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kdelong's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
brittanyk70's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
mackle13's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Overall I did enjoy this book. I like slipping into this world and hanging out with these characters. In some ways, just following Morrigan around and learning about Wundersmiths from the past were, for me, the more interesting parts of the book, even though others found these to be sort of filler.
The Hollowpox plot, though, felt far too cribbed from Zootopia. Wunimals are being infected with a disease or something which leaves them "hollow", and turns then into unimals. But not just unimals, they all become vicious and attack literally anyone near them - even though regular animals don't act that way.
And, like Zootopia, Townsend seems to try to use this plot as a way to explore prejudice and bigotry. Some humans don't like Wunimals, afterall, and don't see why Wunimals should be treated as human, when they're "just unimals" who happen to be sentient and be able to speak. But, you see, they're lesser beings... and once they start turning vicious, well, we need to round them up and lock them up, regardless of whether they've, personally, done anything wrong or not.
And she introduces a lot of these ideas and explorations - but aside from Morrigan and crew being resoundly against them, it's not really explored with the same depth that Zootopia managed.
Secondarily, there's more about Squall and also Morrigan trying to single-handedly fix everything, even though everyone keeps reminding her she's, like, 11 or whatever, and she often seems to make things worse, but she tries, bless her...
And, again, it sets up some of Morrigan's short sightedness as an issue to be explored, but then it kind of fizzles when she does, actually, end up saving the day.
And, like, I liked it, I did... except the ending, which I felt kind of fizzled. Like, that was it?
But, again, for me the highlights of these stories is really just the world and the characters and learning about them and spending time with them. And if the books were just that, I might actually be ok with that.
But I do wish that if Townsend was going to set some things up for exploration, she would follow through a bit more than she seems to manage. I guess things needs to be tied up nicely - partially because it is an MG series, and we don't know how long the series will progress, but then don't spend time setting the pins up if you're not going to properly knock them down.
The Hollowpox plot, though, felt far too cribbed from Zootopia. Wunimals are being infected with a disease or something which leaves them "hollow", and turns then into unimals. But not just unimals, they all become vicious and attack literally anyone near them - even though regular animals don't act that way.
And, like Zootopia, Townsend seems to try to use this plot as a way to explore prejudice and bigotry. Some humans don't like Wunimals, afterall, and don't see why Wunimals should be treated as human, when they're "just unimals" who happen to be sentient and be able to speak. But, you see, they're lesser beings... and once they start turning vicious, well, we need to round them up and lock them up, regardless of whether they've, personally, done anything wrong or not.
And she introduces a lot of these ideas and explorations - but aside from Morrigan and crew being resoundly against them, it's not really explored with the same depth that Zootopia managed.
Secondarily, there's more about Squall and also Morrigan trying to single-handedly fix everything, even though everyone keeps reminding her she's, like, 11 or whatever, and she often seems to make things worse, but she tries, bless her...
And, again, it sets up some of Morrigan's short sightedness as an issue to be explored, but then it kind of fizzles when she does, actually, end up saving the day.
And, like, I liked it, I did... except the ending, which I felt kind of fizzled. Like, that was it?
But, again, for me the highlights of these stories is really just the world and the characters and learning about them and spending time with them. And if the books were just that, I might actually be ok with that.
But I do wish that if Townsend was going to set some things up for exploration, she would follow through a bit more than she seems to manage. I guess things needs to be tied up nicely - partially because it is an MG series, and we don't know how long the series will progress, but then don't spend time setting the pins up if you're not going to properly knock them down.
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I really love this series. This was probably my least favorite of the three, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit.
_aoibheann_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thebookishsarah's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bookobsessedmommy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Parts of this were slow, but my goodness what a ride. Jessica is a weaver. Creating tension, fear, despair, and hope. Oh Morrigan. What have you gotten yourself into, out of, and into again?
sinainn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
littlelifeofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Okay before all of you come after me... If Ginny didn’t exist, I have decided that Harry Potter and Morrigan Crow would make an amazing couple at 12 years old!