Mark Ablett had a spacious estate in the quaint English countryside. He had been hosting some guests whe3.2 Stars
One Liner: Fun but with limitations
Mark Ablett had a spacious estate in the quaint English countryside. He had been hosting some guests when the news of his estranged brother, Robert, arrived. Robert was shipped to Australia and was arriving for a visit after fifteen years. However, things turn bad when Robert is found dead in a locked room and Mark is nowhere to be seen.
Enter Anthony Gillingham, a friend of Bill Beverly (one of the guests) at the crime scene. Anthony does this and that, and decides that he could very well start a new profession and become a detective. Bill is too happy to help him.
Now, it’s up to Anthony and Bill to solve the mystery. Can they do it?
The story comes from an omnipresent third-person narrator (with frequent breaking of the fourth wall).
My Thoughts:
The book starts with a quirky author’s note (added in 1926) and sets the stage for the story. We know what kind of mystery to expect (after all, the author is very particular about it).
Given what Milne is known for, it is no surprise that the narrative is sprinkled with a liberal dose of humor, irony, and chuckle-worthy observations. The narrative style may not work for everyone but once I realized how it would be, I could go with the flow and enjoy it.
I knew what the case was at around 20% or less. For a contemporary cozy mystery lover, it is familiar and tackled by hundreds of books. However, remember that the book was first published in 1922. This will also help in understanding that some of the content (comments) will be outdated. That’s bound to happen, so no big deal.
The book will work well if you don’t think (at all) and read it for the sake of some light chuckles. Start thinking, and you will dislike many elements. Another way to enjoy the book is to consider it a satirical take on mysteries. It is like a farce, be it the characters, the dialogue, or the actions. The repeated references to Sherlocky and Watsony can go either way and will sound funny only when this book is read as a farce.
I can see why this is the only mystery by the author. A smart decision! It was fun while it lasted, though.
I was still willing to rate it high but the method of reveal ruined it for me. Why, oh, why did it have to be that way? I would rather read the amateur detective spell it out in a monologue than this. Sigh!
To summarize, The Red House Mystery is indeed a fun read if you go with the right expectations (as a farcical take on mysteries) and do not look too closely at the details. Read it on a cozy noon with some hot chocolate.
Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Vertigo, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
As the title suggests, the book is a collection of Panchatantra tales from ancient India. These were written in Sanskrit and translated into4.5 Stars
As the title suggests, the book is a collection of Panchatantra tales from ancient India. These were written in Sanskrit and translated into several languages over the years. There are countless interpretations, retellings, and versions of each story.
I knew I had to check this out the moment I saw the book. Just look at that cover! I’ve heard of the author, though I’ve yet to read her poems. This book has ten stories retold for the little ones (3+ age group, according to the publisher).
• The Blue Jackal • The Bird Who Angered the Sea • The Mice Who Freed the Elephants • The Monkey and the Crocodile • The Jackal Who Fooled a Lion • The Singing Donkey • The Very Talkative Tortoise • The Lion and the Talking Cave • The Four Friends and the Hunter • The Elephant and the Moon
The stories are pretty much short, crisp, and cute. We have a small introduction note by the author, followed by the stories. I like how the author’s voice continues throughout the book. She begins and ends each story by addressing the readers. This approach works in taking the content closer to the kids, especially if they read the book on their own.
The writing is simple and has a touch of humor and poetic style. A few words may be hard for three-year-olds. However, since adults will anyway have to read the tales aloud, they can explain the meanings. Another aspect I like is the little tweaks to the storyline to make the content kid-friendly. No deaths, beatings, or broken bones in this one.
Each story ends with a couple of lines introspecting on the moral and how it would help us. This is done without sounding preachy. There’s just enough for kids to ponder upon and adults to continue a discussion on the theme if they want to. The main characters have cute names, too!
How can I not mention the illustrations? Illustrations are the main reason I request children’s books. This one nails them. The color combinations are perfect! From earthy browns and oranges to waves in sapphire and jade and the violet streaks of a night inside a jungle, every shade seamlessly blends with the other. The animals and birds look just as lovely, with their expressions matching the story on the page.
The font size is decent, but I read it on the computer and used the zoom option. The physical copy would be a much better choice due to the color scheme and the text placed on dark backgrounds on some pages. Also, these illustrations deserve to be enjoyed as a physical book.
To summarize, Animal Tales from India is a beautiful and compact collection of ten Panchatantra tales for kids. Though the book ends with a good night note, it can be read at any time. (I wish the book included the illustrator’s note too.)
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
This is Belle’s version of the fairytale and has a lighter color scheme to suit her nature. The illustrations felt a bit uneven in this one. 3.5 Stars
This is Belle’s version of the fairytale and has a lighter color scheme to suit her nature. The illustrations felt a bit uneven in this one. Some were beautiful, but a few didn’t reach the mark.
Since I read this after Beast’s version, I’ll go ahead admit that I like his POV more. Belle’s love for him seemed too sudden. Another thing was the abrupt pacing of the story. I had to check if I skipped a page more than once.
What I did like were the inventions and stuff. Some of Belle’s illustrations were so pretty and live animation. Her eyes stood out in a couple of pages. That was cool! And the illustrations of the objects were really good in this one.
Reading the books together might seem a bit boring with a couple of the same pages, but it’ll give a complete picture of the story. Grab them if you want to try reading fairytales in Manga and live animation.
Thank you, NetGalley and TOKYOPOP, Disney Manga, for the ARC(s) in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Imagine reading Beauty and Beast in a live animation Manga edition. The color scheme worked really well to set the mood. It took me a while 3.7 Stars
Imagine reading Beauty and Beast in a live animation Manga edition. The color scheme worked really well to set the mood. It took me a while to understand how to read (the instructions are the end, which I read after finishing the book. That’s the trouble with e-copies), and yet, it felt as if the dialogues didn’t follow the same pattern throughout.
I love how the servants are creepy cute. Sounds like an oxymoron, but the book had The Addams Family vibes (one of my favorite shows as a kid). Reading the Beast’s POV was interesting. His vulnerability came out well, even though the book seemed a bit rushed. Guess it’s probably because of the format.
I’m not sure how much I enjoyed the live animation art. Some of it was superb. However, in some scenes, the expressions seemed forceful. Maybe that’s how it’s done. I confess I have almost no knowledge of this art form. I requested the ARC just to enjoy the fairytale in the full-color edition.
To sum up, the Beast’s version is a good take on the original and adds depth to the storyline. I love the illustrations of the rose in the glass jar. The magic and power translate to the page perfectly.
Thank you, NetGalley and TOKYOPOP, Disney Manga, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
It’s love at first sight for Bill Bannister when he sees Doctor Sally Smith on the links. Of course, there’s a tiny complication of Bill being sort ofIt’s love at first sight for Bill Bannister when he sees Doctor Sally Smith on the links. Of course, there’s a tiny complication of Bill being sort of engaged to Lottie Higginbotham. It shouldn’t be hard to break a sort-of engagement, except that Lottie is a firebrand with a flair for drama.
Thankfully, Squiffy Tidmouth, Bill’s old buddy and Lottie’s former husband, decides to help Bill. After all, the man is on a break after his fourth wife divorced him, and maybe he still has a thing or two for Lottie.
But Sir Hugo, Bill’s uncle, is determined to keep Bill away from the ‘flashy woman’ and thinks of a brilliant psychological approach to show Bill that his choice of bride is wrong. What follows is mayhem and threats of murder until things get resolved, and everyone has their happy ever after (until things go wrong again).
I love Wodehouse’s books and his effortless humor. There isn’t a book without a bundle of confusions and men falling in and out of love (windows, cars… you get the drift). This is a short book (just 128 pages) and doesn’t have an elaborate plot. It’s fairly simple, though enjoyable.
However, I wouldn’t recommend this book as your first Wodehouse read. Nope. This is pretty average with a few chuckles and a rather annoying scene where our Bill threatens the heroine with physical violence. Fans of Wodehouse, pick this up only if you haven’t got any better of his (which I’m sure you do).
Doctor Sally is a one-time read that gives a teeny glimpse of the author’s writing style but doesn’t do justice to it. ...more
This cute book is about the unique friendship between a hermit crab and a seagull. Herman is the crab who hides among the rocks to avoid bei3.8 Stars
This cute book is about the unique friendship between a hermit crab and a seagull. Herman is the crab who hides among the rocks to avoid being eaten by larger fishes and birds. The princess is a seagull who flew from another island in search of blue water and food.
The story is rather sweet, and so are the illustrations. It talks of friendship while also providing useful information about the crab, seagull, and a couple of marine creatures. It’s a cool book for kids who love animals and the sea.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Compass Rose Press USA and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sally Ann is a super active girl who just cannot sit still. She is always on the go and causes trouble for her classmates and teachers. When t4 Stars
Sally Ann is a super active girl who just cannot sit still. She is always on the go and causes trouble for her classmates and teachers. When the teacher can’t take it any longer, she sends Sally to the Principal’s office.
The Principal tells her that he was the same as a child and teaches her a trick to control the fidgets in her mind that makes her restless. Sally follows his advice of deep breathing and meditation to calm the fidgets and find some peace in being still.
The story is written in rhyming verse. Sometimes it’s a hit, and sometimes it feels a bit odd. However, the illustrations are beautiful and vibrant. They are so full of life and laughter that I couldn’t help but chuckle at the scenes. The illustrator and the author also took care of diversity, which made the book even cute.
My only grouse is the long text on the last two pages. Will kids sit through it? I’m not sure. They sure will love the rest of it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Walter and Willy are two cute buddies. While Walter isn’t afraid of anything, Willy is cautious and tends to be frightened of bullies and the3.8 Stars
Walter and Willy are two cute buddies. While Walter isn’t afraid of anything, Willy is cautious and tends to be frightened of bullies and the dark. One day, the duo goes to the city to eat their favorite pizza.
However, Walter doesn’t like bumpy rides and is afraid of getting lost in the big city. Will is happy and carefree. They go to the pizza house and eat to their fill. Then they go back home back to the countryside.
The story is pretty simple. It shows that there’s nothing wrong with being afraid or cautious. Everyone is different and fears something or another. With good friends supporting us, we can overcome our fears and have fun.
The illustrations are cute and cheerful. The book is a good way to talk to kids about what scares them and why it’s okay to be afraid.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
To think it took me as many years to read this book when I read Huck Finn thrice! The book is just how Tom would be. Dramatic, funny, witty, adventuroTo think it took me as many years to read this book when I read Huck Finn thrice! The book is just how Tom would be. Dramatic, funny, witty, adventurous, crazy, and cute. That's it. That's the review. :)
P.S: Remember when it was written and see it in its context. ...more
Reading the book after watching the movie does diminish the beauty of the original. I was surprised to see Dorothy as a kid and not a teen. Still, itReading the book after watching the movie does diminish the beauty of the original. I was surprised to see Dorothy as a kid and not a teen. Still, it was an enjoyable read with more scenes than the movie. So that's 4 stars. ...more
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