Scan barcode
connorjdaley's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
The author very kindly sent me a review copy of the audiobook version, which is performed by him expertly. I really enjoyed the narration.
This book opens up very grounded within our natural world. It bears the nostalgia of the boy who lived, or the land behind the wardrobe, in a sense that felt very cozy like an old middle grade friend. The story follows a young teenage boy named Jack, who has an eidetic memory with a hankering for knowledge. That doesn’t stop him from having a long way to grow up, nor does it stop him from having a lot more to learn. And it certainly doesn’t stop him from being sucked into a wholly fantasy world with dangers and bloodshed.
The author does a phenomenal job of having the reader learn and grow with the character. It’s one of the things that resonated with me the most in the feel-good, middle grade way, even though the writing and content is most definitely young adult. To really understand and progress the way the author intends, you truly have to feel and grow as Jack does, to come of age, and the author hands it all right to you.
The fantasy world is beautifully fleshed out, and I absolutely loved the diverse cast of characters and creatures this book features. Some felt wonderfully Narnian, while there’s even some you’d never think of! The writing is great, the description is wonderful, the action is top notch, and the heart and emotion hit precisely the way it’s meant to. I would gladly read many more.
Personally a 5/5* for me, an absolutely banger of a fantasy novel. Have you gotten your hands on this one yet??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
More...