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erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Garth Nix comes at us with pirates and nautical themes in Book 3 of the Keys tot the Kingdom series. I liked this one but I wonder if it was for entirely the wrong reasons!
I could not help but notice that this book is peppered with ties to C.S. Lewis (Narnia), especially Voyage of the Dawn Treader, including a portal through an ocean painting, talking sailor rats, a magical device that allows one to see and hear what is happening to a loved one, the whole timey-wimey stuff with time at home moving much slower than in The House, and recurring jokes about using wardrobes as portals to other worlds. I found it cute that he leaned into such obvious tropes.
Exploring inside a giant whale reminded me way too much of Lord JabuJabu in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, despite the whole TARDIS feel of things not being relational to their outside appearance. I am loving that that Garth Nix manages to create a character who has an impossible appetite that they struggle to control, without making the struggle about body image.
I have to be reading way to much into things about a cult forming around a magical fish.. but I couldn't help but feel that the fact that it was a Carp was some sort of Christian metaphor (fishers of men? carpenters?) either way.. it again put me in mind of Zelda (Windwaker this time) with a barbelled carp popping up and telling you where to go.. "Keeeh?!"
I don't think this review makes overly much sense. I'm blaming my allergies.
I could not help but notice that this book is peppered with ties to C.S. Lewis (Narnia), especially Voyage of the Dawn Treader, including a portal through an ocean painting, talking sailor rats, a magical device that allows one to see and hear what is happening to a loved one, the whole timey-wimey stuff with time at home moving much slower than in The House, and recurring jokes about using wardrobes as portals to other worlds. I found it cute that he leaned into such obvious tropes.
Exploring inside a giant whale reminded me way too much of Lord JabuJabu in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, despite the whole TARDIS feel of things not being relational to their outside appearance. I am loving that that Garth Nix manages to create a character who has an impossible appetite that they struggle to control, without making the struggle about body image.
I have to be reading way to much into things about a cult forming around a magical fish.. but I couldn't help but feel that the fact that it was a Carp was some sort of Christian metaphor (fishers of men? carpenters?) either way.. it again put me in mind of Zelda (Windwaker this time) with a barbelled carp popping up and telling you where to go.. "Keeeh?!"
I don't think this review makes overly much sense. I'm blaming my allergies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death
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