Scan barcode
scholarhect's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
roseleaf24's review
4.0
Tight pacing, with moments of page-turning tension that weren't really in the first book, but are welcome here. The lightness and fun were still present, as well. The characters are wonderful, though the returning characters weren't developed much further in the interest of developing new ones. At least one plot twist I didn't see coming, and I can't wait for the next book!
danielcrogers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
franuary's review
5.0
In The Cracks in the Kingdom, the follow up to 2013’s A Corner of White, Elliot Baranksi and Madeleine Tully intensify their study of a crack between The World and Cello in an effort to find the missing members of Cello’s royal family. Moriarty does an admirable job of summarizing the previous book for new readers, but without the full history of Madeleine and Elliot's worlds, Kingdom may not impress as a stand-alone title. For those who loved A Corner of White, however, Kingdom is a joy to read. Like its predecessor, Kingdom’s humor, quirk and charm are captivating to the right reader (and will leave others puzzled as to why some find it brilliant). This isn’t a crowd pleaser, but the series is sure to find an intensely devoted following in libraries serving teens. A delightful addition to an incredibly original young adult fantasy series, and by far the best thing I’ve read in 2014.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Scholastic and to NetGalley for the advance copy!
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Scholastic and to NetGalley for the advance copy!
strawberrysky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
continues to make some baffling choices throughout but the awesome parts are so awesome.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
amotisse's review
4.0
Lazy weekend audio book. Refreshingly unique fantasy with a little bit of everything and a whole lot of thoughtfulness. Full of clever, touching reflections and connections.
kmcneil's review
5.0
A fantastic follow up to A Corner of White. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
From School Library Journal 3/1/2014
Gr 7 Up‰ЫУIn this lively follow-up to A Corner of White (Scholastic, 2013), Moriarty chronicles the ever-intertwining lives of Cambridge resident Madeline Tully and her secret correspondent Elliot Baranski, a quick-witted farm boy from the Kingdom of Cello. After discovering a crack between their parallel worlds, the teens have been exchanging letters through the gap, venturing on a tentative friendship that may be growing into something more. The stakes are higher in this second installment, with Elliot recruited to help save the missing royalty of Cello, who were pushed into Madeline's world in an attempt to destabilize the monarchy. Mixed in with the regal intrigue is a complex, moving look at families, friendship, and loss. The blossoming relationship between the pen pals, told in letters and through omniscient narration, is but one of the many charms this novel has to offer. Madeline's emotional growth enriches her interactions with her friends and teachers in Cambridge, who fans will remember fondly from the first book. Elliot's mission introduces the Royal Youth Alliance (RYA), an intriguing group of Cellian young people working (some reluctantly) toward a common goal. The RYA's work around Cello expands an already complex and intricately drawn world. Readers will be clamoring for the next title after the thrilling yet satisfying conclusion.‰ЫУElisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla, Darien Library, CT Copyright 2014 Reed Business Information.
From School Library Journal 3/1/2014
Gr 7 Up‰ЫУIn this lively follow-up to A Corner of White (Scholastic, 2013), Moriarty chronicles the ever-intertwining lives of Cambridge resident Madeline Tully and her secret correspondent Elliot Baranski, a quick-witted farm boy from the Kingdom of Cello. After discovering a crack between their parallel worlds, the teens have been exchanging letters through the gap, venturing on a tentative friendship that may be growing into something more. The stakes are higher in this second installment, with Elliot recruited to help save the missing royalty of Cello, who were pushed into Madeline's world in an attempt to destabilize the monarchy. Mixed in with the regal intrigue is a complex, moving look at families, friendship, and loss. The blossoming relationship between the pen pals, told in letters and through omniscient narration, is but one of the many charms this novel has to offer. Madeline's emotional growth enriches her interactions with her friends and teachers in Cambridge, who fans will remember fondly from the first book. Elliot's mission introduces the Royal Youth Alliance (RYA), an intriguing group of Cellian young people working (some reluctantly) toward a common goal. The RYA's work around Cello expands an already complex and intricately drawn world. Readers will be clamoring for the next title after the thrilling yet satisfying conclusion.‰ЫУElisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla, Darien Library, CT Copyright 2014 Reed Business Information.
faithl's review
4.0
WOO HOO!!!
Another fantastic book with even more drama, confusing romantic relationships and inter-worldly awesomeness!!!
There's something intriguing about this series. The covers are not fantastic (as my best friend points out every time I take out the book) and the premise is certainly original but there's just this sparkle that draws you in every single time you read it. The writing is so amazingly different and nothing about the book's characters or plot is bland.
Now let's talk about specifics. In this book, more eesh happens. We learn that the royal family is in The World, Princess Ko gets even more crazier and desperate, Elliot's hotness is described in even more detail and Madeleine learns that she is not the centre of the world.
It was super nerve wracking and exciting to see Elliot and Madeleine slowly discover ways around the crack - a lot of it science that I did not understand (there is a reason I dropped all Sciences). But nevertheless, it was exciting to see science come together with the simple act of believing. It was the perfect combination of science and fantasy. Whilst this happens, there is a growing connection (and romance?) between Elliot and Madeleine. I shipped them so hard but what was so different in this book was hoe the romance was written. You know in a book, especially in a YA one, you 100% know when the characters belong with each other and are totally going to get together? Well, in this one you have no idea. I shipped Elliot and Madeleine together but I never knew if that was how Moriarty wrote them. I kind of liked it though. She let us understand their relationship in our own way through the ambiguous way she wrote them.
Also because that whole Keira and Elliot scene totally threw me off.
Princess Ko was freaky AF in this book. She was this super agro blonde chick. Yeah I know, her family is missing but seriously, she could've toned it down. What did I think of Kiera? I mean, I liked her and I could totally relate to the fact that she has acne but she was strange. She was a night owl (like me) but everything about her was overly intense. Samuel was just annoying in general and by the end of it, I didn't feel much for him. I just ignored him as a character (um, oops?)
SPOILERS: (SKIP TO THE NEXT PARAGRAPH IF YOU HAVEN'T READ)
Holy. Crap. Elliot is in The World now!!!!! Woo hoo!!!!! But I'm kind of suspicious of his dad. I think there's some sort of conspiracy and that Denny is part of the Hostiles. Hmmm, some iffy things are going on....
All in all, a great sequel!!! It is definitely a memorable series with underrated hype. Seriously, how is this not the biggest series at the moment?! Come one on people!!! It needs more hype!!!
