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    The Wells Bequest: A Novel | Companion to The Grimm Legacy
    Unavailable
    The Wells Bequest: A Novel | Companion to The Grimm Legacy
    Unavailable
    The Wells Bequest: A Novel | Companion to The Grimm Legacy
    Audiobook6 hours

    The Wells Bequest: A Novel | Companion to The Grimm Legacy

    Written by Polly Shulman

    Narrated by Johnny Heller

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Leo never imagined that time travel might really be possible, or that the objects in H. G. Wells' science fiction novels might actually exist. And when a miniature time machine appears in Leo's bedroom, he has no idea who the tiny, beautiful girl is riding it. But in the few moments before it vanishes, returning to wherever-and whenever-it came from, he recognizes the other tiny rider: himself!

    His search for the time machine, the girl, and his fate leads him to the New-York Circulating Material Repository, a magical library that lends out objects instead of books. Hidden away in the Repository basement is the Wells Bequest, a secret collection of powerful objects straight out of classic science fiction novels: robots, rockets, submarines, a shrink ray-and one very famous time machine. And when Leo's adventure of a lifetime suddenly turns deadly, he must attempt a journey to 1895 to warn real-life scientist Nikola Tesla about a dangerous invention. A race for time is on!

    In this grand time-travel adventure full of paradoxes and humor, Polly Shulman gives readers a taste of how fascinating science can be, deftly blending classic science fiction elements with the contemporary fantasy world readers fell in love with in The Grimm Legacy.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJun 13, 2013
    ISBN9781101632505
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for The Wells Bequest

    3.5/5

    385 ratings60 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I liked it a lot though the romance part of it could have been toned down.
    • 4/5
      I love fairy tales and was thrilled when I found a copy of The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman at the book fair at school. I was drawn to the cover because it looks magical and whimsical. The tree looks like it holds a lot of secrets! Not only was there suspense and action, but I learned a lot about the Brothers Grimm along the way. I want to learn more about them and where they got their ideas from! Being a page sounds like such a blast! I already visit the library every chance I get, but now I am even more curious about what could be hiding behind some of the walls. I think Elizabeth is someone that I would be friends with because she is kind towards others and will go out of her way to help the people around her. Also, she tries to follow the rules, but is willing to take risks to solve mysteries. I think this book is great for anyone in fifth grade and up because the main characters are in high school and there is a little romance sprinkled in with the fantastical adventure. You won’t want to stop turning the pages and I bet you will be thinking about the objects you would want to borrow from the Grimm Collection.
    • 4/5
      I checked this book out from my local library.

      I really enjoyed this fantastical book about a teen stumbling into the greatest part time job EVER! She gets to work in a library of things; a material repository. Some of the things she gets to assist with have a magic all their own. With contributions from fantasy and fiction, the story involves interesting characters and high adventure along with a little teen romance. I think you'll enjoy the ride.
    • 5/5
      Elizabeth does not have your average after-school job. She works at the New York Circulating Material Repository, a library containing all sorts of objects, some commonplace and some very rare. The rarest of all are housed in the special collections, including the Grimm Collection, a collection of magical objects from Grimm fairy tales. When Elizabeth discovers that someone's been stealing objects from the collection and draining them of their magic, she and her friends will have to figure out what's going on. This is a delightful book that will certainly please any fairy tale fan. The concept is very creative and I loved Polly Shulman's descriptions of the items (both magic and real) found in the Repository. Elizabeth is a likeably imperfect protagonist with a multicultural cast of friends (also likeably imperfect and well-developed). The book leaves room for a sequel or two and I certainly hope that's what Ms. Shulman and her publishers are thinking, too!
    • 2/5
      2.5 / 5.0

      The concept of a library that lends out objects rather than books is very fun, and it makes a very good setting for any number of stories. Adding in the fairy tale elements just makes it more intriguing.

      When it comes to characterisation, however, this novel falls rather flat. None of the characters really seem to have much depth, even Elizabeth as the narrator. Additionally, several things are just quickly glossed over in the telling, and a number of things got solved too quickly, in my point of view.

      Still, it's a quick, fun read. And a good way to spend an afternoon.
    • 3/5
      Nice little read - lots of components I enjoy: NYC, magic, fairy tales, libraries....
      Pretty lite, but would be a next step from Ella Enchanted & Enchanted Forest Chronicle.
    • 3/5
      Light hearted, good fun. I love the idea of the Grimm Collection.
    • 3/5
      This a good book to read if you like to read about magic and fantasy. What could be more magical than a Grimm collection in the basement of a depository, a table that sets itself, Hermes shoes, and the wig of Marie Antoinette?
    • 4/5
      I love this book, I recently rediscovered it and fell in love all over again! I want to work in the New York Circulating Material Depository, it sounds like the greatest after school job ever!Elizabeth is a likable main character and she doesn't fall into the usual YA heroine stereotypes. She is smart, funny, and likable which was a nice change for me (I'm tired of brooding main characters). The story was fast passed and engaging without being confusing. I also applaud Polly Shulman for telling a complete story in under 400 pages!
    • 4/5
      Magical objects are available to borrow from the special Grimm Collection at the New York Circulating Repository (which Shulman creates as an almost real place, yes I did Google it) but be careful of what you choose to leave as a deposit for the return of the magical item! Mystery and adventure add to this fast-paced novel that creates a world and characters that are oh so believable.
    • 3/5
      I liked the idea behind this book, a library where magical objects can be checked out. In the Grimm legacy of the depository patrons could borrow Cinderella 's slippers, the magic mirror from Snow White or a mermaid's comb. All a patron has to do is leave a deposit and return the object in perfect condition. How fun would that be? unfortunately, there is a down side as the characters in the story soon find out....but that's what makes it an adventure.
    • 4/5
      Elizabeth Rew does not have any friends in her high school; unlike most teens, she actually gets the most joy out of her school work. After writing an A paper on the Brothers Grimm for her history teacher, Mr. Mauskopf, he offers to set her up with a job. She agrees and finds herself working at a freakin' sweet and unique library. Rather than lending books, this library (repository) lends materials, like chess sets, antique doublets, parasols and vases. In addition to that stuff in the main stacks, the 'dungeon' has all of the magical and science fiction-y items, straight out of fairy tales and novels. Elizabeth finds danger, excitement, friends and romance once she finally gets to open the door to the Grimm Collection in the dungeon.

      The Grimm Legacy brimmed with magic. I love the premise; I so want to work at that library! The magical objects are hilarious to read about and Elizabeth is exceedingly likable. While many of the side characters lack depth, they were not totally static either. The focus of the book is more on Elizabeth's feelings about herself and development as a person that it is on the dastardly plot of a villain to steal the priceless items from the Grimm Collection. The whole mystery plot line is a bit absurd, with the bad guys never seeming any real threat and not being particularly hard to discern either. That said, do not read this out of a love for mystery.

      This is a book for book lovers; Shulman's love of books and libraries exudes from every page. She compares Elizabeth to an ordinary fairy tale heroine throughout the story and makes some clever observations. It is always nice to find more teen books where the heroine does not have to be incredibly beautiful or a princess or an incredibly beautiful princess. Elizabeth is smart and, while certainly no troll, not particularly pretty. Her romance, too, follows a more believable pattern than I see in much teen literature.

      This is a fun, fast-paced, magical read, well worth your time!
    • 1/5
      Bleh. The narration of the main character is often forced and trite. The dialogue at times is RIDICULOUS - the author puts her world-building or explanatory writing in the mouths of her young teenage characters and it sounds like they're reading out of a book, haha. I only finished this because it went by so quickly and I was too lazy to get up out of bed to find another book.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book very much. If you ever watched the" Librarian" movies I think you would love this book. It is about a library that houses things from the past like the shoes from the story " Twelve Dancing Princesses" and most of the items have magical powers. The teens helping to take care of them try to solve the mystery of why some items have lost their powers.
    • 4/5
      Thanks to her science teacher, Elizabeth is offered a very unusual, new job. She works in a library that lends, not books, but objects. At first, it seems to be fairly straightforward. People check out period clothing for plays, tea sets for entertaining, tools for fixing things, etc. However, Elizabeth soon learns that some of the objects in their collection are not what they seem. She learns that there is a collection in the basement called The Grimm Collection, that holds magical items straight from Grimm fairytales. These items include seven-league boots which allow the wearer to travel seven leagues with one step, a table that creates a huge feast, the mirror that belonged to Snow White's evil step-mother, and much more. These magical items are very powerful, as well as dangerous in the wrong hands, and now these items are starting to disappear. With the help of her coworkers and some magical items, Elizabeth sets out to catch the mysterious thief.I really enjoyed this book. I felt that the story was a bit rushed in places though. For instance, the conflicts were resolved too quickly, and could have been drawn out a bit more. Overall, it was a fun read that most people would enjoy.
    • 4/5
      This was a great summer read! If I were a kid, I'd be begging to go to this place or better yet work there as a page. I've read some comments that this book wasn't developed as much as it could have been. I think perhaps that these readers were looking at it from too adult a perspective. This book spoke to the inner youth in me and I absolutely enjoyed the magical aspects. I read this on one sitting which says a lot for the book.
    • 5/5
      If you've ever worked in a library or wondered what it was like to work in a library, this book is perfect for you. Elizabeth works as a page in the New York Circulating Material Repository. But instead of renting books, people can rent all kinds of items - from shoes to tables. And like most libraries, this one has special collections. Only these collections are magical. This is a fun mix between fantasy and mystery, yet feels real. It reminded me of when I started out my library work as a page. Fond memories.
    • 1/5
      While I liked the concept of the book, the story and writing style were both too slow for me. I prefer to read books where the purpose of the story is introduced much earlier instead of just being hinted at. Hints just annoy me. Other people might like this book, I just didn't.
    • 4/5
      While I truly loved the idea of working at a "library" that lends out super cool items, some of them magical, I just didn't like the mystery aspects of the book. As far as I am concerned the mystery portions of the book could have been left out and the author could have expanded on what objects were available and what patrons did with them. The story could have been much better.
    • 3/5
      While I love the idea of a library that circulates, among other more ordinary items, magical items from beloved fairy tales, I ultimately disliked this book, thanks to the awful main character. One can check out Seven League Boots, or a mermaid's comb to enhance one's own hair, but in order to do so, you must leave something of your own behind: your sense of humor, or even your future first-born child.As much fun as the idea was, Elizabeth, the book's main character, got in the way. She was naive, selfish and so very frustratingly blind and foolish - the fact that this girl was chosen for such a delicate job made NO sense, which in turn made the rest of the story annoying. The Grimm Legacy proves that a poorly drawn, or unbelievable, character can ruin a great story.
    • 4/5
      Being a library page (a worker who gathers books to deliver to patrons) is not necessarily the most exciting job, that is unless you're in the New York Circulating Material Repository. Elizabeth, the seventh-grade heroine, finds herself falling in love with the materials, the mystery that surrounds the Repository, and the secretive Grimm collection. Meanwhile, she must also deal with first love, jealousy, and pesky disappearances of materials from the collection. While not necessarily the most groundbreaking of novels, this short read is thoroughly enjoyable. Yes, the action is predictable, as is one of the major plot twists, but when you're surrounded in the story by magical objects and science fiction machines, it really doesn't matter. The romance is a little dull, and the ending leaves a few loose ends, but kids in grades 6 and up would love this modern day dabble in fairy tales.
    • 4/5
      What if there were a library full of objects, rather than books? And what if part of that collection were magical items from fairy tales? What if someone wanted to steal these valuable items? And what if it were up to four of the student pages and two of their younger siblings to save the day?This books is in our library's YA collection and it looked just too entertaining not to read. I enjoyed the way Shulman makes the magic seem so logical and possible.
    • 5/5
      The Grimm Legacy is about this girl named Elizabeth. Her teacher recommends this job for her at this library like place. When she gets there it isn't like what she expected. This book is full of mystery, romance, and adventure. Join Elizabeth in her life and see what it in the Grimm Collection. It isn't what it seems.This book was amazing. I especially loved the ending because that was when all the action happens. If you like the Sisters Grimm you would like this book. It is fiction mixed with reality made into a whole book. Read about everyday things mixed with mystery.
    • 4/5
      The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman is one of those books that I could have really loved . . . but I didn't. I liked it, and would recommend it, but I wanted it to be fantastic, and it was merely good. The premise is that a teenage girl, Elizabeth Rew, gets a job as a page in a circulating materials repository (like a library, but with objects instead of books). In the repository, there are a few special collections -- very special collections. For instance in the Grimm collection, there are various magical objects from fairy tales. Of course, All Is Not Well: someone is stealing items from the collection and replacing them with non-magical ones. There's also a cute boy and an annoying boy, to provide some romantic tension.Perhaps my expectations for this book were too high. I think my main problem was that the dialogue felt stilted in places. The plot and pacing were fairly good, although I found parts of it pretty predictable. And I had a few quibbles with the fairy tale objects collection. Readers going in should know they're not all from Grimm tales -- some hail from Perrault, some from mythology, and some from other sources. (This isn't necessarily explained in the book, and it bugged me. For instance, they reference Cinderella's glass slipper, but in Grimm's "Aschenputtel," the slipper is gold. Perhaps I am being too persnickity, but I'm a bit of a fairy-tale nerd -- and the main character in the book is supposed to be, as well.) I would still recommend this book -- just not as enthusiastically as I would have done if it had lived up to my expectations.
    • 4/5
      Elizabeth Rew could fit into a fairy tale herself - her stepsisters (2) aren't exactly friendly, and her stepmother is demanding and critical, while her father is distracted and distant. But Elizabeth doesn't think of herself as a fairy tale worthy heroine - even when a job at the New York Circulating Material Repository brings her into touching distance of the fabulous Grimm Collection. The collection is mysterious enough, but something more sinister is at work, and soon Elizabeth and her fellow pages are scrambling to unravel the mystery before any more disaster strikes.A fun, if slightly predictable, adventure - and it's set in a library, what could be better than that!
    • 3/5
      This book had a lot to build on, but it barely touched on what could have made it interesting (for instance, there was hardly anything about the fairy tales or Grimm brothers themselves). The main character wasn't very well developed, and the relationships played out in predictable and boring ways. The story seems to build up to a great adventure, but the final scenes are anticlimactic. This book is more suited for younger teens and children, as it lacks the emotional depth often desired for older readers and the younger characters play too large a role in the story.
    • 2/5
      This book had such promise! GRRR! I thought that this book was great for the first 60 pages and I was giving it wonderful praise,but then it all feel apart. It was like the gps for this story fryed a circuit and so did the rest of this book.
    • 3/5
      I thought it was well written and engaging. The heroine was likeable but a bit naive and a little too trusting. Still that is probably a result of her young age so it was understandable. I was a bit troubled by the lack of trust between the pages. I could not believe how much Marc got away with without receiving any serious punishment in the end. I thought the romance between Elizabeth and Aaron was a little too late. It seemed a little rushed at the end so it did not seem as believable. I would have liked to have known more about the mysterious Grace Farr. Seemed as if there was too much left unexplained which was a bit confusing. All in all, it was an enjoyable read.
    • 4/5
      The entire concept of The Grimm Legacy is just perfect, and really fun. As a big fan of the original Grimm fairy tales and fairy tale re-tellings (especially of the somewhat darker and gritter hue), you just couldn't go wrong with something like this. Let me just start out with review by saying: if you enjoy any of the above types of books, then you should read Grimm Legacy it completely delivers.Elizabeth has a new job at a strange library, complete with an exclusive collection of very special artifacts. Not just any artifacts, but special items (real ones) from various Grimm's fairy tales, including the wicked queen's mirror from Snow White, puss in boots' actual boots, and a number of other items believed to only exist in fairy tales. And it's Elizabeth's job to protect the items, until they are stolen.The perfect blend of magic, romance and twisty plot development, Grimm Legacy is a well-written and fun book that had me involved from beginning to end. As a big library patron, I particularly enjoyed the library aspect of the book, and had a great time with the magical overtones and sweet, fairy tale-like romance.A great book, I'd recommend Grimm Legacy to legions of fairy tale fans everywhere.
    • 4/5
      Enjoyable young adult fantasy with allusions to Grimm's fairy tales. The mystery is a little tame as is the romance and the violence is minor.