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mbenzz's review
3.0
3.5 Stars...
While this book is geared toward the Middle-Grade set, it does get a bit dark in places. I would recommend this book to ages 12/13 and up.
This was an interesting, albeit predictable, story about the dangers of putting all your faith in one leader...much like a cult. Vittoria is locked away behind its high stone wall, and the townspeople are told there are no other humans alive after the Sorcerer's War destroyed the world. Ferocious Ferox roam the woods at night, viciously killing anyone who leaves Vittoria after nightfall, and their leader, Camilla, is credited with keeping them all safe and secure.
Octavia, our 12-year-old heroine, meets a stranger in the woods one day, and everything she's ever been told is thrown into question. From there, she and her new friend set out on a journey to expose the lies the town has been fed for the last 50 years.
For the most part, I enjoyed Octavia and Sima's journey, even if the story did lag in some parts. The world-building is fantastic, though. Ms. Wallace does a wonderful job of setting the atmosphere of Vittoria and the surrounding lands.
I think the main reason this is just a 'meh' from me is the predictability of the story. I don't want to give anything away, but I guessed exactly how the story would play out very early on. The only surprise for me was HOW the Ferox were being controlled, but not by who.
You can say, well, this IS a MG book. It's not exactly geared towards adults. Sure...I guess. But I've read quite a few MG books in my time (it's one of my favorite genres), and not all of them are this predictable.
Overall, though, while not my favorite MG book, this is a solid story, and I would recommend it for the older end of the Middle-Grade spectrum.
While this book is geared toward the Middle-Grade set, it does get a bit dark in places. I would recommend this book to ages 12/13 and up.
This was an interesting, albeit predictable, story about the dangers of putting all your faith in one leader...much like a cult. Vittoria is locked away behind its high stone wall, and the townspeople are told there are no other humans alive after the Sorcerer's War destroyed the world. Ferocious Ferox roam the woods at night, viciously killing anyone who leaves Vittoria after nightfall, and their leader, Camilla, is credited with keeping them all safe and secure.
Octavia, our 12-year-old heroine, meets a stranger in the woods one day, and everything she's ever been told is thrown into question. From there, she and her new friend set out on a journey to expose the lies the town has been fed for the last 50 years.
For the most part, I enjoyed Octavia and Sima's journey, even if the story did lag in some parts. The world-building is fantastic, though. Ms. Wallace does a wonderful job of setting the atmosphere of Vittoria and the surrounding lands.
I think the main reason this is just a 'meh' from me is the predictability of the story. I don't want to give anything away, but I guessed exactly how the story would play out very early on. The only surprise for me was HOW the Ferox were being controlled, but not by who.
You can say, well, this IS a MG book. It's not exactly geared towards adults. Sure...I guess. But I've read quite a few MG books in my time (it's one of my favorite genres), and not all of them are this predictable.
Overall, though, while not my favorite MG book, this is a solid story, and I would recommend it for the older end of the Middle-Grade spectrum.
twolfeiii_writer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
okamipax's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
brandypainter's review
4.0
I have some timing questions that weren’t fully answered, but overall this is an action-packed read about the stories we tell about the past and the power we give them to lie to us.
ohemgeebooks's review
4.0
Make reading fun.
Make it an adventure.
A sorcerer’s war.
A web of lies.
A dangerous secret.
Fifty years after the war, twelve-year-old Octavia grew up believing that her town, Vittoria, was the only one left in the world. When she meets Sima, another young girl from the southern climes who saves her life, her whole world becomes upended. Featuring a mountainous landscape, fearsome monsters, and action-packed adventures, Hunters of the Lost City by Kali Wallace is a debut middle grade that is coming April 2022.
Thanks to @quirkbooks Super Secret Middle Grade Book Club, James and Catlynn had the opportunity to read and review it early. Full disclosure, I read it aloud while they followed along because we haven’t quite reached this level of solo reading yet- it’s recommended reading age is 10-13. This kind of middle grade adventure story makes for a great read aloud experience, and provides great discussion points to have with children.
Enough from me, here’s what the kids thought:
James liked all of the cool characters, and his favorite is Sima because she is the best at archery. He describes the book as magical, adventurous, and inspiring. James would recommend this to a friend because it’s a fun adventure story.
Catlynn liked that it was a fantasy adventure book. I can’t share her favorite character because of spoilers! She would describe the story has magical, inspiring, and scary. It reminded her of Voyage of the Frostheart by Jamie Littler, another favorite read-aloud. Catlynn would recommend it to a friend because it’s exciting and inspiring.
James and Catlynn highly recommend you check it out!
Make it an adventure.
A sorcerer’s war.
A web of lies.
A dangerous secret.
Fifty years after the war, twelve-year-old Octavia grew up believing that her town, Vittoria, was the only one left in the world. When she meets Sima, another young girl from the southern climes who saves her life, her whole world becomes upended. Featuring a mountainous landscape, fearsome monsters, and action-packed adventures, Hunters of the Lost City by Kali Wallace is a debut middle grade that is coming April 2022.
Thanks to @quirkbooks Super Secret Middle Grade Book Club, James and Catlynn had the opportunity to read and review it early. Full disclosure, I read it aloud while they followed along because we haven’t quite reached this level of solo reading yet- it’s recommended reading age is 10-13. This kind of middle grade adventure story makes for a great read aloud experience, and provides great discussion points to have with children.
Enough from me, here’s what the kids thought:
James liked all of the cool characters, and his favorite is Sima because she is the best at archery. He describes the book as magical, adventurous, and inspiring. James would recommend this to a friend because it’s a fun adventure story.
Catlynn liked that it was a fantasy adventure book. I can’t share her favorite character because of spoilers! She would describe the story has magical, inspiring, and scary. It reminded her of Voyage of the Frostheart by Jamie Littler, another favorite read-aloud. Catlynn would recommend it to a friend because it’s exciting and inspiring.
James and Catlynn highly recommend you check it out!
bookish_whispers's review
4.0
A huge thank you to Quirk Books for an early copy of Hunters of the Lost City!
I was excited about this because I've heard really good things about other books by Kali Wallace, and I have another of her books on my TBR. So, I had some pretty high hopes for this book. Also, this book arrived at the perfect time because I'd been reading some intense books before this. Nothing like a wholesome novel to clean your pallet after books that have messed with your sleep schedule.
Due to the fact this book isn't set to be released until April 2022, this will be a spoil-free review.
A hundred percent this is a trope I've read before in Middle-Grade Fantasy novels, and will definitely read again. It's one of those tried and true tropes, and I really liked the spin that Kali Wallace put on it. While I know this trope well, the world and characters that were crafted within this trope kept me turning pages. Also, the fact it's a well-used trope made it easy for me as an adult reader to slip into the story. It's a comfortable read, one where I know what's going to happen and kind of know who was going to be our villain.
I will say that I was so focused on that main villain that I didn't see the smaller villain sort of sneaking up on me until they were introduced. So that was nice, even though looking back I can see the foreshadowing put into their arrival.
Even though the story was easy for me to read and sort out what was going to happen early on in the book. I think younger readers, they'll have to put a little bit of work into it, but Wallace does an amazing job of foreshadowing. As well as giving just information to start forming ideas along the way as the story unfold. I will also say while I figured out who was controlling the Ferox fairly early, I didn't figure out the why. Another piece I should have caught early on because the answer to that question was also foreshadowed.
Wallace's world-building was also really great. As readers, we get a small look at two of the communities set in this world that were vivid and amazing, and we get a thorough look at Vittoria. Which later makes it easy to follow the end of the book as everything happens rather quickly. My only complaint really about this book as a whole needed a map would have made everything a little easier. I love a map in fantasy books to give me a sense of distance and even a city layout. I just really love a good visual aid.
The upside is, I saw that the finished copy will have two maps. So I can't complain too hard.
Hands down my favorite thing about Hunters of the Lost City is that it's not a "chosen one" story. Octavia sort of stumbles into the hero role more than anything. She tries to do a nice thing, and in the process uncovers what is really happening behind Vittoria's walls and gets thrust into this adventure. However, I love that Octavia just sort of accepts that this is what she needs to do, and that the people of Vittoria need to know the truth of what's really outside their walls.
I also really like that not only does Octavia make mistakes throughout this entire book, but she learns from them. She listens to the people around, she doesn't fly off and think she knows what's best, and both of those things are refreshing in any fantasy novel. There is a decent amount of communication from those helping Octavia, and no one is keeping her in the dark on purpose. The latter annoys me in fantasy because how can they be chosen if they are also clueless?
So this book hit a lot of positives for me from start to finish. This is definitely more of a quest book than anything. The battle portion of this book is small and over very quickly. This is more about Octavia growing up than saving her people. With that, I think the ending is fitting and I'm happy it was more of an open ending. Yes, the main plot points had a solid ending but we don't know what the future holds for Vittoria.
There were other little things that annoyed me about this book, but as a whole, they are things that annoy about a lot of Middle Grade and Young Adult fantasy books. Most of them center around Octavia's parents. Nothing worth a deep dive into. This book was adorable and a lot of fun to read. Great for both Middle-Grade readers and adults who enjoy Middle Grade reads themselves. Because sometimes it's nice to read a book with a guaranteed happy ending.
I was excited about this because I've heard really good things about other books by Kali Wallace, and I have another of her books on my TBR. So, I had some pretty high hopes for this book. Also, this book arrived at the perfect time because I'd been reading some intense books before this. Nothing like a wholesome novel to clean your pallet after books that have messed with your sleep schedule.
Due to the fact this book isn't set to be released until April 2022, this will be a spoil-free review.
A hundred percent this is a trope I've read before in Middle-Grade Fantasy novels, and will definitely read again. It's one of those tried and true tropes, and I really liked the spin that Kali Wallace put on it. While I know this trope well, the world and characters that were crafted within this trope kept me turning pages. Also, the fact it's a well-used trope made it easy for me as an adult reader to slip into the story. It's a comfortable read, one where I know what's going to happen and kind of know who was going to be our villain.
I will say that I was so focused on that main villain that I didn't see the smaller villain sort of sneaking up on me until they were introduced. So that was nice, even though looking back I can see the foreshadowing put into their arrival.
Even though the story was easy for me to read and sort out what was going to happen early on in the book. I think younger readers, they'll have to put a little bit of work into it, but Wallace does an amazing job of foreshadowing. As well as giving just information to start forming ideas along the way as the story unfold. I will also say while I figured out who was controlling the Ferox fairly early, I didn't figure out the why. Another piece I should have caught early on because the answer to that question was also foreshadowed.
Wallace's world-building was also really great. As readers, we get a small look at two of the communities set in this world that were vivid and amazing, and we get a thorough look at Vittoria. Which later makes it easy to follow the end of the book as everything happens rather quickly. My only complaint really about this book as a whole needed a map would have made everything a little easier. I love a map in fantasy books to give me a sense of distance and even a city layout. I just really love a good visual aid.
The upside is, I saw that the finished copy will have two maps. So I can't complain too hard.
Hands down my favorite thing about Hunters of the Lost City is that it's not a "chosen one" story. Octavia sort of stumbles into the hero role more than anything. She tries to do a nice thing, and in the process uncovers what is really happening behind Vittoria's walls and gets thrust into this adventure. However, I love that Octavia just sort of accepts that this is what she needs to do, and that the people of Vittoria need to know the truth of what's really outside their walls.
I also really like that not only does Octavia make mistakes throughout this entire book, but she learns from them. She listens to the people around, she doesn't fly off and think she knows what's best, and both of those things are refreshing in any fantasy novel. There is a decent amount of communication from those helping Octavia, and no one is keeping her in the dark on purpose. The latter annoys me in fantasy because how can they be chosen if they are also clueless?
So this book hit a lot of positives for me from start to finish. This is definitely more of a quest book than anything. The battle portion of this book is small and over very quickly. This is more about Octavia growing up than saving her people. With that, I think the ending is fitting and I'm happy it was more of an open ending. Yes, the main plot points had a solid ending but we don't know what the future holds for Vittoria.
There were other little things that annoyed me about this book, but as a whole, they are things that annoy about a lot of Middle Grade and Young Adult fantasy books. Most of them center around Octavia's parents. Nothing worth a deep dive into. This book was adorable and a lot of fun to read. Great for both Middle-Grade readers and adults who enjoy Middle Grade reads themselves. Because sometimes it's nice to read a book with a guaranteed happy ending.
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Hunters of the Lost City is a superbly written middle grade chapter fantasy by Kali Wallace. Released 26th April 2022 by Quirk Books, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
The writing is immersive and descriptive. Although it's essentially a coming of age quest fantasy, there are a lot of deeper currents: found family, loyalty, choosing a life path, expectations, loss, and xenophobia which will resonate with middle grade readers. The storytelling isn't derivative at all, but the story will likely appeal to fans of Holly Black and Catherynne M. Valente.
This is not a shy and fluffy tale. Danger, death, and scary monsters lurk. The writing is intentionally direct and might be a trifle overwrought for adult readers in places.
Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition and home library. It might be a bit scary and too easy to challenge, given the current political climate for banning books in the USA, for inclusion in school library collections. Definitely one for the fans of middle grade fantasy, and this one has a refreshingly adept and courageous/stubborn protagonist.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Hunters of the Lost City is a superbly written middle grade chapter fantasy by Kali Wallace. Released 26th April 2022 by Quirk Books, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
The writing is immersive and descriptive. Although it's essentially a coming of age quest fantasy, there are a lot of deeper currents: found family, loyalty, choosing a life path, expectations, loss, and xenophobia which will resonate with middle grade readers. The storytelling isn't derivative at all, but the story will likely appeal to fans of Holly Black and Catherynne M. Valente.
This is not a shy and fluffy tale. Danger, death, and scary monsters lurk. The writing is intentionally direct and might be a trifle overwrought for adult readers in places.
Four stars. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition and home library. It might be a bit scary and too easy to challenge, given the current political climate for banning books in the USA, for inclusion in school library collections. Definitely one for the fans of middle grade fantasy, and this one has a refreshingly adept and courageous/stubborn protagonist.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
girlwhoreadssomtimes's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
fountain_ken's review
2.0
"They had us in the first half, not gonna lie." This book had so much potential. [If you don't mind what happens to Zima (apologies for the misspelling, I listened to this as an audiobook), it rubbed me the wrong way as she was the only major character of color, in this book.] The book seemed to have a lot of set up for, what I thought, was a convoluted payout.