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What Members Thought
I really enjoyed reading Splendors and Glooms. I read this well over a month ago and the story still speaks to me. It was fun that I happen to read it in October because it has a generally creepy feel.
I don't know how young kids would relate to the book, but as an adult I loved it. I don't think it will win a medal because of the lack of appeal to a wide audience however I personally would recommend it.
The writing was marvelous. I really connected with the characters and felt part of the story. ...more
I don't know how young kids would relate to the book, but as an adult I loved it. I don't think it will win a medal because of the lack of appeal to a wide audience however I personally would recommend it.
The writing was marvelous. I really connected with the characters and felt part of the story. ...more
Clara's life had been very sad since she lost her 4 siblings to cholera. She has also felt great guild since she was the only child to survive. She decided that she wanted this years birthday to be a happy occasion and beg her father to bring in a puppeteer name Grisini to entertain her guest. Little did the family know that Grisini had a sinister plan to kidnap Clara for random. Clara was surprised to find herself befriending the two assistants Lizzie Rose and Parsefall while they were at her h
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I really liked this book. A little magical and mystical, a little gloomy, and beautifully written. The tone reminded me a lot of The Night Circus (which I loved), although they are very different books. Maybe a bit too old for middle grade, though? I'm not sure.
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A very well written book. It was somewhat dense and the vocabulary was advanced. Character development progressed smoothly and culminated well. The setting was described clearly. The plot had a good pace to it, not too fast, not too slow. Overall a great book, but one must be a good reader to be able to finish it.
There's a lot here--complex characters and plot, rich language, plus interesting thematic elements about growing old, living life to the fullest, being your own person, and good vs. evil. Not an easy read, but well worth it!
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What an entertaining read! Ms Schlitz has created another work which should be a contender for the big prizes this year.
Rich, suitably frightening in the best Grimm tradition, masterful writing. A strong and sustaining tale.
I thought the plot could have moved much faster. The book was too long for the amount of action. It wasn't as good as A Drowned Maiden's Hair by the same author
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Aerie and I are actually reading Fire Spell, the British version of this story. Same author, different cover and title. oops! (Because I bought the american book for Coco, not realizing it was the same thing!)
I'm rereading this and making questions about it for a Newbery Event at UK "Who's Smarter Than a 6th Grader?"
This book was my 2013 Newbery pick. 4/20/13 ...more
This book was my 2013 Newbery pick. 4/20/13 ...more
Dark and creepy at times, would give to 5th grade and up. Not for sensitive readers, some gruesome descriptions and a few well placed curse words.
Dec 05, 2012
krista (kristina) sembler
added it
Dec 08, 2012
Laurie
marked it as to-read
Jan 28, 2013
Hannah
marked it as to-read
Feb 07, 2013
Anamaria
added it
