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gumrocks's review
5.0
This book had me hooked from the very first page. I couldn't stop reading this book once I picked it up. I really like how this book was set in the middle ages. It is weird because I usually do not like anything about the middle ages. But this book got me really interested in it. Giannine was a very cool character in this book. I think she had a lot of character development and you can see it throughout the whole book. It definitely doesn't go unnoticed. I think a very important thing I learned in this book (the theme) is to never give up. Always have faith that everything will work out. Keep trying and your hard work will pay off. If things you try just don't work out, that is okay. That is probably for the best. Find different, new ways to help you get out of bad situations or feelings. There are always gonna be other options if things just don't work out. So just keep your head held high and keep on going. You'll get where you want to be, no matter how much time it takes.
anniehatch's review
3.0
this was good. Definitely middle school geared- I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I had read it 6 or 7 years ago
kementari's review
4.0
Honestly, this book holds up.
I remember reading and loving this book when I was about the same age as the protagonist (14). I have been re-reading some of my favorite novels from my childhood lately, and this is still an enjoyable romp. It's super satisfying to see our main character get better at the game she's playing. Solid 4-star, enjoyable read, even as an adult.
(Spoiler that will only make sense if you have read the book: What do you MEAN other people give the ring to Sister Mary Ursula? How does that help??)
I remember reading and loving this book when I was about the same age as the protagonist (14). I have been re-reading some of my favorite novels from my childhood lately, and this is still an enjoyable romp. It's super satisfying to see our main character get better at the game she's playing. Solid 4-star, enjoyable read, even as an adult.
(Spoiler that will only make sense if you have read the book: What do you MEAN other people give the ring to Sister Mary Ursula? How does that help??)
listen_learn's review
2.0
I loved this book as a teen and I can still see some of the reasons why. The concept of is a really appealing premise for a girl who enjoys fantasy and simulation games.
However, on rereading, I was struck by the awful attitude of the MC. While she has compassion for strangers, her feelings of mercydo not extend to her real-life family or herself. She does almost no-perspective taking and is bittter and sarcastic. Some of the cliches here were fun, but some were just grating, and I was puzzled at how she messes up so many times at the beginning of the story, but when the plot needs her to do better "magically" she does.
If I ever recommended this to you, please disregard that recommendation. Go read something else.
Spoiler
a girl stuck in a fantasy-themed, virtual-reality video game, whose only chance of surviving is to win the gameHowever, on rereading, I was struck by the awful attitude of the MC. While she has compassion for strangers, her feelings of mercydo not extend to her real-life family or herself. She does almost no-perspective taking and is bittter and sarcastic. Some of the cliches here were fun, but some were just grating, and I was puzzled at how she messes up so many times at the beginning of the story, but when the plot needs her to do better "magically" she does.
If I ever recommended this to you, please disregard that recommendation. Go read something else.
remlezar's review
3.0
I feel a pros and cons list coming on...
PROS:
-YA SF/fantasy with a female lead is pretty rare (unless the female's primary objective is to get a boy to like her), so I really appreciate this book's very existence and wish that there were more like it.
-Easy to read but high interest, which is the ultimate combo when looking for books to recommend to struggling readers.
-I didn't read the first book in the series, but it wasn't much of a problem at all. I was able to jump in and understand what was happening.
CONS:
-Not the most original idea, which isn't a huge problem, but it does take away some of the novelty factor
-I wanted to know more about the main character outside of the realm of the game - the real world really didn't end up mattering very much in this book. It is part of a series, though, so that might get explored in another book.
-This is a personal preference, but it is very rare for me to enjoy fantasy writing, so this was a bit of a slog for me. Again, this isn't the book's problem, it's mine. I read this book because it came highly recommended by a student and I wanted to be able to talk about the book with him.
PROS:
-YA SF/fantasy with a female lead is pretty rare (unless the female's primary objective is to get a boy to like her), so I really appreciate this book's very existence and wish that there were more like it.
-Easy to read but high interest, which is the ultimate combo when looking for books to recommend to struggling readers.
-I didn't read the first book in the series, but it wasn't much of a problem at all. I was able to jump in and understand what was happening.
CONS:
-Not the most original idea, which isn't a huge problem, but it does take away some of the novelty factor
-I wanted to know more about the main character outside of the realm of the game - the real world really didn't end up mattering very much in this book. It is part of a series, though, so that might get explored in another book.
-This is a personal preference, but it is very rare for me to enjoy fantasy writing, so this was a bit of a slog for me. Again, this isn't the book's problem, it's mine. I read this book because it came highly recommended by a student and I wanted to be able to talk about the book with him.
kelsmiller's review
5.0
I was very skeptical when I picked this up, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. I loved every minute of it! A great book, I'll have to try somemore of Vande Velde's books.
kylie_how's review
5.0
I Stayed up untill around 2 in the morning to finish it. Its fast moving. But the detail is really good.
melyserm's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hotsoup_han's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read this book growing up a few times, and read it again recently. One of my all time favorites. 5/5.