This is a brilliantly witty story with a furry tail ending. One girl. One boy. One spell to be broken. Ondine de Groot is a normal fifteen-year-old...
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May 20, 2010
Leanne (Magic of Reading)
rated it: 
Really, this is one of the best and funniest books i have ever read!
Being a fan of fairy tales in general i liked the sound of one that focuses on a scottish ferret and a young girl who gets sent to 'Psychic Summercamp' and falls in love with previously mentiones ferret, who is in fact a rather gorgeous man.
Honesty, if your a sceptic person with no imagination please put your reservations aside and give this a go.
Every other line will have you laughing, especially Hamis More...
Being a fan of fairy tales in general i liked the sound of one that focuses on a scottish ferret and a young girl who gets sent to 'Psychic Summercamp' and falls in love with previously mentiones ferret, who is in fact a rather gorgeous man.
Honesty, if your a sceptic person with no imagination please put your reservations aside and give this a go.
Every other line will have you laughing, especially Hamis More...
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Jan 27, 2011
Carla
rated it:
**english review**
Oh this book…SO. MUCH. FUN.
Really it is. I pretty much laughed my way through it, only pausing for a brief period of time almost at the end when it looked like a line of people had formed itself to slap Ondine straight in the face – not cool, you bastards. So, as I was saying, I laughed so hard with this book that the laughing itself was the main reason for me not to finish it in the same night I started it, because my neighborhood was so quiet, rested, More...
Oh this book…SO. MUCH. FUN.
Really it is. I pretty much laughed my way through it, only pausing for a brief period of time almost at the end when it looked like a line of people had formed itself to slap Ondine straight in the face – not cool, you bastards. So, as I was saying, I laughed so hard with this book that the laughing itself was the main reason for me not to finish it in the same night I started it, because my neighborhood was so quiet, rested, More...
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Apr 10, 2011
Lexie
rated it:
Prelim review: This is definitely a book for anyone who a) enjoys humor (the 'footnotes' are hilarious and some of the remarks made by the characters are so spot on its uncanny) b) magic and c) romance.
+++++
Full review: I can't remember where I first heard about Ondine, but I'm certainly very glad I did. There's something very appealing about the novel and as I set out to figure out what exactly I was reminded of some of my favorites.
The Princess Bride for one; the b More...
+++++
Full review: I can't remember where I first heard about Ondine, but I'm certainly very glad I did. There's something very appealing about the novel and as I set out to figure out what exactly I was reminded of some of my favorites.
The Princess Bride for one; the b More...
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Jul 26, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
With warm wit and believable imagination, Ebony McKenna scores a ten with her debut romantic fantasy Ondine: Summer of Shambles.
The book opens with Ondine de Groot leaving summer psychic camp two weeks early, dreading how to tell her parents she's failing her studies. She also must figure out how to explain something else--that she's befriended a ferret, nickname Shambles, who not only can talk but is an enchanted Scottish laird. Ondine wisely decides not to mention that she's falling More...
The book opens with Ondine de Groot leaving summer psychic camp two weeks early, dreading how to tell her parents she's failing her studies. She also must figure out how to explain something else--that she's befriended a ferret, nickname Shambles, who not only can talk but is an enchanted Scottish laird. Ondine wisely decides not to mention that she's falling More...
Jul 17, 2011
Jesse
rated it: 
From the moment I heard of this book I knew it was going to be something really different, something that I’ve certainly never heard the likes of before – a story where one of it’s main characters, Shambles. Is. A. Talking. Ferret!
I loved the quirky writing style and I found the footnotes scattered throughout educational, funny and in some places adorable – it was very unusual for me seeing these in fiction (I’m used to seeing them in non-fiction) although in some places they did pull More...
I loved the quirky writing style and I found the footnotes scattered throughout educational, funny and in some places adorable – it was very unusual for me seeing these in fiction (I’m used to seeing them in non-fiction) although in some places they did pull More...
Sep 14, 2010
Aik Chien
rated it: 
Ondine: The Summer of Shambles is a cute book. There are a lot of entertaining scenes and hilarious moments, but sometimes, the happening just doesn't make sense. I really appreciate Ebony's attempt to make the book funny and interesting, and I enjoyed reading it, but the book lacks of a good plot line. There aren't much action and suspense, the events are quite predictable.
The main characters are Ondine and her pet ferret Shambles, or Hamish in his human form. I like both of them, More...
The main characters are Ondine and her pet ferret Shambles, or Hamish in his human form. I like both of them, More...
Sep 04, 2010
Larissa
rated it:
In the small country of Brugel a girl is spending her summer holidays at Psychic Summercamp, a very real summer school that is not at all as fun as you might believe. Ondine having slept through an exam has had enough and has decided to run away to home, but she doesn't leave alone. A ferret, Shambles, has decided to leave with her.
On the journey home Ondine is shocked to discover that Shambles, the ferret, can talk. More then that he was in the past a real boy. By the time she arrives More...
On the journey home Ondine is shocked to discover that Shambles, the ferret, can talk. More then that he was in the past a real boy. By the time she arrives More...
Mar 11, 2010
Audrey
rated it:
Ohman, this book was so absolutely quirkily and wittily fantastic. It starts off when Onine De Groot, native of the fantasy country of Brugel, accompanied by Shambles the ferret she just recently met, runs away from psychic summer camp and returns to her home, which just so happens to be in a bar. With a psychotically overprotective father.
On her way home, she discovers that Shambles can actually talk. Why? Because he's not a ferret, but a cursed prince. What follows is a laugh out l More...
On her way home, she discovers that Shambles can actually talk. Why? Because he's not a ferret, but a cursed prince. What follows is a laugh out l More...
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Feb 04, 2010
Nina
rated it:
Last week I read the book and I had a hard time putting it down. It was sweet, funny, charming and yet again funny.
Ondine de Groot (Such a Dutch name) comes back from psychic camp with her pet ferret. When she finds out that this pet ferret can talk, she wonders how he would look like in human form. The dialogue between the ferret and Ondine is hilarious, you will laugh your butt of.
And when he finally turns in to a guy, he’s totally HOT. But too bad the spell isn’t broke More...
Ondine de Groot (Such a Dutch name) comes back from psychic camp with her pet ferret. When she finds out that this pet ferret can talk, she wonders how he would look like in human form. The dialogue between the ferret and Ondine is hilarious, you will laugh your butt of.
And when he finally turns in to a guy, he’s totally HOT. But too bad the spell isn’t broke More...
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Dec 09, 2009
Becky
rated it:
Ondine: The Summer of Shambles is a humourous and quirky spin on a traditional fairytale. Ondine is the youngest of three sisters and she has been sent to Psychic summercamp. The story begins with Ondine's decision to run away home and take the ferret she has befriended at camp with her.
In the first chapter, I found Ondine's voice quite stilted and a little prim for a teenage character. However, by the second chapter her voice became more believeable and her character highly likeabl More...
In the first chapter, I found Ondine's voice quite stilted and a little prim for a teenage character. However, by the second chapter her voice became more believeable and her character highly likeabl More...
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Sep 06, 2010
Stephanie
rated it: 
This review originally appeared on www.readinasinglesitting.com
If I were to make a list of things that despite my grumpy and contrarian ways I find almost impossible to dislike, it would include the following: ferrets, Scottish accents, faux European countries, and tongue-in-cheek fairy tale re-tellings. Ondine: Summer of Shambles, Ebony McKenna’s debut, contains all of these things–in some cases in clever combination–putting it instantly on my to-read list.
Following yet More...
If I were to make a list of things that despite my grumpy and contrarian ways I find almost impossible to dislike, it would include the following: ferrets, Scottish accents, faux European countries, and tongue-in-cheek fairy tale re-tellings. Ondine: Summer of Shambles, Ebony McKenna’s debut, contains all of these things–in some cases in clever combination–putting it instantly on my to-read list.
Following yet More...
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Aug 20, 2010
CorLostForWords
rated it:
Source: Received from author. Many thanks goes to Ebony McKenna for sending me this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating: 5/5
Ondine de Groot is a normal girl, residing in Brugel. She has adopted a ferret named Shambles, and is surprised to learn that he talks. She is further surprised when she learns that he was once a young man, and that a witch, related to her, had cursed him to spend his life as a ferret. She sets o More...
My Rating: 5/5
Ondine de Groot is a normal girl, residing in Brugel. She has adopted a ferret named Shambles, and is surprised to learn that he talks. She is further surprised when she learns that he was once a young man, and that a witch, related to her, had cursed him to spend his life as a ferret. She sets o More...
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May 28, 2010
Kay
rated it:
Ondine was absolutely adorable!
This was my first middle-grade novel for a while and I couldn't help but love it! It was over-the-top, magical fun that put a smile on my face whenever I picked it up. McKenna writes with confidence and skill - two things not usually associated with debut novelists. Instead of opting for your typical show-then-explain narrative, McKenna include footnotes with quirky explanations about the language and the country. They were just brilliant! Short en More...
This was my first middle-grade novel for a while and I couldn't help but love it! It was over-the-top, magical fun that put a smile on my face whenever I picked it up. McKenna writes with confidence and skill - two things not usually associated with debut novelists. Instead of opting for your typical show-then-explain narrative, McKenna include footnotes with quirky explanations about the language and the country. They were just brilliant! Short en More...
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Oct 23, 2010
*MystGrrl*
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Apr 05, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
Ondine: The Summer of Shambles is a modern day fable with a narrator and all. It even starts with the line "This is a great story, and like a good many great stories before it, it begins with a teenage girl." That is so cool in my book. It sets the mood with one sentence and throws out any possible delusions you might have about it. The thought did cross my mind that this may be a bit too young for my liking, but that wasn't the case. Ondine goes through the motions of physically wanti
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Aug 23, 2011
Julia
rated it:
At the start of this book I wasn't really sure I was into to it. It seemed a bit boring compared to some of the other current YA books I've being reading (or maybe there just all very dramatic). However, the more I read the more I liked it. Halfway through and I was sucked in. It was a very good story with more than one complication and it had more to it than the romance. The story was light and funny, and romantic at some points. What can I say about Hamish/Shambles except I think I'm in love.
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Jun 03, 2011
Kate
rated it:
The Summer of Shambles is a coming of age story, with a liberal dose of magic. I was enchanted by the fictional kingdom of Brugel, and really enjoyed the little snippets of trivia throughout the book.
Ondine is realistic and likeable, I loved the Cinderella aspect of the story. Ondine may not have wicked stepsisters, but she is forced (by family obligation) into a life of hard work and little fun. That is, until Hamish comes into her life!
The idea of a sometimes-ferre More...
Ondine is realistic and likeable, I loved the Cinderella aspect of the story. Ondine may not have wicked stepsisters, but she is forced (by family obligation) into a life of hard work and little fun. That is, until Hamish comes into her life!
The idea of a sometimes-ferre More...
Sep 13, 2011
Beca
rated it:
More like a 2.6 than a 3!!!!
I don't know what to say about this book. It felt a little like a retelling of Princess and The Frog but not a very great one.
For some reason I could not imagine the "modern days", even though ur told that the story is happening in present days, the book had a medieval feel to me like Ondine should have been wearing long dresses instead of jeans. Shambles was just kind of whatever to me (I really did not care for him) sure his accent was cute a More...
I don't know what to say about this book. It felt a little like a retelling of Princess and The Frog but not a very great one.
For some reason I could not imagine the "modern days", even though ur told that the story is happening in present days, the book had a medieval feel to me like Ondine should have been wearing long dresses instead of jeans. Shambles was just kind of whatever to me (I really did not care for him) sure his accent was cute a More...
Apr 28, 2010
Angelc
rated it:
Ondine feels like a failure at psychic summer camp, so she packs up and runs away to home. In Ondine's world, the small country of Brugel, magic is accepted as a part of everyday life, so her parents are only a little surprised that she has brought home a talking ferret named Shambles. Actually, Ondine is one of the few who can actually hear Shambles talking- in an old-fashioned Scottish brogue no less! It turns out he used to be a man, but was cursed to live as a ferret. When he's not sneaking
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Oct 22, 2010
Amal
rated it:
easy to understand... i wonder how's hamish look like, wish there's a movie of this stories. hamish mcphee is so sweet. he shouldn't work with the duke :( hope he don't break his promise to come back to ondine when he's busy with the royalty. so what's next? no Ondine 2? :) i love this book so much. this is the best book i've ever read!! i just finished it today. i only read for 2 days 'cause i'm furiously want to know what happened next.. WOW
Sep 22, 2010
❀Faye(RTeenBKworm)❀
rated it:
I absolutely adored this book! it was so fun and cute. It had everything i needed in a fairy tale. The characters are so full of life and exciting. Ondi is the light of the story, she’s brave and clever. Hamish is an honorable character (and swoon worthy). I loved Shambles/ Hamish either way (as a ferret or a handsome young man) but I think I preferred him as a guy lol. He’s everything I look for in a guy(if you ask me :D) You can't help but love watching Ondi and Hamish's relationship bloom. <3
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May 22, 2010
A.M Bells
rated it:
I absolutely loved reading this book. It caught my attention at ferret when I read the description and without a single thought I ordered it. It arrived on a day that rain like the clouds broke and I didn't move from my bed until I had finished it.
It was amazing, and perfect. I hope I will get t read more about Ondine and Hamish in the future.
Larger rev here: AM Bells
It was amazing, and perfect. I hope I will get t read more about Ondine and Hamish in the future.
Larger rev here: AM Bells
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Jul 30, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Ondine is a sweet story of a teenage girl falling in love with her ferret- friend-turned-human. Her family owns a bar/restaurant where she works after she leaves her summer camp with her pet ferret.
Ondine learns that her ferret, Shambles, is really a human, named Hamish. Her aunt turned Hamish into a ferret years ago when he ruined an important evening for her.
Ondine learns that her ferret, Shambles, is really a human, named Hamish. Her aunt turned Hamish into a ferret years ago when he ruined an important evening for her.
Dec 28, 2011
Ria
rated it:
"This is a brilliantly witty story with a furry tail ending. One girl. One boy." I think this says everything you need, the rest you can imagine. Ondine is a fun and light reading.
Apr 19, 2011
This was such an adorable and funny story! I MUST get the sequel asap! Jenny, you're off the hook. ;)
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Jul 13, 2010
Frezanda
rated it:
I can't stop laughing throughout this book. My first time to fell iin love with a ferrett. Every charcter is hilarious and the footnote...I keep on imagining a ferret with a scottish accent and fall out laughing all over again.
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Mar 12, 2011
She Known As Jess
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Read Full Review on My Blog: http://sheknownasjess.blogspot.com/2011/...
