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lilprecious's review
5.0
Another re-read of this book... as always, I picked up little tidbits I hadn't noticed in my previous readings of this book. Now I'm one step closer to the newest (and final) book of the series!!
thebookmuse's review against another edition
5.0
Review on my blog - another great novel from Jackie French, book three in The Matilda Saga. Really enjoying this series.
emlinthegremlin's review
3.0
This was a solid three star book for me. I feel like while it is both well written and very unique, the pace is a little too slow and I disliked the main character. Nevertheless, this was an exciting instalment to the Matilda saga.
laurenjbooks's review
4.0
Jackie French never fails to amaze me with the way she writes. The only way I can describe it is magic, because it is vivid, exciting and nostalgic, seemingly without even trying.
Characters
Blue: As someone who is reading the Matilda Saga in order, Blue felt a little different to the protagonists from French's other stories. She wasn't brave like Flinty, or tough and determined like Matilda. Especially in the beginning of the novel, she did as she was told and went where she was instructed to. Even her escape from the aunt's house felt underwhelming, with people sneaking into her room, telling her what to do and Blue following their instructions with only half as many questions as I would have asked. Especially in the flashbacks I became frustrated with Blue because she was so oblivious to the sort of life people like her so-called friend Mah lead. However, as the story progressed Blue became more analytical of both her past life and current surroundings. She realised how she had treated Mah and the other servants, and we finally see some of her keen intellect that was nurtured by her father. I loved seeing Blue and Mah as factory owners, and the squished-fly biscuits were such a sweet (in both senses of the word) reminder of the life they had for a while. I also loved that as Blue became more confident in herself, the thing that was holding her back from fully experiencing life ripped open, and she didn't have to wait for surgery. She did it herself. Blue's development throughout the story, although frustrating at times, made her lovable and fun to read about.
Mah: Mah was for sure my favourite character! Sassy, smart and loyal to Blue, she doesn't let her ethnicity hold her back in a time where that seems to be all people see. Although she was extremely jealous of Blue and all the life she lead, Mah still saved her in the fire, still saved her from people she thought were poisoning her, still waited six months to see Fred and Blue again after Blue's escape. She's brave, facing things so Blue didn't have to, and kind, kind enough that while Blue is crippled due to her injury she helps her before thinking about herself. Her reaction to Fred's abrupt departure toward the end of the novel solidified my opinion of her. She didn't cry or throw a fit like many female characters would do, just nodded in acceptance and moved on. She is mature beyond her years and still herself through it all.
Madame: At first I didn't think much of Madame, or any of the circus people to be honest. I saw them as deceivers, taking people's money and throwing fake things back at them, with Madame the controlling old lady behind it all. But the impact the circus had on the people of Australia throughout the Depression, bringing smiles, no matter how they did it, was honourable and I could see why the circus folks certainly thought so. My respect for Madame only grew with the reveal of Ebeneezer and Ephraim, as well as the Olsens. She was truly a brave and kind-hearted woman, helping vulnerable girls simply because she had the capacity too. She is the kind of woman I hope I would be in that sort of situation.
Gertrude: Speaking of the Olsens, Gertrude was one character I truly couldn't stand throughout The Road to Gundagai . She was selfish, rude and stuck-up all the way to the end. Something I didn't enjoy about this book or about The Girl From Snowy River was the hate that the female protagonists threw the way of other girls their age (Amy I think her name was in book 2). From the moment Blue entered the circus the first time Gertrude was unwelcoming and cold, which I thought was entirely necessary. For someone who has been on her own all her life, a girl her age should be a friend, or a least a curiosity to be civil too for a while. As well, she had no character arc. Absolutely, with her talent, she should have joined the other circus, but why be so rude about it?
Plot
Overall, the story line was interesting with a few twists and turns along the way. The attempted murder aspect really kicks things off with a bang, especially after we find out that the fire in Blue's home was likely set on purpose. But the middle of the story dragged a bit, and though I loved reading it because I am a sucker for well written, well developed characters, I felt that the plot didn't move very much at all. But, after Blue and Mah connected with Matilda (whom it was lovely to see again), the plot did pick back up, and the scene at the end where Sheba stepped in to save Blue, oh, my heart! As soon as the chocolates were mentioned at the beginning I knew that was the source of the poisoning but the fact that Blue's aunts were the ones who crippled her by removing her from the hospital it added intrigue and I started to doubt myself. This is definitely a character-driven story like many of French's other works. I would not recommend it to those into fast-paced books with loads of action, but for those like me, who love a slow-paced, character focused story, I would for sure recommend the Matilda Saga.
Characters
Blue: As someone who is reading the Matilda Saga in order, Blue felt a little different to the protagonists from French's other stories. She wasn't brave like Flinty, or tough and determined like Matilda. Especially in the beginning of the novel, she did as she was told and went where she was instructed to. Even her escape from the aunt's house felt underwhelming, with people sneaking into her room, telling her what to do and Blue following their instructions with only half as many questions as I would have asked. Especially in the flashbacks I became frustrated with Blue because she was so oblivious to the sort of life people like her so-called friend Mah lead. However, as the story progressed Blue became more analytical of both her past life and current surroundings. She realised how she had treated Mah and the other servants, and we finally see some of her keen intellect that was nurtured by her father.
Mah: Mah was for sure my favourite character! Sassy, smart and loyal to Blue, she doesn't let her ethnicity hold her back in a time where that seems to be all people see.
Madame: At first I didn't think much of Madame, or any of the circus people to be honest. I saw them as deceivers, taking people's money and throwing fake things back at them, with Madame the controlling old lady behind it all. But the impact the circus had on the people of Australia throughout the Depression, bringing smiles, no matter how they did it, was honourable and I could see why the circus folks certainly thought so.
Gertrude: Speaking of the Olsens, Gertrude was one character I truly couldn't stand throughout The Road to Gundagai . She was selfish, rude and stuck-up all the way to the end. Something I didn't enjoy about this book or about The Girl From Snowy River was the hate that the female protagonists threw the way of other girls their age (Amy I think her name was in book 2). From the moment Blue entered the circus the first time Gertrude was unwelcoming and cold, which I thought was entirely necessary. For someone who has been on her own all her life, a girl her age should be a friend, or a least a curiosity to be civil too for a while.
Plot
Overall, the story line was interesting with a few twists and turns along the way. The attempted murder aspect really kicks things off with a bang, especially after we find out that the fire in Blue's home was likely set on purpose. But the middle of the story dragged a bit, and though I loved reading it because I am a sucker for well written, well developed characters, I felt that the plot didn't move very much at all.
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