mchalleyster's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A lovely and bright new fantasy tale for young adults. The characters and their relationships with one another were heartwarming and lovable. I appreciated the mix of realism and fantasy, history and other worlds.
stenaros's review against another edition
4.0
3/27/19
Read for Family Book Group
A great blend of fantasy and historical fiction as well as a work that highlights sibling relationship and slavery. Though I wondered about the use of modern words (kids) in a world that hadn't had contact with our world since the late 18th century. The author's note at the end added important context to the story.
I sat on this review until after Family Book Group so I could report what everyone thought. Alas, the three children in the group read, at the most, half of the book. One of them stopped reading after the first page because he thought he had read the book in third grade. But he had not.
The adults liked the book. Mostly.
7/27/17
Read for Librarian Book Group
Combining the middle passage experience of slaves brought to the US, with the post-Vietnam War boat people experience? No problem. It totally works in this tale that mostly takes place in the Second World, a place that can only be accessed once in a great while.
This is not only a story full of tales, it's also a brother/sister tale of adventure and exploration. I loved this book.
Read for Family Book Group
A great blend of fantasy and historical fiction as well as a work that highlights sibling relationship and slavery. Though I wondered about the use of modern words (kids) in a world that hadn't had contact with our world since the late 18th century. The author's note at the end added important context to the story.
I sat on this review until after Family Book Group so I could report what everyone thought. Alas, the three children in the group read, at the most, half of the book. One of them stopped reading after the first page because he thought he had read the book in third grade. But he had not.
The adults liked the book. Mostly.
7/27/17
Read for Librarian Book Group
Combining the middle passage experience of slaves brought to the US, with the post-Vietnam War boat people experience? No problem. It totally works in this tale that mostly takes place in the Second World, a place that can only be accessed once in a great while.
This is not only a story full of tales, it's also a brother/sister tale of adventure and exploration. I loved this book.
sonshinelibrarian's review
5.0
I seriously loved everything about this book. These are the kinds of middle grade books I want to give people who say they don't like middle grade books. They transcend the age group so much.
There's magical realism, history, fantasy, mystery all wrapped up in a storytelling frame that I loved. It takes its time but doesn't drag. It's rich but readable. It's got a diverse cast of characters. Perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge.
There's magical realism, history, fantasy, mystery all wrapped up in a storytelling frame that I loved. It takes its time but doesn't drag. It's rich but readable. It's got a diverse cast of characters. Perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge.
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
This isn't a book I would have picked for myself, but it was part of the Penguin Young Readers Author Program and so I gave it a try. As usual, the folks who choose the books for the program were right. Bouwman has created a fantasy world that intersects with ours in remarkable ways. The second world (as it is called), is a cast watery place with a few islands, a large floating nation known as the Raftworld, and even Krakens. People from our world cross over through portals that appear during storms or in whirlpools out at sea. Some of the people who figure prominently in the story are from our world. One group crosses over in 1781, after begin thrown overboard from the slaveship Zong. Another group is pulled into a maelstrom after fleeing from South Vietnam in 1978. And then there are the characters from Raftworld and the Tathen Islands in the second world.
Through the magic of storytelling, the author weaves all these tales together into a whole. There are kidnappings, rescues, magical powers, pirates, sea monsters, quests, and even Amelia Earhart! Readers will have plenty of action and suspense, some humor, family loyalty, and new friends to keep their attention. A captivating ride of historical fantasy adventure.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Through the magic of storytelling, the author weaves all these tales together into a whole. There are kidnappings, rescues, magical powers, pirates, sea monsters, quests, and even Amelia Earhart! Readers will have plenty of action and suspense, some humor, family loyalty, and new friends to keep their attention. A captivating ride of historical fantasy adventure.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
hsquared's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this fantasy featuring a diverse cast of characters that is a masterful example of storytelling.
cleap1967's review against another edition
5.0
If I could, I'd give this book 6 stars. Or maybe 9 or 10.
January pick for the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association
Magic, Kraken, slave ships, and Vietnamese boat people---when's the last time you've read a book with all those combined?
I LOVED this book, read it straight through.
January pick for the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association
Magic, Kraken, slave ships, and Vietnamese boat people---when's the last time you've read a book with all those combined?
I LOVED this book, read it straight through.
stephb413's review against another edition
5.0
A mystical story which perfectly blends fantasy with history. The author uses an actual event, the tragic sinking of a slave ship, the Vietnam War, and other individuals throughout history to weave a fantastic narrative between worlds. Overpopulation, overcoming obstacles, the value of family, government/leaderships, refugees, active citizenship, folklore, and so many more topics are brought up in the pages and can bring about conversations with youth. A new favorite!