The Summer of Shambles (Ondine, #1)

May 20, 2010 Leanne Bell rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who like fairy tales and a good laugh

Shelves: books-to-make-you-laugh, read-2010, pink-purple-red, its-a-kinda-magic, prettiful-covers, didnt-see-that-coming, bought-from-waterstones, general-romance

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 Hamish (the ferret), and his g...more

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Oct 30, 2010 Carla *Jen7waters* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: hilarious, read-in-2010, fairytale-ish, young-adult

**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, self asleep…and then the...more **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, self asleep…and then there was me, laughing-out-loud like a mad hatter. I was positive that if I didn’t put the book down, I was going to awake someone up.

And why this book is so hilarious, you ask? Well, it is the tale of a spitfire teenage girl, a Scottish ferret-boy, and of a normal (meaning: a lovely, crazy and sometimes embarrassing) family, so of course it is hilarious. Plus, they all live in Brugel. A fictitious European country that never once won the Eurovision Song Contest and always gives 12 points to Slovakia. (Hang in there people of Brugel, my country has never won it either, but our turn will come!) And if this story takes place in the contemporary era, one barely notices because Brugel is stuck in time. Proof number one: there’s no internet, which gives the story yet more of that fairy tale tone I appreciate so much.

Please note that this is one of those lighthearted, warm and fuzzy, to-read-in-a-couple-of-hours book, which was just what I needed when I picked it up. Ebony has one of the most amusing, clever, altogether entertaining voices I’ve ever came across, which is precisely why I’m not even telling more about the plot of the story in the review – because, despite the fact that it is a delightful tale, full of creative scenarios and great advice –especially for the youngsters–, I also feel like it doesn’t even matter, for I’m sure I’d have enjoyed reading the phonebook this much if only Ebony had written it.

Review also at Cuidado com o Dálmata - Ondine: The Summer of Shambles (less)

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Nov 10, 2012 inga rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fairy-tale-or-fairy-tale-ish, 2012, books-i-own, love-the-atmosphere, witches-and-the-like, reviewed, own-on-kindle, love-the-heroine, love-the-hero, love-the-title, i-ship-them-so-hard, favorites-2012, reviewed-2012

3.5/5

This book is super cute. Seriously, every thing about it is cute: the cover, the love interest, the main character, the relationship of the main character and her love interest, the main character's family, everyone's name.

This book has a decidedly fairy tale-ish feeling to it (which I totally loved), as well as great world building. The way it's told is fabulous. Refreshingly, it's an omnicient narrator, and they have a rather sarcastic and snarky voice. The hilarious foot notes don't hurt...more

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Jul 01, 2010 Lexie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance, books-owned, book-type-tradepaperback

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 book is peppered with 'footno...more 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 book is peppered with 'footnotes' that explain Shambles' heavy Scottish accent, but also they illuminate aspects of 'Brugel' life that may seem odd. Turns of phrase, history things, why everything seems to be more medieval than you'd expect. These were often hilarious insights into how the author must think and served to make Brugel feel more like a real place (instead of a fictional European country).

McKenna's style also reminded me of Gail Carson Levine and Vivian Vande Velde, a sort of tongue in cheek humor about the absurdities of the mundane. Ondine's observations that her father's double standard, the hazards of having a large family, or a family that owned a bar/restaurant/hotel, even the pressures of first crushes. Shambles (or Hamish) was a rascal, and that might be putting it lightly. As mischievous as ferrets tend to be, but doubly so for being a young man to boot, he's slightly bawdy, but good at heart.

The novel moves along at a fast clip; we go from Ondine escaping Psychic Summercamp, to Shambles relating his life story, finding out a murder plot, romance, family secrets and villainous acts with little breath between. The book remained engaging however between Shambles' banter with Ondine and the general craziness of Ondine's family (not to mention Old Col, her great-aunt). There's a lesson to be learned at times--caution about first appearances, insensitivity towards others, filial obligation--but I never felt as if it was overdone or heavy-handed.

Unfortunately its currently only available overseas in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, but Canada has it as well. Luckily you can order it from Book Depository with free shipping. There's a second book in the offing for 2011, which if the ending is any indication, will involve more intrigue and banter! (less)

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Mar 26, 2013 Kate McMurry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fairy-tale-retelling, magic, paranormal-romance, romantic-comedy, ya-comedy, ya-fantasy, ya-paranormal-romance, ya-romantic-comedy, young-adult-comedy, young-adult-fantasy, young-adult-paranormal-romance, young-adult-romantic-comedy

Original, cute, fairytale romantic comedy

Fifteen-year-old Ondine de Groot lives at her family's business, a combination hotel and pub in the imaginary Eastern European country of Brugel. Ondine has worked for years alongside her mother, father and two older sisters cleaning rooms, serving customers and scrubbing dirty dishes. But at the start of the story her mother has sent her to the other side of Brugel to Psychic Summercamp for several weeks in order to develop her extra-sensory skills. Thou...more Original, cute, fairytale romantic comedy

Fifteen-year-old Ondine de Groot lives at her family's business, a combination hotel and pub in the imaginary Eastern European country of Brugel. Ondine has worked for years alongside her mother, father and two older sisters cleaning rooms, serving customers and scrubbing dirty dishes. But at the start of the story her mother has sent her to the other side of Brugel to Psychic Summercamp for several weeks in order to develop her extra-sensory skills. Though these are accepted as a normal and desirable part of life in Brugel, Ondine doesn't believe she has any such talents, in spite of her mother's insistence that Ondine must be psychic because it runs in the family. Bored and homesick after only a week at camp, Ondine decides to sneak out of camp and run away to her home. Her only hesitation before leaving is what to do with Shambles. He's an adorable ferret who showed up not long before, "face-deep in her secret stash of Brugelwurst sausage," and he's been following her like a lap dog ever since. He's so attached to Ondine, in fact, she feels guilty about leaving him behind. She's convinced her mother wouldn't want a ferret at their hotel, so she tells herself if she brings Shambles along, she can find him a good home with someone else. In the midst of her trip home, though, Shambles suddenly begins talking to her in a thick Scottish accent, and Ondine wonders if she's gone crazy. Shambles assures her she hasn't. He can talk because he used to be a Scottish laird named Hamish until he angered a witch. She put a spell on him that changed him into a ferret and has also preserved him, in a non-aging state, for scores of years. And thus begins the hilarious adventures of Ondine's "Summer of Shambles."

The structure of this book is quite original. The author has written it in a fairy-tale, omniscient voice with a witty, intrusive narrator who reminds me of a combination of the narrator in Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice and the voiceover narrator of the classic movie, A Christmas Story. Ondine is an appealing character, producing many very amusing moments as she is tugged in multiple directions by the demands of her various family members, but most of all by the antics of Shambles/Hamish. Ondine's quirky relatives are a big part of the fun, especially her mother, and the villain is very well suited to a fairy tale. But of all the great characters in this book, Shambles/Hamish steals the show. He is outrageously outspoken, and a hilarious mixture of man and ferret in his living habits. His eternal pursuit of sausage is one of the cutest plot devices for getting Shambles in trouble throughout the book, and his distinctive take on life expressed in a steady stream of Scottish colloquial expressions had me constantly chuckling. Finally, like all good romantic comedies, this book has a satisfying, upbeat ending.

The author of Ondine is from Australia, and this book was originally published in Great Britain. According to the author's website, she is busy writing a sequel so we have more of the wonderful world of Shambles and Ondine to look forward to. Hopefully the American release won't be delayed too long because I can't wait!

I rate this book as follows:

Heroine: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Fantasy World-Building: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Chick-Lit Plot: 4 stars
Romantic Subplot: 4 stars
Overall: 5 stars
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Jun 02, 2012 Liz rated it 4 of 5 stars

3.75/5

Ondine: The Summer of Shambles was such a fun read! Definitely perfect for the approaching summer, so I recommend getting a copy now so you can relax while reading it in the sun.

Ondine was a great protagonist, and I really liked her. She had run away from Psychic Summercamp with a ferret, Shambles, who actually turned out not to be a ferret at all, but a full grown Scottish man under a witch’s curse. Ondine’s reaction to this was great to read about, and the way she accepted it all just ma...more 3.75/5

Ondine: The Summer of Shambles was such a fun read! Definitely perfect for the approaching summer, so I recommend getting a copy now so you can relax while reading it in the sun.

Ondine was a great protagonist, and I really liked her. She had run away from Psychic Summercamp with a ferret, Shambles, who actually turned out not to be a ferret at all, but a full grown Scottish man under a witch’s curse. Ondine’s reaction to this was great to read about, and the way she accepted it all just made me laugh. She was a quirky girl (who could be both dense and also very clever) and I loved the things she came up with, and how she got embarrassed in front of certain people. She could be a bit selfish at times, but she always tried to fix her mistakes in the end. I loved the way she interacted with Shambles (as a ferret); he was the only one that could hear her and a lot of their conversations were so funny! Shambles the man (or Hamish, shall I say) was an entirely different story, however. When Shambles first transformed into Hamish, there was an amusing scene in which Ondine couldn’t help but notice how gorgeous he was! And from then on things between them both changed and I loved the way their relationship grew.

Shambles was a character I loved, both as a ferret and a human. He was funny and also a little bit outrageous, but you could tell as the book went on that he really began to care about Ondine, and I respected the decision he made at the end. Some of the book’s most hilarious moments involved Shambles, like when Ondine’s dad found out that he wasn’t really a ferret – I loved that scene! Ondine’s dad was a little bit loopy anyway and was way overprotective of his daughters, so you can imagine how he reacted when he learnt the ferret wasn’t actually a ferret.

One thing I really loved about Ondine was the setting! It was set in a fictional European country called Brugel and there was something...magical about the place. Even though the book was set in present day, I felt like it could have been an old fairy tale because Brugel was just so cool and old-fashioned. Obviously the magical powers certain characters possessed helped create this atmosphere, along with the talking ferret and various other wacky things. The Psychic Summercamp and old witches with grudges definitely added to the fairy tale feeling too and I’m really excited to see what other magical things await us in the next book!

Another thing I loved was the footnotes. Footnotes can sometimes go horribly wrong – like they’re trying to be funny, but just seem random and out of place. I am happy to say, however, that these footnotes were awesome. From the first chapter I knew I was going to appreciate them – one of the first things we were told was that Brugel was a country in Europe – that sadly had never won the Eurovision Song Contest. And I don’t know what it was, but something about the tone and the way this footnote was presented just had me cracking up. I mean, the Eurovision Song Contest is laughable at most times anyway, but it was just so funny! And most of the other footnotes were the same – I definitely enjoyed reading them.

The plot in Ondine was slightly predictable, but I don’t think it affected my enjoyment of the book. It was well-paced and there wasn’t any overlong description or any attempt to drag the story out – it was the perfect length in my opinion! I have the next book on my TBR and I can’t wait to read it.

Overall, Ondine: The Summer of Shambles was an engaging, light-hearted, summery read, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something fun with a touch of magic!(less)

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Jul 26, 2011 Michelle Fayard rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 just the t...more

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Jul 17, 2011 Jesse Owen rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 me out of...more

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Sep 14, 2010 Aik Chien 인첸 rated it 3 of 5 stars

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, but there are...more

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Sep 04, 2010 Larissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

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 home she...more

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Mar 11, 2010 Audrey rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 loud hilariou...more 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 loud hilarious retelling of the classic fairy tale, with Ondine the princess and Shambles the frog (don't tell Shambles I compared him to a frog, though - I'm sure he would be mightily offended). Shambles, with his Scottish accent and expressions (thank goodness there were footnoted translations, otherwise I would have been helplessly lost) and his quick-witted humour, absolutely made this book. His interactions with Ondine and the rest of her family had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.

Ondine herself was funny, and she was very much your typical teenage girl. Her "falling in love" and "imagining hot guys" reminded me so much of my high school years that it made all those other books seem like they've got teenagers all wrong. Which at times made her ridiculous and annoying but was also slightly refreshing. We never really got to know her family too well, but what we did see added nicely to the image I had formed of Ondine, and their interactions (especially with her father and mother) were sometimes nearly as funny as the scenes with Shambles.

My biggest problem with this book? I would really like to know what Ebony McKenna has against vegetarians. There were so many references in here that made it seem like she thinks that vegetarians are unhealthy wusses. Which is ridiculous, because healthy vegetarians are by far healthier than meat eaters. And how is it wussy to choose a lifestyle that doesn't promote torture? It was weird, and it bothered me on more than one occasion.
I also had trouble understanding the whole "falling in love" part of the book. Of course it had to be there, but I didn't really feel like it was developed as well as it could havae been. It just seemed to happen, and in a way, didn't make sense to me.
Oh, and we never really got to see what makes Brugel so awesomely different. I wanted to know more about Brugel.

Still, Ondine was an absolute pleasure to read, and if you've got an hour or two in which you want a good laugh without having to think, I absolutely recommend picking up a copy of this book!
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Feb 04, 2010 Nina rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 broken, because when their li...more

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Dec 09, 2009 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 likeable. Her relat...more

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Sep 06, 2010 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-grade, fantasy

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 another woeful examinati...more 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 another woeful examination performance, fifteen-year-old Ondine de Groot decides that spending her days washing and drying dishes at her parents’ bed and breakfast is by far preferable to honing her admittedly limited extra-sensory skills at psychic summer school. Whilst this might seem rather a strange decision to, well, perhaps any teen who has ever existed, Ondine is quite determined that she wants out, and with scarcely a second thought she has packed her things and is on her way back home. After the stresses of psychic summer camp, Ondine is relieved that her journey home promises to be an uneventful one. At least until the ferret stowed away in her luggage decides that this is a key point at which to begin nattering away to her at a million miles an hour. And in a charming Scottish accent (but with some rather less than charming turns of phrase), no less.

After rather a lot of chatting on the ferret’s behalf, and rather a lot of listening on Ondine’s, it turns out that the furry little fellow is the unfortunate subject of a hex cast by a jilted prom date (Ondine’s great-aunt) the better part of a century ago. And so, Ondine is on a mission: to break the spell on her furry friend so that he might be returned to human form once more. But it seems that the strangeness surrounding Shambles is a portent of things to come, and Ondine is rather perturbed to find that things suddenly become quite a good deal more complex. Although Ondine and Shambles, as her smart-mouthed friend is known, do make a concerted attempt to set about breaking the spell that has trapped him in ferret form for so long, their efforts are secondary to the various other types of intrigue going on in the background: attempted regicide, frowned-upon romances that cross age and class barriers, disapproving visits from the food inspector, the discovery of a wealth (quite literally) of jewels and goodies, and Ondine’s rather unbidden crush on a dastardly but undeniably handsome prince.

If one were to sum up Ondine in a single word, the term that comes immediately to mind is charming. Ebony McKenna has created the sort of rich, curious world that might result from the marriage of a Miyazaki film to a fairy tale by the brothers Grimm, and it’s rather difficult not fall rather in love with it. Full of imposing castles, stodgy pub fare, and references to Eurovision, the fictional country of Brugel recalls something along the lines of late nineteenth-century Germany or Austria, with the odd modern-day anachronism thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, the reader is given scarcely more than a taste of this world, which is a shame, as it’s one that piqued my curiosity.

Ondine also suffers from a distinct lack of focus in terms of plot: certain plot elements, such as the attempted regicide, are introduced vaguely, as though almost in passing, and then never really allowed to develop in a substantial manner. This is true, unfortunately, for much of the narrative, and while each plot progression in and of itself promises something fun and enjoyable, the story as a whole never really comes together in a cohesive manner. Even Ondine’s star-crossed romance with Shambles struggles to surface, perhaps due to the fact that it’s given relatively little space in the book. But lack of space is not the only culprit when it comes to undermining the plot’s coherence: there are certain points that just simply feel illogical or lazy, and that jar as a reader. How, for example, is it possible that one can escape so easily from a psychic camp? Surely the psychic supervisors would be aware of such things? Moreover, the fact that Shambles’s ongoing ferrety state can be put down to his simply being in the habit of being a ferret seems like a narratively crude approach to take, and one that is used more for laughs than for any overall plot progression. Another rather more pressing issue is that the book feels almost abridged or abbreviated, and seems to end where it perhaps should have begun.

Still, Ondine is largely carried by its voice and humour, and despite the issues highlighted above there are some very entertaining moments. McKenna’s voice is simultaneously haughty and endearing, and those who enjoy archness in narrative voice, as I do, will find that this, in addition to the emphasis on humour and farce, helps balance out some of the book’s plot and character-related shortcomings. McKenna also takes the time to touch on some interesting themes such as family and obligation, and also looks at issues of taboo and social norms, which adds an interesting dimension to the book. However, this raises another issue, which is that of the positioning of this book as a young adult novel, which I’m not entirely sure is accurate. While Ondine does deal with some issues that fall quite firmly into YA, and the protagonist falls into the age range typical of a YA, the tone and plotting of Ondine both have a distinct middle grade feel. Given that books targeted at either age group tend to employ particular conventions and approaches, the genre ambivalence of Ondine means that it’s not entirely successful as a YA or as an MG. This is unfortunate, as I can’t help but feel that Ondine may slip through the gaps as a result.(less)

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Aug 20, 2010 CorLostForWords rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 out to break the sp...more 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 out to break the spell on him, but can she do it, or is he doomed to spend eternity as a ferret?
I absolutely loved this book. I found both Ondine and Shambles engaging, I loved their banter, and found myself immersed fully in their world. Shambles is a cheeky ferret, and it's quite easy to see how he got into trouble in the first place. His Scottish accent makes him all the more endearing, and his phrases will have you giggling in no time. I absolutely loved, and have never seen before in a fiction novel, the footnotes. They explained certain phrases, so we could follow along easily. Most of the time, the footnotes were tongue in cheek, and the explanations were just as funny as the original phrasing.
Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the characters; and enjoyed getting to know Ondine's full family, as well as Shambles, and Ondine herself. Her parents, and siblings, as well as their respective partners kick up the action, and they keep Ondine on her toes. Things are quite lively, and I found the book refreshing. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series. I'm rooting for Shambles/Hamish and Ondine, and can't wait to see where McKenna takes them next. If this book is any indication, we are in for a treat.
All in all, McKenna's humour adds another dimension to the book, and leaves us begging for more. An excellent debut novel; one, that I think we should all read. It is a lighthearted, and vibrant read that will burrow itself into your heart. This is one book that I know I will be re-reading in the future. It is a feel-good tale that kept me involved, and guessing what would happen next. The next book isn't out until February 2011. February cannot come soon enough. (less)

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May 28, 2010 Kay rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 enough not to detra...more

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Oct 23, 2010 *MystGrrl* rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: lovers of magic, enchantments & scottish brogue

Shelves: tales-of-romance, tales-of-magic, tales-of-humour

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
"What is the point of falling in love with a man if he turns back into a ferret when the moon goes down?"

Brugel is a country where the strange and unusual are not only tolerated, they are encouraged. So when Ondine finds was appears to be cute little ferret in her secret stash of food at Psychic Summer Camp, she unwittingly adopts him & doesn't bat an eyelash. When Shambles the Ferret turns out to be seriously hot Hamish McPhee the Laird of Glen Logan, a dark haired boy with roguish twinkle...more

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Apr 05, 2010 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

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 wanting to be c...more 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 wanting to be close to teenage boys and discovering what that means. So this perfectly aimed at girls for the 13-15 year age group.

Ondine is a 15 year old girl who may have psychic powers but is stuck working most of her spare time in her family's restaurant. Honestly, she puts up with a lot from them which I probably wouldn't be able to handle but the story is set in the sort of place that requires you to have more respect and understanding for your family. Shambles the ferret would be so cute in real life. His speech is a little hard to follow and that's where the smartly placed footnotes come in to play. As Shambles is Scottish, he has unfamiliar sayings which are explained in the notes down the bottom. Other things are referred to there also, and they aren't irritating or a waste of space and I often found myself laughing at them.

I enjoyed the fold out of the story almost to the end which didn't really satisfy my want of a happy ending. Now that I know there is a sequel this is fine, but at the time of reading it, all I could think is how can she be so naïve? Maybe I'm just a pessimist. I'm sure the next book will clear that up anyway. Are you a bit of a fan of fables aimed at an older age group? If so, then look no further. This should be right up your alley.

Cover: Very pretty design but the girl isn't the one described in the book imo. Ondine has long dark hair and dark brown eyes and the cover model looks like she has reddish-brown hair and pale brown/green eyes.

Ondine & Shambles

1. Ondine: The Summer of Shambles
2. Ondine: The Autumn Palace (Release date TBC(less)

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Jun 07, 2012 HG rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-fantasy

Fairy tale like Ondine is a quirky, magical, humorous romance about a 15 year old girl who is befriended by a ferret (Shambles). The ferret turns out to be a boy called Hamish who was cursed to “ferretdom” by a witch as punishment for a romantic slight many years earlier. The story is predictable and perhaps more suited to younger teens, but I enjoyed it because of the situational humour that involved Shambles/Hamish as he changed from ferret to man (and vice versa) and, for the recurring, amus...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people looking for a light, funny romantic read.

Shelves: aussie-ya

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....more

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Aug 28, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book really took me by surprise!

The description didn't really entice me to read it, but the fact that the I loved the cover did! I know, I know, never judge a book by its cover, but I did, and I'm so glad I did!

When I read the first chapter, I thought I'd end up not finishing the book as I found it incredible dull and boring. However, by the second or third chapter, I was hooked! So please don't give up on this book if you're not into it by the second chapter.

I loved the characters of Shamb...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Ifigenia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, juvenil, cuentos, saga, contempor-neo, brujas

Ondine vive en Brugel (pueblo imaginario de Europa un tanto peculiar, parece que ni tiene euro, cree en los adivinos y como que está “un poco más atrasado en algunas cosas que los europeos de toda la vida, vamos, ni siquiera tiene cantante que mandar a eurovisión) y está pasando el verano como todos los niños de Brugel aprendiendo las habilidades necesarias para ser psíquica y demás habilidades extrasensoriales. Aunque a Ondine eso le parece una tontería del quince, por lo que decide abandonar e...more Ondine vive en Brugel (pueblo imaginario de Europa un tanto peculiar, parece que ni tiene euro, cree en los adivinos y como que está “un poco más atrasado en algunas cosas que los europeos de toda la vida, vamos, ni siquiera tiene cantante que mandar a eurovisión) y está pasando el verano como todos los niños de Brugel aprendiendo las habilidades necesarias para ser psíquica y demás habilidades extrasensoriales. Aunque a Ondine eso le parece una tontería del quince, por lo que decide abandonar el campamento y volver a su hogar, aunque eso signifique trabajar como una negrera al lado de sus padres y hermanas en el hostal que regentan. Antes de irse, le recuerdan que se lleve al hurón Shambles con ella, ya que parece que muestra una gran preferencia por ella y justo cuando va de camino a su casa descubre que el hurón habla y no es muy educado precisamente (vamos, que mejor estaba calladito), encima afirma ser un hombre hechizado hace tiempo por culpa de estropearle el baile de presentación en sociedad a una debutante.

El libro consta de muchos pies de página con los que me he reído mucho (vamos, yo suelo poner paréntesis para comentar algo en off, esta autora lo que hace es utilizar los pies de páginas), unos más divertidos que otros que son más “explicativos”. La protagonista en un principio no deja de ser interesante, no vive para el romance (lástima que la pastelosidad comienza de la mitad en adelante del libro) y es bastante realista, como por ejemplo, no cree en la magia, pero consigue hacer que los demás crean que ella es maga porque es muy deductiva (estilo Sherlock Holmes, no es adivino, pero es muy observador). Además la relación con su padre hiperprotector, su madre que es práctica a más no poder y sus hermanas, cada una con sus más y menos resulta bastante creíble (que en un libro los personajes tengan una familia feliz con problemillas de vez en cuando, es algo digno de mención, todo lo que me leo, siempre hay familias traumatizadas o disfuncionales por todos los lados). Shambles también cambia a lo largo del libro, y no me refiero solo de forma, al principio es problemático, bocazas, cabezota, no para quieto en ningún lado… Luego espabila ligeramente, aunque más correcto sería decir que en su forma humana se le toleran más cosas porque es más guapo (me recordó mucho a Gloria de Modern family); aunque estar en forma de hurón le ayuda a descubrir a unos posibles asesinos lo que les lleva a la casa del duque y lo hace todo mucho más interesante.

Es un libro de enredos, tanto familiares, como amorosos (lo que empieza a crecer a partir de la segunda mitad del libro), con una pizquita de misterio, no voy a engañar a nadie con la trama. La trama es sencilla, pero amena; no marcará mi existencia haberla leído, pero la autora no ha pasado a mi lista negra tampoco.

Otra de las cosas que me hizo bastante gracia del libro es el “lenguaje adaptado”, me explico, la protagonista en vez de decir oh my god o bien oh my gosh lo que dice es oh my stars (porque ya he dicho antes que en el pueblo creen más en lo paranormal que en lo normal); cuando maldice la proganista empieza con ¡por las alas de Mercurio! (Mercury’s wings!) Y así.

El inglés del libro no es en absoluto difícil, es bastante sencillo, lo peor puede ser la jerga escocesa de Shambles/Hamish, pero el significado general se saca bastante bien, así que si no sabéis mucho inglés, este puede ser un buen libro con el que empezar, si es que os gusta la temática.

Me gustaría decir que es un libro único, pero lo siento mucho, tiene una segunda parte, Ondine The autumn palace, pero no tengo noticias de más libros por allí que seguramente me acabe leyendo, porque aunque el libro sea simple, me ha hecho reírme más de una vez y ahora que ya conozco a los personajes nos saltaremos tanta presentación; además, la continuación parece centrado más en misterio que en enredos amorosos.

En conclusión: el típico cuento simple y divertido que leer entre libros más gordos.(less)

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Apr 06, 2012 Celine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Double review of both books originally posted in: http://forget8me8not.blogspot.com.au/...

Covers:
Wow, both covers are so pretty! I love the girl in the cover and also the patterns surrounding the cover. The colours are also really beautiful and suitable such as the purple and pink colours to give a gorgeous effect! So adorable. Both cover gives off this fantasy feeling that makes me really want to read it since I first saw the cover!

Story:

Ondine's life is about to be changed...by a ferret.

Wow, b...more

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Sep 13, 2011 Beca "oNe-C" rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: new-in-2010, my-2011-reads, 5-series-i-am-reading, xox-personal-collection-xox, 0-magic-and-powers-0, 00-romance-and-love-00, 0-not-your-typical-fantasy-0

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 and all but he had no...more

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Apr 28, 2010 Angelc rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars

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...more 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 food away from the kitchen, Shambles overhears a murder plot against the duke. All sorts of chaos follow Ondine and Shambles as they try to warn and save the duke, all the while trying to lift the curse so that Shambles can be a man again.

This fantasy story was so sweet and so much fun! Ondine was spunky and Shambles was such a handful! I have to admit, I really want a talking ferret that I can wear as a stole and take everywhere with me! Shambles is so lovable as a foul mouthed ragamuffin! McKenna describes him so well that I can just see all of his shenanigans so clearly, and it's totally believable.

But you know how in "Beauty and the Beast", you were just a teensy bit disappointed when the lovable beast turned into a boring prince? (or am I the only one?) This book isn't like that at all! When Shambles is in his human form, Hamish, he's just as wonderful but in a different way. He's sweet and polite and jaw-droppingly handsome!

The author uses footnotes a lot in this story to tell about Brugel and give other insights. The footnotes were always really funny and I appreciated that McKenna was trying something unique. Sometimes, they were a little distracting, though, and I would have liked the information better if it had been in the body of the work instead.

I loved this book, especially Shambles. The story was really fun with lots of madcap action. And there was a good message underneath it all, too. Now, where can I find a talking ferret?

This book was provided to me for review from Egmont UK.

reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/

(less)

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Oct 22, 2010 Amal Rawiah rated it 5 of 5 stars

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

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Sep 22, 2010 Faye rated it 5 of 5 stars

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...more

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May 22, 2010 A.M Bells rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone who likes fluffy love

Recommended to A.M Bells by: fate

Shelves: 2010, faves

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

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Jul 30, 2011 Jennifer McFadden rated it 4 of 5 stars

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.

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Dec 28, 2011 Ria rated it 5 of 5 stars

"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.

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title link	preview: The Summer of Shambles
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The Summer of Shambles (Ondine #1)

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