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Otto and the Flying Twins Charlotte Haptie 9780340854761 Books

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Otto and the Flying Twins Charlotte Haptie 9780340854761 Books

'Otto & the Flying Twins' is a story about weirdly named people inhabiting a magical world not entirely unlike our own. Sound familiar? It probably does; after all, this is a well-worn concept. In such an over-worked genre, this book needed some fresh or unique twist to set it apart. Unfortunately, although it is charmingly written it doesn't offer the reader anything they won't have read scores of times before.

Although a lengthy book, (300-ish pages), this is definitely a story for pre-Harry Potter-readers ... probably best suited to those no more than 8years of age. Young readers who have mastered the complexity of a Rowling's plot might possibly find this a little juvenile for their tastes. Adult readers will doubtless find it tedious in the extreme.

The story is nicely broken into lots of short chapters making it perfect to read to little children at bedtime, inspiring pleasant dreams of dragons, unicorns and flying carpets. However, a very deliberate message of 'tolerating those who are different' may go over the heads of the youngest, or seem a little heavy-handed and 'preachy' to the oldest.

In summary: an enjoyable fantasy book for young readers ... pleasant enough to read, but lacking the originality and individuality needed to stand the test of time and become a true classic.


Tags : Otto and the Flying Twins [Charlotte Haptie] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Otto is our endearingly bewildered young hero whose world suddenly becomes very odd. Going with his father, Albert,Charlotte Haptie,Otto and the Flying Twins,Hodder Childrens Book,0340854766,Fantasy & magical realism (Children'sYA),Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)

Otto and the Flying Twins Charlotte Haptie 9780340854761 Books Reviews

In a private corner of the world the Karmidee have created a haven; The City of Trees. Built to accomodate all Karmidee (the four footed, the horned, the scaled & beclawed) this mystic city is their birthright.

However, with humans among them, the magically gifted Karmidee have been usurped from their city and forced into poverty stricken encampments along the mud banks of the swamps.

Now run by an increasingly hysterical government, "Normality" is the mantra, the rule and the goal.

Things begin to look personally ominous for the Hush family when twins Hepzibah and (the delightfully named) Zeborah manifest their particular 'magico' talent of flying. They fly, they soar, they dribble and swim through the sky. Babysitters beware.

The city is in peril, the family are being persecuted and Otto might be the closest thing the Karmidee have to a Prince!

In a deft departure from the norm, not all is left in the hands of Otto and his friends. This isn't an instance of only children can save the day - instead, his parents, and friends all have roles to divert destiny. Even the villians have excellent motivations, and the comeuppances are suitable.

Imaginative & humorous, what a fantastic addition to the ranks of young adult fiction this book is.

Fans of Garth Nix seventh tower series will find a lot to enjoy here. Also recommended for Diana Wynne Jones fans.

Kotori ojadis@yahoo.com
Haptie's debut novel introduces yet another magical place to the world of literature, but the City of Trees never seems to bring to mind images of Hogwarts or Narnia. With this story, an entirely different and exciting world is created; a place where a laundromat is run by a dragon, where children fly on carpets, and where trees play an important role. Haptie's wording is simple and concise, and her details illuminating and clear. Her magical people, the Karmidee, are very fresh- there are no witches and wizards, only widges, dammerung, lamp-eyes, artists, and so on. These people have become outcasts in their own City, overrun by the Normals who lack imagination and bring only destruction. With her story of love and hope, the author also has underlying themes of discrimination and senseless prejudice. I was completely enthralled by this new world and the lovable hero, Otto, who is not entirely good or entirely bad; he is just a young boy hoping to save his family and friends. This is a beautiful story, and has quickly become one of my favorites.
Although the threat of outsiders was settled in the first book, the Karmidee are still imperiled by new menace.

The characters continue to enchant, and Otto finds some new friends and a new relative mysteriously appears on the scene (Albert the Librarian, Otto's father and incidentally, the king of the Karmidee, is a little TOO discreet for his families comfort)

Outrageous names abound, for places and people, and the eccentrically magical are extremely enjoyable. .. The City of Trees is threatened when the usual good weather turns to an icy chill, and everything begins to freeze. Nobody has any clues and as usual the Normal Citizens blame the Karmidee, leading to unrest and a political coo, as the Mayor is ousted from power and a violent & disreputable figure known as Councillor Bliss steps in.

Other things are going wrong in the city as well - Mattie (known as 'Lumpy' by the less charitable) is left alone to manage the family wool shop, and a disreputable and very tiny figure has been seen on the premises, leaving miniscule footprints and small gifts. Have the elves become active? Or is it something else?

Sween Softly has his own problems - his family have been kidnapped, & the only ransom note he has receieved has improbable requests!

Charlotte Haptie has created a glorious corner of the universe for her Improbable and not at all Respectable friends, and they are always above all, sensible and reasonable reactions and a fair and accurate representation of the problems which plague us when people seek to discrimnate or appropriate.

A fine sequel to Otto & the Flying Twins.

I highly recommend this delightful book to all young persons, and the young at heart. It will delight, amaze, surprise, touch & tickle.

kotori ojadis@yahoo.com
I loved this book! It was a familiar story, but magically written and completely suitable for a young reader. I've had a hard time finding modern books for my 6-year-old that are challenging and interesting enough for her to read without being too scary. The really short chapters are a bonus for her, too. We're looking forward to reading the sequel and hope to find more books like this.
'Otto & the Flying Twins' is a story about weirdly named people inhabiting a magical world not entirely unlike our own. Sound familiar? It probably does; after all, this is a well-worn concept. In such an over-worked genre, this book needed some fresh or unique twist to set it apart. Unfortunately, although it is charmingly written it doesn't offer the reader anything they won't have read scores of times before.

Although a lengthy book, (300-ish pages), this is definitely a story for pre-Harry Potter-readers ... probably best suited to those no more than 8years of age. Young readers who have mastered the complexity of a Rowling's plot might possibly find this a little juvenile for their tastes. Adult readers will doubtless find it tedious in the extreme.

The story is nicely broken into lots of short chapters making it perfect to read to little children at bedtime, inspiring pleasant dreams of dragons, unicorns and flying carpets. However, a very deliberate message of 'tolerating those who are different' may go over the heads of the youngest, or seem a little heavy-handed and 'preachy' to the oldest.

In summary an enjoyable fantasy book for young readers ... pleasant enough to read, but lacking the originality and individuality needed to stand the test of time and become a true classic.