Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fast-paced middle grade novel with interesting world-building including fantastical locations across the island, a trait-based magic system, and a rich mythological canon. The adventuring trio did have something of a Harry-Ron-Hermione format (the main one, the funny one, the smart girl), but they're engaging characters, and there's a well-defined cast of side characters. The stakes certainly seem high and the ending leaves you wanting to find out what happens next.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the eARC.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the eARC.
Oof.
Well, I finally finished this and I am *conflicted*. On the one hand, I loved the worldbuilding and the characters, but on the other hand, I couldn't get past the choppy writing. It was very hard to read because the pacing was so off. The characters jumped from place to place so fast and I kept on wondering just how small this island was because their quest only took them about a week. I know it's a small thing, but it kept me from really enjoying the story.
I did, however, really enjoy the worldbuilding in this book. It was stunningly vivid. The author did a fantastic job of painting a picture. I also liked the many myths she included in this story and how they guided the characters on their journey.
I was so annoyed by that ending though...it was so anti-climatic and I felt like it didn't really match up with what we'd been told the whole book. Maybe I was missing the point.
Anyways, 2/5 stars for this...maybe 2.5 because I am interested in the potential for a sequel?
Well, I finally finished this and I am *conflicted*. On the one hand, I loved the worldbuilding and the characters, but on the other hand, I couldn't get past the choppy writing. It was very hard to read because the pacing was so off. The characters jumped from place to place so fast and I kept on wondering just how small this island was because their quest only took them about a week. I know it's a small thing, but it kept me from really enjoying the story.
I did, however, really enjoy the worldbuilding in this book. It was stunningly vivid. The author did a fantastic job of painting a picture. I also liked the many myths she included in this story and how they guided the characters on their journey.
I was so annoyed by that ending though...it was so anti-climatic and I felt like it didn't really match up with what we'd been told the whole book. Maybe I was missing the point.
Anyways, 2/5 stars for this...maybe 2.5 because I am interested in the potential for a sequel?
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
Curse of the Night Witch reminds us that sometimes what we are running from is what we need. We can't see the value of something until it is threatened or taken away. For Tor Luna that "something" is his culture. He looks at his uneventful lifeline on his palm as a burden of boredom instead of reliable information. He looks at the emblem on his skin that determines his job and wishes it was anything else. Tor starts a journey with two friends to get away from his destiny only to realize all he is doing is running towards it. Our identity is made from our culture and our family who came before us whether we acknowledge it or not. Each of these three characters are so different every child will be able to see a little bit of themselves in at least one of them. Their adventure leads to many different environments that show Tor the variety of cultures. Children ages 12 and up will enjoy this spooky story told through unparalleled imagery.
The pacing was just all off for me. I might come back to it but doubt it. I think Aster has a lot of potential as an author but there are some skills that need refining.
Aster's masterpiece describes Tor Luna's quest to understand the meaning of friendship, sacrifice, and leadership through an enchanted land filled with magic and color.
Is it odd to find a 21 year old bookstore employee/engineering student reading a book for middle schoolers? It shouldnt be. I loved this adventure/coming-of-age story, even though I'm definitely not the target audience. Aster's world is unlike any I've ever encountered, filled with incredibly original concepts of magic, myths, and monsters. Her characters are dynamic, hilarious, and lovable, each with a unique personality and driven by their own special purpose. This story is full of twists you know are coming but have no idea which way they'll throw you. I admired her command of worldbuilding, constantly excited to see what new land and culture the characters would end up in next. I've never seen a magic system anywhere close to hers, and the way she weaves in exposition makes the reader feel like they already know the world well. Inspired by Latin American myths, the mythos of her story guides the three characters through a harrowing, exciting adventure that will definitely leave you wanting more.
Is it odd to find a 21 year old bookstore employee/engineering student reading a book for middle schoolers? It shouldnt be. I loved this adventure/coming-of-age story, even though I'm definitely not the target audience. Aster's world is unlike any I've ever encountered, filled with incredibly original concepts of magic, myths, and monsters. Her characters are dynamic, hilarious, and lovable, each with a unique personality and driven by their own special purpose. This story is full of twists you know are coming but have no idea which way they'll throw you. I admired her command of worldbuilding, constantly excited to see what new land and culture the characters would end up in next. I've never seen a magic system anywhere close to hers, and the way she weaves in exposition makes the reader feel like they already know the world well. Inspired by Latin American myths, the mythos of her story guides the three characters through a harrowing, exciting adventure that will definitely leave you wanting more.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was unexpected; plenty of adventure and magic, it reminded me Percy Jackson in a way.
On Emblem Island there is color everywhere, almost everywhere, until you start making your way towards the Shadows that’s when you know you’re getting closer to the Night Witch.
“Beware screams at the stroke of midnight. Ravens that fly against the breeze. Storm clouds that appear against a blue sky. Whispers in the wind. For that is a sign that she is near.”
The Night Witch is feared because she has more than one emblem, in fact she was born with two and became power hungry. Most are born with one emblem and are meant to embrace that special power and work in a field that compliments that emblem; what was Tor to do with his leadership emblem when all he wanted to do was spend his time at sea?
Tor was born with two purple rings on his wrist: a leadership emblem, but he wants nothing to do with leading. His mother is the Chieftess of the village but he is bored with his studies and lacks the motivation to try when the only other peer with a leadership emblem Melda is better at him in his studies and makes a point to prove it everyday. Tor prefers spending his mornings swimming and challenging himself by staying underwater for long periods of time. He would give anything to have a water breathing emblem. With Eve upon the village he might just get wish. Eve is a magical holiday on the island where you can make a wish and a wish-god just might pick you to your wish to be granted.
The morning after Eve, Tor finds that he was chosen by the wish-god but instead of a new emblem he finds an eye that blinks hello to him. He finds out that he has been cursed by the Night Witch, he has to find her and convince her to lift the curse off of him as well as his friends, Engle and Melda, who have unfortunately found themselves cursed as well.
My favorite part of the story are the “Cuentos”, which parallel the adventurers story. In order to find the Night Witch they have to find every location within the Book of Cuentos, the locations that were told within the monster stories. I was vey excited when a story reminiscent of “La Llorana”- The Weeping Woman came up, it was familiar to me because of the story I heard growing up as listening to Mexican legends with the twist of it being on Emblem Island.
The story is really fast paced and filled with so many creatures that it’s hard not to be entertained. Granted I would’ve liked more time in each new location but that might be me as an adult reader who just wants more details. I also found that magic of the emblems to be used conveniently for the story, especially with Engle’s power of sight, there were times when I was waiting for them to have him see if anything was ahead or for him to see who was waiting for them in the next room, but it didn’t happen. It’s said that sometimes he can see through walls so why not take advantage of that? For the story’s sake I see it would take away suspense if he just revealed the danger every time.
I however applaud the themes within the book: friendship, courage, and being grateful for what you have. The trio aren’t friends from the beginning, in fact they bicker a lot because Melda is seen as a know it all who likes to be bossy, but soon the boys realize just how much responsibility she has at home. She has to help take care of her brothers and her dad isn’t feeling well so she feels pressured to do well in school to get a better job to help her family. She has a weight on her shoulders that Tor and Engle have never known. As they survive together they learn more about each other and appreciate one another’s talents.
Not only do they learn to appreciate Escher other but they learn to have courage as they make their way through power hungry queens, monster infested jungles, and haunted lakes and much more. My favorite line is one told to Melda when the trio run into the Giantesses, who reminded me of Amazon’s from Themyscria:
“There are many ways to be strong that don’t require a sword.”
Although I had my issues with details with the story I enjoyed the idea of the emblems and the story’s that were included. I’m excited to see where this trio will go next.
On Emblem Island there is color everywhere, almost everywhere, until you start making your way towards the Shadows that’s when you know you’re getting closer to the Night Witch.
“Beware screams at the stroke of midnight. Ravens that fly against the breeze. Storm clouds that appear against a blue sky. Whispers in the wind. For that is a sign that she is near.”
The Night Witch is feared because she has more than one emblem, in fact she was born with two and became power hungry. Most are born with one emblem and are meant to embrace that special power and work in a field that compliments that emblem; what was Tor to do with his leadership emblem when all he wanted to do was spend his time at sea?
Tor was born with two purple rings on his wrist: a leadership emblem, but he wants nothing to do with leading. His mother is the Chieftess of the village but he is bored with his studies and lacks the motivation to try when the only other peer with a leadership emblem Melda is better at him in his studies and makes a point to prove it everyday. Tor prefers spending his mornings swimming and challenging himself by staying underwater for long periods of time. He would give anything to have a water breathing emblem. With Eve upon the village he might just get wish. Eve is a magical holiday on the island where you can make a wish and a wish-god just might pick you to your wish to be granted.
The morning after Eve, Tor finds that he was chosen by the wish-god but instead of a new emblem he finds an eye that blinks hello to him. He finds out that he has been cursed by the Night Witch, he has to find her and convince her to lift the curse off of him as well as his friends, Engle and Melda, who have unfortunately found themselves cursed as well.
My favorite part of the story are the “Cuentos”, which parallel the adventurers story. In order to find the Night Witch they have to find every location within the Book of Cuentos, the locations that were told within the monster stories. I was vey excited when a story reminiscent of “La Llorana”- The Weeping Woman came up, it was familiar to me because of the story I heard growing up as listening to Mexican legends with the twist of it being on Emblem Island.
The story is really fast paced and filled with so many creatures that it’s hard not to be entertained. Granted I would’ve liked more time in each new location but that might be me as an adult reader who just wants more details. I also found that magic of the emblems to be used conveniently for the story, especially with Engle’s power of sight, there were times when I was waiting for them to have him see if anything was ahead or for him to see who was waiting for them in the next room, but it didn’t happen. It’s said that sometimes he can see through walls so why not take advantage of that? For the story’s sake I see it would take away suspense if he just revealed the danger every time.
I however applaud the themes within the book: friendship, courage, and being grateful for what you have. The trio aren’t friends from the beginning, in fact they bicker a lot because Melda is seen as a know it all who likes to be bossy, but soon the boys realize just how much responsibility she has at home. She has to help take care of her brothers and her dad isn’t feeling well so she feels pressured to do well in school to get a better job to help her family. She has a weight on her shoulders that Tor and Engle have never known. As they survive together they learn more about each other and appreciate one another’s talents.
Not only do they learn to appreciate Escher other but they learn to have courage as they make their way through power hungry queens, monster infested jungles, and haunted lakes and much more. My favorite line is one told to Melda when the trio run into the Giantesses, who reminded me of Amazon’s from Themyscria:
“There are many ways to be strong that don’t require a sword.”
Although I had my issues with details with the story I enjoyed the idea of the emblems and the story’s that were included. I’m excited to see where this trio will go next.