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njh_books's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Had a much better read the second try and overall found the book sweet and wholesome and funny. Reminded me of my counseloring days--kids say the darndest things. Lols.
Arthur is a smooth talker and sweet and was nice to see him continuing his journey to be himself. Also showed that childhood trauma can still be a battle into adulthood.
Glad Linus eventually fought for himself and found his voice.
Also hope to see a bit more of Zoe and Helen in the next book.
____________________
Some favorite quotes:
“'It’s the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It’s beautiful, when you think about it. He loves it dearly. That was very kind of you.'” (94)
“'When something is broken, you can put it back together. It may not fit quite the same, or work like it did once before, but that doesn't mean it's no longer useful.'” (247)
“'The little girl. She wasn’t scared of me. She was nice. She didn’t care what I looked like. That means she can make up her own mind. Maybe that woman will tell her I’m bad. And maybe she’ll believe it. Or maybe she won’t believe it at all. Arthur told me that in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of few. She’s just one person. But so is the lady.' Talia grinned.” (270)
“'It’s not fair,' Linus said, staring off into nothing. 'The way some people can be. But as long as you remember to be just and kind like I know you are, what those people think won’t matter in the long run. Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.'” (278)
“Helen scoffed. 'A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?'” (283)
“'You’re too precious to put into words. I think … it’s like one of Theodore’s buttons. If you asked him why he cared about them so, he would tell you it’s because they exist at all.'” (308)
“'Funny how that works out, isn’t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.'” (376)
Graphic: Torture, Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
emmagreenwood's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Racism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Grief, and Hate crime
openbookheartmind's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Torture, Violence, and Sexual content
starlily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Bullying, and Body shaming
Minor: Violence, Torture, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Grief
scmiller's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Child abuse, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Torture, Colonisation, and Abandonment
shamciar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Torture
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
HOWEVER, there are some controversies about this book, as Klune was at least partially inspired by residential schools, where Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in to orphanages, treated brutally (some even killed) to try to assimilate them into white society and culture. There are also some excellent points to be made about trauma and children in foster care systems, and whether or not that is accurately reflected here in the book. As I have no experience with the foster care system, and I am not an Indigenous Person, or even a person of color, I do not want to make a judgement call on this, nor do I feel able to. I have seen comments on both sides about these issues. What is clear is that Klune is using the magical children as an allegory to show the oppression of a marginalized group by society, culture, and the government. I think we can all appreciate the attempt. But how people feel going from there is really going to be up to each person and their individual lives and experiences. The story and the characters are sweet and soothing, but there is still a lot I feel uncertain about. I did not want to ignore the issues that many other readers have addressed much better than I have.
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Bullying, and Confinement
Minor: Grief, Torture, Hate crime, Violence, Body shaming, Death, and Emotional abuse
marleennieke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, and Torture
abookwormspov's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Abandonment, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Death, Racism, Torture, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
kimtazo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Fatphobia and Xenophobia
Minor: Bullying, Abandonment, Torture, Child abuse, and Confinement