Scan barcode
katalynbc13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
storiesandstitchn's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
taralorraine's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
For me this story started out interesting, but it quickly deteriorated.
linyarai's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
tammie_2207's review
3.0
Read- August 2020 for the N.E.W.Ts (My A in Transfiguration- Animal on the cover)
- I haven't had the best experience with Zoraida Cordova as an author (I've been trying to get through Incendiary for months) so I was a bit nervous going into this book because I didn't know how I would feel about it but I ended up actually enjoying it.
Siblings Danny and Pili have been in the foster care system for years. Always being passed from group home to group home, family to family, group home to family and back to group home. There have been together their whole lives but Danny is sent to live with a family by himself and whilst he is there Pili leaves the group home and can't be found. Everyone keeps telling him that she is a runaway but he doesn't believe it, he knows that Pili is waiting for him in Rio Luna. The island from their favourite stories.
He believes in the magic for years but he has started to give up hope. His faith is dimming. He goes on a school trip to a library and just as he is beginning to lose hope he discovers a mysterious book that leads him on a magical journey, one that might take him back to his sister.
- I haven't had the best experience with Zoraida Cordova as an author (I've been trying to get through Incendiary for months) so I was a bit nervous going into this book because I didn't know how I would feel about it but I ended up actually enjoying it.
Siblings Danny and Pili have been in the foster care system for years. Always being passed from group home to group home, family to family, group home to family and back to group home. There have been together their whole lives but Danny is sent to live with a family by himself and whilst he is there Pili leaves the group home and can't be found. Everyone keeps telling him that she is a runaway but he doesn't believe it, he knows that Pili is waiting for him in Rio Luna. The island from their favourite stories.
He believes in the magic for years but he has started to give up hope. His faith is dimming. He goes on a school trip to a library and just as he is beginning to lose hope he discovers a mysterious book that leads him on a magical journey, one that might take him back to his sister.
wordnerd153's review
3.0
Started out really strong, but then lost steam and I didn’t care much about finishing it.
enne's review
4.0
4 stars
There is just something about magical middle-grade adventures that makes them feel so different from magical YA or adult adventures, which adds to their cozy magical atmosphere. Despite the fact that this is an adventure book wherein our characters face their share of trials and tribulations, the whole book feels like it’s bursting with joy and wonder, and reading it honestly felt like coming home. Which is weird because, for most of this book, the characters are traveling to places that are not their home. But I digress.
This book follows Danny, who is determined to find his sister, Pili, by following her to the magical land of Rio Luna. All he has to figure out now is how to get there. Cue adventure! And also a new friend!!
I loved the friendship in this book, the way I seem to love friendship in all middle-grade books. I just thought the two characters were so precious and I want to adopt both of them immediately. You know?? The focus on friendship and fighting for each other and also realizing that you’re worth fighting for… Yeah…
The plot of this was also so fun!! I love any adventure story, but this one managed to pack so many different shenanigans into it and I had so much fun reading about them! And while this is a middle grade, so standards for stakes are a bit different, it definitely managed to keep me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the story!! Plus, what an incredible twist at the end!!
I do wish we had gotten to see the world developed a bit more, but I hope that we get to see that in future installments, since the ending very much implies that there’ll be a sequel… Or maybe it was just an open ending and I’m reading too much into things, as I do gkdhfgf. I just want more fun adventures with the gang!!
If you’re looking for a middle grade to make you want to cuddle up with a blanket and a warm beverage, I feel like this is definitely the way to go! Absolutely cannot recommend it enough!
There is just something about magical middle-grade adventures that makes them feel so different from magical YA or adult adventures, which adds to their cozy magical atmosphere. Despite the fact that this is an adventure book wherein our characters face their share of trials and tribulations, the whole book feels like it’s bursting with joy and wonder, and reading it honestly felt like coming home. Which is weird because, for most of this book, the characters are traveling to places that are not their home. But I digress.
This book follows Danny, who is determined to find his sister, Pili, by following her to the magical land of Rio Luna. All he has to figure out now is how to get there. Cue adventure! And also a new friend!!
I loved the friendship in this book, the way I seem to love friendship in all middle-grade books. I just thought the two characters were so precious and I want to adopt both of them immediately. You know?? The focus on friendship and fighting for each other and also realizing that you’re worth fighting for… Yeah…
The plot of this was also so fun!! I love any adventure story, but this one managed to pack so many different shenanigans into it and I had so much fun reading about them! And while this is a middle grade, so standards for stakes are a bit different, it definitely managed to keep me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the story!! Plus, what an incredible twist at the end!!
I do wish we had gotten to see the world developed a bit more, but I hope that we get to see that in future installments, since the ending very much implies that there’ll be a sequel… Or maybe it was just an open ending and I’m reading too much into things, as I do gkdhfgf. I just want more fun adventures with the gang!!
If you’re looking for a middle grade to make you want to cuddle up with a blanket and a warm beverage, I feel like this is definitely the way to go! Absolutely cannot recommend it enough!