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d_night's review against another edition
1.0
I rated this a 1 star for several reasons. First, the flashbacks necessary to keep the understanding that we were reflecting on the past and not in the present was lacking a bit. This muddied things a bit and made some of the book hard to follow. Secondly, the ending was half done. It was too existential to understand and though that may have been what she was going for another book or a better leave off would have made this easier (though I know that both those options are impossible now). Third and most importantly (this being why I took off 4 off the 5 stars and even would have given this a 0 if I could have) was that this book can promote a pedophilic like relationship. Polly was only 12 when 17-year-old Seb started a very physical relationship with her. Additionally, Mr. Lynn who had to be in his twenties at least when he met Polly (who was only 10 at the time) rather passionately tried to kiss her when she was 15. Though to be honest I always got an odd feeling from the way Diana Wynne Jones presented the two characters' interactions in the beginning. I just cannot promote a book that would positively shed light on a minor with an adult.
arendaes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tch0's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
xeyra1's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the writing on this - as expected from DWJ - and I really liked the characters (hated some too!) and the fantastic elements, but may have been a little weird-ed out by the slightly romantic goggle of the later part, considering the age difference. Full review to come, when I get around to writing one. My reviewing as been as sluggish as my reading, lately.
callmeren's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure I appreciate the flashback style of the book. But something about the whole adventure captured my heart. I can't NOT think of the story with the kind of senseless attachment, fondness, and fervor I have for books that I can't immediately say why I love it, but I just DO. I'm so attached to the protagonists. As a Diana Wynne Jones story, however, I don't think it's her best. It has its own flavor of magic though. I still love it to bits, like how I love all of her work to bits.
lazydazey's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
mistressviolet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Beautiful and compelling. This book celebrates music, literature, imagination, and female independence. It is also a dark exploration of dysfunctional families, with perhaps a bit of forbidden love mixed in.
This story is rich, deep, and undeniably thought-provoking. There is so much to unpack here. And I'm still not sure if I understand the ending. The more I think about it all, the more I want to read the whole book again.
This book is as strange as it is beautiful. Haunting, whimsical, dark, and tender.
nokisuu's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this when I was about 16 I think and I remember it left me in awe. Now after 30 years it's still one of the best YA fantasy novels I've ever read and I think I need to read all of the Diana Wynne Jones' again.