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ringringringer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kscaldwell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tessa_stephens's review against another edition
3.0
The world building was by far the best part of this book and heavily contributed to the reason this was a 3 star read. The characters were fine, but there were inconsistencies in the plot that kept taking me out of the story. Overall though, I think this is a decent debut and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
rcrikkit's review
4.0
I liked this book - it's definitely more middle grade aged, but it was so interesting. I was scared at times so I read it slower than I expected. Being able to read the stories from their Book made it so much better for me - it helped to immerse me more and feel like I had a better background for everything. The world was unique, and while I could try to predict things I didn't feel the need to and instead just enjoyed finding out as we went.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Be careful what you wish for....
On the island of Emblem, if you are lucky enough to be born with an Emblem, then you know your fate, and with that fate comes a special ability. But Tor Luna would do anything to change his fate, and rid himself of his markings indicating that he is destined for leadership. A hard enough thing to live up to as-is, but even more so when your mother is the village chief. But Tor has a plan to change everything.
Every Eve, marking the end of a year, everyone over the age of 12 makes a Wish--which may or may not be granted by the Wish God. And, for years, Tor knew exactly what he would wish for: for a different Emblem. When he wakes up on the first day of the new year, he is horrified. He received a different marking, alright, but not at all what he asked for. Instead, he got a mark indicating that he is cursed.
Now, along with his quirky best friend Engle and his frenemy Melda, Tor is off on an adventure across Emblem to seek out the Night Witch to rid himself of the curse. But there is something even more sinister that lies beneath the surface, and Tor's Wish is just the beginning.
Set in an amazing Latin American inspired land where gemstones can be eaten, color means life, and stories have power, "Curse of the Night Witch" is a fantastic tale about what it means to choose your own fate. I'm eager to return to Emblem, to learn more about the lore of the island as well as what new adventures await Tor, Engle and Melda.
Be careful what you wish for....
On the island of Emblem, if you are lucky enough to be born with an Emblem, then you know your fate, and with that fate comes a special ability. But Tor Luna would do anything to change his fate, and rid himself of his markings indicating that he is destined for leadership. A hard enough thing to live up to as-is, but even more so when your mother is the village chief. But Tor has a plan to change everything.
Every Eve, marking the end of a year, everyone over the age of 12 makes a Wish--which may or may not be granted by the Wish God. And, for years, Tor knew exactly what he would wish for: for a different Emblem. When he wakes up on the first day of the new year, he is horrified. He received a different marking, alright, but not at all what he asked for. Instead, he got a mark indicating that he is cursed.
Now, along with his quirky best friend Engle and his frenemy Melda, Tor is off on an adventure across Emblem to seek out the Night Witch to rid himself of the curse. But there is something even more sinister that lies beneath the surface, and Tor's Wish is just the beginning.
Set in an amazing Latin American inspired land where gemstones can be eaten, color means life, and stories have power, "Curse of the Night Witch" is a fantastic tale about what it means to choose your own fate. I'm eager to return to Emblem, to learn more about the lore of the island as well as what new adventures await Tor, Engle and Melda.
elsarochelle's review against another edition
It may be that I'm not the intended audience, but I honestly cannot make myself finish this book.
Hopefully, I will enjoy Lightlark more than I did the portion I read of this.
Hopefully, I will enjoy Lightlark more than I did the portion I read of this.
lynnierhodes's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-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? No
3.0
thelibraryofklee's review against another edition
5.0
“Think of the storyteller not as a writer, but as an explorer”
This sentence in itself is divine. How poetic! I have so many warm heart eyes for this children’s (tweens?) novel.
Three 12 year olds are on a grail to find the night witch to life a curse. An old book of legend guides their path through a most enchanting world. They meet luminescent creatures who either want to help them or tear them to shreds, so many versions of forlorn womanly creatures who are punished for past indiscretions, a grandma who might or might not eat them, and even goblins who covet colour. The list of terrifying encounters is incredible.
I’ve read some reviews and I think sometimes we need to review with the intended audience in mind. This book is a gateway to fantasy. It’s gorgeously and colourfully descriptive without being boring, the characters are SUCH kids in their behaviour which makes it endearing, and the plot moves fabulously forward without risk of boredom.
For Emblems sake, get this book into the hands of your 10+ year olds and let them fall in love with this wonderfully magical and often terrifying fantasy world.
This sentence in itself is divine. How poetic! I have so many warm heart eyes for this children’s (tweens?) novel.
Three 12 year olds are on a grail to find the night witch to life a curse. An old book of legend guides their path through a most enchanting world. They meet luminescent creatures who either want to help them or tear them to shreds, so many versions of forlorn womanly creatures who are punished for past indiscretions, a grandma who might or might not eat them, and even goblins who covet colour. The list of terrifying encounters is incredible.
I’ve read some reviews and I think sometimes we need to review with the intended audience in mind. This book is a gateway to fantasy. It’s gorgeously and colourfully descriptive without being boring, the characters are SUCH kids in their behaviour which makes it endearing, and the plot moves fabulously forward without risk of boredom.
For Emblems sake, get this book into the hands of your 10+ year olds and let them fall in love with this wonderfully magical and often terrifying fantasy world.
moendchen's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Potenzial für eine gute Geschichte aber langweilige Ausarbeitung und uninspirierter Schreibstil
Die Handlung wurde sehr schnell eintönig und der Schreibstil hat es mit jeder Seite verschlimmert.
Tor ist unzufrieden mit seinem Emblem (eine Art magisches Tattoo, die dem Träger Fähigkeiten verleiht) und wird aufgrund seines Wunsches tödlich verflucht. Seine zwei Freundin begehen den Fehler, das nun verfluchte Emblem zu berühren und sind dadurch ebenfalls verflucht. Zusammen begeben die drei sich auf die Reise die Nachthexe „umzubringen“ und den Fluch aufzuheben. Dabei werden sie durch ein Märchenbuch geleitet.
Diese Kurzbeschreibung war leider spannender als die Geschichte selbst.
Die Handlung steckt voller Potenzial, wird jedoch durch unoriginelle Figuren (ein männlicher mutiger Hauptcharakter, sein immer hungriger „lustiger“ bester Freund und die zu erst unsympathische aber sehr schlaue Bekannte), plötzlich vorgestellte Handlungselemente und einem wirklich trockenen und monotonen Schreibstil schnell zäh, vorhersehbar und eintönig.
Die Kurzgeschichten zwischen den Kapiteln waren anfangs noch eine nette Abwechslung, jedoch verlieren diese schnell an Charm, da der „altmodische“ Erzählungsstil, der bei alten Märchen üblich ist, sich auch in der Haupthandlung durchzieht und spätestens ab der Hälfte einen erschöpft.
Hätte es sich hierbei nicht um ein Leseexemplar gehandelt, hätte ich das Buch abgebrochen.
Dennoch war die erschaffene Welt facettenreich und voller Potenzial und für junge Leser ohne hohe Ansprüche vielleicht ein netter Zeitvertreib.
Die Handlung wurde sehr schnell eintönig und der Schreibstil hat es mit jeder Seite verschlimmert.
Tor ist unzufrieden mit seinem Emblem (eine Art magisches Tattoo, die dem Träger Fähigkeiten verleiht) und wird aufgrund seines Wunsches tödlich verflucht. Seine zwei Freundin begehen den Fehler, das nun verfluchte Emblem zu berühren und sind dadurch ebenfalls verflucht. Zusammen begeben die drei sich auf die Reise die Nachthexe „umzubringen“ und den Fluch aufzuheben. Dabei werden sie durch ein Märchenbuch geleitet.
Diese Kurzbeschreibung war leider spannender als die Geschichte selbst.
Die Handlung steckt voller Potenzial, wird jedoch durch unoriginelle Figuren (ein männlicher mutiger Hauptcharakter, sein immer hungriger „lustiger“ bester Freund und die zu erst unsympathische aber sehr schlaue Bekannte), plötzlich vorgestellte Handlungselemente und einem wirklich trockenen und monotonen Schreibstil schnell zäh, vorhersehbar und eintönig.
Die Kurzgeschichten zwischen den Kapiteln waren anfangs noch eine nette Abwechslung, jedoch verlieren diese schnell an Charm, da der „altmodische“ Erzählungsstil, der bei alten Märchen üblich ist, sich auch in der Haupthandlung durchzieht und spätestens ab der Hälfte einen erschöpft.
Hätte es sich hierbei nicht um ein Leseexemplar gehandelt, hätte ich das Buch abgebrochen.
Dennoch war die erschaffene Welt facettenreich und voller Potenzial und für junge Leser ohne hohe Ansprüche vielleicht ein netter Zeitvertreib.
twstdtink's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I bought this book after seeing it was nominated for the SSYRA (Sunshine State Young Readers Award) in 2022. The SSYRA list rarely disappoints! To start, I want to state that it is a middle-grade book and reads as such. I would put it in the same league as The Land of Stories.
Things I loved:
- The chapters of the main story are intersected by chapters from a fairy tale book the characters grew up with.
- You get to explore many diverse cities and meet many interesting characters.
- This story does not take place in our reality, but on an island (Emblem Island) where magic is real. Most babies are born with an emblem/gift that gives them special abilities. Your station in life can be determined by this mark.
- This is a fast-paced book that could easily be read in a couple days if you're motivated.
- It was really fun and one I might read outloud to my 9 and 12-year-old.
Things I disliked:
- Heavy use of metaphors that don't always make sense.
- Poor descriptive writing. The one that made me stop reading and groan was when the teenage girl was walking down a dark creepy hallway, a stranger called out and she "bit her knuckle" in fear. Who actually does that?
- Lots of forecasting of events. Someone tells the main characters not to do something because a very specific consequence will happen, and you can bet that character will do it in the very next chapter.
- This was written to be part of a series and you can feel the author setting up for the next book through the entire thing.
Things I loved:
- The chapters of the main story are intersected by chapters from a fairy tale book the characters grew up with.
- You get to explore many diverse cities and meet many interesting characters.
- This story does not take place in our reality, but on an island (Emblem Island) where magic is real. Most babies are born with an emblem/gift that gives them special abilities. Your station in life can be determined by this mark.
- This is a fast-paced book that could easily be read in a couple days if you're motivated.
- It was really fun and one I might read outloud to my 9 and 12-year-old.
Things I disliked:
- Heavy use of metaphors that don't always make sense.
- Poor descriptive writing. The one that made me stop reading and groan was when the teenage girl was walking down a dark creepy hallway, a stranger called out and she "bit her knuckle" in fear. Who actually does that?
- Lots of forecasting of events. Someone tells the main characters not to do something because a very specific consequence will happen, and you can bet that character will do it in the very next chapter.
- This was written to be part of a series and you can feel the author setting up for the next book through the entire thing.