Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books, September 29th 2015
Genre: MG, Fantasy, Historical (pretty sure?)
Pages: 368
Format: Ebook
What you will find in this book:
– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities
– A quite loquacious talking bird
Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-
thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.
This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich
knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester.
What you will NOT find in this book:
– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.
The Shrunken Head is cute and fun and lively, and if you're looking of a lighthearted book with a lot of heart, you need to read it. Not only does it have a cool historical feel, an engaging mystery plot, and a fascinating cast of characters, it's fast paced.
The first thing I liked was the story telling - I love the way it's written. I really felt like I was witnessing a dime museum. I also really like the four main characters, even though I do think it wouldn't have been so difficult to have a main character of colour among the four kids. The way they interacted, and how their relationships built as the book went along felt really authentic. (Plus Sam and Max were total cuties.) The story, too, is exciting - murders and curious objects and one cad of a reporter. I really enjoyed everything.
My only gripe, beside the overly white cast, is the ableism throughout, although that's mostly to be expected with the subject matter (i.e. freak show) and it is time appropriate (to when it's set, not really when it's written.)
Still, it's pretty darn great and I recommend it.
The first thing I liked was the story telling - I love the way it's written. I really felt like I was witnessing a dime museum. I also really like the four main characters, even though I do think it wouldn't have been so difficult to have a main character of colour among the four kids. The way they interacted, and how their relationships built as the book went along felt really authentic. (Plus Sam and Max were total cuties.) The story, too, is exciting - murders and curious objects and one cad of a reporter. I really enjoyed everything.
My only gripe, beside the overly white cast, is the ableism throughout, although that's mostly to be expected with the subject matter (i.e. freak show) and it is time appropriate (to when it's set, not really when it's written.)
Still, it's pretty darn great and I recommend it.
Characters ★★★☆☆
Setting/world ★★★☆☆
You had me at 'rather attractive bearded lady' tbh.
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