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mistressmess's review against another edition
4.0
How the hell is this a children's book?
Seriously, this is one of the most imaginative thing I've read in a while. It was really dark in tone, but always fun at the same time. I feel like it would make a really good movie.
Seriously, this is one of the most imaginative thing I've read in a while. It was really dark in tone, but always fun at the same time. I feel like it would make a really good movie.
glove's review
3.0
Likely not the author's fault, but there were so many bait and switches with this book. First the cover obviously cribs from the Wildwood books. Then it follows the annoying trend of releasing a book which is obviously meant to be a series, because it lacks an appropriate ending...but without labeling it as book 1.
Overall, meh.
Overall, meh.
heypretty52's review
4.0
Man. I really loved this until the last 20 pages or so. Starmer is a.top notch writer, but the plot seemed to fizzle there at the end. But I was prepared to keep reading until I read the first 20 pages of book two. :(
dgrachel's review against another edition
5.0
This was a selection from a member of my postal book club. Ordinarily, I would not have picked up a middle grade book at my age. That being said, I am so grateful to the person who selected this.
I would have LOVED this book when I was in the target age range of 10-14. As it is, I loved it now many, many years past that. It’s got mystery and fantasy and budding pre-teen romance. I thought it was very well-written, with a believable cast of characters, and an intriguing plot. I must finish the trilogy to see how everything plays out, as lots of questions are raised by the ending. There were twists I did not see coming and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I would have LOVED this book when I was in the target age range of 10-14. As it is, I loved it now many, many years past that. It’s got mystery and fantasy and budding pre-teen romance. I thought it was very well-written, with a believable cast of characters, and an intriguing plot. I must finish the trilogy to see how everything plays out, as lots of questions are raised by the ending. There were twists I did not see coming and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
booksandbigideas's review
4.0
Whaaaaaaat. Gonna have to reread this, get kids to read it, have a book club, read the sequels, SOMETHING.
At first I wasn’t sure about this book. While I’m all for mature middle grade, I’m not a fan of 1980s set stories that aren’t going to critique the era or otherwise seem nostalgic. This book is dark, but it didn’t have much to say about that era, and I wondered about the purpose of some of the content. I’m still not sure. I just think it sort of came together or at least left many questions that sat better with me? And then the ending...
At first I wasn’t sure about this book. While I’m all for mature middle grade, I’m not a fan of 1980s set stories that aren’t going to critique the era or otherwise seem nostalgic. This book is dark, but it didn’t have much to say about that era, and I wondered about the purpose of some of the content. I’m still not sure. I just think it sort of came together or at least left many questions that sat better with me? And then the ending...
pforpedrox23's review
4.0
I wouldn't give this book to anyone lower than 8th grade unless he or she were an exceptionally mature 7th grade reader. What happens when the child comes back from Narnia, Oz, Wonderland...?
If you do not like ambiguity and what's-true-and-not-true stories, this is not the story for you. If you are absolutely okay never being certain with anything, this book will tickle your curiosity. The simultaneous distance and intimacy between the two main characters as they get to know each other (or not, in many cases) is fascinating.
There are a lot of great things to say about this book. I'm looking forward to the next book, which, frankly, is needed because there are a couple of huge things left out at the end-- only one of which could be excused if this were one of those stories that ended on a what-happened note (read: Inception).
If you do not like ambiguity and what's-true-and-not-true stories, this is not the story for you. If you are absolutely okay never being certain with anything, this book will tickle your curiosity. The simultaneous distance and intimacy between the two main characters as they get to know each other (or not, in many cases) is fascinating.
There are a lot of great things to say about this book. I'm looking forward to the next book, which, frankly, is needed because there are a couple of huge things left out at the end-- only one of which could be excused if this were one of those stories that ended on a what-happened note (read: Inception).
alexalovesbooks's review
2.0
The Riverman has many appealing elements, especially for those of us who like fantasies -- a girl who travels to another world, a boy who gets drawn into this girl's alternate reality, and a very creepy villain who is stealing souls. Sadly, these three things converged into a story that, though I finished it, failed to really leave an impression.
The one thing I did enjoy about this book is the imagination that went into it. In particular, the world of Aquavania, a world where stories are born from the mind of each new visitor, is supremely creative. The idea that one can control what their world is like, complete with inhabitants and activities, is attractive (especially if you're an aspiring author).
It also comes with a nasty villain in the form of the Riverman, who sounds positively evil. Would it be strange to say that the Riverman is my favorite character? Because he is, even though he barely appears for most of the novel. The fact that he represents the imminent death of anything imagined in Aquavania is creepy, which is just the way I like bad guys to be.
Apart from the inventive content, The Riverman just kind of... existed. There's a story, one that combines events in the real world with events in Aquavania (as retold by Fiona). I didn't particularly connect with our narrator Alistair or the fanciful Fiona, as there were parts where I was simply uninterested in what was going on. So, the story went on, and I kept reading, but there was really no emotional attachment.
If there's one thing that surprises me about The Riverman, it's the darkness of its content for a novel for children. There are mature topics - drinking, drugs, kidnapping, murder among them - included. All these things, even if they were uncomfortable to read about, emphasized the stakes in this story - for Alistair, for Fiona and for other people too, so I don't think they were included unnecessarily.
While The Riverman didn't work for me, there's sure to be readers who will like it more than I did. Whimsy mingles with darkness and real life on nearly every page. If the reader is able to truly find a connection with Alistair, or even with Fiona, that will certainly be key for them to enjoy the story a little bit more.
{If you liked this review, check out Alexa Loves Books for more!}
The one thing I did enjoy about this book is the imagination that went into it. In particular, the world of Aquavania, a world where stories are born from the mind of each new visitor, is supremely creative. The idea that one can control what their world is like, complete with inhabitants and activities, is attractive (especially if you're an aspiring author).
It also comes with a nasty villain in the form of the Riverman, who sounds positively evil. Would it be strange to say that the Riverman is my favorite character? Because he is, even though he barely appears for most of the novel. The fact that he represents the imminent death of anything imagined in Aquavania is creepy, which is just the way I like bad guys to be.
Apart from the inventive content, The Riverman just kind of... existed. There's a story, one that combines events in the real world with events in Aquavania (as retold by Fiona). I didn't particularly connect with our narrator Alistair or the fanciful Fiona, as there were parts where I was simply uninterested in what was going on. So, the story went on, and I kept reading, but there was really no emotional attachment.
If there's one thing that surprises me about The Riverman, it's the darkness of its content for a novel for children. There are mature topics - drinking, drugs, kidnapping, murder among them - included. All these things, even if they were uncomfortable to read about, emphasized the stakes in this story - for Alistair, for Fiona and for other people too, so I don't think they were included unnecessarily.
While The Riverman didn't work for me, there's sure to be readers who will like it more than I did. Whimsy mingles with darkness and real life on nearly every page. If the reader is able to truly find a connection with Alistair, or even with Fiona, that will certainly be key for them to enjoy the story a little bit more.
{If you liked this review, check out Alexa Loves Books for more!}