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alexware's review against another edition
4.0
I actually liked this one a lot more than its predecessor, The Dark Lord of Derkholm.
llamaguana's review against another edition
1.0
I usually love Diana Wynne Jones' books, but I could not eyeroll hard enough while trying to get through this book. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it when I was 12.
I struggled to figure out the purpose of this book. It sort of felt like fanfiction. All the main(?) characters conveniently became best friends immediately, seemed to talk in unison, all paired off, and the character development seemed halfassed. Each character was conveniently gifted with a particular talent so when they worked together they achieved everything. They all conveniently served a significant purpose for fixing the post-Chesney Tours world.
I struggled to figure out the purpose of this book. It sort of felt like fanfiction. All the main(?) characters conveniently became best friends immediately, seemed to talk in unison, all paired off, and the character development seemed halfassed. Each character was conveniently gifted with a particular talent so when they worked together they achieved everything. They all conveniently served a significant purpose for fixing the post-Chesney Tours world.
uponthedowns's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
Oh she is so funny! Why did it take me ages to try her books! So far they have all been great fun.
This one takes on the whole wizard boarding school trope and it is hilarious. The University is run down and out of money. After Chesney they have barely any wizards who know real magic. Instead they teach basics that give you nothing.
To this glorious institution comes Elda, Derk's griffin daughter (yes you should read book 1 before, and no you do not have to read it before cos this stands well on its own, but you should still read it.)
She quickly becomes friends with a Dwarf revolutionary, a jinxed princess, a mysterious rich young woman, a crown prince with the worst talent and a man hiding from assassins. Let the good time begin!
They are all hiding from something, and all those things will show up and wreak havoc. There is a professor who knows nothing, another one that is trying to build a ship to get to the moon. There is never a dull moment at school from now on.
We meet old favorites from book 1, and it makes me wish there were more books in this serious. But then again, maybe I should just read more Wynne Jones books instead and hope they are fun too.
Fun. Humour. Crazy hi jinks.
Narrator
Oh she was perfect and I really felt I was in this world. She had a great range and I was swept in by her.
This one takes on the whole wizard boarding school trope and it is hilarious. The University is run down and out of money. After Chesney they have barely any wizards who know real magic. Instead they teach basics that give you nothing.
To this glorious institution comes Elda, Derk's griffin daughter (yes you should read book 1 before, and no you do not have to read it before cos this stands well on its own, but you should still read it.)
She quickly becomes friends with a Dwarf revolutionary, a jinxed princess, a mysterious rich young woman, a crown prince with the worst talent and a man hiding from assassins. Let the good time begin!
They are all hiding from something, and all those things will show up and wreak havoc. There is a professor who knows nothing, another one that is trying to build a ship to get to the moon. There is never a dull moment at school from now on.
We meet old favorites from book 1, and it makes me wish there were more books in this serious. But then again, maybe I should just read more Wynne Jones books instead and hope they are fun too.
Fun. Humour. Crazy hi jinks.
Narrator
Oh she was perfect and I really felt I was in this world. She had a great range and I was swept in by her.
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
Although there was hardly any reference to the parallel universe, this sequel to Dark Lord of Derkholm had plenty of hilarious moments.
Rating reviewed 1/27/2023.
Rating reviewed 1/27/2023.
alanna131's review against another edition
5.0
It's really hard to give anything by Diana Wynne Jones less than five stars. Another amazing story with complex, joyful characters and lots of unseen plot twists. Loved every single page.
jmcampbell57's review against another edition
Plot wasn't super engaging, and I kept putting it down. When I picked it back up, I couldn't remember which character was which. The first book was much better.
rebeccacider's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, so I should have read Dark Lord of Derkholm first, but I started this before I realized it was a sequel.
Fun, very quirky, and rather Shakespearian in its ending. She does an good job telling serious coming-of-age stories in the context of a rather silly, yet very well thought-out fantasy world. A little bit all-over-the-place, but it might have felt more cohesive had I read the first novel.
I like reading about a school of magic where all of the students are really excited about magical theory!
Fun, very quirky, and rather Shakespearian in its ending. She does an good job telling serious coming-of-age stories in the context of a rather silly, yet very well thought-out fantasy world. A little bit all-over-the-place, but it might have felt more cohesive had I read the first novel.
I like reading about a school of magic where all of the students are really excited about magical theory!
bookook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Wonderful - a worthy follow up to Dark Lord of Derkholm. I love Elda and her friends a lot. Also love the lesson that academics are evil and useless (not joking)
alyssaarch's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0