DNF 70%
adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous medium-paced
lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Kids have been reading this for years and I thought I'd jump in. Great fantasy read for upper elementary and middle school. This time the world of elves bring the magic as Sophie is taken from the human world and into the land of her people...or, rather, elves. 
adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No

The story was good, some characters were also interesting but the writing didn't really draw me in. Transitions between scenes and emotions were often abrupt. Plus I don't like main characters being ALL THAT and it seemed Sophie had all the abilities in the elven world. Overall I liked it but not enough to pick up the next books
adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

A fun adventure
adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kotlc re-read challenge 1/11

rating: 3.5 stars

overall thoughts: i LOVED this book when i was younger. looking back on it, it was a great middle grade novel, with a great concept and fun characters. however, most of this book was exposition and all that went on was set-up for the rest of the series.

what i liked: i really liked the concept of the book, if that makes sense? the whole idea of elves living in secret and running the world along with other ‘fantasy’ creatures is so cool, even if it’s not the most original thing in the world. all the cities were so cool, and the magic system was great. i also adored grady and edaline. their home was so cool and so fun, and their whole plot line with jolie and struggling to adopt sophie because of their loss was dealt with so well. the way they were characterised was really good. 

what i didn’t like: i know this is discussed more in later books, but this society is not as perfect as it is made out to be. there is so much misogyny here? i cant quite put my finger on it, but there’s something there. oh yeah, and edaline is repeatedly described as delicate and most of the male characters objectify women and the phrase “not like other girls” is thrown around a lot. and the classism is crazy bad. wdym an ability you can’t control determines your whole life and the city you work in? this is random but if everyone has houses all over the world how are they all one the same time zone? the worldbuilding is just so noticeably off.

my favourite quote/s: “she pushed the anger and darkness out of her mind, needing to be free of it.”

*ੈ✩‧₊˚


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

This book is like candy - glittery and compelling but ultimately not that satisfying. I read it at the best of my tween daughter who is OBSESSED with this series.