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coffeeandprose's review
I was reading this with my kiddo and their attention just fizzled out on the story after a while. They ended up wanting to put this one down and pick something else up; I think the pace might've been a bit too slow for them.
asreadbykat's review
4.0
True Rating: 4/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Child emotional/verbal abuse and neglect, Gaslighting, hints/vague references to mariticide
My Thoughts
"Words are what connect us through time and distance, whether expressing troubles or joy."
The Eva Evergreen duology are some of my favorite middle grade books, and some that I want to gift to my niece when she's old enough. It was sweet, charming, with just enough danger and threats to make it worthwhile. So when I saw this book in the store, I was ecstatic to read it; even more so when I realized it was about Queen Alliana and Eva's mother's past.
Does it hold up?
Yes and no.
It definitely still retains the honest charm of the Eva novels. Alliana and Nela both have to work to achieve their dreams, undergoing their own trials. Alliana also discovers the idea of found family, and works to create one, similar to how Eva made her own in Auteri. It's a story about a young girl who grew up being told she's not enough finding the strength hidden inside her, and discovering that, just maybe, she IS enough.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because of the Cinderella trope. I honestly can't remember whether Queen Alliana's past is mentioned in any detail in Eva's books, but I wasn't expecting to go into a Cinderella-retelling. It might just be because I've unknowingly read more than a few of those this year and I'm tired of them; or maybe I just really wanted to see Alliana go on a real adventure, much like Eva had to. But while Alliana had her adventure, it wasn't what I expected. I do give the author points for trying to make the fairytale aspect as original as possible. Certain things are left out, others are added in, and it's obvious the inspiration was taken from more than one Cinderella media source.
Overall, I can tell the author cared enough to really try with this, and I would definitely recommend giving it a read if you're a fan of the Eva books. I'll just continue to hold out hope that we get a sequel to this that gives Alliana the huge adventure she (and Kabo) deserves.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Child emotional/verbal abuse and neglect, Gaslighting, hints/vague references to mariticide
My Thoughts
"Words are what connect us through time and distance, whether expressing troubles or joy."
The Eva Evergreen duology are some of my favorite middle grade books, and some that I want to gift to my niece when she's old enough. It was sweet, charming, with just enough danger and threats to make it worthwhile. So when I saw this book in the store, I was ecstatic to read it; even more so when I realized it was about Queen Alliana and Eva's mother's past.
Does it hold up?
Yes and no.
It definitely still retains the honest charm of the Eva novels. Alliana and Nela both have to work to achieve their dreams, undergoing their own trials. Alliana also discovers the idea of found family, and works to create one, similar to how Eva made her own in Auteri. It's a story about a young girl who grew up being told she's not enough finding the strength hidden inside her, and discovering that, just maybe, she IS enough.
The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because of the Cinderella trope. I honestly can't remember whether Queen Alliana's past is mentioned in any detail in Eva's books, but I wasn't expecting to go into a Cinderella-retelling. It might just be because I've unknowingly read more than a few of those this year and I'm tired of them; or maybe I just really wanted to see Alliana go on a real adventure, much like Eva had to. But while Alliana had her adventure, it wasn't what I expected. I do give the author points for trying to make the fairytale aspect as original as possible. Certain things are left out, others are added in, and it's obvious the inspiration was taken from more than one Cinderella media source.
Overall, I can tell the author cared enough to really try with this, and I would definitely recommend giving it a read if you're a fan of the Eva books. I'll just continue to hold out hope that we get a sequel to this that gives Alliana the huge adventure she (and Kabo) deserves.
thepagelady's review
3.0
Alliana, Girl of Dragons is inspired by the Japanese Cinderella story and is a prequel to the Eva Evergreen series. I really enjoyed reading the Eva series so I was excited to read this one! There are some wonderful characters in this story! Alliana is a kind hearted person and I really enjoyed the bonds between her and Mari and Nela. I definitely rooted for Alliana throughout the story! Hopefully there will be another book for Alliana. There is so much more to her story and I can't wait to see more of her dragon!
atrailofpages's review
5.0
I ADORE this book!
"Sometimes, we may be in a magical tale but not even know it until far, far afterward".
This story follows Alliana. She lives and works at the inn her stepmother owns trying to pay off her debt so that she can leave. She has dreams to attend the Royal Academy, but to do this, one most attend the annual ball where a royal advisor will be with a scrying witch or wizard who will determine who qualifies to attend. She thinks she may be able to go, until her Grandmother Mari dies suddenly and leaves her with a letter asking her to take care of her step family. Alliana thinks she must stay for her Grandmother, even if she does not want to. Then some interesting things occur to Alliana. First, she finds a young dragon which are feared amongst the humans. She hides him and takes care of him in secret. Second, one day she meets a young witch called Nelalithimus Evergreen, or Nela, a very bubbly and adorable witch who believes Alliana can help her and her crew to help with the Abyss, where many dangerous and horrifying creatures live. Alliana begins to experience the world outside of the inn and crave it, but will her stepmother prevent her from ever truly being free?
This is a Japanese Cinderella retelling, and I think it was well done! I loved the Cinderella references in this book, I adored the little dragon, and of course I adored Nela Evergreen! I know some mentioned in their reviews they're disappointed there was not more reference to dragons in this book, and I can see why, but I think the overall story made up for it. It really is about Alliana, and she does have her little dragon companion, but it is ultimately about this girl who learns about how big the world is and how she wants to be a part of it and how she needs to overcome her fear of her stepmother and her guilt to leave thinking her Grandmother would not want that. I love the friendships she develops with Nela(who is seriously adorable and so much fun!), Isao, Taichi and Hayato. Her and Nela are adorable together and you can see how their friendship just blossoms, and I love watching Alliana grow and have this determination to have that freedom she deserves.
I've not read the other books in this same world, but after reading this, I probably will! I love the world, and the people and creatures in it. This was a well written Cinderella retelling that has a found family, and even maybe potential young love in there...anyways, if you love retellings, and dragons, I recommend this one for you!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and TBR Beyond Tours for the free copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"Sometimes, we may be in a magical tale but not even know it until far, far afterward".
This story follows Alliana. She lives and works at the inn her stepmother owns trying to pay off her debt so that she can leave. She has dreams to attend the Royal Academy, but to do this, one most attend the annual ball where a royal advisor will be with a scrying witch or wizard who will determine who qualifies to attend. She thinks she may be able to go, until her Grandmother Mari dies suddenly and leaves her with a letter asking her to take care of her step family. Alliana thinks she must stay for her Grandmother, even if she does not want to. Then some interesting things occur to Alliana. First, she finds a young dragon which are feared amongst the humans. She hides him and takes care of him in secret. Second, one day she meets a young witch called Nelalithimus Evergreen, or Nela, a very bubbly and adorable witch who believes Alliana can help her and her crew to help with the Abyss, where many dangerous and horrifying creatures live. Alliana begins to experience the world outside of the inn and crave it, but will her stepmother prevent her from ever truly being free?
This is a Japanese Cinderella retelling, and I think it was well done! I loved the Cinderella references in this book, I adored the little dragon, and of course I adored Nela Evergreen! I know some mentioned in their reviews they're disappointed there was not more reference to dragons in this book, and I can see why, but I think the overall story made up for it. It really is about Alliana, and she does have her little dragon companion, but it is ultimately about this girl who learns about how big the world is and how she wants to be a part of it and how she needs to overcome her fear of her stepmother and her guilt to leave thinking her Grandmother would not want that. I love the friendships she develops with Nela(who is seriously adorable and so much fun!), Isao, Taichi and Hayato. Her and Nela are adorable together and you can see how their friendship just blossoms, and I love watching Alliana grow and have this determination to have that freedom she deserves.
I've not read the other books in this same world, but after reading this, I probably will! I love the world, and the people and creatures in it. This was a well written Cinderella retelling that has a found family, and even maybe potential young love in there...anyways, if you love retellings, and dragons, I recommend this one for you!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and TBR Beyond Tours for the free copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
gryffintiel's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
gallagirlreads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
dgrstory's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-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? No
4.0
kmmk21's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75