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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
pretty fun. i think the worldbuilding was wonderful and i loved learning about the world of the elves, but the characters (with the exception of dex and some of the adult characters) just fell really flat for me. especially sophie, who is, to put it lightly, the definition of a mary sue character.
I really enjoyed this book. It is very much the "not like other girls" and "chosen one" trope. To say this is very along the lines of Harry Potter in the way characters and relationships are developed would not be a stretch. No, I don't say that about every middle grade. It follows a very similar kind of character development formula and I can't quantify it any better than that. In this case, you are following the Hermione like character rather than a Harry character, but that's neither here nor there. Not to mention that Shannon Messenger is not a raging bigot, so that helps. The world, the plot and ultimately characters themselves are all own in the end and I really appreciate that. My major complaint is that there was a bit of deus ex machina near the end and everything wraps up way too nicely in the end even for a middle grade, but that did not prevent me from enjoying it.
We read this at bedtime as a family. It was met with various “I loved it” and “it was really good” reviews
I'll just say that this book definitely lived up to the greatness so many people claimed it is. Like, wow! I was expecting to only give this 4 stars at most, but as all of y'all can see, I thought this was great enough to go with 5.
Sophie was incredible! AND SHE REFERENCED LORD OF THE RINGS!!! (I am obviously still so very happy about that)
I liked Fitz a good bit. He's not my favorite elf ever (that honor goes to Legolas), but he'd be second place.
I know this is only the first book (and this is going to be so controversial), but I don't see what all the hype Keefe gets is about... Maybe it's just that I haven't seen enough of him to know? But I just don't get it...
There were a couple of mistakes with Sophie's age, though. Towards the beginning of the book, Sophie tells Fitz that she's 12½, but around 30 chapters later, it's said that she's 11, before having her turn 13 by the end of the book (which did add up with what was originally said about her age).
But overall, this was a very intriguing book, I really enjoyed it!
Sophie was incredible! AND SHE REFERENCED LORD OF THE RINGS!!! (I am obviously still so very happy about that)
I liked Fitz a good bit. He's not my favorite elf ever (that honor goes to Legolas), but he'd be second place.
I know this is only the first book (and this is going to be so controversial), but I don't see what all the hype Keefe gets is about... Maybe it's just that I haven't seen enough of him to know? But I just don't get it...
There were a couple of mistakes with Sophie's age, though. Towards the beginning of the book, Sophie tells Fitz that she's 12½, but around 30 chapters later, it's said that she's 11, before having her turn 13 by the end of the book (which did add up with what was originally said about her age).
But overall, this was a very intriguing book, I really enjoyed it!
emotional
hopeful
tense
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:
Yes
It's a start. Too many questions asked, too much explanations. Hopefully the next one will be self-explanatory.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a very entertaining read. It had great world building, amazing character development, and a fun/interesting plot. However, at times, Messenger uses so much repetition in every way possible to make sure the reader realizes that our main character is super duper special. At one point, I was like, "bruh, I get it...she's super special". But nope, every chance Messenger gets we are reminded of this. That really wore on my nerves, which detracted from my enjoyment of this book.
Great start to series, but there wasn't enough in this book to make me want to continue with this series.
Great start to series, but there wasn't enough in this book to make me want to continue with this series.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
4.5!!
I wish there weren't snide comments about girls and the "not like other girls trope", and I wish the diversity was better, but I did really love my time reading and I'm so excited to continue the series!
I wish there weren't snide comments about girls and the "not like other girls trope", and I wish the diversity was better, but I did really love my time reading and I'm so excited to continue the series!
adventurous
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