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erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Garth Nix comes at us with pirates and nautical themes in Book 3 of the Keys tot the Kingdom series. I liked this one but I wonder if it was for entirely the wrong reasons!
I could not help but notice that this book is peppered with ties to C.S. Lewis (Narnia), especially Voyage of the Dawn Treader, including a portal through an ocean painting, talking sailor rats, a magical device that allows one to see and hear what is happening to a loved one, the whole timey-wimey stuff with time at home moving much slower than in The House, and recurring jokes about using wardrobes as portals to other worlds. I found it cute that he leaned into such obvious tropes.
Exploring inside a giant whale reminded me way too much of Lord JabuJabu in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, despite the whole TARDIS feel of things not being relational to their outside appearance. I am loving that that Garth Nix manages to create a character who has an impossible appetite that they struggle to control, without making the struggle about body image.
I have to be reading way to much into things about a cult forming around a magical fish.. but I couldn't help but feel that the fact that it was a Carp was some sort of Christian metaphor (fishers of men? carpenters?) either way.. it again put me in mind of Zelda (Windwaker this time) with a barbelled carp popping up and telling you where to go.. "Keeeh?!"
I don't think this review makes overly much sense. I'm blaming my allergies.
I could not help but notice that this book is peppered with ties to C.S. Lewis (Narnia), especially Voyage of the Dawn Treader, including a portal through an ocean painting, talking sailor rats, a magical device that allows one to see and hear what is happening to a loved one, the whole timey-wimey stuff with time at home moving much slower than in The House, and recurring jokes about using wardrobes as portals to other worlds. I found it cute that he leaned into such obvious tropes.
Exploring inside a giant whale reminded me way too much of Lord JabuJabu in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, despite the whole TARDIS feel of things not being relational to their outside appearance. I am loving that that Garth Nix manages to create a character who has an impossible appetite that they struggle to control, without making the struggle about body image.
I have to be reading way to much into things about a cult forming around a magical fish.. but I couldn't help but feel that the fact that it was a Carp was some sort of Christian metaphor (fishers of men? carpenters?) either way.. it again put me in mind of Zelda (Windwaker this time) with a barbelled carp popping up and telling you where to go.. "Keeeh?!"
I don't think this review makes overly much sense. I'm blaming my allergies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death
changelingreader_adrian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mixedblessings89's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars, but I think it would still be gripping for younger readers.
silquesoleil's review against another edition
5.0
I won't lie – No one can say that these novels have the depth of, well, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. But geez, it's so much fun to read them! The only thing that bothered me a bit was that I still don't know anything about Leaf except for that she's a greenpeace member and seems a quite tough girl who is averse to wearing a dress.
But then I think of the goldfish who's playing prophet and the rats and the guys who look like pirates but who turn out to be something quite different than pirates and I just don't care anymore. ^^
But then I think of the goldfish who's playing prophet and the rats and the guys who look like pirates but who turn out to be something quite different than pirates and I just don't care anymore. ^^
_grace_c_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kartrick's review against another edition
4.0
This book was way better than the first two. For one, it varied from the drab storyline where Arthur would go and fight the Trustee.
It had a lot of adventure. I am actually sad for Drowned Wednesday.
And my god, the ending! I was scared. Scared.
I can't wait to start the next one.
It had a lot of adventure. I am actually sad for Drowned Wednesday.
And my god, the ending! I was scared. Scared.
I can't wait to start the next one.
onewinternight's review against another edition
4.0
Huge improvement! Finally, by the third book the series is more than a modern/steampunk retelling of Alice in Wonderland.
emziethebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Now what can a say about drowned Wednesday, such an amazing read yet again filled with adventure throughout with a touch of sadness included with it all together.
OK, I Definately felt for Wednesday after what had happened to her, I just wish she had gotten a much better ending than the one she had received at the end.
The mariner came to save the day along with the rats. Rats are so cute in my opinion especially if they are wearing clothes. All I can say at the end of my review for the keys to the kingdom drowned Wednesday is that u was not expecting the twist at the end of this amazing title.
Roll on sir Thursday to see what adventures wait for me and Arthur to conquer or succeed on.
OK, I Definately felt for Wednesday after what had happened to her, I just wish she had gotten a much better ending than the one she had received at the end.
The mariner came to save the day along with the rats. Rats are so cute in my opinion especially if they are wearing clothes. All I can say at the end of my review for the keys to the kingdom drowned Wednesday is that u was not expecting the twist at the end of this amazing title.
Roll on sir Thursday to see what adventures wait for me and Arthur to conquer or succeed on.
ssjonoyoung's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
I do think I can say this is not my favourite entry in the series. The plot is great and so are the characters but the resolution isn't as action packed or amusing as the others. I think this marks the change in the series, a shift in so many respects. While not my favourite it's amazing and I still love it dearly.
I do think I can say this is not my favourite entry in the series. The plot is great and so are the characters but the resolution isn't as action packed or amusing as the others. I think this marks the change in the series, a shift in so many respects. While not my favourite it's amazing and I still love it dearly.