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bishopbox's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was one of my favorites as a kid and I decided to reread it. Overall, it’s still a pretty good book. The world building is solid, the characters are interesting, and damn do they make to orphanage terrifying!!
However, as an adult, I see the flaws more. The titular “Guardians of GaHoole” are mention just shortly at the beginning, but then later become this huge thing out of nowhere. There were a few elements that were also just introduced just for a quick moment and then forgotten about.
Also there are some… strange implications in this book? Nothing that was outright offensive, but just weird. The biggest one is the snake maid and how she sees owls as superior beings to herself and keeps proclaiming that she loves being their servant. Idk just rubbed me a weird way. Also it’s implied that the first guardian of gahoole was like owl Jesus? Again, weird stuff
I could see this being a miss for a lot of people. It’s a very strange book and I don’t know many people that like owls enough to really get immersed in the owl world. However, it’s not a bad book! I’m sure anyone that’s into the warrior cat series or other “talking animal” fantasy type books would like this.
However, as an adult, I see the flaws more. The titular “Guardians of GaHoole” are mention just shortly at the beginning, but then later become this huge thing out of nowhere. There were a few elements that were also just introduced just for a quick moment and then forgotten about.
Also there are some… strange implications in this book? Nothing that was outright offensive, but just weird.
I could see this being a miss for a lot of people. It’s a very strange book and I don’t know many people that like owls enough to really get immersed in the owl world. However, it’s not a bad book! I’m sure anyone that’s into the warrior cat series or other “talking animal” fantasy type books would like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, and Cannibalism
Minor: Vomit
bashsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I see why this is a popular book. I wish I had read it when I was the target age demographic. I also wish I was more interested in owls, as I think I would've enjoyed it more, even as an adult, if I knew some owl facts/knew what different owl species looked like. But alas, I am a cat person. So that combined with the rapid pace of a juvenile book means it's just not for me at this point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
All the characters are owls, but like all types of abuse happen in here (I just feel odd putting child abuse for owlets, idk). Also, there is a big cult-like/prison/enslavement situation that I'm not sure how to tag, and brainwashing.