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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
As expected, this was a charming read. Kingfisher once more creates a fascinating world, one where paintings can be made to have magical powers, from the mundane to the extraordinary, and lands us in a family of artists who create such canvases. We follow the youngest member, Rosa, who finds a mysterious box that is guarded by a spell, and who naturally can’t help open it...
It took me a little while to get invested in the plot, but once I was, I whizzed through it, enjoying it immensely. Kingfisher has the knack of creating believable characters, all of them here turned out to be engaging, and putting them in a situation where they grow, while at the same time entertaining you with a funny, and sometimes creepy, narrative.
It took me a little while to get invested in the plot, but once I was, I whizzed through it, enjoying it immensely. Kingfisher has the knack of creating believable characters, all of them here turned out to be engaging, and putting them in a situation where they grow, while at the same time entertaining you with a funny, and sometimes creepy, narrative.
This was an original novel (I don't think I've read anything involving magic radishes before).
I loved the magic system, with all the weirdly specific magic paintings that produce certain effects.
The family were a fun bunch of individuals with distinct personalities and quirks with a good bond between them. Payne the magic talking crow was such a fun character.
I do think the plot felt quite slow and dragged out, I just don't think this needed to be as long as it is.
I loved the magic system, with all the weirdly specific magic paintings that produce certain effects.
The family were a fun bunch of individuals with distinct personalities and quirks with a good bond between them. Payne the magic talking crow was such a fun character.
I do think the plot felt quite slow and dragged out, I just don't think this needed to be as long as it is.
Enchanting tale of art & artists
Starts with an oh blah yet another enchanting fairy story mood, about artists! OH how boring! But then Kingfisher mixes it up, and things get wonderfully weird while each character feels grounded & real & wholesome. Very Very good insight into the artistic process. Read if you like good, female characters & art & fantasy elements
Starts with an oh blah yet another enchanting fairy story mood, about artists! OH how boring! But then Kingfisher mixes it up, and things get wonderfully weird while each character feels grounded & real & wholesome. Very Very good insight into the artistic process. Read if you like good, female characters & art & fantasy elements
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
A great tale about art and artists!
Books by T. Kingfisher (aka. Ursula Vernon) always deserve 5 stars, if not 6 (at least the ones I’ve read so far).
There is something so unique about each story, and with this one, I feel like Ursula truly understands what it’s like to be an artist.
“How is your painting going?" asked Rosa.
"Glorious. Terrible. I don't know. I'm a genius
or an idiot. I won't be sure until it's done.”
I cannot recall how many times I’ve felt this way about a painting, but it must be in the thousands.
Plus, she not only understands what it’s like to be an artist, but also what it’s like to be an artist who depends on commissions, and the pressure that comes with it. And also the jealousy involved in making art alongside others.
I would urge every artist to read this book, and every non-artist too - although, aren’t we all artists in one way or the other? We’re all creating things in life, however small they might be, they matter.
Books by T. Kingfisher (aka. Ursula Vernon) always deserve 5 stars, if not 6 (at least the ones I’ve read so far).
There is something so unique about each story, and with this one, I feel like Ursula truly understands what it’s like to be an artist.
“How is your painting going?" asked Rosa.
"Glorious. Terrible. I don't know. I'm a genius
or an idiot. I won't be sure until it's done.”
I cannot recall how many times I’ve felt this way about a painting, but it must be in the thousands.
Plus, she not only understands what it’s like to be an artist, but also what it’s like to be an artist who depends on commissions, and the pressure that comes with it. And also the jealousy involved in making art alongside others.
I would urge every artist to read this book, and every non-artist too - although, aren’t we all artists in one way or the other? We’re all creating things in life, however small they might be, they matter.