ginbang's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun book that went pretty fast. There were some exciting parts and I am excited to read the second book.
madlee's review against another edition
4.0
I don't even remember what happened in this book. Why did I rate it 4 stars?
eritheis's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book with my son. He loves Harry Potter, so I thought this would be a good series to read together. The first few chapters go a little slow, but once the pace picked up, both my son and I had a hard time putting the book down. This book is great for kids (and adults) who like YA fantasy.
sarahannkateri's review against another edition
2.0
1.5
Yuck. I know this series is very popular, but I didn't like it at all.
The main characters were Too Dumb To Live, the dialogue was stilted, the vocabulary oddly advanced for the story level, and a lot of it was just plain gross (the milking. dear lord.)
We'll see what the middle school boys have to say about this one, but it was not for me.
Yuck. I know this series is very popular, but I didn't like it at all.
The main characters were Too Dumb To Live, the dialogue was stilted, the vocabulary oddly advanced for the story level, and a lot of it was just plain gross (the milking. dear lord.)
We'll see what the middle school boys have to say about this one, but it was not for me.
arya_56's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
joseich37's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
simonscrambled's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
paracosm's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I could give this book a five star rating. This is the first full-length novel that I've ever read, and was for many years my favorite series of all time. I think it's pretty good, but there are some things that I can't dismiss so easily.
First let's talk about the positive side. The concept of a wildlife reserve but for magical creatures is amazing. I don't think I've ever seen it done anywhere else. This series is full of incredible and original ideas and I wish they were explored more.
I have read this so many times and still have no idea on how exactly the magic works. We know that there are many rules, there's even a book in the story about all the laws that humans and creatures must follow, but we never learn what those are. Every time one of the main characters, Kendra and Seth, asks a question they are dismissed because of how young they are. These two are always asking but never get aswers and it's annoying.
We also never learn what a person does in their every day life as the owner of a magical reserve. We know that Kendra and Seth are training to become one, and that the duties take all day, but what those are? No one knows.
Speaking of characters, I really don't like Kendra. Her entire personality is that she follows the rules and in many instances she comes across as a coward. I know that my dislike for her only increases as the series goes on, but I will talk about that in future reviews.
Seth, on the other hand, is kind of an idiot but I like him. I read this book for the first time was I was 11, the same age as Seth, and I remember that I could see myself in him. Which is not something that happens very often for me. About 90% of Seth's choices are something that 11 year old me would have also done if I was in his position.
Theres also a lot of wasted potential regarding the characterization of magical creatures. The author has given all of them very specific personality types from which they can't deviate. All fairies are selfish and vain, all satyrs are playful and lazy, all demons are evil, etc. That means all your magical characters are going to be two-dimensional and that's not good.
Regardless of all the negatives this series is still really good and I recommend it.
First let's talk about the positive side. The concept of a wildlife reserve but for magical creatures is amazing. I don't think I've ever seen it done anywhere else. This series is full of incredible and original ideas and I wish they were explored more.
I have read this so many times and still have no idea on how exactly the magic works. We know that there are many rules, there's even a book in the story about all the laws that humans and creatures must follow, but we never learn what those are. Every time one of the main characters, Kendra and Seth, asks a question they are dismissed because of how young they are. These two are always asking but never get aswers and it's annoying.
We also never learn what a person does in their every day life as the owner of a magical reserve. We know that Kendra and Seth are training to become one, and that the duties take all day, but what those are? No one knows.
Speaking of characters, I really don't like Kendra. Her entire personality is that she follows the rules and in many instances she comes across as a coward. I know that my dislike for her only increases as the series goes on, but I will talk about that in future reviews.
Seth, on the other hand, is kind of an idiot but I like him. I read this book for the first time was I was 11, the same age as Seth, and I remember that I could see myself in him. Which is not something that happens very often for me. About 90% of Seth's choices are something that 11 year old me would have also done if I was in his position.
Theres also a lot of wasted potential regarding the characterization of magical creatures. The author has given all of them very specific personality types from which they can't deviate. All fairies are selfish and vain, all satyrs are playful and lazy, all demons are evil, etc. That means all your magical characters are going to be two-dimensional and that's not good.
Regardless of all the negatives this series is still really good and I recommend it.
pearlalynn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
baxterandcleo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0