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ssseba's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A good book to spend some time. Nothing too crazy about it but it's actually entertaining. I found myself wanted to read more until finishing it from time to time but didn't hurry up much.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
There's aphantomgecko's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I expected a fun magic mystery book. It was actually a decent horror novel. It's for kids, so it's not crazy intense, but it's creepy. Like a mixture of It and Sinister but also neither of those.
It's too fast-paced for decent plot development imo, but, again, it's for kids, so it fits with the pacing of a middle grade book.
Recommend if you want to read something spooky and quick.
It's too fast-paced for decent plot development imo, but, again, it's for kids, so it fits with the pacing of a middle grade book.
Recommend if you want to read something spooky and quick.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
clarabooksit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I enjoyed this, but I could tell it was a first effort.
It was fun to see where so many of Zafón’s themes and motifs started and how they echo throughout his writing career. Even in this first outing, his writing is full of nostalgia and haunting magic, which were my favorite parts. The tension builds so well and there’s a very Hitchcockian vibe to this story that makes it a quick, easy read.
Overall, though, I was left wanting a little more. The story felt underdeveloped, especially the motivations of the villain, and all the pieces didn’t quite fit together the way I know Zafón would learn to perfect later in his career.
I’m glad I read it but I won’t be returning to this one. If you’re a CRZ fan, though, I definitely recommend checking out the audiobook: the production is full of atmospheric music and eerie sound effects. Also, I always have to shout out Lucia Graves for her impeccable, moving translation work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Grief, and Infertility
livelaughomo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Blood and War
jana16's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Violence
Moderate: Torture and Grief
Minor: Vomit, Blood, and War
sophshelves's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Car accident, and Death
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-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
4.0
Oh, I really liked it.
It's middlegrade-ish or on the younger side of young adult, so you can't expect too much. There is not much depth to the characters or the plot, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Set in a small coastal town there is an old mansion, a statue garden, a lighthouse with a mysterious keeper, a shipwreck, a mysterious tragedy in the past, a little magic and lots of fog. I would have loved this as a kid! Such an atmospheric book with spooky vibes.
It's middlegrade-ish or on the younger side of young adult, so you can't expect too much. There is not much depth to the characters or the plot, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Set in a small coastal town there is an old mansion, a statue garden, a lighthouse with a mysterious keeper, a shipwreck, a mysterious tragedy in the past, a little magic and lots of fog. I would have loved this as a kid! Such an atmospheric book with spooky vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
a_robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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Information:
- Owned book
- Reading the rainbow challenge video for the colour green
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Review:
A very good YA mystery book. It was pretry creepy at times. I loved the writing (and translation). The characters were also very good and the story itself was very interesting. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
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Review previously placed on my blog:
Review previously placed on my blog:
I have read The prince of mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This is the first book in the Niebla series. I read this for my Reading the rainbow challenge video for the colour green.
This was a solid YA mystery read, with a couple of pretty scary bits. The story was good and interesting. The writing was good as well, as was the translation. It didn't really stand out to me, so therefore I gave it 3,5 stars.
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Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, and Medical trauma
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