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ros_lanta's review against another edition
3.75
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the plot, characters and worldbuilding, and there were parts of the book I really enjoyed. On the other hand, there were scenes I didn't like, moments that felt rushed, other parts that felt too long. The atmosphere wasn't quite there and it didn't grip me.
It is the author's first book as well as the first in the series, and it's entirely possible that future books will appeal to me more. I can certainly think of series I love where I was equally unsure about book one.
The cover is beautiful, and the Goldsboro edition is absolutely stunning. There are plenty of illustrations, and while Chris Riddell's style has never been quite to my taste, it does suit the story very well.
Lots of potential and I may well decide to get book two, I just didn't quite love it.
It is the author's first book as well as the first in the series, and it's entirely possible that future books will appeal to me more. I can certainly think of series I love where I was equally unsure about book one.
The cover is beautiful, and the Goldsboro edition is absolutely stunning. There are plenty of illustrations, and while Chris Riddell's style has never been quite to my taste, it does suit the story very well.
Lots of potential and I may well decide to get book two, I just didn't quite love it.
she_who_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
emhromp's review against another edition
4.0
Wat een fantastisch goed boek is dit! Het was enorm spannend, verslavend, grappig en ik was blij dat er echt een karakterontwikkeling in zat, vooral bij Imogen.
Ik houd ervan als er geen zwart-wit is in slechte mensen en goede mensen in een boek: de slechte mensen doen soms goede dingen en andersom. Op één personage na, maar dat moet je zelf maar lezen :)
Wat een opluchting dat dit verhaal gewoon helemaal netjes afgerond is en dat je wel zin hebt in een volgend deel.
De enige reden dat ik geen vijf sterren geef is, dat ik het eigenlijk geen kinderboek vind. Het gaat wel over kinderen en het verhaal zou ook geschikt kunnen zijn voor kinderen, maar het is best wel ingewikkeld geschreven en ik kan me niet goed voorstellen dat een 11-jarige dit makkelijk zou uitlezen.
Ik houd ervan als er geen zwart-wit is in slechte mensen en goede mensen in een boek: de slechte mensen doen soms goede dingen en andersom. Op één personage na, maar dat moet je zelf maar lezen :)
Wat een opluchting dat dit verhaal gewoon helemaal netjes afgerond is en dat je wel zin hebt in een volgend deel.
De enige reden dat ik geen vijf sterren geef is, dat ik het eigenlijk geen kinderboek vind. Het gaat wel over kinderen en het verhaal zou ook geschikt kunnen zijn voor kinderen, maar het is best wel ingewikkeld geschreven en ik kan me niet goed voorstellen dat een 11-jarige dit makkelijk zou uitlezen.
sacha_88's review against another edition
4.0
Picked this one up yesterday as I was enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon and finished the book in one sitting. It's a great fantasy book for young fans of the genre. If you're more experienced, you'll see the plottwist coming from miles away. Very funny but the story also doesn't shy away from being brutal (though still an MG level). Very enjoyable read, and I'm sure more books will follow in this series.
lisagna's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
diaryofdifference's review against another edition
5.0
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When I started reading A Clock of Stars by Francesca Gibbons, I knew it would be a fantasy. But I didn’t know this story would leave me breathless and take me on such a magical adventure! This book is illustrated by Chris Riddell, and those illustrations are absolutely stunning!
Synopsis:
Imogen loves adventures. But her little sister finds Marie always disturbs her and is such a burden. One day, Imogen sees a shadow moth in the garden and starts to follow it. Then her sister finds her, and closes the gate behind them.
Suddenly, they are trapped and it’s all Marie’s fault. But on the other side of the gate, there is a new world, different to theirs. A world where they meet Miro, a boy dressed in weird clothes, claiming he is the prince of this kingdom. A kingdom, where dangers lurk at night.
My Thoughts:
A Clock of Stars reminded me of how I felt when I was reading the Chronicles of Narnia for the very first time. The moment you enter into a fantasy world and meet new characters. When you start to care for these characters and root for them. Moments when you want to be there with them, joining them in this adventure and help them save a kingdom. And you are there – with them. I felt part of this crew, I was on this journey with them. Afraid for what’s about to happen next, and happy when things would go as planned.
And when danger threatens the kingdom and the crew are getting ready to save it, you start biting your nails. I watched their friendship grow and loved it. What I loved the most was watching Imogen get closer to her little sister Marie. That special sister bond was beautiful! Francesca Gibbons’s writing is so captivating, the world building phenomenal and the action suspenseful.
I wished I was a kid again. And I wished I had this book when growing up. Definitely a must read for every child out there. One of the best children fantasies about fictional kingdoms I have read in a while!
When I started reading A Clock of Stars by Francesca Gibbons, I knew it would be a fantasy. But I didn’t know this story would leave me breathless and take me on such a magical adventure! This book is illustrated by Chris Riddell, and those illustrations are absolutely stunning!
Synopsis:
Imogen loves adventures. But her little sister finds Marie always disturbs her and is such a burden. One day, Imogen sees a shadow moth in the garden and starts to follow it. Then her sister finds her, and closes the gate behind them.
Suddenly, they are trapped and it’s all Marie’s fault. But on the other side of the gate, there is a new world, different to theirs. A world where they meet Miro, a boy dressed in weird clothes, claiming he is the prince of this kingdom. A kingdom, where dangers lurk at night.
My Thoughts:
A Clock of Stars reminded me of how I felt when I was reading the Chronicles of Narnia for the very first time. The moment you enter into a fantasy world and meet new characters. When you start to care for these characters and root for them. Moments when you want to be there with them, joining them in this adventure and help them save a kingdom. And you are there – with them. I felt part of this crew, I was on this journey with them. Afraid for what’s about to happen next, and happy when things would go as planned.
And when danger threatens the kingdom and the crew are getting ready to save it, you start biting your nails. I watched their friendship grow and loved it. What I loved the most was watching Imogen get closer to her little sister Marie. That special sister bond was beautiful! Francesca Gibbons’s writing is so captivating, the world building phenomenal and the action suspenseful.
I wished I was a kid again. And I wished I had this book when growing up. Definitely a must read for every child out there. One of the best children fantasies about fictional kingdoms I have read in a while!
auri_winter's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very nice middle-grade book.
The beginning is a bit slow, but the pace then picks up and is just perfect. I also liked it, that it is not immediately clear who the bad and who the good guys are. It is quite an exceptional book it the regard, that the book shows, that the world and people can be quite cruel. In some case, just out of disregards but in other cases out of purpose.
The artwork in the book is on point. I would recommend to buy and read the book just because of the art. But as I mentioned above, the story is also good.
The beginning is a bit slow, but the pace then picks up and is just perfect. I also liked it, that it is not immediately clear who the bad and who the good guys are. It is quite an exceptional book it the regard, that the book shows, that the world and people can be quite cruel. In some case, just out of disregards but in other cases out of purpose.
The artwork in the book is on point. I would recommend to buy and read the book just because of the art. But as I mentioned above, the story is also good.
bybookandbone's review against another edition
I just didn't click with the story. I thought I'd love it but the worldbuilding is poor and all the characters are written to be very irritating in different ways.