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erlhopkins's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
cuter than i remembered! and i loved that upon petra’s return, she actually was scolded for being reckless instead of hailed as a hero. definitely important for young avid readers to know that as heroic and brave as they may be, some battles are for the adults.
cuter than i remembered! and i loved that upon petra’s return, she actually was scolded for being reckless instead of hailed as a hero. definitely important for young avid readers to know that as heroic and brave as they may be, some battles are for the adults.
jenniferreads2's review against another edition
2.0
I really had to force myself through this one. The writing is good, the characters like able but the story was slow, boring and entirely uneventful.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
I've been looking for a book club selection for my middle school and this may be it. I can't believe I picked up this book so late.
The writing is terrific, with deep concepts presented often enough to make you jerk back out of the story and think, "WOW". The plot is seamless and so interesting I read until the wee hours to finish. The characters are real and multifaceted.
I couldn't believe my library only had the first book, so I ordered the rest of the series myself. I am looking at them right now and know how the rest of my weekend will be spent.
The writing is terrific, with deep concepts presented often enough to make you jerk back out of the story and think, "WOW". The plot is seamless and so interesting I read until the wee hours to finish. The characters are real and multifaceted.
I couldn't believe my library only had the first book, so I ordered the rest of the series myself. I am looking at them right now and know how the rest of my weekend will be spent.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Review for the entire trilogy (spoiler free) is here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
finnphoenix's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
ameliabedeliagoesonline's review against another edition
5.0
A fun fantasy read with a strong leading character, “The Cabinet of Wonders” offers a magical adventure story. The characters are clever and likeable. It’s a great middle grade book.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to get into this one (more than half of the book), but by the end, i definitely liked it. Petra's father makes a clock that reflects the weather and the teenage prince steals his eyes to finish the clock masterpiece. When he returns home blind, Petra is determined to get his eyes back. It is a good fantasy book that I would definitely recommend to a certain type of kid. I don't know if I would personally feel inspired to pick up the next book in the series, however.
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Four dazzling, startling blood-red (blood-read?) stars from this fairytale-myth-alternative history-fantasy novel! This was my first book by Rutkoski but it definitely will not be my last (I have two more from the library currently waiting for me! so I don't say that lightly).
This was an interesting read, an alternate history that takes place in and around Prague. It was more gory than I expected from the reading level/cover (it's an older MG/early YA) but not to the level of horror. It just reminded me a bit of the uncensored/real fairytales (not the Disney-softened nonsense). Brutal, harsh, gory, and frighteningly eerie. But lovely.
Rutkoski also initiates a brief conversation about racism in this book, which starts with Petra's use of the phrase "Gypsy," Neel's correction of it, and how Petra learns how people treat Neel differently because of the color of his skin and because he is Roma. I liked how she brought awareness to this while keeping it of a tone that still allowed me to suspend disbelief. It didn't feel like a blaring lecture, as it so easily could have.
Book 2 is on my shelf waiting for me. I'm excited to pick it up!
This was an interesting read, an alternate history that takes place in and around Prague. It was more gory than I expected from the reading level/cover (it's an older MG/early YA) but not to the level of horror. It just reminded me a bit of the uncensored/real fairytales (not the Disney-softened nonsense). Brutal, harsh, gory, and frighteningly eerie. But lovely.
Rutkoski also initiates a brief conversation about racism in this book, which starts with Petra's use of the phrase "Gypsy," Neel's correction of it, and how Petra learns how people treat Neel differently because of the color of his skin and because he is Roma. I liked how she brought awareness to this while keeping it of a tone that still allowed me to suspend disbelief. It didn't feel like a blaring lecture, as it so easily could have.
Book 2 is on my shelf waiting for me. I'm excited to pick it up!
patty_creatively_bookish's review against another edition
3.0
I Liked the story, I liked how the story was told.
Will I ever read the second book in the series?
Maybe.
Will I put an effort in doing so?
Probably not.
Will I reccomend it?
Depends on age. Liked it al lot more than Dragon's Green (Worldquake Sequence).
Will I ever read the second book in the series?
Maybe.
Will I put an effort in doing so?
Probably not.
Will I reccomend it?
Depends on age. Liked it al lot more than Dragon's Green (Worldquake Sequence).