Kerry K. (mistysmere) -
Helpful Score: 3
I was originally concerned that this series was a Harry Potter knock off. I was wrong. Yes, there are similarities to Harry Potter, but this series has some great potenial. I can't wait to read the next one.
daedelys -
Helpful Score: 1
This book reminded me a lot of the Harry Potter series. Kid probably won't mind this at all, but as an adult, the lack of originality gets a little annoying at times. But perhaps it's part of that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" thing on the author's part...
The term "endowed" tends to also make me snicker on occasion. I think the author could've found a better word to describe the magic-like talent that some of the characters have.
Overall, it's a readable book if you don't notice that it has a lot of similarities to authors such as J.K. Rowling, Pierce Anthony and I'm sure many others I haven't read yet or notice right off the bat.
The term "endowed" tends to also make me snicker on occasion. I think the author could've found a better word to describe the magic-like talent that some of the characters have.
Overall, it's a readable book if you don't notice that it has a lot of similarities to authors such as J.K. Rowling, Pierce Anthony and I'm sure many others I haven't read yet or notice right off the bat.
Janet B. (knightreader) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 92 more book reviews
What's hapening to Charlie Bone?
Charlie does't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs.But his horrible aunts are delighted-it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Academ;y for gifted children.Once there,Charlie realizes that some of is classmated have eqully mysterious powers,and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.
My daughter loved this book and read in (1) day she compared it to Harry
potter.Good way to spend a summer day.
Charlie does't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs.But his horrible aunts are delighted-it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Academ;y for gifted children.Once there,Charlie realizes that some of is classmated have eqully mysterious powers,and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.
My daughter loved this book and read in (1) day she compared it to Harry
potter.Good way to spend a summer day.
Kris L. (miss-info) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 386 more book reviews
This is what may have happened if Lemony Snicket wrote Harry Potter. Evil people are absurdly, stereotypically evil, good adults are usually clueless, and usually behave in ways that are by no stretch of the imagination believable. That said, it wasnt bad. I wish the talent of listening to photos had been brought out more, rather than used to set up why Charlie went to Bloors, then pretty much abandoned. Still, I finished it, and if I happen to run across the sequel Ill probably read it, too. Children would probably be better inclined to disregard how actual humans behave, and enjoy it for the story.
Diana L. (dianasdolls) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 43 more book reviews
I was expecting a Harry Potter knockoff and got something surprisingly different. The characters are well-drawn, if only occasionally one-dimensional, but the villains, Charlie's great aunts and paternal grandmother, are so ridiculously nasty you will sometimes wonder why anyone puts up with them at all. These read fast and will entertain younger readers very well. Adults may have a harder time not projecting into the story how they'd get rid of the nasty aunts and grandmother...
Even as an adult, I enjoyed this book for a little fun, light reading. The first few chapters were difficult to get through, because there are definitely a LOT of similarities to Harry Potter. However, if you can stick with it, by the middle of the book you will start forgetting about the similarities and begin accepting Charlie's world as its own special place!
Susan M. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Great book. 5th grade and up (or advanced 4th)
It's a great book for children.
Pam H. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Your Harry Potter fans will love this. Charlie can hear people talking in photographs, and his aunts are delighted because this means he is one of the "chosen". Great for upper elementary or junior high kids.
Cassandra H. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
The mysterious and magical powers of the Red King have been passed down through his descendents. These gifts, some evil and some good, turn up unexpectedly in someone who has no idea where they came from. This is what happened to Charlie Bone...
Charlie doesn't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of pepole in photographs. But his horrible aunts are delighted -- it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Acedemy for gifted children. Once there, Charlie realizes that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers, and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.
Charlie doesn't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of pepole in photographs. But his horrible aunts are delighted -- it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Acedemy for gifted children. Once there, Charlie realizes that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers, and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.
Jeff J. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
I really like the Charlie Bone stories. They are similar to Harry Potter, but less dark and violent.
Gil C. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
a good book, reccomended
Tripti N. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
In the book Charlie bone started hering voices in photographs. It's kind of an akward book but its ok
Kris L. (miss-info) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 386 more book reviews
This is what may have happened if Lemony Snicket wrote Harry Potter. Evil people are absurdly, stereotypically evil, good adults are usually clueless, and usually behave in ways that are by no stretch of the imagination believable. That said, it wasnt bad. I wish the talent of listening to photos had been brought out more, rather than used to set up why Charlie went to Bloors, then pretty much abandoned. Still, I finished it, and if I happen to run across the sequel Ill probably read it, too. Children would probably be better inclined to disregard how actual humans behave, and enjoy it for the story.
Pamela S. (scrapperpam) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
My kids love this series and we were missing a few. I haven't read them, but I must say the kids practically eat them they read them so fast. They rated it at the highest rating.
Jennifer U. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Same genre as the Harry Potter series. Good juvenile series.
T.C. Robson -
A kid with the strange ability to hear the people in photographs is forced into a school by his nasty aunts, where he inherits the task of finding and dehypnotizing the lost niece of a local bookstore owner through the use of long-lost mechanical inventions. That pretty much is the premise of Midnight for Charlie Bone. In short, it's a big mess.
I'm sure youngsters with past Harry Potter experience coudl make the magical connections between shrub-headed kid Charlie Bone and the baby-turned-ten-year-old Emma Tolly, the aforementioned niece who was traded for the device that would awaken her soon-to-be-hypnotized state. Go ahead and say it: What?
Oh, it gets better: Bone's uncle, the only saving grace among the controlling relatives of his maybe-dead father, has the weird endowment of making lights unbearably bright (or breaking windows, an ability he suddenly pops up with near the end of the story), and for that reason, only comes out at night so he will only shatter street lights instead of a myriad of other lights on in the city. The rest of the time, he sits in his bedroom writing his book, until he decides to make himself useful by assisting in Bone's quest for the niece and the way to open the device he's been hiding in his best friend Benjamin's basement with guard duty help from Ben's dog, Runner Bean.
Will Charlie awaken Emma from her trance and return her to her rightful home? Or will his evil aunts conquer and keep the secret under wraps? At this point, who really cares?
Don't get me wrong: Jenny Nimmo isn't a bad writer. But the confused and fuzzy details in this particular story isn't a great way to start out a five-installment series and keep readers interested for the remaining adventures. Unlike J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, which mostly resolved its per-book troubles, Nimmo leaves too many things up in the air to secure any interest in further books.
If you want some adventure and excitement with nasty relatives, prefects, professors and all kinds of mischief, just go hunt for the Sorcerer's Stone again and send Charlie on his way.
I'm sure youngsters with past Harry Potter experience coudl make the magical connections between shrub-headed kid Charlie Bone and the baby-turned-ten-year-old Emma Tolly, the aforementioned niece who was traded for the device that would awaken her soon-to-be-hypnotized state. Go ahead and say it: What?
Oh, it gets better: Bone's uncle, the only saving grace among the controlling relatives of his maybe-dead father, has the weird endowment of making lights unbearably bright (or breaking windows, an ability he suddenly pops up with near the end of the story), and for that reason, only comes out at night so he will only shatter street lights instead of a myriad of other lights on in the city. The rest of the time, he sits in his bedroom writing his book, until he decides to make himself useful by assisting in Bone's quest for the niece and the way to open the device he's been hiding in his best friend Benjamin's basement with guard duty help from Ben's dog, Runner Bean.
Will Charlie awaken Emma from her trance and return her to her rightful home? Or will his evil aunts conquer and keep the secret under wraps? At this point, who really cares?
Don't get me wrong: Jenny Nimmo isn't a bad writer. But the confused and fuzzy details in this particular story isn't a great way to start out a five-installment series and keep readers interested for the remaining adventures. Unlike J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, which mostly resolved its per-book troubles, Nimmo leaves too many things up in the air to secure any interest in further books.
If you want some adventure and excitement with nasty relatives, prefects, professors and all kinds of mischief, just go hunt for the Sorcerer's Stone again and send Charlie on his way.
Christine P. (Chris) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 148 more book reviews
My son really loved this book!
Ethel I. (RoyalCatwoman) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 278 more book reviews
When he is 10 years old, Charlie discovers that he is able to look at photographs and hear conversations and even thoughts that were taking place at the time the photo was taken, a legacy of his ancestor the Red King, whose descendants all have different magical abilities. Charlie hears one conversation that sets him on a search for a girl who has been missing for years, and when he begins attending Bloor's Academy, an elite boarding school for the rich and the endowed (as the Red King's descendants are called), his life becomes full of intrigue and danger. Charlie, his friend Benjamin, and other allies try to unlock the secrets of a mysterious case that could get the girl back, while the sinister Bloors and Charlie's ghastly relatives who are endowed try to thwart them. While the parallels with Harry Potter are obvious, this fantasy has its own charms, chief among them being the endoweds' often-odd magical abilities. The writing is deft, most of the characters are intriguing, and Charlie Bone is an appealing boy.
Kris L. (miss-info) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 386 more book reviews
This is what may have happened if Lemony Snicket wrote Harry Potter. Evil people are absurdly, stereotypically evil, good adults are usually clueless, and usually behave in ways that are by no stretch of the imagination believable. That said, it wasnt bad. I wish the talent of listening to photos had been brought out more, rather than used to set up why Charlie went to Bloors, then pretty much abandoned. Still, I finished it, and if I happen to run across the sequel Ill probably read it, too. Children would probably be better inclined to disregard how actual humans behave, and enjoy it for the story.
Battista B. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Charlie doesn't want to believe it.
He can hear people talking in photographs.
What's happening to him?
Why Now?
The mysterious and magical powers of the Red King have been passed down through his descendants. These gifts, some evil and some good, turn up unexpectedly in someone who has no idea where they came from. This is what happened to Charlie Bone....
Charlie doesn't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs. But his horrible aunts are delighted-- it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Academy for gifted children. Once there, Charlie realizes that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers, and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.
He can hear people talking in photographs.
What's happening to him?
Why Now?
The mysterious and magical powers of the Red King have been passed down through his descendants. These gifts, some evil and some good, turn up unexpectedly in someone who has no idea where they came from. This is what happened to Charlie Bone....
Charlie doesn't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs. But his horrible aunts are delighted-- it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Academy for gifted children. Once there, Charlie realizes that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers, and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.
Adam P. (ajpratt48) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
Another of my son's books. This was a great first book of a series.
Kathy P. (kathyplank) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 46 more book reviews
Charlie doesn't want to believe it. He can hear people talking in photographs. What's happening to him? Why now? The mysterious and magical powers of the Red King have been passed down through his descendants. These gifts, some evil and some good, turn up unexpectedly in someone who has no idea where they came from. This is what happened to Charlie Bone...Charlie doesn't want to believe it when he discovers that he can hear the thoughts of people in photographs. But his horrible aunts are delighted - it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Academy for gifted children. Once there, Charlie realizes that some of his classmages have equally mysterious powers, and soon Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past of one of them.
Charlie doesn't want to believe it. He can hear people talking in photographs. What' happening to him? Why now?
This is a great fantasy story. I enjoyed reading it!
Trip E. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Was a good start to the next books in the series.
Eoin R. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
For those who like Harry Potter and can't bear to wait for the next installment.
Michele S. (mbooks) reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 282 more book reviews
My son torn through this one. Interesting.
Christine S. reviewed Midnight for Charlie Bone (Children of the Red King, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
This is book 1 of a series. I have posted book 2 Charlie Bone and the Time Twister and book 3 Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy also
