Customer Reviews

Charlie Bone and the Hidden King (Children of the Red King)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I felt that the last book, The Castle of Mirrors, was missing some of Ms. Nimmo's usual "zip". It felt like there was a bit of hesitancy in her writing. Of all the books, I enjoyed that the least. However, in The Hidden King, Ms. Nimmo is back to her wonderful, enjoyable form that has made this series so pleasant and charming.

New characters continue to appear, old ones remain and rivalries still exist. A tremendous secret is uncovered - well, several, to be honest. Quite a bit is at stake here, and there are several threads that need to be managed and I found her management to be deftly done.

In earlier reviews I had voiced a concern that the books always revolved around children that the Bloors/Yewbeams didn't want to be found. That stopped in the last book, and continued here. There are no lost children...but someone else is lost, and we know why. In this instance, it makes sense - and that's so important in art. Things need to make sense, because if they don't, not many people will buy the book.

The momentum has returned...and while I said my mouth was dry after finishing the last book, it is nearly drooling in anticipation for the next book. What a magnificent ending! This is an excellent series for its intended audience, blending in the right amount of mystery, intrigue, with a firm understanding of what is right and what is wrong.

Charlie Bone and the Hidden King is another in a series of fun books to read. Jenny Nimmo is skilled in her storytelling.

The plot is simple, straightforward, and compelling enough to get the reader to the end of the book with ample satisfaction. The Hidden King adds extra elements about those who are endowed with the introduction of the existence of other academies for descendants of the Red King throughout the world.

The battle with the shadow, the continuation of the search for Charlie's brain wiped father, and the introduction of just enough new characters who are good and evil make this book another in the series that leaves the reader begging for the next book to be done sooner.

It is easy to see that Jenny Nimmo is skilled because when her Charlie Bone books come out I put them off as long as I can because I know that once I start reading, I will read the book straight through and then I will have to wait FOREVER, or it seems like forever for the next installment. The fact that I approach these books knowing I will love them and then finish wanting more proves that Nimmo has a gift.

I hope Charlie Bone goes on forever and that Jenny Nimmo gets a movie contract for screenplay adaptations of the series that rivals JK Rowling's deal.

Took me longer to get around to reading this than I would have liked. However, as always Nimmo's writing is very easy to read, so I zipped through the book. Charlie and his friends (allies) have more of the Red King mystery to unravel this time around. Finally things are happening that I had been anticipating since the first book. (I won't spoil the book for anyone, but I was really happy with the results).

Some great new characters are introduced, who will really add some layers of complexity to other dynamics down the road. The villian of this book--doesn't seem to do as much as he threatens to--Charlie is very effective at stopping him, it seems. Shades of gray are really seen in this book too--which goes really well with the title, characters act in ways you might not have expected them to in the past.

I really love this books, they aren't hard to read and are a much lighter story than alot of their contemporaries (Harry Potter etc). I'd say great for anyone above 3rd grade or there abouts. A very fun series, and clearly Nimmo has more to tell,so I will be eagerly awaiting the next book.

I feel this is the best one yet(and I hope there will be more)
The Flames show up on New Years Eve and in trying to keep something terrible from happening they try to warn Charlie and his friends of the danger they are in. Where have all the beloved pets gone? All the animals from the largest to the smallest have dissapeared and Charlie aims to find them. Who is the shadow really that blocks Charlie from seeing into the Painting of The Red King? Why is Amy Bone(Charlie's mom) acting so odd? The answers to these and many more questions will be answered. I blew threw this book in three days and loved every page. IF you love Charlie Bone you'll love this book.

I thought this book was amazing and was the best book (so far)in the Charlie Bone series. It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. I love how every book is full of action and secrets. This is a great book for Harry Potter fans everywhere, but I think it is better then Harry Potter! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS! Five stars all the way!

In Charlie's most dangerous adventure yet, the shadow from the Red King's painting has escaped. Mysterious things begin happening at Bloor's Academy, but with the help of some new and unexpected friends and forces Charlie gets closer to uncovering the mystery of his father.
The shadow trapped in the Red King's portrait has escaped(or has been set loose) and strange things start happening in and out of Bloor's Academy. All of the animals in the town are scared away by a rumbling in the ground, the headmaster's grandson has obtained a new power instead of his troublesome hypnotism, and Charlie's grandmother has suddenly frozen. The evil shadow has taken form of a man, and has Charlie's mother in a trance that has her charmed. Charlie's mother has completely lost all memory of Charlie' father, and that seems to be just what the Shadow wants. Only the combined strength of the Children of the Red King can restore everything back to the way it should be and save Charlie's father from being entirely forgotten and lost forever.
I enjoyed this book because of the mysteriousness of the villain, the surprising events, the personalities of certain characters, and the new characters.

The mysteriousness of the villain made this book thrilling to read. "The Shadow" was kept vague throughout the beginning if the book until you found out later that he was actually a man from 900 years ago named Count Harken Badlock, who is taking the form of a regular man. He seems normal on the outside, but he is truly evil. It is interesting to see the way he is so nice in front of person he has tranced, and the completely opposite, spiteful person he really is in front of his enemy. For example, when the Count is speaking to Charlie's mother(who he is trying to trance) he asks her in a soft tone to "tell him of her troubles", but when he is ever in contact with Charlie, he gives him an evil look and says things like "don't fool with me, boy." Even though he was a villain, I liked this character a lot.

This book was unpredictable because of the surprising events that took place in this book. Manfred, the headmaster's grandson does not have his hypnotism power anymore, instead he has some kind of vice grip. There is one part in the story when Manfred grabs Billy Raven's arm and when he lets go there are red welts where his fingers were. Another surprising event that happened in this book is a child named Asa Pike, who is normally fighting against Charlie, helps them save the Red King. The last event was that Charlie finds his father in the end, but his father was a teacher at Bloor's Academy named Mr. Pilgrim, and he just didn't know it. The unexpected events that happen in this story make it impossible to guess what will happen next, and leaves the reader hungry for more.

In this book, there are personalities of certain characters that make this book very fun to read. For instance, Charlie's uncle, Paton has to be my favorite character in the story. He is very straight- forward with his words, but his actions and attitude are sometimes vague. He is direct, and doesn't waste time comforting people when they make mistakes. Another character in this book that is unique Charlie's friend, Olivia Vertigo. She dresses with a flair, and is a terrific actress. She is very outgoing and not afraid to confront problems face to face. Sometimes, she is a little mischievous. For example, there was one time in the book where Olivia was in the girl's dorm at Bloor's and the girls were complaining about their animals suddenly vanishing. This annoyed Olivia, so she summoned an illusion of a giant alligator that made all of them scream.I think the characters in a story are a very important element, since it effects how well they relate to it, and how well they enjoy it.

The new characters in this story made it exciting and more enjoyable to read. There is a new small girl Charlie meets and her name is Naren. Her endowment is writing on the walls with shadow letters from the moonlight from a distance. She is nice, but knows a lot to be so small. For example, there was a big mystery about where all of the animals disappeared to, and Naren knew exactly where they were. Another new character in this story is another little girl. She is the niece of the pet shop owners in the town Charlie lives in. Her name is Una. I didn't really like her attitude all that much, because she is a little spoiled brat, but her endowment is invisibility. She is only 5 years old, but she is very outgoing and willing to help. The new characters in the story add twists to the plot, and make book altogether more exciting.
Overall, this story was very well put together, and in my opinion, was the best Charlie Bone book yet.
S.Brown

In the first book a girl was hypnotized. In the second book a boy was sent into the futre. Book three a was boy turned invisible. Book four there was a mysterious castel made of glass mirrors. In the next installment Charlie and his friends most stop a new evil force from controlling a powerful magic and takeing Charlies mother away forever. Charlie is also closer to finding his father than ever before. I gave this book 4 stars because it was a good book but the ending was a little fast. One moment somthing importante happend then it ended. I liked this book because it was a page turner. I didn't like it because it ended so fast. Other than the fast ending it was a very good book!

This is the fifth book in Nimmo's Children of the Red King series. This series is about a bunch of children who are all descended, over hundreds of years, from the Red King, a powerful magician. The Red King had 10 children, five who followed in his own footsteps, and five who turned to evil. The children who are descended from him each have unique endowments. Charlie, for example, can travel into photographs, and hear what was being said around the time that they were taken. One of his friends can influence the weather, while another can talk to animals. The children all attend a grim school, where the balance of good and evil is precariously balanced.

In this fifth book of the series, an evil sorcerer is released from captivity, and threatens Charlie and his family. Charlie learns more about what happened to the Red King, and about his own family. As in the other books, Charlie and his friends have to battle the kids from the evil side, using their endowments and their loyalty to one another. I thought that this was better than the fourth book of the series. I was eager to see how things would turn out, and found the ending highly satisfying (though a few details could have used more explanation).

I like this series. The storylines are complex. The characters are reasonably complex, and have interesting abilities. The fast-moving plots are sure to appeal to reluctant readers. The Children of the Red King series is an excellent suggestion for kids interested in the Harry Potter books, but perhaps not quite ready for the length and darkness of the later books in the series. Or for kids who like the Gregor the Overlander books, and are ready for something a bit more advanced. All of the Charlie Bone books are published with double-spaced text, which is something that Jenny Nimmo apparently requested from the publisher to make it easier for kids to read the books. I definitely recommend these books for kids who love fantasy, and for reluctant readers and kids who have dyslexia or other reading difficulties. And for adults like me, the Charlie Bone books are just fun!

This book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on June 17th, 2006.

The Charlie Bone series is a mix of realistic fiction and fantasy.
Charlie Bone is the main character of the series. It`s kind of like Harry
Potter except less fantasy and more realistic fiction. The Charlie Bone
series is about a boy who attends a school which is run by an evil family.
There is a special group in the school who are called the endowed. Charlie
Bone is among those of the endowment. Charlie lives with his mom and two
grandmothers. He also has three aunts who help run the school where
Charlie goes but they hate him . Charlie`s Dad supposedly died in a car
wreck after he was born, but Charlie has a feeling he is still alive.
Charlie begins a quest to find his dad before it`s too late.
Charlie is one of the few endowed in the school. He has to attend a
school where everyone is out to get him or get him trouble. He has to go
to this school because of is three evil aunts who teach there. In Charlie
Bone and the Hidden King, shadows are disappearing in paintings. Strange
things begin to happen at school for Charlie and his friends can feel it
to.Charlie and his friends go to great heights to find out what`s going on
at the academy. But Charlie gets closer to finding out about his father.
Charlie and the Hidden King is the fifth book in the series. This is a
great book for kids. Also it`s an easier read. I highly recommend you read
this book especially if you`re a kid. It`s just like Harry Potter, but
more realistic. I suggest you start from the first book otherwise it will
be very confusing for and reader just jumping to this book.

-Rob Talbott

The hidden king is the fifth book in Jenny Nimmo's Children Of The Red King series.
The books chronicle the life of Charlie Bone and the other descendants of the red king, a magician with extraordinary powers. His ancestors have inherited these gifts, which have proved both blessing and curse.
Like it's predecessors, this book has a simple easy to read style which means it can be enjoyed by many. With every book, a little more of the red king's history is revealed, and another secret is brought to life. The books become darker and more gripping with every volume, leaving the reader hungry for the next instalment. Will good ever triumph over evil? Will there ever be an end to the red king's legacy? Only its author knows, and with no end in sight, the series promises many more volumes before we finally learn the truth.
The audio book is once again brilliantly brought to life by Simon Russle Beele, reader of all the previous books in the series. One hopes he will keep reading them as long as Jenny Nimmo keeps writing them.