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kmthomas06's review against another edition
3.0
Oh, this was rough and reminded me why I took a break from the series. So. Many. Words. Pearson is best when he stays short and fast with his plot - this book meanders too much. As much as I am a Disney nerd, there was too many Disney Cruise Line commercial paragraphs. That said, Pearson also delivers; just not until the last 50 pages of a 554 page book. But, I immediately picked up the next book to find out what happened so I suppose, mission accomplished. [sidenote: the Keepers are reaching those annoying teenager years during which I wanted to reach in and smack Harry Potter so when you have 5 of them acting that way? Ugh.]
mcrome04's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
abby2503's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vhenderson93's review against another edition
1.0
In my review for the first book of the series, I said that the only reason I started reading these was because we're going to Disney World in the Fall and I thought it would be fun to read them before going. As promising as the entire plot sounds, I don't believe the books are living up to what it could be.
I've tolerated books 1-4 but this one...this one was just annoying. The idea of the Kingdom Keepers leaving the parks and taking their adventures on the Dream sounded cool. A change of scenery, new obstacles, etc. The further I read, the more I didn't even want to finish it. I had to make myself finish it because I was reaching my renewal limit at the library.
My main problem was the way Philby was being portrayed. I actually liked his character. His role as the official tech person was very important. But all of sudden, everyone started hating him for pretty much doing his job. So he's smart and he gives a more detailed answer than necessary. Why is that such a bad thing? It's who he is. The entire DHI thing is ALL about technology, so of course Philby would know more and be able to master 2.0 quicker. Finn was so worried about keeping his title as leader for the majority of the book. And what's with all the 'professor Philby'?? The author has done this numerous times in all the books and it's irritating.
There were other things I didn't like, but that was my main issue. I did get through this one but I'm not continuing the series. Especially after finding out that book 6 continues at sea. I've had about as much of the Keepers as I can take. And I mean that in the best way possible.
I've tolerated books 1-4 but this one...this one was just annoying. The idea of the Kingdom Keepers leaving the parks and taking their adventures on the Dream sounded cool. A change of scenery, new obstacles, etc. The further I read, the more I didn't even want to finish it. I had to make myself finish it because I was reaching my renewal limit at the library.
My main problem was the way Philby was being portrayed. I actually liked his character. His role as the official tech person was very important. But all of sudden, everyone started hating him for pretty much doing his job. So he's smart and he gives a more detailed answer than necessary. Why is that such a bad thing? It's who he is. The entire DHI thing is ALL about technology, so of course Philby would know more and be able to master 2.0 quicker. Finn was so worried about keeping his title as leader for the majority of the book. And what's with all the 'professor Philby'?? The author has done this numerous times in all the books and it's irritating.
There were other things I didn't like, but that was my main issue. I did get through this one but I'm not continuing the series. Especially after finding out that book 6 continues at sea. I've had about as much of the Keepers as I can take. And I mean that in the best way possible.
kaz_reads123's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
tale_of_tales's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Fifth in the Kingdom Keepers fantasy series for kids set in Disney World in Florida and revolving around a core group of five middle schoolers whose images are being used in three-dimensional holograms, DHIs, to serve as guides at the Disney Parks. In this installment, the majority of the action takes place aboard the Dream, a Disney cruise ship sailing through the Panama Canal on a two-week cruise.
My Take
Pearson is working at creating drama with the new fears he's given Finn about being replaced. I'm thinking Shell Game is more of a bridge novel. Finn is worrying about retirement and being replaced in Wayne's esteem. Then there's the horrifying theory the Keepers come up with as to the real purpose of the Overtakers being aboard.
The biggest aspect of the "bridge" is the first and last chapters...arghhh, so irritating!! And Pearson just leaves us wondering just what has happened to Finn!
It seems rather odd that Pearson only mentions Philby's mother as one of the chaperons and nothing but a reference about guardians for the others. I suppose it was only Finn's situation that caused Pearson to mention it at all. I don't understand why Philby refuses to show the other Keepers how to go all clear? Nor why the Keepers all flee from the sight of Chernabog; they all know what he looks like and they just skip this opportunity to take him prisoner?
It's all cloak-and-dagger for Keepers and Overtakers alike with lots and lots of action and adventure. All within the relatively small confines of the ship with Pearson attempting to work up some romances. Rather clumsily.
Other than the above whining, I enjoyed the story. It had nice bits of tension and drama even if Pearson did leave lots of questions unanswered.
The Story
The Kingdom Keepers' current task is to prevent a theft from the private Imagineers' library and hold off an Overtaker-siege at Engineering Base Camp. The notebook in question revolves around Fantasia and one of its primary evil characters, Chernabog.
The action has hotted up outside the parks as well when Finn finds himself under attack in his own house. And it's not just Finn who is suffering!
A side trip to the Typhoon Lagoon at Wayne's request is both good and bad: on the one hand, the Keepers gain a powerful ally, on the other hand, they lose one as well. This will certainly complicate matters when the Kingdom Keepers board the Disney Dream for the trip to be the first ship through the new Panama Canal! Losing his mother makes Finn's being able to join the cruise much more difficult.
As an inaugural cruise generating great publicity for Disney, the Magic Kingdom has changed up a lot of the usual activities, making it so much easier for the bad guys to slip aboard. Certainly Maleficent has smoothed out OTKs joining the cruise.
The Kingdom Keepers will have certainly their hands full on this voyage!
The Characters
It's this new beta version of the DHI 2.0 and Dill Philby's increasingly superior airs, a.k.a., Professor Philby, that find Finn Whitman questioning his role as the Kingdom Keepers' leader. Charlene Turner is their physically-fit member. Isabella "Willa" Angelo. Terry "Donnie" Maybeck is an artist and has found his niche within the group---his patience is indeed a virtue. Amanda Lockhart and Jezebel "Jess" are Fairlies, something more than human. Amanda has some magical ability and she and Finn love each other while Jess dreams the future. Both girls are still in fostercare with Mrs. Nash. All seven have a DHI, although Amanda and Jess' are not official. Six DHIs have been created from Cast Members to augment the original Keepers including Kelly Carlson, Bart, Alex Wright, and Megan Fuchs.
Wayne Kresky is one of the original Imagineers and is the reason the Kingdom Keepers can project themselves back into the Park at night. He directs their objectives. Wanda Alcott, Wayne's daughter, has a very small part in this installment. Cast Members and characters of the Disney theme parks have begun to take sides. Gladis Philby is Philby's worried mother---she's very anti-Keepers---and their chaperone on the trip.
Mattie Weaver is a Fairly and a friend of Amanda and Jess. She's still "imprisoned", but when she gets the message from Amanda, nothing will hold her back. Dillard Cole is Finn's closest friend outside the Keepers and he keeps popping up.
Captain Cederberg is in charge of the Dream; Robert "Uncle Bob" Heinemann is the security officer with a difficult job; Christian is the director of entertainment; and, Storey Ming is a member of the crew, I think, and is helping the Keepers.
Maleficent, the nasty witch from Sleeping Beauty, is the chief villainess and she's teamed up with Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen at the Magic Kingdom. For the cruise, she's working with Jafar and Tia Dalma. Somehow Maleficent has spelled other middleschoolers to do their dirty work---recognizable by their green eyes. Greg "Lousy" Luowski is Finn's nemesis at school and one of the chief OTKs. Others include Robbie Barry and Sally Ringwald, a conspirator who gets turned. Triton is the King of the Sea and is a powerful backup.
Chernabog seems to be the mastermind behind the Overtakers, a group of Disney characters who want to take over the parks and create their own version of Wonderland.
The Cover
The cover is all-metaphor and finds a close-up of the evil Maleficient's eyes forming the background, the Miss Tilly is a ship caught in the rocks while a squid-like arm reaches out for Finn and Amanda riding a bright lime-green inner tube on a rushing wave of water at Typhoon Lagoon.
The title refers to the carny game in which a peanut is hidden beneath one of three cups and the mark must choose under which cup the peanut is hidden as the carny moves the cups around to confuse his target. In this Shell Game, the Overtakers have hidden the server they are using to project their own holograms and the Kingdom Keepers keep trying to guess where it is.
My Take
Pearson is working at creating drama with the new fears he's given Finn about being replaced. I'm thinking Shell Game is more of a bridge novel. Finn is worrying about retirement and being replaced in Wayne's esteem. Then there's the horrifying theory the Keepers come up with as to the real purpose of the Overtakers being aboard.
The biggest aspect of the "bridge" is the first and last chapters...arghhh, so irritating!! And Pearson just leaves us wondering just what has happened to Finn!
It seems rather odd that Pearson only mentions Philby's mother as one of the chaperons and nothing but a reference about guardians for the others. I suppose it was only Finn's situation that caused Pearson to mention it at all. I don't understand why Philby refuses to show the other Keepers how to go all clear? Nor why the Keepers all flee from the sight of Chernabog; they all know what he looks like and they just skip this opportunity to take him prisoner?
It's all cloak-and-dagger for Keepers and Overtakers alike with lots and lots of action and adventure. All within the relatively small confines of the ship with Pearson attempting to work up some romances. Rather clumsily.
Other than the above whining, I enjoyed the story. It had nice bits of tension and drama even if Pearson did leave lots of questions unanswered.
The Story
The Kingdom Keepers' current task is to prevent a theft from the private Imagineers' library and hold off an Overtaker-siege at Engineering Base Camp. The notebook in question revolves around Fantasia and one of its primary evil characters, Chernabog.
The action has hotted up outside the parks as well when Finn finds himself under attack in his own house. And it's not just Finn who is suffering!
A side trip to the Typhoon Lagoon at Wayne's request is both good and bad: on the one hand, the Keepers gain a powerful ally, on the other hand, they lose one as well. This will certainly complicate matters when the Kingdom Keepers board the Disney Dream for the trip to be the first ship through the new Panama Canal! Losing his mother makes Finn's being able to join the cruise much more difficult.
As an inaugural cruise generating great publicity for Disney, the Magic Kingdom has changed up a lot of the usual activities, making it so much easier for the bad guys to slip aboard. Certainly Maleficent has smoothed out OTKs joining the cruise.
The Kingdom Keepers will have certainly their hands full on this voyage!
The Characters
It's this new beta version of the DHI 2.0 and Dill Philby's increasingly superior airs, a.k.a., Professor Philby, that find Finn Whitman questioning his role as the Kingdom Keepers' leader. Charlene Turner is their physically-fit member. Isabella "Willa" Angelo. Terry "Donnie" Maybeck is an artist and has found his niche within the group---his patience is indeed a virtue. Amanda Lockhart and Jezebel "Jess" are Fairlies, something more than human. Amanda has some magical ability and she and Finn love each other while Jess dreams the future. Both girls are still in fostercare with Mrs. Nash. All seven have a DHI, although Amanda and Jess' are not official. Six DHIs have been created from Cast Members to augment the original Keepers including Kelly Carlson, Bart, Alex Wright, and Megan Fuchs.
Wayne Kresky is one of the original Imagineers and is the reason the Kingdom Keepers can project themselves back into the Park at night. He directs their objectives. Wanda Alcott, Wayne's daughter, has a very small part in this installment. Cast Members and characters of the Disney theme parks have begun to take sides. Gladis Philby is Philby's worried mother---she's very anti-Keepers---and their chaperone on the trip.
Mattie Weaver is a Fairly and a friend of Amanda and Jess. She's still "imprisoned", but when she gets the message from Amanda, nothing will hold her back. Dillard Cole is Finn's closest friend outside the Keepers and he keeps popping up.
Captain Cederberg is in charge of the Dream; Robert "Uncle Bob" Heinemann is the security officer with a difficult job; Christian is the director of entertainment; and, Storey Ming is a member of the crew, I think, and is helping the Keepers.
Maleficent, the nasty witch from Sleeping Beauty, is the chief villainess and she's teamed up with Cruella De Vil and the Evil Queen at the Magic Kingdom. For the cruise, she's working with Jafar and Tia Dalma. Somehow Maleficent has spelled other middleschoolers to do their dirty work---recognizable by their green eyes. Greg "Lousy" Luowski is Finn's nemesis at school and one of the chief OTKs. Others include Robbie Barry and Sally Ringwald, a conspirator who gets turned. Triton is the King of the Sea and is a powerful backup.
Chernabog seems to be the mastermind behind the Overtakers, a group of Disney characters who want to take over the parks and create their own version of Wonderland.
The Cover
The cover is all-metaphor and finds a close-up of the evil Maleficient's eyes forming the background, the Miss Tilly is a ship caught in the rocks while a squid-like arm reaches out for Finn and Amanda riding a bright lime-green inner tube on a rushing wave of water at Typhoon Lagoon.
The title refers to the carny game in which a peanut is hidden beneath one of three cups and the mark must choose under which cup the peanut is hidden as the carny moves the cups around to confuse his target. In this Shell Game, the Overtakers have hidden the server they are using to project their own holograms and the Kingdom Keepers keep trying to guess where it is.
olliepop01's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
maggieluong's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25