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A review by erica_sff
Emilie and the Hollow World by Martha Wells
4.0
Emilie & the Hollow World is a fun romp of an adventure in the proud Vernian tradition of of journeys to the center of the earth, with its own unique twists.
Our heroine is a semi-accidental stow-away who in some ways is along for the ride, yet she is clever and brave and becomes increasingly confident and competent as the book progresses, more than earning her keep.
The writing style and pacing make it straddle the line between Middle Grade and YA, making it a reasonable choice for advanced readers of Middle Grade, or an easy romp for YA or adult readers.
Despite the young audience, the book treats questions like encountering foreign cultures with welcome nuance, and the various peoples met in travel narrative have clearly been well thought through, with individuals acting out of their own complex motivations.
The book also explores ideas of gender expectations, friendship, and various moral quandaries without bogging down in any of them.
Lots of fun. I couldn't wait to rush off to Emilie's next adventure.
Our heroine is a semi-accidental stow-away who in some ways is along for the ride, yet she is clever and brave and becomes increasingly confident and competent as the book progresses, more than earning her keep.
The writing style and pacing make it straddle the line between Middle Grade and YA, making it a reasonable choice for advanced readers of Middle Grade, or an easy romp for YA or adult readers.
Despite the young audience, the book treats questions like encountering foreign cultures with welcome nuance, and the various peoples met in travel narrative have clearly been well thought through, with individuals acting out of their own complex motivations.
The book also explores ideas of gender expectations, friendship, and various moral quandaries without bogging down in any of them.
Lots of fun. I couldn't wait to rush off to Emilie's next adventure.