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emmadkreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Murder
evawondergem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Excrement, Blood, and Child abuse
bloupibloupreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
L’histoire est très dynamique, la traductrice Marina Heide a vraiment fait un excellent travail! L’atmosphère est incroyable, j’avais vraiment l’impression de suivre Mika dans cette ville froide et glaciale en plein mois d’hiver. Même si ce livre vise un public plutôt jeune (entre 8 et 12 ans) cela ne m’a tout de même pas empêchée d’être absorbée par le mystère et de finir le livre en une après-midi seulement! La protagoniste Mika est une jeune fille très attachante et je pense qu'un public plus jeune peut facilement se projeter ou se reconnaitre en elle. Intelligente et persévérante, elle fait un rôle-modèle parfait pour des enfants.
Je n’ai vraiment aucune remarque négative à faire, l’histoire était intéressante et entreprenante. Attaquant des sujets tels que la pauvreté et les bavures policières dans un ton sérieux mais enfantin, ce livre a une merveilleuse morale à la fin de son histoire, permettant aux plus jeunes comme aux plus âgés d'apprécier l'histoire. Les chapitres courts et le style d’écriture m’ont procuré une lecture très fluide.
Dans l’ensemble, je pense que ce livre coche tout ce qu’un enfant (voire même jeune adolescent de 13/15 ans) pourrait aimer. L'anniversaire de ma jeune nièce approche dans quelques mois et je pense fortement lui offrir ce livre comme cadeau, de mon côté, je compte bien attendre les prochains volumes de la saga! Merci à NetGalley et à la maison d'édition de m'avoir envoyé une copie avancée de la traduction française!
Moderate: Police brutality, Death, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Vomit
chailady's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’m having a difficult time trying to decide my rating for this book. The book is listed as middle grade, grades 5-8, but I would be hard pressed to recommend for a young age. Despite the fact the main character is in that age group, this book has some extremely difficult situations and graphic descriptions. Would my 13 year old grandson like this book? Yes. Would my 11 year old granddaughter? Definitely no. I think this book would be more appropriate listed as YA.
Mika’s story is unusual and so very scary. But her gusty attitude and determination makes her a very likable character. Overall, The Night Raven is a solid 3+/4. I would recommend for mature and upper middle grade students.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are mine alone.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Police brutality, Vomit, and Abandonment
thekissballad's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The Night Raven is recommended for readers in grades 5-9, ages 10-14. I suggest those recommendations be taken seriously because it is a bit darker at times than is typically found in middle grade books. [See content warnings.]
I liked Mika and watching her grow and learn. She's had a hard life, but she cares so much for other people and I find that admirable considering the time period and all the hard times that everyone is going through. She's clever, and while that does get her into trouble at times, it also helps her.
Back to those hard times, those are where a lot of the darker elements lie. But you have to remember that the people are struggling, if not outright poor, and doing all they can to survive a harsh winter in 1880. I don't believe all of the detail was entirely necessary, especially considering this is intended for middle grade readers, but they certainly help you visualize the times and the struggles.
I do look forward to reading the rest of the series whenever they are translated. If you're into mysteries and don't mind darker elements, then I recommend reading The Night Raven. However, if you're a parent, I suggest reading this beforehand to determine whether or not your child can handle those darker moments.
Graphic: Vomit, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Murder, and Violence
eperetz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Body horror
amy_joy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
The book follows a twelve-year-old orphan named Mika who lives in Stockholm in the late 1880s. A serial killer was apprehended the year before, but a new body is found that brings that conclusion into question. Mika partners with a detective to investigate this newest murder.
Overall, I'd rate this book 3.75/5 (round up to 4). The plot line is interesting and moves at a good pace. Once I was 40% of the way in, I was hooked and needed to know what happened! There were a few times where the plot seemed to jump around and I wish the characters were a bit more fleshed out. The story was good enough that I am interested in reading the rest of the series.
I'll also note that while this book is recommended for grades 5-9 on Amazon, there were a couple parts that seemed a little intense for kids under 12. For example, one scene describes poor/starving people fighting over meat that was vomited up by one of the characters. Additionally, there is a description of cooking a child to eat - the conversation is in jest, but it is pretty descriptive. There are also some mature themes discussed (abandoned children, starvation, criminal execution, child labor/abuse etc.).
Thank you Net Galley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Police brutality, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit