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pheltzer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
oldandnewbooksmell's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
All Osmo Unknown wants is to venture out beyond his small town of Littlebridge - and to be known as something other than a turnip. One day, his mother accidentally kills a Quidnunk, a fearsome and intelligent creature that lives deep in the woods. This shouldn’t have anything to do with Osmo, except there was a treaty between the Quidnunx and the people of Littlebridge that was forged hundreds of years ago.
Accompanied by a half-badger/half-wombat named Bonk and an antisocial pangolin girl named Never, Omsmo must embark on a quest to find the Eightpenny Woods - the kingdom where all the forest creatures go when they die - to make amends.
This took me a little bit to get into it. I knew it was going to be good, but my attention for it didn’t truly catch on until a little over 100 pages in, once all the group had been assembled.
As much as Bonk initially annoyed me, the more and more I got to know him, the more I understood and liked him. I even started writing down my favorite insult names he used: ornery wee fork, ya dropped egg, absolute doorknob, trashcake supreme. I loved Never off the bat and loved every inch of her antisocial self.
There’s a narrator you see only in the beginning and towards the end, that breaks the fourth wall between the narrator and the reader - otherwise it’s told in third person through Osmo’s POV.
I can see middle grade readers really enjoying this and walking away from the last few pages feeling like they themselves went on an adventure. Even as an adult, I felt that I was just told the most fabulous story sitting around a campfire. Give it a few more pages when you’re getting into it than you probably usually do - but you won’t regret it!
aposthuma's review
5.0
So, so, so adorable. I listened to this as an audiobook and felt like an 8-year-old whose British grandfather was reading her a bedtime story. It all starts when the forest falls in love with the valley, and from there we meet a Pangirlin, a Crabybara, Quidnunks, so many more new species, and the dear reluctant Osmo Unknown. This was a lovely journey that warmed my heart.
singsthewren's review
5.0
What a phenomenally inventive and lively book. I loved the setting and the characters, and I especially loved the opening story about the Vally and the Forest. It was the kind of book you want to give to every kid in your life, and most of the adults, too.
aliereadsbooks's review
3.0
Cute story, very silly! I probably would’ve enjoyed it more if I didn’t read it/listen to it alongside a heavier book, but I did like it!
paneerakbari's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
crownoflaurel's review
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’m usually a huge fan of Valente’s prose, and there’s a few early sections that hit that high. However, the latter 2/3rds have a slight frenetic quality to the writing, and it’s almost unpleasant in places. It might be due to these particular characters (Bonk is very verbal), but I wish there had been a few moments for the story to settle.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
Minor: Abandonment, Death, and Body horror
mimiecherry's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.5
lizmarkus's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5