More of the same from Septimus

If you've read any of the previous titles in Sage's series you'll know that this is a poor man's Harry Potter. The setting is all rather familiar with it's castle, its dragon and it's princess. Yet far from being a weakness, Sage uses these archetypes to craft a warm and fuzzy world that both children and adults can enjoy - and much in the same way as Rowling. <br /><br />I enjoyed Queste as much as I enjoyed the other books. However one complaint I do have is that the plot wanders all over the place - as it does in the previous books. Unlike Potter which is tightly knitted the reader is forced to trek all over the place wondering why this bit is relavent, what's going on here and who is this person again? Perhpas one of the main reason's for this is the huge cast that Sage has employed. Like all series' that have been around for a while this is inevitable. But perhaps Sage might consider bumping a few off for the next one...<br /><br />All in all, well worth a read if you take it for what it is. Warm, familiar fun that allows you to forget the real word for a weekend or two.

What is the tiger doing in the kitchen cupboard?

This is a superb children's book, but there is no doubt in my mind that on one of the pages the tiger is doing something unmentionable in the kitchen cupboard - and the theme is repeated in the street scene later on. <br /><br />Is there a subtext here? I think we ought to be told.

Cherub

The thing about Robert Muchamore is that he seems to think that Children in England speak American. Nobody says 'dude' or use the word 'totally' as it is used in the books. People say 'chav' in derogatory form a lot and sometimes call each other mate in this country. They say 'fit as' rather than the 'totally hot' he has in his books. I just wanted to point out that Children in England to day don't used such a stranges form of the English laguage as they do America.<br /><br />Nether the less his books are brilliant and the childrens behaviour is believable even if the language isn't. This book is his longest so far and so very different from the others and as good as if not better than them. Allthough I think James deserved the reward as much as Lauren, not specifying so as not to spoil it for those who have not read it. I think it's a bit rude for children under 12 though.

Best young bond yet

A truly fantasic book, it has good humor realistic caracters and a very good plot. This book is defiently well worth a read and my only minor critisisum would be that it is a tad predictibal and you can kind of guess what is going to happe hence the 4 stars not 5. Over a good book thats well worth a read well done charlie another great bond!

excellent book for children to talk and read with parents

we gave the book to our eldest child how knew the basic;s and let him read it in his own time and have been able to share it with him when he has had questions our wanted to talk about issues raised. the book has been on loan to several friends who have also gone on to buy it. great for children age 9 and up . all art work is child friendly and not out to give mum and dad red faces when reading as a family. also covered some issues some families may not feel able to talk about such as wet dreams' periods' body shape' what's normal on my body. great book!!!!!!!.

We just love this book!

I only bought this book when Amazon recommended it whilst I was looking for a different one, but it couldn't have been much better suited to my son's taste. He loves touchy feely book and tends to lose interest in books that don't have some sort of texture in them. He also loves singing songs and doing little actions and it turned out that this book had all his favourites like 'The Wheels on the Bus' and 'Row Your Boat'. He was soon swaying along and humming little tunes. It has become an instant favourite. What a find! If your child likes the 'That Not My...' books then they'll love this.

Lovely for young children

This is a lovely book for young children. Mine love looking on every page for the hidden character, and the rhyming text is great and easy to remember so little ones can join in when they've heard it a few times. <br />My 3 kids love this one!

A must read

CHERUB:The Killing is a gripping action spy thriler that sees yong James Adoms take down a crook that had taken half a million in pounds from a casino and take down a cop that had killed a teenager. Yes the fourth in the series is as good if not beter than the other four. It tells the story a an ordany teen exept that he is an under cover secret agent that has been given the training of an eleat mi5 agent. But he isn’t alone there atleast another two-hundred CHERUB agents all ready to be sent out on a mistion at any time. I recomend that you read this book

AWESOME!

The series overall feel like a movie script, i mean the action sequence is great. Skulduggery's jokes and his style is just....way too cool desceribe. The first book has you glued to the series. The duo Skulduggery and Valkyrie are a comic duo. I'd recommend this book to anyone! <br /><br />Although my love for it does make it difficult to look for any bad points at all. Too good! I'd give it 6 stars!

The last great Cherub book

In my opinion this is the best book in the Cherub series. It has lots of excitement in a top security prison in the USA and even though the actual breakout is a bit quick James Adams the main character has plenty of real fighting to do and excitement.<br /><br />After this book I thought that all the other Cherub books were a bit disappointing because all the child agents seem to do is break into a house to do some photocopying. Maybe that's realistic but it sure isn't as exciting.<br /><br />If you are interested in this book you have probably already read the Alex Rider books, but these are very different. They always seem more real not like the fantasy of Alex Rider.<br /><br />There is also a great series you should read if you like this sort of book which combines the action and excitement with a bit more realistic emotion. That's the Jimmy Coates series by Joe Craig.<br /><br />But definitely read this. It's definitely a page-turner.

Man Vs Beast

The latest addition to the CHERUB series is the finest book so far, as well as being the most gripping tale it's also unquestionably Robert Muchamore's most motivating book so far in the already superb series. Three fully trained teenage spies, James, Lauren and Kyle have are sent on a mission to gather intelligence on members of an anti-animal testing extremist group.<br /><br />The reason: Adults don't expect children to be spying on them. <br /><br />The book contains all the action, excitement and tense situations of the CHERUB series so far, as well as tit bits of information on vegetarianism and animal cruelty. In addition to the thrill that any teenager loves to read Man Vs Beast will truly make you think about your views of animal testing and cruelty.<br /><br />With many twists and turns, thrills and nerves Man Vs beast will have you up all night biting your nails between turning the pages.

Fantastic!!!! : - )

i am a MASSIVE fan of the CHERUB books. i think mad dogs is the best book so far. there is loads of action and you notice how James has matured through the series. The CHERUB series is about teenage spies who go on undercover missions. It all sounds really sad and but it's not.I think this book is mainly aimed at age 12 - 17 but it is very grippng and i would strongly recomend it.But this book is DEFINATELY not suitable for anyone under the age of 10.

Brilliant!

A beautifully written novel in my perspective as it tackles and developes many of the teenage themes which were established in the first few books of the series. The novel itself is amazingly written using quite simple yet vivid language that can be easy to relate to with very interesting conversations between the protagonists and his many friends. The plot and the ideas are what I consider to be excellent; very evocative and intriquate yet easily understanderble. I found this book gripping to the very end and I could not put it down until the end. <br />However I do not think this book is suitable to a too early age. I'm 13 years old and I found this book quite an easy and enjoyable read however some of the themes tackled may not be suitable for a younger audience.

The perfect gift

I can't think of a more wonderful gift for any child. This book has everything - from lovely illustrations to a link to familiar fairytales, great opportunity for humour, creativity .... what more could one want? My daughter has entertained herself and the whole rest of the family endlessly with this book and it's such a pleasure as a parent, too, to be able to sit down and have some fun with fairy tales from a slightly different perspective.<br />

perfect gift

I was struggling to find a gift for a 13 year old boy, but I knew he enjoyed the Alex Rider (Horowitz), Hover Car Racer (Reilly), and Tomorrow (Marsden) series of books. I read the Amazon reviews and noticed the 'yes it won an award' sticker and ordered the first two in the CHERUB series. I always read the books I give away (judge me as you will :-) ), and even though I think the target group is miles away from a 38 year old woman; I couldn't put this book down. It wiped out my Saturday, and all my other plans were cancelled. Wow! What a great read. The plot moves very fast, is completely action packed, and totally believable. I think I am sorted for this kid's Christmas presents too; the next few in this series!

My son's first and favourite

I first heard the story told on Cbeebies story time. I re-enacted it much to my son's amusement and we bought the book at the earliest opportunity. Its a great book with a simply premise- several pets are sent by the zoo and all are unsuitable until the last one"he was perfect. I kept him". Its a lift the flap book with just enough text to keep their attention on each page. The illustrations are simple and bold and the book presents opportunities to talk about proportions and appearances and of course, to make funny animal noises. My son, in his enthusiasm, has wrecked the first one we bought him and we are going to have to buy a new one. That's how much he loves it. Since this book, he has really learnt to enjoy books as a one to one activity with me, which makes me really happy.

Essential reading,

A beautiful and tradtional story of magic, freindship & growing up. Adored by my children, loved by me.<br />Every school shelf should be stocked with this classic and every home shelf too. <br />When the trend for books is to 'gross out' young readers, this story reminds us that there is and always will be space for beautifully written well told enchanting stories.

"The boy In the striped pyjamas"

I read this book In my english class In year 8.<br />The first thing I did was read the blub, which didn't give anything away, this disapointed me slightly but as I started reading the book I thought that It was a good idea not to.<br />The beginning of the book bored me because I thought It was too slow and nothing exciting was happening.<br />Bruno, the main character In the book, was a 9 year old boy who's Dad was a commandant of WW2. Bruno's family was made to move out of there 5 story house In Berlin to a 3 story house In Poland, right outside a concentration camp Auswitzch, were Bruno meets a boy the same age and birthday as Bruno and they become good friends. But Shmuel, Brunos friend, lives on one side of the fence and Bruno on the other. The two 9 year old boys seem very confused for the purpose of the fence. The boys talk every day for a year until Bruno gets the news his moving back home In Berlin, and they only have a few more days together. On Brunos moving day Shmuel invites Bruno to his side of the fence.<br />The ending of the book shocked me but didn't make me cry, I wasn't expecting such a powerful end.<br />I think the youngest age to read this is 10 because it is a confusing book and you have to have some knowledge of world war II. <br />If you were to read this book I advise you to buy the one without a blub.

19 Years Later

A quite fantastic end to the most enchanting literary masterpeice of our generation. I hope that in 19 years and even in nineteen hundred years this series of books will be appreciated for what it is. <br /><br />Nothing short of perfection!