A review by seraphjewel
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

5.0

I already mentioned in my other review how Newberry books catch my attention. So I wanted to read this to find out what made it get that great honor. The answer? Read like it's bound for a Studio Ghibli adaptation. Seriously, this book is set in a perfect environment for that kind of animation and storytelling style. But we're not here to talk about why it would make a great Ghibli movie. We're here to discuss it as a book!

The strength of this book comes in its environment. It sucks you into the world and makes you feel like you're there, and that you want to never leave it. So much of this book relies on the reader's imagination, which I personally loved. It's the perfect example of "show, don't tell" because it gives a good idea of what the world is like without spelling it out. I honestly wish more books were like that.

There's actually a lot that isn't explained in this book that might irritate older readers. The characters, while interesting, aren't all strongly defined. A lot of time is devoted to building up the various storylines. What happens with the "villain" is satisfying but the ending can feel a little anticlimactic.

For me, it was a wonderful journey through a fascinating world. And I'm serious about Ghibli buying the rights and making a movie out of it.