Reviews

Fiendish Deeds by P.J. Bracegirdle

katec9999's review against another edition

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3.0

This first book in The Joy of Spooking series introduces the very original and very strange character of Joy Wells. Wise beyond her twelve years, Joy enjoys dressing in the vintage clothes of dead people, sneaking into graveyards and other haunted places in the middle of the night, and reading scary stories, especially those written by the mysteriously vanished author E.A. Peugeot. Joy lives in a dying town called Spooking, but since there is no school she and her brother are forced to go to school in the neighboring city of Darlington, where they are taunted daily and called “Spookies.” Joy is angered when she learns that Darlington plans to build a water park over a bog in Spooking. She became interested in the bog after reading one of E.A. Peugeot’s stories, “The Bawl of the Bog Fiend.” She wonders, was Peugeot onto something? Is there really a bog fiend, and did it have something to do with Peugeot’s disappearance?[return][return]I like the character of Joy – she’s funny, smart, and doesn’t care what people think of her. The writing style is humorous in a dry-wit kind of way, and the villain of the story is realistically creepy. However, I don’t know how it will do as a series. I enjoyed reading it, but the ending didn’t leave me dying to know what happens next. If you’re in the mood for an environmental mystery with quirky characters, then check out this book.

daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition

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2.0

This book was more like a children's book than one for young adults. I had a hard time paying attention and it was difficult to finish.

krwriter8's review against another edition

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4.0

Fiendish Deeds is creepy but cute read. I immediately fell in love with Joy Wells, the witty young narrator. Joy is a breath of fresh air as a character who doesn't fit in with her peers, but doesn't let it stop her from being true to herself. She's not afraid to stand up for her beliefs, as unpopular as they may be. The setting was another big plus of this novel, as I wanted to go exploring in the sinister town of Spooking myself. This was a gothic little gem of a book!

hisaacson's review against another edition

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4.0

Full review at:
http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/2008/10/tis-season-too.html

dryad23's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

fernandie's review

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2.0

There are certain elements that seem out of place for a children's book. I was also frustrated that so many questions are left unanswered, especially since I'm not particularly interested in reading the rest of the series.

gaiusgermanicus's review against another edition

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4.0

What a delightful little book. I would have absolutely adored it, had I read it at Joy's age.

amdame1's review

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3.0

A bog near Joy Wells' house is going to be turned into a water amusement park. Distraught at the very idea, Joy tries to find a way to stop the progress of the park. Lots of additional themes throughout the book, such as bullies, class distinction, etc. First in a series - but I really don't feel like reading any of the rest of them.

phenexrose's review

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced

5.0

jerenda's review

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1.0

The alliteration at the beginning threw me off, and it never managed to get back on. I quit around Chapter 3.

Also, it has a little sticker on the inside flap that I didn't notice till after I picked it up: For Ages 8-12! Probably why I didn't like it. >_>
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