rudo_tsaritsar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tangiblereads's review against another edition
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Eden’s Everdark starts with a beautiful cover, and continues with a great middle grade story of grief, death, African ancestry, magic, freedom of spirits. I loved how Eden was very much a child, but still headstrong, inquisitive and also respectful. I like how she got to trace her history back to slavery and how the cultivation of the land gave them their magic. The grief component was handled well without dwelling or minimizing it. Book was full of lush imagery, without overdoing it. This is a beautiful story for anyone, but I hope little black girls find it especially helpful in being proud of their history and wanting to find out where they come from.
jmwilson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder, Racism, and Slavery
ericxcherish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mistermipsy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.25
This darkly imaginative fantasy deals with grief and generational trauma in a way that will be digestible and not too overwhelming for young readers. I love that the all of the antagonists in Everdark aren't just evil incarnate but rather have motivations that Eden grows to understand, even if it doesn't make their actions any less terrifying or wrong.
atuckerdye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
brandylyons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
This. Book. Is. Everything. It is rich with history and love and pain and healing. I love Eden, who is struggling to find her way and her place after her mom's death. I love the richness of Safina Island and the depth of Everdark. I love the history that is sewn beautifully throughout the book. And that ending made me cry in the best way.