Артур и Запретный город

Arthur et les Minimoys #2

by Luc Besson

Приключения Артура, принцессы Селении и принца Барахлюша продолжаются. Чтобы избавить минипутов от их злейшего врага, Ужасного Урдалака, и освободить дедушку Артура, друзьям предстоит пройти через множество испытаний: приручить гигантского паука, обмануть коварного Мракоса и спастись от потопа, грозящего смести все на своем пути. Помощи им ждать неоткуда, рассчитывать можно только на собственную сообразительность, ловкость и хитрость....

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, France, Young Adult, Adventure

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Luc Besson is a French film director, writer and producer. He is the creator of EuropaCorp film company. He has been involved with over 50 films, spanning 26 years, as writer, director, and/or producer, including the Transporter series.

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Arthur looked at him like a chicken would look at a remote control."

In this second installment, Arthur heads into the Forbidden City with the princess (Selania) and her royal brother (Beta) to defeat ("M the Terrible"👺). Arthur is also looking for a hidden treasure that will save his grandmother from being evicted from her home. In the end, Arthur finds something very unexpected.

This novel is so sweet and funny.
Hands down favorite character is Minnow the mole. I fell in love with that adorable guy! 🤎

Jim Dale's narration = magic

Five stars for me 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[Marika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leggere #LucBesson è come una ventata d'aria fresca.
Ha uno stile lineare e scorrevole e le sue storie sono sempre dolcissime. È un libro per ragazzi ma riesce sempre a mettere qualche frase che fa riflettere anche gli adulti. Anche in questo secondo capitolo della saga di #arthureilpopolodeiminimei riesce splendidamente a raccontare tantissimo in un quantitativo di pagine esiguo. Come ogni libro si possono avere più livelli di lettura e i libri di #Besson ne hanno veramente molti. Parlano di accettazione, di paura, di abbandono. I suoi cattivi lo sono a ragion veduta, non sempre giusta, ovviamente, ma con coerenza. Una lacrimuccia la devo spendere per Darkos, credo sia stato il mio preferito in questo volume.
Davvero davvero carino.

[Sam Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first saw the movie and basically anything with young Freddie Highmore is brilliant so I love the movie. I didn't realize they were books until years later and didn't know even until later than that that Jim Dale read the audio books! I love a good audio book, so I listened to Jim Dale's excellent performance and loved every second.

The movie is about both "Arthur and the Minimoys" and "Arthur and the Forbidden City", and it follows it very well, if my memory is correct. Again, I love both so very much and would recommend it to anyone who likes fairy-type beings (small beings living in the forest/garden) to give these story (movie and book versions, both) a chance. It's a cute story and worth the time.

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretextând că se îndreaptă încet-încet spre ori­zont, soarele ne scapă de căldură. Ştie el prea bine că nimeni nu i-ar putea îndura văpaia o zi întreagă.
Alfi deschide un ochi. Vânticelul îi dă de înţeles că atmosfera e, în sfârşit, suportabilă. Se ridică încetişor, îşi întinde lăbuţele şi pleacă din colţul lui umbrit, în căutarea unui locşor unde iarba să mai fie încă proaspătă şi unde să-şi poată marca teritoriul. Se ambiţionează să-şi aleagă un colţ al casei, dar acesta e de multă vreme îngălbenit de propriile marcaje.
Aşezat pe coşul înalt, un uliu tânăr scrutează împrejurimile. Nu pare să se teamă de căldură, nici de oameni şi nici chiar de câinele pe care îl vede traversând grădina, cu lăbuţele încă grele de somn. Îl urmăreşte câteva secunde cu o privire ageră; tocmai bine cât să-şi dea seama că prada e prea mare pentru el. Îşi întoarce neglijent capul, căutând altă victimă.
Şi casa a avut de îndurat, de-a lungul întregii zile, asalturile verii, iar uşile din lemn, ca şi olanele, învinse de arşiţă, trosnesc din toate încheieturile; mici pocnituri scurte, regulate, asemenea notelor muzicale.
Soarele i-a cam plictisit pe toţi azi, şi ar fi vremea să meargă la culcare. De altfel, uliul pare să-i dea tocmai acest sfat, scoţând un strigăt scurt, răguşit şi puternic, un strigăt neplăcut, şi trezind-o pe Mami, care adormise pe canapeaua din mijlocul salonului.
Trebuie spus că, între răcoarea odăii şi tic-tacul hipnotizator al marii pendule, e practic cu neputinţă să te opui chemării siestei. Mai puneţi lângă toate astea şi cei doi greieri care-şi răspund unul altuia, şi-o să dormiţi până la căderea serii.
Dar uliul a trezit-o pe Mami, aproape făcând-o să tresară. Se încurcă un pic în cretoanele de pe marginea canapelei, pe care probabil că şi le-a tras peste ea în somn, folosindu-le drept cuvertură. Îşi vine puţin câte puţin în fire şi pune cretoanele la loc, ca şi cum n-ar vrea să lase nici o urmă a siestei neprevăzute. De parcă a aţipi în acele împrejurări ar fi un semn de inconştienţă. De altfel, „acele împrejurări” îi revin în minte.

[Coleton James · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 forbidden stars.

A continuation of the previous book, Arthur and the Minimoys, the adventure comes to a satisfying close. This was a fun adventure and it reads as one book when you read them consecutively.

Most of this book takes place in the garden where Arthur becomes a Minimoy and must defeat the dark one, Maltazard, with his team of fighters. Arthur is captured and finds his grandpa locked away in the same cell as himself. Thankfully, with the combined minds of the prison mates, the team escapes but must work together to save the Minimoys from danger and destruction and return to Arthur’s home to save them from eviction, just in the nick of time.

Once again, I don’t like the princess. Arthur deserves so much better than a moody girl who thinks she’s perfect. The princess forces Arthur into situations where he has to prove his worth all because she knows he’s falling for her. She is manipulative and cruel and toxic. If I was reading this to my children I would definitely make sure they know not to treat another person that way. I find a lot of children’s books focus so much on the adventure that they forget what type of psychological and moral lesson the story teaches young kids.

Despite my dislike for some of the characters, I really loved the continued adventure. There was more action and I was easily pulled into the story and there was a great amount of tension building up to the climax of the story. Especially since the previous book didn’t quite get to that point.

Another recommendation for reading to children (but under the caveat that they understand not to treat loved ones the way the princess treated Arthur).

5 stars for entertainment
4 stars for writing
4 stars for impact
5 stars for pace
4 stars recommendation
= 4.4 stars.

[Exceptiona_Diaries · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce livre est la suite directe du tome 1 qui commence la ou le précédent se termine.
L'aventure des trois minimoys les mènera à Nécropolis, royaume du terrible M le maudit dont on va enfin connaître l'histoire. Et ce n'est pas le seul, car les parents d'Arthur font également leur apparition et on découvre deux personnages plutôt intéressés et un peu barrés sur les bords. Et enfin, avec tout ça, en plus de tout les rebondissements, nous continuons de voir Arthur et Sélénia jouer au jeu du chat et de la souris au rythme des blagues de Betameche.
Je retrouve dans ce livre le même esprit que le premier tome, mêlant féerie et suspense. Comme je l'ai déjà dit c'est un livre plutôt orienté jeunesse mais l'histoire est tellement attachante qu'on est obligé de craquer.
Petit coup de cœur pour la couverture que je trouve magnifique.

[KiraNi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Артур продолжает своё путешествие в мире минипутов и познает истину жестого и взрослого мира. А также с ним путешествуют Селения и Барахлюш.

Книга оставила нейтральные чувства и что-то сказать от себя я не могу. Для меня она стала проходным и обыденным произведением. Сюжет проработан и динамичен. Есть лишние описания. Герои проработаны, но не достоверные. Характеры сохраняются, они развиваются и меняются, но не координарно. Герои не вызвали лишним счетом - ничего. Стиль и язык автора простой и легкий, но скудный и неинтересный. Эту историю, если переписать то она станет намного лучше и интересней. Идея оригинальная, особенно на время написания.

Книге я поставила 4/5. Если вы хотите посмотреть первый фильм, то именно после этой книги вы сможете спокойно это сделать. А вы сначала посмотрели или прочитали минипутов? Вы бы влюбились в Артура?

Удачного чтения!

[Isabella Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This part was so much more action packed than the first book and I really enjoyed it.

These books cover every characters perspective so you can see what they are thinking in specific moments that you can’t get from the film and I love that about books. It gives you more insight into the characters.

It even had that sprinkle of romance which I enjoyed so much. It was cute.

The main villain is tragic and menacing which was fun to read for a younger audience book.

These books cover writing was also whimsical, I love how people used to write in the early 2000’s.

Really had fun reading this and didn’t want it to end.

[AlveraA · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Darkos disappointed, bruised, and abandoned, lowered his head. He noticed that the water had already reached his waist and that his face was reflected in the water. He looked at the tired face rapidly rising toward him, like a brother looking to find him. This thought made him smile. Immediately, his reflection put on the same smile. Darkos was very moved by this. It was the first time that anyone had ever approached him with a smile." Ngl, when I read this its kinda make me sad lol. Btw you can find this on page 165.

[Italo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ainda não entendo porque isso é um livro próprio. É a conclusão do livro anterior, e bastante direta. Se fosse uma coisa só talvez a experiência fosse melhor. Gosto do Maltazard e de seu passado. Vê-lo se transformar em um monstro por ter ficado obcecado em fazer o bem é bom. Assim como ele ameaçar os Minimoys com água, que era a motivo da sua busca. O romance entre Arthur e Selenia é ok. Bastante rápido e nada convincente, mas tem seus momentos. Os pais do Arthur e suas reações aos africanos é rir pra não chorar, os tratam como se fossem alienígenas.

[Luca Nicoletti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secondo libro, un grande segue. Anche qui, letto nella mia infanzia e deciso di (nonostante essermi trasferito in Inghilterra 7 anni fa e leggere tutto in inglese da allora) rileggerlo nei miei 30. Stupendo libro, stupendo segue alla storia, che ancora non è finita! Mi ha fatto piacere rileggerlo, anche se devo dire che a quest'età è tutta un'altra prospettiva e a volte le descrizioni sembrano banali e semplici. Non vedo l'ora di leggere l'ultimo della trilogia iniziare e seguire con il quarto.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book. I have truly enjoyed this series. It was well-paced, and the characters were vivid and real. I only wish the other two books in the series had been translated into English as well. I will be sad to see Arthur and Selenia and all of the other characters go. I highly recommend this book and its prequel.

[Danica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book to get out of the reading slump.Interesting story,really poor written and I felt like the characters could've been more developed.Overall, get your hands on this if you want your reading slump to go away.

[Tessie Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur a Minimojové!Prvně jsem viděla film,a byl super.Takže jsem si pořídila knížku.Nebyla špatná,jen to možná nebyl úplně můj styl.Knížku bych doporučila dětem kolem 6-10 let.Je plná dobrodružství.Oblíbila jsem si Arthura,Selénii i jejího bratříčka ;D

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books “read for you by Jim Dale.” Peter and the Starcatchers, the Books of Beginning, the Stoneheart trilogy, Night Circus, Around the World in 80 days, of course Harry Potter and now these books. So much joy!

[Delphine VDK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toujours aussi intéressant de suivre les aventures d'Arthur. C'est un personnage très attachant. Un petit héros dans tous les sens du terme.
J'aime beaucoup le style de l'auteur et ces nombreuses comparaisons loufoques et très imagées.

[Victor Vilchiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this to my son for bedtime... it took awhile (2-4 a night) but he liked it.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first book (or really, first half of the story). Fun and unpredictable, even with foreshadowing. A good choice for kids moving past simple first chapter books.

[Dmc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhh! Jim Dale can read anything to me!!!

[Beka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was worried that this wasn't going to finish in this book, but everything wrapped up pretty neatly in the end. Like the first book, fast-paced and fun with some sweet characters.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur ce l'ha fatta, ha sconfitto Maltazard ed è tornato indietro per salvare la casa della nonna. Tornerà dai Minimei?

[su ୨୧ · Rating 1 out of 5]

zero stars actually

[Edvige Ciccarelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro per ragazzi che anche gli adulti possono apprezzare. Molto fantasioso.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy creativo el ambiente y la trama

[VASSEUR Océane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lecture facile qui colle exactement au film

[Anna Brondolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

un libro che si legge in pochissimo tempo. Il finale è interessante e non banale.

[Petite Lectrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le tome 2 et la suite du tome 1. On retrouve Arthur un peu plus grand, non pas en taille mais en force, on découvre aussi d'autres aspects de Selegnia. Ce que je regrette, c’est que certaines scènes du film ne sont pas comme dans le livre.

[Lía Honorato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mantengo mi opinión sobre el primer libro. Las descripciones y ambientación del libro son hermosos, te transporta totalmente y tienen una gran belleza, pero no soporto a los personajes, sobre todo a Selenia, ¡que niñata tan egocéntrica e insoportable! los demás no se quedan muy atrás, son bastante planos y típicos. Pero al final, vale la pena por conocer el hermoso mundo de los minimoys.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sequel to, or more properly continuation of, Arthur and the Minimoys, Arthur, whose grandfather Archibald had disappeared some four years earlier and whose grandmother is now in danger of losing their home to Mr. Davido because she can’t pay the mortgage, has been reduced in size so that he can journey underground to the land of the Minimoys in hopes of rescuing his grandfather and finding the jewels which Archibald had hidden in the garden so that the mortgage can be paid. The Minimoy king, Sifrat de Matradoy, has sent his daughter, Princes Selenia, and son, Prince Betameche, with Arthur to defeat the evil wizard Malthazard who appears to hold the key that will solve all these problems.
Meanwhile, Arthur’s parents, who have been away trying to find jobs, return home to see their son for his birthday and are dismayed to learn that he’s disappeared like his grandfather before him. But when they hear about the treasure, they immediately begin frantically digging in the garden. Arthur, Selenia, and Betameche continue their travels, meeting all sorts of creatures and beings along the way, and eventually reach the forbidden city of Necropolis. Unfortunately, all three are captured and thrown into a deep, dark dungeon where they find Arthur’s grandfather. Then all of a sudden Malthazard just lets them go. What kind of evil plan does the wizard have? Will the travelers actually be allowed to escape? And what will happen with Grandma and the house?
Middle-school aged readers will likely find the story of Arthur an enjoyable fantasy. There is very little objectionable. Some parents may question the advisability and age-appropriateness of the “love angle” between Arthur and Silenia with their “first kiss” and getting married, since Arthur is only ten years old. It is interesting that the Minimoy’s “second commandment was taken from a book that Archibald also often spoke of, but that had a title no one could remember” and is “love and respect your neighbor as yourself.” However, the first commandment is “Nothing justifies the death of an innocent.” The only reference to any kind of deity is in a “prayer” by the King, “May the gods hear you.” All in all, it seems to be a fairly likeable tale. There are two more sequels, Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard and Arthur and The War of the Two Worlds. The four novels were originally published in France by Intervista. Both of the last two have been made into English speaking films (Arthur 2 and Arthur 3), but the books are apparently available only in French.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sequel to Arthur and the Minimoys took me a long time to read, partly because I didn’t think the first book was very good. Well, the second one isn’t that good, either, and it is due to the same problems. For some reason Besson, a film director, has a TERRIBLE sense of visualization, or at least describing what he sees. This is partly because Besson, himself, doesn’t seem to understand what he’s talking about half the time. Relative sizes don’t make sense or stay consistent. Throughout both novels I got the sense that Besson never sat down and LOOKED at anything small, in order to get a sense of the world he was describing. As a result, you have a main character whose apparent size varies with the needs of the paragraph. To add to the confusion, there are miniature animals in this world of miniature people, but insects are all scaled to the "real" world. This kind of thing happens all through the book, and it is very distracting.
The story itself is a decent adventure about finding a hidden treasure in the face of a tight deadline. It simply needed a better writer, or a lot more polishing with a good editor.