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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
What an incredible book! So imaginative and so important to see a neurodivergent character shine in this way.
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a personal rule, I don't give star ratings to books that were 100% not written for me. This book is one of those.
HOWEVER, it was such a lovely, easy read. Great neurodivergent rep and it was a fab blend of story-telling and message-giving. Sometimes I find middle-grade and young YA books get SO preachy. While this absolutely was preachy, it was done in a way that made complete sense to the story and the characters... so I'm okay with it.
HOWEVER, it was such a lovely, easy read. Great neurodivergent rep and it was a fab blend of story-telling and message-giving. Sometimes I find middle-grade and young YA books get SO preachy. While this absolutely was preachy, it was done in a way that made complete sense to the story and the characters... so I'm okay with it.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Death
Aaaaaa I really enjoyed this one.
Magic at its best.
With a brilliantly determined young protagonist, Elle has created a world filled with vampires, fae and witches to name a few of the mythical legends.
I'm already looking forward to book 2 and what those pesky sirens might have in store for Ramya and her family.
Magic at its best.
With a brilliantly determined young protagonist, Elle has created a world filled with vampires, fae and witches to name a few of the mythical legends.
I'm already looking forward to book 2 and what those pesky sirens might have in store for Ramya and her family.
Oh wow I spent all day reading this! I bought the audiobook to read alongside my physical copy for when I couldn't use my hands, just because I needed to keep reading.
Another masterpiece. Elle McNicoll surpasses herself once again. I cannot wait for the second installment.
Another masterpiece. Elle McNicoll surpasses herself once again. I cannot wait for the second installment.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
First book with Dyspraxia representation that I ever read and I loved it!
The representation was so good (obviously with the author being dyspraxic as well) and the story was very interesting! I did give this a lower rating than the other two books that I have read by this author, but that is because this book is fantasy ish and I don't read much fantasy so yeah... Also it's the first book in a series and I never give those 5 stars, because I'm afraid the other books are gonna disappoint me.
So yeah, really liked it and I wish there were more books with dyspraxic characters in them because I haven't found ANY besides this one...
Reread in 2023: Still love it, time to read the sequel now!
The representation was so good (obviously with the author being dyspraxic as well) and the story was very interesting! I did give this a lower rating than the other two books that I have read by this author, but that is because this book is fantasy ish and I don't read much fantasy so yeah... Also it's the first book in a series and I never give those 5 stars, because I'm afraid the other books are gonna disappoint me.
So yeah, really liked it and I wish there were more books with dyspraxic characters in them because I haven't found ANY besides this one...
Reread in 2023: Still love it, time to read the sequel now!
Like a Charm is the third book by the author of A Kind of Spark and Show Us Who You Are, both books I’ve read and really enjoyed. Elle McNicoll enters into fantasy with this book, with a magical realism story set in Edinburgh. There was a great balance of the real city and magical elements, making it very accessible and easy to read.
All of Elle’s books have great representation, and this one was no different. Our main character, Ramya, had dyspraxia, and this was discussed throughout her story. Not only will this allow so many neurodivergent children to see themselves reflected in it’s pages, but other children will build a greater understanding of those around them.
Ramya was a great strong female main character, and I love that all of Elle’s books have female main characters to provide role models for young people. The way the characters are discussed and the magical beings are used to discuss our differences and similarities was so well done.
This one was a really enjoyable middle grade and I’ll definitely be recommending it, but sadly I didn’t feel myself quite as addicted to it as I was with A Kind of Spark and Show Us Who You Are. It was still a super entertaining read and gave me goosebumps at the end, but A Kind of Spark still holds the top spot for me of Elle’s books.
★★★★
4 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
All of Elle’s books have great representation, and this one was no different. Our main character, Ramya, had dyspraxia, and this was discussed throughout her story. Not only will this allow so many neurodivergent children to see themselves reflected in it’s pages, but other children will build a greater understanding of those around them.
Ramya was a great strong female main character, and I love that all of Elle’s books have female main characters to provide role models for young people. The way the characters are discussed and the magical beings are used to discuss our differences and similarities was so well done.
This one was a really enjoyable middle grade and I’ll definitely be recommending it, but sadly I didn’t feel myself quite as addicted to it as I was with A Kind of Spark and Show Us Who You Are. It was still a super entertaining read and gave me goosebumps at the end, but A Kind of Spark still holds the top spot for me of Elle’s books.
★★★★
4 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
The Scottish setting was very autumnal/cosy. The overall story was good, but just sat middling for me. This is my first venture into middle grade and maybe the genre isn't for me.
Enjoyment ★★☆☆☆
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★☆☆☆
Characters ★★☆☆☆
Plot ★★★☆☆
Pacing ★★★★☆
World Building ★★★☆☆
Ending ★★★☆☆
Audio Performance ★★★☆☆
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★☆☆☆
Characters ★★☆☆☆
Plot ★★★☆☆
Pacing ★★★★☆
World Building ★★★☆☆
Ending ★★★☆☆
Audio Performance ★★★☆☆
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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