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emilyelisee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
lfl's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Loved it. Harry Potter but make it Black, female, TERF-less, and if we’re being really honest, way more interesting.
manglitter's review against another edition
4.0
I hope that they are thinking about making a movie based on this book, also Percy Jackson, Harry Potter move away from the screen we want something fresh like this. Really this book must be a movie by the end of 2022.
It was well done, also let's be honest Amari reminded me a lot of Hermione Granger with her intelligence and courage.
It was well done, also let's be honest Amari reminded me a lot of Hermione Granger with her intelligence and courage.
disabledbookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
shullin3's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a ton of fun and kept me hooked from the first page! Highly recommend this and hope there are more books to come! Amari is a wonderful character who you want nothing but the best for and to cheer on the whole way.
My only qualms are that with the build up to the villain, his downfall felt too easy and quick. Also the whole encounter with the magician she meets at the festival seemed very convenient. Overall though it was a very entertaining and enjoyable read.
#middlegrademarch
My only qualms are that with the build up to the villain, his downfall felt too easy and quick. Also the whole encounter with the magician she meets at the festival seemed very convenient. Overall though it was a very entertaining and enjoyable read.
#middlegrademarch
thelilbookwitch's review against another edition
4.0
A solid start with enjoyable, if predictable, twists that play out along the way as we meet a great cast of characters. Racism and bullying play a big part of the story, and their resolution is ripe for discussion within families, book groups, and classrooms.
The introduction to Amari's world felt appropriate in terms of appeal to middle grade readers, so while I might have preferred a bit more nuance or self-analysis, her character growth through the story felt authentic in a way I think will resonate with other kids who might be experiencing similar things to her.
Things I like to pay attention to when it comes to middle grade novels is: how are the adults written? All of them felt different, with believable personalities and biases, though some definitely got more time to shine than others.
The magic system of the world is flimsy and a bit of an unacknowledged double standard that goes unchallenged thus far (for a supernatural society that hates magicians, almost all of it is powered with magic/tech magic and enchantments so...who the heck is doing all that work?), though I have hopes for the second novel if I find the time to read it.
I'd be comfortable handing this book to as young as 4th grade, but likely no higher than 7th grade just because Amari is so young and the appeal will drop once the kids are older than the protagonist. A great read-along option with a powerful present-tense voice protagonist.
The introduction to Amari's world felt appropriate in terms of appeal to middle grade readers, so while I might have preferred a bit more nuance or self-analysis, her character growth through the story felt authentic in a way I think will resonate with other kids who might be experiencing similar things to her.
Things I like to pay attention to when it comes to middle grade novels is: how are the adults written? All of them felt different, with believable personalities and biases, though some definitely got more time to shine than others.
The magic system of the world is flimsy and a bit of an unacknowledged double standard that goes unchallenged thus far (for a supernatural society that hates magicians, almost all of it is powered with magic/tech magic and enchantments so...who the heck is doing all that work?), though I have hopes for the second novel if I find the time to read it.
I'd be comfortable handing this book to as young as 4th grade, but likely no higher than 7th grade just because Amari is so young and the appeal will drop once the kids are older than the protagonist. A great read-along option with a powerful present-tense voice protagonist.
kevdioltreforesta's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
bouldermimi's review against another edition
4.0
Read 5/22/21 - Audiobook
This is a Middle Grade book. There are some similarities to Harry Potter and Men in Black, but still a lot of fun! And how cute is Elsie at the end!
This is a Middle Grade book. There are some similarities to Harry Potter and Men in Black, but still a lot of fun! And how cute is Elsie at the end!