The Carver (Order of the Bell, #1) by Jacob Devlin

Aug 01, 2016 Chelsies Reading Escape rated it it was ok

Shelves: review-books

The story is mostly about Pinnochios son, Enzo, searching for his parents with an older Peter Pan who's also looking for his lost wife and son. I liked the mystery aspect of the story but the fortune teller part was a little too convenient. I thought the writing was easy to follow and the switches between time periods and povs were well done. However, I would have liked a more concrete explanation for the magic system.

The concept and the world reminded me a lot of the TV show Once Upon a Time. I The story is mostly about Pinnochios son, Enzo, searching for his parents with an older Peter Pan who's also looking for his lost wife and son. I liked the mystery aspect of the story but the fortune teller part was a little too convenient. I thought the writing was easy to follow and the switches between time periods and povs were well done. However, I would have liked a more concrete explanation for the magic system.

The concept and the world reminded me a lot of the TV show Once Upon a Time. I was hoping for something a bit more original but I did love the TV Show so I wasnt too put off by it. My issue was getting a Middle Grade version of Once Upon a Time. Ive never been interested in MG books because I have a difficult time relating and caring about the characters which is exactly what happened with Enzo and Peter Pan.

They werent annoying or anything just a little simple. Peter Pan doesnt act his age and this wouldnt necessarly bother me, I think its more how their characters were written. The fact that Ive always had a harder time relating to male povs doesnt help the situation. If a male pov is done a certain way I barely notice it but Enzos and Peter Pans immaturity made it hard for me to relate to them which is kind of a problem since they're a big part of the story.

I didnt like that Peter Pan didnt tell Enzo what was really going on and how Enzo didnt believe anyone. I understand this was done so we could get some character developpement. It was nice to see Enzos grow into more of a leader. Alices daugther Rosana on the other hand was a character I liked from the beginning. I love how shes resourceful, brave, determined and trusts her instincts.

The scenes where we go back 3 and 25 years to the Old World before Enzos Dad, Pinnochio, goes missing felt more like YA litterature. We meet Hansel and the rest of the gang in the Old World when they're younger and when they're older. The characters and the scenes in the Old World were more captivating. I did wonder why Hansel grew up in the other world while Alice, Pinnochio and Peter Pan had to leave the old world to grow up.

I loved how we see all kinds of different fairytale characters together but its a pity I didnt recognize some of them. Im not sure which fairytale Violet came from. Maybe Pinnochios. I was surprised to see Merlin and Quasimado. For the most part the Ivory Queen didnt feel that threatening but she does become a force to be reckoned with further into the story. I also enjoyed Peter Pan and Enzo being chased by her hunter.

I thought the antagonist/hunter was well done. I love the good guy turns evil trope. Although I think its kind of stupid for someone to trust an evil queen when they know shes evil. The story and the main characters did get better about halfway. I didnt think there would be this much death but I didnt mind it. It kept things engaging and it was balanced with a good amount of humour, like when Peter Pan thought to himself:

"One time he’d driven a car with his elbows because he was trying to talk on the phone and drink a coffee at the same time. He supposed jousting was probably the same thing."

Plus this freaking Captain Crunch reference which I can totally relate to because its my favorite cereal.

"Mulan said . “Have any kindergarten class spend a day with Hook. They’ll never look at this Captain Crunch the same way again.” Rosana looked away. Captain Crunch was her favorite cereal."

Overall I did enjoy the story once I got into it. I would recommend this to people who like fairytales and Once Upon a Time if they dont mind Middle Grade. Ive been in a weird reading mood lately and I think I could have enjoyed this more at a different time so I want to give the sequel a try. Ill probably like it more now that I know what to expect.

*I got this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review* ...more

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May 28, 2017 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: net-galley, fantasy, awesome-characters, easy-fun-reads

This book was so much fun. It definitely has a campy feel but I'm okay with it. The author included so many fairy tale characters that at times it just feels silly and ridiculous but always fun. The main characters include: Pietro, the grown up version of Peter Pan, Pino, otherwise known as Pinocchio, who also grew up, Enzo, Pinocchio's son, Rosana, Alice of Wonderland's daughter, Mulan, Prince Charming, Hansel, a fairy princess named Violet and her father Lord Bellamy. Along the way you see man This book was so much fun. It definitely has a campy feel but I'm okay with it. The author included so many fairy tale characters that at times it just feels silly and ridiculous but always fun. The main characters include: Pietro, the grown up version of Peter Pan, Pino, otherwise known as Pinocchio, who also grew up, Enzo, Pinocchio's son, Rosana, Alice of Wonderland's daughter, Mulan, Prince Charming, Hansel, a fairy princess named Violet and her father Lord Bellamy. Along the way you see many other nods to classic fairy tales, Kaa the snake of The Jungle Book, the seven dwarves, Snow White, Quasimodo, the Beast, Captain Hook, Merlin, etc.

The book has four different timelines. There is the present happening our world, the present happening in the fairy tale world (Old World), the recent past of the Old World, and the distant past of the Old World. The distant past timeline basically explains how the main characters set off the events that led to the present, how Peter and Wendy and Alice and Pinocchio all grew up. The recent past shows us the events leading up to the disappearances of Pietro and Enzo's family. The present timelines show us what is happening in both lands at the moment.

I really enjoyed the present and the recent past timelines. They were action and character driven and made you want to keep turning the page. The distant past seemed to drag at times, and I wasn't really sure it was a necessary inclusion in the book. The problem was that we already know the kids survive and grow up. Though no one loves an info dump, I felt it could have been explained in a single paragraph or quick prologue. There wasn't any tension to it because the present timelines show us what has already happened.

What really shined in this book was the characters. I loved Pietro, and pictured him as the boy that grew up and never really grew up. He is an almost 40 year old who plays video games, eats cheetos, and calls kids Dude. In the distant past he frequently says wrong words and leaves us with gems like this:

"Yeah! I'm being cereal right now."
"You mean serious?" Alice said.
"Yeah, that too."

I also loved Mulan's no nonsense warrior character. At one point (in a flash back) she tell's Prince Charming: "I'll make a man out of you." I found myself grinning and laughing out loud at lines like these. There are times when the dialogue does feel a little forced but overall I think this book is geared toward a younger audience who wouldn't see anything wrong with it. I love where all the characters who came to the new world ended up, Violet the movie star, Pinocchio the Carver, Prince Charming (Liam) the Renaissance Faire actor in green. It just seemed so fitting and all came together nicely.

The book ends on a massive cliff hanger, hinting that we can expect to see more of these characters and some new ones in another book. I'll be on the look out for it. I'd recommend this to younger readers, anyone who likes fairy tale re-tellings and is looking for a lite, fun read.

Thank you to Blaze Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! ...more

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Aug 02, 2017 stefansbooks rated it it was amazing

GUYS THIS BOOK WAS SO FREAKING GOOD, I CAN'T EVEN. Idk why I hadn't picked up this book up until yesterday, but I'm soooo glad I finally did! Do you want a review? Well you can't have one at the moment because I was so invested in the story that I did not take any notes😂 sorry (but not really😂). WONDERLAND HERE I COOOOOOME!!! ...more

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Sep 16, 2018 Avon Van rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I had the pleasure of reading this book in its infancy and watching its progress from draft to publish, and enjoyed every minute. It's a really fun adventure following adult Peter Pan, the son of Pinocchio, and a whole host of familiar faces. There's mystery, adventure, tragedy, and humour, and a whole new layer of depth to these rich stories! ...more

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Oct 27, 2016 Suze Lavender rated it it was amazing

Crescenzo thinks his father just makes wooden toys, he doesn't seek anything behind them. His father is Pinocchio and he knows there's something terribly wrong. Crescenzo's mother and his best friend are missing. His father is smart enough to leave clues before he's being taken as well. When Crescenzo's being told that his father is from a different world and that fairytales are real he doesn't believe a word. However, the evidence keeps piling up. Together with his friend Pietro, who's actually Crescenzo thinks his father just makes wooden toys, he doesn't seek anything behind them. His father is Pinocchio and he knows there's something terribly wrong. Crescenzo's mother and his best friend are missing. His father is smart enough to leave clues before he's being taken as well. When Crescenzo's being told that his father is from a different world and that fairytales are real he doesn't believe a word. However, the evidence keeps piling up. Together with his friend Pietro, who's actually Peter Pan, he goes on a quest to find his missing loved ones. Will they succeed?

Hansel's heart is aching because of the disappearance of his sister Gretel and he's willing to do anything to get her back. He even buys a mine because he thinks he'll be able to find her there. Instead of his sister he runs into great evil, a witch who's far more powerful and cunning than he could have ever imagined. Will he fall into her trap and will she manage to put him under her spell or can he fight her?

The Carver is a book about disappearing fairytale characters. There are a lot of them, but as they're all well known the story never becomes confusing. I loved following Crescenzo. He's stubborn and unwilling to believe, but he has a good heart and will eventually see what happens right in front of him. I liked the combination of characters. They are from all kinds of stories, for example Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Ridinghood, Peter Pan, Snow White, Mulan and many more. Some of them have children, so there are some additions made by Jacob Devlin too. He lets the fairytale characters work and interact together like it's the most natural thing in the world, which was fabulous.

Jacob Devlin makes sure there's a clear common thread in his story. The Carver is set in different times and above each chapter the reader can find when and where the scene is taking place. He makes his story easy to follow this way and the reader can focus entirely on the action. There's a battle of good against evil and evil is very strong, so good has quite a big problem. I was curious to see if they would be victorious, but as there's an open ending I need to wait just a little bit longer. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. The Carver is a fast-paced story with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. I really enjoyed reading this book, its a lot of fun. ...more

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May 21, 2016 A.M. MSW rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-blog-reviews

This book was an interesting read, and while I did enjoy its storyline, I couldn’t help but question the origin of the ideas in the novel. The writing, however, was flawless and painfully relevant to today’s times, while also adding the essence of fairytales. But I found that this book was largely reminiscent of the television show “Once Upon A Time”, which did make me questions its originality; however, it was an enjoyable read, if not completely original, and today’s teens are sure to enjoy it This book was an interesting read, and while I did enjoy its storyline, I couldn’t help but question the origin of the ideas in the novel. The writing, however, was flawless and painfully relevant to today’s times, while also adding the essence of fairytales. But I found that this book was largely reminiscent of the television show “Once Upon A Time”, which did make me questions its originality; however, it was an enjoyable read, if not completely original, and today’s teens are sure to enjoy it.

I received this novel as an ARC (advanced reader’s copy) from Blaze Publishing since it is due for release on July 19, and I was thoroughly excited to read it. Since this book has been marketed as a take on Peter Pan, I went crazy over it since Peter Pan is my favorite fictional character of all time. However, I found myself enjoying the incorporation of many different fairytale characters more than just Peter Pan since I was not expecting so many of them to be a part of the story. I did really like how Pinocchio’s son is one of the main characters in the book, and is the teenager present to connect young adults to the story. This book does seem like a good entry novel for young adults to get into the new “fad” of twisted fairytales, and I am sure that this book will end up having a big following. Since it does appear that this book is going to be part of a series, I am interested to see how the other books turn out.

Since this book has not yet been released, I don’t want to give anything away too soon! But I want to leave by saying that I would recommend The Carver to young adults, since they are the audience that will enjoy this book the most, and that I am impressed by the author’s writing style and ability to connect to today’s times and teenagers. Even though I didn’t feel that the storyline itself was completely original, the book is highly enjoyable, and those who have not read a lot of books based off of fairytales or don’t watch “Once Upon A Time” will get the most out of it. I look forward to more books written by Jacob Devlin and will be following him! ...more

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Aug 31, 2016 Melinda Howard rated it liked it

Shelves: court-intrigue, fantasy, sorta-romance, road-trip, arc-off-netgalley, magic, fairy-tale

*This book was received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This was an intriguing book that had some good elements and some bad. First lets talk about the good. I really liked the uniqueness of the plot and the way that the author re-imagined traditional fairy tale characters, giving their stories new endings and reworking the classic fables. The writing itself was quite good however at times it could be too descriptive. The use of slightly different names or aliases when the charact ...more

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Jul 20, 2016 Silvia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

(A day late) Happy Release Day, Jacob Devlin! Everyone, seriously, check out the Carver! I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Devlin early on with his novel, and it was easily one of my favorites of 2015. I felt that Mr. Devlin had an inspired vision that felt fresh and unique; and something that would be entertaining for all ages. I absolutely couldn't wait for this novel to be published, because I felt like I was in on a secret I couldn't wait to share with my friends and family. The way tha ...more

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Jul 24, 2016 Audrey Grey rated it it was amazing

This story was wonderful for so many reasons! Debut author Jacob Devlin has an uncanny ability to weave past and present together--along with the fun fairy tale characters you get to meet on this journey--into an engaging and page-turning plot. I've heard a few people compare it to the tv show Once Upon a Time, and although their are vague similarities, the Carver puts a fresh YA twist on the story that's entirely new! ...more

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Feb 16, 2018 Annemieke / A Dance with Books rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018, fantasy, 3-star

Thank you to Blaze Publishing, LLC for the review copy.

I will admit that when I saw these books of The Order of the Bell I did not look too closely at the synopsis. Those stunning covers lulled me right in. For that reason I got something I wasn’t entirely expecting. A fairytale continuation in the spirit of Once Upon a Time.

And you know what, I quite enjoyed the story. There are a lot of interesting twists and turns that I wasn’t expected. There were no huge surprises but I never quite knew w Thank you to Blaze Publishing, LLC for the review copy.

I will admit that when I saw these books of The Order of the Bell I did not look too closely at the synopsis. Those stunning covers lulled me right in. For that reason I got something I wasn’t entirely expecting. A fairytale continuation in the spirit of Once Upon a Time.

And you know what, I quite enjoyed the story. There are a lot of interesting twists and turns that I wasn’t expected. There were no huge surprises but I never quite knew where we are going. I don’t know where the sequel is going to go either. But I am very curious to find out. There is a lot left to discover in the world itself and in the plot.

We start the story with Enzo, his father and their neighbor Pietro. Both the adults wives have disappeared along with Pietro’s son and it has left quite a gap in all three their lives. When someone takes Enzo’s father he is taken on a quest to find his loved ones that takes him into things he never thought would be real. Peter Pan, Pinochio, Alice and other characters that appear in fairytales (or classics in some cases).

Despite really enjoying the story in itself, the whole book could not quite grab me in the way that I would have liked. One of the big reasons for that was the way this book was written. The chapters were short and we followed various characters, going back between past, present and between the two worlds. The constant back and forth did not do the story any good. I think it would have been better to really pick out 2,3 characters that could each tell the parts of the story that needed to be told.

The above really messed with the characterization for me too. There just wasn’t enough room to delve into the characters, to get to really know them and become familiar with them. It was a shame because with a bit more deepening into the characters it could have really given this story more of an emotional backbone. As of right now, it barely skims the surface. I also think some of the dialogue needs a bit of work as it felt forced and to typical in places.

Having said that, there were also quite some funny moments. Side characters like Liam I warmed up to with some witty banter from his side. And as far as romance goes, there is barely any here. I thought for a minute at the start there was going to be a romance between two characters (and there probably will be), but it did not happen in this book and I was quite pleased with that. With everything happening there was no room for it and that made it feel realistic. It is going to take a bit of a slower turn and that I liked.
...more

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Aug 12, 2017 Josie Shinkfield rated it it was ok

*I RECIEVED A COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR MY HONEST REVIEW*

I really wanted to like this book more. I just really struggled to become invested in the story.

Unfortunately I found the way the story was written (Present day in the 'real world' and the past in 'fairytales' was very jarring), and, for me, too reminiscent of the TV show Once Upon a Time.

The characters also would vary from modern slang to a more formal way of speaking... and then back again with no rhyme or reason.
...more

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Jul 10, 2017 Sue Holmes rated it did not like it

Shelves: arc, young-adult, fantasy, dnf

DNF Further details sent to publisher via Netgalley

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Aug 14, 2017 Elizabeth S rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, read-pre-2017, young-adult, unfinished-series

This story is not usually something I’d pick to read, but as a fluent Italian speaker who was in the mood for a bit of a fairytale, I went for it.

I read this book right when it came out, so it’s been a little while. Nonetheless, I remember The Carver as an enchanting novel that takes the fun concept of classic storybook characters having children and gives it a modern twist.

The best part is that it’s fun. While the plot itself has plenty of dark twists and there are some sad, potentially heart-b ...more

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Feb 25, 2016 Kelly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, 2016

Ugh! I had no idea until I got really close to the end that there is another book to follow! I can’t wait!! I have no patience! I want it now!! (Insert toddler having a tantrum)

via GIPHY

Okay, I feel better now!

This story encompasses all childhood fairytales! Where there is one main evil witch who wants out of her prison and rule the world! And the world could be the fairytale world or our world or all of it! It was really cool to see the worlds intertwine with one another! The descriptio ...more

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Feb 13, 2018 Kathryn Rose rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, fairy-tales, fantasy, young-adult, retellings

I received a copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

The Carver is a very fun book. It's an easy read and takes you back to your childhood with characters like Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Alice, Mulan, Merlin, Captain Hook, and many more. It feels a little like Once Upon a Time, the television show, in many ways. However, it's different enough that you can appreciate it. I have to say, though, that this book is said to be "Young Adult", but I f

I received a copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

The Carver is a very fun book. It's an easy read and takes you back to your childhood with characters like Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Alice, Mulan, Merlin, Captain Hook, and many more. It feels a little like Once Upon a Time, the television show, in many ways. However, it's different enough that you can appreciate it. I have to say, though, that this book is said to be "Young Adult", but I feel that "Middle Grade" might be more well suited to define this book.

Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Alice, and Wendy have all left the "Old World", where all our fairytale characters call home, and have decided to grow up in the "New World" which is where we live. They have kids of their own, jobs, and live pretty peaceful lives. That is until evil stirs in the "Old World". Queen Avoria, the Ivory Queen, has been trapped in a mirror by her stepdaughter Violet. She wants out and uses Hansel, who has been searching for his missing sister for over 20 years, to kidnap 7 people so that she can escape the mirror and rule all the realms. The children of our grown-up fairytale characters, however, won't let her get away with it. She's kidnapped their parents and they'll do anything to get them back.

The characters in this book are silly, yet entertaining. Pietro is Peter Pan, all grown up but still very much a child, and he can be a bit irritating at times. However, he can be the comic relief when things start to get a little crazy. Crescenzo is the son of Pinocchio and his wife, Carla. He's moody, doesn't want to believe everything that is unfolding right before his eyes, and yet he's the chosen one of this tale. Rossana is strong, spunky, brave, and will stop at nothing to find her mother. Her mother just so happens to be "the" Alice. And so the three of them set off on a journey to save their loved ones.

There are three timelines in this story. They can be a bit hard to keep track of, so don't try too hard. Throughout the book everything starts to make sense and add up. I found myself raising my eyebrows too soon as I was a bit confused as to why the chapters broke up when they did. They felt a little too sudden and it annoyed me. Have patience and it will pay off.

Here are my two biggest gripes with this story: Pietro should have just told Crescenzo from the beginning about absolutely everything. He had seen his father vanish, so what was the point in hiding it from him? I could see him being wary of it beforehand, but not at that point. Second, and a much bigger gripe, was that Crescenzo sees all of these amazing things happen but still refuses to believe Pietro AFTER he tells him the truth. It irritated me more than added to the story for me. He continues to disbelieve it, even after meeting other characters from our favorite tales, and finally accepts it toward the end.

Overall, this story was silly and an extremely light read. It has a cute concept, one that I enjoyed because of the familiar characters, and I think that if you have a kid in your home that loves fairy tales they will love this book. I wasn't sure that I would like this book, as I found some things to be cringe worthy, but in the end I enjoyed it enough to say that I'll be continuing on with the story to see what happens to these characters and their fight against the Ivory Queen. ...more

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Jul 18, 2016 John rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: faries, fantasy, own, teh-stoopid-it-burns, new-release, ya, fiction

***Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.***

What’s Good: an decent twist on what’s becoming a clichéd, stale idea. Fantasy characters migrating to the Real World and having to return to save everything is nothing new. Author Jacob Devlin invests the tropes with a bit of new life, which is all you can ask for. He also works all the loose ends of the plot into a neat little package; at about 65% or so you’re all caught up. Chapters are short, making for fast and easy reading.
***Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.***

What’s Good: an decent twist on what’s becoming a clichéd, stale idea. Fantasy characters migrating to the Real World and having to return to save everything is nothing new. Author Jacob Devlin invests the tropes with a bit of new life, which is all you can ask for. He also works all the loose ends of the plot into a neat little package; at about 65% or so you’re all caught up. Chapters are short, making for fast and easy reading.

What’s Bad: all the inconsistency. The setting seems lifted- or should I say ‘inspired by’- practically every existing Disney cartoon. It’s more mish-mash than mashup; all manner of fictional and historical characters- including Merlin, Kaa the Snake, Dr. Frankenstein and Mulan- come and go in Fairyland but no rhyme or reason as to how they got there or how it all works- especially at the finale when some of the characters end up in yet another fantasy realm. It’s all there to support the story without consequence and you’re just going to have to roll with it.

Dialogue- like most everything about the book, it seems to be kind of all over the place, almost like it was written freeform. One moment characters are speaking proper, stilted language and the next they’re saying ‘wanna, gonna, ain’t, buddy…’

Typical of a mish-mash, the characters exhibit some of the dumbest behavior at the worst times simply to advance the plot. And it’s pretty tiresome. This kind of stuff isn’t heroic- it’s idiotic, and far too often a crutch authors lean on. How about smarter, more capable villains?

There’s also the plot device of telling the story out of phase, alternating between Real World Now for the current situation and Fairyland Three Years Ago or Fairyland Twenty-Five Years Ago to reveal the backstory. Just when you’d be in the flow of one scenario you’re thrown into another, breaking up the rhythm. And sometimes it’d take several chapters to return to a setting, so you may have forgotten a thing or two and have to go back.

What’s Left: some badly executed good ideas. Nuggets of a story that need sharpening up, otherwise this isn’t a Young Adult story but a Middle Grade one.

...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Shelly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Cheryl Jacobs, Kristi Youngberg

Shelves: fiction-novel, youth-young-adult, kindle-own

Juvenile but fun! I enjoyed the craziness of all the fairytale characters in one story! I have TWO complaints; one is the weird chapter breaks I guess you call them, a big "ef" divided the story when pov changed and I could never figure out what it stood for! The second one is when characters stop for McDonald's Happy Meal and eat hamburgers and wipe MAYO off their mouth...McD burgers don't have mayo!!! Too easy of a detail to get wrong, makes me feel like author didn't do his homework (or never ...more

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Jul 01, 2016 Sage Knightly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, balze-publishing

4.5

The Carver was difficult to put down. I feel in love with the world and premise quickly, and the characters definitely grew on me. I was intrigued from the start and my attention was only pulled deeper the more I read. I easily got lost in the world, and even though the characters are ones we already know of (Peter Pan, Alice (Wonderland), Hansel and Gretel, and Pinocchio) they still felt realistic and developed.

The writing is mysterious and adventurous, because even when you think they've ...more

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Aug 12, 2016 Love, Celina rated it liked it

3,5 stars
This book has such an interesting plot. There are a lot of familiar characters but also a few new ones. I don't have any complains about the writing and I thought the whole story to be intriguing. I think that Hansel's character is one of the most interesting and also Avoria's backstory how she went from good intentions to evil. I can see why Hansel did what he did, even if he really shouldn't have. I, moreover, liked Violets character who is not the cliché good without any mistakes. Th ...more

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Sep 02, 2016 Diana rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnfed

I tried to like it as the synopsis was good, and there were fairy tales living in present day - like "Fables", and its inspired TV shown "Once upon a time"-, but I wasn't able to. I found this book to be jumbled, with three temporal lines: present, some years back and way back. Also, the characters struck me as flat and didn't stick particularly with me. ...more

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Feb 07, 2016 Susan Cotter rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Such an imaginative take on classic characters. If you ever wondered how Pinocchio turned out as an adult, you'll want to read this. I loved it. ...more

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May 06, 2017 Carla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a very fun read!
I've got a weakness for retellings and this one is very unique!
The characters are so great and lovley, I started the sequel right away! ...more

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Oct 12, 2017 Andy N rated it really liked it

This book was so wonderful I can’t even begin to describe it. A story that takes place in the present and the past with fairytale character that the reader is very familiar with but with a few twists to the story.

Crescenzo is the son of toy maker and craver. The life in the suburb of Virginia is the only place he has ever known and where his mother and best friend disappeared without a trace. Enzo never believed that his father’s works were anything special until the man himself goes missing. To This book was so wonderful I can’t even begin to describe it. A story that takes place in the present and the past with fairytale character that the reader is very familiar with but with a few twists to the story.

Crescenzo is the son of toy maker and craver. The life in the suburb of Virginia is the only place he has ever known and where his mother and best friend disappeared without a trace. Enzo never believed that his father’s works were anything special until the man himself goes missing. Together with this childish adult of a neighbour, Pietro, whose family also went missing, they set off on an adventure to bring together the counterparts of the figurines left by Enzo’s father and hopefully bring them home, safe and sound.

It has to put this book down. I completely fell into the story and its characters even though I didn’t like the main character so much in the beginning. But I will get to that in a bit.
The story-line is well thought and developed even though I did get a bit lost at times with all the information that was provided. There are four different timelines in the novel: the recent past, the distant past of the fairy tale world also called the Old World and the present of both worlds. The present shows that is happening in both worlds simultaneously while the recent and distant past of the Old World reveal and explain the events that lead to the darkness that the fairytale world is drowning in and the disappearances of the families of Enzo and Pietro. In my opinion, I thought to the book was a bit too “crowded” at times, which made it a bit hard to keep up with. Luckily the characters made it a bit easier to follow and, in addition, Devlin didn’t leave loose ends and the plot is very much engaging. I did find similarities to the TV series Once Upon a Time but the characters are unique and the concept is very fresh.

The characters in this novel are quite a lot: from Pinnochio, Peter Pan, Mulan, Alice from Wonderland, Hansel and Gretel, Prince Charming to Captain Hook, the Evil Queen, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Quasimodo, the list goes on and on. However, Devlin did an amazing job in going in-depth into these characters and they all seemed very real to me.

What I really enjoyed about this novel, not counting with settings and characters, was how the author presented this magical world. Much like in the real world, the thirst for power and corruption lead the fairy tale world into dark times. At the same time, the author shows that hope can shine even in the darkest places and that everyone has the power of forgiveness. These aren’t the typical loving and happy fairytales: some of the characters decided to leave the Old World and after years of being “human” with homes and families, someone is determined to destroy that peace by kidnapping the adults and leaving their children to go through the trials that searching for their parents includes. However, the reader soon learns that friendship is a powerful bond and tool and that love for the family can overcome even the strongest of foes.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Blaze Publishing and the author for allowing me to read and review a digital copy of this book. ...more

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Jul 18, 2017 R.Q. Woodward rated it really liked it

This was an odd one for me. The story itself ranged between 4 and 5 stars. Sometimes the writing was awkward or terribly cheesy, making it a three star read. The thing that nearly killed it, rating-wise was that I was given a free electronic ARC version of it to read from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, and it was TERRIBLY formatted. Dialogue from one character to another was squished on the same line. Wordsdidn't have spaces betweenthem and

sentences had these awkward paragraph bre This was an odd one for me. The story itself ranged between 4 and 5 stars. Sometimes the writing was awkward or terribly cheesy, making it a three star read. The thing that nearly killed it, rating-wise was that I was given a free electronic ARC version of it to read from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, and it was TERRIBLY formatted. Dialogue from one character to another was squished on the same line. Wordsdidn't have spaces betweenthem and

sentences had these awkward paragraph breaks right in the middle of them. Also, there was no indention at the beginning of paragraphs. It was tough to wade through, but I checked the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon, and those problems don't seem to exist in the Kindle or paperback versions. So, I'll try to focus on the story.

The book tells three different stories in a way, starting with present-day our world and three years ago in the Woodlands. Then it picks up a third story of 25 years ago in the Woodlands (fairytale world) that follows the MC's father and his friends as children. I didn't find it confusing. I thought the reveals worked pretty well for the most part, weaving together in a beautiful way.

The first few scenes of the book are REALLY cheesy. When the action picks up with Hansel in the Woodlands, it REALLY draws you in. Then some action happens with the present day crew, and you're pretty much hooked. When the 25-years-ago story comes in, it's mostly fascinating. You can't really be scared for the kids because you know they all survive, but it's fun. Throughout the rest of the book, there continue to be lame, cheesy, or awkwardly written sections, but they are mostly few and far between, not ruining the whole story. As I was reading, I was thinking this was a 3.7 star read, still making it a rounded 4. But by the end, with how everything came together...it really captivated me. I definitely want to read Devlin's next books in this series. I worry that they won't be as good because they'll lack the complexity this one had with the three storylines and steady reveals, but they could also be loads better when it comes to the cheesiness and writing style. We'll see!

On another note, I saw some reviews that complained about the story being too complex to the point of confusion, having too many characters, and not feeling like YA. My opinions on these things:
While there were points when I wrinkled my nose at the inclusion of SO MANY DIFFERENT fairytales/stories (Peter Pan, Pinnochio, Hansel & Gretel, Mulan, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Merlin, Kaa, and Dr. Frankenstein), by the end, I LOVED it. Because you get to know everyone, and they are people, not caricatures. Overall, I enjoyed the large cast.
I would consider this book YA-adult because of the content and overall feel. It tries to be more YA with some of the dialogue (which I found mostly annoying). The MC in the modern day storyline is a 15 year old male who has believable moodiness and a hard time accepting the "fairytale" aspects of what's going on around him. But, the perspective changes from one character to another all the time, and only one other character is a teenager. Everyone else is an adult. So maybe half or more of the book isn't from a YA perspective. I'm not sure that teens would especially love this book unless they love fairytales/retellings. But I don't think it's straight up Adult either.

Overall, a fun read! Surprisingly unique and elaborate in how it went in directions I hadn't expected and brought it all back together so nicely at the end. Also, like I said, the characters weren't caricatures. There was a lot of depth and duality, especially with the more important ones. Hansel was probably my fav. The book is just about as much about him as it was Enzo, the MC. ...more

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Jul 04, 2019 Merie Shen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

Who doesn't love a good romp through fairytale world? This was one fun read. I love this specific genre of fairytale novels, in which we are introduced to a world where all fairytales exist separately from the human world. You know, Michael Buckley's Fairy-Tale Detectives, or Mattel's Ever After High, that kind of thing. Basically like Percy Jackson and the Olympians but with fairytales instead of myths. I originally tried out The Carver because the premise sounded promising, and it wasn't far o Who doesn't love a good romp through fairytale world? This was one fun read. I love this specific genre of fairytale novels, in which we are introduced to a world where all fairytales exist separately from the human world. You know, Michael Buckley's Fairy-Tale Detectives, or Mattel's Ever After High, that kind of thing. Basically like Percy Jackson and the Olympians but with fairytales instead of myths. I originally tried out The Carver because the premise sounded promising, and it wasn't far off the mark.

The plot is engaging and straightforward, grabbing you from the very beginning and not letting go 'till the end. I actually enjoyed the alternating POV scenes between the "New World" (modern world) and the "Old World" (fairytale land). The cliffhanger had me ready for the sequel as soon as it ended. There were some slower points-- for instance, I think the whole fairytale aspect could have been revealed to Enzo and Rosana a little sooner, since literally everyone else, including you and me, already knew by then, but I suppose the big reveal served as a catalyst for some of the other events that took place.

The worldbuilding was great. I would have liked to see more fairytales fleshed out in the world, but all in all it was very easy to picture the events in the Old World. Everything with the Order of the Bell and the history was quite well-done as well.

Characters... always my favorite part to review. Honestly speaking, the adult charries interested me more than the teens. Enzo and Rosana were cool and all, but their personalities weren't as well-developed as others', such as Hansel's or Liam's. I did love the mishmash of all the fairytale characters, though, what with people like Captain James Hook and Quasimodo to Hua Mulan and Alice Liddell. Characters like Snow White, Prince Charming, and Peter Pan, they were fun too. The characters just... Fairytale characters make me happy, okay?

I think I would give the book 4 stars if it weren't for content. *sigh* It always comes down to content, doesn't it? Now if only fantasy authors could refrain from putting language-- from OUR world-- into fantasy books. It's not even creative the way they swear like normal humans. Also, come on, most of the language came out of a fifteen-year-old boy's mouth, and at one point an adult character is literally like, "Whoa kid you shouldn't use that language but hey, you're a teenager so whatev" (not verbatim, of course, but you get the idea). Was that really necessary??

On the plus side, the romance was practically nonexistent, so no problems there. :)

3 solid stars. Let's see where this'll take us next, shall we? ...more

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Jun 24, 2017 Eloise rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-books-read

I knew nothing about the book before I started, so my mind was BLOWN as I started to put the pieces together the more I read.
Ultimately the book follows various fairy-tale and Disney characters, between this world and another, Florindale.
The main characters; Enzo (Pinnochios son), Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland's daughter as they fight to save their families who have mysteriously disappeared to a different land.

The chapters are broke up between place and time, set between Florindale 25 years ...more

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Oct 05, 2017 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

The Carver by Jacob Devlin is a wonderful fairytale. The stories we all know get an interesting sequel that starts with the question what if Peter Pan and Pinocchio grew up? Enzo was a happy child who loved it when his father carved him figurines. His mother’s disappearance changed all that. His neighbor’s wife and son went missing shortly after. When a strange man abducts his father, Enzo learns every story he’s heard is part of his origins. His father is Pinocchio. His best friend is the son o ...more

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Jan 27, 2018 LitPick Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

The Carver is a book about Crescenzo and his wild adventure to save the one he loves. Crescenzo is just a regular kid with a father who carves too many figurines and a mom who disappeared a few years ago. One day, his dad, Pino, asks him to accompany his dad's friend, Pietro, on a trip. The next day, when Crescenzo is ready to go with Pietro, his father is taken by a cloaked figure. Terrified, Crescenzo runs to Pietro for answers. Crescenzo thinks Pietro is crazy when he claims to be Peter Pan a ...more

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Jan 28, 2018 Tynea Lewis rated it it was amazing

The Carver is a book about Crescenzo and his wild adventure to save the one he loves. Crescenzo is just a regular kid with a father who carves too many figurines and a mom who disappeared a few years ago. One day, his dad, Pino, asks him to accompany his dad's friend, Pietro, on a trip. The next day, when Crescenzo is ready to go with Pietro, his father is taken by a cloaked figure. Terrified, Crescenzo runs to Pietro for answers. Crescenzo thinks Pietro is crazy when he claims to be Peter Pan a ...more

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May 05, 2017 Kari rated it really liked it

The Carver is like a mashup retelling of fairy tales. This story mostly follows Enzo, Pinnochio's son, on his quest to both learn about his family and to save his missing mother of three years. He meets up with many familiar characters along the way, and the roles they take in this retelling are different and interesting.
The beginning for me was a little slow. I was having trouble grasping who everyone was and getting all their descriptions right in my brain, because as they are familiar charact ...more

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