Reviews

The Pearl Hunter by Miya T. Beck

crookedmagpie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

jnishi's review against another edition

4.0

This book was wonderful. I am so happy that I am finally beginning to see my Japanese culture (I’m 1/2 Japanese) portrayed in children’s literature. I loved the mythology and the characterization. I loved seeing how Kai grew as a person to the point that the Kai at the end doesn’t reflect who she was at the beginning at all. There are some deeply bittersweet moments that gutted me. That ending! Oh that ending! I understand why it had to be that way because magic always has consequences but it kind of broke my heart because of how much Kai changed. I love how strong Kai was as a character. She knew herself and you don’t always see that in MG lit. There’s the sweetest inclusion of that butterfly in the stomach first love/ crush feeling and the wee bit of romance was well balanced with the action and adventure. Now there is some mentions of suicide at the beginning of the story that caused some readers to rate this book lower. But keep in mind Medieval Japan was very much a Shame-Honour culture and in those days this wouldn’t be as crazy a thought as it rightly is now in our modern culture. So for Kai who feels such shame and regret for the death of her sister, taking into consideration the cultural context of the period, her reaction isn’t as shocking as we would find it today. Honestly a solid adventurous read.

nickel_books's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Kai and her twin Kishi are doing the dangerous work of diving for pearls when Kishi is taken by a ghost whale! Steeped in Japanese myths and legends, 'The Pearl Hunter' is a beautiful and adventurous tale of sisterly love and self discovery - finding out what you're capable of when everything is on the line.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Animal death

Moderate: Grief, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

schnathalie02's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

asahome's review against another edition

3.25

TL;DR A girl takes on the myths of her aunt’s story as she comes to terms with the relationship changes with her sister. 

It kind of felt like it should be part of a series instead of a standalone.

libscote's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I really enjoyed reading about Kai, the twin who feels like she isn't quite as good as her sister. The journey she goes on to save her and the growth she shows in the story is quite good. I especially like how she learns to do archery and thinks her way through her problems. I feel like the ending leaves it open for a sequel, and I would be interested to know where her story goes.

vibetrumpet's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

kimal2028's review against another edition

3.0

This book was nice and short and had a lot of adventure packed into it. I loved the characters and all of the settings but it seems like it was either an open ending or an ending leaving room for the author to write another book.

This book is one of the short ones helping me accomplish my reading goal, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

misswinchester84's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

shiarraell's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5