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akhudson's review
The writing style was not for me. It also read as middle grade to me, not YA.
bookbrig's review
I just couldn't finish this. I made it about a quarter of the way through, it was overdue, and I just didn't care enough to request it again after I'd returned it. It's well written, and I found myself enjoying the main character, but it didn't hook my interest fast enough.
modalmle's review
adventurous
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
chronographia's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fast-moving charmer of an alt-history (squint, it’s totally alt history) with plenty of sneaking, plotting, peril, rescues, escapes, chases, pirates, magic, and overall juicy vocabulary to keep you on your toes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Child death and Vomit
corar's review
4.0
Flora Segunda lives in a magical house of many rooms and wonders. But ever since her mother banished the house's magical butler, it has been falling apart. Flora is responsible for keeping it clean and taking care of the dogs, horses, and her alcoholic father who is prone to violent explosions, while her mother is away leading the country's military. One day she breaks one of her mother's rules and takes the elevator. The elevator has a mind of its own and deposits her in a part of the house that has been closed up and unavailable as long as Flora can remember. What she discovers there changes everything and catapults Flora into an adventure that will change her life forever.
Wilce has created an unusual world full of magic and adventure. It took awhile to get used to the unusual words and expressions, but the details did make the world come alive (such as the complicated system of greetings and bows that designated the relative status of the meeting parties). The characters were interesting and complex and the story had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. There was one point when the author seemed to go off on a tangent that distracted form the original story line, but in the end it turned out to be important so I was able to forgive her for the earlier confusion. I appreciated how the author had plenty of powerful female characters (Flora's mother is the general that runs the military in their country) and a spunky heroine. I recommend this book to those who enjoy young adult fantasy worlds full of magic. I will definitely continue the series.
Wilce has created an unusual world full of magic and adventure. It took awhile to get used to the unusual words and expressions, but the details did make the world come alive (such as the complicated system of greetings and bows that designated the relative status of the meeting parties). The characters were interesting and complex and the story had enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. There was one point when the author seemed to go off on a tangent that distracted form the original story line, but in the end it turned out to be important so I was able to forgive her for the earlier confusion. I appreciated how the author had plenty of powerful female characters (Flora's mother is the general that runs the military in their country) and a spunky heroine. I recommend this book to those who enjoy young adult fantasy worlds full of magic. I will definitely continue the series.
katayoun's review
4.0
pretty good and i must say that i really liked the last chapters, i thought the book and flora grew and the characters and ideas introduced in the last chapters were definitely more interesting, can see why hallie says that the second book is better! :)