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drlark's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
A delightful middle grade quest fantasy that centers family bonds and music. I'm pretty sure I read this series back in middle school, and I've been wanting get back to Diana Wynne Jones's writing. When I saw this series bind-up at the library book sale, I grabbed it. The writing is lovely, the humor is charming as heck, and the politics are suitably interesting to an adult audience, too, I think, as we follow Moril and his family of traveling musicians on their way back North from time spent performing in the South. On the way, they encounter danger and tragedy and also discover their own power. Good stuff. Onto book two!
thebooklovingpanda's review against another edition
5.0
it's by diana wynne Jones. she makes it awesome in itself. no seriously it's really cool. i think she excels in making up parallel universes and parallel universe magic stuff.
after reading: this is totally awesome. there's lots of stuff about magic but it all makes sense, like science, but in a magical way...? She's just so skilled in making stuff that shouldn't make sense make PERFECT sense.
clarabirdie's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
cimorene1558's review against another edition
5.0
Very fine! I went and ordered the whole quartet based on how good this one is! It's high fantasy at a less epic level--if you like high fantasy, and are a good reader of any age over about 9 years who would rather not read 500 pages every time you want high fantasy, this could be just what you need!
stuchacha's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.0
Glad to explore more DWJ work!
colorfulleo92's review
3.0
Four young people must save the world and an adventure begins. This didn't really work for me unfortunately. It was well written and entertaining enough however I didn't quite connect with the story.
b33dubs's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favorite series in middle school, and it's still just as amazing as I remember--although I notice I have less tolerance for some of the characters (Brid! Good gracious!), while I actually like Moril better.
_rusalka's review against another edition
3.0
Taken two topplers, 7 years apart, to finally read this. Not a reflection of the book at all, just of the busyness of my brain.
Diana Wynne Jones is the author I wish I had when I was a kid. She is so wonderfully perceptive of where you take kids, and challenges them in such supportive ways. I just think she is brilliant. While this book isn't perfect, I appreciate the author.
Diana Wynne Jones is the author I wish I had when I was a kid. She is so wonderfully perceptive of where you take kids, and challenges them in such supportive ways. I just think she is brilliant. While this book isn't perfect, I appreciate the author.
erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
As. Book for young and young adult readers, it has a feel that that is similar to other adventure tales written in the 1970s, but it's notable for a few things. There are characters of various ages and they are each lovingly crafted with their own values, feelings, secrets and goals (even the family horse). Adults and children alike, make their own mistakes, and character growth feels organic and honest. As this is an imagined world the author is free to describe her characters' differing cultures, ethnic diversity and social class, and tell a coming of age story where these influences help to build the character of children brought up in a nomadic lifestyle.
-edit to add- Huw Parmenter does a marvellous job of narrating this audiobook, with some very moving scenes, and he has a fair go at singing the songs in it too.
As a musician, I value the whole idea of creating things and influencing the world with music. I picked up on the very early hints about a character being musically gifted, as it felt very familiar to me. This the story is told through the eyes of children, the political machinations are simplistic and easy to get a gist of. Characters do die, but it's not so dire (or convoluted) as Game of Thrones. I see a similarity to stories like Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda, though I think this tale has a little more meat on its bones.
All in all, I give it an extra half star for good pace and feel, and likeable characters.
-edit to add- Huw Parmenter does a marvellous job of narrating this audiobook, with some very moving scenes, and he has a fair go at singing the songs in it too.
As a musician, I value the whole idea of creating things and influencing the world with music. I picked up on the very early hints about a character being musically gifted, as it felt very familiar to me. This the story is told through the eyes of children, the political machinations are simplistic and easy to get a gist of. Characters do die, but it's not so dire (or convoluted) as Game of Thrones. I see a similarity to stories like Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda, though I think this tale has a little more meat on its bones.
All in all, I give it an extra half star for good pace and feel, and likeable characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, War, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty
rebeccacider's review against another edition
4.0
Man, was this ever dark and tense. I really liked it, though, and expect to enjoy the rest of the series! I enjoyed reading a DWJ novel with a slightly different worldbuilding style than her usual - vaguely like the Ingary books, but not quite.
I liked how the storytelling and musical aesthetic was very Celtic, specifically Welsh (the "branches" of the Adon's tale was a fun allusion to the branches of the Mabinogi.)
I liked how the storytelling and musical aesthetic was very Celtic, specifically Welsh (the "branches" of the Adon's tale was a fun allusion to the branches of the Mabinogi.)