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brendalovesbooks's review
3.0
I liked the start of this one a lot, but as it went on, I liked it a bit less and less. It all turned out okay, and there were definitely some interesting things. But I guess it didn't go where I thought it would. I didn't care so much about all the political stuff and the like. I would have liked more world exploring and more learning about the history of the world.
wicked_turtle's review
4.0
There were some quirks in the first half of the book that I had to get used to: Sophie the protagonist is 24 but comes off as being closer to 18-19; the dialogue in some of the earlier chapters felt forced because the lines were heavy with world building details; and Sophie's inner monologue in italics often distracted me from the action in the narrative (for the most part, I could infer her emotions from the situation at hand).
For me, these were just minor issues because the story opened up about halfway through. I loved the sense of adventure, and a world where much of global society relies on sailing created some very neat moments. I also like how this world, like ours, isn't perfect: some nations are prejudice against LGBT characters, and other nations practice forms of slavery. This world is by no means a utopia, and that affects Sophie on a personal level.
I enjoyed how this story incorporates elements of the mystery genre, including a murder and some courtroom drama. It was unexpected but worked really well in fusing with the rest of the story, which feels like classic adventure fiction. Sophie as a character also grew on me, and I felt myself cheering for her to stand up for herself in the end.
Great story. I hope to read the sequel. 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
For me, these were just minor issues because the story opened up about halfway through. I loved the sense of adventure, and a world where much of global society relies on sailing created some very neat moments. I also like how this world, like ours, isn't perfect: some nations are prejudice against LGBT characters, and other nations practice forms of slavery. This world is by no means a utopia, and that affects Sophie on a personal level.
I enjoyed how this story incorporates elements of the mystery genre, including a murder and some courtroom drama. It was unexpected but worked really well in fusing with the rest of the story, which feels like classic adventure fiction. Sophie as a character also grew on me, and I felt myself cheering for her to stand up for herself in the end.
Great story. I hope to read the sequel. 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
kivt's review
3.0
This was fine. The writing was competent, concept was appealing, main character was active and inquisitive. I still didn't really like it and I'm having trouble putting my finger on why. The last 50 pages were a real slog.
emilyrandolph_epstein's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. The main character, Sophie, is relatable but still very clear defined. So often in portal fantasies the main characters feel like unformed clay so that the reader can put themselves into the story. Sophie is fully realized and so much fun to go on an adventure with. She's smart, capable, inquisitive, and thinks well on her feet and I like that she isn't the typical fantasy bad ass running around with sword drawn. She uses her observational abilities and scientific mind to get herself into and out of scrapes.
The world Sophie finds herself in, Stormwrack, is one of those worlds that lingers with you. I want to go on a vacation in Stormwrack. I want to sail with Sophie from island to island. If I'd read this book as a child I would have pretended my Barbies were going on an adventure there instead of Middle Earth or Narnia.
If I had to draw comparisons between this book and others I'd say that Child of a Hidden Sea is Earthsea meets A Wrinkle in time. We've got the strong, sciency female protagonist transported to a magical archipelago, but that's where the comparisons end, because Child of a Hidden Sea is without equal. I haven't read a portal fantasy that I liked better, nor met a character that I liked quite as much as I like Sophie, since I was seven years old and reading the Chronicles of Narnia.
The world Sophie finds herself in, Stormwrack, is one of those worlds that lingers with you. I want to go on a vacation in Stormwrack. I want to sail with Sophie from island to island. If I'd read this book as a child I would have pretended my Barbies were going on an adventure there instead of Middle Earth or Narnia.
If I had to draw comparisons between this book and others I'd say that Child of a Hidden Sea is Earthsea meets A Wrinkle in time. We've got the strong, sciency female protagonist transported to a magical archipelago, but that's where the comparisons end, because Child of a Hidden Sea is without equal. I haven't read a portal fantasy that I liked better, nor met a character that I liked quite as much as I like Sophie, since I was seven years old and reading the Chronicles of Narnia.
go_maggs_go's review
4.0
I love love loved this one! The world building was fantastic and so rich. I immediately had to track down the rest of the trilogy at my local library.
kltemplado's review
4.0
A great portal fantasy with a funny and engaging heroine. Thoroughly enjoyable.
deb_is_reading's review
4.0
This book is so good! I’d love if I could hear more talk about this series. I’d never heard anyone mention it until I saw it on bookoutlet so I’m sure other people are in the same boat as me.
This is a book for anyone with an anthropologist’s heart. Reading this book reminded me of sitting through my anthropology classes back in university.
This totally satiated my need for a good nautical fantasy. Admittedly it was a little hard to get into because I’d never read a magic system like this and I hadn’t realized how political this would be when I picked it up. But around 50 pages it really picked up for me.
I’m not sure if there are other editions but I would have loved a map to truly grasp the setting we were in but I know that’s more on the publishers fault.
I also really loved Sophie’s need for adventure and her insane curiosity. That’s literally me.
You might like this book if you enjoy:
- nautical/maritime fantasy settings
- unique magic. More ritualistic and less wand waving or jazz hands
- sibling relationships and found family
- adventure of self discovery
- culture shock/clash; the fantasy world isn’t a monolith
This is a book for anyone with an anthropologist’s heart. Reading this book reminded me of sitting through my anthropology classes back in university.
This totally satiated my need for a good nautical fantasy. Admittedly it was a little hard to get into because I’d never read a magic system like this and I hadn’t realized how political this would be when I picked it up. But around 50 pages it really picked up for me.
I’m not sure if there are other editions but I would have loved a map to truly grasp the setting we were in but I know that’s more on the publishers fault.
I also really loved Sophie’s need for adventure and her insane curiosity. That’s literally me.
You might like this book if you enjoy:
- nautical/maritime fantasy settings
- unique magic. More ritualistic and less wand waving or jazz hands
- sibling relationships and found family
- adventure of self discovery
- culture shock/clash; the fantasy world isn’t a monolith
nenya_kanadka's review
5.0
This was a whole lot of fun! I got it & the sequel together as ebooks, and had a great time with this twist on portal fantasy. Appreciated the queer characters and especially how many women were in active roles. (I think Dellamonica must have done the "make 50% of your background characters female unless there's a reason not to" thing, because I kept being surprised. But I think that's cool.)
Lots of adventure and SCIENCE! (reminded me a little of Mirabile by Janet Kagan, for the enthusiasm about plants and animals and learning ALL THE THINGS about them). The island-based culture and the floating Fleet-capital were fascinating too.
Lots of adventure and SCIENCE! (reminded me a little of Mirabile by Janet Kagan, for the enthusiasm about plants and animals and learning ALL THE THINGS about them). The island-based culture and the floating Fleet-capital were fascinating too.