Today’s review comes from Amanda O’Dell, who’s written two other reviews for me (which you can find here and here). This post is about a children’s chapter book series titled The Sisters Grimm!
Title: The Sisters Grimm
Author: Michael Buckley
Publisher: Abrams Books
Publishing Date: 2005-2012
Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | Goodreads
Summary
The Sisters Grimm takes you on an adventure with Sabrina and Daphne as they cope with life after their parents mysteriously disappear. A grandma they never knew still lived pops up one day to take care of them and teach them the family business–being fairy tale detectives. Twists, turns, new friends, scarier enemies and magical battles ensue as the Grimm family does what they do best – save the world.
Review: The Sisters Grimm
The adventure I stumbled into with the Grimm sisters took me by surprise. I picked up the first book because it had a fun, whimsical cover and promised me a light-hearted journey with girl fairy tale detectives. Obviously, that’s something I wanted to be part of as soon as possible. I had no clue it was a series or that eight more books would follow the first.
So, I plunged in and instantly fell in love with the clever word craft and bond between these two sisters, Sabrina and Daphne, struggling to survive without their parents.
The character development in this series is masterful. I feel like I know each main player like I’ve been friends with them for years. It’s impossible to not love Puck, even when he’s annoying you with pranks involving mystery green goo or unicorn farts. He’s hilarious and a great source of comic relief when the family lands in heated debates and hardships. He is accidentally kind and sweet, especially to Sabrina, and it takes your breath away and nudges you to be his friend.
Granny is a fierce teddy bear. She is the one you snuggle with, but she also carries weapons and magic that may wipe you out. And do not mess with her family! She becomes a mama bear and will protect her loved ones in a similar beastly fashion.
Strong Characters
I have a soft spot for Mr. Canis. He is quiet, non-whimsical, anti-comedic, but the best friend you could ask for, well, when he’s Mr. Canis. One of the best parts of this book is that all these “normal” people you meet in Ferrytown Landing are secretly (at least to humans) fairy tale characters. Mr. Canis will tear you to shreds because he’s the Big Bad Wolf.
The Grimm family’s backstory consistently intrigued me. These generations and generations of fairy tale detectives who fight the villains and keep their experiences in journals for the next Grimms. You’ll root for them; you’ll second guess them; they’ll become your family.
It goes without saying that the writing is clever, meaningful and inviting. I would not have read nine books in two weeks (or less) if it wasn’t. This is my first experience reading Michael Buckley’s work, but I can fervently report it won’t be the last.
I really cannot wait for you to hop into this story with twists and turns and sinkholes and merriment.