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117th out of 186 books
—
482 voters
The Vengekeep Prophecies (The Vengekeep Prophecies #1)
by
Brian Farrey (Goodreads Author),
Brett Helquist
“You can’t convict what you can’t confirm.” That’s the motto of 12-year-old Jaxter Grimjinx and his infamous family of thieves. And while Jaxter may not have his father’s burglary prowess, his mother’s forgery skills, or his little sister’s mastery of sleight-of-hand, his book-fed knowledge of non-magical solutions to magical problems makes him invaluable to the family’s h...more
Hardcover, 390 pages
Published
October 23rd 2012
by HarperCollins
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Jaxter Grimjinx is not a very good thief. In fact, he accidentally sets fire to the house he's supposed to be robbing with his Da. Jaxter definitely is no burglar who can slip in and out of a house, leaving it a little poorer with no evidence left behind, like his Da. Neither is he like his Ma, who can create master forgeries that often take years to be discovered. And he is too clumsy to be like his sister, who can pick a pocket with fingers as light as the wind itself. Jaxter's family is full...more
This was an adorable middle-school book. Half the time, it turns out, the characters were lying their [insert body part here] off, but that's what was fun; trying to guess truth from lies. Because, of course, the family is a whole hoard of thieves.
Jaxter Grimjinx is the one failure of the Grimjinx clan. While the others are all awesome with sleight of hand, forgery, burglary, and lotsa other prowess, he's stuck with being good with plants. Yay. For the most current plan, they've switched out the...more
Jaxter Grimjinx is the one failure of the Grimjinx clan. While the others are all awesome with sleight of hand, forgery, burglary, and lotsa other prowess, he's stuck with being good with plants. Yay. For the most current plan, they've switched out the...more
Generations of klutzes run in my family. Grandma is infamous for throwing chicken grease into the furnace and causing an explosion that fried off her eyebrows, eyelashes, and bangs. I am not sure my infamy. Maybe when I set 16 boxes of cereal on fire preheating the oven as a teenager (mom quit storing them in there after that incident). Or maybe when I melted the microwave with a stove-top grease fire. Or maybe when I torched the bamboo steamer basket while making Chinese dumplings. In this book...more
Great fantasy/adventure story for ages 8-12ish. Jaxter is a great main character, and Callie an equally wonderful sidekick. I lived the Grimjinx family. The adventure is fast-paced, never a dull moment, but Jaxter is a thoughtful person trying to figure out his place in the world, so there's more here than "just" adventure. The fantasy world is well done, but the characters remain believable and relatable.
The fantasy world is well done, full of things that will make for a great series. Aside fr...more
The fantasy world is well done, full of things that will make for a great series. Aside fr...more
Gr 4 - 8
Thieves and alchemy weave together a fine tapestry of a tale. It’s a rare event for the authorities of the town-state of Vengekeep to prove that a member of the Grimjinx family was actually a thief—they’re just that good. Throughout the town and the neighboring lands the family has a reputation, fame really, for being incredibly skilled swindlers. After Ma and Da pull off their biggest con ever, they realize too
late, that they themselves had been tricked, leaving their town and every mem...more
Thieves and alchemy weave together a fine tapestry of a tale. It’s a rare event for the authorities of the town-state of Vengekeep to prove that a member of the Grimjinx family was actually a thief—they’re just that good. Throughout the town and the neighboring lands the family has a reputation, fame really, for being incredibly skilled swindlers. After Ma and Da pull off their biggest con ever, they realize too
late, that they themselves had been tricked, leaving their town and every mem...more
This was loads of fun to read! It has been awhile since I've read a book with two kids who go on a journey by themselves to save their town with the grownups' approval. I can't think of another family to compare the Grimjinx family to other than the family of Dido created by Joan Aiken in Black Hearts in Battersea, with several sequels, written quite a long time ago. This is a family that blithely enjoys the family profession of theft. At least until that enjoyment gets them into big trouble. It...more
I picked this book up for one reason - Brett Helquist did the cover illustration. But then I read the cover copy and wanted to read it even more. This was a really great book. The worldbuilding was so matter of fact and permeated everything that you felt like you'd been dropped into this new world and it didn't matter that you didn't know what every creature and plant that was mentioned was - it just made you feel like this was a real place. Perfectly done.
Jaxter Grimjinx comes from an illustrio...more
Jaxter Grimjinx comes from an illustrio...more
I have an international student who always asks me "Is this book fun?" when interested in a title. I always think it's so funny, that she doesn't ask "Is this book good?" or "something like that. It's kind of interesting. There are lots of books I would consider "good" or "moving", but not necessarily "fun" This is one of those that that I would consider "fun" though. I had a good time reading it. I didn't really connect with the characters on a deep level. Farrey could have killed them all off,...more
Clever spin on a family of pickpockets and thieves ala Oliver Twist with a bit of fantasy tossed in for good measure
The Grimjinx family has a history of outsmarting, outpickpocketing and outwitting the local constable even though the whole village is aware of the family business. When mom accidentally weaves a tapestry that predicts the Grimjinx family will save the village from the doom of the Vengekeep Prophecy it is up to them to fix the problem, save the village and stay alive. Jaxter and hi...more
The Grimjinx family has a history of outsmarting, outpickpocketing and outwitting the local constable even though the whole village is aware of the family business. When mom accidentally weaves a tapestry that predicts the Grimjinx family will save the village from the doom of the Vengekeep Prophecy it is up to them to fix the problem, save the village and stay alive. Jaxter and hi...more
The Vengekeep Prophecies follows the adventures of Jaxter Grimjinx, a member of the Grimjinx family who for generations earned the reputation of the luckiest, brilliant thieves. Because 12-year-old Jaxter is clumsy, on his first theft, he sets the Castellan's house on fire thus landing his family in the gaol. When his mother uses her forging skills to change "the Tapestry" predicting the year's future, their luck goes awry. The town expects the Grimjinx family to save Vengekeep from the deadly d...more
good book - 5 stars for the age group - looking forward to the next in the trilogy.
Jaxter Grimjinx is part of an honorable thief family, but his clumsiness is an impediment. However, his interest in plants and herbs that can counteract magic will play an important role.
Callie wants to learn thieving skills, but strongly believes that people should help others when they can.
Jaxter's mother weaves a false tapestry predicting doom to their town/state of Vengekeep and depicting the Grimjinx family a...more
Jaxter Grimjinx is part of an honorable thief family, but his clumsiness is an impediment. However, his interest in plants and herbs that can counteract magic will play an important role.
Callie wants to learn thieving skills, but strongly believes that people should help others when they can.
Jaxter's mother weaves a false tapestry predicting doom to their town/state of Vengekeep and depicting the Grimjinx family a...more
When I saw this book at the library, I immediately grabbed it because it was illustrated by Brett Helquist (yes, I judge books by their covers). I have always associated his art with Lemony Snicket so I had really high expectations for this book. I was let down a little bit, but the book was good in its own way.
I liked all the names, like Grimjinx, and the proverbs at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite was the last one about fate being the lazy man's excuse to avoid curiosity. The world...more
I liked all the names, like Grimjinx, and the proverbs at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite was the last one about fate being the lazy man's excuse to avoid curiosity. The world...more
I absolutely loved this fantastical tale about a family of con men and women, thieves and forgers, and the 11-year-old would-be thief who cannot pick a lock if his life depends on it. This coming-of-age tale takes our unlikely hero(s) on a quest filled with danger, betrayal, and learning how to trust - not just in others but in one's self as well. Farrey apparently wrote this as part of a trilogy (only this book is out as of this review) but this book stands well on its own - all questions are t...more
Jaxter Grimjinx comes from a long line of thieves and swindlers, but he's too clumsy to be of much help in his family's heists. That is, until a prophetic tapestry depicts his family as the saviors of their town and they realize that Jaxter is the only one who can truly save the day. Jaxter embarks on a quest to obtain the ingredients to destory the tapestry (and thus the prophecy), but will he be able to return in time to save his family?
This was a fast-paced and enjoyable read that I could see...more
This was a fast-paced and enjoyable read that I could see...more
The Grimjinx clan is a bunch of thieves, but thieves with a strong moral code. Never steal from someone who cannot afford it. Jaxter Grimjinx is 12 years old and not very good at thievery despite his family's long history of conning. His first heist ends badly forcing his parents to use a backup plan to escape the Gaul. Only the backup plan is almost as bad, The story is full of humor, par-goblin proverbs and adventure. Jaxter gets into one scrape after another with a new friend, Callie, who cho...more
Somewhat comparable to Harry Potter in that there's a likeable, although far from perfect, hero who basically has to save his entire town from a curse that his own family brought upon them. Relatively good world building (sort of medieval with some magic and magical creatures thrown in), good action and suspense, nicely tied up with enough of a draw to create interest in the next book. Some of the vocab is a bit challenging for younger readers, but the content would be appropriate and interestin...more
This was a fun little read about a boy named Jaxter, who was born into a family of thieves. After getting caught red handed trying to steal from one of the more prominent members of town, his family pulls a con that has big consequences for the whole town. Jaxter, who has other talents with plants and isn't really showing signs of being a thief like the rest of his family, comes up with a plan to save the town. On the journey, he doesn't realize that he's also saving himself.
I liked the plot, I...more
I liked the plot, I...more
Let's talk lazy fantasy writing. It exists. It's out there. And when you find yourself reading some 30+ middle grade fantasies in a given year there are certain tropes and themes that appear so often they wear a rut in your frontal lobe. Most of them are innocuous enough, but there's one that really sets fire to my dander; prophecies. Ugh. I cannot STAND prophecies. Essentially they're just a way for the author to provide foreshadowing in as annoying a way as possible. Further points are detract...more
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I enjoyed The Vengekeep Prophecies. I don't know why I paused in reading the book and why it took me so long to finish. I blame the holidays. Spending time with my family and loved ones instead of reading the book. Doesn't matter really. The Vengekeep Prophecies was a book that I enjoyed. How else should I review it? That the writing seemed spirited enough with the environment sufficiently thought out that I would enjoy reading more from this world? I like most of these people. I would have enjo...more
When I first cracked open this book, I wasn't in the mood to read another book about a thief-in-training, especially a clumsy one. But the writing was compelling and I kept on reading. And I'm glad I did! This is a fun adventure with twists and turns that kept my attention. And lets us know it's okay to follow our dreams, even if they're not exactly what everyone expects.
This book was filled with some of my favorite things: humor, adventure, and smart kids triumphing over horrible odds. Add in some magic and some basic thief/con artist lessons and you have the "The Vengekeep Prophecies". Jaxter is supposed to be a born thief, except that he is incredibly clumsy. This is not good. After a bizarre series of events that started with a clumsy moment, Jaxter now has to be come a hero to save his family, his friends, his town and everyone in it. Good thing he has some...more
I thought this book was great!!! It's a great story of a clumsy boy in a family of master thieves. His family is very disappointed in him because he was a poor thief. When the time comes that all of Vengekeep is relying on him to save the world he must forget about his poor thieving skills and become the savior of Vengekeep
I won this book from the first read give-a-way on Goodreads.
This book stole my interest and attention from the opening line. The Grimjinxes family ( a family of pickpockets and thieves) have a reputation of outsmarting and outwitting their marks, the authorities, and the towns people, but when their biggest con takes on a life of its own are they good enough to survey the Vengekeep Prophecies especially when their hopes rest on Jaxter. The one family member who's clumsiness prevented him from p...more
Feb 06, 2013
Hayley
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
action,
adventure,
adventurous-readers-club,
elementary,
fantasy,
funny,
middleschool,
series
Lots of fun in this smart and imaginative tale. I could probably have done with one less it's-all-going-to-be-alright-oh-no-it-isn't. It is apparently the first in a series, but there doesn't seem to be much left open for a sequel - maybe just a completely new story with the same characters?
Very entertaining and apparently the first of a series. Although Jaxter Grimjinx is born into a family of thieves, his talent lies elsewhere. Many adventures ensue but what is especially endearing is the love of his family in spite of the fact that he's not cut out to follow the family business.
Dec 27, 2012
Linda
added it
Fun fun fun. Fast-paced, action-packed, original and imaginative. Love the Grimjinxes, the whole family lore and the par-goblin speak.
This world felt like medieval Europe, but with a little twist - there's magic afloat. All the thatched huts and market squares and little shops didn't hide the fact that the town-state had a mage - a magician type who presided over the magic needs of the folks.
A fun bit of reading that anyone will love.
This world felt like medieval Europe, but with a little twist - there's magic afloat. All the thatched huts and market squares and little shops didn't hide the fact that the town-state had a mage - a magician type who presided over the magic needs of the folks.
A fun bit of reading that anyone will love.
This was such a fabulous, engaging, and magical book. It was so well written that Jaxter and Callie truly come to life. Jaxter is a fabulous hero, especially being that heroism doesn't come naturally to him (and neither does the family business of theiving). I immediately became engrossed in Vengekeep and I very much look forward to the other two books in the series.
Being born into a family of thieves is not an easy thing and being a hopeless thief is even worse, but when Jaxter realizes he has to help save his town, he rises to the challenge.
Good clean middle school fun with some exciting twists, double crossings, and hideous beasts.
Good clean middle school fun with some exciting twists, double crossings, and hideous beasts.
This is an action packed adventure which is highly entertaining. Youngsters and we adults who enjoy children's books will relish the originality of the scary fantasy elements and the humor of the story.
Simply wonderful. A middle-grade adventure that's funny, well-paced, with a great voice that doesn't reek of immaturity. Full of fun, memorable characters, laugh-aloud lines, and originality.
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Brian Farrey is the author of WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, a 2012 Stonewall Honor Book and winner of the 2012 Minnesota Book Award for Young People's Literature. His forthcoming middle grade fantasy, THE VENGEKEEP PROPHECIES, will be released in October 2012. He lives in St. Paul with his husband.
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“(Da) "Sorry, Son, what was that? I was too busy ignoring you."
(Later) "Sorry, Son, I missed that," Ma said. "Ignoring you can be a full-time job.”
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(Later) "Sorry, Son, I missed that," Ma said. "Ignoring you can be a full-time job.”
