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zanybibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
A recently blended family are looking for a new home and find themselves in an eerie, ivy-covered house where strange things seem to happen when they are alone.
You can read more of my thoughts here.
There was potential here, but there was a lack of magic, green or otherwise. I think perhaps the book was marketed incorrectly for what it is.
You can read more of my thoughts here.
There was potential here, but there was a lack of magic, green or otherwise. I think perhaps the book was marketed incorrectly for what it is.
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Sweet book about a little magic bringing a blended family together. And an homage to the magic of books.
Sweet book about a little magic bringing a blended family together. And an homage to the magic of books.
scoutthepages's review against another edition
2.0
First, this book is my introduction to McKay's writing. Second, I read a lot of middle grade and LOVE the genre (I was a children's librarian). Third, I love magic and anything to do with it.
So, I have to start by saying that this book is not what I expected based on the cover/synopsis, so I was expecting something different when I picked this book up. Also, this is just my experience with this book and how I personally felt about it. I hope everyone who picks this book up has a chance to fall in love with it, as I hope for every book for every reader. Happy Reading!
trigger warnings: mentions of Harry Potter several times, loss of loved ones (in the past), mild fantasy violence, absent parents, heights, general fear and thrilling moments, large cats/animals, bullying, friendship troubles.
Let's start with the positives:
- The concept of magic around books and this old house is very intriguing and cool. The magic is why I finished this.
- The character Abi has a lot of growth by the end of the story.
- Some Representation: A main character is of Jamaican decent
Now the negatives:
- Needs more representation.
- The writing is very odd and not easy to digest. Written in third person omniscient but past tense. Almost like it's trying to sound like a fairytale, but I found it poorly done. Did not flow well at all. Some sentences are long winded and others fractured. I was constantly drawn out of the story by the poor writing and couldn't get into a reading flow.
- I think the MC is supposed to be Abi, but this story doesn't really focus on one character well enough to say that was executed well. I feel like Louis was more the MC. Also the switching to different characters mid-chapter was odd and jolting. None of the characters had good dialogue with one another and their depth was nothing spectacular.
- The pacing of this book is a huge miss for me. I didn't understand where this book was going and what it's purpose was plot-wise until 75% through. A lot of nothing happens until 3/4 of the way through. The most action packed scene is only a few pages long in the last 1/4 of the book and that is super disappointing. I wish McKay had put more magic into this book early on and really utilized the 240 pages to expand on it.
- Descriptions, sentences, and world building are super vague for no reason. I was confused by some parts as an adult, so I cannot imagine a child getting anything from this book. I would have read this book at 10/11yrs and forgotten it all immediately. It's like the writing is trying too hard to be whimsical and quirky that it just ends up being vague and convoluted.
- This book is more of a magical thriller for Middle Grade readers. It is a lot of kids being scared in an old dark house with a tiny dash of magic that never gets explained.
- This book is not well focused on the plot or a message. There are strong family themes, but the magic is shoved to the side (never explained), the plot around family never truly concludes (we don't see it), and the overall action plot is missing until the very last moment (isn't satisfying or given the time/explanation it deserves).
So, yeah. Overall, I don't have a burning hate for this book, but I am fairly disappointed. I expected more magic/world building and better writing from a book chosen by OwlCrate Jr. I would not recommend this to kids at my library, but I wouldn't judge someone for liking it. Just feel "meh" about it all at the end.
So, I have to start by saying that this book is not what I expected based on the cover/synopsis, so I was expecting something different when I picked this book up. Also, this is just my experience with this book and how I personally felt about it. I hope everyone who picks this book up has a chance to fall in love with it, as I hope for every book for every reader. Happy Reading!
trigger warnings: mentions of Harry Potter several times, loss of loved ones (in the past), mild fantasy violence, absent parents, heights, general fear and thrilling moments, large cats/animals, bullying, friendship troubles.
Let's start with the positives:
- The concept of magic around books and this old house is very intriguing and cool. The magic is why I finished this.
- The character Abi has a lot of growth by the end of the story.
- Some Representation: A main character is of Jamaican decent
Now the negatives:
- Needs more representation.
- The writing is very odd and not easy to digest. Written in third person omniscient but past tense. Almost like it's trying to sound like a fairytale, but I found it poorly done. Did not flow well at all. Some sentences are long winded and others fractured. I was constantly drawn out of the story by the poor writing and couldn't get into a reading flow.
- I think the MC is supposed to be Abi, but this story doesn't really focus on one character well enough to say that was executed well. I feel like Louis was more the MC. Also the switching to different characters mid-chapter was odd and jolting. None of the characters had good dialogue with one another and their depth was nothing spectacular.
- The pacing of this book is a huge miss for me. I didn't understand where this book was going and what it's purpose was plot-wise until 75% through. A lot of nothing happens until 3/4 of the way through.
Spoiler
The only interesting thing that happens is when they return Iffen and get sucked into the painting. That could have been stretched out and more towards the beginning to give this book plot.- Descriptions, sentences, and world building are super vague for no reason. I was confused by some parts as an adult, so I cannot imagine a child getting anything from this book. I would have read this book at 10/11yrs and forgotten it all immediately. It's like the writing is trying too hard to be whimsical and quirky that it just ends up being vague and convoluted.
- This book is more of a magical thriller for Middle Grade readers. It is a lot of kids being scared in an old dark house with a tiny dash of magic that never gets explained.
- This book is not well focused on the plot or a message. There are strong family themes, but the magic is shoved to the side (never explained), the plot around family never truly concludes (we don't see it), and the overall action plot is missing until the very last moment (isn't satisfying or given the time/explanation it deserves).
So, yeah. Overall, I don't have a burning hate for this book, but I am fairly disappointed. I expected more magic/world building and better writing from a book chosen by OwlCrate Jr. I would not recommend this to kids at my library, but I wouldn't judge someone for liking it. Just feel "meh" about it all at the end.
carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
This was the perfect book to start the holidays off with. A beautiful, magical story by the peerless Hilary McKay. Just read it - you’ll love it and so will your students!
unchainedreader's review against another edition
3.0
The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay
Summary:
Abi has found herself in a mixed family which includes her father Theo, his new wife Polly, and her children Max and Louis. The family moves into an overgrown house (they call it the Ivy House) that they are surprised they can afford. Strange things begin happening to the children after the move. Abi finds herself participating in the books she is reading. Louis has a new night visitor that he refers to as Iffen.
Abi, Max, and Louis find themselves on an adventure to understand where Iffen came from, and how to get him back while growing closer as a family.
Thoughts:
The author does a great job describing objects. Readers will be able to create a magical mental picture while they are reading. The author also did a great job with character building: we start the story with three siblings who are struggling to get along for multiple reasons, and we end the story with three siblings who would do anything for each other.
There were several continuity errors that had me backtracking because I was afraid that I had missed something; for example the story barely mentioned Abi’s grandmother’s return to Jamaica. These errors and subsequent back-tracking made it hard for me to stay completely immersed in the story line.
I also think there was a missed opportunity with the use of French in the book. Children reading the book would appreciate a translation and potentially a pronunciation guide. It was easy for me to follow the parts of the book which included French because I have a basic understanding of the language, but the target audience would be less likely to be familiar and would want to use it as a learning opportunity.
As I neared the end of the novel, I began to worry about the lack of action. I wish the concluding action had been a little more drawn out and dramatic - the author definitely could have done a lot more with it.
Target Audience:
Middle grade readers will probably enjoy the atmosphere that the author created.
Conclusion:
I wouldn’t recommend this to just anyone. I would be hesitant to recommend it in general because I don’t want struggling readers to be confused by and lose their love of reading. More advanced middle grade readers will probably be fine with the continuity errors - they will automatically fill in the gaps that have been left in the story because that is precisely what makes them advanced readers.
I think McKay has a great talent for writing, but also has some growing to do as a writer. That being said, I would definitely read additional work written by her.
Stars: 3
Summary:
Abi has found herself in a mixed family which includes her father Theo, his new wife Polly, and her children Max and Louis. The family moves into an overgrown house (they call it the Ivy House) that they are surprised they can afford. Strange things begin happening to the children after the move. Abi finds herself participating in the books she is reading. Louis has a new night visitor that he refers to as Iffen.
Abi, Max, and Louis find themselves on an adventure to understand where Iffen came from, and how to get him back while growing closer as a family.
Thoughts:
The author does a great job describing objects. Readers will be able to create a magical mental picture while they are reading. The author also did a great job with character building: we start the story with three siblings who are struggling to get along for multiple reasons, and we end the story with three siblings who would do anything for each other.
There were several continuity errors that had me backtracking because I was afraid that I had missed something; for example the story barely mentioned Abi’s grandmother’s return to Jamaica. These errors and subsequent back-tracking made it hard for me to stay completely immersed in the story line.
I also think there was a missed opportunity with the use of French in the book. Children reading the book would appreciate a translation and potentially a pronunciation guide. It was easy for me to follow the parts of the book which included French because I have a basic understanding of the language, but the target audience would be less likely to be familiar and would want to use it as a learning opportunity.
As I neared the end of the novel, I began to worry about the lack of action. I wish the concluding action had been a little more drawn out and dramatic - the author definitely could have done a lot more with it.
Target Audience:
Middle grade readers will probably enjoy the atmosphere that the author created.
Conclusion:
I wouldn’t recommend this to just anyone. I would be hesitant to recommend it in general because I don’t want struggling readers to be confused by and lose their love of reading. More advanced middle grade readers will probably be fine with the continuity errors - they will automatically fill in the gaps that have been left in the story because that is precisely what makes them advanced readers.
I think McKay has a great talent for writing, but also has some growing to do as a writer. That being said, I would definitely read additional work written by her.
Stars: 3
bigbeardedbookseller's review against another edition
4.0
Was really lucky to get a proof copy of The Time of Green Magic from Macmillan as I really loved The Skylarks’ War and was looking forward to this.
When Theo and Polly met Abi’s life went through some big changes, two families blended, and she didn’t have her dad Theo all to herself anymore. More than that though she also had Max and Louis, two new stepbrothers to share everything with.
When they move into a mysterious ivy-clad new house for the extra space, mysterious happenings start to haunt them.
Shadows throughout the house and a mysterious visitor makes for a magical mysterious adventure with a real hint of danger.
Themes of change, growth, and familial love give this book a wonderful magical depth that needed a couple of read throughs to get everything out of it.
When Theo and Polly met Abi’s life went through some big changes, two families blended, and she didn’t have her dad Theo all to herself anymore. More than that though she also had Max and Louis, two new stepbrothers to share everything with.
When they move into a mysterious ivy-clad new house for the extra space, mysterious happenings start to haunt them.
Shadows throughout the house and a mysterious visitor makes for a magical mysterious adventure with a real hint of danger.
Themes of change, growth, and familial love give this book a wonderful magical depth that needed a couple of read throughs to get everything out of it.
xan_48's review
4.0
This was a magical book. Enjoyed the story, family dynamics, humour, drama & it is just beautifully written. It exudes warmth. Just lovely. I read it aloud to my 9 year old daughter & it was just gorgeous.
marianguish's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
sandra_foriers's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
4.0