rooftop_rabbit's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It kind of felt lacking, anti-climatic but nonetheless it was still a good read.
mariethelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I really adore Helena Duggans writing and her story and characters. Violet and Boy are charming as ever and OMG ANNA. Its also nice to see more of the characters like Anna and Jack and Rose. Its an exciting story even though I could see the twist coming. I did not see that other thing coming though. And it feels a bit like a book thats building up to a very dramatic finale in the third book. But I enjoyed it :D And its very magical and gives you good vibes.
gabby_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
amazingchester's review
3.0
I did not expect that ending in a middle grade book. So sad that William waited for her for so long and then only having her for a short amount of time
mia_grace143's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ruth_rb's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
klaraandersen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
neff__'s review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
valarryia's review against another edition
5.0
I must be honest: even though I deeply loved A Place Called Perfect and I was super hyper excited at the idea of reading a new chapter of Violet and Boy's story, the new adventure wasn't able to engage me from the very first page, as much as it happened with the previous book instead.
I felt this new adventure took off on the wrong foot, as well as the main developments couldn't measure up with the central events previously told: it felt like a repetition of the story, having the author covered the same exact topic.
I don't question the originality through which Helena Duggan was able to explain politics to children (and not only) in the most interesting way, although simple. What I wasn't liking too much and which slowed down my reading process, was the previously mentioned repetition: this second chapter involves very similar dynamics, on one side necessary if considered the ending of the first book, but the new settings are not as much engaging and fascinating.
I was sure I was going to give only 4 stars to the book until I reached the last few chapters: in the very final part the story finally spices up, introducing a plot twist I could never imagine in a book of this kind, that made me fall in love with this story even more than expected. To be fair, it wasn't the only plot twist introduced by the author, but the proper first one revealed during the central part of the book was pretty predictable, especially if the reader is a detailed-oriented adult who could already notice something bizarre in the previous book. This way, when a new element of the story was presented, I wasn't much surprised having had already predicted the switch of the story from the very start. On the contrary, the turn of events in that second last chapter truly left me speechless instead. It made me even more eager to read the third book, more as compared to when I finished A Place Called Perfect: I'm genuinely curious to know what the authour has in mind, what new horrific twist is going to trouble the life of this town.
I do have high expectations, considering the great job the writer has done so far, and I will count the days to the release of the new book. In the meanwhile, I'll suggest this reading to whoever I know, and here on Goodreads I want to state again the importance to read this book series. No matter what age you are, because the one told by Helena Duggan is a universal story. It teaches how to be independent from the intellectual and political point of view, pointing out the possible discriminations operated by politicians to divide populations, and the swindles and deceits that let the least decent keep the power. It's a memorandum of the importance of being active, suspicious and true to one's own ideals, in the fight for freedom and good politics. An essential human matter explained with originality, simpicity and through a fairytale-like perspective which makes the story and its teaching accessible to anyone.
I felt this new adventure took off on the wrong foot, as well as the main developments couldn't measure up with the central events previously told: it felt like a repetition of the story, having the author covered the same exact topic.
I don't question the originality through which Helena Duggan was able to explain politics to children (and not only) in the most interesting way, although simple. What I wasn't liking too much and which slowed down my reading process, was the previously mentioned repetition: this second chapter involves very similar dynamics, on one side necessary if considered the ending of the first book, but the new settings are not as much engaging and fascinating.
I was sure I was going to give only 4 stars to the book until I reached the last few chapters: in the very final part the story finally spices up, introducing a plot twist I could never imagine in a book of this kind, that made me fall in love with this story even more than expected. To be fair, it wasn't the only plot twist introduced by the author, but the proper first one revealed during the central part of the book was pretty predictable, especially if the reader is a detailed-oriented adult who could already notice something bizarre in the previous book. This way, when a new element of the story was presented, I wasn't much surprised having had already predicted the switch of the story from the very start. On the contrary, the turn of events in that second last chapter truly left me speechless instead. It made me even more eager to read the third book, more as compared to when I finished A Place Called Perfect: I'm genuinely curious to know what the authour has in mind, what new horrific twist is going to trouble the life of this town.
I do have high expectations, considering the great job the writer has done so far, and I will count the days to the release of the new book. In the meanwhile, I'll suggest this reading to whoever I know, and here on Goodreads I want to state again the importance to read this book series. No matter what age you are, because the one told by Helena Duggan is a universal story. It teaches how to be independent from the intellectual and political point of view, pointing out the possible discriminations operated by politicians to divide populations, and the swindles and deceits that let the least decent keep the power. It's a memorandum of the importance of being active, suspicious and true to one's own ideals, in the fight for freedom and good politics. An essential human matter explained with originality, simpicity and through a fairytale-like perspective which makes the story and its teaching accessible to anyone.