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A Place Called Perfect

(Perfect)

Helena Duggan (Goodreads Author)

4.03 · Rating details · 1,168 ratings · 191 reviews

Violet hates living in Perfect. Why does everyone have to wear special glasses to stop them going blind? What are the strange noises in the night and why is Mum acting so weird? Then Dad disappears and Violet is determined to uncover the truth with the help of the mysterious Boy. But returning normality to Perfect is a battle they never imagined...

They've got their eyes on ...more

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Paperback, 306 pages

Published November 2012 by Wherever You Roam Publishing

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Jan 16, 2013 Helena Duggan rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Children and Adults

Ok so I would give my own book 5 stars!?

I am not going to review Perfect as I have a feeling I may be biased! Instead, I will give a bit of a background into the ideas behind the book...

I first starting thinking about this story when I bought a pair of old bifocal glasses in an antique shop in Australia. I loved them, and still carry them everywhere with me. I had contemplated taking out the glass and replacing it with my own prescription...That notion started me on the train of thought for this ...more

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Nov 21, 2017 Whispering Stories rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Book reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

The town of Perfect was run by the Archer Twins, George and Edward. Just like the place name, everything was perfect, except for one thing, all the residents went blind not long after arriving and needed special pink rimmed/rose tinted glasses to be able to see again.

Dr. Eugene Brown was a top Ophthalmologist, (eye surgeon), and had been headhunted by the Archers to fix the problem. Eugene moved to Perfect with his wife Rose, and ten year old d Book reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

The town of Perfect was run by the Archer Twins, George and Edward. Just like the place name, everything was perfect, except for one thing, all the residents went blind not long after arriving and needed special pink rimmed/rose tinted glasses to be able to see again.

Dr. Eugene Brown was a top Ophthalmologist, (eye surgeon), and had been headhunted by the Archers to fix the problem. Eugene moved to Perfect with his wife Rose, and ten year old daughter Violet. Sure enough the next day all three went blind and needed the special glasses to be able to see again.

Violet was a little girl with a big imagination, but even she knew she wasn’t imagining that something was wrong in Perfect, especially when her father went missing and her mother didn’t seem to care.

Then Violet met Boy, a little lad from a place called, No-Man’s Land, whom she could only hear when she didn’t have her glasses on, and only see with a pair of gold rimmed glasses that she found. Boy agreed with Violet that something was not right in Perfect. The two set off on an adventure to locate Violet’s dad and find out just what it was that Perfect was hiding.

A Place Called Perfect is an engaging, exciting and fun book for readers aged around 9 years plus, though it would be a great book for a parent/guardian to read with their child.

Ms. Duggan’s style of writing actually reminded me of Roald Dahls. The chapters are short, the plot is filled with mystery, adventure and strange occurrences, and the heroes are just normal little children.

Violet and Boy form a beautiful friendship even-though they have been brought up very differently. They learn to get along together, although there are a few moments where they are not so nice to one another. They are very likeable characters. Violet goes from this little girl who is scared of everything, to one that is brave, resilient and determined.

The book has a dystopian feel to it, with those people that conform to Perfects society being allowed to stay in Perfect and those that don’t being cast aside to No-Man’s Land.

It is a lovely, enjoyable book that is just as good on the inside as the front cover looks. I also hear that there is going to be a sequel too. ...more

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Nov 19, 2017 Rachel Hall rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A Place Called Perfect is an enchanting mystery novel with a plucky young heroine in the form of ten-year-old only child, Violet Brown, who is uprooted from her home and forced to move when her father, ophthalmologist Doctor Eugene Brown, is headhunted for a prestigious position in the town of Perfect. The family are welcomed to their new residence by brothers, George and Edward Archer, who are her father’s new bosses and are employing him in an effort to rid the town of the eye defect that ever A Place Called Perfect is an enchanting mystery novel with a plucky young heroine in the form of ten-year-old only child, Violet Brown, who is uprooted from her home and forced to move when her father, ophthalmologist Doctor Eugene Brown, is headhunted for a prestigious position in the town of Perfect. The family are welcomed to their new residence by brothers, George and Edward Archer, who are her father’s new bosses and are employing him in an effort to rid the town of the eye defect that every resident in Perfect is afflicted by. Mr Archer and Mr Archer explain the curious predicament that results in every single inhabitant in the town wearing identical rose-tinted glasses due to the blurred vision and eventual blindness that is caused by virtue of being too close to the sun. George is a tall and thin as his brother, Edward, is short and wide, but it doesn’t take Violet too long to work out that there is something sinister and rather unsettling about them both although they are keen to state that nobody ever wants to leave Perfect and after introducing the new doctor and his family to the mouth-watering tea that is a town staple Violet’s original qualms start to waver. However when the entire Brown family awaken with blurred eyesight, Violet quickly discovers that blindness makes silence increasingly scary as she and her parents are ferried to be fitted for their new spectacles by the seemingly ever present Archer brothers who loiter like a bad smell!

When Violet starts to notice some worrying strange occurrences and witnesses her accountant mother, Rose, transitioning to a submissive domestic goddess, she discovers that Perfect really is a seemingly perfect town of disconcertingly clean and orderly streets, with no flaking paint or rubbish and full of healthy and glowing inhabitants. Apparently the people in the town of Perfect must also act perfectly, but as Violet discovers, being a perfectionist and accepting every rule without pause for consideration or questioning the reasons can make like miserable and very dull. Soon Violet’s new schoolteacher, Mrs Moody, is singling her out for “acting up in class” and she is diagnosed with IDDCS (Irritable Dysfunctional Disobedient Child Syndrome) for which the remedy are daily yellow pills. Already concerned about the apparent imposter that her replaced her mother, Violet’s dispirited and increasingly jaded father suddenly disappears on a supposedly urgent opticians conference.

It is only when a frustrated Violet discovers a pair of old wooden spectacles hidden within the stuffing of her mattress and she slips them her nose on she finds herself able to see Boy.. who along with his fellow residents in No Man’s Land have been banished for their supposed dissent. As Boy takes Violet over the bordering walls to his scruffy part of town he tells of the dastardly Watchers who patrol the streets after dark and prevent the entry of No Man’s Landers to Perfect, all due to their refusal to kowtow to the uniformity of a town devoid of imagination and succumb to the necessary loss of spirit and individuality. But as Violet and Boy investigate just what is going on within the town of Perfect they meet William Archer, the ostracised brother of Edward and George who enlightens them about the horrifying ‘bended reality’ rose-tinted spectacles that distort the retina and ensure that the wearer’s reality is controlled by his brothers, only permitting them to experience certain things, and the Hollowing machine that destroys imaginations. As William experiments with a potential solution and tweaks his Reimaginator to restore Imaginations, Violet and Boy come to the conclusion that there must be something else contributing to the obedience and faltering eyesight of the inhabitants of Perfect. The well worked plan that is eventually conjured up between Violet, Boy and William Archer is crafted through collaboration, sharing ideas and considering possible outcomes.

Although the age guidance categorises this as suitable for readers of 9 to 14, I would suggest that this depends on how much exposure a young reader has had to mystery, fantasy and magical novels as the story touches upon some weighty concepts surrounding conforming to stereotypes, the benefits of our varied imaginations and the importance of standing up for what we believe in. This adventurous tale is jam packed with thrills and risky undertakings and feels genuinely quite creepy, with mentions of haunted graveyards, the presence of ghosts and some sinister scientific experiments in progress. Tackling areas such as whether a one size fits all cure is ever possible and the developed worlds increasing reliance on pills and potions to ensure everybody conforms to some ideal normality, even younger readers not able to explicitly discuss what that have learnt will draw their own conclusions that a world of conformity and indoctrinated humans would drain much of the pleasure out of our lives and stifle everything from medical discoveries to becoming more accepting of differences and breaking down the walls that separate sectors within society.

Debut author and graphic designer Helena Duggan subtlety downplays the likely existence of ghosts by linking back to the fact that they all derive from our own imaginations. The actual print copy of this book is an object of beauty with a charming cover design, a town map and page design marking each new chapter. Told with panache and illustrating the genuine bond that is fostered between Violet and her new friend, No Man’s Land orphan, Boy, the good-natured teasing and gradual realisation that working together can bring greater rewards gives the story a real charm. Full of clever insights and pithy sound bites that will resonate with younger readers, such as eyes being the window to the soul and fighting fears which are products of their own imagination such as ghosts and monsters. A Place Called Perfect comes highly recommended and will inspire and captivate young readers around the age of 11. With a sequel to follow, this mix of individual and quirky characters and their understated and humorously sarcastic dialogue ensure that the creepy happenings never feel too overtly threatening. Given that the novel has plenty of discussion points for younger readers and is a delightful and original story it will also readily hold adult readers attention and I would encourage parents and young readers to share the journey! ...more

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Aug 15, 2018 stefiereads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

THIS BOOK IS PERFECT!
Can I give 8 out of 5 stars?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the beginning, halfway until the end, everything is just bonded amazingly!!
I know there are lots of books out there about bravery, family, friendship, but this book surely had my heart from page 1. It’s written beautifully, it full of adventures, it’s so tense, spooky, creepy, full of imagination, great pace, great storyline, it’s atmospheric, okay like literally everything is just SO GOOOOD!

This book made my eye teary, made my feet c ...more

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Aug 21, 2017 Jodie Humphrey rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book had such a promising start and has such an interesting premise for a story.

And have you seen that cover?!
It's gorgeous!

Unfortunately I found myself getting bored and struggling to plough through it after about the halfway mark.
I found the story was starting to drag. Things were happening too slowly for my liking and I just wanted everything to hurry up already!

However, this may be because of my age more than anything.
I think it would be a really great book for ages 10 - 13 ish.

The s ...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Teresa rated it really liked it

Shelves: to-be-reviewed

Helena Duggan is a graphic designer based in Kilkenny and this is her debut novel aimed at readers age 9+ although it would be equally enjoyed by adults who enjoy magical tales.

Only child Violet Brown finds her life disrupted when her parents decide to up sticks and move to a town called Perfect. Her optician father has been offered an almost perfect job in this new location and despite her misgivings, Violet must do as she is told. The strange thing is that everyone in Perfect wears peculiarly ...more

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Aug 04, 2017 Ammie *Ammie's Book Obsession* rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-star-read, arcs, bold-heroine, fantasy, young-adult

FOR MORE REVIEWS VISIT-- http://ammiesbookobsession.blogspot.in/

Cover Rating

Book Rating

**Thanks to USBORNE for providing me a physical review copy**

For the lovers of Fantasy, here comes a new inventive tale of strength, courage and magic.

This was definitely a brilliant book, quite creepy but still amazing, with some incredible characters and an enticing yet unique plot.

Welcome to Perfect, a town anything but...

Image result for magic gif

Violet Brown has never ever wanted be perfect and she definitely never wanted to ...more

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Sep 06, 2017 Annie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-reads, new-to-me-author, childrens-ya

A Place Called Perfect is Helena Duggan's debut novel and is the book #1 in this new series. The book is aimed at young adults, but is also suitable for adults who enjoy reading fantasy. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I do want to read about what happens next, so hopefully the wait for book #2 will not be long.

Violet Brown and her parents Eugene and Rose, move to Perfect. Perfect is a perfect town, with perfect citizens who drink perfect tea, but if they take off their special rose tinted glasses, A Place Called Perfect is Helena Duggan's debut novel and is the book #1 in this new series. The book is aimed at young adults, but is also suitable for adults who enjoy reading fantasy. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I do want to read about what happens next, so hopefully the wait for book #2 will not be long.

Violet Brown and her parents Eugene and Rose, move to Perfect. Perfect is a perfect town, with perfect citizens who drink perfect tea, but if they take off their special rose tinted glasses, the people are totally blind.

Edward and George Archer have built this perfect town, but not all the citizens conform and do not become perfect citizens. Violet is one of those citizens and very soon Mrs Moody, the school teacher diagnoses Violet as having IDDCS (Irritable Dysfunctional Disobedient Child Syndrome) and Violet is placed on medication. However, Violet only pretends to swallow the pills because she does not want to be perfect.

Eugene, Violet's father, suddenly disappears. The Archers say that Eugene has been sent on an opthalmic conference, but Violet does not believe this. Rose, Violet's mother is of no help as she has already turned into a perfect citizen.

Lying on her mattress one day, Violet finds a box stuffed in her mattress. Inside the small flat box is a paid of plain spectacles made of wood. When she wears these spectacles, Violet finds that she can see a boy that she couldn't see at all when wearing the other spectacles. Boy, is his name and he tells Violet that the rose tinted spectacles do something to change reality. He tells her that he lives on the other side of the huge wall that surrounds Perfect. Boy goes on to say that the Watchers stop Boy and the other invisibles from entering Perfect. He says that his are outcasts, the unwanted, mainly called the No-Man's-Landers, because they are not perfect.

Violet discovers that Bungalow, one of the Watchers that she can now see, goes into people's houses at night after the curfew, collecting imaginations from the rose coloured glasses and transferring them to jars in the Archers Optical Emporium. Violet from following Bungalow, sees that the jars glow. One jar has her name written on it and says 'processing'.

Violet explains to Boy about the disappearance of her father and believes that the Archer brothers are keeping him somewhere. When she explains to Boy about the glowing glass jars, they decide that the Archer brothers must have something sinister planned. Boy promises Violet that together, they will find out what exactly is going on in Perfect and will help her find her father. ...more

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Apr 07, 2018 AHeartFullOfBooks❣️ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

A cute fun adventure with two little 12 year olds that live in a town where everything is perfect from all aspects. All is good and dandy and everyone is happy but there is a bit of a catch, no one thinks for themselves; they just believe whatever they are being told by the Archer twins who are not as nice as they may seem. After her dad’s disappearance, Violet will not sit and do nothing when she knows something is wrong with this town and it’s creators. Boy wants justice for the no-man-landers ...more

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Oct 25, 2017 Ruzaika rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Another version of this review can be found here.

Received in exchange for an honest review from Usborne Publishing UK

A Place Called Perfect, the middle-grade debut of graphic designer Helena Duggan, follows the story of Violet Brown who finds life as she knows it thrown up in air as her parents decide to move to a place called Perfect. Her father, a renowned ophthalmologist had been offered an attractive new job in this strange little town and Violet can do nothing but agree to this sudden turn ...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Anne rated it it was amazing

Certainly a 5 Star Young Adult read, probably 4 Star for Adults.

Every now and again I like to vary the books that I read. Although I particularly enjoy modern women's fiction, I do like to try a few other genres. Over the past few years I've been really impressed by the quality of Young Adult fiction that is appearing, I wish this sort of story had been around when I was growing up.

A Place Called Perfect is Helena Duggan's debut novel and I would say it is aimed at readers aged 10 plus, although Certainly a 5 Star Young Adult read, probably 4 Star for Adults.

Every now and again I like to vary the books that I read. Although I particularly enjoy modern women's fiction, I do like to try a few other genres. Over the past few years I've been really impressed by the quality of Young Adult fiction that is appearing, I wish this sort of story had been around when I was growing up.

A Place Called Perfect is Helena Duggan's debut novel and I would say it is aimed at readers aged 10 plus, although I would encourage adults to read it too.

Violet Brown and her parents have moved to a new town called Perfect after her optician father is offered the best job in the world. Violet doesn't really want to go, but adults do what they want to do, kids have no say in the matter. As soon as they arrive in Perfect, Violet realises that this is no ordinary place. There is no litter, no flaking paint, the tea tastes delcious, everyone is clean and tidy and friendly ....... it's so boring! Violet really doesn't want to be perfect. Violet's mother begins to change, who is this woman who cleans and bakes every day? Mum was never like that! When her father disappears on a mystery 'business trip' without saying goodbye, Violet realises that there is really something not quite right about Perfect.
And then she meets Boy. Boy is not like the other Perfect people and Violet soon realises that her father's bosses - the two Archer brothers, are far more dangerous and cunning than they appear. Violet and Boy begin the quest to save the people of Perfect from the Archer brothers.

A Place Called Perfect is a wonderfully exciting tale of adventure that races along and keeps the reader hooked. Helena Duggan has created a world of magic, and terror, and thrills. Violet and Boy are perfectly created, funny and quirky and incredibly realistic - despite the magical setting of the story. The evil twin Archer brothers are typical 'boo-hiss' bad guys, quite menacing yet they also raise a giggle.

Underneath the action and the adventure, there is a serious message to be found. The people of Perfect have no imagination, it's been stolen from them. They are afraid to say or do anything that may upset the Archer Brothers - something to think about in this computer-generated life that we find ourselves part of?

Helena Duggan is also a designer and has designed the cover for the book herself - it is gorgeous, beautifully detailed line drawings that really catch the eye and will appeal to readers of all ages, both male and female. ...more

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Nov 25, 2017 Marie the Librarian rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is a solid and entertaining fantasy book. The town of Perfect isnt as perfect as it may sound like, and thankfully Violet sees this. Cause she reads books and has a strong imagination. Some of the plottwists are a bit easily spotted but it was still a very enjoyable and exciting ride. Also those eyeplants are CREEPY.

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Aug 18, 2018 theresa 🌸🥑 rated it liked it · review of another edition

i really wanted to LOVE this.i mean look at the cover-it’s easily on of the prettiest books that i own.middle grade,pretty cover and a delightfully pretty story-it was supposed to be a Perfect read (see,what i did there teehe) but if just wasn’t.i didn’t connect with Violet at all,i didn’t get to know Violet at all.same with Boy.it was a quirky story,but i just couldn’t get to it.now i am sad,because i never give middle grade books less than 4 stars and this one was more of a 2.5 ⭐ still if you ...more

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Aug 30, 2017 Mehsi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-twinkling-stars, children-but-also-for-adults, cover-love, warning-english-books, the-butler-did-it

A place called Perfect, a Perfect town for Perfect citizens.... or is it?

I am still a bit emotional as this was a terrific book, so bear with me while I try to write a review.

This was an absolutely delightful, charming, magical book, with mystery, with wonderful characters, and beautiful worldbuilding (I could just imagine Perfect, No-Man's-Land, everything, I saw myself walking through the town, running alongside of the orphans, Boy, and Violet) . I already loved the book just for the cover, b ...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, childrens

‘It was as if everyone in Perfect was under a spell.’

This is a children’s tale by debut Irish writer and graphic designer Helena Duggan who has also designed the distinctive and apt cover artwork that illustrates her book's cover herself.

Violet Brown’s optician father is offered an attractive new job and the family moves to a town called Perfect. Violet is very reluctant to move, and doesn’t like the sound of the place at all. Ten-year-old Violet finds the place very peculiar; how can everything ‘It was as if everyone in Perfect was under a spell.’

This is a children’s tale by debut Irish writer and graphic designer Helena Duggan who has also designed the distinctive and apt cover artwork that illustrates her book's cover herself.

Violet Brown’s optician father is offered an attractive new job and the family moves to a town called Perfect. Violet is very reluctant to move, and doesn’t like the sound of the place at all. Ten-year-old Violet finds the place very peculiar; how can everything really be this perfect, she wonders, why does everyone wear those strange tinted glasses here, and what is it about the Archer brothers that doesn’t seem quite right? Then her Dad disappears and her Mam’s behavior becomes very uncharacteristic, leaving her feeling lonely and without any friends, the two people she loved and could trust letting her down; 'usually they were great, more like friends than parents. Perfect had changed all that.' When the slightest thing at school gets her into trouble, and then she begins to hear voices, she wonders what on earth is happening. Amongst all this chaos, she meets Boy, and she finds an ally and a friend in him; together can they make sense of what’s happened and find any way of somehow making things normal again?

This is a dark, imaginative children's story with magical, fantasy elements. I wondered if the story was somewhat allegorical too, in terms of how the majority of people in Perfect all behave in the same way, as they are required to, unquestioningly, and how there's a sort of resistant underclass. At times there is sadness, when Violet feels very alone in her new surroundings, with one of her parents gone and the other much changed from how she used to be. Violet is resilient, though, and determined, and once she is on to something she refuses to give up.

I really enjoyed this inventive tale; it was a bit of an escape for me compared to a lot of my usual reading, with some creepy and macabre elements that added to the darker feel of the tale, though they could be a bit scary for some easily frightened young readers. The Archer brothers made for intriguing baddies and I like the depiction of them on the book's cover. Violet is a plucky heroine who gets fully involved in plenty of escapades and I think children of around her age will enjoy escaping into this mysterious adventure.
...more

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Jun 26, 2018 Jeane rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: acquired-2018

I think I read one of my favourite books of the year.
This story is so much fun, intriguing, original and just really really good.

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Aug 03, 2018 Story of a Book Reader rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: never-too-old, fantasy, favorite-book-covers, series-i-wont-finish, thumbs-down, unpopular-opinions

Oops, I did it again. I bought a book because of the cover. And I ended up not liking it. Disappointed even. Will I ever learn? Never judge a book by it's cover.
I liked the idea of it. I wish it had more of a fantasy element instead of a scientific one. The characters were dull and annoying. I was just utterly bored throughout the whole lenght of the book. The plot seemed too slow at some points, and too rushed in others. It felt both too long and yet, not developed enough.
Look at that cover t ...more

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Aug 25, 2017 Geoff Lynas rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 9-12

Had a bit of a struggle getting through this after a promising start. It felt repetitive, over-long and I gradually lost my engagement with it. The pace felt off and the characters didn't seem to grow, particularly Boy. Two stars seems harsh, but according to Goodreads that means 'it was ok' and three means 'I like it'. So it has to be two. Sorry.

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Nov 02, 2017 Zainab Sheikh rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-books, review-copies, read-2017, fantasy

Thanks to the Publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Let’s talk about that gorgeous cover for a moment! I’m a sucker for beautiful covers and this one is so incredibly done by the artist. Not just the cover but the map and the inside of the cover is just as much gorgeous and gives you a better insight of the world, which, I found really helpful!

The book is about Violet who moves into this town Perfect with her parents and the town is run by two brothers, George ...more

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Aug 03, 2017 Kelly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, physical-purchased

A Place Called Perfect by Helena Duggan is the Waterstone’s Children’s Book of the Month for August and what a perfect choice it is too. With beautiful cover illustration by Karl James Mountford, this 9 to 12 years fiction is a perfectly creepy tale that will absolutely delight the MG literature market.

Violet Brown arrives in Perfect when her ophthalmologist father is employed by the town to try and cure their ‘blindness’ issue. Set over the span of a few weeks we see Violet in a race agains A Place Called Perfect by Helena Duggan is the Waterstone’s Children’s Book of the Month for August and what a perfect choice it is too. With beautiful cover illustration by Karl James Mountford, this 9 to 12 years fiction is a perfectly creepy tale that will absolutely delight the MG literature market.

Violet Brown arrives in Perfect when her ophthalmologist father is employed by the town to try and cure their ‘blindness’ issue. Set over the span of a few weeks we see Violet in a race against time to work out and fix the creepy going on's in her new home town whilst also in danger of her family forgetting who she is.

I read this book in preparation for selling it in store and enjoyed every minute of it. Helena Duggan has created a story that is an absolute delight to read and that you won’t be able to put down. The town and no-man’s land are described perfectly and the map in the front of the book created by David Shephard is a great addition that I enjoyed referring to during my reading of the book.
Violet is a lovely character. She’s so brave and sparky but then you see her vulnerable side as her overactive imagination sometimes gets the better of her and overwhelms her with worst case scenarios. I thought that was such a great topic to cover as it’s something kids (and many adults) experience all the time and I’d never really read children’s fiction where it was addressed before (not to say it hasn’t been and I just haven’t come across it!).

A range of supporting characters and villains are brought to life to the point where you really get a sense of each individual and I especially felt for ‘Boy’ when he was talking about not having parents or that was brought up. I really had to catch myself a couple of times but that could be the mother in me :)

To sum it up, A Place Called Perfect is a ‘perfect’ (like what I did there?) choice for the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month and I will be recommending it to everyone, including adults, that I can!
...more

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Feb 28, 2018 Danielle rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-lit

There’s just something about eerily “perfect” towns that I’m an absolute sucker for...

Seriously, though, this book was so much fun and had just the right amounts of eerie and dark as you delve a bit deeper into the secrets of this town called Perfect. The only reason I’m giving this a three-star rating is that the writing is definitely more on the juvenile side—more than I’m ordinarily used to tolerating in a middle grade, that is. There are certain repetitive phrases that get a bit tiring and j ...more

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Jan 25, 2018 Suzanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, childrens-books

This book was so cute!

The reason why I knocked off a star is that while the writer sometimes has the child's voice down to a notch, at other times the dialogue seems a bit forced. The story is also very much a children's story - the goodies vs the baddies. Plus, I had figured out what was wrong with Perfect by chapter 2.
BUT the storyline was very good, the pacing of the novel was just right and it was really refreshing to see a boy and a girl character who were equally as brave and important. Yo ...more

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May 28, 2018 Robin Stevens rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A really charming and clever story of a very creepy, very perfect town, and two kids who realise they have to bring it down. It's funny and very well imagined - this is a real treat. (8+)

*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*

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Dec 17, 2018 Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé added it · review of another edition

Such an interesting read!

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Aug 01, 2018 Agnieszka rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, ebook, ebook-2018

bardzo mocne, pozytywne 3,5

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Aug 12, 2017 Connie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is our Kids book of the month. I loved it, I was about a quarter of the way in when I thought this is very Neil Gaiman. A fabulous adventure for kids and adults alike. Sitting in the staff room with a big lump in my throat at the ending. :-)

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Nov 05, 2017 jenn2.0 rated it liked it · review of another edition

Meh. This started out strong but then quickly became boring. I think kids/tweens would really enjoy this but it’s not enough for an adult reader. Might have been better if it was trimmed down about 100 pages. Seemed to drag after the half way point. Looks like there will be another book in the series but I definitely won’t be picking it up.

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Aug 15, 2017 Chrys rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A really nicely written story with a creepy feel - imagine Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman writing a book together.
Another good choice for the Waterstones children's book of the month - I really enjoyed it.

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May 29, 2018 Phoolani rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Not a bad story exactly, but it irritated the life out of me and (to a lesser extent) my son. Violet apparently can’t do, think or act without getting an order or at least confirmation from Boy. She’s supposed to be the primary heroine (I assume) but defers constantly to being told what to do by Boy. It drove me bloody crazy. Then at several points through the book, the author explicitly raises the fact that Violet is ‘only a girl’ to no apparent purpose; she doesn’t then suggest that being a gi ...more

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Jan 12, 2014 Tracy Terry rated it it was amazing

Great cover (both front and back), wonderful storytelling.

Enchanted from the beginning to end. I can hardly wait to read this to my two great-nephews though as the oldest is only three years, the youngest 17 weeks, and the book is marketed as being particularly suitable for those aged nine to thirteen it may well be a while.

The story of what happens when 10 year old Violet and her family move to a place called Perfect. On the face of it this is a simple story and yet as an older reader look a li ...more

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About Helena Duggan

Helena Duggan

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Helena Duggan is from Kilkenny, a medieval, haunted city in the south of Ireland. She's pretty old, like 31 or something but her friends say she's never grown up, so like she's probably really only 13 in brain years. She writes stories for people her brain age and they are always full of adventure cause she gets bored really easy. She's also a graphic designer, that means she draws pictures for a ...more