lisalark's review against another edition
3.0
This is no Dealing with Dragons or Sorcery and Cecilia (older works by Wrede that are simply amazing). However, it's still a fun read with a likeable main character and an interesting world and system of magic. I'll read the next one in this series too, simple because I'm curious about what happens next. Good for fans of magic and the wild West.
lilybellreader's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
2.0
This is the sequel to The Thirteenth Child. It is the continuing adventures of Eff, as she joins academic exploration of the West beyond the Great Barrier that protects the East from beasts magical and natural found in the West. Added into the mix are the tension found in the Rationalist community that rejects magic, Lan's education back east, and a mysterious dig of extraordinarily detailed stone animals, not quite fossil but certainly not carved.
It was detailed and tedious. It read like Eff's journal of her life, which is fine if you are her child or grandchild and wonder what her life was like the year she was 18. Otherwise. . .it felt as aimless and random as life does at times. If I wanted to read that, I'd review my own journals. I expect more drama and direction in my escape reading.
It was detailed and tedious. It read like Eff's journal of her life, which is fine if you are her child or grandchild and wonder what her life was like the year she was 18. Otherwise. . .it felt as aimless and random as life does at times. If I wanted to read that, I'd review my own journals. I expect more drama and direction in my escape reading.
squishies's review against another edition
3.0
Felt a bit slow... actually, pretty slow.
At least things happened, some things more interesting than others, but still... slow. >_> Sigh.
At least things happened, some things more interesting than others, but still... slow. >_> Sigh.
bookarian's review against another edition
5.0
It was just as good as the first book in the series. It's going to be a long wait for the next one.
sjgochenour's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely more engaging than the first book of the trilogy. Still not totally invested in these characters.
nixwhittaker's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in the series Eff gets a chance to travel more across the barrier and is finally finding out who she really wants to be.
an awesome series for teenagers.
an awesome series for teenagers.
smisaacs's review against another edition
4.0
Love. Since we already got so much world building in the first book, we were able to get into the story much more quickly (with the expected exposition). I was so happy that Wash was back, and we had another adventure out in the wild west. The story was so intriguing and I loved learning more and more about magic and undiscovered creatures and these endearing characters. I'm also glad that Eff got her groove back. Just such a fun read. I love the author's tone and writing style.
kndacus's review against another edition
4.0
Almost as enjoyable as the first in the series, and it follows almost the exact same pattern for a "plot": there's something mysterious going on out in the Far West. Eff happens to fall in with the group going out to investigate and, wouldn't you know it, Eff figures it out, saves everyone, etc. She was a bit more Mary-Sue-like in this book, which is what kept it from being quite as enjoyable as the first one.
And I'm still shipping her with Wash, even though I'm probably not supposed to.
And I'm still shipping her with Wash, even though I'm probably not supposed to.