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thekissballad's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Contrary to negative reviews I've seen, I believe this is a good first book for a series. I give it 4.25 stars.
The Night Raven is recommended for readers in grades 5-9, ages 10-14. I suggest those recommendations be taken seriously because it is a bit darker at times than is typically found in middle grade books. [See content warnings.]
I liked Mika and watching her grow and learn. She's had a hard life, but she cares so much for other people and I find that admirable considering the time period and all the hard times that everyone is going through. She's clever, and while that does get her into trouble at times, it also helps her.
Back to those hard times, those are where a lot of the darker elements lie. But you have to remember that the people are struggling, if not outright poor, and doing all they can to survive a harsh winter in 1880. I don't believe all of the detail was entirely necessary, especially considering this is intended for middle grade readers, but they certainly help you visualize the times and the struggles.
I do look forward to reading the rest of the series whenever they are translated. If you're into mysteries and don't mind darker elements, then I recommend reading The Night Raven. However, if you're a parent, I suggest reading this beforehand to determine whether or not your child can handle those darker moments.
The Night Raven is recommended for readers in grades 5-9, ages 10-14. I suggest those recommendations be taken seriously because it is a bit darker at times than is typically found in middle grade books. [See content warnings.]
I liked Mika and watching her grow and learn. She's had a hard life, but she cares so much for other people and I find that admirable considering the time period and all the hard times that everyone is going through. She's clever, and while that does get her into trouble at times, it also helps her.
Back to those hard times, those are where a lot of the darker elements lie. But you have to remember that the people are struggling, if not outright poor, and doing all they can to survive a harsh winter in 1880. I don't believe all of the detail was entirely necessary, especially considering this is intended for middle grade readers, but they certainly help you visualize the times and the struggles.
I do look forward to reading the rest of the series whenever they are translated. If you're into mysteries and don't mind darker elements, then I recommend reading The Night Raven. However, if you're a parent, I suggest reading this beforehand to determine whether or not your child can handle those darker moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Murder, and Violence
amy_joy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
The Night Raven is the first of four books (published in Sweden so far) of The Moonwind Mysteries series. This edition has been translated from Swedish to English.
The book follows a twelve-year-old orphan named Mika who lives in Stockholm in the late 1880s. A serial killer was apprehended the year before, but a new body is found that brings that conclusion into question. Mika partners with a detective to investigate this newest murder.
Overall, I'd rate this book 3.75/5 (round up to 4). The plot line is interesting and moves at a good pace. Once I was 40% of the way in, I was hooked and needed to know what happened! There were a few times where the plot seemed to jump around and I wish the characters were a bit more fleshed out. The story was good enough that I am interested in reading the rest of the series.
I'll also note that while this book is recommended for grades 5-9 on Amazon, there were a couple parts that seemed a little intense for kids under 12. For example, one scene describes poor/starving people fighting over meat that was vomited up by one of the characters. Additionally, there is a description of cooking a child to eat - the conversation is in jest, but it is pretty descriptive. There are also some mature themes discussed (abandoned children, starvation, criminal execution, child labor/abuse etc.).
Thank you Net Galley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows a twelve-year-old orphan named Mika who lives in Stockholm in the late 1880s. A serial killer was apprehended the year before, but a new body is found that brings that conclusion into question. Mika partners with a detective to investigate this newest murder.
Overall, I'd rate this book 3.75/5 (round up to 4). The plot line is interesting and moves at a good pace. Once I was 40% of the way in, I was hooked and needed to know what happened! There were a few times where the plot seemed to jump around and I wish the characters were a bit more fleshed out. The story was good enough that I am interested in reading the rest of the series.
I'll also note that while this book is recommended for grades 5-9 on Amazon, there were a couple parts that seemed a little intense for kids under 12. For example, one scene describes poor/starving people fighting over meat that was vomited up by one of the characters. Additionally, there is a description of cooking a child to eat - the conversation is in jest, but it is pretty descriptive. There are also some mature themes discussed (abandoned children, starvation, criminal execution, child labor/abuse etc.).
Thank you Net Galley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Police brutality, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
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