Customer Reviews

The Unusual Suspects (The Sisters Grimm, Book 2) (Bk. 2)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects is the continuing tale of Sabrina and Daphne Grimm. The sisters, who were in the foster care system for nearly a year and a half following the disappearance of their mother and father, now live with their grandmother in the town of Ferryport Landing. In Book #1, the girls learned what it means to be Grimm, to be the guardians of Ferryport Landing and the Everafters. Together with their Granny Relda, Mr. Canis, Puck and a two hundred pound dog named Elvis, the girls foiled the plans of Jack the Giant Killer to release the giants into Ferryport Landing that he might regain his fame by slaying them.
Now, some three weeks later, they will face a new and frightening challenge: starting at a new school. While Daphne becomes the star of the second grade (and Snow White's favorite student), Sabrina finds the sixth grade full of sleep walking children and a few very persistent bullies. When a teacher is found murdered on the sisters' first day of school, the Grimms once again find themselves on the case. At the same time Sabrina must confront her prejudice against the Everafters and her ever increasing anger.
Michael Buckley has surpassed himself. The Unusual Suspects exceeds The Fairytale Detectives in humor, excitement, danger and its confrontation of childhood, family, and social issues. All of the characters are blossoming, each newly exposed layer hinting at clues to the mystery. Ideas of who is good and who is bad in this phalanx of fairy tale characters are dashed, and the ending is unexpected, to say the least.

Before I finished reading the first book in this series, I just HAD to order the second one from Amazon, so there would be no break in the reading. THE BOOKS ARE THAT GOOD!

The perfect blend of humor, mystery, and adventure ... with some very unusual characters. Fantastic!!!

As I said in the Book One review, I bought the book for my grandkids and started reading it myself. Now, Ashley is reading Book One while I finish this newer one. Then when we both finish, Book One goes on to Johnny, and Book Two goes to Ashley.

Families that read together, stay together. The same goes for praying, of course.

Again, I know authors don't review their own books but what's with all the rules, huh? I like to shake things up - I'm crazy like that.
Now, Book 2 is the book that hit the NY Times bestseller list. It sat there for a month during the Christmas season battling it out with Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket and Meg Cabot. It was bloody and I lost a tooth. Still, it was worth it because I think this book sets the stage for the rest of the series. Like I've said, the first one is a bit cute, but this one starts to get a little darker and builds on the previous story. We meet more fairy tale characters and have lots more hair-raising situations, but what is special about The Unusual Suspects is Puck. The character made famous in A Midsummer Night's Dream becomes a full-fledged member of the team and gives Sabrina nothing but headaches. I enjoy the dynamic of the two girls and this annoying flying boy and I found myself sticking Puck in as much as I could. Also important to note is that the Unsual Suspects dives into a new breed of character that few authors have ever explored - namely, the children of famous fairy tale characters. What would the child of the Frog Prince and his princess be like? How about Beauty and her Beast? Miss Muffet and her Spider? Plus, we're introduced to our first truly creepy villian - Rumplestiltskin which illustrator Peter Ferguson has done an incredible job of capturing. The book's themes focus on prejudice and bigotry and Sabrina continues to work on her trust issues - something that isn't going to change over night. Fans of folklore might also like the introduction of Snow White who teaches a self-defense class called "The Bad Apples" and, like many of the women I write about, turns out to be the damsel who can take care of herself.
But I'm most proud of Sabrina's development in this book. She is a complicated character working on issues that don't just fix themselves because the story has ended. I wanted to give her real problems and have her react to sistuations in ways that are genuine and logical, even if they do make her seem like a bratty little jerk at times. Some people are put-off by how headstrong Sabrina can be but I also think some people read too much Nancy Drew and don't expect girls to have opinions, be tough, and make mistakes that have repercussions. Not to knock Nancy Drew - it's a classic series, but I'm trying to write about a character that is both affecting and is affected by the world, not one that is sugary sweet and never-changing. The only downside to the book is that it's not three books. The story I wanted to tell was bigger than the pages we had and due to cost and time issues, this book ends on a cliffhanger, as does the third book in the series, The Problem Child. It was a risk to end it this way because who knew if anyone would care, but to wrap it all up in a neat little bow would have been phony. Luckily, it seems people do care because Book 3 is as popular as the second. I promise that not every book will be a cliffhanger but if the story requires it that's what it's going to be.

I read both books for The Sisters Grimm series that I got for Christmas and love them both a lot. They get better and funnier at each book. The third book comes out in May and I can't wait to read it. There's a Sisters Grimm web site and I e-mailed the author and he wrote me back the next day and answered my questions about Puck. Very cool!

I've enjoyed reading "The Sisters Grimm", and recommend it.
I particularly appreciate the "Wizard of Oz" references.

One section had me laughing out loud, an unusual occurance (outside of a Stephanie Plum novel). Even today, two weeks later, I still smile thinking about it. Without revealing anything, I'll just refer to the ink "drawing".
...get the series, and read it!

My fifth graders LOVE this book. They can't wait for number four to come out. I love the characters that were introduced including the Pied Piper and Snow White. We have started a book club and the next book we will be reading is Number 3!!

Michael Buckley is a wonderful author and his books have hooked a lot of my readers.

Continuing from book one, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are very busy solving crimes in Ferryport Landing alongside their Grandmother, her friend Mr. Canis and the mischievous Puck. So busy in fact, that they have conveniently forgotten that they should be attending school, an oversight that is speedily rectified with the appearance of Ms. Smirt of the Department of Child Welfare.

As can be expected, Ferryport Landing Elementary School is not your average institution of learning. Daphne fits in easily, thanks to her beautiful and kind teacher Ms. Snow White, but Sabrina has a much tougher time. Her classmates are perpetually sleepy and tired, the headmaster is the Pied Piper, and her teacher Mr. Grumpner is even grumpier than his name indicates.

Before Sabrina can get settled in, Mr. Grumpner is found cocooned in a spider web, and monsters are wreaking havoc in the halls. While all this is going on, Sabrina continues to hunt for their parents, and thanks to a magical match, she gets closer than she's ever been to solving the mystery. Barring her way is a most unexpected adversary and her pet 'kitty", who answers to the name Jabberwocky.

The book ends abruptly, with a cliff hanging "to be continued" and an unwritten "GOTCHA!!"

See you at book three.



Amanda Richards, August 6, 2006

This book was absolutely captivating-I couldn't put in down! In the fanatasy genre-this book is a winner that tells the story of two sisters and a bunch of other amazing characters that put fairytales in a new and fantastic light. Like Puck-from a Midsummer Night's Dream or Beauty and the Beast! Though it grossed me out sometimes...:D-but it was funny and unique. Recommended for mature 10 year olds and up-enjoy!-MH from the USA

The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects is the second book in Michael Buckley's delightful series about two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm. Following their parents disappearance, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm were shuttled from an orphanage to a series of horrible foster homes, homes they ran away from.

The sisters were surprised to learn that the grandmother they thought died, was really alive. While they (at least Sabrina) didn't want to live with Granny Relda, they settled in and immediately learned that their ancestors were the Brothers Grimm (of the fairy-tale Grimms) and Ferryport Landing was not a typical town. The village residents are human and Everafters (fairy-tale characters who fled Europe's persecution).

Sabrina and Daphne didn't want to attend school, but a visit from the cruel child protection worker, Minerva Smirt changed their propensity to playing hooky. It was either school or return to New York. School seemed the lesser evil.

The sisters start school and learn that the principal is the Pied Piper of Hamelin and Daphne's teacher is the beautiful Snow White. The girls soon find that things are a bit 'off' at school. The children seem tired, irritable and some are downright mean. And the teachers, well, one is a cruel bully.

After the first day of school, one of the teachers is found dead. He was tied to the ceiling in a monstrous spider web. An investigation is begun. There's a monster loose and if the case isn't solved, it could have dire consequences for Sabrina, Daphne, their family and Ferryport Landing.

Will the arrogant mayor (Prince Charming) mend his ways? What will happen to Mr. Canis and his nighttime problems? Will Snow White be strong? Will the secret room and Mirror help the girls find their parents?

I love this series. It's exciting and fast-paced. The characters are delightful and the suspense aspect will thrill middle readers.

Armchair Interviews says: The Sisters Grimm is a series that will become a favorite.

This book is excellent for children and adults alike. If you like the Harry potter books you will like these. Very well written.