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sleepydoe's review against another edition
4.0
Rating- 3.5 stars
'But nothing is impossible is it?' Diana thought. There was always hope if you knew where to look for it.
In recent years, I've been seeing more and more retellings of DC superhero stories in the form of new novels and graphic novels and THEY JUST MAKE ME SO DAMN HAPPY!!!
Daina and the Island of No Return is no different! This book is the first in a series of middle-grade novels that document the adventures of a young Diana before she leaves the island of Themyscira and becomes the Wonder Woman we all know and love! In this installment of her adventures, Diana is whisked off her island to a beautiful and strange land of chariot-makers that is plagued by the evil of a demon who wants to kidnap her for someone. She's got a bounty on her head and two countries to save and she doesn't even know who's after her. Lucky for her though, she's a badass twelve year old and she's got her best friend Sakina and Augustus, an unexpected ally, in her corner!
Now there's not much to spoil here because the story is pretty formulaic. Trio of badass and super smart kids. Demon trying to kill everyone. Traps to overcome on every step of the way. Heroic feats saving the day. You know the drill!
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was super fun and light, and it is always incredibly nice to just chill with a book about baby superheroes. My complaint with this novel is that everything was just a little too easy and convenient. The stakes were high, but they kids got to the solution too easily and it was just that. I'd have liked it if there had been more tension there, but other than that, I really have nothing too negative or critical to say!
There was a lot left untold towards the end of the novel though. I'd really like to know who the guy who wanted to kidnap Diana is and I'd also LOVE to see how Diana grows into her powers and all that! So I'm super excited for the upcoming novels in this series!
If you've loved Diana Prince your whole life like I have, you will love this strange and adorable adventure she goes on! It's just a really fun ride and you should pick it up if you're looking for a light sff middle-grade to lose yourself in over a weekend!
A huge thanks to PRH international and netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own!
'But nothing is impossible is it?' Diana thought. There was always hope if you knew where to look for it.
In recent years, I've been seeing more and more retellings of DC superhero stories in the form of new novels and graphic novels and THEY JUST MAKE ME SO DAMN HAPPY!!!
Daina and the Island of No Return is no different! This book is the first in a series of middle-grade novels that document the adventures of a young Diana before she leaves the island of Themyscira and becomes the Wonder Woman we all know and love! In this installment of her adventures, Diana is whisked off her island to a beautiful and strange land of chariot-makers that is plagued by the evil of a demon who wants to kidnap her for someone. She's got a bounty on her head and two countries to save and she doesn't even know who's after her. Lucky for her though, she's a badass twelve year old and she's got her best friend Sakina and Augustus, an unexpected ally, in her corner!
Now there's not much to spoil here because the story is pretty formulaic. Trio of badass and super smart kids. Demon trying to kill everyone. Traps to overcome on every step of the way. Heroic feats saving the day. You know the drill!
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was super fun and light, and it is always incredibly nice to just chill with a book about baby superheroes. My complaint with this novel is that everything was just a little too easy and convenient. The stakes were high, but they kids got to the solution too easily and it was just that. I'd have liked it if there had been more tension there, but other than that, I really have nothing too negative or critical to say!
There was a lot left untold towards the end of the novel though. I'd really like to know who the guy who wanted to kidnap Diana is and I'd also LOVE to see how Diana grows into her powers and all that! So I'm super excited for the upcoming novels in this series!
If you've loved Diana Prince your whole life like I have, you will love this strange and adorable adventure she goes on! It's just a really fun ride and you should pick it up if you're looking for a light sff middle-grade to lose yourself in over a weekend!
A huge thanks to PRH international and netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own!
momo23's review
4.0
*3.5 Stars*
I really enjoyed this book! It gave me the feelings that Percy Jackson did when I first read it. Obviously there is a formula plot that you’ve seen a bunch of times, but I didn’t mind it that muck. Really hit that sweet spot for me *chef kiss*
I really enjoyed this book! It gave me the feelings that Percy Jackson did when I first read it. Obviously there is a formula plot that you’ve seen a bunch of times, but I didn’t mind it that muck. Really hit that sweet spot for me *chef kiss*
mousethatreads's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to PRH International for the review copy via Netgalley.
READ MY FULL, SPOILER FREE REVIEW HERE:
https://mousethatreads.com/diana-and-the-island-of-no-return-by-aisha-saeed-book-review-earc/
I had really high hopes for this middle grade but unfortunately I was really disappointed.
I struggled a lot with the writing in this book. The writing felt like it was better suited for a YA novel in some instances but then in others the writing was suitable for the target audience. It was jarring sometimes. I don’t expect someone reading middle grade to understand words like “incapacitated” and “constricted”.
I kept asking myself “Aren’t they hungry and thirsty?” “Don’t they need to rest?”. I wished they had stopped and built a fire or made a camp somewhere. It makes no sense to me that they could go without food or water after fighting off adult villagers.
Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy ‘Diana and the Island of No Return’. This book had so much potential if the characters and the story were just fleshed out a bit more and given more substance.
READ MY FULL, SPOILER FREE REVIEW HERE:
https://mousethatreads.com/diana-and-the-island-of-no-return-by-aisha-saeed-book-review-earc/
I had really high hopes for this middle grade but unfortunately I was really disappointed.
I struggled a lot with the writing in this book. The writing felt like it was better suited for a YA novel in some instances but then in others the writing was suitable for the target audience. It was jarring sometimes. I don’t expect someone reading middle grade to understand words like “incapacitated” and “constricted”.
I kept asking myself “Aren’t they hungry and thirsty?” “Don’t they need to rest?”. I wished they had stopped and built a fire or made a camp somewhere. It makes no sense to me that they could go without food or water after fighting off adult villagers.
Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy ‘Diana and the Island of No Return’. This book had so much potential if the characters and the story were just fleshed out a bit more and given more substance.
libraryjen's review against another edition
4.0
A solid beginning to a new middle grade series about Princess Diana (Wonder Woman). The characters are fun and the plot moves along at a good pace. The villain is just evil enough for MG audiences and the whole thing just works. I definitely recommend this book for MG readers and fans of MG fantasy and adventure stories!
uma_booksbagsburgers's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating - 3.5 Stars
A huge thanks to @prhinternational and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
This is the first book of a series (I thought it was a standalone until I saw the book 2 sneak peek at the end!) with young Diana being the awesome warrior hero she is!
It was a fast fun read that I read in one sitting, with LOTS of action throughout the book! The main characters are Diana, her best friend Sakina and a mysterious boy, Augustus. While they all had their moments, I wish I could have known more about them so I could feel connected.
Diana is brave and kind and really quite awesome but I wanted to know more about her life than these adjectives and I also wanted more answers about Diana from Hippolyta. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel to get those answers!
I liked the friendship between Diana and Sakina. Even when one messes up, the other doesn't dramatically get super mad at them like I've seen in a lot of books. Instead they talk it out and try to understand each other. YAY for such healthy friendships.
Augustus is a sweet bean and I hope we have more of him in the sequel too! Would like to see more of our potion making, chariot building boy!
The plot started very soon and kept me entertained! While I very much enjoyed the fast paced plot, I wish we had more answers to some of the plot based questions. I believe there will be answers in the sequel, but within this book they felt like deus ex machina without the explanations.
The writing is simple and fluid and I'd definitely recommend it for younger readers. They'd have so much fun and the language is easy to understand and beautiful.
A huge thanks to @prhinternational and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
This is the first book of a series (I thought it was a standalone until I saw the book 2 sneak peek at the end!) with young Diana being the awesome warrior hero she is!
It was a fast fun read that I read in one sitting, with LOTS of action throughout the book! The main characters are Diana, her best friend Sakina and a mysterious boy, Augustus. While they all had their moments, I wish I could have known more about them so I could feel connected.
Diana is brave and kind and really quite awesome but I wanted to know more about her life than these adjectives and I also wanted more answers about Diana from Hippolyta. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel to get those answers!
I liked the friendship between Diana and Sakina. Even when one messes up, the other doesn't dramatically get super mad at them like I've seen in a lot of books. Instead they talk it out and try to understand each other. YAY for such healthy friendships.
Augustus is a sweet bean and I hope we have more of him in the sequel too! Would like to see more of our potion making, chariot building boy!
The plot started very soon and kept me entertained! While I very much enjoyed the fast paced plot, I wish we had more answers to some of the plot based questions. I believe there will be answers in the sequel, but within this book they felt like deus ex machina without the explanations.
The writing is simple and fluid and I'd definitely recommend it for younger readers. They'd have so much fun and the language is easy to understand and beautiful.
unheardmelokate's review against another edition
4.0
A new series perfect for fans of Rick Riordan Presents; I anticipate this title (and its sequels) flying off of my library’s shelves (digitally and physically). Aisha Saeed’s writing is both lyrical and easy to read, and in her protagonists she’s created relatable, strong characters kids are sure to love. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a good Wonder Woman tale?
devereaux47's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
babbity_rabbity's review against another edition
5.0
Just lovely. This is a very classic children's adventure, easy to engage with. The book gives readers delightful details of Diana's life on her island of warrior women without overburdening the book with backstory or worldbuilding.
The action ramps up in intensity-- by the end, we have some injuries and destruction. This is definitely a book for a young reader looking for some danger and combat. It never gets more serious than the age range would suggest, though, and the action is well balanced by sweet friendship storylines and self-discovery themes.
Thank you to Random House Children's for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. No money changed hands for this review and all opinions are my own.
The action ramps up in intensity-- by the end, we have some injuries and destruction. This is definitely a book for a young reader looking for some danger and combat. It never gets more serious than the age range would suggest, though, and the action is well balanced by sweet friendship storylines and self-discovery themes.
Thank you to Random House Children's for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. No money changed hands for this review and all opinions are my own.
aforestofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
AHHHHHHHH IS THIS WHAT PEOPLE FEEL WHEN THEY SEE THEMSELVES IN A BOOK??!! I’m not going to lie, I only picked this up because I heard there was a character named Sakina and I’ve never ever seen a book with a character that has the same name as me. And omg I swear the author has been spying on me because Sakina is an actual copy of me. She has brown eyes, she’s a part of the Scholars (aka they own the largest collection of books), she loves cats and has a pet cat named Aria, and she also loves cake. I mean,,,, this book was everything.
Besides Sakina, I actually really enjoyed the overall story. My only complaint was I wish it took place over the course of a few days instead of 12 hours. A lot happens during that time and at the end I was kind of shocked when Diana points out it’s been only 12 hours.
Diana and Sakina’s friendship was super cute. I love how they work together and lift each other up. I also really enjoyed Augustus’s character. Honestly anyone who brews potions will become a quick favourite for me lol
The book does leave you with a lot of questions, and it sort of ends on a small cliffhanger. I’m excited to see what happens next. This book was reminiscent of PJO in many ways, and I wish I had a book like this when I was little.
(Also, lets support this book instead of the Wonder Woman movies featuring that Zionist actress
Besides Sakina, I actually really enjoyed the overall story. My only complaint was I wish it took place over the course of a few days instead of 12 hours. A lot happens during that time and at the end I was kind of shocked when Diana points out it’s been only 12 hours.
Diana and Sakina’s friendship was super cute. I love how they work together and lift each other up. I also really enjoyed Augustus’s character. Honestly anyone who brews potions will become a quick favourite for me lol
The book does leave you with a lot of questions, and it sort of ends on a small cliffhanger. I’m excited to see what happens next. This book was reminiscent of PJO in many ways, and I wish I had a book like this when I was little.
(Also, lets support this book instead of the Wonder Woman movies featuring that Zionist actress