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octopus_farmer's review
3.0
this makes so much more sense now that I learned it's a trilogy. The ending was very open-ended as a stand-alone but it made some sense, so I disliked it a lot for the bizarre conclusion.
djblock99's review
5.0
Finally broke out of my reading slump with this fantastic blend of fantasy/mystery-thriller.
alys's review
3.0
An odd book, that I think struggled to decide who was the audience. The Legend of Fiona Loomis parts felt solidly middle grade, and the generally naive voice of Alistair did too, but the frequent swearing and rather mature themes explored through Kyle felt older to me, certainly older than the cover implied.
Not sure yet if I liked it or not. It was far to obvious that Dorian had nothing to do with anything, so I had a hard time really getting into Alistair's pov because I kept thinking he was being silly. I think the author could have done a better job trying to make it clear that it really could go either way, be a fantasy or be realistic fiction about a troubled girl. Instead it was just annoying that Alistair wasn't in on it.
Not sure how I feel about Charlie either. When he was just an obnoxious kid, I loved the characterization butwhen he was declared to be the Riverman, I just didn't buy it. He's annoying, not malicious. .
Not sure yet if I liked it or not. It was far to obvious that Dorian had nothing to do with anything, so I had a hard time really getting into Alistair's pov because I kept thinking he was being silly. I think the author could have done a better job trying to make it clear that it really could go either way, be a fantasy or be realistic fiction about a troubled girl. Instead it was just annoying that Alistair wasn't in on it.
Not sure how I feel about Charlie either. When he was just an obnoxious kid, I loved the characterization but
ranaelizabeth's review
4.0
Let's talk through our options, okay?
1. Fantasy novel about a second universe that some kids visit where they get killed and their souls stolen by somebody called the Riverman.
2. Story about how children invent really crazy stories to make sense of a troubling world, not quite mental illness but also not quite not mental illness, ya know.
3. Both? Neither? Maybe?
4. Does it matter?
5. No, it was very good no matter the true story.
6. But it's 1. The sequel synopsis makes that pretty clear.
1. Fantasy novel about a second universe that some kids visit where they get killed and their souls stolen by somebody called the Riverman.
2. Story about how children invent really crazy stories to make sense of a troubling world, not quite mental illness but also not quite not mental illness, ya know.
3. Both? Neither? Maybe?
4. Does it matter?
5. No, it was very good no matter the true story.
6. But it's 1. The sequel synopsis makes that pretty clear.
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