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momogajo's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mollywollydoodleallday's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the rest of the series, but Wrede’s storytelling is still sweet and fun in this book. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it also wasn’t anything special for me. Recommended for young readers!
caedocyon's review against another edition
1.0
The first three books in the series are among my favorite books I read as a kid. My library didn't have number four (Talking to Dragons), so for me the series ended on a cliffhanger and I wondered desperately what would happen in the last book.
When I finally got my hands on it, it was a major disappointment. I still prefer to pretend it didn't happen. Daystar (and are we supposed to believe that Cimorene would name her child something as romantic and soppy as Daystar?!) is a dull hero by most standards, but when you contrast him to the sharp, vital, and feminist Cimorene he suffers particularly badly. It's hard to believe that this stodgy, traditional kid is related to her, much less raised by her as a single mother at the edge of an enchanted forest. Add a literally-fiery redhead love interest (ooh, how original) and you pretty much have a recipe for complete disappointment.
I've been mainlining Vorkosigan fanfic recently, and I can't help but think that Cimorene and Cordelia would get along extremely well. Miles is the son that Daystar really should have been.
When I finally got my hands on it, it was a major disappointment. I still prefer to pretend it didn't happen. Daystar (and are we supposed to believe that Cimorene would name her child something as romantic and soppy as Daystar?!) is a dull hero by most standards, but when you contrast him to the sharp, vital, and feminist Cimorene he suffers particularly badly. It's hard to believe that this stodgy, traditional kid is related to her, much less raised by her as a single mother at the edge of an enchanted forest. Add a literally-fiery redhead love interest (ooh, how original) and you pretty much have a recipe for complete disappointment.
I've been mainlining Vorkosigan fanfic recently, and I can't help but think that Cimorene and Cordelia would get along extremely well. Miles is the son that Daystar really should have been.
linneahedvig's review against another edition
3.0
This one is good, but it's bizarrely far in the future from the first three books in the series. I mean, this book is about Cymorene's son. That just threw me.
thirtytwobirds's review against another edition
3.0
This one was not too bad. It felt like an improvement on the previous book, mostly by being a continuation of the story but without the absurd rabbit character.
Overall the series doesn't hold up well as an adult, but I think I'd still recommend it to a young kid looking to read a fantasy/fairy tale series.
Overall the series doesn't hold up well as an adult, but I think I'd still recommend it to a young kid looking to read a fantasy/fairy tale series.
gmvader's review against another edition
3.0
My initial reaction to this book was loathing, unadulterated loathing. The ending of the previous book had been obviously made to set up the situation at the beginning of this one and to make matters worse the protagonist (in a first-person point of view) was Cimorene’s son Daystar. Making if obvious right away that she would have a negligible role in the proceeding adventure.
It was also a fairly standard quest fantasy. Boy gets magic sword, sets out into enchanted forest (in this case The Enchanted Forest), meets a princess and saves the day using, not only his magic sword, but also his secret royal birthright.
What I had discounted was Wrede’s engaging skill with words and her humorous ability to spin stories that follow cliches and tropes while still turning them on their heads. It’s actually kind of fascinating to watch it take place. The story is exactly like I described it in the previous paragraph… only the whole time it’s poking holes in that very same story structure.
It’s kind of a Terry Pratchett style of making fun of the problem by being part of the problem. This is satire and works in delightful ways. If you are familiar with the tropes of 1980’s fantasy then you will chuckle at seeing the holes poked in the familiar plot line. If you are not familiar with it then this is a good introduction and will rather be an entertaining middle grade adventure instead of a humorous interpretation of tired formulas.
It works both ways.
It was also a fairly standard quest fantasy. Boy gets magic sword, sets out into enchanted forest (in this case The Enchanted Forest), meets a princess and saves the day using, not only his magic sword, but also his secret royal birthright.
What I had discounted was Wrede’s engaging skill with words and her humorous ability to spin stories that follow cliches and tropes while still turning them on their heads. It’s actually kind of fascinating to watch it take place. The story is exactly like I described it in the previous paragraph… only the whole time it’s poking holes in that very same story structure.
It’s kind of a Terry Pratchett style of making fun of the problem by being part of the problem. This is satire and works in delightful ways. If you are familiar with the tropes of 1980’s fantasy then you will chuckle at seeing the holes poked in the familiar plot line. If you are not familiar with it then this is a good introduction and will rather be an entertaining middle grade adventure instead of a humorous interpretation of tired formulas.
It works both ways.
deborahvestrit's review against another edition
2.5
i would’ve enjoyed it more if i hadn’t read the prequels already, it’s really frustrating knowing much more than the main character when the pov is first person
ana3333's review against another edition
4.0
A cute, charming little book, but not quite as good as the later ones in the series. The ending feels a little rushed, and the magical system isn't really explained well.