Reviews

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

amy_rose29's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

0blitzhuman0's review

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

jennywrennn's review

5.0

I seriously love this little book. I’ve read it twice already, and I know it’s going to be on my annual rotation for Halloween.

The autumnal/Halloween atmosphere is so well set right off the bat - it felt nostalgic and cozy and spooky within the first couple pages. The descriptions of the weather, the town, the decorations were great and really pull you into the story.

Ollie is a great heroine - she’s bold, kind, loyal and clever - as well as hot-headed and quick to judge, which gets her into trouble here and there - but she learns from her mistakes and aims to do better.
Her companions, Brian and Coco, support the story very well and aren’t your typical sidekicks which was refreshing. I appreciate that they help Ollie re-assess her judgments - Brian, a ‘typical jock’ actually loves to read. Coco, a shy girl that Ollie initially finds annoyingly weak, turns out to be a master gymnast and great chess player.

The book is the perfect level of creepy/spooky for young kids or wussy adults like myself. It’s the perfect brand of ‘Spooky Lite’ as I like to call it. Scary enough to give you the chills, to get you excited, to give you a few jumps and put you on edge, but not scary enough that you won’t be able to sleep at night - I think anyone in the grade 5-8 range would be fine with the scary levels. The lore is very creepy - The Smiling Man, the sinister scarecrows, the mist/fog set up a very uneasy/unsettling vibe without jumping the line into ‘terrifying’.

The book is well paced and plotted and the story is unique. The writing is a bit simple from an adult perspective - I feel like there are middle grade books that are written with the assumption that kids will be smart enough to get it, and adults will enjoy the story as well (Harry Potter) and middle grade books that are written with the assumption that kids will need more simplicity and fun, and it’s not for grown-ups (Percy Jackson). I actually love both these series, and neither approach is wrong, but I do personally lean more towards more mature writing (I am an adult, after all). I think this fell somewhere in the middle with a slight leaning towards the more simple writing. For actual middle graders though I don’t think this will be a problem - for adults you might find it too ‘juvenile’, but I don’t think it leaned too far that direction. There are also a few small plot holes/unaddressed questions due to the simplicity, but honestly it didn’t ruin the story for me.

I appreciated the way the book dealt with grief and loss and the effects it has on a kid. I felt the book had a lot of heart, which is really the main thing any book needs to succeed. Ollie’s handling of the ‘tragedy’ mentioned in the blurb is realistic and heartbreaking, and the way she finds support and trust in her new friends is a great example for kids who may be dealing with something similar.

Glad that this book is set up for a series and look forward to reading about each new season (it’s been announced Arden will do a book for each season - Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) with these kids!

5* Loved this book, wished it would never end.
4* Really enjoyed this book, will probably read again.
3* It was fine, but I won’t read it again.
2* Not a fan, won’t read again.
1* Hated it, wish I could get that time back.


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irisdagmar's review

5.0

This book made me nostalgic. There was something innocent, or old fashioned, about the creepiness of this story. I love that I read it during the same season as it’s set in - perfect Halloween vibe! Really a delightful book that entertained all the way through. I loved the strong female protagonist and leader - and excellent writing!

fr_eddie's review

3.0

3,75 libro molto carino, dolce, infantile, ma penso che manchi qualcosa per farlo arrivare a quattro stelle.

Mi sarebbe piaciuto sapere di più riguardo a cos'era successo all'incendio della scuola, dato che è l'unico evento in cui le sparizioni non hanno troppo senso. Ok, gli spaventapasseri hanno preso i bambini, però per quale patto? L'aveva fatto sempre uno della famiglia della fattoria? Secondo me avrebbero potuto chiudere anche questa sottotrama e, onestamente, la sparizione della donna mi è sembrato un po' anticlimatico, dopo tutto ciò che aveva fatto poteva anche avere un dialogo finale con Ollie o qualcosa.

Onestamente? Lo consiglierei

_ottavia_'s review against another edition

5.0

Delizioso e terrificante. L'ho adorato.

shadowykittenwizard's review

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

janagaton's review

5.0

now THIS is a middle grade series i can get behind. it was genuinely so creepy! and i loved the dynamic between ollie & her dad. his dad jokes are prime lol. will definitely be reading the rest of the series!

drridareads's review

4.0

“Small spaces! Keep to small spaces or see what happens to you! Just see!”

With only this warning we follow Ollie an her 2 friends; Coco and Brian on a sinister timed adventure.
I liked how well our characters were crafted. Ollie who looked ups to heroines from her book and Coco who feels and tries her best to be brave.
And I loved the wholesome father daughter relationship between Ollie and her dad.

I loved the menacing vibe in this book with scarecrows and that smiling man.



The man’s smile broadened. His eyes were dark as a river at midnight. “Until the mist turns to rain,” he said.

And even though I predicted it was a lot of fun.Reminded me a little of Scooby Doo.



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This book was super creepy for a middle grade book.


Proper RTC

quercine's review

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? No

4.75

Genuinely loved this so much. Ollie is a great main character, so smart and witty, but also a kid with trauma who is acting out. She was the perfect blend of lovable and flawed, and Coco and Brian were just as multifaceted. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses that are explored throughout their adventure. The mystery was fun and the horror was perfectly spooky. I’ve already put the sequel on hold at the library.