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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
It was an entertaining, rather lighthearted read. However, at some points it reminded me too strongly of Harry Potter, and thus it felt too derivative at times. I'm not one to dismiss the book outright due to its similarities to Harry Potter, and I have no problem with authors who feel inspired by other works and want to write something along the same lines. For most of the book, Bell does a good job of creating her own, interesting world that stands on its own. Yet the plot itself felt a bit lackluster to me. The characters are interesting and fun to read about though, especially Valian. Learning more about him and his family would be my main motivator for reading the rest of this planned trilogy.
Overall it’s a little shallow, esp on character development, but the world is interesting if somewhat twisted from the true. Good enough I’ll give the second one a try.
This was amazing!! A highly imaginative, richly developed world, with a plot that left me breathless. I couldn't seem to put it down. Very excited for the next book!!!
A lovely story filled with intrigue and uncommon magic. I loved the idea that the familiar can be so unusual and weaving the natural world into this uncommon world was excellent. It zipped along and I enjoyed every moment!
Great cover, fabulous premise, "meh" final product.
I enjoyed this! It is funny, unique, magical, and has just enough adventure and darkness to make it interesting.
Received advanced reader copy from publisher via Baker & Taylor book supplier
Ivy and her brother Seb find themselves pulled into a magical world that lies beneath London. In Lundinor, regular objects like yo-yos, buttons, and bells do magical things like become weapons, cure illnesses, and provide directions. When Ivy and Seb discover that their family has a secret that impacts the entirety of Lundinor, they race against time to find the object at the center of the secret – and save their parents from the darkness of Lundinor.
The blurb on the cover of the ARC says that it is part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling. I think that is stretching it a bit – and it could suffer from comparisons to those iconic figures. It is a charming story with a fun, magical world being built in this first volume. I really like the idea that objects we see and use every day actually hold magical powers when used in the Uncommon world of Lundinor. I found Ivy enchanting while I didn’t feel like her brother Seb was developed quite enough. The character of Valian was intriguing and I would be eager to see where his path goes across the entire series.
But, I’m not sure that I care quite enough about these characters to continue with the series. Something was missing from this volume that I cannot put my finger on. It just lacked that bit of luster that would edge it over into a series I would gobble up and await continuing series books eagerly. There was quite a bit of world-building here. I dare say almost too much as I find myself struggling to recall details just a few days after finishing the book!
I will however suggest this to upper elementary and middle grade readers looking for a bit more in the magical adventure genre. It was strong enough to entertain and I can see others being swept into its world with eagerness.
Ivy and her brother Seb find themselves pulled into a magical world that lies beneath London. In Lundinor, regular objects like yo-yos, buttons, and bells do magical things like become weapons, cure illnesses, and provide directions. When Ivy and Seb discover that their family has a secret that impacts the entirety of Lundinor, they race against time to find the object at the center of the secret – and save their parents from the darkness of Lundinor.
The blurb on the cover of the ARC says that it is part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling. I think that is stretching it a bit – and it could suffer from comparisons to those iconic figures. It is a charming story with a fun, magical world being built in this first volume. I really like the idea that objects we see and use every day actually hold magical powers when used in the Uncommon world of Lundinor. I found Ivy enchanting while I didn’t feel like her brother Seb was developed quite enough. The character of Valian was intriguing and I would be eager to see where his path goes across the entire series.
But, I’m not sure that I care quite enough about these characters to continue with the series. Something was missing from this volume that I cannot put my finger on. It just lacked that bit of luster that would edge it over into a series I would gobble up and await continuing series books eagerly. There was quite a bit of world-building here. I dare say almost too much as I find myself struggling to recall details just a few days after finishing the book!
I will however suggest this to upper elementary and middle grade readers looking for a bit more in the magical adventure genre. It was strong enough to entertain and I can see others being swept into its world with eagerness.
“WELCOME TO A WORLD WHERE NOTHING IS QUITE AS IT SEEMS . . .
A silver bell will tell you the way.
A candle’s wick will hide you.
And a crooked sixpence will be the first warning:
Time is running out.”
This was a fun, quick read!
A silver bell will tell you the way.
A candle’s wick will hide you.
And a crooked sixpence will be the first warning:
Time is running out.”
This was a fun, quick read!
I enjoyed this! It is funny, unique, magical, and has just enough adventure and darkness to make it interesting.