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bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really enjoying these Royal Diaries books, much more than I expected to. Sondok is written about a princess of Silla, an early medieval kingdom in modern-day Korea, and it is filled with carefully researched details and reasonable inferences about the life of this historical person. Her character's passion for astronomy is based on an astronomy tower she built early in her eventual reign as queen, and serves as an excellent focal point for the tension between Silla's culture and the adjacent Chinese culture that they are delicately exploring. As in The Lady of Ch'iao Kuo, there are romantic threads through the plot but they are definitely subordinated to other plot threads of politics, familial relationships, and culture.
I read this for Nell's Torchlight curriculum, and got through it quite a bit faster in part because it was a little bit shorter, and in part because I realized what a risk it was to get bogged down in it and made a point to keep moving through it at a good clip. It made for very enjoyable reading, though!
I read this for Nell's Torchlight curriculum, and got through it quite a bit faster in part because it was a little bit shorter, and in part because I realized what a risk it was to get bogged down in it and made a point to keep moving through it at a good clip. It made for very enjoyable reading, though!
meaganmart's review against another edition
3.0
I loved these books as a child and I've been going through my bookshelves deciding what to keep and what I'm ready to donate. I will keep a copy of Sondok. It's one of the few historical fiction novels that I've found set in Ancient Korea and I think it's worth keeping for that fact alone. I do find this story interesting and appreciate the struggle Sondok feels between the new ways of Buddhism and the old ways where the priestesses and shamans contact ancestors. I think that's a struggle that many young readers can identify with. I would have liked the novel more if resources for further reading and exploration were provided.
marlfox24's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
relaxing
sad
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
5.0
sunscour's review against another edition
4.0
Looking for more information on Sondok, had a list of resources in the back. Written in diary format.
msmo's review against another edition
2.0
This book is written as a diary by a young Sondok, soon to be first Queen of Silla Korea, A.D. 595. Even though Sondok is heir to the throne, her father the King of Silla kingdom disapproves of her study of astronomy, believing that such academic endeavors are not suitable for females. Sondok struggles with this personally, as well as with the discordances between the Buddhist beliefs of her kingdom, the Shamanistic practices of the older generations, and the growing Confucian influence from her kingdom's "Older Brother China."
While this historical figure and period of pre-unified Korea was fascinating to read about, there was something about the voice and language weaved into Sondok's narrative that I had difficulty believing as very realistic. Also, I couldn't help but feel that Sondok had decidedly Western point-of-view of her world even though she was supposed to be a young Buddhist Korean girl. Still, it did feel like the author gave it her best effort and intent to share the culture and perspectives of Silla Korea.
While this historical figure and period of pre-unified Korea was fascinating to read about, there was something about the voice and language weaved into Sondok's narrative that I had difficulty believing as very realistic. Also, I couldn't help but feel that Sondok had decidedly Western point-of-view of her world even though she was supposed to be a young Buddhist Korean girl. Still, it did feel like the author gave it her best effort and intent to share the culture and perspectives of Silla Korea.
bergha1998's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.25
Sondok has an unusual hobby for a girl of her time, she loves astronomy. Except everyone thinks her skill & dedication is a bad thing. Especially when she disagrees with the Chinese ambassador.
emmarj's review against another edition
2.0
This was written as letters to her grandmother. So it was really weird how she would say things like, "grandmother, you remember how we do xyz cultural tradition," it was just so unnatural and weird. Then the author stopped doing that about a third of the way through the book, which almost makes it more weird I think. 🤷
racheljoy7's review against another edition
3.0
This is decidedly not how a fourteen year old girl thinks or writes, but maybe that's not the point of The Royal Diaries books.
Years ago my daughter collected all the books in this series and read them all. I borrowed this from her in order to fulfill some tasks on a couple of challenges, and out of respect for her I finished it. The book is filled with interesting historical facts about the people and the era they lived in, but it lacks any depth of feeling for the characters and their ordeals.
Maybe it's just the particular author of this one book, as the books in this series have all different authors.
Years ago my daughter collected all the books in this series and read them all. I borrowed this from her in order to fulfill some tasks on a couple of challenges, and out of respect for her I finished it. The book is filled with interesting historical facts about the people and the era they lived in, but it lacks any depth of feeling for the characters and their ordeals.
Maybe it's just the particular author of this one book, as the books in this series have all different authors.
beammey's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the book! I thought it was good, but not amazing. I did like the astrological aspect of it though and I did stay interested. For a person in the right age group I can see how this would be a big hit. Very good. 3.75 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it.
augustgreatsword's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0