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library_kb's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I read the 2nd 50% of this book very quickly, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. There were parts of it that I enjoyed, and I think the political machinations introduced are interesting, even though I didn't fully understand all of the things going on. It also surprised me how little attention was given to the deaths of characters...they just kind of happened and then there was little to no reaction from our main characters....which was odd. I don't think I will continue in the series, but it wasn't a terrible way to spend a bit of time...and I will have to say, recent reading of older fantasy is interesting just for the fact that short fantasy books are so rare nowadays!
thunguyen's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars for "I like it".
It is too short and simple to be rated as a 5-star book. Yet, it's an amazing book for children. I wish I knew about Diane Wynne Jones when I was a kid (and I wish I could have read in English back then) to fully appreciate the book.
Just over 5 hours in audiobook form but somehow the story feels like an epic fantasy adventure. She gave us an amazing mediaeval kingdom so rich in history and lores from a story about nothing and everything.
While the plot is short with nothing much to tell but a quest to go North, the writing is pure magic. The best part of the book for me was the beginning when nothing happened yet, somehow it was pure joy to read about nothing but a traveling gypsy family's every day life.
It is too short and simple to be rated as a 5-star book. Yet, it's an amazing book for children. I wish I knew about Diane Wynne Jones when I was a kid (and I wish I could have read in English back then) to fully appreciate the book.
Just over 5 hours in audiobook form but somehow the story feels like an epic fantasy adventure. She gave us an amazing mediaeval kingdom so rich in history and lores from a story about nothing and everything.
While the plot is short with nothing much to tell but a quest to go North, the writing is pure magic. The best part of the book for me was the beginning when nothing happened yet, somehow it was pure joy to read about nothing but a traveling gypsy family's every day life.
froydis's review against another edition
4.0
This was a bit of a slow-starter for me, but I ended up really enjoying the story. Its got many fairy tale elements in it, and is told in an older style more like the mid-20th century children's tales. There is a lot of violence in it, and it effected me a lot more than some of the modern YA novels, perhaps because it was told in this more innocent tone. This looks like the beginning of a fun series.
flawedamythyst'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
I have been reading these all out of order and am considering going back to the second one after finally reading the first. Excellent world-building, a very sympathetic main character whose vagueness hides a lively mind, and a triumph over the bad guys that turns out to be not quite so triumphant as our hero first thought. 3.5
drearyletters's review against another edition
5.0
This is a deceptively beautiful, simple book. I read it in one sitting, and immenselym enjoyed the journey of the characters. Every character was painted with depth, and I loved how observant and introspective Moril was. The characters were a great reminded that all people are flawed and complex, but even in their flaws, they deserve love.
soph22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Death of parent
jobinsonlis's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of Jones' early works and while it's not as polished as some of her more famous later books, Cart and Cwidder is still filled with warm, often practical characters trying to operate in chaotic situations and places, which I feel is usually the best element of her stories.
ermoe's review against another edition
4.0
Quite wonderful. It had that signature Diana Wynne Jones magic, though not as much as any of her other books. I would've given it another star, but it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as it ought to have been, and of course, couldn't hold a candle to any in the Howl series or Hemlock.