Chaotic is one word to really describe this book. Although it was fun to read what they all go through I think this book would have made a very interesting movie (should it ever go that way). Think of The Addams Family and their kookiness, mixed with a bit of style of Lemony Snicket and add in a bit of Mary Poppins and you get Pure Dead Magic. I enjoyed reading this book! it was a fun light read and there were particular parts of the book that actually got me laughing out loud. It is quirky and kooky and you could say even rather strange at first to read but once you get engaged into the storyline then the reading experience is quite fun.

The plot was certainly engaging, and by reading the first page it actually takes you into the book head first so be prepared. I liked it, yet on the other hand, I found it a little too engaging. It just seems like there's just way too much going on and you have a hard time figuring out what's happening, and it also feels like you need to take a real big deep breath right after each chapter. Sometimes it helps if there's a small part in the book where everything just take a breather, and the action takes a break while we as readers sort things out with the storyline. The characters are likable and fun, no need for development, or any heavy duty stuff here. Like mentioned before, it's a light read to take a break from the heavy duty ones.

Overall, a fast, light read, with a lot of room left at the end for several more books ahead. I'll be picking them up whenever I need the urge to laugh or when I need to take a break from the heavier deeper books. Sometimes it's good to read childrens novels just to take a break from the serious books and to enjoy the quirky kooky funny ones as well. ( )

This was hilarious, I don't know how to start describing it - kids live in a castle in Scotland, father has been kidnapped by violent Italian relations, mother is an absent minded witch studying at barding school during the week, the nanny is a technological wizard (or witch?) and the baby has been transported through the internet, oh, and granny is kept in the basement freezer, but the plug as been pulled and she's defrosting. Chaos, hilarity, and delightful sentences to read out loud.
I'd recommend this to younger kids, maybe 9 up, but also to parents as read alouds. And I plan to catch the rest in the series. ( )

fun

I thoroughly enjoyed this! Very funny with tongue-in-cheek British humour (well, Scottish, actually), I found myself laughing out loud several times and chuckling quietly many times. This family is very unique but endearing, think of a Scottish Addams Family. For the first half of the book, the plot was a bit slow as each chapter seemed to be more of a vignette than part of the story-line, but by the middle of the book the action picked up. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Unfortunate Events books but be warned that this book is a bit 'gross' at times (large mythical beasts do eat bad guys), so definitely not for the very young or sensitive. I'll certainly be reading the next in the series. ( )

http://misserinmarie.blogspot.com/200... ( )