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lberestecki's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kylielovesbooks's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was such a wonderful sequel that I enjoyed just as much as the first one. The first one was about the mysterious dragon and the second one is about the mysterious nightingale.
Although the book started off a little slow, I loved how the unresolved problem of Anya's dad gone in the war in the first book was the main problem in this book. We find out that Anya's dad really shouldn't have gone and Anya wants to find him and bring him home. Ivan and the dragon (whose name I will not butcher...) in human form travel with Anya to Kiev to find her father. This book was about another one of the rare magical creatures, the nightingale (who turns out to be an elf) and how the princess will send Anya's dad back home if she brings her the nightingale.
I loved the friendship between Anya, Ivan and Hokun (?) aka the dragon. They are the cutest little friend group. Ivan also has the best family where everyone is named Ivan so they call them by numbers. The new characters we got introduced to (I don't want to say too much because of spoilers) were wonderful and interesting and the new monster was so scary!
This book brought in more intense themes like PTSD (Anya keeps having flashbacks from something that happened in the first book) and LGBTQ+ characters which I thought were very well done.
A very solid sequel to a really fun, adventurous middle grade series!
This was such a wonderful sequel that I enjoyed just as much as the first one. The first one was about the mysterious dragon and the second one is about the mysterious nightingale.
Although the book started off a little slow, I loved how the unresolved problem of Anya's dad gone in the war in the first book was the main problem in this book. We find out that Anya's dad really shouldn't have gone and Anya wants to find him and bring him home. Ivan and the dragon (whose name I will not butcher...) in human form travel with Anya to Kiev to find her father. This book was about another one of the rare magical creatures, the nightingale (who turns out to be an elf) and how the princess will send Anya's dad back home if she brings her the nightingale.
I loved the friendship between Anya, Ivan and Hokun (?) aka the dragon. They are the cutest little friend group. Ivan also has the best family where everyone is named Ivan so they call them by numbers. The new characters we got introduced to (I don't want to say too much because of spoilers) were wonderful and interesting and the new monster was so scary!
This book brought in more intense themes like PTSD (Anya keeps having flashbacks from something that happened in the first book) and LGBTQ+ characters which I thought were very well done.
A very solid sequel to a really fun, adventurous middle grade series!
yapha's review
5.0
I just love this series so much!! Anya is such a great hero, and Ivan and Hakon are her perfect sidekicks. She is smart and brave and willing to risk everything for her friends. The combination of Russian Jews and magic brings me such joy. I needed this book as a kid. I'm glad it exists now. Highly recommended to grades 4 & up. Please read the series in order.
ARC provided by publisher
ARC provided by publisher
mamaorgana80's review
4.0
I don’t know what it is that I love about these books so much, but they are simply lovely!
becca_willie04's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
ezwolf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
It took me way too long to read this, but the second book of this series was just as good as the first! I love Anya, Hakon, and Ivan, each of them have such interesting and compelling backgrounds and I will never be able to read enough about them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Violence, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Genocide, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Homophobia and Body horror
ani_a_1's review
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
leslie_d's review
4.0
listened to the audio-edition, beautifully read.
You have to read the first to enjoy this excellent second installment.
Pasternack's characters, and the inclusion of Jewish observances, are again--gorgeous.
You have to read the first to enjoy this excellent second installment.
Pasternack's characters, and the inclusion of Jewish observances, are again--gorgeous.
booksavvyreviews's review
4.0
Although I started this book without knowing it was a sequel, I didn’t feel lost or confused as I listened. The author did well to remind the reader of what transpired in the previous book without coming off as redundant.
Each of the characters in the book came across as relatable, specifically Anya who is our MC.
The plot was an interesting one, but it derailed closer to the 3/4 mark when it should have been wrapping up and decided to focus on religion and stir up some issues there in the story. I am not opposed to the insertion of religion or even learning about it via a book, but it seemed drawn out and like a distraction from the meat of the story.
All in all, I think this is a great read for a voracious young reader looking for a lengthier series to devour. It is Middle Grade, but the page length is around 400ish
3.8 savvy crowns
Each of the characters in the book came across as relatable, specifically Anya who is our MC.
The plot was an interesting one, but it derailed closer to the 3/4 mark when it should have been wrapping up and decided to focus on religion and stir up some issues there in the story. I am not opposed to the insertion of religion or even learning about it via a book, but it seemed drawn out and like a distraction from the meat of the story.
All in all, I think this is a great read for a voracious young reader looking for a lengthier series to devour. It is Middle Grade, but the page length is around 400ish
3.8 savvy crowns
db_cooper's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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? No
4.0