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Alfie Bloom #1
Alfie Bloom and the Secrets of Hexbridge Castle
Alfie Bloom is just an ordinary boy. Until he receives a letter summoning him to raven-like solicitor Caspian Bone's office. Here, Alfie learns that he has inherited a castle.And through mysterious circumstances surrounding his birth, he has also been entrusted as the caretaker of a centuries-old magic.
Unfortunately for Alfie, dangerous forces are after this powerful magic.
With the help of his cousins Maddie and Robin, Artan the flying bearskin rug, and Ashford (a rather special butler), Alfie must keep the magic safe from terrifying adversaries and make sure the secrets of Hexbridge Castle stay secret for ever...
Unfortunately for Alfie, dangerous forces are after this powerful magic.
With the help of his cousins Maddie and Robin, Artan the flying bearskin rug, and Ashford (a rather special butler), Alfie must keep the magic safe from terrifying adversaries and make sure the secrets of Hexbridge Castle stay secret for ever...
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
28 people are currently reading
1460 people want to read
About the author
Gabrielle Kent
11 books124 followersGabrielle grew up in the 1980’s riding her bike into trouble, drawing monsters, reading comics and playing games on her best friend’s Atari. Her first job was in video-games working on games for PC, Playstation and XBox. She spent sixteen years as a university lecturer teaching students how to make videogames and ran a major Animation and Computer Games festival where she got to meet all of her favourite game and animation creators.
She has always loved exploring castles and in 2006 she visited Castle Coch in Wales. As she looked at a carving of The Fates over one of the fireplaces, an idea for a story crept into her head. When she got home she started typing the story of Alfie Bloom, the boy who inherited a castle. She has now written three books in the series.
Recently, her experience of childhood in the eighties came together with her love of writing and videogames when she was asked to write a series of novels based on the characters and world from the game, Knights and Bikes, published by Double Fine Presents.
She currently lives in the North East of England with her husband, toddler, and Bengal cat, Kali – Destroyer of Sofas.
She has always loved exploring castles and in 2006 she visited Castle Coch in Wales. As she looked at a carving of The Fates over one of the fireplaces, an idea for a story crept into her head. When she got home she started typing the story of Alfie Bloom, the boy who inherited a castle. She has now written three books in the series.
Recently, her experience of childhood in the eighties came together with her love of writing and videogames when she was asked to write a series of novels based on the characters and world from the game, Knights and Bikes, published by Double Fine Presents.
She currently lives in the North East of England with her husband, toddler, and Bengal cat, Kali – Destroyer of Sofas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 26, 2017
This was such a fun middle grade read, with all the right elements for a fantasy adventure mystery. Strange inheritance? A castle? Two creepy headmistresses? Magic? A flying bear rug?! Time travel?!
Yep, the story includes all these points and so much more. Alfie Bloom is a really likable protagonist, who seems to settle into his new role a bit too quickly, but proves to have what it takes to go on this unexpected magical quest that is thrust upon him.
When Alfie meets an unnerving solicitor who gives him the news that he has just inherited a castle, he is baffled and excited, and turns to his dad for questions. Surprisingly, his dad seems to know why Alfie had inherited this castle, and is even aware of which castle they speak of. However, there is one condition to receiving this inheritance, Alfie and his dad must live in it. To Alfie, that sounds like the best news he's received in a very very long time, his dad is a little more wary of the situation, but agrees to the terms. Soon enough, in a matter of days, they move to the castle that is conveniently located near his cousins, and starts school with his cousins.
The school is run by two very creepy and short-tempered headmistresses, Murkle and Snitch - need I say more?
Here's a little more then: strangely, no matter how abusive and cruel Murkle and Snitch are with the children, the moment the parents confront them angrily, they come back dazed, confused and very compliant with some strange story of how their children were at fault and lying about everything that had happened.
Alfie soon realizes that all is not as perfect as it seems, and that he had inherited a lot more than the castle. He soon discovers that he is guardian of a great and terrible magic that was given to him when he was born in this same castle 600 years prior, due to a time slip. And we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. Alfie is excited about the things he can do, but is also extremely overwhelmed. He can't trust anyone aside from his cousins and the flying bear-rug that he found in the castle, who is entertaining and also an extremely helpful mode of transportation. In the meantime, as animals continue to keep going missing, Alfie thinks he spotted a fire-breathing dragon, learns how to go back in time to meet the man who passed this terrible magic to him, and tries to avoid getting in trouble as he finds out that someone is determined to snatch this magic away from him.
Fun read with great and vibrant characters, and is set up nicely for future installments. Not something I'd continue reading or pick up again, but definitely something middle-graders would highly enjoy.
Yep, the story includes all these points and so much more. Alfie Bloom is a really likable protagonist, who seems to settle into his new role a bit too quickly, but proves to have what it takes to go on this unexpected magical quest that is thrust upon him.
When Alfie meets an unnerving solicitor who gives him the news that he has just inherited a castle, he is baffled and excited, and turns to his dad for questions. Surprisingly, his dad seems to know why Alfie had inherited this castle, and is even aware of which castle they speak of. However, there is one condition to receiving this inheritance, Alfie and his dad must live in it. To Alfie, that sounds like the best news he's received in a very very long time, his dad is a little more wary of the situation, but agrees to the terms. Soon enough, in a matter of days, they move to the castle that is conveniently located near his cousins, and starts school with his cousins.
The school is run by two very creepy and short-tempered headmistresses, Murkle and Snitch - need I say more?
Here's a little more then: strangely, no matter how abusive and cruel Murkle and Snitch are with the children, the moment the parents confront them angrily, they come back dazed, confused and very compliant with some strange story of how their children were at fault and lying about everything that had happened.
Alfie soon realizes that all is not as perfect as it seems, and that he had inherited a lot more than the castle. He soon discovers that he is guardian of a great and terrible magic that was given to him when he was born in this same castle 600 years prior, due to a time slip. And we all know, with great power comes great responsibility. Alfie is excited about the things he can do, but is also extremely overwhelmed. He can't trust anyone aside from his cousins and the flying bear-rug that he found in the castle, who is entertaining and also an extremely helpful mode of transportation. In the meantime, as animals continue to keep going missing, Alfie thinks he spotted a fire-breathing dragon, learns how to go back in time to meet the man who passed this terrible magic to him, and tries to avoid getting in trouble as he finds out that someone is determined to snatch this magic away from him.
Fun read with great and vibrant characters, and is set up nicely for future installments. Not something I'd continue reading or pick up again, but definitely something middle-graders would highly enjoy.
June 28, 2015
I started reading this today and got so caught up in this amazing story I couldn't put it down. It tells the story of Alfie Bloom who inherits a magical castle and learns lots of mysterious wonders about himself and the castle. It was full of adventure and suspense with a nice twist at the end. For me it invoked memories of so many great books I've read as a child. We got to meet lots of wonderful characters and they were so vividly told I could clearly picture them. I was totally gripped with this and am looking forward to the next book to find out more about Alfie. I will definitely br re commingled to the Year 5/6 children in my school!
August 11, 2017
This book is the perfect adventure to mystery ratio. I never wanted to put it down because of the amazingly structured, clever characters, the interesting, fun plot, and the never ending phenomenal details. Every book and cranny of this book made me want to read more. This book had a great intro and outro that really helped wrap it up. I loved it even though sometimes it could be a little confusing.
May 19, 2018
I LOVED this book!! Loved the characters, loved the story. loved the Castle. loved the friendships, loved it ALL!! Can't wait to read the next!
June 28, 2015
One of the most readable novels I’ve read in some time, Gabrielle Kent has crafted a finely woven mash-up of some of the best known children’s literature and created her own excellent adventure. Alfie Bloom, poor and bullied, receives a peculiar summons from an even stranger solicitor and discovers that he has inherited an extraordinary castle. Added to this, he appears to be the custodian of a potent magic, part of which allows him to ‘timeslip’ back hundreds of years. Once living in his castle, he realises that there is a dangerous force roaming the fields, trying to take his magic from him, and he must fight it to save himself and the local village.
There are numerous hidden references and allusions in this book to the great children’s writers. The headmistresses of the local school to which Alfie is transferred hail from the realms of Dahl. Named Murkle and Snitch, one short, one tall, yet with Trunchbull-like punishments and glee in issuing them. They are superbly imagined. Alfie’s friendship with his cousins, and their tree house, as well as the sumptuous meals described, hark back to Enid Blyton, and the flying bear rug speaks to many a fantasy author’s imagination – it reminded me of Mary Norton’s bedknob. To read more of my review visit http://www.minervareads.com/?p=1333
There are numerous hidden references and allusions in this book to the great children’s writers. The headmistresses of the local school to which Alfie is transferred hail from the realms of Dahl. Named Murkle and Snitch, one short, one tall, yet with Trunchbull-like punishments and glee in issuing them. They are superbly imagined. Alfie’s friendship with his cousins, and their tree house, as well as the sumptuous meals described, hark back to Enid Blyton, and the flying bear rug speaks to many a fantasy author’s imagination – it reminded me of Mary Norton’s bedknob. To read more of my review visit http://www.minervareads.com/?p=1333
June 17, 2015
I thought Alfie Bloom and the Secrets of Hexbidge Castle was a very good and well written book. All the characters were very well thought and easy to relate to. When i was reading the book I would stop and while i was doing something else i would think of the characters and what would happen next. This was a very captivating and magical book.I loved the characters and their secrets. Hands down this was great book and i can't wait for the next one.
-Molly Sheridan
-Molly Sheridan
May 17, 2017
I absolutely loved this. It has all my favourite ingredients - a mysterious benefactor, a surprise inheritance, good friendships, magic, intrigue and a sprinkling of myths and legends. I've already ordered book 2!
March 18, 2017
Imaginative, great characters, fun-filled, playful mystery and adventure.
January 10, 2023
One of my favorite things about this book is the cover with its holographic layer that gives the book shiny, pretty rainbows. I couldn't stop moving it around, haha! (and it makes me sad to find out that the third book never got an edition with this type of cover except for in French)
As for the book itself, it was cute! It was pretty standard fair, incredibly predictable (though I suspect kids reading this won't figure it out rightaway), and worrying in the sense how everyone just went with things at the start.
A huge plus? A supporting family! Sure, Alfie's mom died, but he still has a loving father who doesn't dismiss him when he gets a strange letter, even joins him rightaway! And that's not all! He has an aunt, and uncle, two cousins, and a grandmother! Take note MG authors, it is possible!
And none of it bothered me. This was a solid, enjoyable middle grade read, and I am glad to have finally read it! Hopefully one day I'll read the sequels too!
As for the book itself, it was cute! It was pretty standard fair, incredibly predictable (though I suspect kids reading this won't figure it out rightaway), and worrying in the sense how everyone just went with things at the start.
A huge plus? A supporting family! Sure, Alfie's mom died, but he still has a loving father who doesn't dismiss him when he gets a strange letter, even joins him rightaway! And that's not all! He has an aunt, and uncle, two cousins, and a grandmother! Take note MG authors, it is possible!
And none of it bothered me. This was a solid, enjoyable middle grade read, and I am glad to have finally read it! Hopefully one day I'll read the sequels too!
August 11, 2017
This book has the perfect mix of adventure and mystery. It doesn't blab on but does incorporate clever characters and a fun plot. It is a little confusing, but if you are not to young this is an exciting element.
April 7, 2017
This is the first book I've read that professes to be something fans of Harry Potter will like that I actually felt most fans of Harry Potter would like.
It's charming and crazy the way the first HP novel is charming and crazy - A Harry Potter for an even younger audience, that seems to maintain its status as kid-friendly.
If you're a parent of a kid who you feel might be too young to read the more serious aspects of the Harry Potter stories (basically books 4-7....), this is a good starter that will be fun for both of you to visit.
It's charming and crazy the way the first HP novel is charming and crazy - A Harry Potter for an even younger audience, that seems to maintain its status as kid-friendly.
If you're a parent of a kid who you feel might be too young to read the more serious aspects of the Harry Potter stories (basically books 4-7....), this is a good starter that will be fun for both of you to visit.
February 17, 2016
Über die Autorin:
Gabrielle Kent hat fünfzehn Jahre in der Videospiel-Branche gearbeitet. Zurzeit unterrichtet sie Spieleentwicklung und -design und organisiert Animex, Englands größtes Games-and-Animation-Festival. 2006 wurde sie vom amerikanischen Next Gen Magazine unter die hundert einflussreichsten Frauen in der Spieleindustrie gewählt. Alfie Bloom ist ihr erster Roman.
Zum Inhalt: Klapptext
Der elfjährige Alfie macht sich auf die langweiligsten Ferien aller Zeiten gefasst, da erreicht ihn eine unglaubliche Nachricht. Er hat eine Burg geerbt! Burg Hexbridge übertrifft Alfies kühnste Träume. Neben Geheimgängen, Falltüren und versteckten Verliesen ist seine fantastischste Entdeckung ein sprechendes, fliegendes Bärenfell namens Artan. Die Freundschaft zwischen den beiden erweist sich bald schon als absoluter Glücksfall. Denn dank Artans Flugkünsten gelingt den beiden die Flucht vor einem finsteren Wesen mit zwei Köpfen, glutroten Augen und einem langen schuppigen Schwanz. Was zum Teufel war das? Alfie begibt sich auf Spurensuche, und die führt ausgerechnet zu seiner Burg …
Meine Meinung:
Das Buch hatte schon von Anfang an in seine Fänge gezogen. Alfie und sein Vater sind einfach nur großartig. Alfie ist wissbegierig, abenteuerlustig, ein toller Freund und ein toller Cousin. Sein Vater ist sehr liebenswert total verplant und etwas schusselig. Aber eine ganz zauberhafte Weise und als Erfinder steht ihm das auch zu. Er und Alfie sind ein tolles Team und sie haben eine tolle Familie. Alle halten zusammen und verstehen sich wunderbar. Die Charaktere sind klasse gestaltet und absolut glaubwürdig. Die zwei Schuldirektorinnen kann man wunderbar verabscheuen und es hat einen riesen Spaß gemacht, mit Alfie die Burg zu erkunden. Mein besonderer Liebling ist Artan. Er ist direkt in mein Herz geflogen. Die Geschichte ist spannend und fesselnd und der Schreibstil zieht den Leser in die Geschichte hinein. Absolut gut durchdacht und in sich schlüssig und die magischen Wesen machen das Ganze noch superspannend. Die Phantasie der Autorin ist großartig und sie hat eine wundevolle magische Welt geschaffen in die ich hineinspringen und darin leben möchte. Die Situationskomik ist sehr gekonnt eingesetzt und die Ideen der Kids sind wagemutig und spannend. Ständig passiert etwas und manchmal geht es Schlag auf Schlag und man kommt beim Lesen überhaupt nicht zum Luftholen.
Cover:
Magisch, düster und geheimnisvoll, ein absoluter Eyechatcher der sehr neugierig auf die Geschichte macht.
Fazit:
Dieses Buch hat alles, was eine phantastische Geschichte braucht: Großartig Story, abenteuerlustige Charaktere und ganz schreckliche magische Wesen. Ich habe es an einem Tag verschlungen und kann Band 2 nicht erwarten.
Gabrielle Kent hat fünfzehn Jahre in der Videospiel-Branche gearbeitet. Zurzeit unterrichtet sie Spieleentwicklung und -design und organisiert Animex, Englands größtes Games-and-Animation-Festival. 2006 wurde sie vom amerikanischen Next Gen Magazine unter die hundert einflussreichsten Frauen in der Spieleindustrie gewählt. Alfie Bloom ist ihr erster Roman.
Zum Inhalt: Klapptext
Der elfjährige Alfie macht sich auf die langweiligsten Ferien aller Zeiten gefasst, da erreicht ihn eine unglaubliche Nachricht. Er hat eine Burg geerbt! Burg Hexbridge übertrifft Alfies kühnste Träume. Neben Geheimgängen, Falltüren und versteckten Verliesen ist seine fantastischste Entdeckung ein sprechendes, fliegendes Bärenfell namens Artan. Die Freundschaft zwischen den beiden erweist sich bald schon als absoluter Glücksfall. Denn dank Artans Flugkünsten gelingt den beiden die Flucht vor einem finsteren Wesen mit zwei Köpfen, glutroten Augen und einem langen schuppigen Schwanz. Was zum Teufel war das? Alfie begibt sich auf Spurensuche, und die führt ausgerechnet zu seiner Burg …
Meine Meinung:
Das Buch hatte schon von Anfang an in seine Fänge gezogen. Alfie und sein Vater sind einfach nur großartig. Alfie ist wissbegierig, abenteuerlustig, ein toller Freund und ein toller Cousin. Sein Vater ist sehr liebenswert total verplant und etwas schusselig. Aber eine ganz zauberhafte Weise und als Erfinder steht ihm das auch zu. Er und Alfie sind ein tolles Team und sie haben eine tolle Familie. Alle halten zusammen und verstehen sich wunderbar. Die Charaktere sind klasse gestaltet und absolut glaubwürdig. Die zwei Schuldirektorinnen kann man wunderbar verabscheuen und es hat einen riesen Spaß gemacht, mit Alfie die Burg zu erkunden. Mein besonderer Liebling ist Artan. Er ist direkt in mein Herz geflogen. Die Geschichte ist spannend und fesselnd und der Schreibstil zieht den Leser in die Geschichte hinein. Absolut gut durchdacht und in sich schlüssig und die magischen Wesen machen das Ganze noch superspannend. Die Phantasie der Autorin ist großartig und sie hat eine wundevolle magische Welt geschaffen in die ich hineinspringen und darin leben möchte. Die Situationskomik ist sehr gekonnt eingesetzt und die Ideen der Kids sind wagemutig und spannend. Ständig passiert etwas und manchmal geht es Schlag auf Schlag und man kommt beim Lesen überhaupt nicht zum Luftholen.
Cover:
Magisch, düster und geheimnisvoll, ein absoluter Eyechatcher der sehr neugierig auf die Geschichte macht.
Fazit:
Dieses Buch hat alles, was eine phantastische Geschichte braucht: Großartig Story, abenteuerlustige Charaktere und ganz schreckliche magische Wesen. Ich habe es an einem Tag verschlungen und kann Band 2 nicht erwarten.
June 17, 2015
Alfie Bloom is living a normal, if humdrum life with his inventor father, when a letter from an unfamiliar firm of solicitors changes his life forever. When Alfie meets Caspian Bone, the raven-like solicitor, he’s amazed to learn that he has inherited a castle - with one condition - Alfie and his father have to live in it.
To Alfie, this presents no problem at all. Firstly, the castle is next to the village of Hexbridge, where his favourite cousins live. Secondly – he’s going to have his own castle - how cool is that? Within days, Alfie and his father have moved in and this is where the adventure begins. The story has a definite Roald Dahl feel to it at times and in the early chapters I was very much reminded of Charlie and the Chocolate factory in terms of atmosphere.
Everything is not perfect for Alfie however. His new school is run by two horrible headmistresses, Murkle and Snitch, who are fond of cruel and unusual punishments and seem able to win over any parents who try to complain. In the Hexbridge farms, animals are going missing and a local farmer has disappeared - and most importantly of all, Alfie discovers he is now the guardian of a terrible and dangerous magic, a responsibility passed to him when he was born during a magical time slip 600 years into the past - and someone in Hexbridge is determined to take it for themselves.
Alfie himself is likable, brave, inquisitive and funny; Murkle and Snitch are deliciously evil and all sorts of other interesting characters populate the world including my favourite– a talking, flying bear rug who’s given to telling terrible puns.
It’s a great middle grade fantasy adventure, with sufficient magic, mystery and humour in the world to give plenty of scope for further adventures in the next two books.
Highly recommended.
To Alfie, this presents no problem at all. Firstly, the castle is next to the village of Hexbridge, where his favourite cousins live. Secondly – he’s going to have his own castle - how cool is that? Within days, Alfie and his father have moved in and this is where the adventure begins. The story has a definite Roald Dahl feel to it at times and in the early chapters I was very much reminded of Charlie and the Chocolate factory in terms of atmosphere.
Everything is not perfect for Alfie however. His new school is run by two horrible headmistresses, Murkle and Snitch, who are fond of cruel and unusual punishments and seem able to win over any parents who try to complain. In the Hexbridge farms, animals are going missing and a local farmer has disappeared - and most importantly of all, Alfie discovers he is now the guardian of a terrible and dangerous magic, a responsibility passed to him when he was born during a magical time slip 600 years into the past - and someone in Hexbridge is determined to take it for themselves.
Alfie himself is likable, brave, inquisitive and funny; Murkle and Snitch are deliciously evil and all sorts of other interesting characters populate the world including my favourite– a talking, flying bear rug who’s given to telling terrible puns.
It’s a great middle grade fantasy adventure, with sufficient magic, mystery and humour in the world to give plenty of scope for further adventures in the next two books.
Highly recommended.
February 27, 2017
Alfie Bloom has been miserable since his mother died. His father spends most of his time either working or trying to invent things. He has only one friend at school and she will be out of town all summer. All of this changes on the last day of school, when Alfie learns that he has inherited the mysterious Hexbridge Castle. He knows of the castle of course, his cousins live nearby. But he never imagined the magical secrets that the castle has held on to all of these years and the role he is to play. Full of adventures, twists, and plenty of magic, this first book in a new series will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up.
January 29, 2019
In theory, "The Secrets of Hexbridge Castle" had all it needed to be a really fun book. An inherited castle, time travel, dragons, a flying bear... But the characters were so bland and lacked even the bare minimum of development and depth (and I'm really not expecting that much complexity in a middle grade book about 12-year-olds!) that I really couldn't get into it.
And even though it had characters of colour, it felt like pure tokenism to me. Not to mention that it's basically a story about boys and men... Even one of Alfie's side-kicks, Madeleine, only seems to say a line or shout something every once in a while and could easily be replaced by someone else.
And even though it had characters of colour, it felt like pure tokenism to me. Not to mention that it's basically a story about boys and men... Even one of Alfie's side-kicks, Madeleine, only seems to say a line or shout something every once in a while and could easily be replaced by someone else.
March 13, 2017
Afie is an average boy with one best friend and a dad who fiddles with inventions. His life becomes more exciting when a strange message arrives informing him of a midnight meeting with a dark stranger. This book is full of magic, mystery, friendship, and even a dragon. I have high hopes for this series.
February 4, 2017
Pages: 324
Lexile Level: 890
Recommendations:
Do you love fantasy stories full of magic and adventure? Then this book is for you. It tells the tale of Alfie Bloom who inherits a magical castle and learns lots of mysterious wonders about himself and the castle. You meet lots of wonderful characters and they are so vividly described that you can clearly picture them in your head. It is full of adventure and suspense with a nice twist at the end.
Stars: 4/5
Reviewed by : Jen T.
Lexile Level: 890
Recommendations:
Do you love fantasy stories full of magic and adventure? Then this book is for you. It tells the tale of Alfie Bloom who inherits a magical castle and learns lots of mysterious wonders about himself and the castle. You meet lots of wonderful characters and they are so vividly described that you can clearly picture them in your head. It is full of adventure and suspense with a nice twist at the end.
Stars: 4/5
Reviewed by : Jen T.
October 12, 2015
'Alfie Bloom' boasts wonderful storytelling coupled with a magic that stays with you long after the final page. As Alfie's Dad says: 'The world is a magnificent, magical place with so much left to be discovered.' A cracking debut, narrated with warmth, wit and originality. Full review to follow on www.moontrug.com
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June 19, 2015Dit boek heeft eigenlijk alles om een succesvol, spannend fantasieverhaal voor kinderen te zijn. Een kasteel, magie, een draak, gemene leraressen, tijdreizen en een dappere hoofdpersoon. Helemaal goed!
May 4, 2018
This book was very interesting and enjoyable. It was easy for me to stay interested because of the great details and emotions the author put into the story. I really like how the author goes on to explain all of the events and what the characters are going through! I definitly recommend this book!
October 1, 2015
Such an amazing book! I'd forgotten how much I love stories like this - full review to come!
October 7, 2016
Une magnifique histoire jeunesse pour Halloween <3
January 13, 2017
A really fun book for middle grade. Watch for full review on Starships and Dragonwings!!
March 23, 2020
It was okay. I mean, the universe and characters were good, but this book felt more like an introduction to bigger adventures than a stand alone. And I felt like it could have been... more.
The first half of the book in particular felt quite slow, especially compared to everything that happened in the second half. You could guess a lot of stuffs beforehand, which didn't necessarily spoiled the whole thing, but it leaves you wanting for a bit more. Also, some bits seemed too easy in how the events got solved, or how they face said events.
I know that this is a book intended to a younger audience than me, but the one I read yesterday was for a similar audience and I felt more satisfied when I finished it than this one. Unfortunately, yesterday's one never got a sequel while this one did... so I guess I'll try and get the other two books from this series someday. Hopefully, sooner than later.
The first half of the book in particular felt quite slow, especially compared to everything that happened in the second half. You could guess a lot of stuffs beforehand, which didn't necessarily spoiled the whole thing, but it leaves you wanting for a bit more. Also, some bits seemed too easy in how the events got solved, or how they face said events.
I know that this is a book intended to a younger audience than me, but the one I read yesterday was for a similar audience and I felt more satisfied when I finished it than this one. Unfortunately, yesterday's one never got a sequel while this one did... so I guess I'll try and get the other two books from this series someday. Hopefully, sooner than later.
August 26, 2017
Alfie is surprised when he learns he's inherited a castle. But not as surprised as he is when he learns more about the person who bequeathed him the castle, and what it means for Alfie.
From the moment he arrives at Hexbridge Castle Alfie gets the feeling that this is a good place. However, it's clear that there are secrets being hidden...and that they involve his new head teachers.
This is an exciting read for younger readers, and with just a hint of terror. Great fun, and left in a good place for book two.
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction!
From the moment he arrives at Hexbridge Castle Alfie gets the feeling that this is a good place. However, it's clear that there are secrets being hidden...and that they involve his new head teachers.
This is an exciting read for younger readers, and with just a hint of terror. Great fun, and left in a good place for book two.
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction!
April 16, 2022
To me, this book felt a bit like a missed opportunity. It had a lot of elements that I enjoy in middle grade novels, but most of the time I felt like the author put to many things into the story, making it rather chaotic. I also thought that there was no strong main plot, but rather a loose string of events. Sometimes it's okay, but for me it just didn't work.
However, I still think that this book may be lots of fun for younger readers, as there's a lot of things they might enjoy more than I did :)
However, I still think that this book may be lots of fun for younger readers, as there's a lot of things they might enjoy more than I did :)
November 29, 2020
An enjoyable, creative fantasy, Middle Grade. I believe there are at least 3 more books in the Alfie Bloom series, but this works as a stand-alone, much to my relief. Sure, my students will want to know what happens next as Alfie develops his magical abilities and learns more secrets of the Hexbridge Castle, but the conflict in this plot is resolved. Characters are pretty flat, villains stereotypical, but Alfie is a loveable character. I'd recommend it to kids for sure!
November 21, 2016
When I read reviews for the Alfie Bloom books on Goodreads and saw that it said: Perfect for fans of J.K Rowling, I was so excited to read other Potteresque books! I couldn't have been more delighted with it! The Hexbridge Castle (Hogwarts!-sort of) was a perfect magical and I loved reading about all the amazing rooms! I would love to spend hours in the castle library and feast on Ashford's amazing cooking in my own great hall (YUS Hogwarts!!) My absolute favourite character of this book would have to be Artan, the flying bearskin rug-I mean he's just like a flying carpet but a fuzzy, talking bear!!! :D :) I highly recommend this book!! Please read it...it's an epic, adventure-packed, mystery solving, awesome, magestical (yup that's a word!), magical, funny story..need I say more!) PS: I have just begun reading the second book (The Talisman Theif) and it's even better than the first!!)
June 18, 2017
I bought this book on a whim and out of curiosity at having had weekly lectures from the author while I was at University. I went in knowing it was primarily a children's book but found myself drawn in all the same, once I'd started reading.
The story is wonderful and was joy to read before going to bed or during my lunches at work. A nice, wee escape into a warm, fantastical world with characters that are entertaining and very memorable. Gabrielle Kent paints a vision of Alfie's world very well. I was personally very fond of Ashford the butler and Artan the bearskin rug (who I kept imagining shared his voice with Billy Connolly)!
Definitely one that kids will enjoy but I'd also recommend it to adults who are fond of Harry Potter or even Narnia to an extent. Gabrielle Kent has done a sterling job!
The story is wonderful and was joy to read before going to bed or during my lunches at work. A nice, wee escape into a warm, fantastical world with characters that are entertaining and very memorable. Gabrielle Kent paints a vision of Alfie's world very well. I was personally very fond of Ashford the butler and Artan the bearskin rug (who I kept imagining shared his voice with Billy Connolly)!
Definitely one that kids will enjoy but I'd also recommend it to adults who are fond of Harry Potter or even Narnia to an extent. Gabrielle Kent has done a sterling job!
June 13, 2017
What a good read. Combine "Harry Potter", "Charlie Bone" and "Eragon" and you have "Alfie Bloom". All the best into one story. I loved the characters and the authors writing was brilliant. Lots excitement from chapter 1 to the end. Can't wait to read book 2.
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