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fai_aka's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 stars
The first half of the story:
I had expected it to be a darker YA story, but it felt more like middle grade(not that there’s anything wrong with reading middle grade books but I just wasn’t in the mood for it), so I’m a bit disappointed.
The story is quite fast-paced, and sometimes the change of scenes was a little too abrupt, which left me confused sometimes.
I don’t really like the writing style either. Nor did I’m interested in the world and the characters.
The second half of the story:
The story took an unexpected turn that made me keep on reading.
But alas, I don’t think I’m going to continue with the series.
The first half of the story:
I had expected it to be a darker YA story, but it felt more like middle grade(not that there’s anything wrong with reading middle grade books but I just wasn’t in the mood for it), so I’m a bit disappointed.
The story is quite fast-paced, and sometimes the change of scenes was a little too abrupt, which left me confused sometimes.
I don’t really like the writing style either. Nor did I’m interested in the world and the characters.
The second half of the story:
The story took an unexpected turn that made me keep on reading.
But alas, I don’t think I’m going to continue with the series.
lbwritesdrivel's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
renuked's review against another edition
5.0
Reread: July 19th, 2015
Originally read: April 26 to 28, 2012
Originally read: April 26 to 28, 2012
c8_'s review against another edition
5.0
I have read this series over and over for years. I have read the whole series at least 7 times. I love this world and I love to reread and escape to it!
hnbb's review against another edition
4.0
I had heard of this book. The cover nearly turned me off, but it was a good read. I enjoyed the imagery and the relationships in it. I want to see the masks and city in person now. Stravagation is a fascinating concept, I am glad she didn't try to over explain it. I would definitely recommend the book.
falsefangs's review against another edition
5.0
According to a note i found in this book, i gave it 4,5/5 when i read this at the age of 12/13? I don't know why I was so ungracious, apart from a handful of points towards the end, this is an incredible book. I appreciate a (fantastical) take on history that shows the past as a time where people appreciate being alive and create and celebrate just as much as we do today.
Cried a total of three times.
Some notes on some characters:
Arianna: wanted to be her when i was 14. also, i think she's a great example of a well-written teenager.
Lucien: i am kind of wondering if this book is somehow ableist, now that I'm sitting here and thought i was going to refer to this character as an "interesting representation of fatal illness". idk. It's fantasy. I think the concept of surviving cancer by leaving one's universe of origin is very interesting, because in Mary Hoffman's story this kind of rebirth in a healthy, abled body brings with it having to grieve one's own death together with the loss of family, friends, home, safety. i'll have to come back to this point after reading "City of Flowers" (and maybe again after that, I will read 4-6 for the first time this year!!!!!!)
Luciens parents: the first time i cried reading this book was the part where Lucien reflects on the "new dad" he got to know after he fell ill, the dad that reads to him and tells stories
Rodolfo: the hawk-like wizard DILF JKR absolutely did not and could never write
William Dethridge: he asks for so little yet he deserves SO much (╯༼ ༎ຶ ᆺ ༎ຶ༽╰)
Silvia: absolutely love the "ending" she chose for herself, but I think i would not wholly be ok with it if i didn't know that she will still appear in the following books
Guido: i would absolutely NOT call what he does "failing upwards", but his little side-story satisfies me in the same way a good failing upwards-story does
Cried a total of three times.
Some notes on some characters:
Arianna: wanted to be her when i was 14. also, i think she's a great example of a well-written teenager.
Lucien: i am kind of wondering if this book is somehow ableist, now that I'm sitting here and thought i was going to refer to this character as an "interesting representation of fatal illness". idk. It's fantasy. I think the concept of surviving cancer by leaving one's universe of origin is very interesting, because in Mary Hoffman's story this kind of rebirth in a healthy, abled body brings with it having to grieve one's own death together with the loss of family, friends, home, safety. i'll have to come back to this point after reading "City of Flowers" (and maybe again after that, I will read 4-6 for the first time this year!!!!!!)
Luciens parents: the first time i cried reading this book was the part where Lucien reflects on the "new dad" he got to know after he fell ill, the dad that reads to him and tells stories
Rodolfo: the hawk-like wizard DILF JKR absolutely did not and could never write
William Dethridge: he asks for so little yet he deserves SO much (╯༼ ༎ຶ ᆺ ༎ຶ༽╰)
Silvia: absolutely love the "ending" she chose for herself, but I think i would not wholly be ok with it if i didn't know that she will still appear in the following books
Guido: i would absolutely NOT call what he does "failing upwards", but his little side-story satisfies me in the same way a good failing upwards-story does
readingjag's review against another edition
2.0
The main character was really flat and I never felt like I knew any details about who he was, so that kept bothering me. I also felt like the movement between the two worlds was never really explained to my satisfaction. I won't be continuing with this series.
dustoneverypage's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75