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karanextweek's review
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A dark but enjoyable read. I saw in the acknowledgement this was a kids book which I feel like I should've realized that before reading this book? Anyway it was very obviously for a younger demographic, would definitely recommend to any YAs out there.
lisamchuk's review
5.0
Well this is a fun one! A wizard who can only use magic on baking has to fend off the baddies in this cozy fantasy that is more exciting than I anticipated!
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
Real talk: If all YA fiction were like this, I would read YA fiction again. Somehow, when I read the author's note at the back of this book, giving her reasons for why this book took so long to be put out in the world, and the reasons for that, I wasn't surprised. Anything that doesn't follow the formula probably isn't going to get published by the publishing houses. Hmm. Do you think maybe my dislike of the formula is the reason why I stopped reading YA...
Anywho, there is a lot to love about this book. It is original, and I love the fun concept. I eat up fantasy novels in which the authors diverge from the normal spell-slinging formula in favor of using magic in innovative ways. On the surface, using bread magic doesn't sound all that useful, so I was very much looking forward to the author showing me why it could be, with some creativity, and she did not disappoint. Give me more of this, please.
As for Mona, I loved her as a character because she felt authentic to me, and I could sympathize with her plight. Plus, I love that this book tackles something that most YA novels fail to tackle: adult incompetency and the toll it takes on kids and teens. It bugs me that so many YA and kids' books portray adults as useless because they usually don't interrogate why adults act the way they do, or YA and middle grade fiction just ignores adults altogether. This book shows how a story can center on a couple of kids while also addressing the adults in the room. Further, I liked seeing adults take responsibility for their own actions. And, lastly, I very much engaged with the idea of Mona as a reluctant hero, a theme that runs throughout the book. I frankly find heroic types boring, and am much more attracted to the person who's in the wrong place at the wrong time and has no choice but to rise to the occasion.
Mona isn't the only great character, though. I truly enjoyed the entire cast, particularly Spindle and Knackering Molly. Because I got to know these characters, their quirks and feelings and foibles, I cared about what happened to them, and that gave the battle scenes a lot of emotional resonance for me.
This book deserves its Nebula nomination, and I'd be pleased if it wins.
Anywho, there is a lot to love about this book. It is original, and I love the fun concept. I eat up fantasy novels in which the authors diverge from the normal spell-slinging formula in favor of using magic in innovative ways. On the surface, using bread magic doesn't sound all that useful, so I was very much looking forward to the author showing me why it could be, with some creativity, and she did not disappoint. Give me more of this, please.
As for Mona, I loved her as a character because she felt authentic to me, and I could sympathize with her plight. Plus, I love that this book tackles something that most YA novels fail to tackle: adult incompetency and the toll it takes on kids and teens. It bugs me that so many YA and kids' books portray adults as useless because they usually don't interrogate why adults act the way they do, or YA and middle grade fiction just ignores adults altogether. This book shows how a story can center on a couple of kids while also addressing the adults in the room. Further, I liked seeing adults take responsibility for their own actions. And, lastly, I very much engaged with the idea of Mona as a reluctant hero, a theme that runs throughout the book. I frankly find heroic types boring, and am much more attracted to the person who's in the wrong place at the wrong time and has no choice but to rise to the occasion.
Mona isn't the only great character, though. I truly enjoyed the entire cast, particularly Spindle and Knackering Molly. Because I got to know these characters, their quirks and feelings and foibles, I cared about what happened to them, and that gave the battle scenes a lot of emotional resonance for me.
This book deserves its Nebula nomination, and I'd be pleased if it wins.
dmk_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
5.0
ipushbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
crai2242's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
willow_creek's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lapis's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pznightingale's review
2.0
OK, first of all, the setup was adorable. Trouble is brewing. People have magical powers; our protagonist's power is quirky and low-level. Can she still save the day? I love the idea.
The trouble is: no, she can't save the day. Our protagonist spends the novel crying, peeing herself, hiding and throwing up. All of the ideas and decisions come from other characters. Even the Duchess contributes more than her, and the Duchess is one of the weirdest characters I've ever read about. Not in an interesting way. She spends the book making quirky or sarcastic jokes in the exact same style as the narrative voice at really inappropriate times, as if that's endearing. No wonder there was a plot to overthrow her.
The Molly thing should have come at the start of the battle. Then, bolstered by her sacrifice, our protagonist gets to save the day. She just delayed the army, barely, for long enough to throw up and hide and wet herself and then finally for other people to save the day.
I can't believe a novel meant for clearly such a young audience bothered me so much. And I haven't even mentioned all the editing errors. Seriously—Albert becomes Earl inexplicably for half a scene. Hire a proofreader, folks.
Not sure if this is a fair assessment, because her other books are much more my thing, but this terrible plotting has really put me off of T Kingfisher in general.
The trouble is: no, she can't save the day. Our protagonist spends the novel crying, peeing herself, hiding and throwing up. All of the ideas and decisions come from other characters. Even the Duchess contributes more than her, and the Duchess is one of the weirdest characters I've ever read about. Not in an interesting way. She spends the book making quirky or sarcastic jokes in the exact same style as the narrative voice at really inappropriate times, as if that's endearing. No wonder there was a plot to overthrow her.
The Molly thing should have come at the start of the battle. Then, bolstered by her sacrifice, our protagonist gets to save the day. She just delayed the army, barely, for long enough to throw up and hide and wet herself and then finally for other people to save the day.
I can't believe a novel meant for clearly such a young audience bothered me so much. And I haven't even mentioned all the editing errors. Seriously—Albert becomes Earl inexplicably for half a scene. Hire a proofreader, folks.
Not sure if this is a fair assessment, because her other books are much more my thing, but this terrible plotting has really put me off of T Kingfisher in general.