Reviews

The Cartographer's Daughter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

georgilvsbooks's review against another edition

1.0

I’m sorry but this just wasn’t for me. I was listening to it on audio. It just didn’t capture my attention, I was bored throughout.

Nothing against the author or anyone who has liked this book or plans to read it. It just personally was not for me.

julie_responsibly's review against another edition

2.0

I really wanted to like this book. Reading it to my eight year old who finally asked if we could read something else because "the writer had a really good idea, but I'm having a hard time caring about anyone or anything going on here." This takes place in an alternate reality where places have similar names to our reality, but everything's different. But I can't really explain how. Dark things are happening. Something is sort of sensed, but maybe not? You know what reading this book feels like? Have you ever had one of those annoying friends who always wants to tell you their dreams? and their dreams are kind of weird and boring but even when you interrupt them or try to move on it just reminds them of another weird dream they had? That's what this is like. Nothing quite makes sense. You can't quite grasp anything. It's a little like being on drugs.

abistic's review against another edition

3.0

3.5/5

patsypoo's review against another edition

4.0

A really lovely children's book.
I only bought The Girl of Ink and Starts because it's a beautiful looking book. I loved the cover and the inside is also very pretty. I'm very glad I bought it.
The story centres around Isabella, a cartographer's daughter, living on an island called Joya; ruled by her best friend's tyrant of a father. It's a world full of magic, mystery and dangers. And maps! When a girl is found murdered, Isabella and her best friend Lupe, delve deep into their island to try and find out what really happened.
The world building was nicely done and well explained. The two central female characters are clever, strong and independent. Excellent role models for girls and boys alike.

aquariusmoon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

apageofwordsandwishes's review against another edition

3.0

Very beautifully written.

khawley0's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

aliceinbabylon's review against another edition

4.0

3.5

amelie_labuschagne's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kelamity_reads's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was such a wonderful book! It has some elements that may not be appropriate for sensitive children (there are strong elements of colonisation, including an uprising spurred by the murder of a young girl. There are also monsters and some tense moments - such as seeing a skeleton reaching out for a much smaller skeleton and acts of violence - as well as character deaths) but my ten year old enjoyed it, although I would say the intended audience is probably teenagers/young adults.

It has a strong, young female protagonist, and the writing is very good.

The narration by the voice actor was absolutely brilliant! It's definitely one of the best audiobook performances l have ever heard.

I definitely recommend it!