Into the Lion's Den has ratings and 19 reviews. Experiment BL said: If A parallel universe to the novel "The Substitute." .. previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 next» .
Table of contents
What I really think: I don't know that I will purchase this one, mainly because my students who want mysteries want kidnapping or murder stories, not ones about stolen maps. Fairstein is apparently the author of some adult titles-- sometimes people can make the leap think Rick Riordan! Dec 04, Lesa rated it really liked it Shelves: Linda Fairstein is the perfect author to set a series of juvenile mysteries in New York City.
Into the Lion's Den
Who knows it any better than the author of the Alexandra Cooper novels? Fairstein, a former prosecutor for Manhattan, utilizes the city's landmarks as essential elements in her mysteries. When Liza comes out, she and Devlin chase after a man that Liza claims cut a page from a rare book in the Map Division. It's a chase that ends in the subway, but Devlin has a poor photo of the man. Unfortunately, no one believes the two girls, including Devlin's mother, Blaine Quick, the police commissioner of NYC. But, Devlin believes Liza. Together with Devlin's friend, Booker, the three do research at the library, and, using a few resources at One Police Plaza, or the Puzzle Palace as Devlin calls it, they narrow their suspects to three.
Devlin's online research, and their interview with a librarian, reveals a world of valuable maps and ruthless thefts of maps. How do three young people track down a map thief when librarians, scholars, and the police have not yet caught him? It features a trio of intrepid young sleuths, a library, and New York City sites. The three amateur detectives, led by Devlin Quick, utilize online resources, modern detective methods, and their own ingenuity to find and trap a thief.
Tionne Rogers' World: The Substitute - Book 2
It's an entertaining, fast-paced mystery. I hope today's young mystery readers are as eager to follow future adventures of Devlin Quick as I would have been at that age. Bratty, self-involved kid, daughter of the NYPD commissioner involves herself in a mystery which involves accusing her step sister's boyfriend of being a thief and lying to an NY Public special-librarian. Dec 18, Kara rated it really liked it Shelves: Okay, so usually when authors of adult fiction try to write in the middle grade or young adult genre, it's not usually so successful.
I am really picky about requesting those books because usually they are terrible. But in this case, it worked pretty well. Into the Lion's Den was pitched to me as a modern Nancy Drew, and that's exactly what it is. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan as a child. I read so many of those books, and this was very similar. Intelligent beyond her years teenager helps someone w Okay, so usually when authors of adult fiction try to write in the middle grade or young adult genre, it's not usually so successful.
Intelligent beyond her years teenager helps someone with solving a crime, and said crime takes her and her friends all over New York City. It's fun, it's exciting, and I really enjoyed the tightly plotted story. This is the first book in a series. I have no idea how long it's going to be or if the entire thing will be in NYC, but I'm excited to see where it goes next.
- Megaevents and Modernity: Olympics and Expos in the Growth of Global Culture.
- The Opposite Bastard (New Writing);
- The Touchstone.
This is exactly what I am looking for in a middle grade novel. Adventure, excitement, and a great story. The only complaint I have? I liked her, but 7th graders do not speak the way she speaks. It is entirely TOO adult. I wish the author had taken more time to understand how kids actually talk. Even intelligent kids do not use the turns of phrase that Devlin uses. There were times it got a bit bizarre and yanked me out of the narrative.
This sometimes happens when adults write children, and I hope it's more realistic in future books. Jul 10, Amanda rated it it was ok Shelves: This might be the last time I take book recommendations from a middle schooler. For a book that takes place entirely in our world, with no magic or fantastic elements, it was thoroughly unbelievable. The entire mystery revolves around the main character's friend kinda-sorta, not really, seeing someone steal a page from a library book. Instead of going to the librarian, the friend chases the possible book destroyer out of the library where she runs into the main character, who decides this i Ugh.
Instead of going to the librarian, the friend chases the possible book destroyer out of the library where she runs into the main character, who decides this is a worthwhile mystery and sets about using all of the resources of the NYPD to track down this person and the possibly stolen page. Oh, her mom's the head of the NYPD, so naturally Dev knows absolutely everything about policing, because all children know everything their parents do about their jobs. It was like reading Nancy Drew, but not as interesting.
This book, written for the eight to twelve age bracket, is a fun read for adults, too. Although the characters in Into the Lion's Den all seem a bit too good to be true, I had to remind myself that I wasn't reading my usual fare.
Devlin is smart and resourceful-- a born detective-- and her grandmother Louella "Lu" Atwell is my favorite adult. This is a fun, fast-pac This book, written for the eight to twelve age bracket, is a fun read for adults, too. This is a fun, fast-paced, intriguing read for children, and it makes a nice change of pace for adults, too.
How about some quality reading time together? Dec 06, Peter Swanson rated it really liked it Shelves: This is a good example of a book aimed at a young audience which can be enjoyed by adults. I'm about the same age as the protagonist's grandmother, and I found it to be—in the words of someone—a Rattling Good Yarn. The adolescent characters are shown as intelligent and sensible, as are the adults. It's a refreshing change from much entertainment created during the last 30 years, wherein the kids are wiseass little manipulators, and the adults are clueless comedy relief, horrid, or both.
It was a This is a good example of a book aimed at a young audience which can be enjoyed by adults. It was also great fun to learn about the inner workings of a massive library, as well as the world of collectible maps. Sep 26, Kari rated it really liked it Shelves: The student they are hosting from South America, Liza, thinks she sees a man tear a page out of rare map book in the special collections room of the New York Public Library.
But who's going to believe a year-old girl? Clever premise, and well-written. I look forward to more in the series. Dec 07, Kevin Tiemeyer rated it really liked it. Even in a children's book, Linda Fairstein conveys a lot of the history about a location. This time the New York Public Library.
Though the mystery itself was ok; it is her telling of tidbits of the legendary library that made it worth reading. I am eager to see what she does with the characters in the next installment and what NYC landmark the mystery will take place. Then again, it might not be NYC. While the premise of this book wasn't bad, the writing did not work for MG. Some adult and YA authors seem to really find their stride in MG, but it didn't happen hear. The characters felt forced and unrealistic.
There's better MG mysteries out there. Pass on this one. An awesome kids crime book. Devlin and her friend Liza work to track down a criminal mastermind stealing valuable pages from irreplaceable books. Devlin is thrilled —now she can help solve a mystery —something her mom does all the time as the Police Commissioner. With the help of her friend Booker as well —the trio discover the world of antique maps and the theft of them.
They find some suspects and get to work investigating. I am always on the lookout for a good mystery, so with its cover appeal I was excited to read this book. Its easy to see why Nancy Drew is older —she has some autonomy. The big bad plot about the stolen maps is kind of boring —as are the suspects. Combine this with overly long and I found myself struggling to finish reading it. Mar 09, Emily Carlyn rated it liked it. I may have ruined myself by reading a review before though, but I got weird vibes from this book.
That made it all cheesy and unbelievable. The characters fell flat as well. Decline was kind of rude and Liza was too timid. Aug 20, Katrina Weiss rated it did not like it. This had so much potential with the plot if you think mysteries connected to libraries are compelling, like I do , but was ruined by the characters. Devlin was a self-absorbed, bratty Mary-Sue who tries to trick or bully to get her way, and if that doesn't work she gets her rich bulldozer of a Grandmother to do it for her. A big part of the story had to do with how connected Devlin's family was to law enforcement, if so then she and Granny should know that trying to intimidate a poor librarian This had so much potential with the plot if you think mysteries connected to libraries are compelling, like I do , but was ruined by the characters.
A big part of the story had to do with how connected Devlin's family was to law enforcement, if so then she and Granny should know that trying to intimidate a poor librarian into giving out information about what other library patrons are checking out wouldn't work, no matter how much you throw veiled threats relating to your wealth or status into the conversation.
Jul 08, Ellen rated it liked it. I'm a big fan of relentless girl detectives, and obviously of libraries as well, but while I think kids will enjoy this, I'm calling it a 3. As per usual, the adults in charge don't all believe our child heroes that a crime has been committed, even though it's something that would be incredibly easy to verify - yet no one does. Also, with all the online research our heroine does, she can't look up a photograph of her main suspect? It I'm a big fan of relentless girl detectives, and obviously of libraries as well, but while I think kids will enjoy this, I'm calling it a 3.
It drove me batty, and detracted from the well drawn characters, enticing vision of a New York City summer, and eventually exciting plot. Nov 24, Lee Ann rated it liked it. The reading level is a little hard for her. I told her to put it on her book shelf and try again in the summer. I have read several of Linda Fairstein's adult mysteries. Her YA mystery is similar: In fact, when I was finishing this book, I was in NYC and took the library tour and got to see the map r 3. In fact, when I was finishing this book, I was in NYC and took the library tour and got to see the map room and ask about Dickens' letter opener.
The ending surprised me! That could just be my lack of focus today though. Like I said earlier, great mystery! I loved learning about maps and valuable sets of documents. May 28, Lea rated it liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. An intriguing mystery story, and mystery usually isn't my genre. Feb 05, Steph Lovelady rated it liked it. I did not know the author of this book was the prosecutor of the Central Park Five case when I saw it in a bookstore and recommended my son buy it for his ten-year-old sister for Christmas.
Finding this out when we were several chapters in gave me a queasy feeling about a mystery series in which the protagonist is the twelve-year-old daughter of a police commissioner.
- The Starrunner!
- The Many Faces of Faith: A Guide to World Religions and Christian Traditions;
- Tionne Rogers' World: Dear Mrs. Pirate.
- MageSign (The Balance Book 2).
- Evolution of the Brain: Creation of the Self?
And it made me think, "Oh so that's what that was about" when in one of the early chapters the preteen girl makes a jarring spe I did not know the author of this book was the prosecutor of the Central Park Five case when I saw it in a bookstore and recommended my son buy it for his ten-year-old sister for Christmas. And it made me think, "Oh so that's what that was about" when in one of the early chapters the preteen girl makes a jarring speech about quality of life crimes. I'm going to try to give it as fair a review as I can.
It's a competently written middle grades mystery. Devlin and her friends one Latina, one black are on the trail of whoever stole a rare map from the New York Public Library not exactly what springs to mind when you hear "quality of life crime". Devlin's voice is a little stilted at times. She doesn't really sound like a contemporary preteen, but the story is fun and you learn about the small world of map enthusiasts.
My daughter liked it, but didn't love it. I don't think we'll continue with the series. Apr 04, Zoe rated it liked it Shelves: While a solid mystery with a great setting, I didn't find the characters as charming as I wished. Fairstein does, however, give you one of the things you read a mystery for - information.
It's only the start of Guntram and Konrad's life together in which I am dying to find out the next step. Jan 16, Jerry rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is an interesting alternate universe of The Substitute. It starts with Repin working at getting Guntram to his bed instead of Konrad. Guntram is still naive and he still belittles his art ability. Repin seems to have a better ability to handle and pursue Guntram. Unfortunately Repin treats Guntram like a toy. Terrible things happen to Guntram and he jumps at the chance to be a "hostage" with Konrad.
At the castle he falls in love with Konrad. This situation almost causes war between the two This is an interesting alternate universe of The Substitute. This situation almost causes war between the two advisories.
Tionne Rogers' Blog
Gun tram's father is still alive but has changed identities to conceal him from Konrad. He comes back into the fray and makes things both better and worse. Guntram is very much weaker in body but stinger in soul. A HEA is strongly hinted at, but not conclusive. Everyone around Guntram wants to control him. It takes a lot from him but in the end I believe he will achieve a good amount of independence. I did not like Repin in either book--just a major slime ball. I am neutral about Guntram's father. I really liked Konrad in this book.
He showed a lot more emotion and understanding. I missed the cathartic artwork of the Italian mistress and how that showed how good Guntrsm really is as an artist. I loved seeing more into the inner workings of the Order. I wished there was more about the babies, but maybe that will be in the sequel. I would love to talk with the author about her reasons for creating the two different books.
The main characters are the same but some the circumstances are different. It makes me realize there are thousands of possibilities of what can happen when you place these people in motion. I gave 4 stars to "The Substitute" dropped from 5 due to grammar and editing. I am giving 5 stars to "Into the Lions Den" because the grammar and editing are better. The story of both is well beyond a star system, however they both still need work.
The contractions thru out ItLD are atrocious, but there were less continuity issues. These are deeply moving books. I am very glad to have read them. The charchters will stay with me a long time. I am very happy to place them in my favorites shelf. View all 16 comments. Jun 29, Lilia Ford rated it it was amazing Shelves: It's almost as if Rogers wrote an AU fanfic of her own novel: Plotwise it's crazy stuff since Constantin is like Konrad on steroids--at least as controlling but in a far more manipulative, deceptive manner, n It's almost as if Rogers wrote an AU fanfic of her own novel: Plotwise it's crazy stuff since Constantin is like Konrad on steroids--at least as controlling but in a far more manipulative, deceptive manner, not leaving out the fact that he's a possessive, murdering psycho.
He more than makes up for the fact that Konrad here is marginally less crazy and abusive. But since this is the world created by Tionne Rogers , bizarrely a case can be made that Constantin is actually more likable than Konrad--go figure. An added advantage is that Into the Lion's Den has a tighter plot and better editing, including a much reduced role for the loathsome Stefania, as well as being available for e-readers. View all 6 comments. May 31, Moniqee rated it really liked it.
In the beginning, I wonder how would this parallel story be different from The Substitute. Sort of like reading a new story but with some reminders of the Substitute in between chapters. I have to applaud to Tionne for this is not an easy writeup as it can go either way good or bad and to me, it was a job well done! Unfortunately, there are some misses. One - the spoken words and thoughts are jumbled up. It would be nice to segegrate both coz it is kind of iritating to figure out which is which.
Second - I don't grasp the love between Guntram, Konrad and Constantin. Maybe it's the way of the writeup, my love for the main and secondary characters in the Substitute seems to diminish for the Lion's Den. Overall, it deserves the 4 stars and I have no regrets in this purchase as Tionne's style of writing always had me at the first chapter. I can't wait to read Tionne's sequel to the Substitute. A somewhat kinder and gentler Konrad? Didn't think it was possible. Still manipulative and controlling, though, gotta love him. It's been almost a year since I read The Substitute so a lot of the minor details have been forgotten.
There were enough things that kept giving me a sense of deja-vu, but for the most part it is almost an entirely different story from what I remember from the first. The rating is based solely on the enjoyment of the story. Liked it just as much for totally different rea A somewhat kinder and gentler Konrad?
Liked it just as much for totally different reasons. Same issues apply here concerning bad editing or awful translation, whatever the case may be. I got used to that pretty quickly. This is mostly third person with bits and pieces of Guntram's journal. Along with the third person narrative came an excessive amount of head hopping and that was more distracting to me than anything else.
Oct 05, Tamarrion Lash rated it it was ok Shelves: Not as good as the other, but still gold! Sep 04, Ed Davis rated it really liked it. I certainly found myself drawn into the world of Guntram and the two men who loved him. I was often frustrated with the way Guntram acted. However, I wanted to know what ultimately happened to him. Two mobsters who love a very naive boy.
Jun 08, Marsha Spence rated it it was amazing Shelves: I really loved this alternate version of The Substitute. I much preferred Konrad wasn't such a prick and Guti is a much stronger person at least later in the book. Repin is a horror. Chapter 12 was tough to get through. The story was very well done and thoroughly engaging. Jan 20, Maggie Simms rated it really liked it Shelves: Another great read by Tionne Rogers.
After reading the Substitute, this one was an interesting parallel universe to read. Overall, I like the original version the best. However, I enjoyed reading this one and the different scenarios that it presented. Sometimes I felt that there was too much going on to really focus. On Another great read by Tionne Rogers. One thing that this book makes you realize clearly at the end is how vulnerable Guntram is in the original version.
In this one he had his dad to protect him while in the other he is truly at the mercy of Konrad and his people. Oct 16, Kylee rated it it was amazing. An alternate storyline to The Substitute. Tionne's writing takes you to another world. Her characters are dangerous and hilarious at the same time. The novel is delightfully different and will keep you hooked from the beginning to the end. Apr 11, Nijin rated it really liked it. It was strange experience, like reading fun fiction, but not quite.
The switching of the focus, some times in the same paragraph, was annoying.
- .
- JSTOR: Access Check.
- Rosace, No. 3 from Esquisses Byzantines.
- ;
- Into the Lion's Den by Linda Fairstein.
Will buy the third one anyway.