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someonetookit's review against another edition
5.0
Ridiculously engaging and well worth the 2 hours it took to inhale.
em_may01's review against another edition
3.0
This story covers a lot of different themes such as, death, courage, love and friendship. It tells the story of a young girl who after the tragic death of her friend goes on the hunt to find out the truth about what happened and hopefully save another friend (and her home and Da’). Isabella, is a courageous young girl who thanks to her Ma and Da’ loves cartography which helps her on her travel.
Due to the more mature themes this is best placed in an upper KS2 class either as a class read or to use for a unit of English work. Within the English unit children could write chapter from Lupe’s point of view of what happened to her from when she left to the minute Isabella finds her. Drama could be used to explore both of these characters further and help children develop their understanding of their friendship and the decisions they have made which could be incorporated into their chapter(s).
A map of Joya could be created and then when reading document Isabella’s journey along the map.
Personally I didn’t engage with this book as much as I thought I would, however I can see the potential it has within the classroom and can see that children would enjoy different aspects of this book.
Due to the more mature themes this is best placed in an upper KS2 class either as a class read or to use for a unit of English work. Within the English unit children could write chapter from Lupe’s point of view of what happened to her from when she left to the minute Isabella finds her. Drama could be used to explore both of these characters further and help children develop their understanding of their friendship and the decisions they have made which could be incorporated into their chapter(s).
A map of Joya could be created and then when reading document Isabella’s journey along the map.
Personally I didn’t engage with this book as much as I thought I would, however I can see the potential it has within the classroom and can see that children would enjoy different aspects of this book.
daniella84's review against another edition
5.0
The design of this book is beautiful, as is the story! Isabelle’s journey was fun to read, but you also saw her and Lupe grow as characters. I liked how there were layers to it as well - as an older reader I appreciated the hints of political intrigue and colonialism, as well as the journey to save an island from a fire demon! A perfect blend of myth and reality.
Favourite Quotes:
"The only reason no one sees is because they don't care enough to look." (p. 89)
"I felt like a songbird caught in the sharp gaze of a raven, tiny against the darkness closing in." (p. 143)
Favourite Quotes:
"The only reason no one sees is because they don't care enough to look." (p. 89)
"I felt like a songbird caught in the sharp gaze of a raven, tiny against the darkness closing in." (p. 143)
nat1998's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mistflower04's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amithyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Kiran Millwood-Hargrave is one of my favourite authors on account of her beautiful adult book, The Dance Tree. I don't often read children's books but I picked this one up for that reason.
I was expecting to enjoy it much more but the story felt too intangible and unclear, maybe it's because the book relies on a healthy dose of childish imagination that I lack.
Like in Karen Milwood-Hargrave's other books, what's strong in this story is definitely the realistic and beautiful relationships, particularly the friendships. Similarly, the book is well-written, with rich imagery capable of making you cringe, cry, and cackle.
The plot points, however, fell short for me. I kept expecting a magical revelation to explain everything but with each reveal there were many more questions.
I think the fact the story ends with Isa telling us "I don't know what happened in the labyrinth" and that it's "hard to know the facts". To me, that didn't feel mystical, it's just (I'm say to say) bad storytelling. I saw another reviewer say something that resonated with me: that this book felt like someone telling you their perplexing and, at times, dull dream.
I was expecting to enjoy it much more but the story felt too intangible and unclear, maybe it's because the book relies on a healthy dose of childish imagination that I lack.
Like in Karen Milwood-Hargrave's other books, what's strong in this story is definitely the realistic and beautiful relationships, particularly the friendships. Similarly, the book is well-written, with rich imagery capable of making you cringe, cry, and cackle.
The plot points, however, fell short for me. I kept expecting a magical revelation to explain everything but with each reveal there were many more questions.
georgilvsbooks's review against another edition
1.0
I’m sorry but this just wasn’t for me. I was listening to it on audio. It just didn’t capture my attention, I was bored throughout.
Nothing against the author or anyone who has liked this book or plans to read it. It just personally was not for me.
Nothing against the author or anyone who has liked this book or plans to read it. It just personally was not for me.
julie_responsibly's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. Reading it to my eight year old who finally asked if we could read something else because "the writer had a really good idea, but I'm having a hard time caring about anyone or anything going on here." This takes place in an alternate reality where places have similar names to our reality, but everything's different. But I can't really explain how. Dark things are happening. Something is sort of sensed, but maybe not? You know what reading this book feels like? Have you ever had one of those annoying friends who always wants to tell you their dreams? and their dreams are kind of weird and boring but even when you interrupt them or try to move on it just reminds them of another weird dream they had? That's what this is like. Nothing quite makes sense. You can't quite grasp anything. It's a little like being on drugs.