Reviews

Jack Frost: The End Becomes the Beginning by William Joyce

nicxmac's review against another edition

5.0

After what feels like forever, I have finally read this book. I didn't expect this to be an illustrated book but it was a fun and quick read. Both the story and the illustrations were amazing. I'll be reading the actual Jack Frost novel next!

Some ramblings from the past before this book was even announced or published:

Spoiler

EDIT: 8/22/15
YAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
FINALLY, Our prayers have been answered! :D

----------------

PLEASE LET IT BE JACK FROST

PLEASE LET IT BE JACK FROST

PLEASE LET IT BE JACK FROST

PLEASE LET IT BE JACK FROST

----

and I just saw this on tumblr so my feelings are all heightened!!!



Jack be nimble,

Jack be quick,

Jack forgot to check if the ice was thick.

Emma was still,

Emma was late,

Emma’s brother is now part of the lake.

Time has passed,

Time has gone,

Time brought Jack back wrong.

He was solemn,

He was brave,

He left his coat on Emma’s grave.

Emma was sad,

Emma was scared,

But she knew inside that Jack really cared.

Jack was lost,

Jack had forgot,

That he had a story before the plot.

Jack had wondered,

Jack had fought,

Jack had remembered what he had forgot.

I hope you dream.

I hope you wonder.

I hope you have fun because this is done.

Keep believing everyone.

Jack be fearless,

Jack be bold,

Jack drowned when he was 17 years old.

tami_provencher's review against another edition

5.0

I hardly have words for how much I love this book (and The Guardians series)! I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot, because Jack Frost is the final (5th) book in the series and I don't want to accidentally give away plot points from books earlier in the series. I highly recommend reading the entire series in order and Jack Frost is a fitting finale! William Joyce's gift for imaginative storytelling and the way in which he holds childhood as something sacred and to be eternally treasured are unmatched.

If the illustration on the cover looks familiar, you may remember the Dreamworks animated movie of 2012 Rise of the Guardians, which is based on William Joyce's The Guardians series. One of the things I love about this book is that, although it does contain the origin story of Jack Frost like the 2012 movie, it is NOT in any way a rehash of the movie, itself. From a story perspective both the movie and the book Jack Frost fit together in the history of The Guardians. It is one of the rare exceptions where a movie based on the literary characters perfectly complements and ADDS to the effectiveness and enjoyment of the story.

One of my favorite aspects of the Jack Frost story is the introduction of the country Raconteuristan, peopled by Raconturks, the leaders of whom are chosen "by the beauty, wit, and power of the stories they told." Their only rule is that fiction can never "be used to hurt any real person, and most important, anyone who was overtly cruel or mean would be banished." I find the Raconturks' use of language to be one of the most delightful things about which I have ever read:

Most impressively, they had also contrived a method of using invented words that, when spoken at the proper volume and inflection, could completely incapacitate any foe. These words were called "onomatopoeia" and they were most impressive in sound and effect. Fwapp! Kapow! Shhing! Splat! Ka-ping! Ka-thunk! Crack-a-twang! Kerr-BLOOM! Ker-SPLAT! KER-BLAM! KER-FWANG!

All the books in The Guardians series emphasize the simple motivation to uphold the values of love, kindness, compassion and friendship, as the pillars of peaceful and loving existence in this world. The villain in the story, Pitch Black, started as a kind and noble man, brought to evil through extreme sorrow and is one of the most tangible literary examples of how grief, anger and bitterness left unchecked can twist our motivations and behavior. The books in this series are the kinds of stories I would have gotten lost in as a child--and find I still can as an adult. There is comfort in experiencing a story where the values by which I try to live provide the path and the tools to navigate difficult times and situations.

The entire Guardians series is 100% family-friendly and filled with hope and a touch of magic. They are the perfect independent or read-aloud choice for these social-distancing times! It was exactly what I needed!

Other books in The Guardians series:
Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King
E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core
Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies
The Sandman and the War of Dreams

bluesapphirereads's review against another edition

3.0

Gotta say, I feel like there was a book missing between book 4 and this one. It was still well written but it had been 100 years between books and it felt like the plot and war between light and dark was a footnote in the book instead of splitting into 2 and giving each plot the attention they deserved.

decembermagpie's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-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? No

4.0

michelletheshell's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

edencruz's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ihre_hasistaet's review against another edition

4.0

The final book of the Guardians series was a great conclusion to the story. In the beginning it was a bit confusing because there was quite a big time leap between book 4 and 5 and so we start the story by retelling what we missed, jumping back and forth in time. But all is resolved really well, the pieces fit together nicely and Jack Frost is an amazing character. Illustrations are as great as always.

Ps:it is from a storyline perspective completely different than the movie, but they work both and I loved them both.

sarahofstories's review against another edition

5.0

I loved it. The whimsical dreamy quality of this series will never cease to amaze me. I was confused for the first 1/3 of the book because I felt like I was missing something or like there was a book I should have read but I didn't. I didn't miss anything this book just takes place after a battle that we haven't seen before (it is described later in this book). I did enjoy the characters become the fabled individuals that they did but I would have liked a little more explanation about how. I liked the simplicity of the ending - the classic words that now have their own kind of magic.

The End

calistareads's review against another edition

4.0

I love thes Guardians of Childhood stories by William. They are so beautiful and the imagination drips from the pages. This is the weaker of the 3 stories, but it’s still a great story. This is about Jack or Nightlight who protected the man in the Moon. By saving the moon man he falls to Earth where he gets cold without the light of the Moon Man. He is free. He remembers who he is and he protects children as Jack Frost.

I didn’t feel there was as much to this story as the others. It felt a little like it was half told, but maybe the simple straight forward story is all that’s needed. I do hope he will write more stories in this series. They are wonderful and I would love to own them all.

The kids love this series as well and they both gave the story 5 stars. The Nephew really liked Jack Frost, which go figure.

aoutramafalda's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0