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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An enjoyable fairy tale with some funny moments and a number of metaforical situations that unfortunately drags on a bit too much without the story broadening or deeping over time. The book is aimed at a younger audience, but that doesn't justify its predictable storyline and its lack of exciting developments to keep to keep the reader hooked. It felt twice as long as it needed to be...
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Loved it! A great fantasy primer.
Interest Level: Junior Fiction (Grades 5 and up)
Genre: Fantasy
Available in the Library: Yes
Book Summary
The people of the Protectorate believe that a cruel witch lives in the forest that borders their town. So every year, they leave a newborn as a sacrifice to placate her. Little do they know that the witch they fear so much is actually a kind soul who is baffled each year by the appearance of a baby in the forest. Each year, she takes the abandoned baby, feeds it starlight and sets out to find a family to adopt the baby. But one year, she slips up and accidentally feeds the baby moonlight which grants the baby magical powers. The witch decides to raise this baby as her own, naming her Luna. This is the story of Luna, how she learns to control her power, and protect the people and places she loves.
Interest Level: Junior Fiction (Grades 5 and up)
Genre: Fantasy
Available in the Library: Yes
Book Summary
The people of the Protectorate believe that a cruel witch lives in the forest that borders their town. So every year, they leave a newborn as a sacrifice to placate her. Little do they know that the witch they fear so much is actually a kind soul who is baffled each year by the appearance of a baby in the forest. Each year, she takes the abandoned baby, feeds it starlight and sets out to find a family to adopt the baby. But one year, she slips up and accidentally feeds the baby moonlight which grants the baby magical powers. The witch decides to raise this baby as her own, naming her Luna. This is the story of Luna, how she learns to control her power, and protect the people and places she loves.
Charming, utterly charming. I saw the review of this and could not resist purchasing it. I've read it and will now pass it along to a beloved great-niece who will hopefully enjoy it in a few more years. A wonderful fable about a village of sadness and how it is rescued. Witches are not all evil; dragons are not all giants; and good magic is wondrous. This story of Xan, Glerk, Fyrian, Luna and a cast of supporting characters is a powerful antidote for the sorrows that build up on a daily basis.
This was a cute book, great descriptions of people and the landscape. I loved the interesting characters but i felt like the ending was a little anti climactic. I would recommend it for preteen and early teen readers who love fantasy and adventure!
4.5 stars.
The title is somewhat of a misnomer, as there's an ensemble cast put to very good use. Accessible enough for 4th-5th graders, compelling enough for adult readers. Also, contains some beautiful poetry in amid the fiction. Also, some very nice trope reversals and lovely default feminism.
(I was afraid all the 5 star reviews meant it was overhyped, but it turned out to be a solidly GOOD book. Recommended.)
The title is somewhat of a misnomer, as there's an ensemble cast put to very good use. Accessible enough for 4th-5th graders, compelling enough for adult readers. Also, contains some beautiful poetry in amid the fiction. Also, some very nice trope reversals and lovely default feminism.
(I was afraid all the 5 star reviews meant it was overhyped, but it turned out to be a solidly GOOD book. Recommended.)
A wonderful fairy tale with with witches and dragons and paper birds and so very much more! ❤️
Loved the whimsy of this tale and the heartfelt messages but I just don’t think this author’s writing style is for me. Something about the rambling story-teller narrative style, the constant use of repetition and the length kept me wondering when it was going to be over. Cute, but not quite my cup of tea.
Well. I'd give this 4.5 stars, as it has a few clunky spots as it first gets going: Barnhill spoils a wonderfully indirect discussion of the Protectorate's yearly sacrifice of the youngest child with a really clumsy explanation of all its symbolism, and the plot takes a little while to develop, but by 1/3 of the way through, I was hooked. The story, while familiar in many ways, is also original and unusual, with striking, unexpected characters and devices. The reader (who also does the "Girl Waits with Gun" series by Amy Stewart) is almost too deliberate, but ultimately, her voice stuck in my head as the voice of the book.
It's ya/maybe even young reader, but it helped me while away several weeks of this Maine February in a pleasant way. Thought provoking and enjoyable.
It's ya/maybe even young reader, but it helped me while away several weeks of this Maine February in a pleasant way. Thought provoking and enjoyable.