The King in the Window by Adam Gopnik

Rating: 2.5

What it's about:
Oliver Parker, a twelve-year-old American boy living in Paris, is lonelier than he has ever been. Intimidated by his French school and its prickly teachers, made melancholy by the long, gray winter, and feeling distant from his workaholic father - a journalist who spends more and more time staring at his computer screen - Oliver longs for some friends, and maybe even a little adventure.

One freezing January night, his wishes are granted. After dinner, Oliver puts on the gold paper crown that came with his Epiphany cake. He looks at himself in the window and instead of his own reflection, he sees an amazing vision - a boy hovering in front of him, dressed in a traditional French doublet. Clues left behind by this mysterious boy lead Oliver to the Palace of Versailles, where he is swept into the court of the Window Wraiths, spirits who inhabit glass and water, and who have claimed Oliver as their ultimate ruler: the King in the Window.

Oliver must quickly gain enough wisdom to lead the Wraiths in a decisive battle against evil and prove himself a true king. Fortunately, he has the help of an unlikely band of new friends: the imperious Mrs. Pearson; his skateboarding American pal, Charlie; and the enigmatic and exceptional girl downstairs, Neige.

From the great hall of mirrors at Versailles to the stained-glass windows of the Sainte-Chapelle, from the secret quarries hidden beneath Paris to a twilight battle on the Eiffel Tower, Adam Gopnik's novel is a funny, exhilarating romp through France and an unforgettable adventure for readers of all ages. -taken from back of book

My thoughts:
I picked up this book at a secondhand store and was captivated by the shiny gold cover. After reading the blurb I decided to buy it and give it a read. I was disappointed. It's not a bad story, it's just not something I could lose myself in. I quickly got bored with this book and it seemed to take forever to finish. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what I didn't like about The King in the Window, whether it was the writing or mabye just bad timing, but this is one book of mine that may find itself back at the secondhand store.