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flobbinhood's review against another edition
5.0
This book was awesome, definitely some Pratchett inspiration, but also completely unique. The characters were great - the family interactions were some of my favorite parts. A lighthearted tone, but actually serious and stressful throughout.
13anna17's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
suddenbreakdown's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
andreastopit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
krichardson's review against another edition
2.0
This felt like when someone you barely know tells you about the stress dream they had last night. There are so many characters you barely get to know any of them even by the end, the rules are completely made up and seem to change at random, and the plot is really just one long to-do list. The potential was there, the characters are interesting and the actual main conflict had a lot of potential, but the execution just wasn't for me.
itspronouncedtessa's review against another edition
No idea about the story, but the writing is juvenile and a fantastic example of telling, not showing. Truly awful descriptions, very "holy exposition, Batman".
celiapowell's review against another edition
4.0
This was a Christmas break re-read, as I didn't properly stock up at the library before it closed for the holidays, and therefore had to browse through my own shelves for reading fodder - shock horror! I enjoyed re-reading this one - I've re-read most of my Diana Wynne Jones' too much, but this is a fairly new acquisition, so it's relatively unfamiliar. It's an excellent book - funny, messing around with fantasy tropes, very heart-warming characters - I loved it, and now want to re-read the sequel, Year of the Griffin.
kassandrik's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 5. Book for a reading marathon #вкоманделоквуда - category "Scary cover".
smitinghedgehog's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
2.0
This was our book club read for August 2021, but I just couldn't get into it. My main problems with it were, in the beginning I felt like I was just dropped into the middle of a story, and then there is way too much set up in this book and not enough actually happening. I've always wanted to try a Diana Wynne Jones book, so it makes me sad that I wasn't able to finish this. I guess it just wasn't for me.