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mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
*I am reading all of the books on the 2022 SSYRA Grades 6 to 8 list. If you want to see a complete list altogether in one place in order of best to worst check out my ko-fi. Or you can check out my tag ssyra grades 6 to 8 for star ratings*
I didn't read the synopsis on any of the books on the SSYRA list before beginning this undertaking. I don't read it until the moment I start it and I've been choosing my next read based on when the book is due back to the library. That being said, I expected to like this book since even without the background it's obvious from the cover that it's part of my favorite genre - middle grade fantasy.
While I did like the book, there were several things that stood out enough that I was unable to ignore.
Over time it becomes very obvious the book is following a pattern. Tor and his friends set out on their journey. They reach a location. They 'meet' the subject of the story they're using as a guide. Narrow escape. Next chapter is the excerpted story from the storybook for the subsequent location. Then they reach the location and it's time to start over again. I wasn't necessarily bothered by this, but it was definitely noticeable and undercut some of the tension. I don't expect one of the kids to die or anything like that, however, it didn't feel like anything serious within the confines of the story would happen either because they had to follow the template laid forth. It gave the book a very predictable, by the numbers feel in the back half. It was no longer about the characters. It was now about checking off the boxes.
Speaking of characters, only Melda had any depth. Despite being the protagonist Tor did only one thing of significance the entire time they quested and it literally was just coming up with how to find the Night Witch at the beginning. Afterward any clever puzzles or interesting escapes or quick thinking was entirely up to Engle or Melda. He was a completely passive presence in his own story. Melda was supposed to be his enemy due to butting heads back in Estrelle, but she bantered more with Engle.
His motivations also were inconsistent. He initially didn't want to have a leadership emblem because he hated leading or rather he loved being in water and felt he'd be better suited as a water breather. Okay. Then it's he doesn't have any proficiency in leading. Then, it's Melda was discouraging him because she was so good. Then, it's he was secretly worried about the consequences of failure so he didn't even try. Then it's he did try but it was too much for him because he simply wasn't meant for it. All of these could have been true in some way as they all stem from a similar insecurity. The problem is that any time Tor's feelings on the emblem thing came up an additional piece would be added suddenly shifting the whole. As a result it didn't feel like we were exploring the complexity of his turmoil, it felt like we were getting a random, contradictory addition.
The lack of conversation in general didn't help matters either. There was dialogue certainly, but the three kids barely communicated about anything that was not directly impacting their movement forward. Their interactions were always limited to the monster immediately at hand or planning ahead. They didn't express any vulnerability to one another or share secrets or argue or anything that would bond them together. Tor and Melda's first and only heart to heart occurs in the last 70 pages. I was not able to buy the three as best friends. They felt like reluctant allies at most.
I absolutely despised Engle. His whole gimmick was being a human vacuum cleaner. I swear every other line out of his mouth was about being hungry or wanting food. I'm pretty sure it was intended to make him the comic relief character except I didn't really see how it was supposed to be funny that Engle lacked such self control he was constantly eating whatever rations they had to the point that he'd even ask the others for theirs if they 'didn't finish'. And the other kids would simply roll their eyes like 'Oh that Engle' which didn't make any sense considering they had no idea when or where their next meal would come from. It was so inconsiderate and off-putting.
I love a capable, clever, confident girl character as much as anyone, but Melda definitely had major supergirl syndrome. Part of this was fine as you learn that Melda has a lot at stake that makes her feel the need to be the best all of the time so it makes sense for the character.. However, her arc is supposed to be about learning to rely on others. I don’t see how that lesson is best learned by having her be literally perfect 99% of the time. Her being wrong and pigheaded about it leading them to certain doom would better solidify the message.
When they begin the quest they get into a spot of trouble because they skip a story - something the trio already agreed not to do. Tor secretly did it anyway. This action is way more in line with the way Melda is originally presented: snobby and superior. Of course, she’d think that she knows better about how to use the Book of Cuentos. Plus, she’s got people back home who really need her so it makes sense that she’d be desperate to cut corners which adds a bit of sympathy to her mistake.
Instead, she’s right all the time because of the erroneous idea that strong female representation for girls means a girl has to be basically perfect - a harmful idea that only serves to place more pressure on young women when they already are conditioned to bear the weight of the world. There's nothing wrong with not being the best at everything. You're not less of a woman for not reaching or wanting to reach for the moon. It wasn’t a super serious problem and overall I did like Melda just fine. I’m mentioning it because it's become a Thing in kidlit and I'm hoping continuing to point it out will lead to less of it or at least more nuanced depictions in the future.
Alex Aster was apparently a fan of Harry Potter growing up and it does show. I haven't touched HP in a decade and I picked up on it before I even found out she was a fan. There is definitely a kind of vibe there in the way the trio interacts in certain moments.
The curse ends up spreading to Engle and Melda. When they get very close to the end of the journey, Engle's begins to worsen painfully. He's out of commission for a few hours or so and then he's right as rain again to continue on. Why make a point to say the curse was oh so painful if it wasn't actually going to bar him meaningfully from completing the quest? Why even make the curse worsen if it wasn't going to be a hindrance? It would have been better to use this opportunity to heighten the stakes by taking him out entirely, requiring Tor to go on totally alone for the last segment as Melda tended to Engle.
While the trio splitting does happen eventually it’s done in service of Melda’s character once again. Melda had to save them with an immense sacrifice in the eleventh hour. This sacrifice had been foreshadowed the entire book so I'm not opposed to the act in and of itself. The execution is what I take offense to. Melda could have simply let Tor have the special thing she had rather than needing to go along to use it with Tor and give up a piece of herself on top of that. It was overkill. And it wouldn't have hurt to have Tor give up part of himself for once.
At the very end right after the battle is fought the moms of the kids show up. This happens for literally no reason. The battle has already been waged and the kids have a way of getting home instantly. It's especially nonsensical seeing as their sudden arrival doesn't even bring the conclusion of the storylines involving them.
Each of the kids had a conflict with their mom stewing in the background. None of them are resolved. And not in a 'this is a ongoing issue that we'll need to continue to work on' kind of way, in a 'they don't even address it at all' kind of way. Tor was sick with guilt and worry about giving up the emblem that made his mother so proud. Still, he was willing to risk her permanent disappointment because of how desperate he was to be rid of it. How does the book end without her assuaging his fears? Or a blow up from Tor after bottling up his discontent for years? This is a major part of his arc. The whole reason they're even risking their lives comes down to Tor's mothers' status as Chieftess. Yet the book ends without either of these two characters reaching any kind of understanding about one another.
At one point Tor decides he can't deal and decides to turn back. Engle doesn't really want to but sticks by him as his bestie. Melda obviously continues forward. This could have been interesting, if it didn't immediately resolve itself as Melda gets into trouble and the two turn back to save her literally a page and a half later. It felt like it was included purely to check off a box for a third act fight.
In order to get out of one of the cities run by an evil queen who can control the bidding of anyone with her special type of leadership emblem they have to promise they'll kill the Night Queen for her. Tor agonizes over this as he basically decides from the get go it's impossible and he won't even try.
My problem is that he didn't actually have to do it because this queen said so. She had no way of contacting him or holding him to it once they left the city. She didn't know any of their names or where they were coming from. Tor takes this as some legally binding agreement when there is no indication that she can even do anything to him once he leaves the city limits. They literally could just lie and do whatever. Who's to say he didn't die trying? She wouldn't know either way.
Engle and Melda don't even mention it making it even sillier he cares so much. Killing the Night Queen is a natural part of the plan as there is probably no way of convincing her to remove the curse. The story did not need the Queen to be the catalyst for Tor's spiral about the possibility of taking a life - it's literally embedded into the task at hand.
Melda’s tragic backstory is that her family is barely getting by after falling on hard times. Upon hearing this, Tor is like ‘oh I didn’t know. I’ll ask my Mom to change some policies when we get home’ And then his Mom is able to move stuff around as if it’s nothing. Why didn’t Melda or her family just ask her to do that themselves if it was that easy? It’s not like she was unapproachable in personality or there were rules against talking to her. I also didn't buy that from the way the community was presented she, as Chieftess, wouldn't already be aware.
Something I did really enjoy were the tales in-between the chapters. I thought it was a cool way of deepening the Emblem Island universe while simultaneously encouraging the reader to revel in the author's Latin American heritage.
Race as we know it - from an American perspective - does not exist in this universe so diversity is of the 'some characters have different skin tones so technically it's representation but not really since it's so far removed from context' variety. Since it's for kids they'll likely still be able to see themselves in the story either way just keep this in mind if you're looking for a POC led story.
I want to reiterate that I did like the book. It was well written, well paced, and I thought the world building was good. The biggest theme is to be careful what you wish for and it encourages kids to think critically about why they want something, not just what they're missing out on by not having it. The time flew by when I was reading. I absolutely believe a kid would like it and most importantly, I'd recommend it to one guilt-free.
I didn't read the synopsis on any of the books on the SSYRA list before beginning this undertaking. I don't read it until the moment I start it and I've been choosing my next read based on when the book is due back to the library. That being said, I expected to like this book since even without the background it's obvious from the cover that it's part of my favorite genre - middle grade fantasy.
While I did like the book, there were several things that stood out enough that I was unable to ignore.
Over time it becomes very obvious the book is following a pattern. Tor and his friends set out on their journey. They reach a location. They 'meet' the subject of the story they're using as a guide. Narrow escape. Next chapter is the excerpted story from the storybook for the subsequent location. Then they reach the location and it's time to start over again. I wasn't necessarily bothered by this, but it was definitely noticeable and undercut some of the tension. I don't expect one of the kids to die or anything like that, however, it didn't feel like anything serious within the confines of the story would happen either because they had to follow the template laid forth. It gave the book a very predictable, by the numbers feel in the back half. It was no longer about the characters. It was now about checking off the boxes.
Speaking of characters, only Melda had any depth. Despite being the protagonist Tor did only one thing of significance the entire time they quested and it literally was just coming up with how to find the Night Witch at the beginning. Afterward any clever puzzles or interesting escapes or quick thinking was entirely up to Engle or Melda. He was a completely passive presence in his own story. Melda was supposed to be his enemy due to butting heads back in Estrelle, but she bantered more with Engle.
His motivations also were inconsistent. He initially didn't want to have a leadership emblem because he hated leading or rather he loved being in water and felt he'd be better suited as a water breather. Okay. Then it's he doesn't have any proficiency in leading. Then, it's Melda was discouraging him because she was so good. Then, it's he was secretly worried about the consequences of failure so he didn't even try. Then it's he did try but it was too much for him because he simply wasn't meant for it. All of these could have been true in some way as they all stem from a similar insecurity. The problem is that any time Tor's feelings on the emblem thing came up an additional piece would be added suddenly shifting the whole. As a result it didn't feel like we were exploring the complexity of his turmoil, it felt like we were getting a random, contradictory addition.
The lack of conversation in general didn't help matters either. There was dialogue certainly, but the three kids barely communicated about anything that was not directly impacting their movement forward. Their interactions were always limited to the monster immediately at hand or planning ahead. They didn't express any vulnerability to one another or share secrets or argue or anything that would bond them together. Tor and Melda's first and only heart to heart occurs in the last 70 pages. I was not able to buy the three as best friends. They felt like reluctant allies at most.
I absolutely despised Engle. His whole gimmick was being a human vacuum cleaner. I swear every other line out of his mouth was about being hungry or wanting food. I'm pretty sure it was intended to make him the comic relief character except I didn't really see how it was supposed to be funny that Engle lacked such self control he was constantly eating whatever rations they had to the point that he'd even ask the others for theirs if they 'didn't finish'. And the other kids would simply roll their eyes like 'Oh that Engle' which didn't make any sense considering they had no idea when or where their next meal would come from. It was so inconsiderate and off-putting.
I love a capable, clever, confident girl character as much as anyone, but Melda definitely had major supergirl syndrome. Part of this was fine as you learn that Melda has a lot at stake that makes her feel the need to be the best all of the time so it makes sense for the character.. However, her arc is supposed to be about learning to rely on others. I don’t see how that lesson is best learned by having her be literally perfect 99% of the time. Her being wrong and pigheaded about it leading them to certain doom would better solidify the message.
When they begin the quest they get into a spot of trouble because they skip a story - something the trio already agreed not to do. Tor secretly did it anyway. This action is way more in line with the way Melda is originally presented: snobby and superior. Of course, she’d think that she knows better about how to use the Book of Cuentos. Plus, she’s got people back home who really need her so it makes sense that she’d be desperate to cut corners which adds a bit of sympathy to her mistake.
Instead, she’s right all the time because of the erroneous idea that strong female representation for girls means a girl has to be basically perfect - a harmful idea that only serves to place more pressure on young women when they already are conditioned to bear the weight of the world. There's nothing wrong with not being the best at everything. You're not less of a woman for not reaching or wanting to reach for the moon. It wasn’t a super serious problem and overall I did like Melda just fine. I’m mentioning it because it's become a Thing in kidlit and I'm hoping continuing to point it out will lead to less of it or at least more nuanced depictions in the future.
Alex Aster was apparently a fan of Harry Potter growing up and it does show. I haven't touched HP in a decade and I picked up on it before I even found out she was a fan. There is definitely a kind of vibe there in the way the trio interacts in certain moments.
The curse ends up spreading to Engle and Melda. When they get very close to the end of the journey, Engle's begins to worsen painfully. He's out of commission for a few hours or so and then he's right as rain again to continue on. Why make a point to say the curse was oh so painful if it wasn't actually going to bar him meaningfully from completing the quest? Why even make the curse worsen if it wasn't going to be a hindrance? It would have been better to use this opportunity to heighten the stakes by taking him out entirely, requiring Tor to go on totally alone for the last segment as Melda tended to Engle.
While the trio splitting does happen eventually it’s done in service of Melda’s character once again. Melda had to save them with an immense sacrifice in the eleventh hour. This sacrifice had been foreshadowed the entire book so I'm not opposed to the act in and of itself. The execution is what I take offense to. Melda could have simply let Tor have the special thing she had rather than needing to go along to use it with Tor and give up a piece of herself on top of that. It was overkill. And it wouldn't have hurt to have Tor give up part of himself for once.
At the very end right after the battle is fought the moms of the kids show up. This happens for literally no reason. The battle has already been waged and the kids have a way of getting home instantly. It's especially nonsensical seeing as their sudden arrival doesn't even bring the conclusion of the storylines involving them.
Each of the kids had a conflict with their mom stewing in the background. None of them are resolved. And not in a 'this is a ongoing issue that we'll need to continue to work on' kind of way, in a 'they don't even address it at all' kind of way. Tor was sick with guilt and worry about giving up the emblem that made his mother so proud. Still, he was willing to risk her permanent disappointment because of how desperate he was to be rid of it. How does the book end without her assuaging his fears? Or a blow up from Tor after bottling up his discontent for years? This is a major part of his arc. The whole reason they're even risking their lives comes down to Tor's mothers' status as Chieftess. Yet the book ends without either of these two characters reaching any kind of understanding about one another.
At one point Tor decides he can't deal and decides to turn back. Engle doesn't really want to but sticks by him as his bestie. Melda obviously continues forward. This could have been interesting, if it didn't immediately resolve itself as Melda gets into trouble and the two turn back to save her literally a page and a half later. It felt like it was included purely to check off a box for a third act fight.
In order to get out of one of the cities run by an evil queen who can control the bidding of anyone with her special type of leadership emblem they have to promise they'll kill the Night Queen for her. Tor agonizes over this as he basically decides from the get go it's impossible and he won't even try.
My problem is that he didn't actually have to do it because this queen said so. She had no way of contacting him or holding him to it once they left the city. She didn't know any of their names or where they were coming from. Tor takes this as some legally binding agreement when there is no indication that she can even do anything to him once he leaves the city limits. They literally could just lie and do whatever. Who's to say he didn't die trying? She wouldn't know either way.
Engle and Melda don't even mention it making it even sillier he cares so much. Killing the Night Queen is a natural part of the plan as there is probably no way of convincing her to remove the curse. The story did not need the Queen to be the catalyst for Tor's spiral about the possibility of taking a life - it's literally embedded into the task at hand.
Melda’s tragic backstory is that her family is barely getting by after falling on hard times. Upon hearing this, Tor is like ‘oh I didn’t know. I’ll ask my Mom to change some policies when we get home’ And then his Mom is able to move stuff around as if it’s nothing. Why didn’t Melda or her family just ask her to do that themselves if it was that easy? It’s not like she was unapproachable in personality or there were rules against talking to her. I also didn't buy that from the way the community was presented she, as Chieftess, wouldn't already be aware.
Something I did really enjoy were the tales in-between the chapters. I thought it was a cool way of deepening the Emblem Island universe while simultaneously encouraging the reader to revel in the author's Latin American heritage.
Race as we know it - from an American perspective - does not exist in this universe so diversity is of the 'some characters have different skin tones so technically it's representation but not really since it's so far removed from context' variety. Since it's for kids they'll likely still be able to see themselves in the story either way just keep this in mind if you're looking for a POC led story.
I want to reiterate that I did like the book. It was well written, well paced, and I thought the world building was good. The biggest theme is to be careful what you wish for and it encourages kids to think critically about why they want something, not just what they're missing out on by not having it. The time flew by when I was reading. I absolutely believe a kid would like it and most importantly, I'd recommend it to one guilt-free.
mbenzz's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite the adventure! Tor, Engle, and Melda set out on an epic journey across the Isle of Emblem to undo a curse that Tor has accidentally brought upon the three of them. In their travels, they happen upon all kinds of new places and creatures and learn quite a bit about themselves. This is a wild coming of age story about learning to b happy with ourselves and the with the cards life has dealt us.
The story ends on a cliffhanger setting up a whole new journey/adventure for our threesome in the next book. I look forward to reading it and seeing where the Isle of Emblem and fate takes them next.
The story ends on a cliffhanger setting up a whole new journey/adventure for our threesome in the next book. I look forward to reading it and seeing where the Isle of Emblem and fate takes them next.
ringringringer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
kscaldwell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
tessa_stephens's review against another edition
3.0
The world building was by far the best part of this book and heavily contributed to the reason this was a 3 star read. The characters were fine, but there were inconsistencies in the plot that kept taking me out of the story. Overall though, I think this is a decent debut and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
rcrikkit's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book - it's definitely more middle grade aged, but it was so interesting. I was scared at times so I read it slower than I expected. Being able to read the stories from their Book made it so much better for me - it helped to immerse me more and feel like I had a better background for everything. The world was unique, and while I could try to predict things I didn't feel the need to and instead just enjoyed finding out as we went.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Be careful what you wish for....
On the island of Emblem, if you are lucky enough to be born with an Emblem, then you know your fate, and with that fate comes a special ability. But Tor Luna would do anything to change his fate, and rid himself of his markings indicating that he is destined for leadership. A hard enough thing to live up to as-is, but even more so when your mother is the village chief. But Tor has a plan to change everything.
Every Eve, marking the end of a year, everyone over the age of 12 makes a Wish--which may or may not be granted by the Wish God. And, for years, Tor knew exactly what he would wish for: for a different Emblem. When he wakes up on the first day of the new year, he is horrified. He received a different marking, alright, but not at all what he asked for. Instead, he got a mark indicating that he is cursed.
Now, along with his quirky best friend Engle and his frenemy Melda, Tor is off on an adventure across Emblem to seek out the Night Witch to rid himself of the curse. But there is something even more sinister that lies beneath the surface, and Tor's Wish is just the beginning.
Set in an amazing Latin American inspired land where gemstones can be eaten, color means life, and stories have power, "Curse of the Night Witch" is a fantastic tale about what it means to choose your own fate. I'm eager to return to Emblem, to learn more about the lore of the island as well as what new adventures await Tor, Engle and Melda.
Be careful what you wish for....
On the island of Emblem, if you are lucky enough to be born with an Emblem, then you know your fate, and with that fate comes a special ability. But Tor Luna would do anything to change his fate, and rid himself of his markings indicating that he is destined for leadership. A hard enough thing to live up to as-is, but even more so when your mother is the village chief. But Tor has a plan to change everything.
Every Eve, marking the end of a year, everyone over the age of 12 makes a Wish--which may or may not be granted by the Wish God. And, for years, Tor knew exactly what he would wish for: for a different Emblem. When he wakes up on the first day of the new year, he is horrified. He received a different marking, alright, but not at all what he asked for. Instead, he got a mark indicating that he is cursed.
Now, along with his quirky best friend Engle and his frenemy Melda, Tor is off on an adventure across Emblem to seek out the Night Witch to rid himself of the curse. But there is something even more sinister that lies beneath the surface, and Tor's Wish is just the beginning.
Set in an amazing Latin American inspired land where gemstones can be eaten, color means life, and stories have power, "Curse of the Night Witch" is a fantastic tale about what it means to choose your own fate. I'm eager to return to Emblem, to learn more about the lore of the island as well as what new adventures await Tor, Engle and Melda.
elsarochelle's review against another edition
It may be that I'm not the intended audience, but I honestly cannot make myself finish this book.
Hopefully, I will enjoy Lightlark more than I did the portion I read of this.
Hopefully, I will enjoy Lightlark more than I did the portion I read of this.
lynnierhodes's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-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? No
3.0
thelibraryofklee's review against another edition
5.0
“Think of the storyteller not as a writer, but as an explorer”
This sentence in itself is divine. How poetic! I have so many warm heart eyes for this children’s (tweens?) novel.
Three 12 year olds are on a grail to find the night witch to life a curse. An old book of legend guides their path through a most enchanting world. They meet luminescent creatures who either want to help them or tear them to shreds, so many versions of forlorn womanly creatures who are punished for past indiscretions, a grandma who might or might not eat them, and even goblins who covet colour. The list of terrifying encounters is incredible.
I’ve read some reviews and I think sometimes we need to review with the intended audience in mind. This book is a gateway to fantasy. It’s gorgeously and colourfully descriptive without being boring, the characters are SUCH kids in their behaviour which makes it endearing, and the plot moves fabulously forward without risk of boredom.
For Emblems sake, get this book into the hands of your 10+ year olds and let them fall in love with this wonderfully magical and often terrifying fantasy world.
This sentence in itself is divine. How poetic! I have so many warm heart eyes for this children’s (tweens?) novel.
Three 12 year olds are on a grail to find the night witch to life a curse. An old book of legend guides their path through a most enchanting world. They meet luminescent creatures who either want to help them or tear them to shreds, so many versions of forlorn womanly creatures who are punished for past indiscretions, a grandma who might or might not eat them, and even goblins who covet colour. The list of terrifying encounters is incredible.
I’ve read some reviews and I think sometimes we need to review with the intended audience in mind. This book is a gateway to fantasy. It’s gorgeously and colourfully descriptive without being boring, the characters are SUCH kids in their behaviour which makes it endearing, and the plot moves fabulously forward without risk of boredom.
For Emblems sake, get this book into the hands of your 10+ year olds and let them fall in love with this wonderfully magical and often terrifying fantasy world.