Count Karlstein

A book of unique writing style that provides each character's story and perspective written in a diary manner. It is not only a bedtime story for children, but also a good leisure reading for anyone who is dreaming for a thrilling adventure.

Excellent !

Definitely for children...I bought this, not having read outside His Dark Materials at the time, and expecting something at least decent enough.You can guess your way through the plot and you'll be right.

thumbs up!

LOOOOOVE IT!!!!!!

keds stuff, but readable

This story moves fast and never takes itself seriously for even a paragraph. Like A Series of Unfortunate Events, or many works by Edward Gorey, or even Pullman's later series, Count Karlstein centres on young children in peril. Here, however, it's easy to see the lump in Pullman's cheek as he writes with his tongue firmly planted therein. From the first time he slinks on to the page, it is...more

This story moves fast and never takes itself seriously for even a paragraph. Like A Series of Unfortunate Events, or many works by Edward Gorey, or even Pullman's later series, Count Karlstein centres on young children in peril. Here, however, it's easy to see the lump in Pullman's cheek as he writes with his tongue firmly planted therein. From the first time he slinks on to the page, it is clear that Count Karlstein is a villain. In fact, there are few characters in this story who are not painted with outrageously broad strokes, but that is all part of the fun. Young children (and silly adults) should get a kick out of the story which is just scary enough to pull the blanket a little tighter but not enough to put the book down or cause any nightmares. The story which involves a nefarious plot to sacrifice Karlstein's nieces to a mythical huntsman is told from several perspectives, allowing for the book to remain in the first person while enjoying a more omnipotent flavour.   hide

Ok adventure with a little spookiness in it but pretty basic.

humor is flat, boring and silly. not very good so far; I don't understand most of the symbolism, sigh.