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thestoryowl's review against another edition
4.0
Poor Juniper, I felt so bad for her as she struggles to understand what's happened to her parents. The underlying message about longing and desire was fascinating to me as an adult but will probably be over the head of some of the kids who read it. Still, it's a great story with good pacing. It may be a little dark for the younger crowd, but a good fit for a preteen who likes adventure and suspense.
liketheday's review against another edition
3.0
It's sort of like a Coraline, I'd say. Very sort of, actually, but the mood is similar and I think it is looking for the same audience. In this case, it's the parents who have gone off looking for that elusive greener grass, but Juniper is still the one who has to set everything right because, you know, parents are useless.
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brandypainter's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted here.
Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky is a modern day fairy tale. Now that is a phrase that gets bandied about a lot, so let me explain. It is a fairy tale because it has much in common with old school fairy tales. It is dark, creepy, and has a moral. Modern day is pretty self explanatory. This fairy tale deals with modern day temptations and preoccupations, namely the preoccupation with celebrity, never ending quest for success, and a desire to maintain one's youthful appearance.
I can see this book appealing to kids. It is sufficiently creepy and fast paced to keep them reading. The villain is truly scary and the way his operation works inventive. Don't be surprised if interest in balloons takes a sudden drop after reading this. Juniper and Giles are not exactly average kids and they are misfits but I can see kid readers relating to them. The book is illustrated (by Erwin Madrid) and these illustrations were one of my favorite parts of the novel.
A real weakness of the book was the development of Juniper's character though. She is lonely, she yearns save her parents, she wants her old life back. She is brave and heroic when needed. She is special. The kind of special that causes the villain to desperately want her soul above all others. The kind of special that causes Giles to want to save them both. The kind of special that requires her survival because the world needs her. The kind of special that makes her the only one capable of breaking the terrible curse the adults are under. The book tells us all this. What it never shows us is how she is special. What is it about Juniper that gives her the strength to do what she does? Also, the end was a little too tidy. There was no real sacrifice required to achieve the victory.
Another thing that bothered me was that this was a Message book. It is an unsubtle Message book and those annoy me no matter what age group they are aimed for. The message was repeated numerous times and the book has a rather preachy tone as a result. Don't get me wrong the message is a good one, I just prefer more nuance from my stories.
If you know a kid who enjoys creepy fantasy that is a little dark, but not too dark, this is a quick interesting read.
Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky is a modern day fairy tale. Now that is a phrase that gets bandied about a lot, so let me explain. It is a fairy tale because it has much in common with old school fairy tales. It is dark, creepy, and has a moral. Modern day is pretty self explanatory. This fairy tale deals with modern day temptations and preoccupations, namely the preoccupation with celebrity, never ending quest for success, and a desire to maintain one's youthful appearance.
I can see this book appealing to kids. It is sufficiently creepy and fast paced to keep them reading. The villain is truly scary and the way his operation works inventive. Don't be surprised if interest in balloons takes a sudden drop after reading this. Juniper and Giles are not exactly average kids and they are misfits but I can see kid readers relating to them. The book is illustrated (by Erwin Madrid) and these illustrations were one of my favorite parts of the novel.
A real weakness of the book was the development of Juniper's character though. She is lonely, she yearns save her parents, she wants her old life back. She is brave and heroic when needed. She is special. The kind of special that causes the villain to desperately want her soul above all others. The kind of special that causes Giles to want to save them both. The kind of special that requires her survival because the world needs her. The kind of special that makes her the only one capable of breaking the terrible curse the adults are under. The book tells us all this. What it never shows us is how she is special. What is it about Juniper that gives her the strength to do what she does? Also, the end was a little too tidy. There was no real sacrifice required to achieve the victory.
Another thing that bothered me was that this was a Message book. It is an unsubtle Message book and those annoy me no matter what age group they are aimed for. The message was repeated numerous times and the book has a rather preachy tone as a result. Don't get me wrong the message is a good one, I just prefer more nuance from my stories.
If you know a kid who enjoys creepy fantasy that is a little dark, but not too dark, this is a quick interesting read.
emromc's review against another edition
2.0
2.5. I loved the set‐up, but it wasn't as creepy as I was hoping and the ending felt rushed.
shicklin's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok... I read so many good reviews about the book, I have no real complaints, just more of an icky feeling. This strikes me the same way that Breadcrumbs did...Maybe it has to do with how evil is so close and unprovoked... I am not sure. I think it will take me some time to process how I feel about it, and what I didn't like.
classiccarissa's review against another edition
5.0
Sooooo creepy!!! I remember reading certain parts over and over, totally horrified. It was one of my first hardcovers.
Edit: Liked by the author?? No way!!! Thank you for liking my review!! Your book scared me so much as a kid; it was perfect! I’m a huge fan of horror now, and this book, along with some Goosebumps, definitely influenced that. Thanks again!
Edit: Liked by the author?? No way!!! Thank you for liking my review!! Your book scared me so much as a kid; it was perfect! I’m a huge fan of horror now, and this book, along with some Goosebumps, definitely influenced that. Thanks again!
ohsusanna's review against another edition
4.0
A clever story aptly called "a modern fairytale". While the outcome and events in the plot were somewhat easy to predict, the setting was very creative and the descriptions vivid. A good story for kids to prompt the discussion of fame and what is often sacrificed to attain that.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
3.0
The cover art really drew me to choose this book, even though I always tell kids, Don't judge a book by it's cover :0) The story was interesting, I will be interested to see how kids like it. The idea of being tempted to give your soul for your hearts desire isn't new, but the idea it could be tempting for kids... may be? or may just be a bit deep for some. Well written, LOVED the delicious vocabulary and the author's style. Good story.
screamking's review against another edition
2.0
This book was for ages 8-12 but I decided to give it a try since I heard that it was a lot like Coraline. I think being too old for this book made it unenjoyable to attempt to finish, but it may be good for the ages appropriate.