Why don't you come to my place at Midnight? Have some brandy..? Hey. Why are you giving me those looks. Oh you people are SICK.
Pfft. Anyways, my booktalk today will be about The Black Book of Secrets by Eoin Colfer. I have no idea if this is fiction or not, the author claimed that he translated it off a parchment or something. So instead of doing things the normal way, I'm going to add some suspense and make you confused, I'm going to read a few paragraphs from 3 different pages first so you can have a small glimpse of the story and whats happening.
(read page 20 and page 44 and page 56)
After hearing those two paragraphs/pages, I think you've got a semi-general idea of what this book was about. It's about mystery, revenge and secrets. Ludlow Fitch was unfortunately born in the City where his adopted father and mother only use him for a quick buck, sure they saved him but they beat him when he didn't pickpocket enough money for their booze and one day, while he was sleeping, he found himself dragged to a chair, with pliers going into his mouth for his teeth. Another scheme to make a quick buck, but this time it wasn't going to happen. Ludlow ran, kicked, and punched his way out of the City and now has freedom. But what now? It's almost winter and he didn't bring anything with him. After pickpocketing gloves and a scarf from one of the most richest men in Pagus Parvis, Mr. Ratchet; Ludlow decides to travel up the hill, where destiny told him to go. Once he's up there, Ludlow finds that his life will change forever after meeting Joe Zabbidou.
Basically the main characters of this book is Ludlow Fitch and Joe Zabbidou. Joe is an unforgettable person in the book, he takes long strides, covers distance quickly, yet he has a limp. His age is impossible to determine, he was narrow, tall and had grey hair. He gives a glow of happiness and almost everyone was happy to see him. Ludlow is pale, has a sorry figure, undersized, undernourished and his eyes were dark green with flecks of yellow, and set in a ring of shadow. He was dislikable, his stare creeped almost everyone out because when he does this, you never notice him blink, or even move, but it's not scary after you get to know him better. But of course, I forgot to mention the villain, Jeremiah Ratchet. He is a mean, ruthless, no mercy man. He blackmails almost everyone and raises rent whenever he wanted too. He is the richest man in the town and owned most of the land where people live on. He also has a very bad habit of drinking and gambling.
This story takes place in Pagus Parvis, a little town where Jeremiah Ratchet controls the town under the tip of his finger. He evicts if he doesn't get rent and he blackmails almost everyone, making the town very angry, vengeful, and about to burst. When Joe rolls into town, everyone is happy at first, because he had a pawn shop where he bought EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING. From buttons to a pot, he would pay. Which paid their rent and debt to Jeremiah. Jeremiah gets angrier and angrier, who is getting money, true, but now he's not getting as much. He also notices people coming at midnight into Joe's shop, magically the next day, the same person almost paid their debt. Then.. one day. Everything goes terribly wrong. What will happen to Joe and Ludlow? Will Jeremiah finally defeat Joe? Will the citizens of Pagus Parvis finally get their revenge?
The reasons I enjoyed reading this book was that I didn't know how one man, can turn a whole town upside down with hate and revenge. It also showed me how only a few words can turn love into absolute hate. It taught me many things. I also enjoyed reading it because it's a one of a kind book. I don't think you'll ever read a book like this, it's unpredictable, eerie and almost fall over your chair suspense.
This book reminded me of an old tale about the King with Donkey ears. Then the barber sees them, is sworn not to say anything but says it to holes, trees and other things, then the hole is filled up. But a plant starts to grow there, when they were big enough, the wind blew and the secret was whispered out of the plants.
I recommend this book to people who like suspense, revenge, murder and generally looking for a good book to read because this book has all those things and more.
So why don't you come at midnight have a brandy with me?
Electrified Coco Puffs Community Member 
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