Scan barcode
bookish_mrs_w's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 this is really cute Wonder Woman story for younger readers. A story of Diana just starting to come into her powers. It has a lot of potential, but some of it also felt basic and stereotypical.
rkiladitis's review against another edition
4.0
All hail the middle grade superhero novels! We are - hopefully - getting our long-awaited Wonder Woman 1984 movie this October, so TALK THIS UP. Our tweens and teens have Tempest Tossed, a phenomenal Wonder Woman original graphic novel; middle graders and tweens now have Diana and the Island of No Return, by Aisha Saeed. Here, Diana is a tween herself, a princess forbidden to learn to fight, despite living on an island of warrior women. She's hoping to persuade her mother, Queen Hippolyta, this year... maybe during the festivities, when her best friend, Princess Sakina arrives, they can plan an approach? Before the festivities begin, Diana discovers a stowaway - a BOY - on Sakina's mother's ship, and learns that the entire island of Themyscira has been put under a sleeping spell. Diana and Sakina, the only two awake on the island, must travel with this boy to his island, where a demon lies in wait, wanting to capture Diana.
This is the first in a Wonder Woman trilogy, and Aisha Saeed wastes no time getting to the action. Diana and Sakina's friendship is well-written and realistic; she creates larger-than-life figures and makes them very human; the girls are giggly best friends who plan to sleep in the same room so they can stay up all night, and yet also ready, at a moment's notice, to go on a dangerous mission to fight a demon and free their mothers. It all comes together beautifully, with great world-building, pacing, and storytelling. I can't wait for the next book.
This is the first in a Wonder Woman trilogy, and Aisha Saeed wastes no time getting to the action. Diana and Sakina's friendship is well-written and realistic; she creates larger-than-life figures and makes them very human; the girls are giggly best friends who plan to sleep in the same room so they can stay up all night, and yet also ready, at a moment's notice, to go on a dangerous mission to fight a demon and free their mothers. It all comes together beautifully, with great world-building, pacing, and storytelling. I can't wait for the next book.
sarahkoreilly's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-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
4.0
zorasorel's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
the_immortal_library's review against another edition
4.0
Title: Diana and the island of no return.
Author: Aisha Saeed
Rating 4 ⭐️
This story follows Diana of Themyscira in her younger years while she is still living with the Amazons. During the most busy week on the island Diana and her best friend get “dragged” into a quest to save two islands. An evil entity has taken over Saz an island protected by the gods, and he has his sites set on Diana. Can Diana defeat this evil and save her island or will her strength shine through?
I really enjoyed this book. It is middle grade and I would recommend for higher elementary and middle school. It was a very different take on Diana as we usually see her once she has already become Wonder Woman. She is smart, strong and determined. She kind, caring and loyal. Her relationship with her best friend Sakina is wonderful and sisterly and I am here for it!
I received this book from the publisher via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#dcbooks #dccomics #wonderwoman #dianaofthemyscira #themyscira #middlegrade #aishasaeed
Author: Aisha Saeed
Rating 4 ⭐️
This story follows Diana of Themyscira in her younger years while she is still living with the Amazons. During the most busy week on the island Diana and her best friend get “dragged” into a quest to save two islands. An evil entity has taken over Saz an island protected by the gods, and he has his sites set on Diana. Can Diana defeat this evil and save her island or will her strength shine through?
I really enjoyed this book. It is middle grade and I would recommend for higher elementary and middle school. It was a very different take on Diana as we usually see her once she has already become Wonder Woman. She is smart, strong and determined. She kind, caring and loyal. Her relationship with her best friend Sakina is wonderful and sisterly and I am here for it!
I received this book from the publisher via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#dcbooks #dccomics #wonderwoman #dianaofthemyscira #themyscira #middlegrade #aishasaeed
wombat_88's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
kathryn_fletcher's review against another edition
4.0
This book is set when Diana was a preteen (estimate). Her mother won’t let her train but Diana has watched warrior women train her whole life. She was finally given a sword the previous summer, but it is not THE sword. The lasso of truth does make an appearance in this book and plays a role.
In the beginning of this book, Diana is eagerly awaiting her friend’s arrival for the festival. Her friend lives on a secret island with people who are keepers of knowledge. (I want to live on THAT island!)
Then during the festival Diana discovers a boy. Of course, she’s never seen a boy before so she is curious. She isn’t sure if she can trust him when he warns her of great danger.
Who will like this story?
Island of No Return is a quick, easy read perfect for preteens. A strong 3rd grade reader could enjoy this book. The writing style is utilitarian and straightforward which is good for this kind of book.
If you like a fast-paced superhero stories about friendship, trust, and bravery, you’ll love this story. I teach kids age 11-13 and I see them struggling to navigate friendships. In middle school their friend circle expands as they meet new people and with that comes a prioritizing of time that they didn’t have to do as much before. With this sometimes comes a feeling of betrayal when their friends don’t make them a priority.
Kids struggle with who they can trust with which secrets and dreams. Sometimes they trust the wrong friends and learn difficult lessons. There is a lot in this story about trust which will resonate with readers in this age group.
In the beginning of this book, Diana is eagerly awaiting her friend’s arrival for the festival. Her friend lives on a secret island with people who are keepers of knowledge. (I want to live on THAT island!)
Then during the festival Diana discovers a boy. Of course, she’s never seen a boy before so she is curious. She isn’t sure if she can trust him when he warns her of great danger.
Who will like this story?
Island of No Return is a quick, easy read perfect for preteens. A strong 3rd grade reader could enjoy this book. The writing style is utilitarian and straightforward which is good for this kind of book.
If you like a fast-paced superhero stories about friendship, trust, and bravery, you’ll love this story. I teach kids age 11-13 and I see them struggling to navigate friendships. In middle school their friend circle expands as they meet new people and with that comes a prioritizing of time that they didn’t have to do as much before. With this sometimes comes a feeling of betrayal when their friends don’t make them a priority.
Kids struggle with who they can trust with which secrets and dreams. Sometimes they trust the wrong friends and learn difficult lessons. There is a lot in this story about trust which will resonate with readers in this age group.