Reviews

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

madswag27's review against another edition

5.0

Sometimes you've just got to reread the formative children's books of your childhood. This one stands up. A masterclass in worldbuilding, for real. Within pages I was immersed in bat culture again, from mosquito hunting, owl sentinels, and winter migrations, to cannibal vampire bats, bat gods and mysterious bands! Not even mentioning the rat princes, Remus and Romulus. What a book, man!! I might just have to reread the rest of the series now.

jeanettesonya's review against another edition

3.0

I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but somehow, it was a let down. Maybe I just didn't feel like reading about bats. Perhaps, after the suspense of Night Film, it just didn't have nearly the same amount of drive in the story. Whatever it was, I was bored.

That said, I can tell why a lot of people love these books! I just didn't.

lynnaeaowens's review against another edition

5.0

Revisiting this childhood favorite was a delight. Shade is such a compelling and weirdly relatable protagonist (as he's a bat!). I'm fully impressed with Oppel's ability to create well-developed characters that still feel like fully realistic animals. The "legends" and conflict in this novel are so creative and so well-done. The bat society felt fully believable to me. The plot is fast-paced, intense, and surprisingly frightening! There are multiple antagonists, one who only fully emerges halfway through. There is violence (kind of like in Redwall, in a way that made me shocked I didn't find it more disturbing as a child) and deep questions about life and identity.

5/5

mousie_books's review against another edition

2.0

Shade, a young Silverwing bat, becomes separated from his colony during their first migration, and needs to find his own way there.

The book reminded me of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole (owls) series. It was cute, but I got bored during the journey. I did find the mythology of the bats interesting. They allied as neither birds nor beasts, and gained the enmity of both, resulting in their banishment from the light.

lindzebird's review against another edition

4.0

I read this aloud to Bryant and we enjoyed the story. There are two others I guess...so we'll continue on.

joannethefairy's review against another edition

2.0

A good adventure story geared towards primary school age kids. Some middle grade books can be enjoyed at any age, but not this one unfortunately. Still an awesome introduction to fantasy for a younger reader.
2 stars - an intro to fantasy for a younger reader.

grubstlodger's review against another edition

2.0

Compared to ‘Watership Down’ but I don’t get a sense of the ‘bat-ness’ in this book in the way I got of the ‘rabbit-ness of that’.

The mythos is also very silly and the whole thing is too mired in US culture and in the tropes and cliches of the YA novel.

tayw24's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

maniikoi's review against another edition

5.0

This is the first fantasy book — that I can recall — ever having the point of view of an animal that isn't a shifter or paranormal beast. Silverwing wing was unique and engaging and it kept me turning the page! I really enjoyed it; Shades journey was full of hardships, and he doesn't have an easy life being the runt in his coloney but he proves himself full of bravery and courage despite his size.

I will definitely be getting the rest of the books in this series! I can't wait to read more about Shades adventures!

notsolittlejon's review against another edition

5.0

I love this book to death! First read it when i was in fifth or sixth grade, and have loved it (and its sequels) ever since! Shade was a character that i could really connect with, and he was very well rounded.