dmturner's review against another edition
3.0
Dark, spooky fantasy a little heavy on the angry-adolescent-protagonist but otherwise very readable.
janeofalltrades's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I read in 2015. I haven't enjoyed a novel like that in a long time.
mebius's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
2.0
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.]
This was EXTREMELY difficult to follow. I understand the author was trying to show that there are two worlds here that are connected, but the result was a bit of a jumbled mess of keeping track of who was who and who was where at any given time. It made it hard to enjoy the story.
This was EXTREMELY difficult to follow. I understand the author was trying to show that there are two worlds here that are connected, but the result was a bit of a jumbled mess of keeping track of who was who and who was where at any given time. It made it hard to enjoy the story.
jeninmotion's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I agree with another reviewer who felt the ending was a little bit forced and muddled in light of how Pollack let this beautiful mythic tale grow and branch in unexpected ways. It was the RIGHT ending, but I would have been cool with 20 more pages to get there.
Otherwise...man, what an amazing read. Full of allusion, magic, the fear of magic, betrayals...everything. I loved this so much and just was THERE with Simon and Jack and Matyas and Veil. I was even regularly frustrated at all the characters and still found myself sympathetic to all of them. (Okay, not the Child Eater, who was scary as heck, but all the main characters) This was a sheer delight to read.
Otherwise...man, what an amazing read. Full of allusion, magic, the fear of magic, betrayals...everything. I loved this so much and just was THERE with Simon and Jack and Matyas and Veil. I was even regularly frustrated at all the characters and still found myself sympathetic to all of them. (Okay, not the Child Eater, who was scary as heck, but all the main characters) This was a sheer delight to read.
rey_therese07's review
2.75
5/5 Stars: I absolutely adored this book. For some reason, I kept putting it off cause I got into my head that I would be really dense and boring since I found in the adult section of my local library. Although, boy was I wrong. It is was charming and whimsical in a way I’ve never seen before.
I love the way it’s set in the present and past at the same time with Matyas as a powerful, yet unsatisfied young wizard and Simon Wisdom as a broken, innocent boy with psychic abilities. I surprised at how much I was touched by Jack Wisdom’s perspective though, I was expecting find him overprotective and annoying, but once you learn about his history with Simon’s mother, it’s understandable why he is the way he is. Rachel Pollack is an amazing fantasy who is able to mix a traditional Wizards’ Academy and magic system with the modern life of a preteen boy. A beautiful story and I’m interested to see if she’s written any similar books.
I love the way it’s set in the present and past at the same time with Matyas as a powerful, yet unsatisfied young wizard and Simon Wisdom as a broken, innocent boy with psychic abilities. I surprised at how much I was touched by Jack Wisdom’s perspective though, I was expecting find him overprotective and annoying, but once you learn about his history with Simon’s mother, it’s understandable why he is the way he is. Rachel Pollack is an amazing fantasy who is able to mix a traditional Wizards’ Academy and magic system with the modern life of a preteen boy. A beautiful story and I’m interested to see if she’s written any similar books.
bilinski68's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book. Two story line that work together nicely.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
This book is set in a fantasy world, and in our world. It follows the life of Matyas in the fantasy world. He is the son of an inn Keeper and he wants more from life. Like exploring magic and learning how to fly. Then there is Simon in our world, a troubled child. But his parts are actually more about his dad. How he grows up wanting to be normal, falling in love with someone not normal, and having Simon. And wanting him to be normal too. Cos the Wisdoms are not a normal family. They see things.
I did enjoy the fantasy part more, I do love fantasy so that makes sense. It was an interesting world, interesting magic system and how the tarot cards were everywhere. Matyas on the other hand was an idiot at times, filled with hybris and more. But that did not matter cos it was how he was and it worked.
Simon's parts were more sad. He wanted to please his dad. But nightmares, knowing things, he was just so young and his dad should have told him the truth. And it's here we see more of those missing children. What is going on? How are the worlds connected?
Conclusion:
Fantasy, and paranormal. Two worlds, different POVS, it all makes it into an interesting mix.
I did enjoy the fantasy part more, I do love fantasy so that makes sense. It was an interesting world, interesting magic system and how the tarot cards were everywhere. Matyas on the other hand was an idiot at times, filled with hybris and more. But that did not matter cos it was how he was and it worked.
Simon's parts were more sad. He wanted to please his dad. But nightmares, knowing things, he was just so young and his dad should have told him the truth. And it's here we see more of those missing children. What is going on? How are the worlds connected?
Conclusion:
Fantasy, and paranormal. Two worlds, different POVS, it all makes it into an interesting mix.
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