Simply Wonderful!!!!!

The Apothecary exists in a class with Scott's Alchemist series, Riordan's Lightening Thief series, Divergent and Michael Vay-- and is simply wonderful...I have a Tween daughter who is an avid reader and I am always looking for new authors for her to try...I hit a gold mine with Maile Meloy. Obviously I am not the target audience...but I thoroughly enjoyed this book...My daugher is on her second go-round listening and is quoting passages. It is original, funny, action packed and full of fantasy--a recipe my child cannot resist. She did, however, have one complaint--she does not like the ending--it is a cliffhanger and now she has to wait and hope he author publishes a follow up book...which we will be certain to add to our collection. There is a select group of books (comparison books I listed among them) that we purchase in hardcover and on audio...this is firmly in that category. Highly recommended by Mother and daughter...

16 people found this helpful

Delightful story, beautifully read

This is a YA adventure story set in the 1950s featuring an American girl (14, I believe), whose screenwriter parents have to leave the US due to the blacklist and relocate to London. She has the usual adjustment troubles, until she gets involved with a group of underground apothecaries who can make potions with magical powers and who are trying to rein in the nuclear arms race. There are chases, a lot of colorful characters, a small dash of romance and wistful ending. I think there will be a sequel, to which I look forward eagerly.

Meloy is a renowned author of adult fiction, and one plus of THE APOTHECARY is that it is exceptionally well-written for a children's book.

8 people found this helpful

11 - year old reviewer

What did you love best about The Apothecary?

I love how Jannie's parents where so funny and smart and how they write movies like Robin Hood and I Love Lucy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pip was my favorite. He is very funny and mischievous and I always love it when he gets into the invisibility bath.

Which character – as performed by Cristin Milioti – was your favorite?

Jannie was my favorite character performed by Cristin Milioti. It was like I was in the room with her.

If you could take any character from The Apothecary out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would take out Jannie so she could tell me, in even greater detail, her adventures with Pip the prankster and Benjamin.

Any additional comments?

This book is awesome, made even more awesome by the narrator. It's funny, quirky and a little scary. It's a mix between a detective novel, a spy novel and an adventure novel. I highly recommend this book for anyone nine and up.

3 people found this helpful

Great read for a young adult!

If you could sum up The Apothecary in three words, what would they be?

Mystical, Adventurous, & Exciting

What did you like best about this story?

The magical aspects

Which character ??? as performed by Cristin Milioti ??? was your favorite?

All great!

If you could rename The Apothecary, what would you call it?

The name is perfect

Any additional comments?

I would love a sequel.

2 people found this helpful

Great for young readers, not for adults.

I listened to this and thought enough of it to send a printed version to my granddaughter.

There is a great mystery and plot that centers around young teenagers and their families. I did not expect another Potter series, but here the author rushes through the story and forgoes character development in favor of brevity. The magic at the center of the story is poorly developed and juvenal.

While I was dissapointed overall, I do see this as a worthwhile series for youth. However, it just falls short of crossing over the teen barrier in modern literature. Like it or not, CS Lewis, JM Barrie, JRR Tolkein and JK Rowland have set the standard for that. Few others have ventured into that rare territory.

9 people found this helpful

If you Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Apprentice you will love this book!

Great upper grade school to adult read. The title of my review says it all.

1 person found this helpful

the daughters loved it!

My 10 and 8 year olds listened to the whole thing in a day as we drove to Florida.

1 person found this helpful

Good Adventure Series Starting...

What does Cristin Milioti bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I only gave this book a try because she was the narrator. I finished another series she did and she was so good I went looking for more read by her. This book, though slow in some places, is fun and adventurous. There are two more books in the series and they are pretty good as well.

1 person found this helpful

Nice Adeventure Story

I liked this book, but was suprised that others fell in love with it. It was a good adventure story focused on young adults (14/15ish). But the story was complete fantasy which I was not expecting. It was a fun read & The reader was excellent.

3 people found this helpful

Instant Classic

For lovers of "A Wrinkle in Time," "Narnia" and Pullman's "His Dark Materials" series, this captivating story comes complete with a plucky heroine, a fast-paced and adventure-packed plot as well as an excellent performance by the narrator. Can???t wait to read everything else Meloy???s written.

3 people found this helpful