In paperback for the first time, the Sisters Grimm take readers to a world where fairy tales are fact and not everyone is who they seem!
In book one of this bestselling series, sisters Sabrina and Daphne are sent to live with their mysterious grandmother, Relda Grimm. The sisters learn they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm, whose famous book of fairy tales is actually a collection of case files. The girls are the latest in a long line of fairy-tale detectives, and their new hometown is filled with Everafters (as magical folks like to be called)—some good and some very, very bad. When a mysterious Everafter sets a giant loose on the town, it's up to the Sisters Grimm to save the day.
The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael BuckleyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have to admit I wasn't sure that I would enjoy this book very much. I like fairy tales to a degree, and I like mysteries, but I knew this was a young adult mystery. I wasn't sure if the mystery would capture and keep my attention. This was a book somewhat out of my comfort zone, but I decided to give it a go.
I am happy to report that this book was better than I thought it would be. It was nice to read a book that had no bad language, sex scenes, nor required very heavy thinking. It was nice to read about characters I had long forgotten--probably some that most young people today would not know (Puck, most notably). I was intrigued at how the author put these characters in unusual circumstances and created a world in which they actually lived. The author created a fairy tale world and explained things in such a way that all the fairy tales I had ever read made sense.
Until I neared the end, I really did not think the mystery would be anything too clever. It seemed to be pretty straightforward, and I was certain I knew what the outcome would be. All I can say is that I was entirely wrong! The author was quite shrewd in choosing to tell the story from the girls' viewpoint. Seeing things through the eyes of Daphne and Sabrina certainly clouds the real issues.
One of the thing I appreciated the most about this author was the strategic use of chapters. I am one of those readers who prefers to stop at the end of a chapter. Usually, a chapter signifies the end of an event. Not so with this book! I found myself continuing on even when I reached the end of a chapter. Each chapter ended with an unfinished event. I think that is one reason why I finished this book so quickly.
The reason I give this a 3-star rating (3.5 would be my choice if I could give it that) is that it is not more than it claims to be. It is simply a light, young adult mystery with no real, deep, underlying meanings. I would say the only thing is does emphasize is the importance of family. And of course, the normal fairy tale theme of good winning over evil. But I would recommend this book to anyone who is not too old to remember and appreciate his/her childhood and the world of fantasy.
View all my reviews
Well, I guess I am really behind the times! It looks like Book 8 in the series has just arrived. I finally found the author's website. He also has a page on goodreads.
About Michael Buckley:
New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.
While this series is certainly not my favorite, I think I may have to eventually read another one in the series. Probably the next time I need a break from hard reads!
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