From the Bookshelf of Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge…

Jackaby (Jackaby, #1)

William Ritter

Finish date: January 11, 2015

Why we're reading this: Read for a Winter SRC task (10.10). Good concept and world-building, needs more editing/revision imo, but…more
[close] Read for a Winter SRC task (10.10). Good concept and world-building, needs more editing/revision imo, but will be a series.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Jun 06, 2014 Ami rated it liked it

Definitely an enjoyable read. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the title character does not narrate the book--there's a young woman narrator who fills in the Watson role for Jackaby's Sherlock.

The book had the feel of setting up a series, with a lot more backstory than I might have liked, and a bit too much dwelling on Jackaby's odd methods for solving crimes. I'll eagerly open the next book in the series, especially if it means we can skip straight to the action.

I'd also love to se ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 01, 2014 Arianna rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, arc, bea-2014

shelfnotes.com review

Dear Reader,

This book was a super YA novel, perhaps one of the best I've read in a long time. I think that my being enamored of it has to do quite a bit with how the author doesn't for a minute talk down to his readers; he treats them like adults, equals, using wonderful descriptions and (sometimes surprisingly) delightful word choices which really raised my enjoyment of the whole story. And, it was so wonderfully unique! Despite that it could have become a copy of many of t shelfnotes.com review

Dear Reader,

This book was a super YA novel, perhaps one of the best I've read in a long time. I think that my being enamored of it has to do quite a bit with how the author doesn't for a minute talk down to his readers; he treats them like adults, equals, using wonderful descriptions and (sometimes surprisingly) delightful word choices which really raised my enjoyment of the whole story. And, it was so wonderfully unique! Despite that it could have become a copy of many of the other supernatural teen books out there, it was nothing of the sort: it takes place in the Victorian era, with a lovely, independent young girl (Abigail Rook) as the narrator (and I can't get over how well Mr. Ritter wrote an adolescent female's voice!). And the creatures and characters encountered in the book are unlike any I've seen before. I wasn't even able to solve the mystery before the end, which is something I pride myself in doing more often than not! But this book just did a great job of leading the reader on a wonderful, exciting adventure, full of mystery and plot twists and just great scenes and characters (human or otherwise).

It might have helped that I had a bit of a crush on the eponymous character, who is adorably quirky, sure of himself, and perfectly disheveled. Not to mention brilliant and almost always right. Another thing I loved about this book, in fact, is that Abigail did not fall immediately head-over-heels in love with her employer. Rather, he was her (albeit often absent-minded) mentor. What little "romance" there was in the book was limited enough that this book would appeal equally, I believe, to readers who both enjoy a love story and those who avoid them.

This book is fun, quite enjoyable, and not condescending in the least. (Not to mention, it was refreshing to see a stand-alone book which didn't immediately anticipate a follow-up or trilogy! As much as it definitely has the potential for further adventure.) I'd recommend it to anyone, really. Keep in mind, there is a bit of the supernatural, but it's done well. Even if you don't like sci-fi or fantasy, you could easily enjoy this period adventure.

Yours,
Arianna ...more

Like · see review