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elizabethmcspencer's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gabliotecaria's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lisaarnsdorf's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really liked this second book, and so did my boys, 8 and 6. It’s a little spooky and the story is a good mystery set in this fantastical world. The kids each wavered in their abilities and feelings of worth, so there were some good life lessons, too.
b00kh0arder's review against another edition
5.0
After saving the library from evil wizard-wannabe Salt, things are back normal for Kit Spencer and her friends, well as normal as it can get for a trainee wizard. Until Kit's magic starts going haywire and animals in the local park start talking. Getting to the bottom of this mystery will take them to the lochs of Scotland, where they'll encounter some very rude mermaids, an ancient curse and rather a lot of rats.
This series is so. much. FUN! It has everything: characters you'll like, want to root for and watch grow (what's also refreshing is that, thouhgh the magic of books and reading is a BIG theme, and amply represented through Kit's best friends Josh and Alita, Kit herself is someone who, initially, finds reading challenging, and has to be brought aaround to it, making it perfect for children who themselves find reading more of a chore than fun - and so much more effective than just saying it's good for you), action, humour, LOTS of great references (have fun spotting them all) and adorably gorgeous illustrations.
Looking forward to future installments!
This series is so. much. FUN! It has everything: characters you'll like, want to root for and watch grow (what's also refreshing is that, thouhgh the magic of books and reading is a BIG theme, and amply represented through Kit's best friends Josh and Alita, Kit herself is someone who, initially, finds reading challenging, and has to be brought aaround to it, making it perfect for children who themselves find reading more of a chore than fun - and so much more effective than just saying it's good for you), action, humour, LOTS of great references (have fun spotting them all) and adorably gorgeous illustrations.
Looking forward to future installments!
bookish_perseus's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emilyctrigg's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced audio copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
The monster in the lake is a super cute lower middle grade story about three friends with connections to magic. Kit is a wizard and Alita and Josh are her two best friends. The three are having a lovely day in the park when they realize that they can hear all of the animals talking which is *definitely* not normal. When they start to do some digging with Kit's magical advisor friend, Faith, the trio discovers that there's something in the lake that doesn't belong. This discovery leads them on a journey to Scotland with some mermaids, a magical book, giant rats, and chocolate tea.
While this wasn't exactly my cup of tea (pun intended), it was definitely really cute and I know lots of kids who would absolutely LOVE this book and other titles like it. It was fun, educational, and uplifting. I liked that so much of the story was about friendship, working together, and learning new things. It has tons of great messages, but is still super fun. I would highly recommend this for any 4th-8th graders (ish) in your life who love magical tales and are probably too young for Harry Potter.
The monster in the lake is a super cute lower middle grade story about three friends with connections to magic. Kit is a wizard and Alita and Josh are her two best friends. The three are having a lovely day in the park when they realize that they can hear all of the animals talking which is *definitely* not normal. When they start to do some digging with Kit's magical advisor friend, Faith, the trio discovers that there's something in the lake that doesn't belong. This discovery leads them on a journey to Scotland with some mermaids, a magical book, giant rats, and chocolate tea.
While this wasn't exactly my cup of tea (pun intended), it was definitely really cute and I know lots of kids who would absolutely LOVE this book and other titles like it. It was fun, educational, and uplifting. I liked that so much of the story was about friendship, working together, and learning new things. It has tons of great messages, but is still super fun. I would highly recommend this for any 4th-8th graders (ish) in your life who love magical tales and are probably too young for Harry Potter.
magis1105's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
We get a nice recap of what happened before so you're not lost. It's especially helpful if you don't read them back to back.
The characters are meant to be relatable and lovable, and it continues to be so. We have a new adventure, the children get to meet another kind of mythical creatures- lake monsters, and mermaids, and get more details about the ancient history of the wizards. Magic has always been, even before the time of the humans came.
The main focus is on the characters and their friendship. Still enjoying it!
The characters are meant to be relatable and lovable, and it continues to be so. We have a new adventure, the children get to meet another kind of mythical creatures- lake monsters, and mermaids, and get more details about the ancient history of the wizards. Magic has always been, even before the time of the humans came.
The main focus is on the characters and their friendship. Still enjoying it!
books__brews_and_booze's review
Such a cute story and perfect for elementary school children and/or reluctant readers.
What I liked:
- Nice recap of the first book so readers don't feel like they are missing key information.
- Magic, wizards, dragons, friendship
- Nice to see a character who loves to read and one who doesn't. It's comforting to be able to see yourself in a book.
- Awesome narration -- the reader did a great job with different voices and accents.
- Gentle lessons about compassion and caring for other people and animals
- Love the quiz at the end, I think kids will get a kick out of it!
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media, for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
What I liked:
- Nice recap of the first book so readers don't feel like they are missing key information.
- Magic, wizards, dragons, friendship
- Nice to see a character who loves to read and one who doesn't. It's comforting to be able to see yourself in a book.
- Awesome narration -- the reader did a great job with different voices and accents.
- Gentle lessons about compassion and caring for other people and animals
- Love the quiz at the end, I think kids will get a kick out of it!
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media, for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
kailey_luminouslibro's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kit and her friends are flabbergasted by a recent surge of wild magic that is making random things happen. Kit's magic spells are going haywire. Animals in the park are talking to humans, and something magical is bubbling up from the depths of the lake. This new adventure will take Kit all the way to Scotland to solve the mystery of the unpredictable wild magic.
I loved this book from start to finish! The characters, the plot, the world-building, the magic; everything is wonderful! The writing style is absolutely hilarious! There are so many cute bits of dialogue and funny scenes that had me laughing.
I loved Kit's character! She is bold and reckless and wild. She dares to say the things that other people only think. She sometimes makes mistakes, but she is always working to set things right again.
Alita and Josh are bookish and smart. It was so wonderful to see how these three friends interact and support one another. In this second book, we get to see a little more depth in their friendship and some good character development!
The black and white illustrations are lovely. Every few pages there are some cute illustrations that really draw the reader into the story and help you to visualize everything you are reading.
I can't quite put my finger on why this book is so charming. Every chapter is a delight! I finished the entire book in one day. I could not stop reading. It refreshed my mind. It gave me warm fuzzies in my heart. It made me happy in a deep-down joyful, silly, childish, carefree way.
This book made me believe in magic!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I loved this book from start to finish! The characters, the plot, the world-building, the magic; everything is wonderful! The writing style is absolutely hilarious! There are so many cute bits of dialogue and funny scenes that had me laughing.
I loved Kit's character! She is bold and reckless and wild. She dares to say the things that other people only think. She sometimes makes mistakes, but she is always working to set things right again.
Alita and Josh are bookish and smart. It was so wonderful to see how these three friends interact and support one another. In this second book, we get to see a little more depth in their friendship and some good character development!
The black and white illustrations are lovely. Every few pages there are some cute illustrations that really draw the reader into the story and help you to visualize everything you are reading.
I can't quite put my finger on why this book is so charming. Every chapter is a delight! I finished the entire book in one day. I could not stop reading. It refreshed my mind. It gave me warm fuzzies in my heart. It made me happy in a deep-down joyful, silly, childish, carefree way.
This book made me believe in magic!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.