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thepiqht's review against another edition
5.0
Blog post titled 'You Are Too Young for The Girl of Ink and Stars' to come! Look out for it in the next month or so.
The art of buying books has become a hesitant action of mine while I wait for the $50 all-you-can-into-a-box book buffet that’s about to arrive. It’s a once in a year thing for my entire country, and so I don’t want to be wasting my money on just any old book. So I cajoled my mum into buying this for me, secondhand mind you, instead. Thanks mum!
However, despite the somewhat negative connotations that both the title of this post and the implication that I didn’t buy this myself might give you, this book was a little gem in it’s own right. The content matched the cover; gorgeous both inside and out. Not only that, but the pages were printed with orange stars, compasses and carefully coloured maps that are supposed to resemble the ones that are described within the pages. Even if I hadn’t enjoyed the story, I’m sure that the beautiful designs would have earned it at least an extra star on goodreads.
I debated on what to give this. While it was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it quite a great deal – I do think that it has been marketed incorrectly. Skeletons and beloved pets almost being eaten don't seem all that appropriate for middle graders (who I am assuming are 9-13). I also really didn't like the first chapter, in fact, I almost put the book down because of it. So I've settled on:
4.5 stars
The art of buying books has become a hesitant action of mine while I wait for the $50 all-you-can-into-a-box book buffet that’s about to arrive. It’s a once in a year thing for my entire country, and so I don’t want to be wasting my money on just any old book. So I cajoled my mum into buying this for me, secondhand mind you, instead. Thanks mum!
However, despite the somewhat negative connotations that both the title of this post and the implication that I didn’t buy this myself might give you, this book was a little gem in it’s own right. The content matched the cover; gorgeous both inside and out. Not only that, but the pages were printed with orange stars, compasses and carefully coloured maps that are supposed to resemble the ones that are described within the pages. Even if I hadn’t enjoyed the story, I’m sure that the beautiful designs would have earned it at least an extra star on goodreads.
I debated on what to give this. While it was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it quite a great deal – I do think that it has been marketed incorrectly. Skeletons and beloved pets almost being eaten don't seem all that appropriate for middle graders (who I am assuming are 9-13). I also really didn't like the first chapter, in fact, I almost put the book down because of it. So I've settled on:
4.5 stars
vickylovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful book. A lovely haunting story that mirrors the myth within.
bookslucyking's review against another edition
5.0
Dočteno, knihu jsem zhltala za dva večery a nemohla jsem se od ní odtrhnout. Já prostě miluju Middle-grade dobrodružství, tady navíc byl místní folklór, mytologie, trochu nedpřirozeno, ty španělská jména, ostrov, z velké části neprobádaný. Prostě kouzelná knížečka s kouzelným, napínavým, nenáročným samozřejmě, příběhem.
Přemýšlím, co způsobilo, že se to tolik z vás nelíbilo. Trochu hádám, že fakt, že tam nebyla žádná YA romance a že by český překlad? Já YA fantasy/romanci fakt nepotřebuji a knihu jsem četla v angličtině, tak že by? Tohle bylo skvělé dobrodružství a styl psaní autora se mi moc líbil, udrželo mě to v napětí po celou dobu a prostě to bylo krásné, kouzelné, smutné, veselé, nostalgické. Po dlouhé době mě nějaká kniha opravdu pohltila. Ale chápu, že kdo není zvyklý číst middle-grade fantasy, tak ho to možná nudilo. Já se ponořila do dobrodružství a vyprávění Isabelly a užila jsem si to, všechny ty její příběhy od táty a co postupně prožívala. Prostě paráda. Tak co má autor za další knižní počiny? Chci víc.
Přemýšlím, co způsobilo, že se to tolik z vás nelíbilo. Trochu hádám, že fakt, že tam nebyla žádná YA romance a že by český překlad? Já YA fantasy/romanci fakt nepotřebuji a knihu jsem četla v angličtině, tak že by? Tohle bylo skvělé dobrodružství a styl psaní autora se mi moc líbil, udrželo mě to v napětí po celou dobu a prostě to bylo krásné, kouzelné, smutné, veselé, nostalgické. Po dlouhé době mě nějaká kniha opravdu pohltila. Ale chápu, že kdo není zvyklý číst middle-grade fantasy, tak ho to možná nudilo. Já se ponořila do dobrodružství a vyprávění Isabelly a užila jsem si to, všechny ty její příběhy od táty a co postupně prožívala. Prostě paráda. Tak co má autor za další knižní počiny? Chci víc.
misslaura89's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
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