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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
Third in the series and it's amazing. All three have been wonderful books with perfect narrators. I cannot wait until my kid is a bit older so I can share them!
Loved it! A rich world explained simply through the story, with characters you really grow to love or hate. For such a long book I flew through it.
I genuinely love this book so much. It’s my all time favourite middle grade. I love thé audiobook especially and listen to it so many times I no longer can even count it as reads because it’s now just soundtrack to my life.
I felt Esther’s emotions so strongly and it just soothes my soul hearing her life. The love her father has for her always makes me cry it just feels so genuine.
I felt Esther’s emotions so strongly and it just soothes my soul hearing her life. The love her father has for her always makes me cry it just feels so genuine.
My first journey into the Kingdoms and Empires world and it won't be my last. I really had a hard time at first with the structure of the story, with the short sharp chapters and the call outs to the readers. It all felt too frenetic, over reaching but I am glad I persisted because the last three quarters of the book is magical and wraps everything up beautifully. One of the main strengths is the characters in the story, each very distinct and fully formed.
Australian YA literature is amongst the best in the world and this is a leading example.
Australian YA literature is amongst the best in the world and this is a leading example.
Rollicking good fun. I found out belatedly it’s third in a series (but stands alone just fine), and I’m eager to read the first two. Several uses of the word “crappy” might have me keep it from my younger readers, but otherwise it’s unobjectionable in every way.
Rollicking good fun. I found out belatedly it’s third in a series (but stands alone just fine), and I’m eager to read the first two. Several uses of the word “crappy” might have me keep it from my younger readers, but otherwise it’s unobjectionable in every way.
Love!! Nothing about this book suggests I would like it but I loved it? Another one for the mommy issue crowd
I haven't yet read the Bronte Mettlestone books, in which world this sort-of standalone book is set, but it didn't matter (and it's simply that there's not enough time to read every book I want to). I've read the Colours of Madeleine series (first book = [b:A Corner of White|15703332|A Corner of White (The Colours of Madeleine, #1)|Jaclyn Moriarty|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452111287l/15703332._SY75_.jpg|13533441]) and loved them, so when this new Kingdoms and Empires book arrived in the shop (where I work) I thought I'd read the reading copy and do a "We Recommend" for it.
Well, I can't recommend it enough! The tone is light but there's some pretty serious stuff going on and parts where you sit on the edge of your seat. Esther's narration is full of humour, and the magic is terrific. There's even some kids-level psychology along with some seriously daffy characters and a great setting. As I was reading it I came across a number of great quotes, but I was too engrossed in getting to the next page and the next, and I forgot to write any down. Trust me, this book is full of laughs, quotable moments, and exciting adventure.
Well, I can't recommend it enough! The tone is light but there's some pretty serious stuff going on and parts where you sit on the edge of your seat. Esther's narration is full of humour, and the magic is terrific. There's even some kids-level psychology along with some seriously daffy characters and a great setting. As I was reading it I came across a number of great quotes, but I was too engrossed in getting to the next page and the next, and I forgot to write any down. Trust me, this book is full of laughs, quotable moments, and exciting adventure.
I was happy to find a narrative that detailed elements of growing up that can be overlooked: neglect, isolation, abuse and secrecy.
Our main character, Esther, experiences a number of stressful and confusing situations that slowly separate her from her peers. I appreciated the gentle introduction of these conflicts and a way of describing how subtle abuse and manipulation may seem.
I think this book attempts to create an elaborate fantasy setting, which is difficult to accomplish in a short time. I am not a fan of fantasy, so at times I was let down by moments when the text focused more on magic than the trials of Esther. I would have liked to see a more in-depth approach to unpacking some of the unfair scenarios that our protagonist is put through.
I would recommend this for any 9-12 year old interested in fantasy and folklore. It caters more for a female audience, and the tone trends on the naive side.
Our main character, Esther, experiences a number of stressful and confusing situations that slowly separate her from her peers. I appreciated the gentle introduction of these conflicts and a way of describing how subtle abuse and manipulation may seem.
I think this book attempts to create an elaborate fantasy setting, which is difficult to accomplish in a short time. I am not a fan of fantasy, so at times I was let down by moments when the text focused more on magic than the trials of Esther. I would have liked to see a more in-depth approach to unpacking some of the unfair scenarios that our protagonist is put through.
I would recommend this for any 9-12 year old interested in fantasy and folklore. It caters more for a female audience, and the tone trends on the naive side.
adventurous
medium-paced