A review by minabix
The Cuckoo Tree by Joan Aiken

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 Danger! Intrigue! Magic! Suspense! An elephant!

Everything you want in a book: strong characters, cool settings, neverending mysteries, crazy action, clever plot twists, and such a satisfying, surprisingly heartwarming ending.

It is a bit grim/slow at the start, with too many antagonists and too few allies - but in the second half the pace really picks up which makes up for it. Made me gasp and laugh out loud, and I loved how characters from Aiken's other books were woven in.