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witmol's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Bought this for my soon-to-be-13yo niece and then thought I'd better read it to check the content, so borrowed it from the library. I'm glad I did: it was a refreshing and insightful read traversing alternate history and family-centred trauma in an approachable and magical way.
The book switches between Jessie's perspective (contemporary) and the contents of the History of Mischief ('historical'). Jessie's part drags a little because she's young enough to have restricted agency and it's very clear from context that her misbehaviour stems from unresolved trauma about her parents' deaths, but there's enough mystery about the book and in the mischief parts to push the narrative along.
Ultimately it's a book about friendship and making the most of what life hands you both in the narrative and the meta-narrative. Am handing over extra points for its obvious love of libraries.
The book switches between Jessie's perspective (contemporary) and the contents of the History of Mischief ('historical'). Jessie's part drags a little because she's young enough to have restricted agency and it's very clear from context that her misbehaviour stems from unresolved trauma about her parents' deaths, but there's enough mystery about the book and in the mischief parts to push the narrative along.
Ultimately it's a book about friendship and making the most of what life hands you both in the narrative and the meta-narrative. Am handing over extra points for its obvious love of libraries.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Grief, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Racism, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
swearing (fuck) homosexual relationship
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