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mariebrunelm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? No
How do you fight off a reading slump ? I often pick a short, entertaining read and / or choose middle-grade or YA for intense readability.
I have loved both the middle-grade and adult books by Kiran Millwood Hargrave I’ve read in the past, so this was a safe bet and indeed I had an excellent time. This is a YA adventure following 13-year-old Isabella, living on an island with her dad, cat and hen. Their village is wrapped in mysteries since all birds but ravens flew and the forest has been declared forbidden to enter. The Governor responsible for this decision is a cruel man, but whoever defies him ends in prison or worse. Isabella is the only one who was willing to befriend his daughter Lupe, not guessing that this would lead her to betray the man’s orders. But terrible beasts lurk in the forest, and there are uncharted lands to explore.
This novel is very evocative and image-rich, which didn’t necessarily work for my aphantasia (I can’t picture images in my mind) but there was lots of adventure on the whole, with a fierce protagonist determined to do what’s right. It was a really lovely story that played on legends and stories, not without its darkness (if you’ve read Julia & the Shark you know) but well told. Not my favourite (Julia remains a huge favourite, and The Mercies after that), but well worth a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Minor: Death and Grief
lilacsophie's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, and Vomit
elbojt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
tetedump's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
rosie722's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyed this a lot, found it gripping and emotional. Occasionally the writing was slightly confusing and I couldn't fully understand what was going on, especially at the end in the cavern of glass and when the sea is spreading through the labyrinth and Joya. It felt rushed and badly explained. I thought Lupe's death was well-written and heartbreaking.
Overall, I loved the characters and the intricate world-building. 4 stars.
Overall, I loved the characters and the intricate world-building. 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
grrrlbrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping, Colonisation, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit, Murder, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
This is the kind of book I would’ve devoured as a teen if this had been in my library. Such a lovely and adventurous read. Very straightforward and not complicated like fantasy tends to be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Child death, Animal death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
iksme's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
This book is really mystical, I love it. The worldbuilding and fantasy is beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Death of parent
pipyon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a really good story. The concept is imaginative and I was hooked all the way through. Only thing I'd say is that the pacing was a little sudden at the end, felt rushed compared to how detailed the lead-up was to it. I had a bit of a hard time connecting to the characters as well, I feel like there could've been more focus on them. But nonetheless I'd definitely happily read it again for a short fantasy boost; the writing style was very gripping and the detail of having the maps used in the cover was really pretty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Minor: Death of parent
annaem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
“Each of us carries the map of our lives on our skin, in the way we walk, even in the way we grow.”
Isabella lives on a beautiful island, but she, and all those living there are only allowed on a specified section of the island. Isabella dreams of visiting the Forbidden Territories, as well as leaving the island to visit other countries. One day, Isabella’s best friend goes missing and a search is organised into the Forbidden Territories. Isabella disguises herself as a boy and offers her skills to be a part of the search party. The journey is full of danger and encounters with mythical creatures. A sad story full of friendship and sacrifice. I really enjoyed the determination of Isabella and her fierce friendship, as well as her firm belief in stories and how we can find ourselves in them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Death of parent
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