Charlie Bone And The Hidden King (2006) - Plot & Excerpts
In the fifth book in Jennie Nimmo's Children of the Red King series, odd things are happening in Charlie Bone's neighborhood. First there is an odd snowstorm and then all the animals disappear. Benjamin Brown, recently returned from Hong Kong, misses his dog Runner Bean and wants Charlie to help get the dog back. Charlie agrees, although he's upset that Benjamin's parents are working at Bloor Academy as spies. Charlie also has other problems. His grandmother Maisie has been frozen and he and his Uncle Paton are unable to break the spell. The Flames also warn Charlie that his mother is in danger, but it's impossible for him to watch over her while he's at school. Sure enough, Amy Bone meets the mysterious Hart Noble and begins to change. Charlie begins looking harder than ever for his missing father before his mother forgets him entirely. Charlie is going to need the help of all his friends, including new friend Naren Bloor, to make things right again. "Charlie Bone and the Hidden King" was an okay book in an okay series. There are some nice fantasy elements such as Charlie's wand still helping him even though it's a moth and Naren's ability to do "shadow writing". The disappearance and reappearance of the animals is well done. Also interesting is how Charlie's power is growing and Manfred's development of a new power. Unfortunately, Nimmo doesn't use her own imagination enough and many elements in the book come across as Harry Potter rip-offs: there are other schools with endowed children (a dinner scene with head teachers from those schools is straight out of "The Goblet of Fire"); a map; the fact that Charlie has a wand; and there is a magic mirror. The book is awkwardly written and shifts from different the viewpoints of different characters instead of just Charlie's viewpoint. Nimmo often explains things in writing instead of showing readers through the actions of the characters. Many of the characters aren't well developed and when a teacher's secret is revealed it doesn't make the impact that it should since the teacher doesn't register as a character before that. The plot line of Benjamin's parents being spies comes to an abrupt and not very plausible end. While there is a major and quite well done twist at the end involving one of the children, the whole ending of the book feels rushed. Since this was supposed to be the last book in the series (there's another on the way), Nimmo wraps up most of the plot lines, but the plot line involving his father should have been much more developed and I found the end to that particular plot line rather flat. Children will like "Charlie Bone and the Hidden King" and the entire Children of the Red King Series, but adults will want deeper reading.
I just re-read this book as part of my Goodreads book challenge this year but also apart of my own personal challenge where I am re-reading books I either love or just books I haven't read in ages!So this book.. Well, I actually lowered my rating from before, it used to be five stars, but I changed it to four after this reading for one reason.Charlie Bone is always forgetting the important stuff.If you haven't read this book and do not wish to read spoilers then stop reading heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere:So when Charlie and Billy sneak into the Hundred Heads dinner they hear about the person who released Count Hark Badlock. It was the 'youngest and most beautiful' teacher at The Bloors, Miss Crystal. She is actually an evil witch, OH, and she is Joshua Tilpin's mother! But Charlie forgets to tell anyone about this. For aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages.Plus LOSING THE MIRROR AFTER YOU WENT THROUGH ALL THAT TO GET IT.But on the brightside -(you're roughly six feet tall)- I love Tancred. I just love love love love love him. He is such an awesome character and being a weather monger must be an awful burden sometimes, but I would really love to try it. Also, he is so loyal (apart from his brief Joshua Tilpin moment).So now onto Charlie Bone and the Wilderness Wolf..
What do You think about Charlie Bone And The Hidden King (2006)?
I am so glad that we finally have proof that the absentminded piano teacher is Charlie's dad! And that they were actually able to wake him up! I can't stand little Joshua, that magnet boy. Manfred getting new powers is crazy and will probably cause a lot of problems for Charlie and his friends. Love Patton and Julia; they are adorable! So happy that they are able to trust Billy and I cannot believe that Asa joined Charlie to help with the spell! I am curious as to whether or not Asa will return
—Jennifer
As ever with this series, I enjoyed the mood, setting, and characters of the book. The series has a safe feel, which means lower tension, but which I probably would have appreciated as a kid. I remain unimpressed by the writing, but it’s nice reading for when you’re trying to relax and don’t want to worry a lot.I was a bit disappointed by the obviousness of the Mr. Pilgrim twist. It’s almost too obvious to even be obvious – I’d decided several books ago that Mr. Pilgrim couldn’t POSSIBLY be Char
—Nic
Try to eat just one chip I dare you.. now try to read just one Charlie Bone. Couldn't do it could you? Nope cause Charlie is addicting you want to keep reading of Charlies adventures. Want to see things worked out. And You Had To See If Charlie Could Figure Out Who HIs Dad Was! Finally this book reveals all. Thank God! I am an adult listening to the series so I knew who it was in book one but still I think kids will really enjoy this series, excellent writing and a great story teller. I love Charlie Bone. Little language
—Books4m
