Scan barcode
mahry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this book to the fullest. It made me sad yet laugh. it made me wanna put it away out of anger, but also made me want to read „just one more page“.
I really liked the characters. Especially Arthur and Sal touched me in a really emotional way.
So far, i would call this my favorite fantasy book!
I really liked the characters. Especially Arthur and Sal touched me in a really emotional way.
So far, i would call this my favorite fantasy book!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
hayleyvem's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Cannibalism
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is a beautifully queer story about the importance of finding your voice, standing up for a better tomorrow, and the love of a found family.
Linus Baker's humdrum life is completely turned upside down when he is sent to the Marsyas Island Orphanage by Extremely Upper Management of the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, where he has worked, unremarkably, for 17 years. Enter, the most adorable and diverse group of magical children and their caretakers Zoe Chapelwhite and Arthur Parnassus. Not only is this house run quite differently to any other home Linus has inspected, but the children there are quite unlike anything Linus could have ever anticipated either.
I fell in love with each of the children immediately upon their introductions to the story. They were written so perfectly as children, and never acted any other way. They asked blunt children questions, argued with child logic, and were generally so adorably wholesome (which is no easy feat when one of your main characters it the Antichrist) that it was so easy to picture them exactly as described. Zoe and Arthur were phenomenal caretakers for these children. Arthur's comment early on about "orphanages is a misnomer; no one comes to these homes looking to adopt" hit like a ton of bricks. The fear and "otherness" these children had been label with their entire lives left them alone in the world, and Arthur was right. Because of that fear of "the other" these children would never be adopted in a traditional way.
Linus' departure from the Island after his assessment was both heartbreaking and made sense. If he hadn't left, I doubt that Extremely Upper Management would have taken his recommendation seriously enough and by the sounds of their discussions, they already had a course of action they wanted to pursue, they were just looking for the excuse to pull the plug on it. However, it took Linus standing up to them, in person; seeing that their assumptions about these children--all of them, the entire DICOMY system--are just that. Children. They have no preconceived notions about the world, only what the world tells them they are. That with them, the world can be in color, not a dreary gray half-life. The relief that flooded through Linus once he received word that the home wouldn't be closed was palpable and beautiful. The shift in his inner voice and attitude no longer fit with the humdrum of office life. He could do more; he <i>needed</i> to do more. And by returning to the island, to his found family, he could do just that.
Linus Baker's humdrum life is completely turned upside down when he is sent to the Marsyas Island Orphanage by Extremely Upper Management of the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, where he has worked, unremarkably, for 17 years. Enter, the most adorable and diverse group of magical children and their caretakers Zoe Chapelwhite and Arthur Parnassus. Not only is this house run quite differently to any other home Linus has inspected, but the children there are quite unlike anything Linus could have ever anticipated either.
I fell in love with each of the children immediately upon their introductions to the story. They were written so perfectly as children, and never acted any other way. They asked blunt children questions, argued with child logic, and were generally so adorably wholesome (which is no easy feat when one of your main characters it the Antichrist) that it was so easy to picture them exactly as described. Zoe and Arthur were phenomenal caretakers for these children. Arthur's comment early on about "orphanages is a misnomer; no one comes to these homes looking to adopt" hit like a ton of bricks. The fear and "otherness" these children had been label with their entire lives left them alone in the world, and Arthur was right. Because of that fear of "the other" these children would never be adopted in a traditional way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Bullying
eddine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
MY NEW COMFORT BOOK
this book was just so heartwarming and just sooo gooood
went into this thinking i wouldnt use much of my tabs but nOooOo
the kids are just so dkn wholesome i wanna keep them all in my pocket and keep them
CHAUNCEY MY BOI YOU ARE THE BEST BOI AND BEST BELLHOP THERE IS
it needs more hype than it deserves
this book was just so heartwarming and just sooo gooood
went into this thinking i wouldnt use much of my tabs but nOooOo
the kids are just so dkn wholesome i wanna keep them all in my pocket and keep them
CHAUNCEY MY BOI YOU ARE THE BEST BOI AND BEST BELLHOP THERE IS
it needs more hype than it deserves
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
paolina's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Really loved living in the world of this book for a while. The characters were all so precious. And while it was a bit twee at times, it felt like it was warming up my gooey caramel center.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, and Forced institutionalization
flo926's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Xenophobia
Minor: Fatphobia
mo345's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book is like being wrapped in a warm hug, or like drinking the perfect cup of coffee first thing in the morning. the ultimate comfort book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Physical abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Fatphobia, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Death of parent
bayleereads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I knew I was going to like this book, but I didn't realize how much I was going to *LOVE* it! This was such a lovely story and definitely not a genre I'm used to reading, but I already can't wait for my reread. Linus and Arthur have my heart and Talia + Sal were my favorite kiddos. Also lets talk about Helen?? How lovely and supportive she was?? The characters in this book were SO lovable and the story is just so captivating!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Child abuse
jude7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This was a fantastic book! The first maybe 10% or so before he went to the island was really slow, but I kept going because I knew I would enjoy the rest. I switched to the audiobook partway through as it was available at my library, and I really enjoyed it. Although the narrator bits sounded a bit robotic/stilted, the reading of all the characters different voices was really good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Cannibalism
cameeroo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent