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jay_ml's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
day23dreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness and Gore
Minor: Child death
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
3.0
Apart from the fact that thanks to Book Box Club I get books I never would have bought myself (with of course sometimes better and sometimes less exciting results), I also actually read them because of the author chats and the amazing girls in the whatsapp group. I'm not sure if and when I would have picked up this book if I hadn't had those.
And even after reading I'm still not entirely sure what to think of this book. It's a typical "it's not bad, it's just not that outstanding or impressive either" case. So, let's start with the things I actually liked about this book:
First there is Agatha. Agatha is, most likely, a child with down syndrome. It's never actually said, but the hints are there. She has therefore a very unique and interesting way to watch the world. What I love is that this book acknowledges how people used to think about those amazing children, but it also turns Agatha into a hero, without changing her into someone she's not. She's the star in this story, because she is who she is.
Secondly the world is quite interesting and due to the roadtrip we get to see quite a lot of it. It's nice to have some nods here and there to our world, but there are clearly some fantasy elements in place too. I like how all the clans and tribes are clearly different, with their own beliefs and customs. And all of them have good sides and bad sides, which makes the world very vivid and which means that characters can learn from each other.
But, there were also a few things I wasn't that fond of. The big point of the story feels a little unclear to me. It's an adventure, Agatha shows what she can do and who she is, but not much actually changes. At least, we don't get to see the change in this book. Therefore it's just a roadtrip without some higher goal. Also, I'm not entirely sure why Jaime is also a point of view character in this book. No real big things happen to him and he doesn't add that much to the story. I would have been perfectly fine with just Agatha's point of view.
So, although the book was okay and adventurous and had some nice elements, it wasn't a book that truly blew me away. I don't think I'm gonna pick the next book in this series up.
And even after reading I'm still not entirely sure what to think of this book. It's a typical "it's not bad, it's just not that outstanding or impressive either" case. So, let's start with the things I actually liked about this book:
First there is Agatha. Agatha is, most likely, a child with down syndrome. It's never actually said, but the hints are there. She has therefore a very unique and interesting way to watch the world. What I love is that this book acknowledges how people used to think about those amazing children, but it also turns Agatha into a hero, without changing her into someone she's not. She's the star in this story, because she is who she is.
Secondly the world is quite interesting and due to the roadtrip we get to see quite a lot of it. It's nice to have some nods here and there to our world, but there are clearly some fantasy elements in place too. I like how all the clans and tribes are clearly different, with their own beliefs and customs. And all of them have good sides and bad sides, which makes the world very vivid and which means that characters can learn from each other.
But, there were also a few things I wasn't that fond of. The big point of the story feels a little unclear to me. It's an adventure, Agatha shows what she can do and who she is, but not much actually changes. At least, we don't get to see the change in this book. Therefore it's just a roadtrip without some higher goal. Also, I'm not entirely sure why Jaime is also a point of view character in this book. No real big things happen to him and he doesn't add that much to the story. I would have been perfectly fine with just Agatha's point of view.
So, although the book was okay and adventurous and had some nice elements, it wasn't a book that truly blew me away. I don't think I'm gonna pick the next book in this series up.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
DNF
The system the author created was interesting but too confusing for me to understand
The system the author created was interesting but too confusing for me to understand
sugarpop's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
pewterwolf's review against another edition
5.0
RTC, but I had such a blast with this. Not sure if 4 star or 5. Will report back at a later date, but fans of Michelle Paver's [b:Wolf Brother|911865|Wolf Brother (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, #1)|Michelle Paver|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335883669l/911865._SY75_.jpg|1193402] should love this...
Write-Up Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads
***Book given by UK publisher, Walker Books, in exchange for honest review/write-up***
I loved this book. I fell for it hard and I can’t wait to read the second in the trilogy, [b:The Broken Raven|51580564|The Broken Raven (Shadow Skye, #2)|Joseph Elliott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601975141l/51580564._SY75_.jpg|74528943], once I have some other titles out of the way (my TBR is out of control!). It’s mystical, strongly written, darkly gripping and tackled inclusion and diversity I ways that felt effortless.
If you are a fan of Michelle Paver’s Chronicles of Ancient Darkness or Wolf Brother series, you need this on your radar. You can thank me later.
Write-Up Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads
***Book given by UK publisher, Walker Books, in exchange for honest review/write-up***
I loved this book. I fell for it hard and I can’t wait to read the second in the trilogy, [b:The Broken Raven|51580564|The Broken Raven (Shadow Skye, #2)|Joseph Elliott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601975141l/51580564._SY75_.jpg|74528943], once I have some other titles out of the way (my TBR is out of control!). It’s mystical, strongly written, darkly gripping and tackled inclusion and diversity I ways that felt effortless.
If you are a fan of Michelle Paver’s Chronicles of Ancient Darkness or Wolf Brother series, you need this on your radar. You can thank me later.
cathyatratedreads's review
3.0
Solid 3.5 stars but not so great that I'd give 4.
Author Joseph Elliott worked with children with learning disabilities, his mother is a “teacher trained in special needs education,” and his parents “provided respite foster care for children with additional needs,” the book’s About the Author section says. Agatha was inspired by such young people, especially those with Down syndrome, and it’s a treat to read a fantasy book whose main character has Down syndrome. The story alternates between the points of view of Agatha and Jaime, so parts are told in Agatha’s words. Having a main character with a disability could be just a gimmick, but Elliott writes well enough and the story works and flows well enough that it doesn’t feel like a device. I have a young adult daughter with Down syndrome myself, and it was lovely to imagine her as Agatha. I enjoyed the story and the characters and appreciated this brave heroine.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com:
https://ratedreads.com/good-hawk-young-adult-book-review/
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Author Joseph Elliott worked with children with learning disabilities, his mother is a “teacher trained in special needs education,” and his parents “provided respite foster care for children with additional needs,” the book’s About the Author section says. Agatha was inspired by such young people, especially those with Down syndrome, and it’s a treat to read a fantasy book whose main character has Down syndrome. The story alternates between the points of view of Agatha and Jaime, so parts are told in Agatha’s words. Having a main character with a disability could be just a gimmick, but Elliott writes well enough and the story works and flows well enough that it doesn’t feel like a device. I have a young adult daughter with Down syndrome myself, and it was lovely to imagine her as Agatha. I enjoyed the story and the characters and appreciated this brave heroine.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com:
https://ratedreads.com/good-hawk-young-adult-book-review/
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 rounded down.
In a post apocalyptic Scotland, two young warriors must battle to free their clan from a shadowy, half mythic evil.
I struggled over how to rate this. It's well written, the back story is given at just the right pace, Agatha as a heroine is fantastic and Jamie's not far behind, the story is good...but I was never compelled to get back to it, or desperate to know what was going to happen. I've been reading it in bits and pieces for a few days now, rather than over a day or two as I usually do.
There's nothing wrong with it. For the right reader it would be a great read. I'll promote it as hard as I can, because we need more heroes like Aggie. It just didn't hook me, and I'm sorry for that.
In a post apocalyptic Scotland, two young warriors must battle to free their clan from a shadowy, half mythic evil.
I struggled over how to rate this. It's well written, the back story is given at just the right pace, Agatha as a heroine is fantastic and Jamie's not far behind, the story is good...but I was never compelled to get back to it, or desperate to know what was going to happen. I've been reading it in bits and pieces for a few days now, rather than over a day or two as I usually do.
There's nothing wrong with it. For the right reader it would be a great read. I'll promote it as hard as I can, because we need more heroes like Aggie. It just didn't hook me, and I'm sorry for that.
rsales2's review
5.0
One of my favorite books I’ve read this year! It is beautiful and sweet. For me, it was also a complete palette cleanser. I love the representation-I have never read a book where the heroine has Down Syndrome. Agatha is now one of my favorite heroines.
Side note-I adore the cover of this book! Congrats to whoever designed that!
Side note-I adore the cover of this book! Congrats to whoever designed that!