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hannahhbic's review against another edition
2.0
Does too much telling and not enough showing. Someday I'll come back to this and finish it but it's on hold at the library and I don't particularly feel like rushing to listen to the rest when I'm not enjoying it much to begin with.
rjdenney's review against another edition
3.0
***3 STARS!***
I read this on audio and the narrator did a great job with the story even though it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I still thought it was a fun read though and I'd recommend the audio. - R.
I read this on audio and the narrator did a great job with the story even though it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I still thought it was a fun read though and I'd recommend the audio. - R.
dentripdz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
leschroniques_delea's review against another edition
3.0
J’ai trouvé que ce roman est parfait pour un public jeunesse ou même Young adult. C’est un bon roman alliant magie, aventure, quête et avec pour personnage principal une sorcière que très peu respecte. En effet, les pouvoirs de Violette ne sont pas assez intéressants ni impressionnants pour sa mère et ses sœurs.
Cependant, le début du roman est trop rapide, on a très peu de descriptions sur le monde dans lequel vie Violette et sur sa famille. On connaît à peine le pouvoir de Violette que la plus grande sorcière du royaume vient la chercher parce qu’elle a besoin d’elle pour une mission très importante.
Néanmoins, Violette durant tout le roman a une relation très forte avec sa grand-mère et elles sont proches toutes les deux. Cette relation m’a beaucoup touché car je me reconnais dans la relation que Violette a avec sa grand-mère
Cependant, le début du roman est trop rapide, on a très peu de descriptions sur le monde dans lequel vie Violette et sur sa famille. On connaît à peine le pouvoir de Violette que la plus grande sorcière du royaume vient la chercher parce qu’elle a besoin d’elle pour une mission très importante.
Néanmoins, Violette durant tout le roman a une relation très forte avec sa grand-mère et elles sont proches toutes les deux. Cette relation m’a beaucoup touché car je me reconnais dans la relation que Violette a avec sa grand-mère
molang_madrigal's review against another edition
I’ve read this book before in the middle of a few other books that I really liked, so I didn’t like everything about it but I kind of gave it the benefit of the doubt. Revisiting it a while later, I find the story quite dense and hard to follow. It creates a whole new universe with its own history about magic previously being more powerful in the past but being vanquished by some anti-magic monks or something, and different kingdoms that all have completely different views of magic and different fantasy creatures living there and not many defining characteristics so you remember which one you’re in. And it doesn’t help that the magical characters don’t follow established stereotypes of that particular magical creature. For instance, most witches only have one power. If it’s not amazing enough you’re really looked down upon, even though you’re surrounded by plenty of completely non-magical people. A thousand years ago (!?!) witches had many powers at one time before they were somehow defeated by the non-magic monks, and the general consensus seems to be that things are just rubbish and monotonous compared to then. Witches use their special skill to help their community and people pay them for their services, but also seem to despise them as well. They seem to have quite depressing lives and communities and most things described are all weird shades of green, even though it’s clear nobody really seems to like this. Witches are only allowed to live in certain areas, and don’t fly on broomsticks unless absolutely necessary because it’s a stereotype. And then there’s one witch who seems to be super powerful for some reason, and is also really notorious for some unknown reason. So there’s all that to remember just about witches, and half the characters encountered aren’t even witches and are other humans/magical creatures also coming from really intricate rigid societies you have to remember about! It doesn’t feel like escapism, it actually makes me feel really glad to be human and not living in this magical but depressing world.
Also, the ending is totally sad and unexpected. When I was looking at this book in the bookshop, everything from the doodly style of illustration to the Encanto-esque concept of being the least magical in a family and the idea of something as crazy as last Tuesday being missing all seemed to point to it being a really funny book. And there are some funny moments (mostly from Oswin, Willow’s pet who is totally grumpy and pessimistic and actually doesn’t seem to like her much but stays with her anyway, and is a magical creature called a kobold, which is most similar to a cat but IS DEFINITELY NOT A CAT, but they also have the ability to detect lies and explode when they’re angry, and for some reason Oswin’s the last one in existence, something to do with his aunt Osbertrude who he always curses. See how much there is to learn just about one character?!?) But the ending is definitely not funny at all and I feel like the style of the book really misleads you.It turns out that Willow’s gran died last Tuesday so when she brings last Tuesday back, the memory of it and the grief all comes back. There should really be more warning for something triggering like this. Plus, the fact that last Tuesday was missing meant anything that happened that day had just gone, meaning two dragons who had had a baby that day were left with just an empty eggshell and broke up over it! I feel like that’s too much too.
Also, the ending is totally sad and unexpected. When I was looking at this book in the bookshop, everything from the doodly style of illustration to the Encanto-esque concept of being the least magical in a family and the idea of something as crazy as last Tuesday being missing all seemed to point to it being a really funny book. And there are some funny moments (mostly from Oswin, Willow’s pet who is totally grumpy and pessimistic and actually doesn’t seem to like her much but stays with her anyway, and is a magical creature called a kobold, which is most similar to a cat but IS DEFINITELY NOT A CAT, but they also have the ability to detect lies and explode when they’re angry, and for some reason Oswin’s the last one in existence, something to do with his aunt Osbertrude who he always curses. See how much there is to learn just about one character?!?) But the ending is definitely not funny at all and I feel like the style of the book really misleads you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Xenophobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Death of a grandparentpewterwolf's review against another edition
5.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
***eProof given by publisher, HarperCollins, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I borrowed and listened to audiobook from local library via BorrowBox***
I’m not exactly sure how this fell onto my radar, but I’ve known about this title since last year. It came out round the same time as the second book in the Nevermoor series (Another middle-grade series I really need to read as I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it!) by Jessica Townsend came out and people were mentioning the two quite closely, though Starfell feels more suited to younger readers compared to Nevermoor.
In Starfell, magic is slowly coming and Willow Moss, youngest in the Moss family of witches, has the least powerful gift of finding lost things. Like keys, glasses or wooden teeth. Useful, but not exactly exciting compared to her mother and her two older sisters…
So when the most powerful witch, Moreg Vaine, comes to Willow and ask for her help, Willow can’t say no. For you see, last Tuesday has gone missing. Not from Moreg’s memory but from everyone’s. Last Tuesday has gone and, without it, the universe could unravel.
I found this utterly charming. Yes, it’s a typical middle-grade fantasy and yes, most grown-up will go “I’ve read this before” but younger readers will devour this and will fall in love with Willow’s friend, Oswin the kobold. He looks like a cat, but he’s not (never call him a cat). He’s the Monster from Under The Bed (Willow’s), can talk and, when angry, can explode. He’s a fabulous character, but I do have a thing for talking animals that look cat-like.
This book also has depth to it, but is subtle to younger readers. We have a band of people called the Brothers of Wol who believe magic is dangerous and witches and wizards should live somwhere else, and with the present political climate, you get a little kick in the gut over how this affects people. Because of the missing day, you get other subtle depths, left out like breadcrumbs, which comes hard at the reader towards the end.
As I audiobooked this from my library, I found the narrator, Tuppence Middleton, a joy to listen to. And, in the physical and ebook editions, you have stunning black and white illustrations by Sarah Warburton.
This is pure escapism and I loved it. Can’t wait to see what happens next to Willow and her friends in Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale.
***eProof given by publisher, HarperCollins, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, even though I borrowed and listened to audiobook from local library via BorrowBox***
I’m not exactly sure how this fell onto my radar, but I’ve known about this title since last year. It came out round the same time as the second book in the Nevermoor series (Another middle-grade series I really need to read as I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it!) by Jessica Townsend came out and people were mentioning the two quite closely, though Starfell feels more suited to younger readers compared to Nevermoor.
In Starfell, magic is slowly coming and Willow Moss, youngest in the Moss family of witches, has the least powerful gift of finding lost things. Like keys, glasses or wooden teeth. Useful, but not exactly exciting compared to her mother and her two older sisters…
So when the most powerful witch, Moreg Vaine, comes to Willow and ask for her help, Willow can’t say no. For you see, last Tuesday has gone missing. Not from Moreg’s memory but from everyone’s. Last Tuesday has gone and, without it, the universe could unravel.
I found this utterly charming. Yes, it’s a typical middle-grade fantasy and yes, most grown-up will go “I’ve read this before” but younger readers will devour this and will fall in love with Willow’s friend, Oswin the kobold. He looks like a cat, but he’s not (never call him a cat). He’s the Monster from Under The Bed (Willow’s), can talk and, when angry, can explode. He’s a fabulous character, but I do have a thing for talking animals that look cat-like.
This book also has depth to it, but is subtle to younger readers. We have a band of people called the Brothers of Wol who believe magic is dangerous and witches and wizards should live somwhere else, and with the present political climate, you get a little kick in the gut over how this affects people. Because of the missing day, you get other subtle depths, left out like breadcrumbs, which comes hard at the reader towards the end.
As I audiobooked this from my library, I found the narrator, Tuppence Middleton, a joy to listen to. And, in the physical and ebook editions, you have stunning black and white illustrations by Sarah Warburton.
This is pure escapism and I loved it. Can’t wait to see what happens next to Willow and her friends in Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale.
lisakimmence3's review against another edition
4.0
'I think you'll find that even in the darkest, most hopeless of times there is always a choice when you look hard enough. Even if that choice is simply about how you will act.'
I adored this book. Sometimes, when I'm really needing an escape, I jump into a middle grade book and this was just what I needed to help me out while we still deal with navigating this awful pandemic.
Willow Moss wishes she had a magical ability as grand as her two sisters. Instead, she has the lackluster ability to find lost things. However, when an entire day of the week, Tuesday, goes missing the most feared witch in Starfell, Moreg Vaine, calls on Willow to help her find it. If Tuesday remains lost, it could have devastating repercussions. We then embark on a wonderful adventure with Willow, through the many areas of Starfell, meeting friends along the way, while she tries to solve the mystery of the lost Tuesday.
This book was so enchanting and just such a fun read. Willow is a charming protagonist; I just loved her and all the people she met on her journey. My favorite character, though, was Oswin. A crotchety Kobold, better known as a tabby cat. He added such fantastic humor throughout the story. I highly recommend this book.
I adored this book. Sometimes, when I'm really needing an escape, I jump into a middle grade book and this was just what I needed to help me out while we still deal with navigating this awful pandemic.
Willow Moss wishes she had a magical ability as grand as her two sisters. Instead, she has the lackluster ability to find lost things. However, when an entire day of the week, Tuesday, goes missing the most feared witch in Starfell, Moreg Vaine, calls on Willow to help her find it. If Tuesday remains lost, it could have devastating repercussions. We then embark on a wonderful adventure with Willow, through the many areas of Starfell, meeting friends along the way, while she tries to solve the mystery of the lost Tuesday.
This book was so enchanting and just such a fun read. Willow is a charming protagonist; I just loved her and all the people she met on her journey. My favorite character, though, was Oswin. A crotchety Kobold, better known as a tabby cat. He added such fantastic humor throughout the story. I highly recommend this book.
bookybrookey's review against another edition
5.0
This was just the crazy mumbo jumbo of quirky magic and unique characters I needed. I’d been reading lots of depressing non-fiction lately for uni and needed the pick-me-up that Willow Moss and her new friends provided. I would happily read another book by the author and think I will start making an effort to include more middle-grade in my TBR.
aliciaxmugford's review against another edition
4.0
I think my only criticism would be that the beginning moves very quickly, and the italicised scenes sometimes seem a but random or unnecessary - but overall it's such a fun and magical story with a wonderful message at the end!