Scan barcode
maaartha's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jm_black's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
A funny, lighthearted read with a unique magic system. I appreciate that the MC was actually written like a 14 year old (though an unusually brave one, perhaps).
I can see how this would be dark for a middle grade book, but none of the violence was particularly upsetting to me. Actually, my main criticism of the book is that none of the emotional beats really moved me, though I think the author was aiming to keep things light for the most part.
I can see how this would be dark for a middle grade book, but none of the violence was particularly upsetting to me. Actually, my main criticism of the book is that none of the emotional beats really moved me, though I think the author was aiming to keep things light for the most part.
alliereadbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
fleurrochard's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.5
harukoreads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so fun - it reminded me of so many of the off-beat fractured fairy tales I loved as a kid (like Dealing with Dragons or The Frog Princess), and I could see this being categorized as cozy fantasy because it's so charming, even as it deals with more serious themes.
I can definitely see why Kingfisher decided to publish this independently, because a publisher might struggle with the darker moments in this story (starting with the murder of a kid and then having more death and violent siege defense tactics makes this book feel a bit serious for a middle grade audience, although I'm pretty sure at that age I would have eaten this up). Maybe this book would do better positioned as middle grade fantasy written for nostalgic adults looking to explore ideas like how adventure narratives often ask too much of their child protagonists, and rely on the failures of the adults around them... that could be difficult to market though! In any case I'm very happy this book ended up published in some form, because I thoroughly enjoyed it and the un-marketable aspects of it that made it feel fresh and unique.
I do agree with some reviewers that parts dragged, particularly the moments when the plot slowed down to allow the main character Mona to process her emotions or explore her magic - I really enjoyed these parts (especially since it might be one of the first middle grade-ish books I've read that explores PTSD for a young protagonist!) but it definitely slowed the pace, and I wonder what kind of edits a traditional editor could have suggested to keep the pace going. Also, what happened to Elwidge the carpenter??
These are all nitpicks, however - overall I was DELIGHTED by the creativity of the magic, the thoroughness of the worldbuilding (which never devolved into exposition dumping, impressively enough), and the large cast of distinct and lovable characters. Quite a feat for such a short book to pull off! Kingfisher may become a favorite author for me.
I can definitely see why Kingfisher decided to publish this independently, because a publisher might struggle with the darker moments in this story (starting with the murder of a kid and then having more death and violent siege defense tactics makes this book feel a bit serious for a middle grade audience, although I'm pretty sure at that age I would have eaten this up). Maybe this book would do better positioned as middle grade fantasy written for nostalgic adults looking to explore ideas like how adventure narratives often ask too much of their child protagonists, and rely on the failures of the adults around them... that could be difficult to market though! In any case I'm very happy this book ended up published in some form, because I thoroughly enjoyed it and the un-marketable aspects of it that made it feel fresh and unique.
I do agree with some reviewers that parts dragged, particularly the moments when the plot slowed down to allow the main character Mona to process her emotions or explore her magic - I really enjoyed these parts (especially since it might be one of the first middle grade-ish books I've read that explores PTSD for a young protagonist!) but it definitely slowed the pace, and I wonder what kind of edits a traditional editor could have suggested to keep the pace going. Also, what happened to Elwidge the carpenter??
These are all nitpicks, however - overall I was DELIGHTED by the creativity of the magic, the thoroughness of the worldbuilding (which never devolved into exposition dumping, impressively enough), and the large cast of distinct and lovable characters. Quite a feat for such a short book to pull off! Kingfisher may become a favorite author for me.
pythonesque's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
leebliff's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
madelinerichards's review against another edition
3.0
I think this might be considered cozy fantasy even though there's a battle, but it was super cute!
lilleth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? Yes
4.5
sunny_yy's review against another edition
3.5
I liked the acknowledgements at the end and the general commentary on heroism (particularly with Uncle Albert)
SPOILERS below:
I know it’s addressed in the books but it really is ridiculous that the Duchess was just chilling and not doing anything. Then when things got dangerous, she expected kids and a traumatized woman and a poor old man to sacrifice themselves and fix the entire problem for her. I really really despised her character.
Also the third act of the book / battle scenes really really dragged.
In fact, there were lots of sections that were repetitive or kind of dragged a little. It could have definitely been edited down to be shorter and more concise.
SPOILERS below:
I know it’s addressed in the books but it really is ridiculous that the Duchess was just chilling and not doing anything. Then when things got dangerous, she expected kids and a traumatized woman and a poor old man to sacrifice themselves and fix the entire problem for her. I really really despised her character.
Also the third act of the book / battle scenes really really dragged.
In fact, there were lots of sections that were repetitive or kind of dragged a little. It could have definitely been edited down to be shorter and more concise.