3.5 stars - I really loved the premise - it was a surprise to me what the book was actually about. I really enjoyed it. However the characters were just rather mehhh. Which is such a shame.

January 31, 2024

Really enjoying Janice Halletts books, they're very clever!

November 2, 2023

A good read but not nearly as funny as I was expecting it to be.

July 2, 2023
May 19, 2012

Pretty good, but not nearly as funny as I was hoping for!

Probably wouldn't bother with the others in the series. Some interesting ideas and plot points though.

January 24, 2015

Loved it! Billy has two piratey mums and is worried that his family isn't like other peoples. He learns an important lesson: who wants to be normal!

July 5, 2021

Southon is a fantastic writer blending ancient history with wicked humour. A fascinating read, uncomfortable at times, but overall a brilliant book. Southons wit and tone are what make it. Highly recommend.

September 17, 2022

What a ride! This book was just so great. The pace, the world building, the characters, the science... it's all such great fun. I loved it, and can see why it was such a popular read for our book group.

January 10, 2022

Loved this beautiful and haunting modern fairytale. It wasn't what I was expecting, but not in a bad way.

April 16, 2021

I appreciated this book more the second time round. It's wonderfully written.

November 15, 2022

Great fun!

October 30, 2016

It's just absolutely stunning isn't it! I loved the lost words, and this is just as beautiful and more of a manageable physical size too haha. Beautiful illustrations and wonderful words.

January 1, 2021

A book which talks about the impact of plastics in the ocean, my 5yo was really interested and concerned. Opened up some good conversations.

August 29, 2020

An absolute classic

First read to Ivy Jan 2016

January 1, 2016

Well that was bizarre. Not read anything like it. I'm not sure if I enjoyed it tbh! Kind of?

May 2, 2021

Wonderfully eerie!

April 25, 2021

I LOVED this. Absolutely loved it. I saw the film before I read the graphic novel, but I love the film, and I love the graphic novel. I highly recommend it. The plot is complex, the characters are interesting, the art work is great. I'll read it again and again!

January 1, 2011

Read to Ivy 10/09/15

Love! She seemed slightly interested as I couldn't help but read some parts really rather fast!

September 10, 2015

Really enjoyed going through all of the myths, so interesting and disturbing too.

Lost a star for me as it did not mention the word rape enough (only once at my count). There were lots of rapes. Please use the language and don't skirt it.

September 16, 2020
September 17, 2020

First read to Ivy 20/07/16

Found the story a bit boring!

July 20, 2016

Great fun. Another brill stereotype busting Izzy Gizmo story.

June 5, 2021

I have twice attempted to read this book, but somehow I just can't get through it. I understand the subtleties and the reason for the way it is written, but the book is so gritty, graphic and dry, that I have struggled to finish it. No doubt I will give it another go at some point....

November 1, 2010

This is just wonderful. Stunning beautiful and powerful. I love it.

March 7, 2020

This was ok but felt like half a story really, I wanted more development. And just more. But not in a good way.

May 17, 2021