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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2014/07/2014-book-158.html
I found this title a little difficult to get into at first. The beginning was just a little slow and that made it difficult for me to start. There was a lack of world building right at the beginning that made it difficult to fully immerse into the story as well. Once I got past that the story was great. And it wasn't that much of a distraction, but since it's set in a whole different world that seems like it's based off earth, and certainly benefits from earth, felt I should mention it.
I LOVED that the main characters were strong female role models. Piper is the perfect role model for middle school girls. Strong, but just a little unsure of herself and her decisions. Someone they can relate to. She is vulnerable but not so much that it is annoying or makes her less of a character. Anna is mysterious and more vulnerable than Piper, but by no means weak.
My biggest complaints about this were the lack of world building and world history (things get thrown in that seem almost random like Gee and the specials), and the romantic bit at the end. I thought the romance was superfluous and that the middle school kids will just roll their eyes at it. IMO, if we had stayed with adventure/fantasy it would have made the story a little stronger.
I received a paperback copy of this book for review by the publisher.
I LOVED that the main characters were strong female role models. Piper is the perfect role model for middle school girls. Strong, but just a little unsure of herself and her decisions. Someone they can relate to. She is vulnerable but not so much that it is annoying or makes her less of a character. Anna is mysterious and more vulnerable than Piper, but by no means weak.
My biggest complaints about this were the lack of world building and world history (things get thrown in that seem almost random like Gee and the specials), and the romantic bit at the end. I thought the romance was superfluous and that the middle school kids will just roll their eyes at it. IMO, if we had stayed with adventure/fantasy it would have made the story a little stronger.
I received a paperback copy of this book for review by the publisher.
3 stars for myself, but 4 or five if I'm thinking about younger readers, especially those who enjoy fantasy and can hang in there for some world building.
I loved reading this book! I found it very unique. The characters were so well built and relatable that you feel like you know them. The plot was really cool and I would highly recommend this book. I could not put it down.
I love stories with strong female characters and Piper is definitely in that category. She has survived on her own after her father died, using her skills in repairing machinery to earn a living. In her world objects fall from the sky like meteors and "scrappers" who live in scrap towns scavenge for items they can sell. Piper repairs things that others find and bring to her. During one of these storms of objects, a trading caravan is destroyed and Piper rescues a girl she finds in the wreckage. Her journey to return the girl (Anna) to the city of Noveen takes her out of the scrap town and along the railway through the Merrow Kingdom and into the lands of the Dragonfly. Along the way she and Anna meet Jeyne, Trimble, Gee and other characters and we see the various cities and strangers through their eyes. There are the Sarnun who like to live underground and speak telepathically; the Chamelins who are shape shifters; and the humans who live as scrappers, miners, factory workers, etc. The tension between the two kingdoms serves as a backdrop for the action and as a motivation for the characters. Piper's father lost his job as an ironmonger because the Dragonfly king stopped selling iron to the Merrow Kingdom, the railway workers are worried about their jobs because there is a push for airships instead of trains, raiders attack the trains because their farmlands were ruined by strip mining... It's a fascinating and complex world that shows how decisions by those in power can have far-reaching effects.
If you enjoy adventure, worlds of fantasy, characters with courage and loyalty, and a plot full of intrigue and danger, then you should read The Mark of the Dragonfly.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
If you enjoy adventure, worlds of fantasy, characters with courage and loyalty, and a plot full of intrigue and danger, then you should read The Mark of the Dragonfly.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I read this book in very early 2017 and from what I can remember this book was phenomenal and so worth reading. This book to me is definitely 10/5 stars.
From what I remember this book is a lot like The Sea of Ink And Gold trilogy, but just written better? In the first book of the Sea of Ink and Gold trilogy, it was a little hard to understand but this book mastered its story brilliantly. It also reminds me of The Lunar Chronicles series, so this by itself is a good sign. This book should be read by everyone.
From what I remember this book is a lot like The Sea of Ink And Gold trilogy, but just written better? In the first book of the Sea of Ink and Gold trilogy, it was a little hard to understand but this book mastered its story brilliantly. It also reminds me of The Lunar Chronicles series, so this by itself is a good sign. This book should be read by everyone.
It is hard to find good and appropriate steampunk for younger kids; this book hits the mark. I had a hard time putting it down although the beginning was a bit slow. Full of adventure, middle school kids will enjoy this one!
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
tense
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