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emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, Abandonment
There is hatred towards a magical group that mirrors that of homophobia, transphobia, etc.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Much more tense than the first book, but just as hopeful and warm! At first I didn't think there needed to be a sequel, but the continuation was really nice.
With the way the US is right now, this is a very relevant story. I will spoil that the ending is very hopeful, so perhaps we can mirror that hopefulness irl!
For my critiques, there were times when descriptions felt a bit extra and like run on sentences. Like when saying something about one of the children, he then mad sure to say something about all of them as well.
The audiobook narrator also let me down a bit. His voices sometimes took me out of the story, and the dramatics he added at times was too much. Perhaps this is just me, but I also imagined the story taking place in a fictional UK, yet the majority of accents were American. Probably just a me problem, but it would've been more fun!
With the way the US is right now, this is a very relevant story. I will spoil that the ending is very hopeful, so perhaps we can mirror that hopefulness irl!
For my critiques, there were times when descriptions felt a bit extra and like run on sentences. Like when saying something about one of the children, he then mad sure to say something about all of them as well.
The audiobook narrator also let me down a bit. His voices sometimes took me out of the story, and the dramatics he added at times was too much. Perhaps this is just me, but I also imagined the story taking place in a fictional UK, yet the majority of accents were American. Probably just a me problem, but it would've been more fun!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Confinement, Physical abuse, Death of parent
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Death of parent, Colonisation
Minor: Confinement
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this is really a near perfect book for me. i love linus and arthur and their kids. i was honestly a little worried bc i loved linus so much in the first one i wasn’t sure how i would feel about arthur being the narrator in the sequel, but oh my god it was so well done. i love established relationship and it’s so nice to see the two of them comfortable with each other and in love. the depictions of arthur’s ptsd were very well done, and his love for the children is an extremely powerful emotion that carries in every single scene. i also loved seeing how each of the kids has matured since the first book, especially sal. my biggest complaint is not enough theodore
i said this elsewhere but there is a part like two thirds into every tj klune book where you remember what real-life conflict or issue the book is a metaphor about and it just makes you MISERABLE. there’s some very very clear symbolism in here about “protecting the children” and poisoning kids’ minds and letting them think things are possible when they’re not. and that can apply to a lot of things but pretty obviously to the current debates about transgender identities going on in the real world. and it’s pretty miserable to be reminded of.
but then every time he takes that and gives you this message of hope and compassion and love and by the end of it you’re crying because you DO believe in those things and you do believe in the power of change and things can be better. and even if it’s a little corny or cheesy or cliched it’s still a very powerful and important reminder.
the hope in this book is very very important. the fear and uncertainty of being a parent in the face of the terrible things in the world, but the way that love and hope have to carry through that is so powerful. i loved loved loved this and im so glad linus and arthur get to be together forever and ever with their perfect little family.
i said this elsewhere but there is a part like two thirds into every tj klune book where you remember what real-life conflict or issue the book is a metaphor about and it just makes you MISERABLE. there’s some very very clear symbolism in here about “protecting the children” and poisoning kids’ minds and letting them think things are possible when they’re not. and that can apply to a lot of things but pretty obviously to the current debates about transgender identities going on in the real world. and it’s pretty miserable to be reminded of.
but then every time he takes that and gives you this message of hope and compassion and love and by the end of it you’re crying because you DO believe in those things and you do believe in the power of change and things can be better. and even if it’s a little corny or cheesy or cliched it’s still a very powerful and important reminder.
the hope in this book is very very important. the fear and uncertainty of being a parent in the face of the terrible things in the world, but the way that love and hope have to carry through that is so powerful. i loved loved loved this and im so glad linus and arthur get to be together forever and ever with their perfect little family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia
funny
inspiring
tense
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:
Complicated
Very cute! Perhaps not as charming as the first one, but still a very sweet and engaging read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia
Minor: Body shaming, Genocide, Death of parent
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
I adored these characters and want to be a part of their family. Sweet, funny, and painfully optimistic. Seeing the world through Arthur's eyes was so enjoyable and enlightening.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
First 5 star of the year!
I was at first a bit doubtful when I learned about a new book on this series I viewed as a stand alone, especially learning it was not about what happened before. But while following the new adventures we also learned about Arthur history.
I laughed, I was pissed, I cried, all in one with this book where Arthur, Linus and the kids have to face once again institutionalised hate and ignorance.
Ps : don't skip the acknowledgements, they are as great as the rest of the book.
I was at first a bit doubtful when I learned about a new book on this series I viewed as a stand alone, especially learning it was not about what happened before. But while following the new adventures we also learned about Arthur history.
I laughed, I was pissed, I cried, all in one with this book where Arthur, Linus and the kids have to face once again institutionalised hate and ignorance.
Ps : don't skip the acknowledgements, they are as great as the rest of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Transphobia
Minor: Medical trauma
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Violence, War