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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
After the death of her grandfather, neurodivergent tween Ramya uncovers a world of mystery and magic--and she's the only human who can see it!
An incredible middle grade fantasy read, "Like a Charm" by Elle McNicoll is a gem of a story that highlights the incredible things neurodivergent people are capable of & that their differences should be celebrated rather than used as a reason to view them as "less than." With magical creatures, an evil plot, and the journey to rediscovering family, this book is great for middle grade and YA readers.
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
An incredible middle grade fantasy read, "Like a Charm" by Elle McNicoll is a gem of a story that highlights the incredible things neurodivergent people are capable of & that their differences should be celebrated rather than used as a reason to view them as "less than." With magical creatures, an evil plot, and the journey to rediscovering family, this book is great for middle grade and YA readers.
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
Ramya and her strength of character and narration, as well as a point of view on a disability not often showcased in books, were the high point of this middle grade urban fantasy. I did find that the pacing felt a little off and I didn't quite feel the heart-pounding emotional investment that I'd hoped, and that the discussion of the magic system such as it was needed perhaps a little extra, but overall it was a good read, especially for those who like unlikely or overlooked characters becoming heroes and books with a focus on setting/place.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
Hmmm ja dit boek viel een beetje tegen, ondanks de werkelijk spectaculaire scènes met sommige wezens. Mijn grootste probleem is dat ik niet zou weten welk kind ik dit boek zou kunnen aanraden, omdat het zo traag op gang komt. Dit boek is denk ik een opstapje naar volgende delen, want het voelde als een inleiding.
Bovendien gaat de schrijfster er naar mijn mening te vaak vanuit dat haar lezers precies doorhebben wat zij voor ogen heeft.
Bovendien gaat de schrijfster er naar mijn mening te vaak vanuit dat haar lezers precies doorhebben wat zij voor ogen heeft.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
As with Elle McNicoll’s previous books, I had heard great things from Gavin of How to Train your Gavin about Like a Charm, so I was eager for the US release. Where McNicoll’s prior works were contemporaries, this one dives fully into middle grade fantasy territory, yet her mission of promoting representation for neurodivergent children remains consistent.
The setting is one of my favorite aspects of the book. I’ve read many stories about Scotland, but my favorites have always been the ones written by Scots themselves, and McNicoll delivers on this front. While there are some familiar creatures, like vampires, and it’s a witch story, it’s also rooted in Scottish folklore.
And the intersection between the “witch” archetype and neurodivergence is well-thought-out in Ramya’s character. She has dyspraxia, a condition which I can relate to due to my own issues with motor skills and processing (while this is not my own diagnosis, some of my own symptoms and its impacts on my life overlap with Ramya’s). She feels misunderstood and isolated from the world due to this, but also has the ability to perceive things others can’t. I appreciate the nuanced portrayal of her experience, including not expecting her to be perfect all the time, and being allowed to have anger in response to being misperceived, masking her differences, or reckoning with difficult relationships with her family. But I also love that this adventure allows her to come into her own, and embrace her true power.
The adventure plot is engaging, and keeps the story moving in a fast-paced fashion. I was curious how (if?) things would wrap up, and how much a sequel would be warranted, knowing this would be a series, but I didn’t need to be worried. As the final line of the story suggests, it’s “The End. Ish,” and it concludes on a good note, while leaving room for future adventures.
This was another magical read (this time in a literal as well as figurative sense) from Elle McNicoll, and I can’t wait for more. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy middle grade fantasy adventure stories, especially if they’re looking for neurodivergence rep.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
3.75, rounded to 4 where applicable. I enjoyed this book and the world that was created. I loved the take on the mythical, mystical creatures and the magical world in which Ramya is now finding herself.
However, I didn't really connect with Ramya as much as I felt I should, though I can't seem to properly express why or how. I only mention it because it was the main reason for my dock in rating.
I still highly recommend it for readers of all ages. The messages within are ones that we all should learn from.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this newest edition in exchange for an honest review.
However, I didn't really connect with Ramya as much as I felt I should, though I can't seem to properly express why or how. I only mention it because it was the main reason for my dock in rating.
I still highly recommend it for readers of all ages. The messages within are ones that we all should learn from.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this newest edition in exchange for an honest review.
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
I enjoyed aspects of this book, like the fact that it was set in Edinburgh (where I live). The author evidently knows the city very well and captures it brilliantly. I enjoyed the depictions of various magical creatures and the individual spin the author added on them. However, the book did feel quite cliched and as though its focus was on a message rather than a plot - this is not necessarily a bad thing, I just prefer books to be more subtle with their underlying meanings or moral tales. Nonetheless, it would be a good book for children to read to learn more about dyspraxia.
emotional
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:
Complicated
4.5 rounding up. Read aloud to 14 and 11yo and all 3 of us loved it. The world, Edinburgh, the characters, themes and plot. Great read-aloud as it's well-written with just the right amount of description and dialogue. We will all wait eagerly for book 2. Added some new sights to our list of places to visit when we go to Scotland.
MC with dysgraphia. Helpful discussions of neurodivergent experience.
We also liked this author's [b:A Kind of Spark|51256288|A Kind of Spark|Elle McNicoll|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581691019l/51256288._SY75_.jpg|75985144]
MC with dysgraphia. Helpful discussions of neurodivergent experience.
We also liked this author's [b:A Kind of Spark|51256288|A Kind of Spark|Elle McNicoll|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581691019l/51256288._SY75_.jpg|75985144]
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes