Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
37(37%)
4 stars
32(32%)
3 stars
31(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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This is a really quite funny kids book.

It's so entertaining that I was actually legitimately laughing out loud while reading it.

The book contains some really great old 90s computer-related stuff, which adds a unique charm to it.

Moreover, the characters in the book are extremely fun and engaging.

It is easily one of the best works by Susan Cooper that I have ever read.

And I'm certain that it's something that I would have absolutely loved as a young reader.

The combination of the humorous storyline, the interesting computer elements, and the likable characters makes this book a real gem for kids and adults alike.

It's a book that can bring back memories for those who grew up in the 90s and introduce a new generation to the fun and excitement of that era.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable read.

July 15,2025
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The Boggart by Susan Cooper is a captivating tale.

When the elderly MacDevon passes away, the Volnick family inherits Castle Keep on a Scottish island. They visit their new acquisition before putting it up for sale, but unfortunately, they accidentally send the castle's mischievous boggart back to Toronto.

The question then arises: what will a creature of Old Magic make of modern technology?

As one might anticipate, the computer-related aspects of the story are firmly rooted in 1993. Some of the specs mentioned will surely amuse savvy modern readers.

However, looking beyond that, it is evident that Cooper is a true master of her craft. The descriptions are vivid, the relationships between the characters are well-developed, and the emotion in the piece is spot-on.

Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying this story more than I initially thought I would. It's a charming blend of old and new, magic and technology, that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

July 15,2025
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I usually have a great penchant for kid-friendly stories that incorporate computer technology. It's a genre that often holds great promise and potential to engage young minds in an exciting and educational way.

However, this particular story failed to live up to my expectations. It was disappointingly dumb and completely lacking in excitement. The plot was simplistic and unoriginal, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting.

Fans of youth fiction deserve much better than this. There are countless other books out there that manage to combine the allure of computer technology with engaging storytelling, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. It's a shame that this story didn't measure up and left me feeling underwhelmed.

I hope that future authors in this genre will take more care in crafting their stories and strive to create works that are both entertaining and intellectually stimulating for young readers.
July 15,2025
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Similar to Spiderwick, this rare creature makes for a rewarding read. However, the social arcs of contemporary characters seem to be tacked on in an attempt to fit an unnecessary formula.

From a technical standpoint, Susan Cooper is undoubtedly a talented writer, using few superfluous words. Nevertheless, certain ideas give an inharmonious impression compared to the main tone regarding Scotland and the Boggart, leaving a lingering sense of an ulterior motive.

Some family dynamics, the storyline about a teen drug dealer with a supposed heart of gold, the gang of (rather outdated) computer nerds, and some of the adult characters from the theater and antique shop are not only irrelevant but also jarring, as if they were lifted from a saccharine 90s movie.

I would much rather delete or disregard these threads and focus solely on the Boggart's perspective, which is surprisingly well-crafted. That being said, I might have preferred it if he had remained in Scotland instead of crossing the sea to a muggle city, although I did find it enjoyable when he transformed into a hockey puck.
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