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holacandita's review
4.0
4/5 because it took me a bit to get INTO it, but once I did, I loved it. Immediately started book 2. Whimsical but not dumbed down, YA but still incredibly enjoyable for an Old Adult like me. #2018readharder The First Book in a New-to-You YA or Middle-Grade Series
morgob's review
4.0
This was really a clever little read. It reminded me of Stardust and Once Upon a Marigold, a little fantasy that was fun to read and had lovable characters. It's like a classic fairytale with a touch of modern, that happy feel-good type of setting. I'm not sure how to explain it. It's like watching your favorite childhood movie as an adult but the characters have grown up as well. I thought the magic system was something new and cool, and I really enjoyed discovering it. The characters were all so great as well. I loved the Sheriff, Hector, and Elliot, and Elliot's mom, Petra. I love that name as well. The only one I really disliked was Belle. Even Madeleine's mom turned out alright in the end. Madeleine's story was really sad and heartbreaking. It's like the "Age of Not Believing" type of deal and it was really sad to witness. But these two combined stories, the things they had in common and how the characters helped each other while still having two completely different plots going on on each side, it was just fantastic. I almost gave it five stars. In fact, I'm not entirely sure why I didn't. I know there was some reason. Perhaps it was something to do with the writing or the pace of the book. I'm not sure. I'll think of it later. Anyway, I loved this book, and I was actually really glad my mom woke me up last night to tell me to read it in the morning. It made for a very enjoyable day.
hannahhbic's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I absolutely adored this book and ate it up in a manner of 3-4 consecutive hours. Will try to find the words to describe it properly at some point but 'genre defying' is a great term to start with.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
I am anxiously awaiting more books in this series! The ending leaves me wanting more (in a good way) and I love the Kingdom of Cello and Elliott Baranski. This is four stars because the Cambridge/Madeleine part of the story dragged a bit for me and left me wondering if everything was just a figment of her imagination. That didn't work with this book, for me. From the last few chapters, though, I think this storyline will pick up, too. It's a great fantasy with a British wit, adventure, and a lot of heart.
stephxsu's review
4.0
Jaclyn Moriarty and her epistolary novels were some of my favorites in my pre-blogging years. Did her latest offering live up to my now-admittedly-quite-jaded demands for quality fiction? A day after closing the book with a contented sigh, I am happy to say: yes, yes it did.
14-year-old Madeleine Tully and her mother are living in Cambridge, England after running away from her father and their former glamorous life. When Madeleine spies a piece of paper peeking out from a random parking meter and writes back, she thinks it’s crazy that Elliot Baranski, the person at the other end of the letters, claims to be from another world called the Kingdom of Cello…
…but Cello is real, and so is Elliot. For a year now, Elliot has been obsessed with the mystery of his father’s disappearance. As things unfold, however, the more it seems like there are more things wrong with Cello than he realized—and it turns out that Madeleine and Elliot could use each other’s help.
A CORNER OF WHITE possesses a sort of whimsy that is effortless and not overbearing. Reading this is not so much about understanding and relating to the main characters, or getting a complete picture of the world of Cello, but rather how Moriarty uses words that have existed elsewhere before and puts them together so that they look brand new. Her words are like color itself: surprising, vivid, and probably what we’ll remember most about the reading experience.
Many authors start their books off with attention-grabbing chapters and just sort of assume that readers will hang on through poor pacing and awkward plot twists. A CORNER OF WHITE has a fairly intriguing beginning, then doesn’t care whether or not you’re confused or ambivalent in the middle (you will be), then has a flawlessly put-together ending of Megan Whalen Turner proportions that will leave you gaping and swooning. Whether or not you understand or relate to Madeleine and Elliot, the way the story is laid out will ensnare you, so that even while you’re still exclaiming to whoever will listen that the story is confusing the heck out of you, you can’t stop turning the pages.
Not only was A CORNER OF WHITE a great reading experience for me, it also left me firmly invested in Madeleine and Elliot’s intertwined worlds and fates. The book ends satisfyingly, yet still opens up numerous possibilities to be explored in future books, which I will definitely be reading. Fans of Franny Billingsley, Catherynne Valente, Margo Lanagan, and Jasper Fforde’s writings will undoubtedly fall head over heels for this highly imaginative book.
14-year-old Madeleine Tully and her mother are living in Cambridge, England after running away from her father and their former glamorous life. When Madeleine spies a piece of paper peeking out from a random parking meter and writes back, she thinks it’s crazy that Elliot Baranski, the person at the other end of the letters, claims to be from another world called the Kingdom of Cello…
…but Cello is real, and so is Elliot. For a year now, Elliot has been obsessed with the mystery of his father’s disappearance. As things unfold, however, the more it seems like there are more things wrong with Cello than he realized—and it turns out that Madeleine and Elliot could use each other’s help.
A CORNER OF WHITE possesses a sort of whimsy that is effortless and not overbearing. Reading this is not so much about understanding and relating to the main characters, or getting a complete picture of the world of Cello, but rather how Moriarty uses words that have existed elsewhere before and puts them together so that they look brand new. Her words are like color itself: surprising, vivid, and probably what we’ll remember most about the reading experience.
Many authors start their books off with attention-grabbing chapters and just sort of assume that readers will hang on through poor pacing and awkward plot twists. A CORNER OF WHITE has a fairly intriguing beginning, then doesn’t care whether or not you’re confused or ambivalent in the middle (you will be), then has a flawlessly put-together ending of Megan Whalen Turner proportions that will leave you gaping and swooning. Whether or not you understand or relate to Madeleine and Elliot, the way the story is laid out will ensnare you, so that even while you’re still exclaiming to whoever will listen that the story is confusing the heck out of you, you can’t stop turning the pages.
Not only was A CORNER OF WHITE a great reading experience for me, it also left me firmly invested in Madeleine and Elliot’s intertwined worlds and fates. The book ends satisfyingly, yet still opens up numerous possibilities to be explored in future books, which I will definitely be reading. Fans of Franny Billingsley, Catherynne Valente, Margo Lanagan, and Jasper Fforde’s writings will undoubtedly fall head over heels for this highly imaginative book.
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
A Corner Of White is a breath of fresh air in a world of young adult novels focused on zombies, vampires and post-apocalyptic dreariness. Sure, the characters have their problems, but they are just so quirky and good natured that you can't help but laugh with them and cheer for them.
Elliot Baranski lives in the Kingdom of Cello, a world different from ours. In his world, his father has gone missing. Also, it's a land where colors can attack and create weird effects on people. It's got a fantasy feel to it, but people have televisions and cars. It seems like a brighter, happier version of our world with travelling princesses and the occasional lucky butterfly child falling from the sky to give a boost to the crops.
Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England with her mom. Her dad is missing for a different reason, and her mom is addicted to watching a quiz show and convinced she could be a contestant, even though all her answers are wrong.
Elliot and Madeleine meet by exchanging notes in a crack between their worlds. There is sadness and intrigue. There is Lord Byron and Sir Isaac Newton. There are quirky friends. And the characters are really likeable. The second book is due out in a couple weeks, and this book ends wide open and ready for a continuation. I really, really liked this book.
I was given a review copy of this book by Scholastic and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this great book.
Elliot Baranski lives in the Kingdom of Cello, a world different from ours. In his world, his father has gone missing. Also, it's a land where colors can attack and create weird effects on people. It's got a fantasy feel to it, but people have televisions and cars. It seems like a brighter, happier version of our world with travelling princesses and the occasional lucky butterfly child falling from the sky to give a boost to the crops.
Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England with her mom. Her dad is missing for a different reason, and her mom is addicted to watching a quiz show and convinced she could be a contestant, even though all her answers are wrong.
Elliot and Madeleine meet by exchanging notes in a crack between their worlds. There is sadness and intrigue. There is Lord Byron and Sir Isaac Newton. There are quirky friends. And the characters are really likeable. The second book is due out in a couple weeks, and this book ends wide open and ready for a continuation. I really, really liked this book.
I was given a review copy of this book by Scholastic and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to read this great book.
aliena_jackson's review
4.0
This book was amazing! I loved it so much! It was creative, and the magic system was fun! I can’t wait to dig into the second book!
bookishmadness's review against another edition
4.0
What it's about: Two worlds - The Kingdom of Cello and The World, collide when a crack opens between them - big enough to get a letter through. Elliot, in Cello, has to deal with a missing father, a new girlfriend and a Butterfly child. Madeleine, in the world, has to deal with a sick mother, Isaac Newton and an absent dad. Together, perhaps they can help each other, with just the right nudge.
What I thought: Holey smokes. This book was amazing. I absolutely love Jaclyn Moriarty and when I heard she was releasing a new book, I was so excited. Now I have read it, I am so desperate for the next one! This book has a bit of fantasy, a bit of contemporary all rolled into one - two fantastically created worlds which you delve into and never want to leave. I know I didn't.
The good: The Kingdom of Cello! What a fantastic idea! In Cello, colours can be good, or dangerously bad. The seasons pass by with the wind. There is a Butterfly Child, the size of your index finger. Yes, this all sounds ridiculous. That is why you have to read for yourself and you too, like me, will discover this amazing world of Cello! Elliot is a teenage boy, hell bent on finding his father. He is a town hero and he has such a wonderful heart, I almost fell in love with him instantly. In the World, Madeleine has gone from a life of wealth and luxury to a life of beans and quiz shows. She knows her mother is sick somehow, but she can't convince her to see a doctor. She is strong but also vulnerable, another fantastic character. The characters, teamed with the plot line make for a fantastic read!
The bad: It was quite confusing at first, but you need to keep reading it, for it to make sense.
Rating: 5 bookstacks
What I thought: Holey smokes. This book was amazing. I absolutely love Jaclyn Moriarty and when I heard she was releasing a new book, I was so excited. Now I have read it, I am so desperate for the next one! This book has a bit of fantasy, a bit of contemporary all rolled into one - two fantastically created worlds which you delve into and never want to leave. I know I didn't.
The good: The Kingdom of Cello! What a fantastic idea! In Cello, colours can be good, or dangerously bad. The seasons pass by with the wind. There is a Butterfly Child, the size of your index finger. Yes, this all sounds ridiculous. That is why you have to read for yourself and you too, like me, will discover this amazing world of Cello! Elliot is a teenage boy, hell bent on finding his father. He is a town hero and he has such a wonderful heart, I almost fell in love with him instantly. In the World, Madeleine has gone from a life of wealth and luxury to a life of beans and quiz shows. She knows her mother is sick somehow, but she can't convince her to see a doctor. She is strong but also vulnerable, another fantastic character. The characters, teamed with the plot line make for a fantastic read!
The bad: It was quite confusing at first, but you need to keep reading it, for it to make sense.
Rating: 5 bookstacks
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the weirdest books I've ever liked! Moriarty excels in letter format, so I was pleased to see that come up again. I think this would be easier to recommend to an adult than a teen-I really enjoyed it, but I was a little skeptical at the beginning about whether I could grow to enjoy this book. Turns out I could, so I'm looking forward to seeing if my teens can too.