Introducing a witty and macabre new fantasy trilogy.
There's little joy left in the kingdom of Caux: the evil King Nightshade rules w... read full description
There's little joy left in the kingdom of Caux: the evil King Nightshade rules w... read full description
reviews
Mar 20, 2011
J
rated it: 
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Oct 30, 2009
Jan
rated it: 
In the kingdom of Caux, poisoning is the norm, and Ivy Manx is worried. When her beloved uncle Cecil went on a journey a year ago, she took over running his tavern, the Hollow Bettle. But that was a year ago, and Ivy decides it is time to go search for him. Accompanied by her pet crow, the tavern's Taster, and her own inept Taster, Ivy sets out and is almost immediately pursued by King Nightshade's deadly sentries. With magical help from a diminutive trestleman, they evade the sentries and an Ou
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Jun 12, 2010
Sps
rated it: 
Review book. For ages 10-12.
While the action moves forward reasonably well, and the premise is interesting, the problems with prose and characterization make me give this a thumbs-down. We’re told that Ivy likes poisons better than healing, but then she spends the rest of the book—and presumably the rest of the series—happily fulfilling the Prophecy of the Noble Child by healing people, becoming outraged when people are poisoned, and working against the culture of poisoning. Kirkus Rev More...
While the action moves forward reasonably well, and the premise is interesting, the problems with prose and characterization make me give this a thumbs-down. We’re told that Ivy likes poisons better than healing, but then she spends the rest of the book—and presumably the rest of the series—happily fulfilling the Prophecy of the Noble Child by healing people, becoming outraged when people are poisoned, and working against the culture of poisoning. Kirkus Rev More...
Feb 12, 2010
rachel
rated it:
I don't read a lot of middle grade fantasy (and have a lackluster response to even that boy wizard) but the poisoning angle of this one looked cool and the opening paragraph is a hook. Overall, The Hollow Bettle turned out to be a decent beginning to a new series with enough delightful moments of magic to impress.
I had some trouble getting into it at first, because it takes Appelbaum a good 50 pages to tame her precocious, high vocabulary style into a flow. For that reason, I'm no More...
I had some trouble getting into it at first, because it takes Appelbaum a good 50 pages to tame her precocious, high vocabulary style into a flow. For that reason, I'm no More...
Aug 28, 2009
Alex
rated it: 
The Poisons of Caux: The Hollow Beetle by Susannah Applebaum
The Hollow Beetle is the first book in the new trilogy The Poisons of Caux by Susannah Applebaum. The story follows the adventures of healer in training Ivy Manx as she journeys through the kingdom of Caux, a land which has forgotten the arts of kindness and trust turning instead to the craftiness of poisons, and eleven-year-old Ivy just may be the kingdom’s only hope for salvation. The catch is that, as of yet, young Ivy More...
The Hollow Beetle is the first book in the new trilogy The Poisons of Caux by Susannah Applebaum. The story follows the adventures of healer in training Ivy Manx as she journeys through the kingdom of Caux, a land which has forgotten the arts of kindness and trust turning instead to the craftiness of poisons, and eleven-year-old Ivy just may be the kingdom’s only hope for salvation. The catch is that, as of yet, young Ivy More...
Nov 14, 2010
Melanie
rated it:
Ivy Manx, aka "Poison Ivy," decides to go after her missing uncle who left their inn to try to cure the king a year ago. Along the way she picks up an unlucky boy who has just managed to kill 20 of the royal guard because he failed to "taste" the poison in their food. But he didn't, really. He joins Ivy on her quest to find the royal city where the evil "Nightshades" are ruling the land with fear. Along the way Ivy learns that she is the child that will fulfill a ro
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Jan 25, 2011
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Oct 29, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
This book is good. I mean, really good. A girl named after Poison Ivy (Ivy) was the adopted niece of an outlawed apotheopath (he does it in secret, it's just illegal to practice and to preform the profession) who was jailed when he stepped inside the city of where the king and queen lived (he stated his secret profession) and Ivy was living with a mean taster (a person that tastes food so that the people aren't poisoned) that is secretly trying to take her away to his master. The master has a se
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Aug 11, 2011
Book Elf
rated it:
I was curious with this book when I saw it in NBS. First off, the cover is nice. I like the shade of green and even the prints are in green, which was relaxing to my eyes. Then there are illustrations inside which makes it a lot nicer.
The summary caught my attention too as this was a change of story to the normal YA about magic and dragons. Hmmm...something about poison. I like the plot, how it was written, and the promise of the next story. Nothing extravagant, but it was a bit creepy More...
The summary caught my attention too as this was a change of story to the normal YA about magic and dragons. Hmmm...something about poison. I like the plot, how it was written, and the promise of the next story. Nothing extravagant, but it was a bit creepy More...
Nov 29, 2011
Sensitivemuse
rated it:
What I really liked was the world building. The journey Rowan and Ivy go through was well described and their encounters with different characters was well done. I loved the different settings and their adventure seemed to get even more exciting as the book was nearing to a close. How the setting came about, and the introduction to this story was well done. I liked how the setting was established, with a nice concise history on how King Nightshade came about. It’s almost told in a fairy tale nar
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Oct 17, 2009
Miss Clark
rated it:
Possibly verging on a 2.5
It was very confusing and jumped around. By the end, I was not materially any closer to understanding the story or what the characters were actually doing or who they were than in the beginning. Really, one of the poorest opening chapters for clarity that I have read in a looooooong time.And while I wanted to like Ivy, and the other two main characters, I found them flat. The dialogue did not sparkle, the characters did not invite you in, and darned if the pl More...
It was very confusing and jumped around. By the end, I was not materially any closer to understanding the story or what the characters were actually doing or who they were than in the beginning. Really, one of the poorest opening chapters for clarity that I have read in a looooooong time.And while I wanted to like Ivy, and the other two main characters, I found them flat. The dialogue did not sparkle, the characters did not invite you in, and darned if the pl More...
Jan 01, 2011
Moshe
rated it: 
I am fortunate enough to have attended a live reading of "The Hollow Bettle" (I live in New York's Hudson Valley) and, to answer the quirkily-doubtful reviewers above, I have seen *first-hand* the enthusiasm of young readers (aged around 10 years old) who apparently had NO trouble whatsoever reading, comprehending, and loving Ivy's adventures. They monopolized the Q&A session with observations and questions!
Perhaps some reviewers should give Caux's target audience more credi
Perhaps some reviewers should give Caux's target audience more credi
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Jul 10, 2011
Codex
rated it:
Somehow the story never developed sufficiently to gain momentum and captivate. Some parts seemed disjointed and misplaced, others overworked or drawn out. And something was decidedly wrong with the language use, which tended to disrupt flow and natural rhythm; this forced frequent rereading of passages in an attempt to fathom what was actually being conveyed. Considering the 400-odd pages required to get to the end, the conclusion came across rather weak. Overall a pity, since the plot did offer
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Dec 19, 2010
Rachel
rated it:
Thank god for this book!!!!
I've been waiting for a new trilogy to come along...one that keeps me flipping pages at night until dawn.
I love the poison and tasters, herbs and antidotes...and the world of Caux is totally cool, unusual. The book is printed in a murky green ink--even the text!
Really fun--I've given it to my two nieces.
I've read the second, The Taster's Guild--and Appelbaum has me hooked.
Can't wait for the third!
I've been waiting for a new trilogy to come along...one that keeps me flipping pages at night until dawn.
I love the poison and tasters, herbs and antidotes...and the world of Caux is totally cool, unusual. The book is printed in a murky green ink--even the text!
Really fun--I've given it to my two nieces.
I've read the second, The Taster's Guild--and Appelbaum has me hooked.
Can't wait for the third!
Sep 18, 2010
Charlou
rated it:
Ivy Manx, 11, lives in a kingdom ruled by an evil king where poisoning is the norm so having a taster is common. She is joined by Rowan, a young inept taster, when she sets out to find her uncle, the last apotheopath (healer) who disappeared and left her a year before. Danger, intrigue and secrets. The first of a trilogy, nice enough but I hoped for more.
Jan 28, 2010
Kate
rated it:
While I really enjoyed the story and found it to be intriguing, I hope Ms. Appelbaum becomes a better writer for book 2 in this series. I found her storytelling to be very abrupt, so much so that I would have to stop and go back to make sure I didn't miss anything because she clipped along at such a furious pace. Very quick moving story with lots of wonder.
Apr 22, 2011
Alysa
rated it:
Beautifully written prose draws you into the magical world of Caux. It's a book that appeals to both the adult (parent) and the young adult readers- my son read it and loved it. Applebaum has created a female protagonist who appeals to both boys and girls- a rare find in the YA world!
Sep 13, 2011
m1 Gwen
rated it:
i liked it, although found it slightly boring. It was mostly adventure, and I therefore found it slightly disappointing when I wasn't immediately immersed in the plot. It is a worthwhile read, but not the most interesting book you'll ever come across.
Dec 30, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Its about time someone brought back an intelligent read full of imagery and wonderful characters! I loved this book for myself and my child.... I am currently reading the second of the trilogy now and it only gets better! Recommended for all.
Mar 05, 2009
Lauren
rated it:
This is a fabulous start to a brand new trilogy about the world of Caux, where poisonings are a common occurrence. As in all good trilogies, there is a Prophecy that claims there is a Noble Child who will cure the King and bring relief to the land of Caux. This child is Ivy Manx. Together with a rogue, young taster from the Guild and her bird Shoo, she must save the world. I can't wait for the next installment in this fun new trilogy.
Feb 16, 2011
Cassie
rated it:
Peculiar, fun and inventive. Appelbaum has created a compelling and magical land with an entertaining cast of chatcters. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the trilogy.
Oct 03, 2009
Diana
rated it:
Reads a bit younger than I like; however, the story and characters are fun and looking forward to the next adventure.
Jul 27, 2011
Erin
rated it:
A good book, about the adventures of a runaway taster and a girl that may change Caux to its normal state.
Mar 31, 2011
Chade
rated it:
I liked how it kept the suspense throughout the story. You didn't know who was nice or who was mean.
Jul 11, 2011
Kristy
rated it:
This was a fun, fast-paced fantasy story. The author created a terrific world & characters. I'll definitely be looking for the next one in the series.
Jul 21, 2010
Heather
rated it:
I like the characters (some are rather delightful) but I don't think they are properly filled out. A few seem like a sketch that didn't quite get finished. And, unfortunately, this book has the feeling of many intended series that things are being stretched out just for the sake of continued books. (Meaning the story is sometimes slow and going nowhere.) Still, I plan to read the second one and learn more.
Jan 20, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
I really wanted to like this book. I like the idea behind the book but, I could not get past the author's style of writing.
Feb 20, 2011
Shanshad
rated it:
Interesting. Didn't absolutely love it, but it was interesting and entertaining enough. I'll look for the sequel.
