Reviewed by Olivia
Rating: High Five!
Who I'd Recommend to: Fans of WILDWOOD and anything written by Lemony Snicket (I only read books 1 and 2 of a Series of Unfortunate Events, and my brother read All the Wrong Questions, but the writing style is definitely similar).
Favorite Quote (I can't decide, so I'm posting both):
"I just want to make sure I have this straight. You say you came across the sea for ballet, even though, thanks to croissants, you're no longer a ballerina. Is that correct?" (the customs officer to Adelaide while moving overseas from Paris to America).
"Quite easily, monsiuer, quite easily. I have a mole on my back. That mole belongs to me, but that does not mean I want it there." (Mrs. Belmont, Adelaide's mom, after the waiter is astounded that she'll willingly give away her daughter).
Synopsis:
Archer B. Helmsley wants an adventure. No, he needs an adventure. His grandparents were famous explorers . . . until they got stuck on an iceberg. Now Archer's mother barely lets him out of the house. As if that would stop a true Helmsley. Archer enlists Adelaide—the girl who, according to rumor, lost her leg to a crocodile—and Oliver—the boy next door—to help him rescue his grandparents.
Rating: High Five!
Who I'd Recommend to: Fans of WILDWOOD and anything written by Lemony Snicket (I only read books 1 and 2 of a Series of Unfortunate Events, and my brother read All the Wrong Questions, but the writing style is definitely similar).
Favorite Quote (I can't decide, so I'm posting both):
"I just want to make sure I have this straight. You say you came across the sea for ballet, even though, thanks to croissants, you're no longer a ballerina. Is that correct?" (the customs officer to Adelaide while moving overseas from Paris to America).
"Quite easily, monsiuer, quite easily. I have a mole on my back. That mole belongs to me, but that does not mean I want it there." (Mrs. Belmont, Adelaide's mom, after the waiter is astounded that she'll willingly give away her daughter).
Synopsis:
Archer B. Helmsley wants an adventure. No, he needs an adventure. His grandparents were famous explorers . . . until they got stuck on an iceberg. Now Archer's mother barely lets him out of the house. As if that would stop a true Helmsley. Archer enlists Adelaide—the girl who, according to rumor, lost her leg to a crocodile—and Oliver—the boy next door—to help him rescue his grandparents.
My Thoughts: Right from the moment I looked at this book, I knew without a doubt that I was going to love it. My favorite types of books end up being the quirky, outgoing ones with interesting, eccentric characters that make me excited to read. The Doldrums did not disappoint, and I honestly have nothing negative to say about this book (minus that I was hoping Adelaide, Archer, and Oliver would go to Antarctica, but the author, Nicholas Gannon, recently contacted me about my "book update" and said that there would be a book 2, so I'm stoked about that). The writing was so much fun to read, especially the amazing, hilarious little scenes like the ones I've put in my "Favorite Quote" section. The characters were great, too - I especially liked Adelaide and her backstory, plus the rich variety of characters, such as Mrs. Murkley. The ending, although unexpected for me, was the perfect ending to this story, now that I think on it. Archer basically discovers that he can have adventure right in his own town, which is a great lesson. I also loved how all the animals spoke to him, and the fact that he was a "dreamer." This book was so much more than I'd hoped for, with fun, quirky characters and writing that made me excited to pick this book up again. I definitely will reread and would recommend it to anyone (I recommended WILDWOOD to some friends, and they had trouble understanding it, so I'm giving them this book because I think they'll like it better).
