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michellehenriereads's review against another edition
4.0
I thought it was quite intriguing how Updale made the workers plight so immediate. She showed how a young person could easily be swayed into a fanatic belief and behavior that reminded me of the current political climate with terrorists attracting young men today. It was insightful to see the class distinction present in Paterson, New Jersey, USA as well as in London, England and Florence, Italy. The plight of migrant workers is another current political and social problem that has been faced for generations and in many countries.
I was quite distressed that one of the main characters died ...
To read the full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com
I was quite distressed that one of the main characters died ...
To read the full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com
gbliss's review against another edition
1.0
More accurate to say: STOPPED reading. And I don't do that very often. And yes, I'm instantly going from FIVE stars to ONE star with one book in a series. Not what you would expect, but this is a real fall off in quality and the features which make the first two so enjoyable are now gone.
To begin with, this book is set twenty years down the road from the last book. And that means we live a different world in terms science, technology, etc. And that, simply put, is one that is less interesting. Additionally, a YA series notable for its absence of YA protagonists -- and was interesting BECAUSE of that -- now has two, three YA protagonists. And to top it all off, the writing gets sloppy. Rule #1 -- to the point of overly constricting cliche -- is "Show, Don't Tell." In this book, Update adopts a Tell and then Tell some more. And this when she is truly capable of interesting, "showing" that fully conveys what her "telling" shares in a clunky, painful, and distracting way.
I MAY give #4 a try, but this was disappointing.
To begin with, this book is set twenty years down the road from the last book. And that means we live a different world in terms science, technology, etc. And that, simply put, is one that is less interesting. Additionally, a YA series notable for its absence of YA protagonists -- and was interesting BECAUSE of that -- now has two, three YA protagonists. And to top it all off, the writing gets sloppy. Rule #1 -- to the point of overly constricting cliche -- is "Show, Don't Tell." In this book, Update adopts a Tell and then Tell some more. And this when she is truly capable of interesting, "showing" that fully conveys what her "telling" shares in a clunky, painful, and distracting way.
I MAY give #4 a try, but this was disappointing.
poisebooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hckilgour's review
I got to page 50 before dnf’ing. I honestly feel like I can’t get a good read on the plot. Obviously they’re looking for a thief, but most of the story hasn’t been told from Montmorency’s perspective. And most of what’s been going on is trivial. I’m also just not impressed with the banter.
isabelalexander1998's review
5.0
This is a very good book. It never ceases to amaze me when a book from the back shelves of the library completely enthralls me.
I love a good ending, especially one that you could not possibly be expecting. It shows a low sense of sentimentality, which always makes a story more interesting.
One tiny issue (and I really mean tiny) is that some of the smaller plots were a little predictable, but this does not take anything away from the fact that I read this book almost constantly (obviously not in lessons...) for around three days. I can't see myself ever forgetting this story, it's characters or anything else about it and I desperately do not want "revenge" to be the last. My only consolation in this is that I am still yet to read the first story. Five stars, I could not have enjoyed it more!
I love a good ending, especially one that you could not possibly be expecting. It shows a low sense of sentimentality, which always makes a story more interesting.
One tiny issue (and I really mean tiny) is that some of the smaller plots were a little predictable, but this does not take anything away from the fact that I read this book almost constantly (obviously not in lessons...) for around three days. I can't see myself ever forgetting this story, it's characters or anything else about it and I desperately do not want "revenge" to be the last. My only consolation in this is that I am still yet to read the first story. Five stars, I could not have enjoyed it more!
shilo1364's review
4.0
Another exciting adventure, this time involving Italian anarchists and xrays. The writing is hard to get into at first -- it's a telling style -- but once it gets going it's easy to forget and just get wrapped up in the intrigue. It reminds me a bit of Sherlock Holmes.
iceangel9's review
5.0
The third book in the Montmorency saga continues the tale begun in the second book. Montmorency & George head to Italy to trace some stolen museum pieces only to find themselves involved in stopping an underground plot to bring down the crowned heads of Europe. When George's nephew Frank finds himself involved in the murderous political plot, Montmorency, Farcett, Vi, and Tom travel to America with Frank. The ending is sad and the story has some unexpected plot twists. It sets up the fourth book very well. If you like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, you will thoroughly enjoy Updale's writing.
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