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Peregrine Harker & The Black Death
MURDER. SPIES. EXPLOSIONS. REVENGE.
Peregrine Harker is about to learn you're never too young to die.
London 1908: A secret society stalks the murky streets, a deadly assassin lurks in the shadows and a series of unexplained deaths are linked by a mystery symbol…
When boy-detective Peregrine Harker stumbles across a gruesome murder he sparks a chain of events that drag him on a rip-roaring journey through a world of spluttering gas lamps, thick fog, deadly secrets and dastardly villains.
Every step of Peregrine’s white-knuckle adventure brings him closer to the vile heart of a terrifying mystery – the true story behind the Brotherhood of the Black Death.
Peregrine Harker is about to learn you're never too young to die.
London 1908: A secret society stalks the murky streets, a deadly assassin lurks in the shadows and a series of unexplained deaths are linked by a mystery symbol…
When boy-detective Peregrine Harker stumbles across a gruesome murder he sparks a chain of events that drag him on a rip-roaring journey through a world of spluttering gas lamps, thick fog, deadly secrets and dastardly villains.
Every step of Peregrine’s white-knuckle adventure brings him closer to the vile heart of a terrifying mystery – the true story behind the Brotherhood of the Black Death.
150 pages, ebook
First published May 3, 2013
4 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Luke Hollands
3 books3 followersLUKE HOLLANDS is a former lion tamer, motorcycle stunt-rider and ruler of a small South American country. He is also a compulsive liar. He learnt how to tell tall tales while interviewing famous politicians, celebrities and criminals as a newspaper journalist. Thinking he should get a proper job he joined the BBC. Since then he has produced and presented quirky radio documentaries, appeared in the odd drama and danced on television dressed as a giant bear. He now makes wildlife films, some of which he briefly appears in, and has travelled the world, swimming in shark-infested waters, tramping through crocodile-stuffed lagoons and being eaten alive by various species of nibbling insect. Surprisingly for Luke, everything apart from the first sentence of this biography is actually true.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 19, 2015
Not quite four stars, but at the same time 3 would be a little harsh.
If you read this then I'd advise you to completely disregard the first chapter. That's right, don't even bother reading it. It has pretty much zilch to do with the book and lowers the WHOLE tone - it's childish and unnecessary and I wish I hadn't read it.
At times this book feels childish, too childish even for it's young protagonist. It is fantastical almost to a fault. Perhaps it's too boyish for me... If anything it's a boy-book.
But the start of this book seemed to promise tea, and I love tea. Some of my favourite quotes in this book were the tea ones, lamenting the growing price of tea and wondering how the subjects of Great Britain would ever get by with the dwindling imports.
This book is action packed and full of twists and turns and even a few surprises and mystery. And the ending leaves it open for more, which I would read despite my annoyances and some parts.
Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy.
If you read this then I'd advise you to completely disregard the first chapter. That's right, don't even bother reading it. It has pretty much zilch to do with the book and lowers the WHOLE tone - it's childish and unnecessary and I wish I hadn't read it.
At times this book feels childish, too childish even for it's young protagonist. It is fantastical almost to a fault. Perhaps it's too boyish for me... If anything it's a boy-book.
But the start of this book seemed to promise tea, and I love tea. Some of my favourite quotes in this book were the tea ones, lamenting the growing price of tea and wondering how the subjects of Great Britain would ever get by with the dwindling imports.
This book is action packed and full of twists and turns and even a few surprises and mystery. And the ending leaves it open for more, which I would read despite my annoyances and some parts.
Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy.
December 23, 2012
Luke Hollands obviously knows it's every guy's secret fantasy to be a suave secret agent, saving the world from evil criminal masterminds and getting the spunky damsel in distress. His character, Peregrine Harker, gets to do it all, uncover dastardly plots, fight for his life - multiple times, and yep, get the girl. So I have to say, even though Peregrine Harker and the Black Death is kind of silly and doesn't offer much in the way of character or plot development, I still enjoyed it as a fast paced, breezy read that's quite a bit of fun.
I do wish this book had a little bit more of substance to it though. For one, Peregrine Harker is just your average nosy journalist who dreams of becoming a spy until he quite conveniently gets himself involved in a dangerous conspiracy within the first three (quite short) chapters - beyond that there's really no character development at all. I guess he's cheeky and an entertaining enough narrator, but the frenetic pacing means the story is action packed to the point I really didn't get much of a sense of him as a character - it's just him going from one escapade to the next, always with one foot in the door of danger. So while it's nice his childhood has prepared him for the challenges of his mission, that and the fact he's an orphan didn't help diferentiate him much from the average, generic male protagonist that populates these types of book. Except somehow, he sounds more like a forty year old guy than an fifteen year old boy, particularly with his descriptions and how he recounts certain events, though I just imagined he was eighteen instead and it really didn't bother me that much.
The supporting characters too, they all feel really generic because I never felt like I got enough of them. Lousia Clayton is your average spunky heroine that I can favorably compare to any of the better Bond girls, but at the same time, she has as much character development as the average Bond girl too, which is kind of lacking for a book. Harker's cousin Lt. Dearlove comes in and saves the day once or twice, but is more like that friendly guy you appreciate for save your ass out of the blue because of the way he's incorporated into the story. I really liked Mr. Woofle as the tough as nails butler, but like every other character, he just does (some really cool) stuff without actually being fully fleshed out - his decision to help Harker for example could've really used a few more sentences of dialogue by way of explanation.
As for the plot itself, I would describe it as really simple - Harker stumbles on the conspiracy he's always dreamed of and jumps through various fun but expected hoops on his way to defeating the villain behind the scheme. Though all the promised elements, murders, spies, explosions, and revenge, are here, I can't help but feel that something's missing - maybe the plot is so fast paced that one event's over before it fully registers and Harker's doing something else. Like there's a scene where Harker's ambushed in a hotel - he's being shot at - and a few paragraphs later he's racing away in a high speed chase through the streets of London. Especially with the sparse dialogue, focus on action sequences for much of the book, and the expected long monologue describing the point of the entire plot at the climax of the book, I guess the book has more of the feel of watching a thirty minute cartoon or a seventy minute action movie that, while fun, isn't exactly the same experience as reading a fully fleshed out book.
If my review seems short, it's because the book is really short, coming in at a mere hundred and fifty pages. And most of that again is the lightning fast paced plot. It's enjoyable, but feels a bit thin now that I've finished.
I do wish this book had a little bit more of substance to it though. For one, Peregrine Harker is just your average nosy journalist who dreams of becoming a spy until he quite conveniently gets himself involved in a dangerous conspiracy within the first three (quite short) chapters - beyond that there's really no character development at all. I guess he's cheeky and an entertaining enough narrator, but the frenetic pacing means the story is action packed to the point I really didn't get much of a sense of him as a character - it's just him going from one escapade to the next, always with one foot in the door of danger. So while it's nice his childhood has prepared him for the challenges of his mission, that and the fact he's an orphan didn't help diferentiate him much from the average, generic male protagonist that populates these types of book. Except somehow, he sounds more like a forty year old guy than an fifteen year old boy, particularly with his descriptions and how he recounts certain events, though I just imagined he was eighteen instead and it really didn't bother me that much.
The supporting characters too, they all feel really generic because I never felt like I got enough of them. Lousia Clayton is your average spunky heroine that I can favorably compare to any of the better Bond girls, but at the same time, she has as much character development as the average Bond girl too, which is kind of lacking for a book. Harker's cousin Lt. Dearlove comes in and saves the day once or twice, but is more like that friendly guy you appreciate for save your ass out of the blue because of the way he's incorporated into the story. I really liked Mr. Woofle as the tough as nails butler, but like every other character, he just does (some really cool) stuff without actually being fully fleshed out - his decision to help Harker for example could've really used a few more sentences of dialogue by way of explanation.
As for the plot itself, I would describe it as really simple - Harker stumbles on the conspiracy he's always dreamed of and jumps through various fun but expected hoops on his way to defeating the villain behind the scheme. Though all the promised elements, murders, spies, explosions, and revenge, are here, I can't help but feel that something's missing - maybe the plot is so fast paced that one event's over before it fully registers and Harker's doing something else. Like there's a scene where Harker's ambushed in a hotel - he's being shot at - and a few paragraphs later he's racing away in a high speed chase through the streets of London. Especially with the sparse dialogue, focus on action sequences for much of the book, and the expected long monologue describing the point of the entire plot at the climax of the book, I guess the book has more of the feel of watching a thirty minute cartoon or a seventy minute action movie that, while fun, isn't exactly the same experience as reading a fully fleshed out book.
If my review seems short, it's because the book is really short, coming in at a mere hundred and fifty pages. And most of that again is the lightning fast paced plot. It's enjoyable, but feels a bit thin now that I've finished.
June 5, 2013
The book was a head-banging read. It was told in a way where the protagonist was practically mute and so detached that the dialogue was communicated in incredibly stilted summary and events were literally forced upon him. I think the intention behind the inane narration was an immersive reading experience but in practice it was anything but. I felt as if I was held hostage in a dark room that was the protagonist’s mind where I watched the story through a bunch of filters. Halfway through the book I couldn’t take it anymore. It was torture so I skimmed in a rush to end the torture.
And what a shame because the plot was actually enjoyable and the characters were more or less decent. I liked Louisa, the hero’s love interest, but I didn’t like Peregrine, the hero. Louisa was a kickass heroine, and I felt really bad for her for the constant rescuing and guiding of Peregrine.
Peregrine was the embodiment of curiosity kills the cat. He was too much of a dreamer and though he had practical abilities such as knowing how use a gun and how to box, he never really put them to good use. Not until someone or a near-death situation forced to him remember his own abilities that he then put them to use. Furthermore, Peregrine’s background was ambiguously developed. I couldn’t decide if he was poor or rich, why he bothered being a reporter if he didn’t do any actual work. Peregrine had enough money to own his own place, and it didn’t seem at all like he was hurting for money.
Speaking of Peregrine’s place, it was a big plot hole how the villains never once thought to simply stake out Peregrine’s place and personally dispose of him or easier yet, wait until Peregrine was asleep and then bomb his place, killing him in the process. It was ridiculous how the villains went through extravagant means to dispose of the hero. I understood that the plot was supposed to be over the top and the action high-octane but doing away with some logic was not necessary to achieve its purpose.
In Conclusion
I rate Peregrine Harker & The Black Death 1-star for I didn’t like it. The stilted, long-winded, “OMG, please shut up”-inducing dialogue murdered the book.
And what a shame because the plot was actually enjoyable and the characters were more or less decent. I liked Louisa, the hero’s love interest, but I didn’t like Peregrine, the hero. Louisa was a kickass heroine, and I felt really bad for her for the constant rescuing and guiding of Peregrine.
Peregrine was the embodiment of curiosity kills the cat. He was too much of a dreamer and though he had practical abilities such as knowing how use a gun and how to box, he never really put them to good use. Not until someone or a near-death situation forced to him remember his own abilities that he then put them to use. Furthermore, Peregrine’s background was ambiguously developed. I couldn’t decide if he was poor or rich, why he bothered being a reporter if he didn’t do any actual work. Peregrine had enough money to own his own place, and it didn’t seem at all like he was hurting for money.
Speaking of Peregrine’s place, it was a big plot hole how the villains never once thought to simply stake out Peregrine’s place and personally dispose of him or easier yet, wait until Peregrine was asleep and then bomb his place, killing him in the process. It was ridiculous how the villains went through extravagant means to dispose of the hero. I understood that the plot was supposed to be over the top and the action high-octane but doing away with some logic was not necessary to achieve its purpose.
In Conclusion
I rate Peregrine Harker & The Black Death 1-star for I didn’t like it. The stilted, long-winded, “OMG, please shut up”-inducing dialogue murdered the book.
December 23, 2012
2.5 Stars
This book started out as a lot of fun. It was silly, and I was enjoying it, till I wasn't. I guess it just got to be too much. The way Harker spoke got to me after some time. It was much too mature and yet he was so naive at the same time. My biggest problem is actually that Harker didn't actually do much of anything, and he always needed rescuing. The kid got beat up multiple times, and was saved multiple times. Yet they kept mentioning how he was such a good shot, and had fencing lessons and all this fancy stuff, but I barely saw him actually practicing it, or at least not as much as he could have. There were some scenes were he used his skills but there were too many in which he didn't.
He was also strung along for like the whole book quite literally till the end, and he never once suspected any of it, he is a journalist for god's sake he should have been more suspicious, which brings me to another point. Every time there were suspicious sounds and events going on, he rationalized them and dismissed them. He is investigating, shouldn't be dismissing anything D:
I liked the ending it explained a couple of things that were previously quite unbelievable. It was this huge messy showdown, fun stuff. This book reminded me a lot of the second Sherlock Holmes movie in the way it was narrated. Overall I liked certain parts and aspects of this book, but in the end it was just okay for me. If you are looking for a silly mystery, then I recommend this one.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Sparkling Books for a copy!
This book started out as a lot of fun. It was silly, and I was enjoying it, till I wasn't. I guess it just got to be too much. The way Harker spoke got to me after some time. It was much too mature and yet he was so naive at the same time. My biggest problem is actually that Harker didn't actually do much of anything, and he always needed rescuing. The kid got beat up multiple times, and was saved multiple times. Yet they kept mentioning how he was such a good shot, and had fencing lessons and all this fancy stuff, but I barely saw him actually practicing it, or at least not as much as he could have. There were some scenes were he used his skills but there were too many in which he didn't.
He was also strung along for like the whole book quite literally till the end, and he never once suspected any of it, he is a journalist for god's sake he should have been more suspicious, which brings me to another point. Every time there were suspicious sounds and events going on, he rationalized them and dismissed them. He is investigating, shouldn't be dismissing anything D:
I liked the ending it explained a couple of things that were previously quite unbelievable. It was this huge messy showdown, fun stuff. This book reminded me a lot of the second Sherlock Holmes movie in the way it was narrated. Overall I liked certain parts and aspects of this book, but in the end it was just okay for me. If you are looking for a silly mystery, then I recommend this one.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Sparkling Books for a copy!
January 19, 2013
Review of Peregrine Harker & The Black Death (eBook isbn: 9781907230493)
I received a digital copy from Sparkling Books Ltd by requesting on netgalley.com
Now, I would have loved to tell you that this was a really well developed children's novel but sadly it is not. It is too fast paced and much information is missing. If only the book was longer there would be more room for all of the potential small side stories which it is so desperately missing.
There are twists and turns that keep the readers caught, yes, but some are very, very obvious.. And then it just doesn't go along with everything else.
And furthermore how can a little boy who was taught boxing during the months of summer be better at fighting than a fully grown man who is the champion of the fighting pit? He earns his living by fighting... Gosh... Come on.
Get it through editing again and add more to keep it more fluid instead of it jumping so much.. Too many people with too much to tell in a very few pages... Then I will consider buying it for my siblings.. If I gave them it now they would be too confused
March 7, 2014
Let's admit that there are books that are much easier to comprehend than others. Whenever I've finished a tear-jerking, overly dramatic novels or those stories that give us heavy burdens, I always opt to read books that cater to a younger audience; like Artemis Fowl, the first Harry Potter book or the 39 Clues. What can I say? I am still definitely a kid at heart and will forever be one. Don't you agree with me that such tales are instant happy boosters? :) That's when I saw Peregrine Harker and the Black Death on Netgalley and read its blurb. I cannot resist to explore another childish world and unleash the big dreamer in me.
Like with Artemis, Harry, and Dan & Amy, one of the many reasons I like about Peregrine Harker is his ability to dream bigger than himself. There's the ambition, the drive, the goals and he acts on it quite damn fast that he even dissuades his superior to get the juice he needed to write an article. He's a journalist which I also liked about him since I've always wanted to be a writer. Well, maybe someday. You'll never know. He's also very brave even if he knows he's in a dangerous spot. I have to give him that. Plus of course, his personality and the accent I imagined this boy to have completed the whole package. You gotta have some accent, kid! Funny thing was, despite liking a character, Peregrine still has flaws that somehow popped my bubble. He was the damsel-in-distress. At first, I was like, "yeah, he definitely did not see it coming. Good thing someone helped him." But in the long run, it came to a point that it looks like a vicious cycle of putting himself in danger and being rescued by worse, a girl. Maybe he's not athletic but it was mentioned that he was good with a sword since he was trained by Archie Dearlove. He was definitely smart and good in analyzing but I was wondering why he wasn't able to solve everything that was happening to him. I eventually got the memo when I reached the middle part of the story but Peregrine was still clueless and naive. The discrepancies were very noticeable. I just wished he did something remarkable. Maybe something that wasn't initiated by the minor characters. Something risky since he sounded like someone who can be really impulsive.
Plot-wise, I think it was a good story. The feel of mystery was there and the narration was not dull. I like how Luke Holland's witty way of writing. It is refreshing and it will definitely get you glued. In all fairness to him, I was hooked with the story. I wasn't bored and pissed after reading it. It was not a bad book. It has so much potential. That's why I'll be giving Peregrine a chance and I will still read the sequel.
Overall, Peregrine Harker and the Black Death needs a little bit of polishing and it needs to be consistent especially with character building. It tickled my curiosity and it was still a fun book to read. Kids will definitely enjoy reading about Peregrine's adventure. I expect more action-packed and spine-tingling mysteries in the sequel. Well, I hope so. I also have to commend the 'Praise' page. It was quite funny and it was really gutsy of the author to do that. The humor and wittiness of Luke Holland definitely transcends to the book.
Like with Artemis, Harry, and Dan & Amy, one of the many reasons I like about Peregrine Harker is his ability to dream bigger than himself. There's the ambition, the drive, the goals and he acts on it quite damn fast that he even dissuades his superior to get the juice he needed to write an article. He's a journalist which I also liked about him since I've always wanted to be a writer. Well, maybe someday. You'll never know. He's also very brave even if he knows he's in a dangerous spot. I have to give him that. Plus of course, his personality and the accent I imagined this boy to have completed the whole package. You gotta have some accent, kid! Funny thing was, despite liking a character, Peregrine still has flaws that somehow popped my bubble. He was the damsel-in-distress. At first, I was like, "yeah, he definitely did not see it coming. Good thing someone helped him." But in the long run, it came to a point that it looks like a vicious cycle of putting himself in danger and being rescued by worse, a girl. Maybe he's not athletic but it was mentioned that he was good with a sword since he was trained by Archie Dearlove. He was definitely smart and good in analyzing but I was wondering why he wasn't able to solve everything that was happening to him. I eventually got the memo when I reached the middle part of the story but Peregrine was still clueless and naive. The discrepancies were very noticeable. I just wished he did something remarkable. Maybe something that wasn't initiated by the minor characters. Something risky since he sounded like someone who can be really impulsive.
Plot-wise, I think it was a good story. The feel of mystery was there and the narration was not dull. I like how Luke Holland's witty way of writing. It is refreshing and it will definitely get you glued. In all fairness to him, I was hooked with the story. I wasn't bored and pissed after reading it. It was not a bad book. It has so much potential. That's why I'll be giving Peregrine a chance and I will still read the sequel.
Overall, Peregrine Harker and the Black Death needs a little bit of polishing and it needs to be consistent especially with character building. It tickled my curiosity and it was still a fun book to read. Kids will definitely enjoy reading about Peregrine's adventure. I expect more action-packed and spine-tingling mysteries in the sequel. Well, I hope so. I also have to commend the 'Praise' page. It was quite funny and it was really gutsy of the author to do that. The humor and wittiness of Luke Holland definitely transcends to the book.
June 1, 2013
Have you ever read a book that just feels like it's trying too hard? Peregrine Harker and the Black Death wants to channel early 1900s serialized adventure drama. It reminds me a lot of early radio drama, where it's all bang, sizzle and sound effects without enough of a plot to back-up the story. And while the voice is different, it's a little too punch-you-in-the-face obvious for my liking.
"If you were to deny the humble British labourer his morning cup there would be riots in the street of every major city from here to Rangoon; and, in a few months, I believe that very tragedy is about to happen. There's trouble brewing and no mistake." (Note the tea pun, which is acknowledged in the book but still pretty dreadful pun-wise)
Also everything just happens too easily in this book. There are too many coincidences and happenstances. All these EXCITING DRAMATIC MISADVENTURES are thrown at the main character and of course he always survives against all odds.
"It was purely by chance that she that very evening had decided to visit the Place des Pyramides and in particular the Hotel Regal. She'd caught sight of me..."
Almost everything that happens is purely by chance, a coincidence or because of a "sudden urge" to walk. To an extent some of these are explained by the end, but it's too little too late.
The characters never feel like people, more just walking types. I was frustrated by the protagonist Peregrine Parker's tendency to believe anything anybody says, while all the time thinking himself exceedingly clever. It's hard to get behind a main character so annoyingly thick. Louisa also feels more like a type than a person, the BRIGHT, STUNNING, LOVELY young lady (who still gets weepy and swoons in case you think she has heroine potential). Louisa is smarter than Peregrine and had potential, but in the end I found her just as unsatisfying as a character.
For a younger audience this book may be very enjoyable, but it lacks the nuances that make the difference between acceptably good middle grade and great middle-grade.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free e-book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For reviews and more check out my blog Galavanting Girl Books
"If you were to deny the humble British labourer his morning cup there would be riots in the street of every major city from here to Rangoon; and, in a few months, I believe that very tragedy is about to happen. There's trouble brewing and no mistake." (Note the tea pun, which is acknowledged in the book but still pretty dreadful pun-wise)
Also everything just happens too easily in this book. There are too many coincidences and happenstances. All these EXCITING DRAMATIC MISADVENTURES are thrown at the main character and of course he always survives against all odds.
"It was purely by chance that she that very evening had decided to visit the Place des Pyramides and in particular the Hotel Regal. She'd caught sight of me..."
Almost everything that happens is purely by chance, a coincidence or because of a "sudden urge" to walk. To an extent some of these are explained by the end, but it's too little too late.
The characters never feel like people, more just walking types. I was frustrated by the protagonist Peregrine Parker's tendency to believe anything anybody says, while all the time thinking himself exceedingly clever. It's hard to get behind a main character so annoyingly thick. Louisa also feels more like a type than a person, the BRIGHT, STUNNING, LOVELY young lady (who still gets weepy and swoons in case you think she has heroine potential). Louisa is smarter than Peregrine and had potential, but in the end I found her just as unsatisfying as a character.
For a younger audience this book may be very enjoyable, but it lacks the nuances that make the difference between acceptably good middle grade and great middle-grade.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free e-book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For reviews and more check out my blog Galavanting Girl Books
May 29, 2013
Unfortunately, I find myself agreeing with a lot of other advance readers on this one - Peregrine Harker & the Black Death started off brilliantly ridiculous, then very quickly became awfully ridiculous, and by the end it wasn’t even ridiculous; just plain awful.
Despite lightly poking fun at the historical action/adventure genre, Hollands doesn’t do anything to shake things up - Peregrine is your standard Middle Grade narrator: the blandly adventurous white male protagonist who saves the day and gets the manic-pixie-dream-girl (yes, the girl - as far as I can recall, she was the only girl in the entire book). Now if Hollands had written Peregrine Harker & the Black Death as a satire and introduced some diversity or inverted the typical roles of the characters a little, this would have been an instant favourite. As it is, Hollands seems to be blind to the faults of his own story.
It’s a shame, because Hollands is a great writer. Some parts of Peregrine Harker were genuinely funny, and while the story did drag after a while, Hollands threw in enough plot twists to keep things suspenseful. That wasn’t enough to save it though; the story was let down by cheesy dialogue, overused action tropes, cringe-worthy racial stereotypes and blatant sexism.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 1 star
Review cross-posted to Paperback'd
Despite lightly poking fun at the historical action/adventure genre, Hollands doesn’t do anything to shake things up - Peregrine is your standard Middle Grade narrator: the blandly adventurous white male protagonist who saves the day and gets the manic-pixie-dream-girl (yes, the girl - as far as I can recall, she was the only girl in the entire book). Now if Hollands had written Peregrine Harker & the Black Death as a satire and introduced some diversity or inverted the typical roles of the characters a little, this would have been an instant favourite. As it is, Hollands seems to be blind to the faults of his own story.
It’s a shame, because Hollands is a great writer. Some parts of Peregrine Harker were genuinely funny, and while the story did drag after a while, Hollands threw in enough plot twists to keep things suspenseful. That wasn’t enough to save it though; the story was let down by cheesy dialogue, overused action tropes, cringe-worthy racial stereotypes and blatant sexism.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 1 star
Review cross-posted to Paperback'd
July 28, 2013
This book is a pulp melodrama-adventure centred on Peregrine Harker, boy journalist in gaslamp-era London. Peregrine, an orphan whose explorer parents disappeared in South America, is full of high hopes and Penny Dreadful dreams. He is assigned to investigate the price of tea, and instructed to do so without getting caught up in notions of conspiracy and murder.
This was a great setup for me, but sadly it failed to deliver. It was packed with infodumps and Blytonesque racism. The first three nonwhite men we meet are described as "grotesque", "scarred", "gnarled" and "warty". All the well-worn pulp hallmarks are there: telltale cigar butts, secret symbols clutched in the hands of corpses, a token feisty and beautiful woman, and being shot at a lot. The book does little to play with, subvert or parody the genre, though - it's all worn tropes and mindless action and twists, with the rushed story happening around and to Peregrine. I felt that it ultimately lacked depth and substance, failed to explore character even slightly, and failed to contribute anything new.
Recommended for fans of : Tintin without the sense of humour.
This was a great setup for me, but sadly it failed to deliver. It was packed with infodumps and Blytonesque racism. The first three nonwhite men we meet are described as "grotesque", "scarred", "gnarled" and "warty". All the well-worn pulp hallmarks are there: telltale cigar butts, secret symbols clutched in the hands of corpses, a token feisty and beautiful woman, and being shot at a lot. The book does little to play with, subvert or parody the genre, though - it's all worn tropes and mindless action and twists, with the rushed story happening around and to Peregrine. I felt that it ultimately lacked depth and substance, failed to explore character even slightly, and failed to contribute anything new.
Recommended for fans of : Tintin without the sense of humour.
June 15, 2020
2.75 stars.
It was an okay read for me. The plot was interesting with lots of actions. If the book's a bit longer, the story could be expanded and fully explored, and it would be a more gripping read in my opinion. But I would have to say that I found the protagonist rather a passive one. The author only told us about his skills and abilities, but we never got to actually see it.
Written in first person POV, by the way Peregrine described things, it's kind of hard to believe that he's just 15 years old. However, the writing was atmospheric and suit the mood and setting of the story. Other than that, I would love to know more about Archie. His character was interesting, and so did his situation. Maybe have his own spin-off?
Overall, Peregrine Harker and The Black Death is a fast-paced, plot-driven mystery suitable for those who have time to kill and don't mind the lack of character development in this story.
It was an okay read for me. The plot was interesting with lots of actions. If the book's a bit longer, the story could be expanded and fully explored, and it would be a more gripping read in my opinion. But I would have to say that I found the protagonist rather a passive one. The author only told us about his skills and abilities, but we never got to actually see it.
Written in first person POV, by the way Peregrine described things, it's kind of hard to believe that he's just 15 years old. However, the writing was atmospheric and suit the mood and setting of the story. Other than that, I would love to know more about Archie. His character was interesting, and so did his situation. Maybe have his own spin-off?
Overall, Peregrine Harker and The Black Death is a fast-paced, plot-driven mystery suitable for those who have time to kill and don't mind the lack of character development in this story.
May 16, 2013
*This is a review of an uncorrected proof, and quotes/excerpts may therefore differ from the final copy.
One glance at the ratings I have given books since January tells you that I’m either a stingy reader or 2013 is not my year for good books. I don’t seek out books I know I won’t enjoy, because reading a book I dislike is anything but pleasant. It’s frustrating, and it robs me the experience of getting lost in the wonder of someone’s fantastical creation. I don’t find myself absorbed into a character’s life, devouring pages at rapid pace and oblivious to the world around me. No, I find that I’m painfully aware of my surroundings, and even more aware of the book in front me. I’m aware of the regret I feel and the restlessness nearly bursting out, wanting to finish this story as soon as possible and move on. Preferably, I will go on to meet a better book. A book that I’ll adore. I want to read a book that will have me so entrenched that I won’t realize how swiftly I’m plowing through it.
It had been my hope that Peregrine Harker & the Black Death would be that book: a beacon of dazzling promise over an ocean full of disappointment and flimsy plotlines. Instead, Peregrine Harker is another character I’m happy to forget and have since shoved overboard into murky water. It’s not that Luke Hollands’ story is an especially terrible catastrophe, but it is nothing near what I had hoped it would be. At a surface glance, Peregrine Harker & the Black Death promises nothing short of a light-hearted, adventurous novel where danger threatens to jump out at every turn. When I first discovered Hollands’ book, I swore it to be a likable escapade pinched in good fun. For all I know, that might have been Hollands' intent when he set out to write Peregrine’s adventure, because it sounds exciting:
It’s the year 1908, and expert tall-tale journalist, Peregrine Harker, finds himself in a squeeze: get to the bottom of the spike in tea prices and report the truth or wave his job goodbye. What ensues, however, is a tall tale of its own, beginning as a simple job that soon takes a risky turn into investigative journalism. It’s a story filled with murder, explosions, hot pursuits, spies, and most of all: betrayal and revenge. When Peregrine is sent to meet with tea trader Sir Magnus Clayton, he instantly—and by accident—becomes mixed up in a mystery that goes beyond the cost of tea. After discovering two dead bodies, it becomes apparent that The Black Death has Peregrine Harker pinned as their new target. Rescued by Clayton’s butler, Mr. Woolf, Peregrine swears to help Clayton demystify the perplexing tea issue. Warned not to trust Clayton, however, the tea trader may not appear to be who he says he is. When Clayton’s leads direct Harker straight into unfriendly territory, who is left to trust when punches and lies creep out from all corners?
The exaggeration over the rising price of tea, I must admit, bothers me. This isn’t any Boston Tea Party, so how ridiculous is it to assume immediate uproar?
I couldn’t help but feel that this is tapping into a British stereotype, inflating the idea that everyone lives for their daily tea. I could equate this to asking, “What will the Americans do now that their beloved Hostess has fallen?!” Oh my Ho-Hos! I am willing to accept that I might be overly critical, but this is merely one of several aspects that I find unbelievable. 1908 or not, how likely is it for a newspaper to hire a fifteen year old journalist—a fibbing one at that—and maintain credibility? Forgive me, because I can’t say I’m familiar with the workforce and cultural norms of London’s early 1900s. For the time being, however, I don’t accept Peregrine’s way of living as realistic.
Because Peregrine Harker & the Black Death is a middle-grade novel, I sense that the author is not just aiming for an action-packed adventure story. This is a book whose roots grow from unlimited imagination that is somewhat based in reality. For all intents and purposes, a silly little novel is perfectly right by me. As a kid who started out reading Amelia Bedelia, Junie B. Jones, and Encyclopedia Brown, and then later on to Harry Potter and Anne of Green Gables, I was a reader who reveled in imagination. I still am, in fact. My childhood was spent getting lost in books and creating stories, sometimes pretending I was a journalist—like Harker—who wrote passionate “Dolphins are friends; not food!” articles. Granted, my feet are now planted in reality, but that doesn’t mean I have forgotten what it’s like to be a ten year old with boundless imagination. I remember how exciting it felt to read books that were just as wild, if not crazier, than my own fancies.
So if you read this review and shake your head at what a pernickety killjoy I am, the lack of plausibility in Peregrine Harker is only part of my problem. (You might groan or roll your eyes at this point, but that’s okay. I can take it.)
Any reader will notice the short chapter lengths instantly. If the writing proves strong and has quality, the length of a chapter—let alone an entire book—doesn’t trouble me. It’s when the writing suffers, and notably so, that I feel frustrated or let down by an author. In particular, Peregrine Harker & the Black Death doesn’t allow readers to experience the story first-hand. Rather than feeling like a participant, Hollands pulls a chair aside and tells you to sit and listen. The reader becomes the listener, not even an observer, of Peregrine’s account.
I note that the reader is not a witness to anything because the novel consists of Peregrine’s recitation in summarized description. This habit of briefly over-viewing events became a huge problem as I read, because I’m a reader who thrives on falling into details and playing the novel out in my mind. Everything from dialogue to events is largely skimmed over by the main character, which is unfortunate. Most imagery is lost and character conversations turn dull in consequence, and what should be a thrilling story is no more than a lifeless read. I feel that readers are not only deprived of the experience, but that it is difficult make a connection and escape into the story.
The characters present a different problem, bundling my issues of believability and an inability to enjoy the plot. In some way, each character feels solid and present, yet in a limited condition. This has much to do with the writing technique and manner of speech shown in dialogue. While everyone is exhibited with their own individual personalities, I believe Hollands’ mistake is allowing his characters to sound alike in their speech. Smashing pip pip cheerio and a right ho! language bruise the text. I have a difficult time differentiating if this is intended to poke good fun at British prose and lighten the mood or not. Either way, I can’t say I enjoy it, as I find it much too excessive. Even so, I speculate that the target audience might take greater satisfaction out of this than me.
My little boat sails onward, still in search of that one story to break this glum reading spell. I realize that Peregrine Harker & the Black Death could not have been that special book for me, which is a shame, but you can’t blame a hopeful reader for trying.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sparkling Books for providing a free copy of Peregrine Harker & the Black Death in exchange for my honest review. This review and more can be read at midnight coffee monster.
One glance at the ratings I have given books since January tells you that I’m either a stingy reader or 2013 is not my year for good books. I don’t seek out books I know I won’t enjoy, because reading a book I dislike is anything but pleasant. It’s frustrating, and it robs me the experience of getting lost in the wonder of someone’s fantastical creation. I don’t find myself absorbed into a character’s life, devouring pages at rapid pace and oblivious to the world around me. No, I find that I’m painfully aware of my surroundings, and even more aware of the book in front me. I’m aware of the regret I feel and the restlessness nearly bursting out, wanting to finish this story as soon as possible and move on. Preferably, I will go on to meet a better book. A book that I’ll adore. I want to read a book that will have me so entrenched that I won’t realize how swiftly I’m plowing through it.
It had been my hope that Peregrine Harker & the Black Death would be that book: a beacon of dazzling promise over an ocean full of disappointment and flimsy plotlines. Instead, Peregrine Harker is another character I’m happy to forget and have since shoved overboard into murky water. It’s not that Luke Hollands’ story is an especially terrible catastrophe, but it is nothing near what I had hoped it would be. At a surface glance, Peregrine Harker & the Black Death promises nothing short of a light-hearted, adventurous novel where danger threatens to jump out at every turn. When I first discovered Hollands’ book, I swore it to be a likable escapade pinched in good fun. For all I know, that might have been Hollands' intent when he set out to write Peregrine’s adventure, because it sounds exciting:
It’s the year 1908, and expert tall-tale journalist, Peregrine Harker, finds himself in a squeeze: get to the bottom of the spike in tea prices and report the truth or wave his job goodbye. What ensues, however, is a tall tale of its own, beginning as a simple job that soon takes a risky turn into investigative journalism. It’s a story filled with murder, explosions, hot pursuits, spies, and most of all: betrayal and revenge. When Peregrine is sent to meet with tea trader Sir Magnus Clayton, he instantly—and by accident—becomes mixed up in a mystery that goes beyond the cost of tea. After discovering two dead bodies, it becomes apparent that The Black Death has Peregrine Harker pinned as their new target. Rescued by Clayton’s butler, Mr. Woolf, Peregrine swears to help Clayton demystify the perplexing tea issue. Warned not to trust Clayton, however, the tea trader may not appear to be who he says he is. When Clayton’s leads direct Harker straight into unfriendly territory, who is left to trust when punches and lies creep out from all corners?
The exaggeration over the rising price of tea, I must admit, bothers me. This isn’t any Boston Tea Party, so how ridiculous is it to assume immediate uproar?
“If you were to deny the humble British labourer his morning cup there would be riots on the streets of every major city from here to Rangoon; and, in a few months, I believe that very tragedy is about to happen. There’s trouble brewing and no mistake.”
I chuckled at what I thought was a joke, but Challock’s face remained serious.
“This is no laughing matter, Harker. You see, during the past few weeks, the keen-eyed of us, have been noticing tea prices shooting sky-high. If they continue to rise at this rate it won’t be long before the tea pots of the British Empire are dry.”
I couldn’t help but feel that this is tapping into a British stereotype, inflating the idea that everyone lives for their daily tea. I could equate this to asking, “What will the Americans do now that their beloved Hostess has fallen?!” Oh my Ho-Hos! I am willing to accept that I might be overly critical, but this is merely one of several aspects that I find unbelievable. 1908 or not, how likely is it for a newspaper to hire a fifteen year old journalist—a fibbing one at that—and maintain credibility? Forgive me, because I can’t say I’m familiar with the workforce and cultural norms of London’s early 1900s. For the time being, however, I don’t accept Peregrine’s way of living as realistic.
Because Peregrine Harker & the Black Death is a middle-grade novel, I sense that the author is not just aiming for an action-packed adventure story. This is a book whose roots grow from unlimited imagination that is somewhat based in reality. For all intents and purposes, a silly little novel is perfectly right by me. As a kid who started out reading Amelia Bedelia, Junie B. Jones, and Encyclopedia Brown, and then later on to Harry Potter and Anne of Green Gables, I was a reader who reveled in imagination. I still am, in fact. My childhood was spent getting lost in books and creating stories, sometimes pretending I was a journalist—like Harker—who wrote passionate “Dolphins are friends; not food!” articles. Granted, my feet are now planted in reality, but that doesn’t mean I have forgotten what it’s like to be a ten year old with boundless imagination. I remember how exciting it felt to read books that were just as wild, if not crazier, than my own fancies.
So if you read this review and shake your head at what a pernickety killjoy I am, the lack of plausibility in Peregrine Harker is only part of my problem. (You might groan or roll your eyes at this point, but that’s okay. I can take it.)
Any reader will notice the short chapter lengths instantly. If the writing proves strong and has quality, the length of a chapter—let alone an entire book—doesn’t trouble me. It’s when the writing suffers, and notably so, that I feel frustrated or let down by an author. In particular, Peregrine Harker & the Black Death doesn’t allow readers to experience the story first-hand. Rather than feeling like a participant, Hollands pulls a chair aside and tells you to sit and listen. The reader becomes the listener, not even an observer, of Peregrine’s account.
“So there you go,” said Louisa. “It’s all quite simple really, and if you think about it rationally, it’s very lucky for you I was there.” She was sitting by a roaring fire in my rooms at Broad Street, a steaming mug of cocoa in her hand. We had both thawed a bit, in temperature and emotion. My admiration for her had not just been increased by a change in lighting but rather by the brave tale she had just told me. It went something like this.
I note that the reader is not a witness to anything because the novel consists of Peregrine’s recitation in summarized description. This habit of briefly over-viewing events became a huge problem as I read, because I’m a reader who thrives on falling into details and playing the novel out in my mind. Everything from dialogue to events is largely skimmed over by the main character, which is unfortunate. Most imagery is lost and character conversations turn dull in consequence, and what should be a thrilling story is no more than a lifeless read. I feel that readers are not only deprived of the experience, but that it is difficult make a connection and escape into the story.
The characters present a different problem, bundling my issues of believability and an inability to enjoy the plot. In some way, each character feels solid and present, yet in a limited condition. This has much to do with the writing technique and manner of speech shown in dialogue. While everyone is exhibited with their own individual personalities, I believe Hollands’ mistake is allowing his characters to sound alike in their speech. Smashing pip pip cheerio and a right ho! language bruise the text. I have a difficult time differentiating if this is intended to poke good fun at British prose and lighten the mood or not. Either way, I can’t say I enjoy it, as I find it much too excessive. Even so, I speculate that the target audience might take greater satisfaction out of this than me.
“Well, if it isn’t my dear old pal, Peregrine Harker. How the devil are you, old love?”
I took his hand as briefly as possible, but only for appearances. If Clayton hadn’t been there I probably would have punched the fiend.
“When Clayton told me he was meeting you for a toot, I just couldn’t resist a reunion. I do, however, have to dash, my dear old thing; but it was most pleasant to meet you again, if only briefly.”
My little boat sails onward, still in search of that one story to break this glum reading spell. I realize that Peregrine Harker & the Black Death could not have been that special book for me, which is a shame, but you can’t blame a hopeful reader for trying.
Thank you to Netgalley and Sparkling Books for providing a free copy of Peregrine Harker & the Black Death in exchange for my honest review. This review and more can be read at midnight coffee monster.
April 26, 2020
My name is Peregrine Harker, and I hope my current news story doesn't get me fired... or killed. I was assigned to investigate the rise in tea prices, but my focus has shifted to the seedy world of smuggling. I've noticed a pattern where every lead I uncover leads to a dead body, bullets or bombs. I can't understand how somebody always knows where I'm headed even before I know myself. I'm thankful to have met Louisa, the daughter of Sir Magnus, but I'm afraid the danger surrounding me may befall her. I'm thankful to have my dear friend Archie Dearlove back in my life, although he's usually away doing his job with the Royal Navy. Something doesn't smell right about this tea smuggling business, but I'm not really sure what to do next.
Peregrine was fifteen years old, and the plot's subject matter was more adultish. Not necessarily mature, but smuggling and murder are more adult subjects. Peregrine was an orphaned reporter, and he followed leads to get the scoop on a big story. He came across like a detective solving a mystery, although he didn't seem very good at it. As mentioned earlier, he often found himself scrambling to stay alive after being told, often by Sir Magnus, which leads to follow. The story moved along very quickly and contained a good amount of tension as Peregrine faced the many perils in his investigation. He was slow to notice obvious clues, so the resolution to the mystery was only a surprise to him, not to me. It shouldn't be a shock to most observant readers. The setting is in early 20th-century England and includes British vocabulary and spellings. Overall, the mystery, the action, and the subtle humor should keep readers entertained. Give it a shot.
Peregrine was fifteen years old, and the plot's subject matter was more adultish. Not necessarily mature, but smuggling and murder are more adult subjects. Peregrine was an orphaned reporter, and he followed leads to get the scoop on a big story. He came across like a detective solving a mystery, although he didn't seem very good at it. As mentioned earlier, he often found himself scrambling to stay alive after being told, often by Sir Magnus, which leads to follow. The story moved along very quickly and contained a good amount of tension as Peregrine faced the many perils in his investigation. He was slow to notice obvious clues, so the resolution to the mystery was only a surprise to him, not to me. It shouldn't be a shock to most observant readers. The setting is in early 20th-century England and includes British vocabulary and spellings. Overall, the mystery, the action, and the subtle humor should keep readers entertained. Give it a shot.
July 6, 2020
I had a hard time getting into this book at first, but came to enjoy it. Definitely appropriate for tween readers on up.
February 7, 2013
In Peregrine Harker and the Black Death, author Luke Hollands gives young readers what feels like an old-fashioned melodrama, in the very best sense of the term. Peregrine Harker, an orphaned boy, works as a reporter cum detective and adventurer in 1908 London. When he is sent out by his editor to investigate the rapidly rising price of tea, Harker stumbles upon a smuggling ring headed by a villain much more dangerous than he could have anticipated. As Harker works to discover just who is behind this smuggling ring, he encounters a number of memorable characters, including his own long-lost cousin and a potential love interest. As readers, we encounter many satisfying plot twists. From the opening scene, featuring Harker having to save his love interest from an oncoming train, to the very end, Harker is the brave hero so typical of the early 20th Century melodrama. This book sits somewhere between the Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket series so popular in the last 15 years.
The most engaging thing about this novel is the style and narrative voice. Harker tells his own story as a first-person narrator. His tone throughout is self-assured, even somewhat cavalier, even when faced with dangerous circumstances. This cavalier tone marks Harker as the shining, confident hero, bound to triumph. For example, when involved in a shootout , during a car chase, Harker remarks that, "Despite the fact that someone was trying to kill me, I was rather enjoying myself." This sense that danger is terribly exciting pervades the novel and makes it pleasant to read. This tone also serves to reassure young readers that Harker is bound to come through such difficulty relatively unscathed.
Combined with Harker's self-assured tone, is a marked lack of realism, which also reminds us that Harker will ultimately succeed in getting to the bottom of his mystery. We can actually enjoy the danger that he finds himself in partly because the very nature of the danger and the way that the various villains are presented as caricatures reminds us that Harker is actually not a real child in our mundane world. This lack of realism is almost like a safety net, allowing us to not have to fear for Harker's safety.
Harker's adventures are a romp through the seedy criminal side of early 20th Century London. Hollands seems to draw on such diverse literary traditions and figures as Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, E. Nesbit's adventuring children characters, and Barrie's Peter Pan, all while maintaining a tone that is unique to Hollands. This tone is sure to appeal to contemporary child readers.
Although some parents and educators may object to some of the language used by Harker and his associates--"hell" is used as a swear word more than once--this book serves to fill part of the gap that seems to exist in the world of non-fantasy middle school readers aimed specifically at boys. As such, it should be a welcome addition to schools and libraries.
Peregrine Harker and the Black Death, ISBN 9781907230493, will be available 3 June 2013.
This review originally published at Speaking of Books, a site devoted to book reviews and discussions of literature and culture. Visit us at www.drennanspitzer.com
NOTE: A review copy was provided by the publisher. No monetary or other form of compensation was received.
The most engaging thing about this novel is the style and narrative voice. Harker tells his own story as a first-person narrator. His tone throughout is self-assured, even somewhat cavalier, even when faced with dangerous circumstances. This cavalier tone marks Harker as the shining, confident hero, bound to triumph. For example, when involved in a shootout , during a car chase, Harker remarks that, "Despite the fact that someone was trying to kill me, I was rather enjoying myself." This sense that danger is terribly exciting pervades the novel and makes it pleasant to read. This tone also serves to reassure young readers that Harker is bound to come through such difficulty relatively unscathed.
Combined with Harker's self-assured tone, is a marked lack of realism, which also reminds us that Harker will ultimately succeed in getting to the bottom of his mystery. We can actually enjoy the danger that he finds himself in partly because the very nature of the danger and the way that the various villains are presented as caricatures reminds us that Harker is actually not a real child in our mundane world. This lack of realism is almost like a safety net, allowing us to not have to fear for Harker's safety.
Harker's adventures are a romp through the seedy criminal side of early 20th Century London. Hollands seems to draw on such diverse literary traditions and figures as Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, E. Nesbit's adventuring children characters, and Barrie's Peter Pan, all while maintaining a tone that is unique to Hollands. This tone is sure to appeal to contemporary child readers.
Although some parents and educators may object to some of the language used by Harker and his associates--"hell" is used as a swear word more than once--this book serves to fill part of the gap that seems to exist in the world of non-fantasy middle school readers aimed specifically at boys. As such, it should be a welcome addition to schools and libraries.
Peregrine Harker and the Black Death, ISBN 9781907230493, will be available 3 June 2013.
This review originally published at Speaking of Books, a site devoted to book reviews and discussions of literature and culture. Visit us at www.drennanspitzer.com
NOTE: A review copy was provided by the publisher. No monetary or other form of compensation was received.
June 3, 2013
Review first appeared on my blog: Book Addict 24-7
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Luke Hollands's debut Peregrine Harker and the Black Death is a fun adventure set in a time long-past where mysteries were daydreams, and danger a way of life for over-curious detectives. Hollands's world is explored by his young protagonist, Peregrine, as he strives to uncover the surprisingly intriguing mystery surrounding the sudden shortage of tea.
Peregrine isn't one of those protagonists who immediately comes off as haughty, attractive, and confident--instead, he is rather flawed and easily distracted. The novel starts off interestingly enough, but then we find that the adventure mentioned was just a daydream in a very creative mind. But then again, I think I would have shied away from this one if it were anything like the corniness produced in the first chapter.
No, what I liked was the slow buildup into the main revelation of the story--and it is huge and very satisfyingly unexpected. Though the novel is quite short, Hollands does have a skill for pacing and keeping the reader intrigued as the mysteries mount.
The characters we meet along the way are all quirky and fit the stereotypical image we may sometimes have of mysterious people detectives often face. What I wasn't so keen on was how Peregrine felt the urge to describe every aspect of a new character.
I mean, okay, I get that he is painting a picture for us, but the info-dump style of describing characters has never been something I'm hugely into. A few details are all right: hair colour, eyes, height, maybe even stance, but every single detail can get wearisome, especially when your protagonist keeps meeting new people.
The adventure aspect of Hollands's debut is pretty addicting. Despite the weak dialogue (Hollands really likes using phrases like, "Old Man"), I could capture the image of a society long-past. It was exciting watching Peregrine encounter a car that to us is a weak little thing, but to him is a powerful force. Also, like I mentioned before, the mysteries that kept twisting and turning in the novel added a lot more fun to the adventure.
While I did read an advance reader copy (ARCs are often full of spelling and grammar errors), I found Peregrine Harker to be a bit weak stylistically. I get that this is an old-fashioned novel, and that it is perhaps a book written with Sherlock Holmes in mind, but sometimes Hollands overdoes it.
Like I mentioned with the dialogue, there are instances where Hollands over-emphasizes terms from the past, or well-known detective phrases. Also, a bit of the writing felt corny. Peregrine Harker is good fun, I admit, but it could have been approached in a much simpler fashion. Hollands needs to trust his readers, not simply repeat things over and over again, hoping that they understand what's happening.
Regardless of the writing style, the conclusion left me wanting more. I am very excited to see what Peregrine gets into next. I also think that Hollands's future novels will hopefully be an exciting array of mysteries waiting to be solved!
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Luke Hollands's debut Peregrine Harker and the Black Death is a fun adventure set in a time long-past where mysteries were daydreams, and danger a way of life for over-curious detectives. Hollands's world is explored by his young protagonist, Peregrine, as he strives to uncover the surprisingly intriguing mystery surrounding the sudden shortage of tea.
Peregrine isn't one of those protagonists who immediately comes off as haughty, attractive, and confident--instead, he is rather flawed and easily distracted. The novel starts off interestingly enough, but then we find that the adventure mentioned was just a daydream in a very creative mind. But then again, I think I would have shied away from this one if it were anything like the corniness produced in the first chapter.
No, what I liked was the slow buildup into the main revelation of the story--and it is huge and very satisfyingly unexpected. Though the novel is quite short, Hollands does have a skill for pacing and keeping the reader intrigued as the mysteries mount.
The characters we meet along the way are all quirky and fit the stereotypical image we may sometimes have of mysterious people detectives often face. What I wasn't so keen on was how Peregrine felt the urge to describe every aspect of a new character.
I mean, okay, I get that he is painting a picture for us, but the info-dump style of describing characters has never been something I'm hugely into. A few details are all right: hair colour, eyes, height, maybe even stance, but every single detail can get wearisome, especially when your protagonist keeps meeting new people.
The adventure aspect of Hollands's debut is pretty addicting. Despite the weak dialogue (Hollands really likes using phrases like, "Old Man"), I could capture the image of a society long-past. It was exciting watching Peregrine encounter a car that to us is a weak little thing, but to him is a powerful force. Also, like I mentioned before, the mysteries that kept twisting and turning in the novel added a lot more fun to the adventure.
While I did read an advance reader copy (ARCs are often full of spelling and grammar errors), I found Peregrine Harker to be a bit weak stylistically. I get that this is an old-fashioned novel, and that it is perhaps a book written with Sherlock Holmes in mind, but sometimes Hollands overdoes it.
Like I mentioned with the dialogue, there are instances where Hollands over-emphasizes terms from the past, or well-known detective phrases. Also, a bit of the writing felt corny. Peregrine Harker is good fun, I admit, but it could have been approached in a much simpler fashion. Hollands needs to trust his readers, not simply repeat things over and over again, hoping that they understand what's happening.
Regardless of the writing style, the conclusion left me wanting more. I am very excited to see what Peregrine gets into next. I also think that Hollands's future novels will hopefully be an exciting array of mysteries waiting to be solved!
June 25, 2013
" 'If you wouldn't mind awfully jumping in, sir, we can make good our escape' " (27%).
I reqeusted this title from Netgalley (thank you!) because I love juvenile/middle grade adventures. I also happen to love Peregrine as a name, and hey, the black death is always intruiging (if gruesome). Plus, the cover looked delightfully steampunk-inspired. The galley I received did not specify if it was an uncorrected proof, but I am rather praying that it is.
So, in the above situation, is Peregrine supposed to jump in the motor car in an awful manner? That's how it sounds to me (although I realize the intent is to use awful in that pip-pip-cheerio manner). I do wonder if writers understand that punctuation is important (for heaven's sake, yesterday I just read a picture book for children explaining the vital importance of the correct mark at the correct time!). I must also invoke Muphry's Law for any punctuation-related errors I make in this review. Mea culpa.
There's a lot of this weird comma usage (or non-usage) running through Peregrine Harker, and very little of the Black Death. Granted, I stopped about a quarter of the way in because I simply could not go any farther. From other reviews, I see things don't get much better, so my guilt is assuaged a bit. We also have a scene where the main character describes his lodgings in the present tense, and the rest of the book is written in past tense. ?
As for the plot, well ... uh. I'm not sure if there's too much going on or not enough. The main character, the aforementioned Peregrine, is the orphaned son of two world-famous explorers who died in South America (I have a feeling they're maybe not really dead? But that's pure speculation on my part). From what I gathered, he was bounced around from family member to family member, boarding school to boarding school, but found a friend in his distant cousin who, conveniently, taught him how to do action-hero-y stuff like fire pistols while upside-down on a galloping horse, chasing a runaway locomotive. Okay, slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. Right now, Peregrine has been taken on by the editor of a newspaper, mostly out of pity. I couldn't believe that a character who acted as juvenile as Peregrine would possibly have a job--and a reporter's position to boot! In order to keep his job, he must investigate why the price of tea is increasing. Murder and hijinks ensue.
At first, I thought I was reading a parody of the action-adventure penny dreadful evoked by this title. Sadly, as I kept reading, I realized this was no parody. It was just dreadful.
Please don't get me wrong--the author's bio at the beginning makes him seem like a perfectly charming and funny person. I wish more of that had come out in the story. I don't even know if reluctant readers would pick this up. There's such a mish-mosh of jargon and fancy language along with the simple characters and plot that it's rather confusing.
Oh, and one other thing: people from India do not speak "Indian." When I read that, I thought, "How could any editor in the world let that slide???" Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh. Not cool at ALL.
I reqeusted this title from Netgalley (thank you!) because I love juvenile/middle grade adventures. I also happen to love Peregrine as a name, and hey, the black death is always intruiging (if gruesome). Plus, the cover looked delightfully steampunk-inspired. The galley I received did not specify if it was an uncorrected proof, but I am rather praying that it is.
So, in the above situation, is Peregrine supposed to jump in the motor car in an awful manner? That's how it sounds to me (although I realize the intent is to use awful in that pip-pip-cheerio manner). I do wonder if writers understand that punctuation is important (for heaven's sake, yesterday I just read a picture book for children explaining the vital importance of the correct mark at the correct time!). I must also invoke Muphry's Law for any punctuation-related errors I make in this review. Mea culpa.
There's a lot of this weird comma usage (or non-usage) running through Peregrine Harker, and very little of the Black Death. Granted, I stopped about a quarter of the way in because I simply could not go any farther. From other reviews, I see things don't get much better, so my guilt is assuaged a bit. We also have a scene where the main character describes his lodgings in the present tense, and the rest of the book is written in past tense. ?
As for the plot, well ... uh. I'm not sure if there's too much going on or not enough. The main character, the aforementioned Peregrine, is the orphaned son of two world-famous explorers who died in South America (I have a feeling they're maybe not really dead? But that's pure speculation on my part). From what I gathered, he was bounced around from family member to family member, boarding school to boarding school, but found a friend in his distant cousin who, conveniently, taught him how to do action-hero-y stuff like fire pistols while upside-down on a galloping horse, chasing a runaway locomotive. Okay, slight exaggeration, but you get the idea. Right now, Peregrine has been taken on by the editor of a newspaper, mostly out of pity. I couldn't believe that a character who acted as juvenile as Peregrine would possibly have a job--and a reporter's position to boot! In order to keep his job, he must investigate why the price of tea is increasing. Murder and hijinks ensue.
At first, I thought I was reading a parody of the action-adventure penny dreadful evoked by this title. Sadly, as I kept reading, I realized this was no parody. It was just dreadful.
Please don't get me wrong--the author's bio at the beginning makes him seem like a perfectly charming and funny person. I wish more of that had come out in the story. I don't even know if reluctant readers would pick this up. There's such a mish-mosh of jargon and fancy language along with the simple characters and plot that it's rather confusing.
Oh, and one other thing: people from India do not speak "Indian." When I read that, I thought, "How could any editor in the world let that slide???" Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh. Not cool at ALL.
July 18, 2013
The Good
The adventure. This book started out so promisingly. It's every young boy's dream to go out and fight villains like a superhero or secret agent. Peregrine lives the dream life--chasing down smugglers, traveling worldwide to follow clues. Unfortunately, what started out as a reasonable amount of predictability and cliches quickly devolved into overwhelming cheesiness, ruining the overall story.
The Bad
The childish tone. I understand this is a middle-grade book, but it reads more like an elementary school level story due to the horrible, horrible jokes and cheesy plot lines/villains.
The slang. I love books that try to incorporate slang/customs of the time period to add authenticity. Look at The Diviners by Libba Bray--that thing is chocked full of slang and jargon and customs, and it is wonderful. This book, however, feels like it is just trying way too hard. The slang used by the characters often feels forced rather than genuine, making dialog awkward and fake.
Peregrine. Peregrine as a character is very frustrating. He is old enough to have a job, but seems to have the maturity level and life skills of a small boy. He makes huge amounts of noise when sneaking around in a house filled with criminals, immediately trusts people for no good reason, and at many points in the story does flat-out inexcusably stupid things. In short, I hated him.
The rushed feeling. After about a quarter of the way into the book, everything starts to happen entirely too quickly without enough details. When details are given, they are explained in long-winded conversations after they have happened instead of described in real-time or referenced in flashbacks. This made events boring to read about and oftentimes hard to follow. On top of that, important decisions are made at the drop of a hat with no real reasoning to support the choices. Overall, everything just felt sloppy.
The Indian accents. Every single time Peregrine cannot "place an accent" he assumes it is "Indian perhaps". You would think after the number of times he made this same guess he would start to be able to pick out an Indian accent.
Overall Rating
The adventure. This book started out so promisingly. It's every young boy's dream to go out and fight villains like a superhero or secret agent. Peregrine lives the dream life--chasing down smugglers, traveling worldwide to follow clues. Unfortunately, what started out as a reasonable amount of predictability and cliches quickly devolved into overwhelming cheesiness, ruining the overall story.
The Bad
The childish tone. I understand this is a middle-grade book, but it reads more like an elementary school level story due to the horrible, horrible jokes and cheesy plot lines/villains.
The slang. I love books that try to incorporate slang/customs of the time period to add authenticity. Look at The Diviners by Libba Bray--that thing is chocked full of slang and jargon and customs, and it is wonderful. This book, however, feels like it is just trying way too hard. The slang used by the characters often feels forced rather than genuine, making dialog awkward and fake.
Peregrine. Peregrine as a character is very frustrating. He is old enough to have a job, but seems to have the maturity level and life skills of a small boy. He makes huge amounts of noise when sneaking around in a house filled with criminals, immediately trusts people for no good reason, and at many points in the story does flat-out inexcusably stupid things. In short, I hated him.
The rushed feeling. After about a quarter of the way into the book, everything starts to happen entirely too quickly without enough details. When details are given, they are explained in long-winded conversations after they have happened instead of described in real-time or referenced in flashbacks. This made events boring to read about and oftentimes hard to follow. On top of that, important decisions are made at the drop of a hat with no real reasoning to support the choices. Overall, everything just felt sloppy.
The Indian accents. Every single time Peregrine cannot "place an accent" he assumes it is "Indian perhaps". You would think after the number of times he made this same guess he would start to be able to pick out an Indian accent.
Overall Rating
2/5 - This book started out so promisingly and quickly became almost unreadable. It took me forever to finish this, but I am glad I finally fought my way through it just to be able to find out what happened to Peregrine, as much as I hated him and as predictable as his ultimate fate was.
November 7, 2013
Peregrine Harker & The Black Death by Luke Hollands is a historical mystery set in 1908. Fifteen year old Peregrine Harker is a dreamer trying to earn a living as a newspaper reporter after his parents disappear and are assumed dead on an adventure. His day dreaming about being a boy-detective right out of the penny-dreadfuls becomes reality when a simple interview about the price of tea throws him into a mystery that involves a secret society, murder, and smuggling. Death seems to be stalking Harker as he seeks the truth and aims to do the right thing. Partnered with one of the most powerful men in town, meeting his daughter, facing an old enemy, and reuniting with a cousin are only the beginning of the story. But, figuring out who to trust might be the biggest mystery of all.
Peregrine Harker & The Black Death is a tightly woven mystery about smuggling and death. There is the obligatory love interest, who I will definitely talk about, and of course the rival. I enjoyed the fact that Harker had a back-story that made his particular skill set make sense and that details about important secondary characters were given. I also like the feel of classic pulp fiction. I was waiting on mustache twirling and evil laughter, I could easily see the story in black and white as a silent movie. I do not mean this as a bad thing, it is fun and entertaining, which is just what many are looking for in a summer or fun read. I had to problems with the book, one is that Louisa (the love interest) is a little inconsistent for me. She is adventurous, brave, and a great shot- but is physically weak and swooning. I know that swooning is big for women in the stories that this book emulates but I was hoping that her strength would be a little more consistent. My other issue is that there is enough death and explosions and whatnot to keep this book in the young adult market, along with the ages of the main players, however large portions of the story might appeal more to the middle school set rather than high school and older young adults.
I recommend Peregrine Harker & The Black Death to readers that enjoy mysteries and historical fiction, particularly those that have any interest in pulp fiction and movies from the early twentieth century. There are twists that I never saw coming, and some that I expected from the beginning. It is a fun and exciting read with explosions, a love interest, deception, even a car chase or two. It is not high literature, but I do not think that that was the goal, or necessary, to read and enjoy any book.
Peregrine Harker & The Black Death is a tightly woven mystery about smuggling and death. There is the obligatory love interest, who I will definitely talk about, and of course the rival. I enjoyed the fact that Harker had a back-story that made his particular skill set make sense and that details about important secondary characters were given. I also like the feel of classic pulp fiction. I was waiting on mustache twirling and evil laughter, I could easily see the story in black and white as a silent movie. I do not mean this as a bad thing, it is fun and entertaining, which is just what many are looking for in a summer or fun read. I had to problems with the book, one is that Louisa (the love interest) is a little inconsistent for me. She is adventurous, brave, and a great shot- but is physically weak and swooning. I know that swooning is big for women in the stories that this book emulates but I was hoping that her strength would be a little more consistent. My other issue is that there is enough death and explosions and whatnot to keep this book in the young adult market, along with the ages of the main players, however large portions of the story might appeal more to the middle school set rather than high school and older young adults.
I recommend Peregrine Harker & The Black Death to readers that enjoy mysteries and historical fiction, particularly those that have any interest in pulp fiction and movies from the early twentieth century. There are twists that I never saw coming, and some that I expected from the beginning. It is a fun and exciting read with explosions, a love interest, deception, even a car chase or two. It is not high literature, but I do not think that that was the goal, or necessary, to read and enjoy any book.
June 3, 2013
Original Link to the review at my blog Le' Grande Codex - here
HAPPY RELEASE DAY........ Entertaining .............. but not quite. Presenting Peregrine Harker & The Black Death by Luke Hollands.
Here is the summary of the book:-
Peregrine Harker is about to learn you're never too young to die.
London 1908: A secret society stalks the murky streets, a deadly assassin lurks in the shadows and a series of unexplained deaths are linked by a mystery symbol…
When boy-detective Peregrine Harker stumbles across a gruesome murder he sparks a chain of events that drag him on a rip-roaring journey through a world of spluttering gas lamps, thick fog, deadly secrets and dastardly villains.
Every step of Peregrine’s white-knuckle adventure brings him closer to the vile heart of a terrifying mystery – the true story behind the Brotherhood of the Black Death.
This is an advanced review and while I won't spoil the engaging plot......... but DON'T GIVE THE FIRST CHAPTER MUCH THOUGH......... it is an exogenous part of the tale.
This is the story of Peregrine Harker, boy journalist, adventurous, curious to the bone and easily distracted from the task at hand because of it, leading him on a merry chase and cracking and putting a stop to the infernal plans of a dangerous enemy.........
In a way Peregrine is a lot like Tintin but the outward appearance, character and job description are the only point after which the similarity ends. But the book definitely does not disappoint and the one reason why I like this book was because of Peregrine's vivid imagination....... his boss tells him to submit a story on the rising prices of tea (God forbid if something happened to that commodity) but instead he gets caught in the biggest smuggling racket in the history of the Empire.....
I loved how Luke Hollands just keeps the action coming.... there is no room for slacking for the young and energetic.... Although I'd say this, I hoped that a bit more depth have been provided to his character and not the boy wonder with a penchant for trouble...... Hopefully there will be more adventures for Harker in the future.
"Thrilling and mysterious ..... it has potentials but still not a favorite though"
October 25, 2013
When I read and review a book, I try very hard to take in to consideration the intended audience, knowing full well that it may not be me (though I don’t know why not…I like reading just about any kind of fiction!). So who is this book targeted toward? This book is clearly aimed at the younger teen-aged male reader. One could easily think of this as a James Bond for teen and pre-teen boys who don’t know James Bond yet. It is action packed, mostly fast paced, and relies a little on the skill of our young hero, Peregrine Harker, and a lot on fortune and luck, with different people saving him at the very last possible moment.
Peregrine Harker is a young boy during the turn of the century London who works as a newspaper reporter. Following up on one story, he stumbles across something so much larger, which produces a chain of events that he becomes intimately entwined within. Fist-fights, sword fights, gun battles, and car chases…this book has it all, even that touch of potential romance that likely speaks directly to those shy teen and pre-teen boys who probably dream about adventures like this every night!
Surprisingly, the book starts off slow. I had started it twice, completely lost interest in it, but, because it’s on my review shelf, returned, determined to finish it. it wasn’t hard, once I actually got in to the book, but that could be a hurdle to some.
It’s also not a book to be read too closely. This is intended to be read and experienced in the moment. Flash! Move along to the next dangerous moment! etc. If you start to read it too closely, you realize how foolish some of the people are. Why create an elaborate scheme to have someone killed when it could be done so much quicker and cleaner and simply? Well…the asnwer is… it doesn’t create for exciting adventure then!
I’m not a big fan of heroes who survive, over and over again, by luck and the fortunes of others. Occasionally? Sure. But Harker’s fat is pulled out of the fire too many times in this book, by something (or someone) other than his own wits and ingenuity. Still, I liked the breakneck action and intrigue. This is sure to be a hit with its targeted demographic!
Looking for a good book? This is a fun, fast-paced adventure for the teen and pre-teen boys.
(Review originally published in blog, Looking For a Good Book.)
Peregrine Harker is a young boy during the turn of the century London who works as a newspaper reporter. Following up on one story, he stumbles across something so much larger, which produces a chain of events that he becomes intimately entwined within. Fist-fights, sword fights, gun battles, and car chases…this book has it all, even that touch of potential romance that likely speaks directly to those shy teen and pre-teen boys who probably dream about adventures like this every night!
Surprisingly, the book starts off slow. I had started it twice, completely lost interest in it, but, because it’s on my review shelf, returned, determined to finish it. it wasn’t hard, once I actually got in to the book, but that could be a hurdle to some.
It’s also not a book to be read too closely. This is intended to be read and experienced in the moment. Flash! Move along to the next dangerous moment! etc. If you start to read it too closely, you realize how foolish some of the people are. Why create an elaborate scheme to have someone killed when it could be done so much quicker and cleaner and simply? Well…the asnwer is… it doesn’t create for exciting adventure then!
I’m not a big fan of heroes who survive, over and over again, by luck and the fortunes of others. Occasionally? Sure. But Harker’s fat is pulled out of the fire too many times in this book, by something (or someone) other than his own wits and ingenuity. Still, I liked the breakneck action and intrigue. This is sure to be a hit with its targeted demographic!
Looking for a good book? This is a fun, fast-paced adventure for the teen and pre-teen boys.
(Review originally published in blog, Looking For a Good Book.)
April 29, 2013
I received this middle grade ARC through NetGalley, and the publisher wanted me to note the e-ISBN in my review: 978-1-907230-49-3.
I approach this review with a sense of dread because I really dislike writing bad things about books, and this one had so many aggravating elements I could have thrown it across the room. I didn't because, well, I was reading it on my iPad, and throwing it would be unwise. However, I did close the ebook more than once, disgusted and determined to not continue. I did read on, though, simply because 1) it was a short book, and 2) I did feel an obligation to try and finish since the publisher provided a copy.
Now, where to begin?
One of the initial issues I encountered was that the voice felt... off. Harker is supposed to be a teenager. He doesn't sound like one. He comes across like he's in his 20s or even 30s.
The plot is very easy on Harker, and I say that even though he almost dies and is battered quite a bit. He's supposed to be a boy-reporter but doesn't complete any stories because he's daydreaming, yet his editor gives him a "big story." It doesn't make sense. Why trust an inept child with a story like this? And once Harker sets out, everyone immediately spills all their secrets to him. He's under threat of death, but idles about at home for days without any issues (and how does a child afford a nice apartment on his own?). Whenever anything bad happens, he's always rescued by other people. He does very little on his own, yet he's constantly praised for being a brilliant reporter and so smart. It's not believable in the least.
The characters are all very melodramatic and black and white. There's no nuancing. When the singular female character shows up, she's beautiful and immediately interested in Harker. She's smart and savvy... until they start to work together. This, THIS, was the point that left me outright disgusted. By the end of the book, she's completely useless and actually swoons twice and is controlled through threats of rape and marriage. This is supposed to be a middle grade book, mind you.
It reads like a boy's fantasy, but the sort of fantasy that has no grounding in reality.
I approach this review with a sense of dread because I really dislike writing bad things about books, and this one had so many aggravating elements I could have thrown it across the room. I didn't because, well, I was reading it on my iPad, and throwing it would be unwise. However, I did close the ebook more than once, disgusted and determined to not continue. I did read on, though, simply because 1) it was a short book, and 2) I did feel an obligation to try and finish since the publisher provided a copy.
Now, where to begin?
One of the initial issues I encountered was that the voice felt... off. Harker is supposed to be a teenager. He doesn't sound like one. He comes across like he's in his 20s or even 30s.
The plot is very easy on Harker, and I say that even though he almost dies and is battered quite a bit. He's supposed to be a boy-reporter but doesn't complete any stories because he's daydreaming, yet his editor gives him a "big story." It doesn't make sense. Why trust an inept child with a story like this? And once Harker sets out, everyone immediately spills all their secrets to him. He's under threat of death, but idles about at home for days without any issues (and how does a child afford a nice apartment on his own?). Whenever anything bad happens, he's always rescued by other people. He does very little on his own, yet he's constantly praised for being a brilliant reporter and so smart. It's not believable in the least.
The characters are all very melodramatic and black and white. There's no nuancing. When the singular female character shows up, she's beautiful and immediately interested in Harker. She's smart and savvy... until they start to work together. This, THIS, was the point that left me outright disgusted. By the end of the book, she's completely useless and actually swoons twice and is controlled through threats of rape and marriage. This is supposed to be a middle grade book, mind you.
It reads like a boy's fantasy, but the sort of fantasy that has no grounding in reality.
January 25, 2013
Peregrine Harker, boy journalist, dreams of adventure. Unfortunately, his editor's dreams are a little more mundane - he wants real stories, not fiction - so he sends Harker out on the least adventurous story he can think of - why the price of tea has jumped so drastically. And with this inauspicious start, begins an adventure so dangerous and so harrowing, it outstrips even Harker's vivid imagination.
The tale takes place in Edwardian England and, with it's references to Bands of evil doers, smarmy villains, impoverished Rajas and scarred butlers who may be more (or less) than what they seem, and, of course, a beautiful damsel in distress, this story is very reminiscent of the pulp novels which were so popular at the beginning of the 20th c. You can almost see moustaches being twirled, train tracks being tied to fair, young maidens, and swoons being, well, swooned - actually, there is a bit of swooning but, anyway, you get my drift.
And like these old pulps, this is not meant to be Literature, dahlings, it is meant to entertain and, for the most part, it does that. The story is decidedly and deliberately improbable at best but it is fun. However, also like the old pulps, it is big on over-the-top drama, melodrama, and descriptions of dark, scary alleys, hallways, cellars, etc. and low on dialogue. This kind of pulp fiction brought to modern audiences worked fairly well when done by a master like Philip Pullman in his Sally Lockhart series; I am not sure how well this will work with a YA audience. Still, it is a fairly short read chock full of adventure and non-stop action and I particularly liked its one nod to modernity - Louisa, the young heroine and Peregrine's love interest, is more likely to be saviour than saved.
Peregrine Harker and the Black Death harkens (oh, yes I did) back to a time when pulp novels were cranked out by the hundreds meant for an audience looking to be entertained rather than enlightened. And that they did and that is what this book does. And, frankly, at least for me, there are days, actually many, when that is all I want from a book.
The tale takes place in Edwardian England and, with it's references to Bands of evil doers, smarmy villains, impoverished Rajas and scarred butlers who may be more (or less) than what they seem, and, of course, a beautiful damsel in distress, this story is very reminiscent of the pulp novels which were so popular at the beginning of the 20th c. You can almost see moustaches being twirled, train tracks being tied to fair, young maidens, and swoons being, well, swooned - actually, there is a bit of swooning but, anyway, you get my drift.
And like these old pulps, this is not meant to be Literature, dahlings, it is meant to entertain and, for the most part, it does that. The story is decidedly and deliberately improbable at best but it is fun. However, also like the old pulps, it is big on over-the-top drama, melodrama, and descriptions of dark, scary alleys, hallways, cellars, etc. and low on dialogue. This kind of pulp fiction brought to modern audiences worked fairly well when done by a master like Philip Pullman in his Sally Lockhart series; I am not sure how well this will work with a YA audience. Still, it is a fairly short read chock full of adventure and non-stop action and I particularly liked its one nod to modernity - Louisa, the young heroine and Peregrine's love interest, is more likely to be saviour than saved.
Peregrine Harker and the Black Death harkens (oh, yes I did) back to a time when pulp novels were cranked out by the hundreds meant for an audience looking to be entertained rather than enlightened. And that they did and that is what this book does. And, frankly, at least for me, there are days, actually many, when that is all I want from a book.
April 30, 2013
I received this book from Net Galley and I have to say, the main thing that drew me to it originally was this amazing cover. The red, black and white colour combination completely evokes an air of mystery and danger, whilst being striking and not telling you much about the story.
London 1908: A secret society stalks the murky streets, a deadly assassin lurks in the shadows and a series of unexplained deaths are linked by a mystery symbol…
When boy-detective Peregrine Harker stumbles across a gruesome murder he sparks a chain of events that drag him on a rip-roaring journey through a world of spluttering gas lamps, thick fog, deadly secrets and dastardly villains.
Every step of Peregrine’s white-knuckle adventure brings him closer to the vile heart of a terrifying mystery – the true story behind the Brotherhood of the Black Death.”
This book took me a while to read, not because of the book itself, but because of the ebook format. The story itself was completely gripping. Peregrine Harker is a fifteen year old boy in a job that he is close to losing, who ends up involved in a smuggling adventure!
Although this book is classed as YA, I found that it felt a little bit younger. That definitely isn’t a bad thing though! I found that because the story was told from Peregrine’s point of view, it seemed very real yet something that does not usually happen to people on an everyday basis. I felt that he was very likeable and you could empathise with him throughout, though some of his decisions seemed a bit rushed.
The plot develops quickly and is fast-paced. Although this is only 150 pages long (in ebook format), I found that there were many twists and turns, and though a few were expected, many of them were a complete surprise.
Overall, I would say that this was a gripping and intriguing mystery novel, with some violence, some slight romance and a lot of adventure, that just draws you into the story and keeps you reading about Peregrine Harker’s adventures.
London 1908: A secret society stalks the murky streets, a deadly assassin lurks in the shadows and a series of unexplained deaths are linked by a mystery symbol…
When boy-detective Peregrine Harker stumbles across a gruesome murder he sparks a chain of events that drag him on a rip-roaring journey through a world of spluttering gas lamps, thick fog, deadly secrets and dastardly villains.
Every step of Peregrine’s white-knuckle adventure brings him closer to the vile heart of a terrifying mystery – the true story behind the Brotherhood of the Black Death.”
This book took me a while to read, not because of the book itself, but because of the ebook format. The story itself was completely gripping. Peregrine Harker is a fifteen year old boy in a job that he is close to losing, who ends up involved in a smuggling adventure!
Although this book is classed as YA, I found that it felt a little bit younger. That definitely isn’t a bad thing though! I found that because the story was told from Peregrine’s point of view, it seemed very real yet something that does not usually happen to people on an everyday basis. I felt that he was very likeable and you could empathise with him throughout, though some of his decisions seemed a bit rushed.
The plot develops quickly and is fast-paced. Although this is only 150 pages long (in ebook format), I found that there were many twists and turns, and though a few were expected, many of them were a complete surprise.
Overall, I would say that this was a gripping and intriguing mystery novel, with some violence, some slight romance and a lot of adventure, that just draws you into the story and keeps you reading about Peregrine Harker’s adventures.
July 21, 2013
Kat's Review
If you're going into this book thinking it will be the typical contemporary Middle Grade or Young Adult book, you will be disappointed. If you're in the mood for an old fashioned adventure with a young boy in the eye of the storm, this might just be the kind of adventure for you. This book is fun, and reminded me of the typical adventure story aimed at boys in the 10-13 year range. There is also a pretty fearless young female character, so there's certainly a character for young adventurous girls to enjoy as well.
The story is set in London in the early 1900s, and follows young Peregrine, orphaned when his adventurous parents went missing, and trying to earn a living by working at a newspaper. When he's sent off to investigate the reasons behind the rising tea prices, he instead stumbles upon a smuggling operation and a mysterious brotherhood. He is soon entangled in the adventure of a lifetime, using both his wits and a good deal of luck to try and get to the bottom of the story.
This book isn't for everyone, but for the right reader, it's a great adventure. It's a bit of a tongue in cheek throwback to the old serials that used to publish stories in installments many years ago. I could see myself reading this to my sons before bed in a few years, and watching their eyes go wide with excitement as they imagine themselves in the lead role. For an adult, the story is predictable. It follows a pretty straightforward formula and the ending wasn't much of a surprise. For a young boy or girl though, the twists and turns would be exciting and unpredictable.
Kat's Rating: Worth a Look
I think this book will polarize readers, but for the right reader, it could be a great adventure of a read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & the publisher in return for an honest review.
Posted by Kathleen at 9:16 AM
March 2, 2013
Rating: 2 1/2 Stars
Peregrine Harker is not your average 15 year old. He works as a journalist and is sent to discover the mystery of why tea prices have soared so high in England lately. Unfortunately this leads to people of all kinds trying to kill him - it must be very special tea. Or rather, something mysterious is going on with the tea and the shipping of tea into England from India. Our hero faces several near-death situations in order to find out the truth.
The story is very fast-paced and pretty much non-stop. To the point where I was feeling like "Woah. Slow down a little bit there, Peregrine. I have to process everything that's just happened to you." It felt a little bit like it was being told to me by my brother (who is the same age as Peregrine) and had a sort of stumbling over itself, not really explaining anything very much feeling.
One issue I had with this book is that you feel a little restless throughout it. The chapters are really short, and I felt that some of them could have been expanded. The storyline was intriguing, but would have been better with some more fleshing out and expansion on some of the areas. You just start to get into that part of the plot when it's finished with and you're moving onto the next thing that's happening. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to make it an exciting and action-packed novel. A little more background on Peregrine and Archie would have been good as well.
I think it is a good boys novel because there is quite a bit of action and if they are into action or adventure, then they certainly won't get bored. I didn't get bored as I enjoy a it of action and adventure in my reading, I just felt it was too fast. Almost like the author had a maximum word limit and needed to fit everything that happened into that limit.
Peregrine Harker is not your average 15 year old. He works as a journalist and is sent to discover the mystery of why tea prices have soared so high in England lately. Unfortunately this leads to people of all kinds trying to kill him - it must be very special tea. Or rather, something mysterious is going on with the tea and the shipping of tea into England from India. Our hero faces several near-death situations in order to find out the truth.
The story is very fast-paced and pretty much non-stop. To the point where I was feeling like "Woah. Slow down a little bit there, Peregrine. I have to process everything that's just happened to you." It felt a little bit like it was being told to me by my brother (who is the same age as Peregrine) and had a sort of stumbling over itself, not really explaining anything very much feeling.
One issue I had with this book is that you feel a little restless throughout it. The chapters are really short, and I felt that some of them could have been expanded. The storyline was intriguing, but would have been better with some more fleshing out and expansion on some of the areas. You just start to get into that part of the plot when it's finished with and you're moving onto the next thing that's happening. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to make it an exciting and action-packed novel. A little more background on Peregrine and Archie would have been good as well.
I think it is a good boys novel because there is quite a bit of action and if they are into action or adventure, then they certainly won't get bored. I didn't get bored as I enjoy a it of action and adventure in my reading, I just felt it was too fast. Almost like the author had a maximum word limit and needed to fit everything that happened into that limit.
February 22, 2013
I received an ebook copy from Peregrine Harker on Netgalley, at my request.
So, I went into this book with no expectations at all. Luckily, because if I had, then I would've put it down after the first chapter. It starts out so overly cliche, with a villain and a detective, everything going wrong for the first one and everything going too smoothly for the later. You know those movies where, when the villain shoots, he always misses, and the hero never fails? That kind of thing. Ugh. It annoyed me. It wasn't realistic, as if I was watching a typical dream of a young boy. Thank god, it turned out to be exactly that that was going on. After that realisation, I sighed from relief. The rest of the story was less predictable, but it was still a typical 'boystory'. This wasn't bad though, although I did feel like I wasn't the targeted audience (being a 21-year old female :p). The maincharacter, Peregrine Harker, is, what I think is typical for these kind of stories : smart and suspicious, but also weirdly naive at some points. For readers my age that is obvious and strange, but for younger children, Peregrine is a more adventurious version of themselves. The storyline was a wild adventure, a detective story, leading from one lifethreatening situation to another, boys will love it. I could compare this book with for example the Cherub-series, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer and Joshua Mowll's The Gild Specialists trilogy.
All in all, I had fun reading it, but I would recommend searching for the 12-year old in you before you start, it will make it a lot more fun.
I don't think it's perfect to read to a child, as in a bedtime-story, it's much too exciting ;) Let them discover it on their own :)
So, I went into this book with no expectations at all. Luckily, because if I had, then I would've put it down after the first chapter. It starts out so overly cliche, with a villain and a detective, everything going wrong for the first one and everything going too smoothly for the later. You know those movies where, when the villain shoots, he always misses, and the hero never fails? That kind of thing. Ugh. It annoyed me. It wasn't realistic, as if I was watching a typical dream of a young boy. Thank god, it turned out to be exactly that that was going on. After that realisation, I sighed from relief. The rest of the story was less predictable, but it was still a typical 'boystory'. This wasn't bad though, although I did feel like I wasn't the targeted audience (being a 21-year old female :p). The maincharacter, Peregrine Harker, is, what I think is typical for these kind of stories : smart and suspicious, but also weirdly naive at some points. For readers my age that is obvious and strange, but for younger children, Peregrine is a more adventurious version of themselves. The storyline was a wild adventure, a detective story, leading from one lifethreatening situation to another, boys will love it. I could compare this book with for example the Cherub-series, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer and Joshua Mowll's The Gild Specialists trilogy.
All in all, I had fun reading it, but I would recommend searching for the 12-year old in you before you start, it will make it a lot more fun.
I don't think it's perfect to read to a child, as in a bedtime-story, it's much too exciting ;) Let them discover it on their own :)
February 11, 2013
I didn't know what to expect while reading this book. I didn't know whether to classify it as middle grade or YA. But no matter what genre it is in, I definitely fell in love with its uniqueness and action-packed plot!
Peregrine Harker is a journalist boy with a wide imagination and a strong backbone in the never-aging London. He would do everything to get a good scoop for the newspaper. And when his boss tells him to investigate the reasons for the current rise of tea prices, he is swept in into a network of lies, deceive, The Black Death, and empty coffins. One that he might not get out of alive.
Well, if you weren't intrigued by the summary, you have no damn taste! I was pretty hooked up with the summary and The Black Death! And this book did not disappoint. I loved it that Luke Hollands gave Peregrine such a unique voice. It was unlike anything I have read before. Peregrine Harker is like the old friend you had, the one that you will always adore and recognize even after years of not seeing them. The secondary characters are just as intriguing.
The mystery and the thrill woven into this book were a perfect dose. When I found out the culprit, I wanted to smack myself for not finding it out sooner! The plot is action-driven, you will never get bored. And the descriptions of the beautiful, vast London are so wonderful, I could imagine being there, right at that moment!
This book might not make it to my all time favorites list, but this is one book that you will throughout-ly enjoy. One that you will pass around to all your friends to read. And one that will leave you satisfied with the ending but still anxious to read about Peregrine's next adventure!
Peregrine Harker is a journalist boy with a wide imagination and a strong backbone in the never-aging London. He would do everything to get a good scoop for the newspaper. And when his boss tells him to investigate the reasons for the current rise of tea prices, he is swept in into a network of lies, deceive, The Black Death, and empty coffins. One that he might not get out of alive.
Well, if you weren't intrigued by the summary, you have no damn taste! I was pretty hooked up with the summary and The Black Death! And this book did not disappoint. I loved it that Luke Hollands gave Peregrine such a unique voice. It was unlike anything I have read before. Peregrine Harker is like the old friend you had, the one that you will always adore and recognize even after years of not seeing them. The secondary characters are just as intriguing.
The mystery and the thrill woven into this book were a perfect dose. When I found out the culprit, I wanted to smack myself for not finding it out sooner! The plot is action-driven, you will never get bored. And the descriptions of the beautiful, vast London are so wonderful, I could imagine being there, right at that moment!
This book might not make it to my all time favorites list, but this is one book that you will throughout-ly enjoy. One that you will pass around to all your friends to read. And one that will leave you satisfied with the ending but still anxious to read about Peregrine's next adventure!
June 1, 2013
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not entirely sure what attracted me to this book but I thought it sounded like an exciting adventure story and that sure was the case! This book isn't very heavy on characterization or world building but every chapter ends with suspense, propelling you forward to the next one, much like the penny dreadfuls that are the preferred reading material of the titular character.
Peregrine Harker is a Victorian London orphan whose head is easily turned by the fearsome mysterious dangerous adventures of fiction, something that hinders his ability to truthfully report at the newspaper. His last chance is to investigate the disappearance of tea on its journey from India to England. Although the assignment seems straightforward, it is actually a tangle of conspiracies that may send Peregrine to his death.
As I said, this book is very heavy on plot and adventure, which will appeal to some readers but was not what I wanted. Although the title "Black Death" may imply the plague to some of you, it actually has a different meaning, which is promptly revealed. I wish it had had more to do with that as I find the time period absolutely fascinating but the Victorian era has its moments too especially when exploring new kinds of technology.
My big wish for this book would be for the characters to have some more depth. Instead it was all very surface level as Peregrine frantically moved from place to place, trying to track down the evildoers. He meets a host of people, some good, some with evil intentions but they are also very shallowly drawn.
Overall: I think this will be a fun read for some younger readers but I don't see it having much appeal to older readers.
I'm not entirely sure what attracted me to this book but I thought it sounded like an exciting adventure story and that sure was the case! This book isn't very heavy on characterization or world building but every chapter ends with suspense, propelling you forward to the next one, much like the penny dreadfuls that are the preferred reading material of the titular character.
Peregrine Harker is a Victorian London orphan whose head is easily turned by the fearsome mysterious dangerous adventures of fiction, something that hinders his ability to truthfully report at the newspaper. His last chance is to investigate the disappearance of tea on its journey from India to England. Although the assignment seems straightforward, it is actually a tangle of conspiracies that may send Peregrine to his death.
As I said, this book is very heavy on plot and adventure, which will appeal to some readers but was not what I wanted. Although the title "Black Death" may imply the plague to some of you, it actually has a different meaning, which is promptly revealed. I wish it had had more to do with that as I find the time period absolutely fascinating but the Victorian era has its moments too especially when exploring new kinds of technology.
My big wish for this book would be for the characters to have some more depth. Instead it was all very surface level as Peregrine frantically moved from place to place, trying to track down the evildoers. He meets a host of people, some good, some with evil intentions but they are also very shallowly drawn.
Overall: I think this will be a fun read for some younger readers but I don't see it having much appeal to older readers.
June 21, 2013
See more of my reviews @ Moosubi Reviews!
Essentially, I think that Peregrine Harker and the Black Death is a book that’s like your typical middle grade adventure. First, Peregrine – he’s all kinds of intelligent, adventurous, brave and selfless, and never hesitated to snoop especially even if it wasn’t the best idea. I couldn’t help but root him on in his adventures! Speaking of which, his story was exciting and so much fun to read. There was so much action and creativity around every corner, whether Peregrine was trapped in, escaping an exploding building or, literally, running for his life.
However, this novel also suffers in its lack of complexity. The novel’s classified as Young Adult on Goodreads and NetGalley, but as I’ve mentioned, it’s really like a middle grade novel. The plot, despite enjoyable and fun, was predictable. When compared to a lot of YA mysteries I’ve read, the underlying mystery of the book was extremely easy for me, and possibly many others, to solve. The characters, though likable, were also undeveloped. Even our main character Peregrine didn’t really show much complexity.
Though perhaps simple, Peregrine Harker and the Black Death was a novel that I ultimately enjoyed. I especially recommend this book for middle grade fans or readers looking for a simply fun story – this read is pure fun!
* A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book.
Essentially, I think that Peregrine Harker and the Black Death is a book that’s like your typical middle grade adventure. First, Peregrine – he’s all kinds of intelligent, adventurous, brave and selfless, and never hesitated to snoop especially even if it wasn’t the best idea. I couldn’t help but root him on in his adventures! Speaking of which, his story was exciting and so much fun to read. There was so much action and creativity around every corner, whether Peregrine was trapped in, escaping an exploding building or, literally, running for his life.
However, this novel also suffers in its lack of complexity. The novel’s classified as Young Adult on Goodreads and NetGalley, but as I’ve mentioned, it’s really like a middle grade novel. The plot, despite enjoyable and fun, was predictable. When compared to a lot of YA mysteries I’ve read, the underlying mystery of the book was extremely easy for me, and possibly many others, to solve. The characters, though likable, were also undeveloped. Even our main character Peregrine didn’t really show much complexity.
Though perhaps simple, Peregrine Harker and the Black Death was a novel that I ultimately enjoyed. I especially recommend this book for middle grade fans or readers looking for a simply fun story – this read is pure fun!
* A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion of the book.
June 2, 2013
2.5Stars
This is a book for the boys. At least that's what I concluded at the end.
To be honest I just couldn't get into this one. At first I thought it might be my mood, so I read something else in between.. and when I came back to it, I still felt the same. So I kinda struggled through it.
See this is not really bad actually. Just not my cup of tea. The writing is kinda classic boy's adventure/fantasy. And I thought I liked those. But maybe not so much?
It's a bit silly and funny, fast paced and has every typical element a ya mystery/historical fiction usually boasts. All is there the undercover agent, bombs, fights, the big showdown and THE girl. Still I was always left feeling like something was missing.
I think my biggest issues were that Peregrine sounded way older- more like 30 or 40 at times not like a fifteen year old guy and I was hoping that there would be more plot or character development as it went on. But that never really happened. In fact both plot and characters felt more and more generic.
This felt more like one of those action spy movies to me and while I do watch those ones in a while, I think I don't wanna read books like that. Saying that though I also have to say that I am sure that many others will enjoy this more than me. As I say right in the beginning it think this one is one for the boys. The 15year old ones that secretly dream of being a undercover agent on dangerous missions and getting the girl at the end.
ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a book for the boys. At least that's what I concluded at the end.
To be honest I just couldn't get into this one. At first I thought it might be my mood, so I read something else in between.. and when I came back to it, I still felt the same. So I kinda struggled through it.
See this is not really bad actually. Just not my cup of tea. The writing is kinda classic boy's adventure/fantasy. And I thought I liked those. But maybe not so much?
It's a bit silly and funny, fast paced and has every typical element a ya mystery/historical fiction usually boasts. All is there the undercover agent, bombs, fights, the big showdown and THE girl. Still I was always left feeling like something was missing.
I think my biggest issues were that Peregrine sounded way older- more like 30 or 40 at times not like a fifteen year old guy and I was hoping that there would be more plot or character development as it went on. But that never really happened. In fact both plot and characters felt more and more generic.
This felt more like one of those action spy movies to me and while I do watch those ones in a while, I think I don't wanna read books like that. Saying that though I also have to say that I am sure that many others will enjoy this more than me. As I say right in the beginning it think this one is one for the boys. The 15year old ones that secretly dream of being a undercover agent on dangerous missions and getting the girl at the end.
ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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