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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
3.5
Full of magic, beautifully diverse and Ireland! Why there are so few YA books that take place in Ireland?
Full of magic, beautifully diverse and Ireland! Why there are so few YA books that take place in Ireland?
I really liked so many aspects of this book: the multiple perspectives, Olive's family, and the literary references. There was more depth and complexity than I was expecting. Throughout there's this eerie tone that I totally dig. However, because I was enjoying the ominous tone I was most disappointed by the ending. I felt like the pacing was abrupt, there were main plot points not addressed, and I felt it was too neat. I wanted the same 'creepiness' level as the rest of the book.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from First to Read.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-spellbook-lost-found-moira-fowley-doyle/
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from First to Read.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-spellbook-lost-found-moira-fowley-doyle/
I don’t like to DNF books, so this was a laborious effort to get through.
There was a lot that was interesting in this book about a group of kids--two groups of kids--that find a spellbook in their tiny town and use it to bring back whatever they've lost. Of course they learn that in order to get something back they must give something up. I really liked the setting (a small town in Ireland, the kind of place where teenagers feel like there's nothing going on) and the characters in general.
But I had a really hard time often following what was happening. There's a lot of characters who all have tree names (either given or nicknames). That in itself wouldn't be a problem if their personalities were distinct enough that I immediately remembered who they all were, but they really weren't. Even when we're told certain characters are very distinctive they didn't come across that way on the page to me. This was particularly noticeable given the book has multiple points of view. There were many times where I'd start a new chapter in a new point of view in first person and once I'd turned the page I'd find myself thinking, "Wait, who's talking now? So I'd be reading a chapter not really sure if this person is referring to their brother or the boy they like, or if their mom is one or the other. There wasn't a really different feeling when you were in somebody else's pov, which was probably really needed given that all the girls are living in somewhat similar situations and have similar feelings.
But I had a really hard time often following what was happening. There's a lot of characters who all have tree names (either given or nicknames). That in itself wouldn't be a problem if their personalities were distinct enough that I immediately remembered who they all were, but they really weren't. Even when we're told certain characters are very distinctive they didn't come across that way on the page to me. This was particularly noticeable given the book has multiple points of view. There were many times where I'd start a new chapter in a new point of view in first person and once I'd turned the page I'd find myself thinking, "Wait, who's talking now? So I'd be reading a chapter not really sure if this person is referring to their brother or the boy they like, or if their mom is one or the other. There wasn't a really different feeling when you were in somebody else's pov, which was probably really needed given that all the girls are living in somewhat similar situations and have similar feelings.
This was the sort of book where I couldn't keep all the characters straight or the story straight, but loved it anyway. The writing was just so, so gorgeous. Also, there was really lovely queer representation and magic, BUT NOT MAGICAL REALISM (which is fine, but people do really need to understand what magical realism is before espousing that a story contains it). Finally, this was SUPER feminist and contained a sexual assault/rape storyline and discussion that was unexpected, but very delicately treated.
I loved a lot of this book. The premise was really interesting and I loved the ending and how everything all tied together. I did find it a little difficult to keep track of at first because so many different characters are introduced together. Overall it was a great read with interesting, realistic and diverse characters.
I liked the idea and did enjoy the story but I found it quite lacklustre. All three of the main characters had very similar voices which was confusing and I had to keep going back to the book description to remind myself who they were.
I was really scared going into this book because of the mixed reviews, but I LOVED it!
It was me... in a book.
It had:
1. Witches
2. Atmosphre
3. Ireland
4. Mixed Timelines
5. Strong Female Characters
6. Two awesome bisexual characters
7. a super cute F/F Relationship
This writing was a little slower paced, but it actually really suited the story and I need more from this author!
It was me... in a book.
It had:
1. Witches
2. Atmosphre
3. Ireland
4. Mixed Timelines
5. Strong Female Characters
6. Two awesome bisexual characters
7. a super cute F/F Relationship
This writing was a little slower paced, but it actually really suited the story and I need more from this author!
I was so impressed with the writing in this story. From the very beginning, before I had the names of characters, friend groups, and storyline straight, I was already enthralled by the writing. It's lyrical without being too flowery, it's got beautiful quotes sprinkled like gems among the pages. I have so much annotated in this story, so many tabs pointing to passages that I loved. Not only was the writing beautiful but the themes and underlying plot within this book are so poignant.
Discussed in a story of a spell gone wrong, where people are searching for things they've lost only to lose more than they had planned in the process, there are themes of feminism and strong supportive friendships, sibling relationships, parent/child relationships, forgiveness, and so much more. There's a ton of diversity represented in this book with a main character who wears hearing aids, one who is half Indian and half Irish, and more than one character who identify as bisexual as well as another queer lady. The characters are strong, richly written, complex and flawed. Their friendships are built both over time and within a short span under unusual circumstances in totally believable ways.
The vibe of this book is decidedly less witchy than I had anticipated but also incredibly eerie and a little unnerving all at once. It's more contemporary with magical realism or mystical moments. They weave together beautifully. The writer has so many easter eggs for twists and turns, so much attention to detail in a finely crafted story of love, loss, heartache, friendship, and the things we'll do to keep those we love close and safe.
It really was a stunning book and one I'm really glad I finally got around to. The only reason it's missing a star is that it did take a days reading or so to get the hang of the story and characters. I appreciate that the reader was babied but we are introduced to a lot of characters from GO, all with similar names (all trees/plants Hazel, Olive, Rose, Ivy, Holly, Ask, Laurel, Rowan) and sometimes keeping them straight was really difficult as they all belong to different friend groups/chosen families. Even as you read the book there were moments I felt I had missed something, some detail, and had to stop to consider whose chapter I was reading. We do get a few POVs (Hazel, Olive, and Laurel) but I was so invested in this story and the outcome.
A beautiful book that was well worth the read.
Discussed in a story of a spell gone wrong, where people are searching for things they've lost only to lose more than they had planned in the process, there are themes of feminism and strong supportive friendships, sibling relationships, parent/child relationships, forgiveness, and so much more. There's a ton of diversity represented in this book with a main character who wears hearing aids, one who is half Indian and half Irish, and more than one character who identify as bisexual as well as another queer lady. The characters are strong, richly written, complex and flawed. Their friendships are built both over time and within a short span under unusual circumstances in totally believable ways.
The vibe of this book is decidedly less witchy than I had anticipated but also incredibly eerie and a little unnerving all at once. It's more contemporary with magical realism or mystical moments. They weave together beautifully. The writer has so many easter eggs for twists and turns, so much attention to detail in a finely crafted story of love, loss, heartache, friendship, and the things we'll do to keep those we love close and safe.
It really was a stunning book and one I'm really glad I finally got around to. The only reason it's missing a star is that it did take a days reading or so to get the hang of the story and characters. I appreciate that the reader was babied but we are introduced to a lot of characters from GO, all with similar names (all trees/plants Hazel, Olive, Rose, Ivy, Holly, Ask, Laurel, Rowan) and sometimes keeping them straight was really difficult as they all belong to different friend groups/chosen families. Even as you read the book there were moments I felt I had missed something, some detail, and had to stop to consider whose chapter I was reading. We do get a few POVs (Hazel, Olive, and Laurel) but I was so invested in this story and the outcome.
A beautiful book that was well worth the read.