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hannahhbic's review against another edition
2.0
Does too much telling and not enough showing. Someday I'll come back to this and finish it but it's on hold at the library and I don't particularly feel like rushing to listen to the rest when I'm not enjoying it much to begin with.
rjdenney's review against another edition
3.0
***3 STARS!***
I read this on audio and the narrator did a great job with the story even though it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I still thought it was a fun read though and I'd recommend the audio. - R.
I read this on audio and the narrator did a great job with the story even though it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I still thought it was a fun read though and I'd recommend the audio. - R.
dentripdz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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
leschroniques_delea's review against another edition
3.0
J’ai trouvé que ce roman est parfait pour un public jeunesse ou même Young adult. C’est un bon roman alliant magie, aventure, quête et avec pour personnage principal une sorcière que très peu respecte. En effet, les pouvoirs de Violette ne sont pas assez intéressants ni impressionnants pour sa mère et ses sœurs.
Cependant, le début du roman est trop rapide, on a très peu de descriptions sur le monde dans lequel vie Violette et sur sa famille. On connaît à peine le pouvoir de Violette que la plus grande sorcière du royaume vient la chercher parce qu’elle a besoin d’elle pour une mission très importante.
Néanmoins, Violette durant tout le roman a une relation très forte avec sa grand-mère et elles sont proches toutes les deux. Cette relation m’a beaucoup touché car je me reconnais dans la relation que Violette a avec sa grand-mère
Cependant, le début du roman est trop rapide, on a très peu de descriptions sur le monde dans lequel vie Violette et sur sa famille. On connaît à peine le pouvoir de Violette que la plus grande sorcière du royaume vient la chercher parce qu’elle a besoin d’elle pour une mission très importante.
Néanmoins, Violette durant tout le roman a une relation très forte avec sa grand-mère et elles sont proches toutes les deux. Cette relation m’a beaucoup touché car je me reconnais dans la relation que Violette a avec sa grand-mère
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A lost day, a girl with a memory she may not want, dragons, magic, wizards, and more~ Prepare yourself for a quest!
I had plans to read this book while I was checking out for 2020 books, and lo and behold when I visited Library #1 they added this to their English collection! I was bouncing in happiness, what a coincidence that just a few days after I added it.. it is there. Magic!
And that is what this book is. Magic. Pure magic.
When we meet Willow she is just a girl with magical powers to find what is lost (and she can apparently also try to lose things on purpose so later on it will come in handy if she ever needs it (which we later see happening during the journey)). She isn't too happy with her powers especially considering her mom and sisters got the best kind of powers and her grandma, before the accident, was a master potion maker who could make anything and it would actually work. During one of those days when she is caring for the house and her father there is a visit from a very superawesome character, Moreg Vaine pops by her house and asks for her help. Last Tuesday is gone! I had a laugh at first, how can a day be gone? That is not possible? Right? But then we see that the reality is that it truly has been stolen or disappeared. Since Willow has the power to find lost things Moreg wants her to find it. However, she cannot summon it. I am sure those who read plenty of fantasy or even enough manga know that one can break the reality and threads that keep an universe together if one does something like this. And so the quest begins.
I loved the quest, but I mostly loved how everything clicked together. How Moreg had given Willow hints here and there that helped her out. We see how each part of the journey has something that Moreg was hinting at and I just ADORED it. I was just going OH YES, and OH MY, and How did she know?. It was perfection.
Not to mention I loved the people that Willow meets on her journey. She meets someone from all over her world. She goes to places that many people wouldn't have gone on their own.
And she learns about her powers and she learns that she is good enough. Her power may at times seem little to people but it is an amazing power and she is wonderful at it. Willow really comes out stronger in the end and I loved her growth. She was such a sweet and caring person.
The world and the history about it. The brothers, the big war, how the world used to be all magic and now only a few people have gotten magic and how there are people who are cleansing their cities and towns of magic users, wow. Sometimes the world building either gets forgotten or it feels flat, but in this one I could all see it, and with each page and each nugget of information I loved the world more and I wonder... if I had a magic power, what it would be?
I quickly had an idea what the memory was about that Willow kept having each time she thought about Tuesday. I was on the one hand looking forward to seeing if I was right... but on the other hand also bracing myself for the tears that would inevitably happen if I was right. And tears happened, oh yes, I cried so much at the end of the book.
I am normally not a fan of talking animals (sorry, Oswin but you still look like a cat), but I loved this snarky beast. I had such a laugh each time they got to great powers and he went off like an alarm clock.
The ending was sad but also amazing and I loved the final battle and then the results from it.
The mom and sisters? Terrible terrible people. Just because you have powers doesn't make you the best or the most awesome. It doesn't make you a better person. :| I just hated how they treated Willow.
The book also has a plethora of gorgeous and sparkly illustrations that make the magic of the book come further alive.
I have to say I wouldn't have minded Nolan Sometimes having another surname. I was utterly confused many times while reading as I kept thinking sometimes was just a part of the sentence or a start of the new one given it has a capital letter.
Holy wow, this review got long! Sorry peeps, I just love this book so much. I had so much fun reading and I definitely need more of this series, I am so happy to hear that the second book will come out in just 3 months, I can't wait! I would recommend this book to all in need for something magical.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I had plans to read this book while I was checking out for 2020 books, and lo and behold when I visited Library #1 they added this to their English collection! I was bouncing in happiness, what a coincidence that just a few days after I added it.. it is there. Magic!
And that is what this book is. Magic. Pure magic.
When we meet Willow she is just a girl with magical powers to find what is lost (and she can apparently also try to lose things on purpose so later on it will come in handy if she ever needs it (which we later see happening during the journey)). She isn't too happy with her powers especially considering her mom and sisters got the best kind of powers and her grandma, before the accident, was a master potion maker who could make anything and it would actually work. During one of those days when she is caring for the house and her father there is a visit from a very superawesome character, Moreg Vaine pops by her house and asks for her help. Last Tuesday is gone! I had a laugh at first, how can a day be gone? That is not possible? Right? But then we see that the reality is that it truly has been stolen or disappeared. Since Willow has the power to find lost things Moreg wants her to find it. However, she cannot summon it. I am sure those who read plenty of fantasy or even enough manga know that one can break the reality and threads that keep an universe together if one does something like this. And so the quest begins.
I loved the quest, but I mostly loved how everything clicked together. How Moreg had given Willow hints here and there that helped her out. We see how each part of the journey has something that Moreg was hinting at and I just ADORED it. I was just going OH YES, and OH MY, and How did she know?. It was perfection.
Not to mention I loved the people that Willow meets on her journey. She meets someone from all over her world. She goes to places that many people wouldn't have gone on their own.
And she learns about her powers and she learns that she is good enough. Her power may at times seem little to people but it is an amazing power and she is wonderful at it. Willow really comes out stronger in the end and I loved her growth. She was such a sweet and caring person.
The world and the history about it. The brothers, the big war, how the world used to be all magic and now only a few people have gotten magic and how there are people who are cleansing their cities and towns of magic users, wow. Sometimes the world building either gets forgotten or it feels flat, but in this one I could all see it, and with each page and each nugget of information I loved the world more and I wonder... if I had a magic power, what it would be?
I quickly had an idea what the memory was about that Willow kept having each time she thought about Tuesday. I was on the one hand looking forward to seeing if I was right... but on the other hand also bracing myself for the tears that would inevitably happen if I was right. And tears happened, oh yes, I cried so much at the end of the book.
I am normally not a fan of talking animals (sorry, Oswin but you still look like a cat), but I loved this snarky beast. I had such a laugh each time they got to great powers and he went off like an alarm clock.
The ending was sad but also amazing and I loved the final battle and then the results from it.
The mom and sisters? Terrible terrible people. Just because you have powers doesn't make you the best or the most awesome. It doesn't make you a better person. :| I just hated how they treated Willow.
The book also has a plethora of gorgeous and sparkly illustrations that make the magic of the book come further alive.
I have to say I wouldn't have minded Nolan Sometimes having another surname. I was utterly confused many times while reading as I kept thinking sometimes was just a part of the sentence or a start of the new one given it has a capital letter.
Holy wow, this review got long! Sorry peeps, I just love this book so much. I had so much fun reading and I definitely need more of this series, I am so happy to hear that the second book will come out in just 3 months, I can't wait! I would recommend this book to all in need for something magical.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
molang_madrigal's review
I’ve read this book before in the middle of a few other books that I really liked, so I didn’t like everything about it but I kind of gave it the benefit of the doubt. Revisiting it a while later, I find the story quite dense and hard to follow. It creates a whole new universe with its own history about magic previously being more powerful in the past but being vanquished by some anti-magic monks or something, and different kingdoms that all have completely different views of magic and different fantasy creatures living there and not many defining characteristics so you remember which one you’re in. And it doesn’t help that the magical characters don’t follow established stereotypes of that particular magical creature. For instance, most witches only have one power. If it’s not amazing enough you’re really looked down upon, even though you’re surrounded by plenty of completely non-magical people. A thousand years ago (!?!) witches had many powers at one time before they were somehow defeated by the non-magic monks, and the general consensus seems to be that things are just rubbish and monotonous compared to then. Witches use their special skill to help their community and people pay them for their services, but also seem to despise them as well. They seem to have quite depressing lives and communities and most things described are all weird shades of green, even though it’s clear nobody really seems to like this. Witches are only allowed to live in certain areas, and don’t fly on broomsticks unless absolutely necessary because it’s a stereotype. And then there’s one witch who seems to be super powerful for some reason, and is also really notorious for some unknown reason. So there’s all that to remember just about witches, and half the characters encountered aren’t even witches and are other humans/magical creatures also coming from really intricate rigid societies you have to remember about! It doesn’t feel like escapism, it actually makes me feel really glad to be human and not living in this magical but depressing world.
Also, the ending is totally sad and unexpected. When I was looking at this book in the bookshop, everything from the doodly style of illustration to the Encanto-esque concept of being the least magical in a family and the idea of something as crazy as last Tuesday being missing all seemed to point to it being a really funny book. And there are some funny moments (mostly from Oswin, Willow’s pet who is totally grumpy and pessimistic and actually doesn’t seem to like her much but stays with her anyway, and is a magical creature called a kobold, which is most similar to a cat but IS DEFINITELY NOT A CAT, but they also have the ability to detect lies and explode when they’re angry, and for some reason Oswin’s the last one in existence, something to do with his aunt Osbertrude who he always curses. See how much there is to learn just about one character?!?) But the ending is definitely not funny at all and I feel like the style of the book really misleads you.It turns out that Willow’s gran died last Tuesday so when she brings last Tuesday back, the memory of it and the grief all comes back. There should really be more warning for something triggering like this. Plus, the fact that last Tuesday was missing meant anything that happened that day had just gone, meaning two dragons who had had a baby that day were left with just an empty eggshell and broke up over it! I feel like that’s too much too.
Also, the ending is totally sad and unexpected. When I was looking at this book in the bookshop, everything from the doodly style of illustration to the Encanto-esque concept of being the least magical in a family and the idea of something as crazy as last Tuesday being missing all seemed to point to it being a really funny book. And there are some funny moments (mostly from Oswin, Willow’s pet who is totally grumpy and pessimistic and actually doesn’t seem to like her much but stays with her anyway, and is a magical creature called a kobold, which is most similar to a cat but IS DEFINITELY NOT A CAT, but they also have the ability to detect lies and explode when they’re angry, and for some reason Oswin’s the last one in existence, something to do with his aunt Osbertrude who he always curses. See how much there is to learn just about one character?!?) But the ending is definitely not funny at all and I feel like the style of the book really misleads you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Grief, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Death of a grandparentpewterwolf's review against another edition
5.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
***eProof given by publisher, HarperCollins, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I borrowed and listened to audiobook from local library via BorrowBox***
I’m not exactly sure how this fell onto my radar, but I’ve known about this title since last year. It came out round the same time as the second book in the Nevermoor series (Another middle-grade series I really need to read as I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it!) by Jessica Townsend came out and people were mentioning the two quite closely, though Starfell feels more suited to younger readers compared to Nevermoor.
In Starfell, magic is slowly coming and Willow Moss, youngest in the Moss family of witches, has the least powerful gift of finding lost things. Like keys, glasses or wooden teeth. Useful, but not exactly exciting compared to her mother and her two older sisters…
So when the most powerful witch, Moreg Vaine, comes to Willow and ask for her help, Willow can’t say no. For you see, last Tuesday has gone missing. Not from Moreg’s memory but from everyone’s. Last Tuesday has gone and, without it, the universe could unravel.
I found this utterly charming. Yes, it’s a typical middle-grade fantasy and yes, most grown-up will go “I’ve read this before” but younger readers will devour this and will fall in love with Willow’s friend, Oswin the kobold. He looks like a cat, but he’s not (never call him a cat). He’s the Monster from Under The Bed (Willow’s), can talk and, when angry, can explode. He’s a fabulous character, but I do have a thing for talking animals that look cat-like.
This book also has depth to it, but is subtle to younger readers. We have a band of people called the Brothers of Wol who believe magic is dangerous and witches and wizards should live somwhere else, and with the present political climate, you get a little kick in the gut over how this affects people. Because of the missing day, you get other subtle depths, left out like breadcrumbs, which comes hard at the reader towards the end.
As I audiobooked this from my library, I found the narrator, Tuppence Middleton, a joy to listen to. And, in the physical and ebook editions, you have stunning black and white illustrations by Sarah Warburton.
This is pure escapism and I loved it. Can’t wait to see what happens next to Willow and her friends in Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale.
***eProof given by publisher, HarperCollins, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I borrowed and listened to audiobook from local library via BorrowBox***
I’m not exactly sure how this fell onto my radar, but I’ve known about this title since last year. It came out round the same time as the second book in the Nevermoor series (Another middle-grade series I really need to read as I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it!) by Jessica Townsend came out and people were mentioning the two quite closely, though Starfell feels more suited to younger readers compared to Nevermoor.
In Starfell, magic is slowly coming and Willow Moss, youngest in the Moss family of witches, has the least powerful gift of finding lost things. Like keys, glasses or wooden teeth. Useful, but not exactly exciting compared to her mother and her two older sisters…
So when the most powerful witch, Moreg Vaine, comes to Willow and ask for her help, Willow can’t say no. For you see, last Tuesday has gone missing. Not from Moreg’s memory but from everyone’s. Last Tuesday has gone and, without it, the universe could unravel.
I found this utterly charming. Yes, it’s a typical middle-grade fantasy and yes, most grown-up will go “I’ve read this before” but younger readers will devour this and will fall in love with Willow’s friend, Oswin the kobold. He looks like a cat, but he’s not (never call him a cat). He’s the Monster from Under The Bed (Willow’s), can talk and, when angry, can explode. He’s a fabulous character, but I do have a thing for talking animals that look cat-like.
This book also has depth to it, but is subtle to younger readers. We have a band of people called the Brothers of Wol who believe magic is dangerous and witches and wizards should live somwhere else, and with the present political climate, you get a little kick in the gut over how this affects people. Because of the missing day, you get other subtle depths, left out like breadcrumbs, which comes hard at the reader towards the end.
As I audiobooked this from my library, I found the narrator, Tuppence Middleton, a joy to listen to. And, in the physical and ebook editions, you have stunning black and white illustrations by Sarah Warburton.
This is pure escapism and I loved it. Can’t wait to see what happens next to Willow and her friends in Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale.
lisakimmence3's review against another edition
4.0
'I think you'll find that even in the darkest, most hopeless of times there is always a choice when you look hard enough. Even if that choice is simply about how you will act.'
I adored this book. Sometimes, when I'm really needing an escape, I jump into a middle grade book and this was just what I needed to help me out while we still deal with navigating this awful pandemic.
Willow Moss wishes she had a magical ability as grand as her two sisters. Instead, she has the lackluster ability to find lost things. However, when an entire day of the week, Tuesday, goes missing the most feared witch in Starfell, Moreg Vaine, calls on Willow to help her find it. If Tuesday remains lost, it could have devastating repercussions. We then embark on a wonderful adventure with Willow, through the many areas of Starfell, meeting friends along the way, while she tries to solve the mystery of the lost Tuesday.
This book was so enchanting and just such a fun read. Willow is a charming protagonist; I just loved her and all the people she met on her journey. My favorite character, though, was Oswin. A crotchety Kobold, better known as a tabby cat. He added such fantastic humor throughout the story. I highly recommend this book.
I adored this book. Sometimes, when I'm really needing an escape, I jump into a middle grade book and this was just what I needed to help me out while we still deal with navigating this awful pandemic.
Willow Moss wishes she had a magical ability as grand as her two sisters. Instead, she has the lackluster ability to find lost things. However, when an entire day of the week, Tuesday, goes missing the most feared witch in Starfell, Moreg Vaine, calls on Willow to help her find it. If Tuesday remains lost, it could have devastating repercussions. We then embark on a wonderful adventure with Willow, through the many areas of Starfell, meeting friends along the way, while she tries to solve the mystery of the lost Tuesday.
This book was so enchanting and just such a fun read. Willow is a charming protagonist; I just loved her and all the people she met on her journey. My favorite character, though, was Oswin. A crotchety Kobold, better known as a tabby cat. He added such fantastic humor throughout the story. I highly recommend this book.
bookybrookey's review
5.0
This was just the crazy mumbo jumbo of quirky magic and unique characters I needed. I’d been reading lots of depressing non-fiction lately for uni and needed the pick-me-up that Willow Moss and her new friends provided. I would happily read another book by the author and think I will start making an effort to include more middle-grade in my TBR.