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barbarajean's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
thatsy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
lenore_r6's review against another edition
4.0
I received this ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. This book has the elements of a blended family working together and learning to accept each other. The story also shows the power of books and how the words in those books can come to life to develop beautiful images in the reader's mind. Overall, this book was beautifully written and I will be looking to read other books by Hilary McKay.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. This book has the elements of a blended family working together and learning to accept each other. The story also shows the power of books and how the words in those books can come to life to develop beautiful images in the reader's mind. Overall, this book was beautifully written and I will be looking to read other books by Hilary McKay.
qrschulte's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ahhh such a beautiful book! Made me cry. I just want to scoop up my sweet Louis and hold him forever.
the_ghost_penguin_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.75
katymul's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book is so beautifully written that it briefly made me unable to write my current work-in-progress.
McKay handles the blended family politics with as much care and delicacy as the careful rollout of the magic, which is my favorite kind: a simple, intuitive rule that cascades into unexpected consequences for the characters to unravel. In some ways, the book feels quiet, but I appreciate the subtlety and the way that the magical elements are blended with everyday life -- which echoes the way in which living together and trying to care for each other day in and day out are what ultimately bond the new siblings and their now shared parents. There are little moments that the characters mark as transformation that are more like mile markers that help them realize how far they've come. It is a gentle book for all the danger of the magic around them, for all the spookiness and the real emotional turmoil, the book holds you tight and treats the mundane pieces with as much care and seriousness as the fantasy.
McKay handles the blended family politics with as much care and delicacy as the careful rollout of the magic, which is my favorite kind: a simple, intuitive rule that cascades into unexpected consequences for the characters to unravel. In some ways, the book feels quiet, but I appreciate the subtlety and the way that the magical elements are blended with everyday life -- which echoes the way in which living together and trying to care for each other day in and day out are what ultimately bond the new siblings and their now shared parents. There are little moments that the characters mark as transformation that are more like mile markers that help them realize how far they've come. It is a gentle book for all the danger of the magic around them, for all the spookiness and the real emotional turmoil, the book holds you tight and treats the mundane pieces with as much care and seriousness as the fantasy.
a_ab's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely children's book - atmospheric, imaginative and kind. With good loving and realistic parents. Highly enjoyable and rereadable.