4 double stuffed mint Oreos (with milk).Cover Love:
I do like this cover, a lot. I just wish the model did not have that hairstyle.
Why I Wanted to Read This Book:
Sherlock Holmes is hot right now. The Robert Downey Jr. movie was a lot of fun, I LOVED the new BBC version of a modern day Sherlock so it only makes sense to give Sherlock more history. Plus, I loved the Young Bond books, and this one was endorsed by that author and the Arthur Conan Doyle estate. I was very excited to read this one! Synopsis from Good Reads:
It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock’s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.I Kept Reading Because:
It was well written, with good adventure! Loved meeting Sherlock Holmes as a young man. There was some slow parts in the middle but once I was over the hump the rest moved right along.
Romance?: A cute little crush.
What I Liked (& Didn't):
I really liked that the author made Sherlock a believable person. He is young, not the overly smart detective we come to know and love. And the author lets him make mistakes--which is how he learns.
He is given a mentor (Amyus Crowe) and a sidekick (Matty)!
The writing is descriptive (I love when they talk about the smells in olden times, like it smells so bad you can taste it! Gross!)(Also, I love when an author lets us know that dental hygiene is not the greatest in the past...)
I hate Miss Eglantine. The reader is supposed to hate Miss Eglantine. She is very odious. And I was frustrated that her storyline didn't get wrapped up, but I am assuming we will meet her again in future books.
At first I was really skeptical of how the deaths were being committed, but there was a really good explanation. I really loved how Amyus Crowe introduced Sherlock to the beginnings of forensic science.
What I Would Like to See:
Just more adventures and growth from Sherlock. I look forward to his next adventures!
Tween Tuesday is hosted by Sarah the GreenBeanTeenQueen. Check her out!
Book sent to me from Macmillian--thank Ksenia!
I wish my kiddos would read mysteries! :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this one! I've been on a Sherlock kick since watching the BBC show, which is fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteI've got this one on my shelf...Now I'm super excited to read it!
ReplyDeleteI've been a little worried about this because I am a die hard Holmes fan. Your review is putting me at ease a bit more. Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThere as a lot I liked about this book, but there was a slow part in the middle. It was a great introduction to a new series though. I ADORE the Young Bond books written by Charlie Higson, and the weakest one of that series I always felt was the first. In other words, I think this series will only improve!
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