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kfrickle's review
I was not aware that this took place during the Covid Pandemic. It is not a book that I would find myself liking in the long run. I was caught off guard by the 13 year old saying a curse word (not something that I particularly enjoy to read) In my quest to see where this novel was going plot wise, I did look up some spoilers and ultimately decided it was not a novel that I would like.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
annorabrady's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
A great middle grade book about accepting the things you can't control and learning healthy ways to control the things you can. This modern fairytale mixes contemporary issues (the pandemic, police corruption, etc), cultural elements (food, folklore, legends, clothes, religion, etc), and settings (both magical and real) to weave together a tale in which every element feels intentional and important. And the themes are ones kids and adults alike can relate to.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Stalking, Death, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Violence
cboddie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
5th - 7th
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Child death, Blood, and Car accident
aformeracceleratedreader's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Hanna Alkaf does it again! I loved The Girl and the Ghost and I love this one as well. It def made me cry and was a little bit tough to read as my own grandmother passed this year and she was struggling with her own memories before passing.
I loved all the Malay myth/legends intertwined in a story that discusses some heavier topics. The characters are overall well written and interesting and the story kept me engaged the whole time. I read another review saying this should be a Ghibli-esque movie and I whole heartedly agree. Either Ghibli-esque or Pixar. I would 10/10 watch a movie adaptation.
Sidenote: loved seeing 2 names of my own family in the story. I don't get to see Malay/indo rep like ever and it's so nice to read from an author who is giving me the representation I've always wanted even though it's a middle grade and I'm a full adult. My inner child is so happy and fulfilled reading from this author every time. I checked out her books from my library but with how much I've loved her stories, I'm going to have to buy copies for myself. Also love the cover, it's beautiful.
I loved all the Malay myth/legends intertwined in a story that discusses some heavier topics. The characters are overall well written and interesting and the story kept me engaged the whole time. I read another review saying this should be a Ghibli-esque movie and I whole heartedly agree. Either Ghibli-esque or Pixar. I would 10/10 watch a movie adaptation.
Sidenote: loved seeing 2 names of my own family in the story. I don't get to see Malay/indo rep like ever and it's so nice to read from an author who is giving me the representation I've always wanted even though it's a middle grade and I'm a full adult. My inner child is so happy and fulfilled reading from this author every time. I checked out her books from my library but with how much I've loved her stories, I'm going to have to buy copies for myself. Also love the cover, it's beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Dementia
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
atsundarsingh's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
There is a lot to love about this book. One of the things that I most enjoyed about this as an adult reader, is that despite being middle grade fiction, this is a story that approaches a few difficult topics in really tender ways. That makes it good for reading with someone younger, good for a younger reader to read by themselves, and also fun for an adult reader.
I happen to be reading this while, living in Malaysia, for a few months for work, and that only made it better. For an international audience, my hope is that this will introduce some of them to the myths and legends of Malaysia, as well as its environment. The characters eat, talk, dress Malaysian. Alkaf is true to the origins of the story, but could hardly be accused of alienating readers, who are not familiar with Malaysia, as she explains almost every inserted word in the novel; for that reason, the inclusion of Malay language, phrases, and sayings was honestly unimpeachable.
I really liked the development of the main character Hamra and the antagonist (the weretiger). They change so much over the course of the novel and in different but parallel ways. I think that makes it a little bit more of an interesting novel for children to see themselves in, since they have not one but two leading options, in addition to the main character's best friend Ilyas. The book has a good lesson for younger leaders about the destructive power of anger, and even includes a little bit of historical marking by commenting on the alienation so many children felt during Covid 19 lockdowns. I would highly encourage others to read this book.
I happen to be reading this while, living in Malaysia, for a few months for work, and that only made it better. For an international audience, my hope is that this will introduce some of them to the myths and legends of Malaysia, as well as its environment. The characters eat, talk, dress Malaysian. Alkaf is true to the origins of the story, but could hardly be accused of alienating readers, who are not familiar with Malaysia, as she explains almost every inserted word in the novel; for that reason, the inclusion of Malay language, phrases, and sayings was honestly unimpeachable.
I really liked the development of the main character Hamra and the antagonist (the weretiger). They change so much over the course of the novel and in different but parallel ways. I think that makes it a little bit more of an interesting novel for children to see themselves in, since they have not one but two leading options, in addition to the main character's best friend Ilyas. The book has a good lesson for younger leaders about the destructive power of anger, and even includes a little bit of historical marking by commenting on the alienation so many children felt during Covid 19 lockdowns. I would highly encourage others to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Dementia
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