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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
As much as I loved the plot threads we were introduced to in this book, I have to admit that I'm starting to get really confused by this series. The timeline doesn't really make that much sense and I feel like I missed something important, which isn't a good thing--especially since I read the bulk of this series in less than a month. If I had been reading these more spaced out, like those who began it when the first volume was new and had to wait, I wouldn't have noticed this timeline issue. But it's starting to become a pretty big problem.
The way the books are paced makes it seem like all these events take place in a few weeks, but late in this sixth book we find out it's already been several months. There hasn't been any context to imply that this is the actual passage of time. Weather hasn't changed. The character development hasn't progressed as far as it should in months of time.
I'm a bit torn as to whether I think shorter or longer volumes would fix this problem. We'd get more development of plots and characters with more pages, but also if each volume simply had fewer elements to them. Either option would work, really. I'm still interested in seeing where this series goes, because I really do enjoy it. It's lots of fun and the artwork is simply gorgeous. But it's problematic if your readers can't keep the timeline straight. And I'm an adult. I'm not so sure the middle grade audience these books are targeted at would have any easier of a time understanding the timeline than I do--but then, maybe they wouldn't notice the discrepancies as much. I don't know. I haven't interacted with someone that age in a long time.
My final bit of critique for this particular book is this: It ended too late.
It really felt like everything after that moment was tacked on just so that we would know that everybody was safe. It kind of negated the whole "the stakes, for both Emily and Navin, are higher than ever" that the backcopy blurb promised us.
The way the books are paced makes it seem like all these events take place in a few weeks, but late in this sixth book we find out it's already been several months. There hasn't been any context to imply that this is the actual passage of time. Weather hasn't changed. The character development hasn't progressed as far as it should in months of time.
I'm a bit torn as to whether I think shorter or longer volumes would fix this problem. We'd get more development of plots and characters with more pages, but also if each volume simply had fewer elements to them. Either option would work, really. I'm still interested in seeing where this series goes, because I really do enjoy it. It's lots of fun and the artwork is simply gorgeous. But it's problematic if your readers can't keep the timeline straight. And I'm an adult. I'm not so sure the middle grade audience these books are targeted at would have any easier of a time understanding the timeline than I do--but then, maybe they wouldn't notice the discrepancies as much. I don't know. I haven't interacted with someone that age in a long time.
My final bit of critique for this particular book is this: It ended too late.
Spoiler
Personally, I think ending the volume at the part when Riva watches the elf ship plummet to the ground and thinks about Father Charles' prophecy as Trellis emerges from the wreckage would have had a much stronger impact than where we actually ended. We wouldn't have known the fate of Navin, Pil, and Aly, and would have been uncertain about the Stonekeepers, though confident in their safety.It really felt like everything after that moment was tacked on just so that we would know that everybody was safe. It kind of negated the whole "the stakes, for both Emily and Navin, are higher than ever" that the backcopy blurb promised us.
I was surprised at where Max's story went in this volume, although the resolution for his character was fitting. The story is now fully split in two, with Em, Vigo, Trellis, and Max in one location and Navin, Aly, and others in another. Bouncing back and forth between the two works fairly well, though I look forward to when everyone will be reunited. The art continues to be stunning.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
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:
No
Third book finished for Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-Thon April 2015.
As seen on Caity Reads.
This is an amazing series and I’ve loved it since the beginning. I cannot wait till the seventh book. This is an epic adventure full of different characters and a lot darker than one would expect. The art is beautiful and I eat it up every time I open one of these graphic novels. I was happy to discover this is not the final book in the series and that there will be a seventh book. We’ve gotten some answers in the last couple of volumes, but even more questions and I can’t wait to read more.
As seen on Caity Reads.
This is an amazing series and I’ve loved it since the beginning. I cannot wait till the seventh book. This is an epic adventure full of different characters and a lot darker than one would expect. The art is beautiful and I eat it up every time I open one of these graphic novels. I was happy to discover this is not the final book in the series and that there will be a seventh book. We’ve gotten some answers in the last couple of volumes, but even more questions and I can’t wait to read more.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall Series Review //
I read this entire graphic novel series within a month, and I loved the entire journey! The series arc was delightful to follow, with the characters learning and growing in each volume, learning more and dealing with wider implications.
The art style was also really beautiful, and I found it very clear as to the order to read the various story panels in, and I didn't get confused.
Highly recommend this series!
Specific Volume Review //
The events in the story keep getting more and more dangerous, with farther-reaching consequences. And I love it. When you start the series, it feels like a simple kids story, and while the series continues being aimed at a kids audience, it's still FASCINATING as an adult to see what's happening behind the scenes and kickstarting various events. I love it. I loved getting to see a new city, Lucien, and the ways it's citizens had to survive by retreating underground. I also loved seeing a new form of antagonist, the shadows, which can take over a person and make them do things they wouldn't ordinarily do. The new characters introduced, specifically Riza, were really interesting to get to know.
I read this entire graphic novel series within a month, and I loved the entire journey! The series arc was delightful to follow, with the characters learning and growing in each volume, learning more and dealing with wider implications.
The art style was also really beautiful, and I found it very clear as to the order to read the various story panels in, and I didn't get confused.
Highly recommend this series!
Specific Volume Review //
The events in the story keep getting more and more dangerous, with farther-reaching consequences. And I love it. When you start the series, it feels like a simple kids story, and while the series continues being aimed at a kids audience, it's still FASCINATING as an adult to see what's happening behind the scenes and kickstarting various events. I love it. I loved getting to see a new city, Lucien, and the ways it's citizens had to survive by retreating underground. I also loved seeing a new form of antagonist, the shadows, which can take over a person and make them do things they wouldn't ordinarily do. The new characters introduced, specifically Riza, were really interesting to get to know.