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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I really struggled to try and finish this one because I thought it would be a relatively quick read, but I've been struggling for months. I don't feel involved with the storyline or the characters at all; I could care less what happens to them. I don't care if I figure out the "mystery." I just don't care about any of it. When reading a book starts feeling like a chore, that's when I know I need to just call it quits and walk away.
Thought it was pretty cheesy at first, but am looking forward to the sequel. -1 star for the cheesiness, -0.5 stars for the kind of meh ending. 3.5/5 stars
Cute story with fantastic illustrations, which are sort of a rarity when you get to the age group I typically deal with. (The story itself probably only would have garnered three stars from me--good, but not riveting--but the illustrations bump it up to four.) Recommended for 4th through 7th grade.
Let me begin by encouraging anyone who is thinking about downloading the e-book edition of this story to go out and buy the real thing. In hardback. Trust me, it's worth it. A book this beautiful is meant to be printed and bound for art-enthusiasts and sci-fi/fantasy nerds everywhere to drool over.
Secondly, I'd like to congratulate DiTerlizzi on producing such a brilliant, original children's story. Not only is each chapter of this book beautifully illustrated by the author, the story itself sucked me in from the very first page, and DiTerlizzi's whimsical descriptions were as rich and vivid as the illustrations themselves. Though I still love children's fiction, it's rare nowadays that a story aimed at pre-teens can demand my attention in the way that classics such as Charlotte Sometimes and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone once could. Reading The Search for WondLa, I felt myself escaping into the world of Orbona the way I used to with my favourite childhood reads. As a huge fan of his work on The Spiderwick Chronicles with Holly Black, I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but DiTerlizzi has exceeded my expectations. I only wish I had half his imagination and creativity.
I recommend this story to any reader aged seven and up (including adults who, like me, find it impossible to stop reading books marketed at kids). The Search for WondLa has all the components of a new children's classic in the making, and I look forward to seeing what more DiTerlizzi has to offer from this enchanting new world.
Title: The Search for WondLa
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Rating: 5 stars
Secondly, I'd like to congratulate DiTerlizzi on producing such a brilliant, original children's story. Not only is each chapter of this book beautifully illustrated by the author, the story itself sucked me in from the very first page, and DiTerlizzi's whimsical descriptions were as rich and vivid as the illustrations themselves. Though I still love children's fiction, it's rare nowadays that a story aimed at pre-teens can demand my attention in the way that classics such as Charlotte Sometimes and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone once could. Reading The Search for WondLa, I felt myself escaping into the world of Orbona the way I used to with my favourite childhood reads. As a huge fan of his work on The Spiderwick Chronicles with Holly Black, I wouldn't have thought it was possible, but DiTerlizzi has exceeded my expectations. I only wish I had half his imagination and creativity.
I recommend this story to any reader aged seven and up (including adults who, like me, find it impossible to stop reading books marketed at kids). The Search for WondLa has all the components of a new children's classic in the making, and I look forward to seeing what more DiTerlizzi has to offer from this enchanting new world.
Title: The Search for WondLa
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi
Rating: 5 stars
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An enjoyable young reader's book by the same author as the Spiderwick Chronicles. The story follows a young girl in a strange planet, who has lived her whole life in an underground sanctuary, cared only by a robot, who is preparing her to leave the sanctuary for the world above. When she does leave the sanctuary, nothing is as it is supposed to be - the computer programs she has trained with cannot help her forge forward into a world of strange creatures, dangerous carnivorous plants, and no other humans to be found. Each sanctuary she finds is deserted. Where is everybody? Is there anyone else? This story is an adventure, but is ultimately about creating family wherever you go with who you find.
I've been reading this one to my daughter at bed time and we've both been loving it. The author does a great job of describing the world as well as all the creatures in it.
I like this world, and am eager to find out what happens next.
3.5 stars.
Eva Nine, the only human living in an underground sanctuary, is forced to go to the surface after an attack on her home.
10-13 year olds who are fans of science fiction & fantasy will enjoy this book but I feel that for an adult reader there are too many classic tropes for it to be quite as gripping.
DiTerlizzi is a good writer and an amazing illustrator (and it's cool that we get to see exactly what the author believes his creations to look like) but the story isn't strong enough to appeal to anyone much older than Eva Nine.
There is plenty of action at the start and finish, but it does drag a bit in the middle. The hefty size of the book might deter some you readers but the print is relatively large, the chapters very short and it has several illustrations.
Eva Nine, the only human living in an underground sanctuary, is forced to go to the surface after an attack on her home.
10-13 year olds who are fans of science fiction & fantasy will enjoy this book but I feel that for an adult reader there are too many classic tropes for it to be quite as gripping.
DiTerlizzi is a good writer and an amazing illustrator (and it's cool that we get to see exactly what the author believes his creations to look like) but the story isn't strong enough to appeal to anyone much older than Eva Nine.
There is plenty of action at the start and finish, but it does drag a bit in the middle. The hefty size of the book might deter some you readers but the print is relatively large, the chapters very short and it has several illustrations.
DNF- not my cup of tea. I liked the illustrations, but the characters were too flat. It was just written for a younger crowd, I guess. The main character is twelve and that just felt too young for me to connect with.