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mariahistryingtoread's review
4.0
If you're a fan of whimsy you'll enjoy the Umbrella Maker’s Son (probably).
There's a certain airy and fanciful way that this is written that appeals to me. It's like adjacent to a fairytale kind of writing or maybe more modern fairytale kind of writing. Like Roald Dahl or Lewis Carroll or a female author that I can't think of right now.
The world feels so fun and open because it's so well developed. Katrina Leno was clearly passionate about the universe she created; it's dripping off of every page. Despite not visiting a lot of Roan I still felt like I understood how the place operated as a functioning society, which is no small feat. I love reading a book that was a labor of such obvious love.
Oscar Buckle was a lovely young man easy to root for.
His best friend Saige was fantastic representation. She was in a wheelchair and accommodating her was an active part of the story which was so cool. I've never read a middle grade fantasy like this that used disability in this manner so major kudos to Leno. It wasn't her whole personality, but it was a distinct part of her identity. It made her feel like a fully actualized person, not only a character.
That said as evidenced by Oscar getting one sentence and Saige a paragraph, Oscar was not as dynamic a character as Saige. Saige got the more major character beats, Saige was the one who actually used her brain to figure things out (as opposed to Oscar who often just got lucky enough to stumble onto something), Saige was the industrious go-getter and Saige had the father who was actively involved in the evil weather shenanigans. It honestly felt like somewhere late in the game the book had to be reworked to sell Oscar as the lead for whatever reason. I liked him fine, and I liked Saige about the same amount; it's just the principle of the thing. It was odd how much background depth she had comparatively.
The mystery is fairly simplistic when all is said and done. It essentially amounts to ‘go to this one location’. There aren’t any puzzles or riddles. It’s not a mystery adventure. It’s mystery in the most passive definition of the word.
A genuinely entertaining romp I recommend with no malice on my heart.
There's a certain airy and fanciful way that this is written that appeals to me. It's like adjacent to a fairytale kind of writing or maybe more modern fairytale kind of writing. Like Roald Dahl or Lewis Carroll or a female author that I can't think of right now.
The world feels so fun and open because it's so well developed. Katrina Leno was clearly passionate about the universe she created; it's dripping off of every page. Despite not visiting a lot of Roan I still felt like I understood how the place operated as a functioning society, which is no small feat. I love reading a book that was a labor of such obvious love.
Oscar Buckle was a lovely young man easy to root for.
His best friend Saige was fantastic representation. She was in a wheelchair and accommodating her was an active part of the story which was so cool. I've never read a middle grade fantasy like this that used disability in this manner so major kudos to Leno. It wasn't her whole personality, but it was a distinct part of her identity. It made her feel like a fully actualized person, not only a character.
That said as evidenced by Oscar getting one sentence and Saige a paragraph, Oscar was not as dynamic a character as Saige. Saige got the more major character beats, Saige was the one who actually used her brain to figure things out (as opposed to Oscar who often just got lucky enough to stumble onto something), Saige was the industrious go-getter and Saige had the father who was actively involved in the evil weather shenanigans. It honestly felt like somewhere late in the game the book had to be reworked to sell Oscar as the lead for whatever reason. I liked him fine, and I liked Saige about the same amount; it's just the principle of the thing. It was odd how much background depth she had comparatively.
The mystery is fairly simplistic when all is said and done. It essentially amounts to ‘go to this one location’. There aren’t any puzzles or riddles. It’s not a mystery adventure. It’s mystery in the most passive definition of the word.
A genuinely entertaining romp I recommend with no malice on my heart.
emilyctrigg's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
kkat0804's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
eggcellent_reads's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
katiescott's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
therearenobadbooks's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
I love rain so I have been excited to read this one and it didn't disappoint.
In a place not quite Earth where there are 47 types of rain, the umbrella maker's son doesn't want to take over the family's business and become an umbrella maker too. He has a passion for carving wood but at this point in his life all seems to be crumbling, his father's business is about to bankrupt and his best friend is moving away.
Things are worse than we imagine because Oscar's future and next decisions will save more than his friendship, it will implicate everyone. Action, tension, an amazing Night Market (my favorite part) an evil corporation, and two friends taking matters into their own hands.
I love the footnotes that add humor and so much personality to the narrator's voice and we learn more facts and interesting details. Also there us fun glossary at the end with all the types of rain and extras.
I won a copy from the publisher.
In a place not quite Earth where there are 47 types of rain, the umbrella maker's son doesn't want to take over the family's business and become an umbrella maker too. He has a passion for carving wood but at this point in his life all seems to be crumbling, his father's business is about to bankrupt and his best friend is moving away.
Things are worse than we imagine because Oscar's future and next decisions will save more than his friendship, it will implicate everyone. Action, tension, an amazing Night Market (my favorite part) an evil corporation, and two friends taking matters into their own hands.
I love the footnotes that add humor and so much personality to the narrator's voice and we learn more facts and interesting details. Also there us fun glossary at the end with all the types of rain and extras.
I won a copy from the publisher.
fesja_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0