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kvolution's review against another edition
5.0
Diana and the Island of No Return is a middle grade novel (aimed at roughly ages 8 through 12 years old) that focuses on Diana of the Amazons (aka Wonder Woman). It is fast paced, thrilling, and has high stakes from the very first pages. This book is also solidly grounded in friendship. The three main characters - Diana, Sakina, and Augustus - work together to save both Augustus’s realm and Themyscira from a demon who has been paid to capture Diana. I finished this book, sad that it had ended, and absolutely thrilled to see that a sequel, Diana and the Underworld Odyssey, is already in the works.
I’m a sucker for anything Wonder Woman. From Greg Rucka's runs on the comic to Lauren Faust’s DC Super Hero Girls show, Diana is one of few female characters in mainstream comics that fulfills a specific need for me: she is super-strong and fundamentally invulnerable. The world, quite literally, cannot physically hurt her. When every day brings a new story of violence against marginalized people, Wonder Woman (alongside Captain Marvel and She-Hulk) is an icon of hope for me.
From the first page of this book, Saaed creates a richly textured world full of memorable characters, beautifully described settings, and eloquent explanations of the different services that each of the islands perform for the gods. The descriptions are perfect for a kid who is somewhere between third and fifth grade, clear and powerful without ever veering into overly wordy. The dialogue, similarly, is identifiable enough to be approachable to a kid while still maintaining a fantastical feel. This is no small feat, and I strongly applaud Saaed for her work here.
I received a free e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. You can read my full review at my website: https://flapyourhands.com/diana-island-no-return-review/
I’m a sucker for anything Wonder Woman. From Greg Rucka's runs on the comic to Lauren Faust’s DC Super Hero Girls show, Diana is one of few female characters in mainstream comics that fulfills a specific need for me: she is super-strong and fundamentally invulnerable. The world, quite literally, cannot physically hurt her. When every day brings a new story of violence against marginalized people, Wonder Woman (alongside Captain Marvel and She-Hulk) is an icon of hope for me.
From the first page of this book, Saaed creates a richly textured world full of memorable characters, beautifully described settings, and eloquent explanations of the different services that each of the islands perform for the gods. The descriptions are perfect for a kid who is somewhere between third and fifth grade, clear and powerful without ever veering into overly wordy. The dialogue, similarly, is identifiable enough to be approachable to a kid while still maintaining a fantastical feel. This is no small feat, and I strongly applaud Saaed for her work here.
I received a free e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. You can read my full review at my website: https://flapyourhands.com/diana-island-no-return-review/
bobbiesdustypages's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of Diana and the Island of No Return from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun book, seriously I loved it! I ave never read a kid's book about some of my favorite superheroes but now I definitely want to check out more now.
I loved the whole story and seeing such a different take on one of my favorite superheroes was just a blast to read and I really wish they had books like this when I was a kid! The plot is fun and easy to follow and I really think just about anyone can pick this up and enjoy it,
This was such a fun book, seriously I loved it! I ave never read a kid's book about some of my favorite superheroes but now I definitely want to check out more now.
I loved the whole story and seeing such a different take on one of my favorite superheroes was just a blast to read and I really wish they had books like this when I was a kid! The plot is fun and easy to follow and I really think just about anyone can pick this up and enjoy it,
wisecraic's review against another edition
3.0
**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**
Aisha Saeed brings the first of a new series of middle grade adventures surrounding Wonder Woman. Princess Diana, age 12, maintains that she is ready to begin Amazon warrior training, but her mother would like for her to wait until she is older. When all of Themiscyra is put to sleep and a boy shows up on the island, Diana and her best friend Sakina must accompany the boy to his island to set things right for both of their people.
This was definitely a book I would have enjoyed when I was in the target age range of the novel. I am always excited for more novels making classic superheroes accessible to all ages in new ways. The writing was fast-paced and easy to follow, and there was a lot of room made for Diana to grow into her power in the sequels. However, even considering the intended audience, everything was a bit too easy for Diana and crew for my taste.
I do not think that this particular story is my favorite Wonder Woman story, or the most memorable, but I am still happy to have read it and am excited for the addition into the DC Universe.
Aisha Saeed brings the first of a new series of middle grade adventures surrounding Wonder Woman. Princess Diana, age 12, maintains that she is ready to begin Amazon warrior training, but her mother would like for her to wait until she is older. When all of Themiscyra is put to sleep and a boy shows up on the island, Diana and her best friend Sakina must accompany the boy to his island to set things right for both of their people.
This was definitely a book I would have enjoyed when I was in the target age range of the novel. I am always excited for more novels making classic superheroes accessible to all ages in new ways. The writing was fast-paced and easy to follow, and there was a lot of room made for Diana to grow into her power in the sequels. However, even considering the intended audience, everything was a bit too easy for Diana and crew for my taste.
I do not think that this particular story is my favorite Wonder Woman story, or the most memorable, but I am still happy to have read it and am excited for the addition into the DC Universe.
babbityrabbity'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.
thecaffeinatedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Such a delightful children's [Middle Grade, on the earlier side of it] book! My daughter is so excited to start this together with me now that I've read through it so quickly.
Saeed gives us a young Diana who is learning about herself and is keen to become a warrior. The best part is that this is all part of the Wonder Woman we know and love and Saeed keeps true to her and introduces her to a younger generation in novel form.
Well-paced, fun and lighthearted enough, but still with this stronger message of being Diana being a person of justice and wanting to help others.
Thanks to Random House for an eARC of this in exchange for my honest opinion. @PRHGlobal #partner #sponsored #ad @prhinternational
Saeed gives us a young Diana who is learning about herself and is keen to become a warrior. The best part is that this is all part of the Wonder Woman we know and love and Saeed keeps true to her and introduces her to a younger generation in novel form.
Well-paced, fun and lighthearted enough, but still with this stronger message of being Diana being a person of justice and wanting to help others.
Thanks to Random House for an eARC of this in exchange for my honest opinion. @PRHGlobal #partner #sponsored #ad @prhinternational
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