LoveReading4Kids Says
One of our Books of the Year 2013 - October 2013 Book of the Month Fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket will enjoy the dark and disagreeable lives of twins Greta and Feliks Mortenerg – frequently known as the woebegone twins. Abandoned by their parents the twins are brought up by their kind but unusual Aunt Grisela whose care for them keeps them out of the Schwartzgarten Reformatory for Maladjusted Children.
Both twins have red hair, lots of freckles and an allergy to almonds. When Aunt Grisela takes in Mr Morbide to be a new house guest, the twins are sure he is an evil murderer. Can they prove it? They are certainly about to try. In the strange world of Schwartzgarten all kinds of unpleasantness may take place and nothing is quite as it seems!
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for The Woebegone Twins a small number of children were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'A hilariously grim book and some of the characters are really evil...This is a great book which I couldn’t put down.'
Scroll down to read more reviews...
LoveReading4Kids
About The Woebegone Twins
A gruesomely funny series for fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
Read the full description
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The Woebegone Twins Synopsis
A gruesomely funny series for fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
When twins Greta and Feliks are sent to the ill-omened Schwartzgarten Reformatory for Maladjusted Children it seems their fate is sealed: that is until they are rescued by the glamorous Olga Van Veenen, a fabulously wealthy children's author, plagued by writer's block. But Olga's life is apparently in danger, threatened by a second-rate novelist who wishes to see his rival dead.
When Olga and her faithful retainer, Valentin, disappear from the eerie and imposing Castle Van Veenen, many miles north by train from Schwartzgarten's Imperial Railway Station, Greta and Feliks conclude that the murderous novelist has finally exacted his revenge on Olga.
Only by using their wits are the twins able to rescue their guardian before it is too late. As if by magic, Olga's writer's block lifts, and she quickly produces and publishes a new book for children. The novel has eerie similarities to the twins' adventures in Castle Van Veenen, and Greta and Feliks begin to question whether their guardian has deliberately placed them in danger for literary inspiration.
But Olga Van Veenen has come too far to have her reputation muddied by the allegations of the twins, and will stop at nothing to silence them forever.
With cover and chapter head artwork by Chris Riddell.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781408314562 |
| Publication date: |
1st May 2014 |
| Author: |
Christopher William Hill |
| Publisher: |
Orchard Books an imprint of Hachette Children's Group |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
339 pages |
| Series: |
Tales from Schwartzgarten |
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Christopher William Hill Press Reviews
A small number of children were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. You can read their reviews below.
Sam Harper, age 9 - 'With flights in airships and deaths by beheading and poison, this is a fantastically gruesome adventure. If you like shocking and grizzly tales, choose The Woebegone Twins!' Click Here to read the full review.
Anna Leaver, age 9 - 'Set in the make believe city of Schwartzgarten. The twins try to escape from Olga Van Veenen, who is an evil murderer. They have a fight on the clock tower and Olga gets her comeuppance!' Click Here to read the full review.
Ross Dawson, age 9 - 'An awesome book for all those who enjoy brave characters, feeling a bit anxious and plenty of cliffhangers. I'd give it five stars - read it and you'll love it too!' Click Here to read the full review.
Rebekah Choi, age 11 - 'Thrilling and chilling, perfect for readers who like murder, crime and mystery. Two brave children on the run from some very mean people! Only open this book if you dare!' Click Here to read the full review.
Emma Baird, age 10 - 'A hilariously grim book and some of the characters are really evil...This is a great book which I couldn’t put down.' Click Here to read the full review.
Thomas Davies, age 7 - 'The Woebegone Twins by Christopher William Hill is about twins, Greta and Feliks who are very unlucky children. A sad day comes and this sends Greta and Feliks on an adventure of their lives!'
Charlie Swan, age 7 - 'This book is about two children called Greta and Feliks who live in the city of Schwartzgarten, which is a mysterious place where lots of scary things happen. I really liked this book. The story was very exciting and scary.' Click Here to read the full review.
Jenny Bridgeman, age 8 - 'Fantastic and dark, this is great for children who liked Lemony Snicket. It's funny and scary!' Click Here to read the full review.
Emma Moroney, age 7 - 'I loved reading The Woebegone Twins. it was full of twists and turns and you didn’t know what was going to happen in the chapter.' Click Here to read the full review.
Joseph Exley, age 9 - 'The Woebegone Twins is a murder mystery and adventure book. I thought this book was a fantastic read, it kept me gripped all the way to the end.' Click Here to read the full review.
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Praise for OSBERT THE AVENGER
“Wry and unexpected, it offers exaggerated villains, elaborate murders, twists and narrow escapes.” SUNDAY TIMES
“Fans of Roald Dahl and Chris Priestley will savour every gruesome drop of this stylish, grisly and original comedy.” THE TIMES
“A riveting story – a clever mix of humour with some very dark and gruesome moments and a couple of real shocks towards the end.” PRIMARY TIMES
“Bloodthirsty and mysterious with a sharp spike in its tail, Osbert’s story is a deliciously dark invitation to the strange world of Schwartzgarten, a city corrupt with shadows and
secrets – and in need of a hero.” WE LOVE THIS BOOK
“A macabre tale full of ghoulish and gruesome escapades. A frightening but appealing anti-hero.” BOOKTRUST
“Macabre and gruesome and wickedly funny.” LOVEREADING
