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jtwolf33's review
3.0
Love the concept, wish it were real... but then I would still have to wish I could draw.
caenerys's review
3.0
Really enjoyable book and perfect for a middle grade audience! This was a really interesting magic system that played on some really creepy ideas for such a young audience. Definitely worth the read, would recommend!
missbookiverse's review against another edition
2.0
[2.5 stars]
It started it out with a fun idea: Twins being able to animate things into life while drawing them. I especially liked how remnants of Em's imagination floated around her in her dreams or manifested when she became scared. Unfortunately, the story couldn't hold my attention throughout and I got bored by the halfway point. The idea of the Hollow Earth was promising but not really explored (this will probably happen in the sequels).
I think what bothered me a lot was how patriarchal it ended up being. The majority of characters is male and they are also the ones who are in power (which is displayed most dubiously in the Guardian-Animare relationship in which the (male) Guardians are supposed to guide and control the Animare). There are about 4 female characters: the twin's mother (disappears halfway through the story), the housekeeper (who has no powers and always provides food), Mara (who kind of turns out to be gullible and powerless too, even though she had potential), and Em, one of the twins, who always acts emotionally (in opposition to her brother's rational demeanor) and is constantly saved by her brother. I don't think the authors intended to send a specific message through this, but I also don't think they paid enough to attention to the power structures they were creating.
One last thing I'd like to mention is that there is a deaf character, a friend of the twins, and while I appreciate the diversity I'm not sure it was handled all that well. His deafness never really impacts any situation, he reads lips perfectly and every character either knows sign language or picks up on it quickly. I don't think his deafness should be represented as a disadvantage but I also don't think it was portrayed realistically.
It started it out with a fun idea: Twins being able to animate things into life while drawing them. I especially liked how remnants of Em's imagination floated around her in her dreams or manifested when she became scared. Unfortunately, the story couldn't hold my attention throughout and I got bored by the halfway point. The idea of the Hollow Earth was promising but not really explored (this will probably happen in the sequels).
I think what bothered me a lot was how patriarchal it ended up being. The majority of characters is male and they are also the ones who are in power (which is displayed most dubiously in the Guardian-Animare relationship in which the (male) Guardians are supposed to guide and control the Animare). There are about 4 female characters: the twin's mother (disappears halfway through the story), the housekeeper (who has no powers and always provides food), Mara (who kind of turns out to be gullible and powerless too, even though she had potential), and Em, one of the twins, who always acts emotionally (in opposition to her brother's rational demeanor) and is constantly saved by her brother. I don't think the authors intended to send a specific message through this, but I also don't think they paid enough to attention to the power structures they were creating.
One last thing I'd like to mention is that there is a deaf character, a friend of the twins, and while I appreciate the diversity I'm not sure it was handled all that well. His deafness never really impacts any situation, he reads lips perfectly and every character either knows sign language or picks up on it quickly. I don't think his deafness should be represented as a disadvantage but I also don't think it was portrayed realistically.
eyreguide's review
3.0
This was a fun, light-hearted adventure read, but the world-building and the characters were not as immersive as I could have hoped. This may be due to it being more for a Middle Grade audience, but I couldn't connect with the characters as much as I wanted to, and sometimes it was hard for me to imagine just how the power of the animares and the guardians worked. It's still not very clear to me why the two need each other and why they have such a strong connection.
The main characters, Matt and Em, are intriguing enough though to keep me interested in their story. The novel blends in some mystery, fantasy and action for a very fast-paced read with many twists. However, even though the story does move at a fast pace, because it was difficult for me to get into the world and the characters I thought the beginning was a bit slow going. But it does get better as you read on.
The ideas behind the world - of being able to animate a drawing to life is a great one, and one that I think would be fantastic to see in a film or TV show. In fact, I often thought this book would make a better story in a visual medium because the action is so visually exciting. It would probably help too if I was more familiar with some of the artists mentioned throughout. Even though I rated this book as more average, I really think with the right person it's a wonderful read, and as the start of a new series, it could be very exciting to follow Matt and Em to the end of their story. Some of the mystery still remains at the end, although there is a satisfying conclusion.
The main characters, Matt and Em, are intriguing enough though to keep me interested in their story. The novel blends in some mystery, fantasy and action for a very fast-paced read with many twists. However, even though the story does move at a fast pace, because it was difficult for me to get into the world and the characters I thought the beginning was a bit slow going. But it does get better as you read on.
The ideas behind the world - of being able to animate a drawing to life is a great one, and one that I think would be fantastic to see in a film or TV show. In fact, I often thought this book would make a better story in a visual medium because the action is so visually exciting. It would probably help too if I was more familiar with some of the artists mentioned throughout. Even though I rated this book as more average, I really think with the right person it's a wonderful read, and as the start of a new series, it could be very exciting to follow Matt and Em to the end of their story. Some of the mystery still remains at the end, although there is a satisfying conclusion.
caro1uk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kealein's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
christian_jeanne's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
'An Animate,' continued their grandfather, stretching his legs and in front of him and tilting his head back to catch the warm afternoon sun, 'is a supernaturally gifted artist who has such a powerful imagination that they can alter reality when they paint or draw. simpley put, if they choose to do so , and Animare can animate their own art.
~
Its giving Chalk Zone.
Its giving Inkheart.
Its giving "I wanna be able to make my imagination come to life too!" Vibes.
nickeal1's review
5.0
It has definitely got me hooked and I want to read the rest of the series. Really enjoyable and difficult to put down. Loved that all characters are allowed their weaknesses. Great storytelling fr the Barrowmans
liketheday's review against another edition
4.0
I think what I liked best about the book was the way the Barrowmans made all the kids (the twins and the friend they pick up) into real kids -- feeling smart, being stupid, and understanding that both of those states can coexist. They even acknowledge that adults sometimes know what they're doing, and in fact call for help when things get dangerous!
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