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alongreader's review
5.0
Mental health in general and anxiety in particular are much more common topics now than they used to be, but there's still a long way to go. A lot of what's available reads like a thinly veiled textbook, which is why books like this, where anxiety is an aspect of the plot but isn't the whole plot, are so important.
There's also the fact that these stories are based on Indian folklore. Despite being a folklore nut as a child, I don't know much about anything that isn't European; the books simply weren't available at the time, and I love that the world is opening up to experience stories from other cultures. As I say, I don't know enough about Indian folklore to know how closely Kiki's adventures are based on them, but either way they're fabulous in their own right.
I don't want to spoil things for a reader, but the realisations Kiki comes to throughout the story are fantastic. I dearly hope there'll be more to read in this series, as it's one of the best out there at the moment.
There's also the fact that these stories are based on Indian folklore. Despite being a folklore nut as a child, I don't know much about anything that isn't European; the books simply weren't available at the time, and I love that the world is opening up to experience stories from other cultures. As I say, I don't know enough about Indian folklore to know how closely Kiki's adventures are based on them, but either way they're fabulous in their own right.
I don't want to spoil things for a reader, but the realisations Kiki comes to throughout the story are fantastic. I dearly hope there'll be more to read in this series, as it's one of the best out there at the moment.
ashleykwbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
ljg765's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
apurplehycainth's review
adventurous
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
4.0
kellyjmac's review
4.0
Just finished the second book in the Kiki Kallira series by @sangumandanna (hopefully there will be many more)! I loved the first and was excited to get into the second since the main character has anxiety and OCD and it deals with it head on. As someone who struggles with anxiety and has for a long time, I would have loved to read a book like this to know I wasn’t the only one. I love the magical world Sangu Mandanna has created for Kiki. It feels rich and immersive. I love the Crows especially Pip and their friendship. Also has great inclusion with JoJo who uses a wheelchair but doesn’t get left behind on the action. I enjoyed the twist on the antagonist story and that it takes creative thinking to help everyone in the end. Bonus points for the grumpy gargoyle librarian, Numa. Just love gargoyles and the bickering between him and Simha made me giggle. Fingers crossed for more Kiki in the future!!
speevlovestoread's review
3.0
This book was fine. It has been a while since I read the first book, so I was VERY confused, but that’s on me. It was so slow. Nothing much happened. Plot twists weren’t very twisty. Got 3 stars because of the humor, and because it has a nice ending. Also, I cannot for the life of me imagine Kiki or any of the characters with a British accent.
evamadera1's review against another edition
4.0
While I still really love the voice that Mandanna gives to Kiki as well as the supporting characters, this plot felt far too disconnected from Kiki as well as far too complicated for the size of the narrative. I enjoyed it but still prefer the first book.
ros_lanta's review against another edition
4.0
I very much enjoyed reading this and had a great time with it. I do consider the first book Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom to be the stronger book of the two, but it's still well worth reading this sequel.
Once again I'm really happy to see anxiety representation in a middle grade book, and I love that we get discussions of the tools that Kiki uses on the advice of her therapist.
Overall an engaging and imaginative adventure story with real heart, I recommend reading both books in this series.
Once again I'm really happy to see anxiety representation in a middle grade book, and I love that we get discussions of the tools that Kiki uses on the advice of her therapist.
Overall an engaging and imaginative adventure story with real heart, I recommend reading both books in this series.