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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
My oldest kid read the entire series. Younger kid and I are listening in the car. I have decidedly mixed feelings about the story. First, Shannon Messinger seems unsure about what age Sophie is. Is she 12 and emotionally young? Or is she on the cusp of teen hood? Is she wise beyond her years? She isn’t sure.
Second, so much whinging. Middle grade, fantasy, and romantasy books fall back on this trope too often. Every glance means insecurity. It might be true (who doesn’t wonder), but it’s tedious and overwrought when it’s the go-to interpretation. Enough.
Why don’t the characters’ accents match up? Some are English (Fitz), some are American (all the other kids). Dialect breakdown.
We’ve moved onto the second book, and we’ll probably go through the entire, entirely too long series.
Second, so much whinging. Middle grade, fantasy, and romantasy books fall back on this trope too often. Every glance means insecurity. It might be true (who doesn’t wonder), but it’s tedious and overwrought when it’s the go-to interpretation. Enough.
Why don’t the characters’ accents match up? Some are English (Fitz), some are American (all the other kids). Dialect breakdown.
We’ve moved onto the second book, and we’ll probably go through the entire, entirely too long series.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Such a fun book! Especially after reading some dark and stormy books recently this one was a breath of fresh air. Good stuff! It was cool to read a YA book as an adult that I would have loved as a kid but then still love it as an adult too!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, it was a decent read, something fun and fairly lighthearted, till the end.
I read this book in 6 days and loved it. This is such a great story and I wish to read the sequel. I loved all the character development, plot, ending, everything. Recommend this book!!!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
A fun, quick read with some strong characters. It could have used a little more development around family, but otherwise, quite good.
Oh this was such a great read! I had so much fun, the world was complex, but full of the creatures I grew up loving. I’m super excited to see where the story goes from here, I need to know more about the black swans and what they’re up to.
I loved this book just as much the second time around as the first. I don’t really want to be that critical, would rather enjoy it for what it is; a whimsical story about a little girl who discovers she’s an elf and has special powers (even amongst the elves). About a girl who makes friends and mistakes, learns, explores the world around her whilst dealing with loss and pain. About making the right choices even when it’s not the easiest path to choose. I felt fully immersed in the world and the elves way of life. Sophie reignites the sort of person I always dreamed about being when I was little. Being whisked away to a magical world where elves and other magical beings exist. Learning after years of thinking you’re a normal human, you are in fact someone special and magical, was many a fantasy.
If I had to be at least a bit critical, I’d mention the many similarities and drawn themes from the Harry Potter universe. I kinda didn’t care and just enjoyed the story for what it was and the world it transported me too. Another thing would be the sheer amount of blushing that all the children do. Got a bit old having every interaction mention how one or more of the characters cheeks reddened.
Also everyone should know that T-Rex are actually neon green and feathered!
If I had to be at least a bit critical, I’d mention the many similarities and drawn themes from the Harry Potter universe. I kinda didn’t care and just enjoyed the story for what it was and the world it transported me too. Another thing would be the sheer amount of blushing that all the children do. Got a bit old having every interaction mention how one or more of the characters cheeks reddened.
Also everyone should know that T-Rex are actually neon green and feathered!