Scan barcode
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
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
**Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an eARC of this audiobook in exchange for a review. All options are my own.**
This is a magic-filled adaption of Anne of Green Gables. I will be honest in saying that it has been a while since I have listened to the audiobook of Anne of Green Gables, so I likely missed some of the comparisons and the references.
That being said, I think this novel does a nice job of bringing together celebrating uniqueness and individualism with the complexities of trying to grow up and fit in. I do wish there was a bit more movement to the story as sometimes the plot felt a little dull.
I enjoyed the relationship between Grace, Sareena, Poppy, and the other young characters who joined along in the adventures. Grace is full of love, curiosity, compassion, and imagination. Her relationship with the witch is both humorous and lovable.
I am leaning toward saying this will be a fun read for younger middle-grade readers who are looking to explore magic, spells, and adventure.
I do want to note that though I am not allowing this to influence my overall rating of this book, I was not able to get the full tone of the author’s writing due to the pre-pub audiobook reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
More...