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jenn2d2's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
prispris88's review against another edition
4.0
Fun little read with a focus on family & friends working together to solve a problem. I really enjoyed the simple plot of magical illumination artists with a tween main character. I may not be the target audience but I still appreciated the multiple important life lessons that the author incorporated into the story (e.g asking for help, being happy for others’ success, telling the truth, etc). The author does a good job with character & world building that isn’t overwhelming. Note: I listened to the audiobook & the voice actors did well.
tenshiwing07's review against another edition
A cute Renaissance-era Venice based book about family, friendship and magical art – a girl who wants to help her family but ends up opening a can of worms when she opens a magical box. Super sweet book centered on protection of community – also jealousy, friendship, and working together. Loved the family dynamic and the friendship worked, and how friendships can grow or change. T. Kingfisher’s worldbuilding is impeccable!
Definitely a middle-grade rather than young adult but a fun read even for adults. Rosa feels realistically young and inexperience with life, still learning and promising.
It's an alternate history fantasy with magical paintings, a talking crow, and vengeful mandrake bent on destruction. The history around the villain and crow is also a bit sad.
My favorite character is Aunt Nadia!
Definitely a middle-grade rather than young adult but a fun read even for adults. Rosa feels realistically young and inexperience with life, still learning and promising.
It's an alternate history fantasy with magical paintings, a talking crow, and vengeful mandrake bent on destruction. The history around the villain and crow is also a bit sad.
My favorite character is Aunt Nadia!
libcolleen's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Very slow first half is building all of the parts you need for the satisfying climax and resolution. I very nearly quit and I'm glad I stuck it out. In hindsight as a fast reader, I should have read this as a paper book. The audiobook makes the slow first half excruciatingly slow for me, where it would have been speedier in print.
vaii's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
actuallycandy's review against another edition
4.0
Certainly a YA fantasy that reads more middle grade. But that being said, a really interesting magic system and entertaining. The protagonist is perhaps why I thought this felt younger and not so much the main character. Will definitely be getting my daughter to read this when she is older.
laurenkraigco's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
elinjohanna's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad book per say… just not for me. Maybe when I was 10 I would’ve liked it.
heathersbookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
macklin's review
A slow start but still a good story. Didn’t have as much of the depth that has come with T Kingfisher’s other ya work but still far better than most ya I have read.