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bringmybooks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Perfect example of "intended audience" being so important, and I'll tell you why ->
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
I liked this book well enough, but it wasn't a favorite and isn't going to stick with me. HOWEVER, I am 35yo - aka almost 20 years outside of the intended middle grade audience for this book.
(Which is why, if you follow me on social media, you'll see I gave this book 3 stars - but on Goodreads/StoryGraph I've given it 4 stars)
There are two things that I think would have really helped me when it comes to enjoying this book more fully. One would be a time machine, so I could have been somewhere around the age of 8-14 when I read it, and the other would have been if I had read Anne of Green Gables. I could tell there were a lot of references to the source material, but not knowing the source material meant that I didn't get any fuzzy feelings of nostalgia when they came up (and I'm sure there are tons that I didn't even realize *were* references).
As far as the story itself, it was enjoyable. It had a strong plot that would carry a reader's interest forward (which is good, because it maybe seemed a little long for a middle grade novel?). It had fast friends, enemies that became friends, life lessons, and a strong sense of acceptance and love (which was really lovely).
I don't think it will be one I add to my home library, but it's one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to those with middle grade readers (that can handle a bit of spookiness)!
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
I liked this book well enough, but it wasn't a favorite and isn't going to stick with me. HOWEVER, I am 35yo - aka almost 20 years outside of the intended middle grade audience for this book.
(Which is why, if you follow me on social media, you'll see I gave this book 3 stars - but on Goodreads/StoryGraph I've given it 4 stars)
There are two things that I think would have really helped me when it comes to enjoying this book more fully. One would be a time machine, so I could have been somewhere around the age of 8-14 when I read it, and the other would have been if I had read Anne of Green Gables. I could tell there were a lot of references to the source material, but not knowing the source material meant that I didn't get any fuzzy feelings of nostalgia when they came up (and I'm sure there are tons that I didn't even realize *were* references).
As far as the story itself, it was enjoyable. It had a strong plot that would carry a reader's interest forward (which is good, because it maybe seemed a little long for a middle grade novel?). It had fast friends, enemies that became friends, life lessons, and a strong sense of acceptance and love (which was really lovely).
I don't think it will be one I add to my home library, but it's one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to those with middle grade readers (that can handle a bit of spookiness)!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Child death
brontesauruses's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for giving me early access in exchange for an honest review!
Three things that I love very much are:
1. Stories about witches in training
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Fawcett's Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
So you know I had to request this one.
It was a little sadder than I was expecting, but I really liked it! It shared enough story beats with Anne of Green Gables that I was always curious about what Fawcett would do with the next one, but it's very much its own story. And I loved Grace! Even if she weren't inherently charming and lovable, I would have liked her for her willingness tothrow hands with a fairy .
Also, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really hope this doesn't end up being a standalone. It stands be itself perfectly well, but it feels like there is potential for more, and I'd kind of like to see what Fawcett might do with that.
Hand this to a kiddo who liked Coraline or Wee Free Men. (Or read it and enjoy it yourself! Do both!)
Three things that I love very much are:
1. Stories about witches in training
2. Anne of Green Gables
3. Fawcett's Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
So you know I had to request this one.
It was a little sadder than I was expecting, but I really liked it! It shared enough story beats with Anne of Green Gables that I was always curious about what Fawcett would do with the next one, but it's very much its own story. And I loved Grace! Even if she weren't inherently charming and lovable, I would have liked her for her willingness to
Also, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really hope this doesn't end up being a standalone. It stands be itself perfectly well, but it feels like there is potential for more, and I'd kind of like to see what Fawcett might do with that.
Hand this to a kiddo who liked Coraline or Wee Free Men. (Or read it and enjoy it yourself! Do both!)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, and Child death
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