Reviews

Fun little read with a focus on family & friends working together to solve a problem. I really enjoyed the simple plot of magical illumination artists with a tween main character. I may not be the target audience but I still appreciated the multiple important life lessons that the author incorporated into the story (e.g asking for help, being happy for others’ success, telling the truth, etc). The author does a good job with character & world building that isn’t overwhelming. Note: I listened to the audiobook & the voice actors did well.

tenshiwing07's review against another edition

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A cute Renaissance-era Venice based book about family, friendship and magical art – a girl who wants to help her family but ends up opening a can of worms when she opens a magical box. Super sweet book centered on protection of community – also jealousy, friendship, and working together. Loved the family dynamic and the friendship worked, and how friendships can grow or change. T. Kingfisher’s worldbuilding is impeccable!

Definitely a middle-grade rather than young adult but a fun read even for adults. Rosa feels realistically young and inexperience with life, still learning and promising.

It's an alternate history fantasy with magical paintings, a talking crow, and vengeful mandrake bent on destruction. The history around the villain and crow is also a bit sad.

My favorite character is Aunt Nadia!

libcolleen's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Very slow first half is building all of the parts you need for the satisfying climax and resolution. I very nearly quit and I'm glad I stuck it out. In hindsight as a fast reader, I should have read this as a paper book. The audiobook makes the slow first half excruciatingly slow for me, where it would have been speedier in print.

vaii's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

actuallycandy's review against another edition

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4.0

Certainly a YA fantasy that reads more middle grade. But that being said, a really interesting magic system and entertaining. The protagonist is perhaps why I thought this felt younger and not so much the main character. Will definitely be getting my daughter to read this when she is older.

laurenkraigco's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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