Customer Reviews

The Purloined Boy: The Weirdling Cycle, Book 1

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll never forget the childhood discovery of "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Hobbit." From that time on, I was ever on the lookout for new and exciting stories that could sweep me into imaginary worlds so different from our own, yet so full of truths and values that we relish.

With a beautiful cover and cryptic title, "The Purloined Boy" nabbed my attention, and I decided to give it a chance at pulling me into one of those longed-for imaginary settings. The website gave some great teasers and looked fantastic. Opening the first page, I found myself in an orphanage, an unsettling one where kids have been kidnapped from their homes by bogeys. Even worse, these kids are being prepared as meals for Lord Lucian. Ah, yes--danger and trouble!

But then some of the kids begin to revolt, and the story hooked me even deeper with its humor and moments of true wisdom through the mouth of a mouse. These were some of my favorite scenes, recognizing the correlations between our world and this imaginary one. Soon, the creepiness returned, the action sped up, and the humor continued, but I knew I was in the hands of a storyteller who loves characters, the search for truth (Troth), and the battle between good and evil.

Despite some dark moments, this is great reading for any ten- or eleven-year-old and up, and as a much older reader, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The back cover says that Plato meets Poe here, and that doesn't seem far off. I'm already looking forward to the sequel, and wondering about this mysterious author named Mortimus Clay.

The Purloined Boy is an exciting adventure story with lots of stuff going on under the surface: both on a large scale as it explores deep philosophical themes, and on a more intimate scale as the young characters steadily grow and change. It's clear that Mr. Clay loves the people and places he has created, and his thoughtful, effortless writing and his poignant descriptions transmit this love to the reader. It is exciting and engaging the fist go-round, but deserves numerous readings. Engrossing and ultimately very satisfying, The Purloined Boy left me with a sense of great well-being, like I'd read something very enjoyable, but also healthy, enriching, true on numerous levels. It is the kind of elegant, unpretentious, and artful story the fantasy genre needs. Quality reading for adults and kids alike.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author pulls together spooks, unordinary word choices, and vivid details that really get the mind pictures rolling. The characters are interesting and colorful. The names and titles used have even greater meaning and give away some of the characters true identities if you look them up. I have to admit that I scare easy and this book has more than a little spook thrown in. I loved the ending and I can't wait until the next book comes out. I teach fourth grade and I preview most books before I let them hit my shelves. I know my students would have been on the edge of their seats.

As a sixth grade language arts teacher it is often difficult to find a book that will grab my students' attention. But the Purloined Boy did just that...and right away. This fantasy offers an adventurous mind journey for the reader as he/she follows Trevor into a mysterious world of Boogeymen. The vivid language paints a clear picture in the reader's mind. Characters come to life. You'll especially be curious to meet and discover the charcter of Zephyr...a heroic mouse that offers guidance to the main character.The Purloined Boy is a must read for kids and adults who enjoy a great fantasy!!!

The Purloined Boy is the adventure of Trever Upjohn, who lives in Suburbia, the worst place in the universe. Read along with Trevor, as he escapes the bogeymen again and again, in search of his home. It is a witty tale of humans and bogeys, battle and peace. You can understand the character development and feel the action. The Purloined Boy is told wonderfully, each chapter making you want to read the next. The characters are described with his or her own unique personality . With Mortimus Clay, you never know what will happen next!

The Purloined Boy is an action-packed story set in a world gone wrong that needs the young main character to help set it right again. "Purloined" means "stolen", or in this case, "kidnapped". I highly recommend this book, if you don't mind getting addicted and having to read it all in one sitting! Wholesome reading for all ages.

This book is an enjoyable fantasy escapade for readers of all ages. It ticks along at a decent pace -- fast enough to keep young readers interested, but moderate enough that more advanced readers aren't going to feel cheated. The idea for the story isn't the most original -- basically, boogeymen are bad, exceptional child doesn't know he's exceptional, etc. But it's executed in a novel and enjoyable manner.

My main critique is that, given the ending of the novel, it ends up feeling like more of a prologue than a freestanding story, which is a little disappointing. It certainly could have been self-contained if it weren't for the blatant cliffhanger. However, I will admit -- the cliffhanger worked. I'm excited for the second book.

this book really gos into detail and just sucks you into its words and makes you feel like your there and at the place or battle

I happened upon The Purloined Boy when the author presented at a writing retreat where I was teaching. Always eager to collect signed editions (first editions at that) I purchased a copy and sat down to read. Three hours later I found myself over halfway through the book, having missed dinner and two workshops by other visiting instructors.

After the first couple of pages, which were a little slow do to some rhythmic word sequencing, "Mortimus Clay" really pulled things together. The characters are fleshed out enough to interest the reader while leaving enough shadows to make the reader turn pages to learn more. The story is fun, and new, and exciting. It progresses at a quick pace that never quite gives you enough time to catch your breath, but never hurries you so much as to make you want to sit the lap out.

As an instructor of creative writing (3rd grade through college) I am suggesting this text to all of my students; the younger students so they can enjoy an engaging story well written, and the older students to explore the intelligent incorporation of mythology, philosophy, and linguistic manipulation into a story aimed at a younger audience.

All in all "Mortimus Clay" proved to me that children's literature can be instructive, intelligent, creative, AND fun.

The Purloined Boy: The Weirdling Cycle, Book 1

I really wanted to read this book when I saw all the great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. So I had high expectations. At first when starting the book I was a bit disappointed. The writing just didn't catch me and it didn't make me want to continue but I'm loathe to not finishing a book. I kept at it and was very happy I did. By the end of the book I couldn't put it down.

It's about kids that go missing and where they end up. Did you know that sometimes bogeys sneak into houses and steal kids! When they do, these children live in a place called Superbia. It's a bleak place that kids are punished if they say they remember home. They are brainwashed to believe that home is a lie and does not exist. Those who do not fall for the brainwashing disappear from their beds in the night never to return. But there are adult humans there. Ones that want to save the kids that believe but ones that are also brainwashed and work for the bogeys. Oh, who to trust!

It's a quite entertainig read and I'm lookig forward to the next book in the series.