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readsacb's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
This short book is a modern retelling of Hanzel & Gretel for middle grade. It was OK- not great. I expected it to be dark, & it was. However, I did finish the book without liking the characters, and I would not likely read it again. Finally, the ending was abrupt & felt as if it left too many loose ends.
blackerbird's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting. This book is a Bluebonnet Book nominee, which are geared towards students in grades 3-5. May give those sensitive students nightmares...just sayin'.
bak8382's review against another edition
2.0
Connie and her brother are two perfectly normal children living a perfectly normal life until the day their widowed father marries again, and they move to a new apartment. Suddenly everyone around them including the new neighbor is acting strangely.
This is a modern day retelling of Hansel and Gretel, but one that never really finds its way. It meanders between the past and the present, and is told from both the witch and the children's perspective. Then it rather abruptly ends without wrapping up several of the odd details. All in all this is one I would skip.
This is a modern day retelling of Hansel and Gretel, but one that never really finds its way. It meanders between the past and the present, and is told from both the witch and the children's perspective. Then it rather abruptly ends without wrapping up several of the odd details. All in all this is one I would skip.
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
Some generations after Hanzel and Gretel, the situation has not noticeably improved...
Cleverly written, and we've all enjoyed reading it, adults and child alike.
Cleverly written, and we've all enjoyed reading it, adults and child alike.
ggrillion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lazygal's review against another edition
1.0
This book starts out so promisingly, but by the end it's just lost it. What happened to the parents? The "parents"? The owner of the pet shop? Was Swift really a dog? Why did Sol feel he wasn't alone at the end? Where were they going?
As I said, this starts out as a nice updating of the Hansel and Gretel story, with the witch having survived to today and still in the business of "children removal". That stays strong for about the first half of the book but after that it's muddled, rushed and leaves too many loose ends.
As I said, this starts out as a nice updating of the Hansel and Gretel story, with the witch having survived to today and still in the business of "children removal". That stays strong for about the first half of the book but after that it's muddled, rushed and leaves too many loose ends.
kellkie's review against another edition
3.0
This modern-day retelling of Hansel & Gretel is a quirky, inventive story with characters just odd enough to thoroughly enjoy. My class fell in love with this book from page one, and I was smitten in the beginning as well.
The witch's journal is clever, and I loved the contrast between Connie and Sol. Even the backstory for Mr. and Mrs. Blink offers several opportunities for an interesting conclusion. I felt there were many things in this story left unexplored - but the set-up was fantastic!
This is a book that ends with such a sense of a sequel on the way that it barely ties up the loose ends. I find myself feeling like the end was rushed and unbelievable (even for a fairy tale). I wanted to know more about the parents, the manager of the pet store, and what happens to Connie and Sol.
The witch's journal is clever, and I loved the contrast between Connie and Sol. Even the backstory for Mr. and Mrs. Blink offers several opportunities for an interesting conclusion. I felt there were many things in this story left unexplored - but the set-up was fantastic!
This is a book that ends with such a sense of a sequel on the way that it barely ties up the loose ends. I find myself feeling like the end was rushed and unbelievable (even for a fairy tale). I wanted to know more about the parents, the manager of the pet store, and what happens to Connie and Sol.
pwbalto's review against another edition
3.0
Like a Hal Hartley movie for children, this book follows two siblings through a couple of days in an innocuous, unnamed suburban town that is new to them. There are perils - an old lady wants to eat them and the town librarian is untrustworthy. Notably, their own parents (who are not really their parents) want to get rid of them.
But Sol and Connie can handle it. Quirky in an understated way, resourceful and brave, the siblings face their fears, reconcile their emotions, and outwit the witch in a remarkably implacable way. I'm not kidding. Hal Hartley for kids. It's weird.
But not unfunny, and not without suspense. It's some unusual writing for kids, and mine really seemed to respond to the author's matter-of-fact presentation. No punches pulled, but no excess build-up either.
I will say that the ending, which is rather abrupt and extremely inconclusive, outraged them. This reaction is confirmed by another mom, who listened to the book while baking cookies with her daughter. I'm expecting a sequel, but I kind of wish I weren't. Don't tell, but I LIKED the ending!
But Sol and Connie can handle it. Quirky in an understated way, resourceful and brave, the siblings face their fears, reconcile their emotions, and outwit the witch in a remarkably implacable way. I'm not kidding. Hal Hartley for kids. It's weird.
But not unfunny, and not without suspense. It's some unusual writing for kids, and mine really seemed to respond to the author's matter-of-fact presentation. No punches pulled, but no excess build-up either.
I will say that the ending, which is rather abrupt and extremely inconclusive, outraged them. This reaction is confirmed by another mom, who listened to the book while baking cookies with her daughter. I'm expecting a sequel, but I kind of wish I weren't. Don't tell, but I LIKED the ending!
dreamadeer's review against another edition
3.0
Good enough for children, I guess, but not adventurous nor interesting enough for adults who love to read middle grade books