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captainbella's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
goldenlake's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
elizareads35's review against another edition
4.0
A treat for readers (like me) who love Pierce’s Tortall books and like deep dives into this highly detailed world.
bookish_whispers's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED IT!
The Tortall books were some of my favorites growing up, and that feeling as changed since becoming an adult. Through all of those years two characters have always been my favorite: George Cooper and Numair Salmalin. So to finally have a book put together by the bits of papers that George Cooper had in a spare room was all I needed to know. With the added bonus that Numair would make an appearance, just and added bonus! Nothing about this book disappointed me.
It's just not the work of Tamora Pierce, but of her and friends who also love the land of Tortall. However, I couldn't tell. Everything flowed together wonderful. There wasn't a moment where I didn't think a page didn't fit well into the world that Tamora Pierce had created, or that a character felt different from how I remembered them.
I loved the added bits of artwork as well. Finally getting to see what a few of the characters actually look like in, as well as how a few of the Immortal Creatures actually look like. In some places it added it a bit of fun, like the section all about the feasts for Their Majesties.
As a whole I thought the book flowed well together. Each section is clearly marked of what you're about to get, and each section dips its toe into a different part of the stories that came before it. Mentions of characters, places, and events. Which was fun to be brought back to places I haven't been in years! It was also a reminder of certain characters that I disliked, because sadly some of them made an appearance that they are want to do.
It was also fun to get to see a bit for the Lioness's children. While Aly has a whole book written around her, her brother's only get a small mention. So it was nice to get to see a bit of them. Of course it was delightful to see a grown up George Cooper as well. Though, not much has really changed in my opinion.
Really I don't have enough words to talk about how much I adored Tortall: A Spy's Guide. The only bad thing I have to say is that I'm always sad when Beka Copper doesn't get a mention, but I also understand she was a little before the time frame of this book. I was also sad that Faithful got very little mention. Faithful is one of my favorite creatures in the entire Tortall world!
Honestly, it was great book that I had to force myself to not devour in a single sitting. And it's one I'll go back and reread to see what I missed the first the time around.
The Tortall books were some of my favorites growing up, and that feeling as changed since becoming an adult. Through all of those years two characters have always been my favorite: George Cooper and Numair Salmalin. So to finally have a book put together by the bits of papers that George Cooper had in a spare room was all I needed to know. With the added bonus that Numair would make an appearance, just and added bonus! Nothing about this book disappointed me.
It's just not the work of Tamora Pierce, but of her and friends who also love the land of Tortall. However, I couldn't tell. Everything flowed together wonderful. There wasn't a moment where I didn't think a page didn't fit well into the world that Tamora Pierce had created, or that a character felt different from how I remembered them.
I loved the added bits of artwork as well. Finally getting to see what a few of the characters actually look like in, as well as how a few of the Immortal Creatures actually look like. In some places it added it a bit of fun, like the section all about the feasts for Their Majesties.
As a whole I thought the book flowed well together. Each section is clearly marked of what you're about to get, and each section dips its toe into a different part of the stories that came before it. Mentions of characters, places, and events. Which was fun to be brought back to places I haven't been in years! It was also a reminder of certain characters that I disliked, because sadly some of them made an appearance that they are want to do.
It was also fun to get to see a bit for the Lioness's children. While Aly has a whole book written around her, her brother's only get a small mention. So it was nice to get to see a bit of them. Of course it was delightful to see a grown up George Cooper as well. Though, not much has really changed in my opinion.
Really I don't have enough words to talk about how much I adored Tortall: A Spy's Guide. The only bad thing I have to say is that I'm always sad when Beka Copper doesn't get a mention, but I also understand she was a little before the time frame of this book. I was also sad that Faithful got very little mention. Faithful is one of my favorite creatures in the entire Tortall world!
Honestly, it was great book that I had to force myself to not devour in a single sitting. And it's one I'll go back and reread to see what I missed the first the time around.
silenciadelumbrae's review against another edition
4.0
Way to start out the new book with a bang! That first letter oh man!
But seriously, this is so cute. I love finding out more about everyone's history, and little Aly, and all the bits and bobs that I missed before or that weren't really included until now. I love all the nods to characters that maybe we haven't seen in a while. I like knowing where things are going for characters I love!
This is a really fast and easy read. The only thing I didn't really think was necessary was the timeline--it seemed a little pointless, but I suppose people who haven't read every single one of these books over and over would have some use for it. So, you know, fair enough.
It's so good you guys. It's so good. It's so fun. I am officially on the hype train for Tempests and Slaughter because this one reminded me how much I love Tortall.
But seriously, this is so cute. I love finding out more about everyone's history, and little Aly, and all the bits and bobs that I missed before or that weren't really included until now. I love all the nods to characters that maybe we haven't seen in a while. I like knowing where things are going for characters I love!
This is a really fast and easy read. The only thing I didn't really think was necessary was the timeline--it seemed a little pointless, but I suppose people who haven't read every single one of these books over and over would have some use for it. So, you know, fair enough.
It's so good you guys. It's so good. It's so fun. I am officially on the hype train for Tempests and Slaughter because this one reminded me how much I love Tortall.
doc_savage's review against another edition
4.0
Exceedingly interesting for someone who has read Tamora Pierce’s Tortallan novels. Definitely filled with “spoilers” if you haven’t finished any of the series. It explains this, though, so it shouldn’t catch new readers unawares. While I loved the tidbits, I still prefer a storyline/plot over an informational guidebook, so that’s the only reason it doesn’t get full marks for me.
earthie's review against another edition
2.0
I've read all of the other Tortall universe books and frankly found this one lacking. Maybe it was the audiobook format, but it was the first of her books that I've ever felt like I wanted to be over quicker.
gearsandsteam's review against another edition
3.0
While it is great to have more insight into Tortall and its fellow countries, I found this book slightly boring. I did appreciate the timeline and information on the spy agency, but otherwise it was a bit dry and I often found myself asking "Why do I care about this?".
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
1.0
I loved these books as a kid, and I still love them...but this particular book is weird. This would make an awesome website -- all the random bits in this book could be put together to make something like that officially-sanctioned Harry Potter online world website. But as a book*, it didn't work for me.
*I read the eBook...it's very possible that this would also be much better as a print book.
*I read the eBook...it's very possible that this would also be much better as a print book.
mostlyromancereading's review against another edition
4.0
This might not have been perfect, but damn, the feels!
I particularly enjoyed the family letters and getting a better idea of timelines, and a few of the stories left me wanting more. My favorite part was finding out that
I particularly enjoyed the family letters and getting a better idea of timelines, and a few of the stories left me wanting more. My favorite part was finding out that