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139th out of 580 books
—
200 voters
Count Karlstein
Now in paperback, a spooky and funny middle-grade thriller from the author of The Golden Compass.
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
February 22nd 2000
by Yearling
(first published March 29th 1982)
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On the one hand, I liked this book. It is set in Switzerland, two hundred (or so) years ago, and I found myself quickly drawn into the world of the characters. On the other hand, it was very light-weight, and just as easy to tumble back out of the story upon its ending. The story was not very memorable or exciting to me... I enjoyed it while reading it, but do not expect it to really stay with me the way a more complex or engaging book might.
The main plot is that a maid in the castle of the vill...more
The main plot is that a maid in the castle of the vill...more
Phillip Pullman narrates the captivating story of the evil Count Karlstein whose evilness gets the better of him when he strikes a dangerous and greedy deal with the Demon Huntsman Zamiel. Count Karlstein plays with fire when he accepts a wish granted by Zamiel and in return promises to provide a human sacrifice on All Soul's Eve ten years from the day on which the wish is granted. In a desperate attempt to keep his wish of an honourable name and a great estate, Count Karlstein sacrifices his be...more
May 28, 2010
Lizzy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantastical-fantasy,
high-adventure
I do not profess to be an expert on the works of Philip Pullman, but I have read a few, and I have to admit this book, of which I never knew of its existence until I saw it on the shelf at the library, is one of his finest. In a writing style and narrative I feel to be completely different from his other works, Pullman puts together a first person account of an extraordinary adventure full of danger, confusion, several mishaps, and everything finally set to rights, told by several of the main ch...more
10 years ago Count Karlstein made a deal with Zamiel, the demon huntsman. That deal is soon coming to an end and Zamiel will be coming to collect his part of the deal. The deal was Count Karlstein is to give Zamiel prey, two humans and Count Karlstein has decided to sacrifice his two nieces.
Hildi, the maidservant, overhears his evil plan and knows she has to do something. She can't let anything happen to Lucy and Charlotte. So, Hildi comes up with a plan of her own.
Philip Pullman is a favorite a...more
Hildi, the maidservant, overhears his evil plan and knows she has to do something. She can't let anything happen to Lucy and Charlotte. So, Hildi comes up with a plan of her own.
Philip Pullman is a favorite a...more
This story is both scary and hilarious at the same time. It reminded me of Dracula or Frankentein for the younger reader, as it had the same gothic aspects and style of writing.
Set in the fictional swiss village of Karlstein, it tells the story of the evil Count Karlstein; who makes a terrible deal with the Demon Huntsman, Zamiel. The Count's two young neice's Lucy and Charlotte are in danger as a result of their Uncle's bargain and it is up to Hildi, the castle's maidservant to help them. With...more
Set in the fictional swiss village of Karlstein, it tells the story of the evil Count Karlstein; who makes a terrible deal with the Demon Huntsman, Zamiel. The Count's two young neice's Lucy and Charlotte are in danger as a result of their Uncle's bargain and it is up to Hildi, the castle's maidservant to help them. With...more
For not really liking the supernatural genre of books that well, this one wasn't too bad. I can see it being for more of a tween age group and according to Amazon I think it is ages 9 and up. This book focuses on two girls who go to live with their sinister and unloving uncle, Count Karlstein. Because of a deal that he has previously made with this supernatural midnight hunter figure, on hallows eve the hunter will return for a sacrifice from Count Karlstein in payment for what the hunter has gi...more
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I am most familiar with Philip Pullman due to his "His Dark Materials" trilogy, and I have also read his short children's book "Clockwork". Count Karlstein is much more in line with the latter, and a book that I probably would have enjoyed at around 6 years of age (just as reference in the off chance that someone would like input on whether or not their child would like it). The story itself, while fun and exciting, really didn't hold much for me in terms of memorability. If you want something w...more
Okay its a kids book, but it is absolutely fabulous! I'm a big fan of any book that can make me laugh out loud (or cry), even if it is a kids book. I'm already a fan of Philip Pullman, having read His Dark Materials trilogy (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass).
Count Karlstein made a deal with Zamiel, the Demon Hunstman, that in 10 years Karlstein would provide Zamiel with a human victim. Being the evil villian, he decides to sacrifice his two little nieces, Charlotte a...more
Count Karlstein made a deal with Zamiel, the Demon Hunstman, that in 10 years Karlstein would provide Zamiel with a human victim. Being the evil villian, he decides to sacrifice his two little nieces, Charlotte a...more
I am a huge fan of Philip Pullman’s work, yes most notably his His Dark Materials trilogy, but his whole YA fiction in general surpasses most Author’s attempts. He has a knack for coming up with brilliantly told, well structured and complex plots, filled with more twists and turns than you can shake your fist at. Now apparently, unbeknown to me, Count Karlstein (first published in 1982) was Pullman’s very first children’s and Young Adult novel. I was extremely eager to read it, as you can probab...more
I have yet to read a Philip Pullman book that I didn't love. "Count Karlstein" is an excellent fairy tale set in a small village in the Swiss mountains in the year 1816. Hildi, a servant at the castle of the local gentry, a perfect villain named Count Karlstein, loves her two charges, the count's English nieces, Miss Charlotte & Miss Lucy. She is, therefore, both horrified & determined to do something when she accidentally learns that the count plans to give them to Zamiel, the Demon Hun...more
Count Karlstein is a villain indeed, one who made a Faustian bargain to gain wealth and power and must pay the demon with human lives. The clock has struck and the bill’s come due…
A taut, wrenching terror tale for children, this novel is far more nerve-wracking than the “Golden Compass” series. It’s a straightforward, fast-paced tale of good versus evil but with a touch of consideration at its center. We get to see the thoughts of the evildoer as he ruminates on his past deeds and future behavio...more
A taut, wrenching terror tale for children, this novel is far more nerve-wracking than the “Golden Compass” series. It’s a straightforward, fast-paced tale of good versus evil but with a touch of consideration at its center. We get to see the thoughts of the evildoer as he ruminates on his past deeds and future behavio...more
You may be familiar with The Golden Compass and the Sally Lockhart Mystery Series, but the best Pullman I've listened to is Count Karlstein. Like the others, it is a full-cast production. It's gothic darkness is offset by it's surprising good humor. I enjoyed the adventure of the 14 years Hildi Kelmar, as she encounters a broad array of well-drawn gothic characters. Her practical problem solving, determination and good humor held the story together for me. It's a delightful one-off of Pullmans....more
Aug 10, 2011
Nikki
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-and-ya,
fantasy
Count Karlstein isn't as good as Clockwork -- maybe that's the fact that I didn't read it as a child and I don't have associated nostalgia, though. Anyway, it's in a similar vein, a little bit of a Gothic story with suspense and an improbably wonderful conclusion. Fun, easy to read, but not ground-breaking, and predictable.
Definitely something I imagine children would get more out of than an adult. One thing I did find quite fun was Lucy and Charlotte's narratives -- their overwrought style of n...more
Definitely something I imagine children would get more out of than an adult. One thing I did find quite fun was Lucy and Charlotte's narratives -- their overwrought style of n...more
Sep 30, 2012
Ryan
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audio-cd,
books-i-couldnt-finish,
british-authors,
fantasy,
middle-grade,
mystery,
young-adult
This full cast recording was awesome. It was a little distracting have the music start up in the middle of the story for no apparent reason (other than to manipulate our mood) but overall I loved the actors and sound effects.
Pullman is a great writer, and knows how to make memorable characters. His problem is plot. He goes off on tangents (that are often fun, but serve to weaken the reader's involvement). I found myself liking this book, but not feeling particularly interested in what might happ...more
Pullman is a great writer, and knows how to make memorable characters. His problem is plot. He goes off on tangents (that are often fun, but serve to weaken the reader's involvement). I found myself liking this book, but not feeling particularly interested in what might happ...more
This book is very entertaining but keep in mind it's directed to a younger audience (if that really matter to you and if you are looking for a more adult read). I read this book when I was 16 and enjoyed it a lot even though I was a bit too old for it. Philip Pullman is a great story teller and every time I read one of his books I feel like it has entertaining secrets for his older and more philosophical audience..... this book is no exception so I recommend this for the young at heart.
Nice story, but it reads rather like a radio play with more attempt at suspense than actual danger or even plot. In the audio recording, the "final fantasy tactics" like music was obnoxiously happy and the only other possible song seemed the be the menacing, danger-approaching theme. Probably this was the worst thing that I've read that he's written- the Sally Lockhart books aren't great, but the pacing is better, the mysteries intriguing, and the characters much more endearing.
Philip Pullman's outstanding character building skill is present in this book, if not nearly so profoundly as I would have liked. It defintely feels like it came before His Dark Materials (which it did). He hasn't managed a villain like those very real, rather frightening-even-to-adults characters in the His Dark Materials books, but then this is only intended to be a fairly straight forward, classic fairy tale. In which case, it is a charming success.
If anyone ever asks me what "middle grade" means, I will point them to this book. It has very traditional storytelling tropes, bumbling bad guys, obvious humour and easily connected dots that lead up to a satisfactory happily ever after ending.
I listened to it on audiobook - with the voices it was actually a nice, captivating tale, and I listened to it very happily for the hours I was driving to my parents house. It may not be amazing, but it is solid, and I enjoyed it.
I listened to it on audiobook - with the voices it was actually a nice, captivating tale, and I listened to it very happily for the hours I was driving to my parents house. It may not be amazing, but it is solid, and I enjoyed it.
Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the past few years will know Pullman's name, as he's written the phenomenally successful Northern Lights trilogy, the first of which has been made into a movie, and other equally successful YA books.
This was his first novel, republished, and unfortunately it shows a little. Count Karlstein isn't a bad book, it's just a bit predictable from quite early on - the moment the missing heir is mentioned, for example, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to f...more
This was his first novel, republished, and unfortunately it shows a little. Count Karlstein isn't a bad book, it's just a bit predictable from quite early on - the moment the missing heir is mentioned, for example, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to f...more
This isn't bad. It isn't brilliant (in the way that His Dark Materials can be), but it's solid for what it is. And what it is would be a fairly short work of youthful adventure fiction. It picks up steam as it progresses to a satisfying, if not unexpected, conclusion. Like the other Pullman I've experienced, this one is quite enjoyable in audio form with a full cast of voice actors.
Count Karlstein is a humorous story about several characters who are avoiding death or trying to trick those into death. Really funny, but kinda drags out. This book has a unique style in the way it's written and a lot of great characters and twists. I think I would more recommend this book for children who can really get into such a easy read and appreciate it.
Hildi, the maid, must help Lucy and Charlotte escape their evil uncle, Count Karlstein, who has plans for them. He made a pact with Zameil, the Demon Huntsman, and he must provide prey (Lucy and Charlotte) on Halloween night, or his soul is forefit. With the help of a con man, his assistant, and a formidable teacher, the girls may just survive this evil plot.
In the intro, Pullman says that he wrote this as a school play for his students, and I can see how it would be a hilarious thrilling production. Unfortunately, the novel form of the story is rather tedious and predictable...I had to force myself to continue reading, and I found that enjoyed it much more when visualizing it in play form.
Set in Switzerland, Count Karlstein is a fun read for middle school aged children. The vocabulary in this novel is rich and would lend well to many vocab activities if used as a classroom read. Pullman has created a bevy of likable characters and a plot that's just dark and creepy enough to keep children pulled in without going over the top scary.
The ending wrapped up a little too sweetly for my liking, but the story as a whole is delightful.
The ending wrapped up a little too sweetly for my liking, but the story as a whole is delightful.
The Count is evil, of course, and in charge of his two young nieces. They live in a Swiss castle surrounded by forests and snowy mountains and inhabited by Zamiel the Demon Huntsman, which is the perfect situation for the Count to rid himself of the girls.
Written in almost a folklore style, this story has a bit of the supernatural, a little tension, and some humor.
Written in almost a folklore style, this story has a bit of the supernatural, a little tension, and some humor.
Strange story... a little mystery, a littly fantasy, a little history and a little farce. I think kids who already like the in-depth, highly detailed mystery will like it, but not a book for those not already interested. Lots of characters, lots of changes in point of view. Suble humor for some, but not a humorous novel. Strange.
This started out as a page-turner but then slowed down toward the middle. At the outset, I think Pullman did a fine job of developing Hildi as a character so that we could really identify and empathize with her, but then when it switched from her narrative to those of other characters, the pacing just sort of flopped. It ended up just being alright. I got a kick out of the German names, though!
I had a weird experience with this book: somehow the 'Random' button on my car CD player was activated so I started listening to this out of sequence as I was driving to a job interview! But I persevered and started it over and had a great time with it. Great for listening since it's a full-cast audio.
Clearly aimed at the younger reader this is still an enjoyable quick read for the adult. The style of presentation, with the main characters each writing their own chapters, is different but nevertheless works well. And of course, it has the required happy endings, except for the 'baddie'.
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from his official website:
"I was born in Norwich in 1946, and educated in England, Zimbabwe, and Australia, before my family settled in North Wales. I received my secondary education at the excellent Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech, and then went to Exeter College, Oxford, to read English, though I never learned to read it very well.
"I found my way into the teaching profession at the age of 25, and taught...more
More about Philip Pullman...
"I was born in Norwich in 1946, and educated in England, Zimbabwe, and Australia, before my family settled in North Wales. I received my secondary education at the excellent Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech, and then went to Exeter College, Oxford, to read English, though I never learned to read it very well.
"I found my way into the teaching profession at the age of 25, and taught...more
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