Interesting characters and a terrific portrayal of a boy-girl friendship make this story truly captivating. The characters are vividly brought to life, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. The boy is brave and adventurous, always eager to explore new things. The girl is kind-hearted and intelligent, with a gentle spirit that balances out the boy's boldness. Their friendship develops naturally and beautifully, as they share experiences and support each other through thick and thin. The author's skillful portrayal of their relationship makes it easy for readers to empathize with them and root for their continued friendship. It's a heartwarming story that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

Story and writing are a little uneven. At some points, it is over-explained, while at others, it merely seems outlined.

This lack of consistency can make the reading experience a bit disjointed.

The careful explanations of computer disks and games, which were likely very relevant at the time of writing, now seem so quaint.

However, this is not the author's fault. Technology has advanced so rapidly that what was once cutting-edge is now almost obsolete.

Despite these flaws, there are still elements of the story and writing that are engaging and interesting.

Perhaps with a bit of refinement and updating, the work could be even more successful.

Overall, it is a decent effort that shows promise, but there is room for improvement.

The story was okay.

I am well aware that I am not within the target age range for this particular book. However, that's sometimes acceptable.

Nonetheless, I firmly believe that younger children will have a greater affinity for this book compared to my own experience.

Perhaps it's because the book is filled with elements that are more likely to capture the imagination and interest of the younger generation.

It might have colorful illustrations, simple language, and engaging storylines that are better suited for their level of understanding and enjoyment.

While I may not have been overly impressed, I can still recognize that this book has its merits and will likely bring joy to many younger readers.

It serves as a reminder that different books are designed to appeal to different age groups, and that's what makes the world of literature so diverse and wonderful.

An okay read for a sleepless night.

Published in 1993, yet it feels like the late seventies. There's a media fascination for poltergeists, ESP, and the "adolescent girl rage causes telekinesis" trope, much like in "Carrie". However, beyond a mention that the Boggart is part of "Wild Magic", Cooper keeps it all very light.

Nobody's special, nobody's Chosen. It's a comic little story of Canadians dealing with an ancient Scottish spirit they inherited along with the castle and furniture. I got a definite "The Canterville Ghost" vibe as the Boggart tries to make friends with the kids and just wants a little appreciation, but not from the creepy psychiatrist who wants to "study the phenomenon".

The little brother is a computer nerd with floppy disks and a B/W monitor, creating a computer game that may or may not hold the answer. Their parents are so wrapped up in their own lives and work that they have very little clue about what's going on and don't get one throughout the book. The kids get on with their own affairs and as long as they're home on time for supper, everything's jake.

I see there's a second volume. I don't expect much from it as there wasn't much here, but for a light frothy read, it was okay. It has much more humour than in "The Dark Is Rising Sequence", less angst and no attempt to down Christianity; it simply doesn't arise. It passed the time on a sleepless night and was entertaining enough.

If you have a penchant for the supernatural and are intrigued by creepy characters, then this book is an absolute must-read.

It delves deep into the realm of the unknown, presenting a host of spine-chilling entities that will send shivers down your spine.

The author's vivid descriptions bring these characters to life, making them seem almost palpable.

You'll find yourself on the edge of your seat as you follow the story, eager to uncover the mysteries and secrets that lie within.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the supernatural genre or simply looking for a thrilling read, this book has something for everyone.

So, grab a copy, turn out the lights, and prepare to be scared out of your wits.

I have previously been thoroughly enjoying The Dark Rises series by Susan Cooper. The captivating storyline and well-developed characters in that series had me hooked. So, I thought it might be interesting to explore her other series, The Boggart. And I have to say, it was an extremely entertaining read.

In Scotland, the resident of Castle Keep, McDevon, lives a solitary life with his elderly dog. He obtains his food supplies and everything else from the small store located across from his island. The castle is also inhabited by an ancient spirit known as the Boggart, or Old Thing, who loves to play tricks. This mischievous spirit has been around for ages, dating back to the time of Duncan. When McDevon and his dog both pass away, the Boggart is left feeling bereft.

The Castle then passes to a distant relative, the Volnik family from Toronto. Rob, a theater producer, and Maggie, who runs an antique store, have two children, Jessup and Emily. The family travels to Scotland to inspect the castle. They decide to put it up for sale and take some pieces of furniture and other items back home. Unbeknownst to them, the Boggart, who has been hiding in the roll top desk, is accidentally brought back with them.

The story then unfolds with the adventures that occur back in Toronto as the Boggart begins to play jokes on the family. He causes chaos in the theater run by the father, in Maggie's store, and in their home. It's all very exciting and highly entertaining. Maggie and Jessup continue to be wrongly blamed for the Boggart's activities. As they start to discover more about 'him', they must find a way to make him behave.

It's a well-written story, filled with lots of fun and populated by excellent characters. It's a great story not only for middle grade kids but also for adults. It's truly most entertaining. There are 3 books in the series, and I eagerly look forward to continuing both of Cooper's series. (4.0 stars)

3.5 stars

I truly don't believe that there has been a book this year that has made me laugh as uproariously as this one.

This is precisely the reason why I'm awarding this book a rating of 3.5 stars.

Despite the fact that it doesn't possess the smoothest flow and the villain is portrayed in a rather inconsistent manner, being both overdone and underdeveloped at the same time.

I also noticed that some of the language used seems a bit inappropriate for the intended readers. However, it's not really that terrible, just gives the impression of being out of place.

I firmly believe that if I had read this book during my childhood, I would have毫不犹豫地 given it a full 5 stars and reread it countless times.

It has that certain charm and humor that can really resonate with younger audiences, even if it has a few flaws in its execution.

Overall, it's a book that I would still recommend, especially to those who are looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read that can bring a smile to their faces.

I'm a huge fan of The Dark Is Rising series and no stranger to reading YA novels as an adult.

However, this particular novel was not the greatest. I wouldn't enthuse about it, reread it, or recommend it to my friends the way I have TDIR over the years.

In the opening chapter, Cooper shines. Her prose is sure and amazingly strong, albeit a little sweeping. But alas, the rest of the story absolutely flounders.

Cooper's inexperience with computers is massively distracting. In the end, it creates a huge hole in the plot. I feel like at the time it was written, she was probably very enthusiastic about computers. But, a little like most of the grownups in the story, she found them to be frustrating little boxes of timesuckage.

I was strongly reminded of every time I ever encountered faculty at the University who wanted to teach a class so that they could learn the subject. By the end of the class, said faculty's grasp was poor at best and their students were disgruntled and bitter.

Overall, this novel had its moments in the beginning, but ultimately fell short due to the issues with the plot and the author's inexperience with certain elements. It's a shame, really, as it had the potential to be a great read.

I think this article was a really good short read.

It had a certain charm that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story was concise yet managed to convey a powerful message.

The characters were well-developed, and I found myself easily able to relate to their experiences and emotions.

What I particularly liked about this article was its feel-good ending. It left me with a sense of satisfaction and a positive outlook.

It's not often that you come across a short piece of writing that can have such an impact.

This article truly stands out in that regard.

Overall, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable read that will leave them with a smile on their face.

I have very fond memories of this book from my childhood. It is truly remarkable how vivid and fresh those memories still are in my mind.

Whenever I think back to that time, I can clearly picture myself sitting in a cozy corner, completely engrossed in the pages of this wonderful book.

The characters seemed to come alive, and their adventures captured my imagination.

It was a world that I could escape to, a place where anything was possible.

Even now, as an adult, I can still feel the excitement and joy that this book brought me.

It has left a lasting impression on me, and I will always cherish those precious moments spent with it.

I believe that this book holds a special place in my heart because it represents a time of innocence and wonder.

It is a reminder of the simple pleasures in life and the power of a good story to transport us to another world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this piece.

The portrayal of the Boggart as extremely inhuman and hedonistic, yet without any malicious intent, was truly captivating. It added an interesting layer to the story, making the Boggart a unique and somewhat mysterious character.

Moreover, I found the depictions of late eighties/very early nineties gamer culture to be highly engaging. It brought back memories of that era and made me feel nostalgic. The details about the games, the consoles, and the overall atmosphere of the gaming community during that time were vividly described, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in that world.

Overall, this article was a great read, and I look forward to more from the author.

What a truly delightful, humorous, and saucy melding of ancient mythologies and modern technology!

The boggart, an ancient Scottish spirit renowned for its mischievous nature, has found itself in a rather unexpected situation. While its penchant for mischief usually brings it joy, sometimes things go awry, and this time it has landed the Boggart in trouble. The Boggart ends up in Toronto, a bustling modern city far from its home in Scotland.

In Toronto, the Boggart initially has loads of fun. It discovers the deliciousness of peanut butter and pizza, which are completely new and exciting to it. However, as it explores this new world, it also finds that modern life is extremely confusing. The strange noises, the fast-paced activities, and the countless unfamiliar objects all leave the Boggart feeling disoriented. Before long, it starts to miss its home in Scotland terribly.

But the question remains: how can an ancient creature of wild magic, with no knowledge of modern transportation, get across the vast Atlantic Ocean and back to its homeland? Even boggarts need a helping hand now and then! This charming and engaging story has left me eager to pick up the second book in the series to find out what adventures await the Boggart next.