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emmanovella's review against another edition
3.0
I go through weird phases with audiobooks. I never stop listening to them but sometimes I just don't connect as well and feel as though I miss what's happening and can't fully appreciate the story. This is what happened with this book, and I feel guilty only giving it two stars as it was definitely a me thing more than the book. I know this because I think the chances of 5 or so audiobooks in a row all suffering the same thing due to them being the wrong book for me or not translating to audio very slim, especially as it happens every few months.
I do plan to read the sequel as what I recall of this book I enjoyed, it's more just the minor details that lost me
I do plan to read the sequel as what I recall of this book I enjoyed, it's more just the minor details that lost me
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
What a brilliant fantasy. I've never seen quite this kind of magic before, and it's so well done. Really innovative. The setting is a character all of its own.
I'll definitely be looking forward to more books in this series, as there's plenty left to cover.
(I am a little annoyed that the Morrigan is *always* portrayed as a bad guy, but that's my own issue, nothing to do with the book.)
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
I'll definitely be looking forward to more books in this series, as there's plenty left to cover.
(I am a little annoyed that the Morrigan is *always* portrayed as a bad guy, but that's my own issue, nothing to do with the book.)
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
lunabooks23's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was very good the plot made me very curious I definitely wanna keep with this series I liked the characters to and the cover looks so illuminating
tombs's review against another edition
3.0
A very cozy read. Loved the descriptive metaphors. But the ending was a bit unsatisfying. Turns out it was because there is a sequel.
milly_in_the_library's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this story- a great adventure& an original idea 😊 I liked the main character, Fionn & how his relationship with his Grandfather and the island grew as the book went on. Look forward to the next one!
Read in Italy!
Read in Italy!
venlaauroraa's review against another edition
3.0
After reading Fourth Wing, I really needed a fast read like this. The story itself was kinda meh (maybe middle-grade just isn't for me) but Doyle's writing is absolutely beautiful and I thought the Finnish translation was really well done.
amber_hastings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Firstly this is a beautiful-looking book! The cover and typesetting is stunning.
Secondly I loved the concept, and especially the unique form of time travel — to capture memories in candle wax and revisit them when you burn the candle! There were two great time travel-related twists/surprises, too, which caught me off guard and made me quite emotional.
Thirdly the writing could be quite flowery and far too simile-heavy, but I appreciated that this was an adventure story filled with poetic descriptions.
But overall I felt this book underdelivered on what could have been a much more tense, emotional, thrilling plot. A few things that kept cropping up for me:
- What is a Storm Keeper and why does this island need one? Fionn and Tara are from the mainland, where magic isn't real. I didn't feel like they questioned enough why magic is real here. I also kept wondering why Fionn couldn't probe a bit harder to understand what the Storm Keeper actually does.
- I never got a sense of the island itself apart from that it 'breathes' and has magic running through it.
- What does Fionn want right now? Is it to be a Storm Keeper? For his mum to get over er depression? To learn more about his Dad? To get his Dad back? To find the Sea Cave and wish his mum better? All can be true but I was never quite sure what to place more value on, which meant Fionn's motivations felt murky. Without knowing or believing in his motivations I struggled to care about his journey.
- Fionn was always going to be the Storm Keeper. I don't know if it was intentional to make it so obvious but for me it took away any anticipation that he might not be the chosen one. It would have been more exciting if there was doubt about him being chosen, or if he had rejected it.
- There is equal weight given to the smaller antagonist (the Beasley boy) and the big antagonist (Morrigan) and it's unclear who we should be most afraid of. Again this ties into Fionn not knowing what he wants. It also means the obstacles Beasley puts in Fionn's way feel pretty minor compared to the threat of Morrigan.
- Two-dimensional main character. I feel like Fionn had so much potential for growth and development, but it never really got there for him.
- Two-dimensional grandfather character who was too prone to making poignant statements.
- Overly mature, unrealistic dialogue, especially between the children. It all feels very middle class.
Secondly I loved the concept, and especially the unique form of time travel — to capture memories in candle wax and revisit them when you burn the candle! There were two great time travel-related twists/surprises, too, which caught me off guard and made me quite emotional.
Thirdly the writing could be quite flowery and far too simile-heavy, but I appreciated that this was an adventure story filled with poetic descriptions.
But overall I felt this book underdelivered on what could have been a much more tense, emotional, thrilling plot. A few things that kept cropping up for me:
- What is a Storm Keeper and why does this island need one? Fionn and Tara are from the mainland, where magic isn't real. I didn't feel like they questioned enough why magic is real here. I also kept wondering why Fionn couldn't probe a bit harder to understand what the Storm Keeper actually does.
- I never got a sense of the island itself apart from that it 'breathes' and has magic running through it.
- What does Fionn want right now? Is it to be a Storm Keeper? For his mum to get over er depression? To learn more about his Dad? To get his Dad back? To find the Sea Cave and wish his mum better? All can be true but I was never quite sure what to place more value on, which meant Fionn's motivations felt murky. Without knowing or believing in his motivations I struggled to care about his journey.
- Fionn was always going to be the Storm Keeper. I don't know if it was intentional to make it so obvious but for me it took away any anticipation that he might not be the chosen one. It would have been more exciting if there was doubt about him being chosen, or if he had rejected it.
- There is equal weight given to the smaller antagonist (the Beasley boy) and the big antagonist (Morrigan) and it's unclear who we should be most afraid of. Again this ties into Fionn not knowing what he wants. It also means the obstacles Beasley puts in Fionn's way feel pretty minor compared to the threat of Morrigan.
- Two-dimensional main character. I feel like Fionn had so much potential for growth and development, but it never really got there for him.
- Two-dimensional grandfather character who was too prone to making poignant statements.
- Overly mature, unrealistic dialogue, especially between the children. It all feels very middle class.
djc16's review against another edition
4.0
We first meet Fionn as he comes to Arranmore with his older sister Tara and he’s already terrified to be anywhere near the sea,
‘…his arms tucked into his sides and his chin tucked into his chest.’
Despite being only two years older, Tara passes herself off as much more mature and confident:
‘Tara stood at the bow of the ship … Her dark hair whipped through the air, loose and tangled …’
Along with these main characters, we then meet their grandfather, the mysterious Storm-Keeper. Fionn soon starts to learn about the labelled candles of all kinds that are dotted around his grandfather’s cottage, candles which contain storms that tell stories of the island and its history. The candles have such fantastical names as ‘Flaming Sunrise, February 1997,’ and ‘Suaimhneas,’ meaning peace in Irish.
The other character which shares equal billing in The Storm Keeper’s Island is the island itself. It constantly responds to Fionn as he traverses it through country lanes, along the cliff faces and the beaches. Arranmore sighs and groans and shudders, its magic beautifully wrought through the writing of Catherine Doyle.
‘Magic rose from the ground like steam and hummed in the air like wind chimes.’
This story retains that magical element throughout, as Fionn’s grandfather tells him tales of a world threatened by ancient beings from Irish folklore, how the island has a role in keeping the more malevolent threats at bay. Meanwhile, other visitors come to the island to try to uncover the darker elements which have been buried for centuries, leaving Fionn to protect the island and its inhabitants from threats new and old.
Another facet of the story which was wonderfully weaved in is the layers of the island’s history that are explored through the magic of the candles. A story based on a real-life perilous rescue operation off the coast of Arranmore is told with the reader right there in the boat with the men of Arranmore during WWII. These stories add to the mystique of the island and give the whole story a sense of timelessness.
As the Storm Keeper’s Island races on towards a climax, there are plenty of threads to explore, from the identity of the next Storm-Keeper after Fionn’s grandfather, to the imminent threat to the island’s existence.
The Storm Keeper’s Island is a fantastic middle-grade fantasy adventure and is the first part in a series, it has its own self-contained story and still leaves you wanting more. There is a note from the author included, which explains how Catherine Doyle came to write this series and her own personal connection to the island. This comes across in the narrative, the island itself pulling you in to its spell.
‘…his arms tucked into his sides and his chin tucked into his chest.’
Despite being only two years older, Tara passes herself off as much more mature and confident:
‘Tara stood at the bow of the ship … Her dark hair whipped through the air, loose and tangled …’
Along with these main characters, we then meet their grandfather, the mysterious Storm-Keeper. Fionn soon starts to learn about the labelled candles of all kinds that are dotted around his grandfather’s cottage, candles which contain storms that tell stories of the island and its history. The candles have such fantastical names as ‘Flaming Sunrise, February 1997,’ and ‘Suaimhneas,’ meaning peace in Irish.
The other character which shares equal billing in The Storm Keeper’s Island is the island itself. It constantly responds to Fionn as he traverses it through country lanes, along the cliff faces and the beaches. Arranmore sighs and groans and shudders, its magic beautifully wrought through the writing of Catherine Doyle.
‘Magic rose from the ground like steam and hummed in the air like wind chimes.’
This story retains that magical element throughout, as Fionn’s grandfather tells him tales of a world threatened by ancient beings from Irish folklore, how the island has a role in keeping the more malevolent threats at bay. Meanwhile, other visitors come to the island to try to uncover the darker elements which have been buried for centuries, leaving Fionn to protect the island and its inhabitants from threats new and old.
Another facet of the story which was wonderfully weaved in is the layers of the island’s history that are explored through the magic of the candles. A story based on a real-life perilous rescue operation off the coast of Arranmore is told with the reader right there in the boat with the men of Arranmore during WWII. These stories add to the mystique of the island and give the whole story a sense of timelessness.
As the Storm Keeper’s Island races on towards a climax, there are plenty of threads to explore, from the identity of the next Storm-Keeper after Fionn’s grandfather, to the imminent threat to the island’s existence.
The Storm Keeper’s Island is a fantastic middle-grade fantasy adventure and is the first part in a series, it has its own self-contained story and still leaves you wanting more. There is a note from the author included, which explains how Catherine Doyle came to write this series and her own personal connection to the island. This comes across in the narrative, the island itself pulling you in to its spell.
aliciaxingram's review against another edition
3.0
I found that the story drew on too many tropes I could recognise from other children's stories - all the same I can see how some would find this book utterly spellbinding