an onion (or parfait) there are layers and layers of it. Quite like him and it kind of feels like Florin doesn't quite get Mimus and his intentions until the scene has played out.
Good pace; quite clever i thought.
amberacks12's review
3.0
Cute and fun. Took way too long in my opinion- a lot of the story could have been resolved in half the pages. But I liked the story and the characters and the unique concept.