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drtx_bwt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
lesenderweise's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and War
adancewithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
4.0
The Language of Ghosts is a middle grade that was recced to me by Jenna from Falling Letters. But even before that it had caught my eye because of that pretty cover. The Language of Ghosts is a beautiful story about 3 royal siblings trying to surive a war because of their magical abbilities.
We start the story in the night that the mother of Julian, Noa and Mite is assisinated and they have to run from the place they called home. It was a coup to take over the ruling of their country from those who were opposed against magic users. They succeeded. It drove the three siblings and their supporters to take up residence on an island that Julian then puts a spell on so it can move.
Years later they are still on that island, trying to find ways to keep from the grasp of those who want them dead while also finding ways to taking their place as rightful heirs to the throne back. Julian was meant to be king as the oldest (and most powerful in magic). He can speak all 9 magical languages. Mite seems to have some magic as well. But Noa doesn't seem to have none. But that doesn't matter when you have a smart brain, does it?
I think what I loved the most about this book was the relationship between the three siblings. How Julian seems to dote on young Mite, Mite who follows Noa everywhere, Noa who tries to keep her brother from becoming 'evil' as she calls it. It felt real. Siblings fight and argue. But the love was there. I loved how Noa would be the one that could always criticize Julian, and even if it frustrated or angered him, he still listened. He still heard her in the end. And he would always be there for her. I think that is so the heart of this story and its beautiful.
The magical system of the languages was really interesting. Different kinds of magic attached to a language. And one can only understand and use it if you were born with a natural inclination to it. I would have liked more on the wizards that hid the other languages but perhaps that is for another story. Wink Wink. Hope Hope.
There are also different creatures in this world like the sea serpent Beauty that Julian has tied to the island, who by the way was a great addition~.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Murder, and War