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curatoriallyyours'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? No
3.75
This was an adventurous middle grade book featuring a quirky family who own a wondrous book arcade in Melbourne. It features magical realism which is never fully explained, which was a wee bit confusing. Pearl and Vally are sweet protagonists and the way they deal with the themes of the book is heartwarming.
rme9's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
solanpolarn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ellyrarg's review
4.0
Well that was delightful, the whimsy of the bookstore was indeed, very grand! I enjoyed this one, though the pacing (always upping the stakes, very little reprieve between rounds) and repetitive format (flowers, trap, task, thumb the man, family squabble) got a bit tedious after the first few rounds, and yet, still very delightful. Helps that it was about a bookstore, one of my squicks!
arianhrod's review against another edition
Got distracted by other books, have bought book 2 so will come back to this one
amotisse's review
5.0
There are many stories we wish were real and though this one is fictional, it is based on real people, places and events, so many aspects of it are real.
What an incredible bookshop it must have been!
And what incredible progressive people they were for their day too!
Lots of fun, Magic, puzzles and cleverness, full of wonder and curiosity.
What an incredible bookshop it must have been!
And what incredible progressive people they were for their day too!
Lots of fun, Magic, puzzles and cleverness, full of wonder and curiosity.
kaystitcher's review
adventurous
reflective
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
4.0
Enjoyable, characters especially when they interact with each other.
Plot is fast paced and as I was into chapter 2, the story changed slightly which kept it interesting.
Plot is fast paced and as I was into chapter 2, the story changed slightly which kept it interesting.