Scan barcode
hagwife's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
A wonderfully fun book! I love stories that understand that children's adventures are serious things and that children are able to understand things that are serious, even if they are not always fun. Valente's version of Fairyland is at times more real than the world September has left behind; its full of things that Are and Could Be, and has both Triumphs and Consequences, and it knows that witches need hats.
mealosh's review
5.0
I can't say how many times I've read this book now and it still never disappoints me. Whenever I start reading I dive into the world Valente so carefully (and wonderfully) constructed. The characters Valente gives us are so relatable, so human in so many ways that I not only see myself in September (I was 12 myself when I read the book for the first time) but also A-through-L, Saturday, even the Marquess. This book made me want to be a child again at a point in my life where I was just about to tip into my teenager years, it awakened the yearning for adventure and fantasy inside of me again and allowed me to see the world in different colours. You will rarely find characters that are more creatively, lovingly and interestingly written in a story and world that feel so magical so fantastical that you feel the need to put on your shoes and go outside in a search of your own adventure.
smc15's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
5.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
At the start, felt it was trying to be too clever and nonsensical, but the Carroll comparisons dropped off and I enjoyed it more through a proper narrative. Liked the twist at the end, and some touching relationships between characters. Sweet.
annalynpoulsen's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.0
Just so cute. It felt like a slight mix of Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Tollbooth. Definitely a fun read, and honestly pretty good for a children’s book
dylan_tomorrow's review
5.0
As you can see from my updates, I hated the first few pages. Way to annoyingly whimsical. I am so very glad I gave this book another chance until I got it somewhere around the end of chapter one. This is so better then it may seem to be at first! (The beginning seems almost like a Hidden Test of Character in and of itself ... :D)
Man that was a beautiful ride, a magical adventure indeed that I followed September and her Saturday and A-L on. Plus the Green Wind and our very own Marquess, who was just gorgeously characterized, as was everyone.
We have so much magic in here. As in, actually magical moments, moods, happenings. As in love and joy and cruelty and pain and determination and tragedy and warmth and friendship.
As in washing your courage! God I love that chapter! And I want, I need that kind of emotions-changing, potent magic in my fantasy, not boring magic as a stand in for tech! Screw reactionary monomyths, give as more actually magical magic, folks!
Stellar writing, beautiful, witty, snappy, lyrical, vibrant, poignant.
No wonder it took me two months to finish: With great stories I tend to either marathon through them in mere hours to days or draw them out for way to many weeks because I just don't want them to end! Luckily, there is a second book, plus a small prequel on Queen Mallow, so that's such a relief!
I am definitely a [a:Catherynne M. Valente|338705|Catherynne M. Valente|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1220999852p2/338705.jpg] fan now and I want to read more form her. Love what I've read of the Palimpsest sample sofar. So glad to have found another author where I will potentially look forward to every new book they write :).
Man that was a beautiful ride, a magical adventure indeed that I followed September and her Saturday and A-L on. Plus the Green Wind and our very own Marquess, who was just gorgeously characterized, as was everyone.
We have so much magic in here. As in, actually magical moments, moods, happenings. As in love and joy and cruelty and pain and determination and tragedy and warmth and friendship.
As in washing your courage! God I love that chapter! And I want, I need that kind of emotions-changing, potent magic in my fantasy, not boring magic as a stand in for tech! Screw reactionary monomyths, give as more actually magical magic, folks!
Stellar writing, beautiful, witty, snappy, lyrical, vibrant, poignant.
No wonder it took me two months to finish: With great stories I tend to either marathon through them in mere hours to days or draw them out for way to many weeks because I just don't want them to end! Luckily, there is a second book, plus a small prequel on Queen Mallow, so that's such a relief!
I am definitely a [a:Catherynne M. Valente|338705|Catherynne M. Valente|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1220999852p2/338705.jpg] fan now and I want to read more form her. Love what I've read of the Palimpsest sample sofar. So glad to have found another author where I will potentially look forward to every new book they write :).
hollandvk's review
5.0
I definitely have a soft spot for stories of children stumbling into some other magical realm. This one has the added bonus of the main character not being a complete brat.
brendalovesbooks's review
5.0
2nd time through: I loved this even more the second time I read it. Quite possibly my all-time favorite book.
1st read:
Have you ever finished a book and hugged it to your chest because you loved it so much? No? Me neither. Just kidding. That's exactly what I did when I finished The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (that title's a mouthful). I absolutely adored this one, and it's now on my favorites list.
Mind you, this isn't a book everyone will love. It's got a quirkiness to it that some people will find a little too precious. But I think most people will fall in love with it just like I did. It's a beautiful, magical fairy tale that is perfect for the young at heart. Here's a sample:
“When you are born,” the golem said softly, “your courage is new and clean. You are brave enough for anything: crawling off of staircases, saying your first words without fearing that someone will think you are foolish, putting strange things in your mouth. But as you get older, your courage attracts gunk, and crusty things, and dirt, and fear, and knowing how bad things can get and what pain feels like. By the time you’re half-grown, your courage barely moves at all, it’s so grunged up with living. So every once in awhile, you have to scrub it up and get the works going, or else you’ll never be brave again.”
There were so many lovely quotes like that all throughout the book. Catherynne Valente is a talented writer whose style flows, and is completely different than the typical YA. She is in a class all her own. And what's even better is that there is another book to come! I can't wait to read it, and I will definitely be re-reading this one. I highly recommend it.
1st read:
Have you ever finished a book and hugged it to your chest because you loved it so much? No? Me neither. Just kidding. That's exactly what I did when I finished The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (that title's a mouthful). I absolutely adored this one, and it's now on my favorites list.
Mind you, this isn't a book everyone will love. It's got a quirkiness to it that some people will find a little too precious. But I think most people will fall in love with it just like I did. It's a beautiful, magical fairy tale that is perfect for the young at heart. Here's a sample:
“When you are born,” the golem said softly, “your courage is new and clean. You are brave enough for anything: crawling off of staircases, saying your first words without fearing that someone will think you are foolish, putting strange things in your mouth. But as you get older, your courage attracts gunk, and crusty things, and dirt, and fear, and knowing how bad things can get and what pain feels like. By the time you’re half-grown, your courage barely moves at all, it’s so grunged up with living. So every once in awhile, you have to scrub it up and get the works going, or else you’ll never be brave again.”
There were so many lovely quotes like that all throughout the book. Catherynne Valente is a talented writer whose style flows, and is completely different than the typical YA. She is in a class all her own. And what's even better is that there is another book to come! I can't wait to read it, and I will definitely be re-reading this one. I highly recommend it.