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rosecarroll's review
5.0
YES YES YES YES! This book was great! It was silly, quirky, sweet, and surprisingly moving. I loved every moment. I think that about says it.
coleycole's review
4.0
Listening to this in the car, which is frustrating as I don't really drive that much anymore... I'm enjoying it.
And enjoyed it overall. What I liked best was that though this is definitely fantasy, there isn't a ton of time spent explaining how it works. If it comes up, it comes up, but no more explaining than a non-fantasy novel would have. The world at large just is as it is, and the struggles and complicated feelings of the main character are what is really focused on. The interesting world in "Flora" is akin to an awesome outfit on a really cool girl -- nice decoration, but not the sole substance, not the best part. Also, love the language -- gifties! boo-spooky! pigface psychopomp!
And enjoyed it overall. What I liked best was that though this is definitely fantasy, there isn't a ton of time spent explaining how it works. If it comes up, it comes up, but no more explaining than a non-fantasy novel would have. The world at large just is as it is, and the struggles and complicated feelings of the main character are what is really focused on. The interesting world in "Flora" is akin to an awesome outfit on a really cool girl -- nice decoration, but not the sole substance, not the best part. Also, love the language -- gifties! boo-spooky! pigface psychopomp!
embereye's review
3.0
This was a cute book. Definitely for kids/teens, but not terrible. There was some info dumping going on and some strange word changes (you know where in order to make a story seem fantastical enough they change the names of things like peanutbutter?), but otherwise the story itself was decently involving and pretty well paced overall.
therealkathryn's review
4.0
I was torn between three and four stars for this book. The writing is passable at best and the pacing uneven. In the end the story's creativity and characters overcame its shortcomings.
thestoryowl's review
4.0
The story ended up being really sweet. I enjoyed the story and the characters, although some of the military jargon slowed it a bit for me, and by the end of the book I felt like I would scream if I had to read about one more Nini saying.
jesslynh's review against another edition
5.0
This has to be the most delightful YA that I've read in a long time, and I have to say that Flora kicks Harry Potter's ass. He ALWAYS had to get saved and while Flora may work with her friend, she remains actively involved. Like Harry, I was a bit surprised with a few of the darker details, but have come to the conclusion that if I could handle Old Yeller as a kid, maybe they can deal with deathlies as well--its not like I was a bastion of maturity.
Despite a few nasty formatting errors (on one page near the end) the book just made me smile and I laughed out loud more than once. I'll definitely be back for more.
(Dang it--now I have to go see if Old Yeller is available on Kindle.)
Update: Why yes it is! I have a host of books I loved as a child that I will immediately start searching for!
Despite a few nasty formatting errors (on one page near the end) the book just made me smile and I laughed out loud more than once. I'll definitely be back for more.
(Dang it--now I have to go see if Old Yeller is available on Kindle.)
Update: Why yes it is! I have a host of books I loved as a child that I will immediately start searching for!
vorsoisson's review
4.0
A charming protagonist, and an interesting world. I enjoyed the complete hodgepodge of cultures thrown together to create the Republic of Califa, and the author pulls off the non-standard speaking patterns well, enough that I'm getting the urge to greet people with an ave or to say "ayeh, so," whenever I'm thinking. This is definitely a kid's book, though, not just a book appropriate for kids, and the plot points are mostly predictable from a mile away. Still, I love the house spirits, and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author
untyingmyself's review
4.0
An interesting story. I enjoyed the read. Some of the slang that the character uses sounds odd to me, but that may just be my unfamiliarity with it.
kraley's review
4.0
I thought this book was great. The characters were entertaining, the magic in the book was well used. The story was fun. I am missing these characters and want to know more about them. I actually read book 2 before book 1 (a recent problem of mine) and went back and read this one. I really liked it still. I recommend reading them in order. Fun read and I will definitely read the next one when it comes out.