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rjdenney's review against another edition
3.0
3 STARS!!
Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith became one of my favorite books of all-time when I read it last year and I was eager to read more of Ronald’s books. I finally was able to get a hold of The Mesmerist and it was a pretty quick and fun read. I won’t say it is just as good as Hoodoo because it is not, but for a Middle-Grade supernatural thriller that takes place in the Victorian era, it was a good time. I read this with the audio book and the narrator was perfect for this story.
Of course I still want to read more of Ronald’s books and hope to find something of his that is just as amazing as Hoodoo. I will say if you’re looking for a middle-grade version of The Infernal Devices, this one is perfect for you.
Hoodoo by Ronald L. Smith became one of my favorite books of all-time when I read it last year and I was eager to read more of Ronald’s books. I finally was able to get a hold of The Mesmerist and it was a pretty quick and fun read. I won’t say it is just as good as Hoodoo because it is not, but for a Middle-Grade supernatural thriller that takes place in the Victorian era, it was a good time. I read this with the audio book and the narrator was perfect for this story.
Of course I still want to read more of Ronald’s books and hope to find something of his that is just as amazing as Hoodoo. I will say if you’re looking for a middle-grade version of The Infernal Devices, this one is perfect for you.
mortaldivergence's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
It felt a little rushed at times, but was still a fun quick read!
It felt a little rushed at times, but was still a fun quick read!
jessethereader's review against another edition
This was not what I was expecting at all! It's definitely a pretty dark middle grade read, but it also had some fun moments. There were times where I felt the plot was all over the place, but it was still pretty enjoyable.
eatpizzaluvlife's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun little supernatural novel. The exposition was beautifully done having me really picture what was going on in the story. I did feel as though the ending was a bit rushed compared to the beginning. However, a great story was told, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
kice7788's review against another edition
4.0
Wow such a great kids book!! I cannot lie- I picked this up only because of the cover. Which is amazing by the way. But it really shocked me! I loved the plot and the magic system. Great for kids and older kids! Only reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars is because it didn’t explain everything I wanted it to and it’s not a series. I really enjoyed the main character and how you go through the story with her! I do have to say there were some plot points that didn’t really need to be told or to happen in general but it didn’t ruin the book for me!
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
Oooo, this was a dark one! A thrilling, paranormal/Victorian/horror MG read featuring lots of supernatural elements that I as they were revealed added layers of interesting plot points to the story. It took me a while to get through this, but overall I thought it was fun, super dark, and very sinister at times. Upper elementary through probably 7th graders readers would eat it up. It reminded me a little of a better kid's version of the first Miss Peregrine book with some Jackaby thrown in there with the supernatural Victorian setting stuff.
drea_design's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
It was an interesting story. I probably would have liked it better if I was a bit younger. I was obliviously not the target market for this book.
It was an interesting story. I probably would have liked it better if I was a bit younger. I was obliviously not the target market for this book.
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
Like Penny Dreadful without the moral ambiguity and most of the screaming - but definitely creepy-scary and with the same gorgeous Victorian verisimilitude. Opulence and squalor given the same lush treatment. A real page-turner!
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
2.0
Oh goddess. Several times I wanted to give up on this cliched story which I'm sure I have read elsewhere, in a better novel.
The villain is all evil. The setting is Victorian London. The mentor is a fairy who just is never around when Jess needs him and all the rest have that annoying habit of withholding information from the reader and the protagonist for the sake of suspense. Sheesh.
I was never connected to Jess. I could care less about the great evil villain. I only wanted the book to end so that I could be put out of my misery.
I suppose this might appeal to middle school students who have not read any other adventure stories. For me it was a bag of cliches disguised as an adventure. I would say everything was telegraphed a mile away and all the great reviews were snoopers as well.
It did gave a good first few pages. It is s pity if could not keep it up.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
The villain is all evil. The setting is Victorian London. The mentor is a fairy who just is never around when Jess needs him and all the rest have that annoying habit of withholding information from the reader and the protagonist for the sake of suspense. Sheesh.
I was never connected to Jess. I could care less about the great evil villain. I only wanted the book to end so that I could be put out of my misery.
I suppose this might appeal to middle school students who have not read any other adventure stories. For me it was a bag of cliches disguised as an adventure. I would say everything was telegraphed a mile away and all the great reviews were snoopers as well.
It did gave a good first few pages. It is s pity if could not keep it up.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
thedizzyreader's review against another edition
2.0
There are few things as frustrating as knowing exactly how a book will end when you are less than five chapters in.
Mesmerized I was not. The predictable plot and stilted dialogue leaves much to be desired. I have heard Hoodoo is much better though, so I'll be giving Smith another chance.
For those interested in more gripping middle grade Victorian gothic horror, I'd recommend Lockwood & Co.
Mesmerized I was not. The predictable plot and stilted dialogue leaves much to be desired. I have heard Hoodoo is much better though, so I'll be giving Smith another chance.
For those interested in more gripping middle grade Victorian gothic horror, I'd recommend Lockwood & Co.