johannawilbur's review against another edition
5.0
Can I give this book nine stars? Ten? I would.
TJ Klune, thank you. Thank you for writing a book that made me cry tears of joy and made me happy to be in the car listening to the audiobook and also made me eager to pick up the paper copy when I wasn’t near my audio version.
This is a heartwarming story of love and acceptance and what we do when faced with prejudice and hate. How we bring about change in this world. Mistakes we make and the love that can emerge from our foibles. It s a reminder that while some people suck, many others do not.
This book is magic. Read it if you want to emerge happy and transformed.
Oh, and Chauncey? You are my favorite. Go be a bellhop.
TJ Klune, thank you. Thank you for writing a book that made me cry tears of joy and made me happy to be in the car listening to the audiobook and also made me eager to pick up the paper copy when I wasn’t near my audio version.
This is a heartwarming story of love and acceptance and what we do when faced with prejudice and hate. How we bring about change in this world. Mistakes we make and the love that can emerge from our foibles. It s a reminder that while some people suck, many others do not.
This book is magic. Read it if you want to emerge happy and transformed.
Oh, and Chauncey? You are my favorite. Go be a bellhop.
abbeymartin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
paragraphsandpages's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone kept telling me to read this book and how great it was and they were all right. I loved this a bunch, even if there are some aspects to get used to at first.
While I didn't have the biggest issue with this, the book really does read like a middle-grade novel. The writing style, often direct yet whimsical, fits exactly with other middle-grade novels I've read, but then the content is actually quite adult (not overly so, but there are many things said and mentioned that never would have been in a middle-grade novel). The protagonist is also just in his 40s too. This is definitely jarring at first, since content/plot didn't always feel like it lined up with how the story was being told, especially in the opening scenes where Linus is still working in an office. For me, it was something that grew on me though, so I wouldn't necessarily say it's a downside of the book, but it is something to be aware of in my opinion.
Even when the writing had not yet grown on me though, the characters more than made up for it. I love every single one of these characters dearly, and I could read a thousand scenes of their life together. The children especially are all so unique and well-written, and the reader quickly grows to feel as fiercely protective and proud of them as Linus does. The found family trope is also so well done here too, and it's a joy to read at points. They fit together like a real family (because they are!), and it's just so wholesome despite all the hate that still exists in this world. I also found the world-building well done, and this is a setting that could have multiple series set into it for sure, though I'm endlessly glad that this book is a stand-alone (no waiting involved!) There's so many angles to it, so many ways to think about this world with magical creatures that is still so similar to our own. I also really loved how the magical creatures themselves were built and developed in this book, a lot of times it had creatures we knew and loved already but with a twist.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I'm definitely going to go check out other books by this author!
While I didn't have the biggest issue with this, the book really does read like a middle-grade novel. The writing style, often direct yet whimsical, fits exactly with other middle-grade novels I've read, but then the content is actually quite adult (not overly so, but there are many things said and mentioned that never would have been in a middle-grade novel). The protagonist is also just in his 40s too. This is definitely jarring at first, since content/plot didn't always feel like it lined up with how the story was being told, especially in the opening scenes where Linus is still working in an office. For me, it was something that grew on me though, so I wouldn't necessarily say it's a downside of the book, but it is something to be aware of in my opinion.
Even when the writing had not yet grown on me though, the characters more than made up for it. I love every single one of these characters dearly, and I could read a thousand scenes of their life together. The children especially are all so unique and well-written, and the reader quickly grows to feel as fiercely protective and proud of them as Linus does. The found family trope is also so well done here too, and it's a joy to read at points. They fit together like a real family (because they are!), and it's just so wholesome despite all the hate that still exists in this world. I also found the world-building well done, and this is a setting that could have multiple series set into it for sure, though I'm endlessly glad that this book is a stand-alone (no waiting involved!) There's so many angles to it, so many ways to think about this world with magical creatures that is still so similar to our own. I also really loved how the magical creatures themselves were built and developed in this book, a lot of times it had creatures we knew and loved already but with a twist.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I'm definitely going to go check out other books by this author!
library_goth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is like a warm hug and a cup of tea. It’s comforting, inspiring, and truly wholesome. I cried tears of joy and fell in love with every single character. I can easily see this becoming one of those books I read over and over, whenever the ugliness of life threatens to steal my hope.
Don’t you wish you were here?
Don’t you wish you were here?
readbookswithbecca's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea what this book was about. I came to really love all the characters by the end. Such a special book!
plantedjess's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
jankyswanky's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Very cute! Could sometimes veer into "Very Special Episode" trope territory (in today's episode we learn that racism and child abuse are, and you're never going to believe this, *bad*). But otherwise very lovable story with cozy vibes and adorable characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Child abuse
naomiha's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
readingsar's review against another edition
5.0
What a lovely lovely book! The best audiobook I think I’ve ever listened too, lots of joy, really liked it a lot hehe
lilbumpybonbon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75