Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Picture a pre-teen Merida (from Brave) with Mr. Smith (from Matrix) after her for daring to stand out and change her dreary, grey-scale world. Throw in some treasure island, the narration from Series of Unfortunate events along with some Easter eggs and this is what you'll get (along with other references I don't know, but other reviewers will). And I'm all for it.
Gwendolyn Gray is a mini Merida, with spunk and rebellion and independence, but in a world where everything is gray and bland and ordinary. Fortunately for us, Gwendolyn is none of those things. It reads similarly to Series of Unfortunate Events, as the narrator tells us a story provides us with metaphors and imagery we would understand but Gwendolyn maybe wouldn't. EDIT: Thinking about it more, the narration is not actually similar to Series of Unfortunate Events, it's just the 4th wall breaks which made me think of it, like reminding the reader that they are reading a story and communicating with the reader.
There are two Faceless Gentlemen titled Mr. Five and Mr. Six, not unlike Mr. Smith, who try to keep order in Gwendolyn's chaos. They work under the Collector, who we don't meet who I am assuming is another child from the clues given.
The first third of the book is Gwendolyn in the City, dealing with her dreary life with parents who don't understand her, awful bullies and boring classes. Then, as her imagination escalates, so does her life. She begins to imagine things to life, like Easter eggs! Beaker from the muppets meeps an appearance under the name of Criminy. There was also a nod to Kafka, which I deeply appreciated.
Also, she meets new friends, Sparrow and Starling who introduce her to the art of hopping through worlds. Which is what she does. She hops into the world of a storybook filled with steampunk pirates and imagination. Things go bad, friendships are made, romances are had, and then the book ends with a sad twist. A very cute story! Looking forward to the sequel (P.S. Mr. Author, please write a sequel) and learning more about the world(s), the Collector and what the deal is with Misters 1, 2 and 3.
I received this book via Netgalley and am providing my honest review.
Gwendolyn Gray is a mini Merida, with spunk and rebellion and independence, but in a world where everything is gray and bland and ordinary. Fortunately for us, Gwendolyn is none of those things. It reads similarly to Series of Unfortunate Events, as the narrator tells us a story provides us with metaphors and imagery we would understand but Gwendolyn maybe wouldn't. EDIT: Thinking about it more, the narration is not actually similar to Series of Unfortunate Events, it's just the 4th wall breaks which made me think of it, like reminding the reader that they are reading a story and communicating with the reader.
There are two Faceless Gentlemen titled Mr. Five and Mr. Six, not unlike Mr. Smith, who try to keep order in Gwendolyn's chaos. They work under the Collector, who we don't meet who I am assuming is another child from the clues given.
The first third of the book is Gwendolyn in the City, dealing with her dreary life with parents who don't understand her, awful bullies and boring classes. Then, as her imagination escalates, so does her life. She begins to imagine things to life, like Easter eggs! Beaker from the muppets meeps an appearance under the name of Criminy. There was also a nod to Kafka, which I deeply appreciated.
Also, she meets new friends, Sparrow and Starling who introduce her to the art of hopping through worlds. Which is what she does. She hops into the world of a storybook filled with steampunk pirates and imagination. Things go bad, friendships are made, romances are had, and then the book ends with a sad twist. A very cute story! Looking forward to the sequel (P.S. Mr. Author, please write a sequel) and learning more about the world(s), the Collector and what the deal is with Misters 1, 2 and 3.
I received this book via Netgalley and am providing my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC.
I really enjoyed this book. It was quite sweet and even as someone in their mid 20s, I remember feeling (and still do really) like the odd ball out or having trouble finding people that understand me or don't judge me.
Gwendolyn is an incredibly likable, enjoyable and intelligent character that I couldn't help but root for and want to protect. Her curiosity and strength were so admirable and definitely my favourite part of this book as a whole. She's a really great character to root for and watch develop. I also really loved her brother-sister duo helpers...and Gwendolyn's love and passion for that one book (we all have one book we would take with us on an adventure).
I loved all the portals and the chase happening from Mister Five and Six. I also enjoyed the concept of the segregation within Gwendolyn's home world and then you zoom out and see other worlds. Loved getting to travel all over the place and the creativity that went into the transportation and "magic"/inventions.
My only two complaints were that I don't think the villain dystopian guys were quite as fleshed out as I would have liked and the pacing. The pacing wasn't bad, I just found that parts where there were supposed to be climaxes, I found myself inhaling and waiting...and waiting and then realized they had returned to the traveling aspect of the adventure journey.
The cover is STUNNING and a fantastic representation of the book. I will definitely keep an eye out for a finished copy for myself and will certainly be picking up a digital copy for my libraries.
I really enjoyed this book. It was quite sweet and even as someone in their mid 20s, I remember feeling (and still do really) like the odd ball out or having trouble finding people that understand me or don't judge me.
Gwendolyn is an incredibly likable, enjoyable and intelligent character that I couldn't help but root for and want to protect. Her curiosity and strength were so admirable and definitely my favourite part of this book as a whole. She's a really great character to root for and watch develop. I also really loved her brother-sister duo helpers...and Gwendolyn's love and passion for that one book (we all have one book we would take with us on an adventure).
I loved all the portals and the chase happening from Mister Five and Six. I also enjoyed the concept of the segregation within Gwendolyn's home world and then you zoom out and see other worlds. Loved getting to travel all over the place and the creativity that went into the transportation and "magic"/inventions.
My only two complaints were that I don't think the villain dystopian guys were quite as fleshed out as I would have liked and the pacing. The pacing wasn't bad, I just found that parts where there were supposed to be climaxes, I found myself inhaling and waiting...and waiting and then realized they had returned to the traveling aspect of the adventure journey.
The cover is STUNNING and a fantastic representation of the book. I will definitely keep an eye out for a finished copy for myself and will certainly be picking up a digital copy for my libraries.
Gwendolyn Gray is a twelve year old girl who lives in a boring City, everything is gray (gray buildings, gray clothes, gray everything). Gwendolyn doesn't want to grow up because adult life is boring. Gwendolyn is bullied because she is different, for example she has red hair instead of gray. She has no friends, so she lives with her imagination and talks to objects. She is just living her life until one day her imagination becomes real. And in this book we follow her adventures after that.
First of all points for the cover :)
I quite enjoyed this book, it was a fun and easy read. I'm not sure if this was aimed for young adult or middle grade. But I would say it's more for the younger readers. But I do think quite a couple of 'older' readers would enjoy this story as well.
I loved the message of this book: being different isn't bad!
I did not really like the fact that the main character kept saying 'its all my fault', I mean one time is okay but say it to often and it becomes annoying. Also wasn't really a fan of the romance part, why couldn't the friendships stay friendships?
*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this e-arc*
First of all points for the cover :)
I quite enjoyed this book, it was a fun and easy read. I'm not sure if this was aimed for young adult or middle grade. But I would say it's more for the younger readers. But I do think quite a couple of 'older' readers would enjoy this story as well.
I loved the message of this book: being different isn't bad!
I did not really like the fact that the main character kept saying 'its all my fault', I mean one time is okay but say it to often and it becomes annoying. Also wasn't really a fan of the romance part, why couldn't the friendships stay friendships?
*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this e-arc*
Perfect story for the age group. The message is clear and positive. It’s sure to engage readers of all ages and let them know that it’s okay to let their imaginations run wild.
Gwendolyn Gray is a twelve year old girl who lives in a boring City, everything is gray (gray buildings, gray clothes, gray everything). Gwendolyn doesn't want to grow up because adult life is boring. Gwendolyn is bullied because she is different, for example she has red hair instead of gray. She has no friends, so she lives with her imagination and talks to objects. She is just living her life until one day her imagination becomes real. And in this book we follow her adventures after that.
First of all points for the cover :)
I quite enjoyed this book, it was a fun and easy read. I'm not sure if this was aimed for young adult or middle grade. But I would say it's more for the younger readers. But I do think quite a couple of 'older' readers would enjoy this story as well.
I loved the message of this book: being different isn't bad!
I did not really like the fact that the main character kept saying 'its all my fault', I mean one time is okay but say it to often and it becomes annoying. Also wasn't really a fan of the romance part, why couldn't the friendships stay friendships?
*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this e-arc*
First of all points for the cover :)
I quite enjoyed this book, it was a fun and easy read. I'm not sure if this was aimed for young adult or middle grade. But I would say it's more for the younger readers. But I do think quite a couple of 'older' readers would enjoy this story as well.
I loved the message of this book: being different isn't bad!
I did not really like the fact that the main character kept saying 'its all my fault', I mean one time is okay but say it to often and it becomes annoying. Also wasn't really a fan of the romance part, why couldn't the friendships stay friendships?
*Thanks to NetGalley for providing this e-arc*
A girl with the superpower of imagination adventures across several realities. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the end, but I liked the symbolism of the strength of inventiveness.
Gwendolyn Gray is no ordinary child. She faces something everyday which is a bit difficult for a child her age living in a grey and dull city to do: control her imagination. However, when her imagination finally comes alive, she catches the attention of two men who will do everything to restore order in The City by erasing those who threatens it.
themarvelousadventuresofgwendolyngrayI wanted to love this book. The Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray is one where the main character is a child who has an incredibly vivid imagination which she used to save her world from being consumed by mediocrity and gray-ness (if that is even a word).
It started off a bit slow for my liking and I was finding it hard to keep on reading. However, I powered through because I was promised marvelous adventures and a world of colour.
It is a good read for children as the difference between Gwendolyn’s everyday normal life was vividly differentiated from the burst of colour from her imagination. Imagination in children is a good thing. It has to be nurtured and allowed. As much as it confused me, I appreciate the fact that I can’t tell where Gwendolyn’s imagination took over her adventures.
If there is anything I wish there was more of in this story, Mr. Williamson, it would be the following:
What happened to The City? Why is it in the state it is in?
Who are the Mister Men, and who do they work for?
Who is the Collector?
… Because it would really be great to know.
themarvelousadventuresofgwendolyngrayI wanted to love this book. The Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray is one where the main character is a child who has an incredibly vivid imagination which she used to save her world from being consumed by mediocrity and gray-ness (if that is even a word).
It started off a bit slow for my liking and I was finding it hard to keep on reading. However, I powered through because I was promised marvelous adventures and a world of colour.
It is a good read for children as the difference between Gwendolyn’s everyday normal life was vividly differentiated from the burst of colour from her imagination. Imagination in children is a good thing. It has to be nurtured and allowed. As much as it confused me, I appreciate the fact that I can’t tell where Gwendolyn’s imagination took over her adventures.
If there is anything I wish there was more of in this story, Mr. Williamson, it would be the following:
What happened to The City? Why is it in the state it is in?
Who are the Mister Men, and who do they work for?
Who is the Collector?
… Because it would really be great to know.
🎂🎉Happy book birthday to one of the most imaginative and engaging middle-grade fantasy books I have ever read!
Let me preface this by saying that I do not read a lot of YA these days, but if more were as eloquently written, engaging, and surprisingly relatable as The Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray I would definitely read them more frequently. I was hooked with the opening and continued reading with fervor.
The story follows Gwendolyn, a twelve year old girl with a wild imagination - one that is in contract to the drab, dystopian City she lives in: gray sky, gray skyscrapers. School in her City brings the Foucaultian notion of education serving only to prepare children for adulthood and to train them in the rules of society. Her imagination gets her into trouble with her vivid daydreaming... Not to mention that she sticks out like a sore thumb with her fire red hair... she doesn't want to conform. She accidentally rides the metro beyond what is known and uncovers a world beyond her imagine, stumbling into a battle beyond reason. Rescued by two kids that appeared seemingly out of nowhere, she embarks on an adventure to save the world.
This YA tale is written in third person, Williamson crafts a compelling a fast-paced read that is suitable for the middle grade reader as well as those interested in dystopian adventures with strong female leads. The central themes of the book - imagination and creativity - are woven into an allegory for growing up and having that childlike wonder crushed by society.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher, North Star Editions and Jolly Fish Press, for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me preface this by saying that I do not read a lot of YA these days, but if more were as eloquently written, engaging, and surprisingly relatable as The Marvelous Adventures of Gwendolyn Gray I would definitely read them more frequently. I was hooked with the opening and continued reading with fervor.
The story follows Gwendolyn, a twelve year old girl with a wild imagination - one that is in contract to the drab, dystopian City she lives in: gray sky, gray skyscrapers. School in her City brings the Foucaultian notion of education serving only to prepare children for adulthood and to train them in the rules of society. Her imagination gets her into trouble with her vivid daydreaming... Not to mention that she sticks out like a sore thumb with her fire red hair... she doesn't want to conform. She accidentally rides the metro beyond what is known and uncovers a world beyond her imagine, stumbling into a battle beyond reason. Rescued by two kids that appeared seemingly out of nowhere, she embarks on an adventure to save the world.
This YA tale is written in third person, Williamson crafts a compelling a fast-paced read that is suitable for the middle grade reader as well as those interested in dystopian adventures with strong female leads. The central themes of the book - imagination and creativity - are woven into an allegory for growing up and having that childlike wonder crushed by society.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher, North Star Editions and Jolly Fish Press, for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gwendolyn Gray is the only speck of color in The City. She is a dreamer, an inventor, and an explorer, and she is not welcome in the gray world of tall skyscrapers, gray clothes, and dull people. Gwendolyn’s first distinction from everyone else is her wild red hair. In my head, she looked exactly like young Merida!
In tribute of Gwendolyn’s colorful imagination, I’ve decided to give my review of her character in accordance to the rainbow colors.
red
Reckless. It is a very rare occasion when main characters are rational and think through all of their decisions. Let’s admit it, it’s not fun to read about someone who never makes mistakes or who doesn’t rush into battles to save the world with a spoon in their hands! Gwendolyn is no exception. She is Righteous, she believes in right and wrong, and most importantly she believes in saving the world, and that always comes with being Rash and reckless.
orange
I would love to describe Gwendolyn as Optimistic or Outstanding, but there were a lot of times when the other characters had to pick Gwendolyn up, encourage her to believe in herself, therefore I’m going with Overcritical, which Gwendolyn definitely was, judging herself too harsh, blaming herself for the misfortunes at school and in Thok.
yellow
* Uh…How many adjectives start with Y?! (Maybe this was a bad idea after all).
Gwendolyn Gray is Young! (if you think of any other Y – adjectives, comment them down below!) She is 12, turning 13. This is a perfect book for anyone from 9-10 years old and beyond. Even though the book is written for the middle-grade readers, teenagers and especially adults will appreciate the hidden meanings.
green
Besides her Ginger hair and being a very Gifted inventor of stories, Gwendolyn is also Genuine and Gentle with her friends, Starling and Sparrow, and her schoolmates, even when they don’t treat her the way she deserves.
blue
Brave. It takes a special type of courage to stand up against the widely accepted rules of The City, against the man in the black bowler hats, against the injustice and to come to the aid of the fellow schoolmates and her dear friends.
indigo
Gwendolyn, without a doubt, is Imaginative. After all the whole idea of the book is based on the power of her imagination. From rabbit ears to red dresses and mysterious worlds, who knows what else she is capable of summoning with mare power of her thought.
violet
Lastly, Gwendolyn is Vibrant and Vivacious, especially compared to the grayness of her world and of people who surround her.
In tribute of Gwendolyn’s colorful imagination, I’ve decided to give my review of her character in accordance to the rainbow colors.
red
Reckless. It is a very rare occasion when main characters are rational and think through all of their decisions. Let’s admit it, it’s not fun to read about someone who never makes mistakes or who doesn’t rush into battles to save the world with a spoon in their hands! Gwendolyn is no exception. She is Righteous, she believes in right and wrong, and most importantly she believes in saving the world, and that always comes with being Rash and reckless.
orange
I would love to describe Gwendolyn as Optimistic or Outstanding, but there were a lot of times when the other characters had to pick Gwendolyn up, encourage her to believe in herself, therefore I’m going with Overcritical, which Gwendolyn definitely was, judging herself too harsh, blaming herself for the misfortunes at school and in Thok.
yellow
* Uh…How many adjectives start with Y?! (Maybe this was a bad idea after all).
Gwendolyn Gray is Young! (if you think of any other Y – adjectives, comment them down below!) She is 12, turning 13. This is a perfect book for anyone from 9-10 years old and beyond. Even though the book is written for the middle-grade readers, teenagers and especially adults will appreciate the hidden meanings.
green
Besides her Ginger hair and being a very Gifted inventor of stories, Gwendolyn is also Genuine and Gentle with her friends, Starling and Sparrow, and her schoolmates, even when they don’t treat her the way she deserves.
blue
Brave. It takes a special type of courage to stand up against the widely accepted rules of The City, against the man in the black bowler hats, against the injustice and to come to the aid of the fellow schoolmates and her dear friends.
indigo
Gwendolyn, without a doubt, is Imaginative. After all the whole idea of the book is based on the power of her imagination. From rabbit ears to red dresses and mysterious worlds, who knows what else she is capable of summoning with mare power of her thought.
violet
Lastly, Gwendolyn is Vibrant and Vivacious, especially compared to the grayness of her world and of people who surround her.