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laurawil's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
megangraff's review against another edition
3.0
A student recommended this book saying she loved it. It had good parts and I can't think of another children's book that has Kublai Khan in it. I will recommend to certain students.
05claire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
situationnormal's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite books that I had to read for Battle of the Books. I just really became attached to this one.
natniss's review against another edition
3.0
I read this when I was at school and the opening with the kite death really freaked me out.
Rereading it now, as an adult, that scene is still pretty disturbing. Sadly, after that the whole story drags quite a bit. I really struggled to get engaged with it or with the lead character.
Rereading it now, as an adult, that scene is still pretty disturbing. Sadly, after that the whole story drags quite a bit. I really struggled to get engaged with it or with the lead character.
lorayne's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book to pair with study about the Yuan dynasty! It dives right into suspense from the first chapter when Haoyou's father is killed and keeps you guessing till the end as Haoyou tries to do everything in his power to help his mother.
If used in a class setting, I would definitely make sure the students have an understanding of the Monguls conquest and the Chinese's reaction to it before starting to read this book.
If used in a class setting, I would definitely make sure the students have an understanding of the Monguls conquest and the Chinese's reaction to it before starting to read this book.
daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
1.0
I just couldn't take this book. I stopped reading just a few pages into the story when the father was killed for no reason.
elentarien's review against another edition
3.0
FINALLY settled in with some knitting to listen to the rest of this one.
Over all it was quite an interesting read/listen. The actors did a good job of bringing it to life and the annoying characters were suitably strangle-worthy. The author did a good job of giving the reader a feeling of being back in 13th Century China without overwhelming us with historical details. Details were presented as needed and reasonably paced with the action.
I found the characters a little annoying, however. The main character (the boy) seemed either exceptionally stupid or a very slow learner when it came to making the right choices and dealing with his family, and the adults around him never seemed to explain much or take the time to try to teach him.
Still, it was interesting, and ended quite well, without leaving the reader dangling or wondering what happened.
The concept of the story was quite interesting too. Riding on a kite. . .if a bit odd. But I'll blame the oddness on the practice that caught the author's attention in the first place. :)
Over all it was quite an interesting read/listen. The actors did a good job of bringing it to life and the annoying characters were suitably strangle-worthy. The author did a good job of giving the reader a feeling of being back in 13th Century China without overwhelming us with historical details. Details were presented as needed and reasonably paced with the action.
I found the characters a little annoying, however. The main character (the boy) seemed either exceptionally stupid or a very slow learner when it came to making the right choices and dealing with his family, and the adults around him never seemed to explain much or take the time to try to teach him.
Still, it was interesting, and ended quite well, without leaving the reader dangling or wondering what happened.
The concept of the story was quite interesting too. Riding on a kite. . .if a bit odd. But I'll blame the oddness on the practice that caught the author's attention in the first place. :)
itscakey's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so glad I never returned this book to school after borrowing it, because it's amazing, and one I want to keep on my bookshelf forever.