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luweebayy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is the second book I’ve read so far where there’s a big build up and then the ending happens in a couple of pages.
I read the ending in bed and I feel like if I’d have been sleepily reading it, I’d have missed what actually happened, it happened that quickly.
However, the remainder of the book is absolutely brilliant. The plot line, the characters, the setting. I loved it! Tbh, I kept waiting for the myth to be proved wrong, like would normally happen, some big twist. But that doesn’t happen, which kept me on my toes, even though it probably was the authors intention, just my expectation.
It is obviously set in an alternate universe where place names are slightly different (Chine, Amrica, Europa) which annoyed me slightly but it’s a kids books, so would make it easier to follow than the standard made up fantasy names you find.
I read the ending in bed and I feel like if I’d have been sleepily reading it, I’d have missed what actually happened, it happened that quickly.
However, the remainder of the book is absolutely brilliant. The plot line, the characters, the setting. I loved it! Tbh, I kept waiting for the myth to be proved wrong, like would normally happen, some big twist. But that doesn’t happen, which kept me on my toes, even though it probably was the authors intention, just my expectation.
It is obviously set in an alternate universe where place names are slightly different (Chine, Amrica, Europa) which annoyed me slightly but it’s a kids books, so would make it easier to follow than the standard made up fantasy names you find.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
3.0
Isabella is the daughter of a cartographer and best friend to the Governor's daughter, Lupe. Her mother and twin brother are dead, and it is alluded to that the Governor's harsh regime contributed to their fate. When one of their classmates is found dead, Isabella blames Lupe and the two fall out. The next morning Lupe is missing; she's gone to find the killer and prove that she's not rotten.
In order to join the search party for Lupe, Isabella disguises herself as a boy. I'm not a huge fan of this trope; first off why can't girls have adventures anyway? Secondly, I find it hard to believe a haircut and some trousers is enough of a disguise.* Slightly redeemed by the fact one person who knows Isabella isn't fooled. Why are fictional fantasy worlds always a bit sexist? Demon dogs fine, gender equality? Nah, no one will believe that.
Isabella inhabits an alternate world, with similar place names but clearly a world without our level of technology. The island of Joya is based on the real life Canary Island of La Gomera. With all the volcanic activity of these islands I can imagine their mythology is full of danger from beneath, and this is brought through in the book.
As well as the supernatural elements it also has an undercurrent of colonial tensions. The Governor came from another land and took over the island. He brought it laws preventing the native people from leaving and split the island in two. If you break his laws, you are banished to the other side, never to be seen again.
I think it would be a lovely addition to your child's bookshelf though. And don't be annoyed by the fact it has girl in the title, for once it is actually about a girl! In the US, it's called The Cartographer's Daughter, but I was pleased to hear that the UK publisher didn't want to use that formula. She's more than just the daughter of a man, and it turns out she's just as much a cartographer of him, using ink and stars to navigate and create her own maps.
In order to join the search party for Lupe, Isabella disguises herself as a boy. I'm not a huge fan of this trope; first off why can't girls have adventures anyway? Secondly, I find it hard to believe a haircut and some trousers is enough of a disguise.* Slightly redeemed by the fact one person who knows Isabella isn't fooled. Why are fictional fantasy worlds always a bit sexist? Demon dogs fine, gender equality? Nah, no one will believe that.
Isabella inhabits an alternate world, with similar place names but clearly a world without our level of technology. The island of Joya is based on the real life Canary Island of La Gomera. With all the volcanic activity of these islands I can imagine their mythology is full of danger from beneath, and this is brought through in the book.
As well as the supernatural elements it also has an undercurrent of colonial tensions. The Governor came from another land and took over the island. He brought it laws preventing the native people from leaving and split the island in two. If you break his laws, you are banished to the other side, never to be seen again.
I think it would be a lovely addition to your child's bookshelf though. And don't be annoyed by the fact it has girl in the title, for once it is actually about a girl! In the US, it's called The Cartographer's Daughter, but I was pleased to hear that the UK publisher didn't want to use that formula. She's more than just the daughter of a man, and it turns out she's just as much a cartographer of him, using ink and stars to navigate and create her own maps.
curlypip's review against another edition
2.0
Hmm... it sounded so great, but didn’t live up to expectations for me. And I don’t think it’s because it’s a YA novel, just because it’s too short and so it’s not deep enough.
The characters are very one dimensional, and I didn’t get anywhere near enough of a sense of place from the descriptions. The myths were not convincing or explored well enough, and didn’t hold true for me.
It was a quick read though, which is about all I can say for it
The characters are very one dimensional, and I didn’t get anywhere near enough of a sense of place from the descriptions. The myths were not convincing or explored well enough, and didn’t hold true for me.
It was a quick read though, which is about all I can say for it
maia_pintea's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elod8400's review against another edition
3.0
WOW I expected this to be a stereotypical fantasy children’s book but it’s so much more than that I couldn’t put it down while reading the labyrinth part and the plot was super unexpected this is officially one of my favorite books
almostbasic's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
baibake's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Easy to read , but the story wasn’t very enticing. Promising start for it being author’s first novel, but you can sense the story like an unpolished diamond. It could of been great, but it’s just not there yet. Characters lacked depth and relatability.
8going80's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
A good book to get me out of my reading funk
andyj23's review against another edition
5.0
Dávám této knize plný počet hvězd. Je to rychlé čtení a dobrodružné. Někdy i překvapivé.
abbie_eibba's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
2.5