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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book, even though it is LONG! I am reading The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe to my kids, and it really reminded me of that.
An enjoyable-enough read. A little Narnia-esque. Sometimes a little too twee, but the story was fun overall. I enjoyed the illustrations sprinkled throughout.
I had high hopes for this book because it seemed positioned as one of those rare middle-grade novels that adults could love (see: Catherynne M. Valente's Fairyland series). And at first blush, it lived up to that expectation. The prose is complex, trusting its audience to roll with the punches of an unfamiliar word or, better yet, look it up. But at a fifth of the way through, nothing had grabbed me. And that complex prose seemed like it was getting in the way of a very simple story with somewhat cliché elements - like a whole premise that hinges on the protagonist ignoring perfectly helpful and available adults.
I would still give this book to a fifth-grader, but might not recommend it to grown readers.
I have a feeling I'll love the stop-motion adaptation by Laika Studios though.
I would still give this book to a fifth-grader, but might not recommend it to grown readers.
I have a feeling I'll love the stop-motion adaptation by Laika Studios though.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
giving "over the garden wall" vibes which i love
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Read aloud with my girls.
May be a bit long for a nightly read aloud. We enjoyed the story, but did get bogged down by details and length of it.
May be a bit long for a nightly read aloud. We enjoyed the story, but did get bogged down by details and length of it.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
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