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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
funny
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:
No
Wow, amazing story told by awesome narrator. There's so much character to the voices given by the narrator. I'll definitely have this on my re-read list.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such a cute book. Some snags here and there that kept it from being a favorite, but great nonetheless. The kids were the best part of the book by far. They burst with life and personality and were just so adorable. Lucy was the favorite, but Talia, Chauncey and Theodore were close. Found family is such a kryptonite of mine, so I was so here for all of that. I didn't vibe as much with the adult characters, especially Arthur. I thought he fell a little flat, though he was positioned as almost a secondary main character. Linus's arc was satisfying enough, but the other two adults could have used a little more...oomph, I guess?
My biggest gripe with this book was the preachy-ness of it. I want to emphasize that I agreed with all the sentiments---none of the messages in this book were problematic to me, and they were good and wholesome! But there were times where characters would go on for whole paragraphs with, like, super cheesy speeches about being more than a sum of your parts and dreams and hope that just felt super inorganic. Speeches like that can be done well if they aren't happening three times a chapter. It just feels...super unrealistic to me, even in an over the top world like this one. I could literally feel the author in the pages and it took me out of the story. It also hits a main book gripe of mine---showing, rather than telling. Rather than telling me all this stuff in speeches from characters, SHOW ME these themes and ideas through interactions, events, and development that doesn't require droning on for paragraphs of dialogue. That got a bit old by the end.
Other than that and a couple other random things that just kind of bugged me (Arthur's big reveal as the phoenix being predictable, Helen and Zoe suddenly being lesbian by the end despite no buildup, Phee not getting more character work done, and the constant mentioning of Linus being overweight), it was still quite enjoyable. I would recommend this to people who want just good, inspiring feelings and wholesome family content. 3.75-4 stars for me!
My biggest gripe with this book was the preachy-ness of it. I want to emphasize that I agreed with all the sentiments---none of the messages in this book were problematic to me, and they were good and wholesome! But there were times where characters would go on for whole paragraphs with, like, super cheesy speeches about being more than a sum of your parts and dreams and hope that just felt super inorganic. Speeches like that can be done well if they aren't happening three times a chapter. It just feels...super unrealistic to me, even in an over the top world like this one. I could literally feel the author in the pages and it took me out of the story. It also hits a main book gripe of mine---showing, rather than telling. Rather than telling me all this stuff in speeches from characters, SHOW ME these themes and ideas through interactions, events, and development that doesn't require droning on for paragraphs of dialogue. That got a bit old by the end.
Other than that and a couple other random things that just kind of bugged me (Arthur's big reveal as the phoenix being predictable, Helen and Zoe suddenly being lesbian by the end despite no buildup, Phee not getting more character work done, and the constant mentioning of Linus being overweight), it was still quite enjoyable. I would recommend this to people who want just good, inspiring feelings and wholesome family content. 3.75-4 stars for me!
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The only reason I’m not giving it a 5/5 is because I wish there was more! This book was so cute and thought-provoking, making you truly think about the world and societal expectations and prejudices. I adored the characters, they were incredibly lovable and tugged on your heartstrings with ease. I enjoyed the character development, and this has brought cerulean and other colors into my viewpoint on life. Many lessons to be learned in this story, and it is written beautifully, too.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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