Scan barcode
asreadbykat's review
4.0
True Rating: 4.5/5
I loved "Nevermoor," but the second installment ("Wundersmith") left me feeling a little let-down. So I went into "Hollowpox" knowing I'd enjoy it, but wondering whether I'd LOVE it as I did "Nevermoor."
I'm happy to say that "Hollowpox" was definitely a return to the series that I loved, and that might even be my favorite one so far.
One problem I had with the previous book was that it felt like too much was happening while nothing happened; that is, it was trying to do too much. There were so many plot threads that none of them got the time they needed to really be explored and felt by the readers. "Hollowpox", thankfully, doesn't have that problem. There is more than one plot thread, but rather than juggling at least 4, it sticks to two: Morrigan's education as a Wundersmith, and the disease that slowly begins to spread through the Wunimals of Nevermoor. Because there's only these two main plots, the story has more than enough time to delve into the characters and their feelings and actions, as well as continue to build the world. And while these plot threads do branch out, they join together much more seamlessly than they did in "Wundersmith."
This book also made a return to something that I really enjoyed about the very first book, and that is the messages given. "Nevermoor" had so many wonderful messages for younger readers, and while "Wundersmith" had a few, the many plot threads didn't make them as meaningful. "Hollowpox" again fixed that. The messages are there, clear as day, and are explored, maybe not fully, but enough to be satisfying. One reason I enjoy middle-grade books is that they aren't afraid of speaking about deeper, sometimes darker topics to children. This book focuses on topics such as tolerance vs. acceptance, prejudice and discrimination, self-esteem and self-confidence, and whether or not adults are doing more harm than good by trying to reassure children without telling them everything, among others. This book could open some great discussions as a class or family read.
I also enjoyed how the author continued to slowly peel back the layers and secrets of both Nevermoor and the Wundersmiths. Readers have known things were hidden since the first book, but it's only now, in book three, that both Morrigan and the readers are beginning to get some answers, or the beginnings of them.
All in all, this was a fantastic installment that only reinforced why I adore this series.
TL;DR: An improvement for any who found the second book lacklustre, and goes a little deeper in its world and messages than even the first one.
I loved "Nevermoor," but the second installment ("Wundersmith") left me feeling a little let-down. So I went into "Hollowpox" knowing I'd enjoy it, but wondering whether I'd LOVE it as I did "Nevermoor."
I'm happy to say that "Hollowpox" was definitely a return to the series that I loved, and that might even be my favorite one so far.
One problem I had with the previous book was that it felt like too much was happening while nothing happened; that is, it was trying to do too much. There were so many plot threads that none of them got the time they needed to really be explored and felt by the readers. "Hollowpox", thankfully, doesn't have that problem. There is more than one plot thread, but rather than juggling at least 4, it sticks to two: Morrigan's education as a Wundersmith, and the disease that slowly begins to spread through the Wunimals of Nevermoor. Because there's only these two main plots, the story has more than enough time to delve into the characters and their feelings and actions, as well as continue to build the world. And while these plot threads do branch out, they join together much more seamlessly than they did in "Wundersmith."
This book also made a return to something that I really enjoyed about the very first book, and that is the messages given. "Nevermoor" had so many wonderful messages for younger readers, and while "Wundersmith" had a few, the many plot threads didn't make them as meaningful. "Hollowpox" again fixed that. The messages are there, clear as day, and are explored, maybe not fully, but enough to be satisfying. One reason I enjoy middle-grade books is that they aren't afraid of speaking about deeper, sometimes darker topics to children. This book focuses on topics such as tolerance vs. acceptance, prejudice and discrimination, self-esteem and self-confidence, and whether or not adults are doing more harm than good by trying to reassure children without telling them everything, among others. This book could open some great discussions as a class or family read.
I also enjoyed how the author continued to slowly peel back the layers and secrets of both Nevermoor and the Wundersmiths. Readers have known things were hidden since the first book, but it's only now, in book three, that both Morrigan and the readers are beginning to get some answers, or the beginnings of them.
All in all, this was a fantastic installment that only reinforced why I adore this series.
TL;DR: An improvement for any who found the second book lacklustre, and goes a little deeper in its world and messages than even the first one.
morgan_grice's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-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
4.0
zsaleh's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kanej's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
Wow wow wow. Blown away by this series. Gonna update my review on book one to hype up this series because MAN it's good!
PS there's canon adult wlw ladies in this book! :D
PS there's canon adult wlw ladies in this book! :D
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