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gunnerjamesx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
adventuresinfantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It felt like a watered down Pan's Labyrinth. That's fine, but left me feeling lukewarm.
kkaste's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bekkibee22's review against another edition
4.0
First book in a duology and even though it's audience is for middle school aged, I found this such a fab book, which was easy to read, this was A fast-paced series starter steeped in Colombian mythology and full of adventure, which is perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End of Time and Percy Jackson. Filled with fantasy, action, adventure, and an unforgettable trio of friends.
On Emblem Island all are born knowing their fate. Their lifelines show the course of their life and an emblem dictates how they will spend it.
Twelve-year-old Tor Luna was born with a leadership emblem, just like his mother. But he hates his mark and is determined to choose a different path for himself. So, on the annual New Year's Eve celebration, where Emblemites throw their wishes into a bonfire in the hopes of having them granted, Tor wishes for a different power.
The next morning Tor wakes up to discover a new marking on his skin...the symbol of a curse that has shortened his lifeline, giving him only a week before an untimely death. There is only one way to break the curse, and it requires a trip to the notorious Night Witch.
With only his village's terrifying, ancient stories as a guide, and his two friends Engle and Melda by his side, Tor must travel across unpredictable Emblem Island, filled with wicked creatures he only knows through myths, in a race against his dwindling lifeline.
I found the stories and reference made linked to our own of myths and legends and fairytales, along the way falling in love with the different characters and groups, and feeling all the different emotions that they feel along the adventure. I can easily say I'm looking forward to the second book and finding out what happens with Tor and the others as well as after what happens to Tor how those around him will react to it all and whether it ends with shame and being made outcast or that they will rejoice and welcome him. I highly recommend this series and I hope you fall in love with the series as much as I did.
On Emblem Island all are born knowing their fate. Their lifelines show the course of their life and an emblem dictates how they will spend it.
Twelve-year-old Tor Luna was born with a leadership emblem, just like his mother. But he hates his mark and is determined to choose a different path for himself. So, on the annual New Year's Eve celebration, where Emblemites throw their wishes into a bonfire in the hopes of having them granted, Tor wishes for a different power.
The next morning Tor wakes up to discover a new marking on his skin...the symbol of a curse that has shortened his lifeline, giving him only a week before an untimely death. There is only one way to break the curse, and it requires a trip to the notorious Night Witch.
With only his village's terrifying, ancient stories as a guide, and his two friends Engle and Melda by his side, Tor must travel across unpredictable Emblem Island, filled with wicked creatures he only knows through myths, in a race against his dwindling lifeline.
I found the stories and reference made linked to our own of myths and legends and fairytales, along the way falling in love with the different characters and groups, and feeling all the different emotions that they feel along the adventure. I can easily say I'm looking forward to the second book and finding out what happens with Tor and the others as well as after what happens to Tor how those around him will react to it all and whether it ends with shame and being made outcast or that they will rejoice and welcome him. I highly recommend this series and I hope you fall in love with the series as much as I did.
librarydancer's review against another edition
3.0
Skimmed. Similar to Percy Jackson, with myths from Latin America.
halfbloodapril's review against another edition
4.0
A spellbinding fantasy book about friendship, bravery, and everything in between! For so long, I saw the author, Alex Aster, everywhere in my Instagram reels, so I decided to give her novel a go. Let me say, it did not disappoint. The worldbuilding was a rich tapestry, and the Latin influences gave the world a familiar feel while still taking its own unique form. The description and writing are lovely. The Book of Cuentos excerpts gave everything a magical feel and corresponded well with the story.
What bothered me the most (and docked a star) was how eerily reminiscent the characters were of the trio in Harry Potter.Harry Tor is the somewhat-passive but infuriatingly loyal "chosen one." Ron Engle is the food-loving best friend. Hermione Melda is the super-smart girl who butts heads with the other two at first. Even a certain scene at the end was an almost exact duplicate of what happened at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I felt like I wasn't reading something original.
Overall, though, the worldbuilding more than made up for it. The book ended on a cliffhanger that is so infuriating but enticing. I hope to get my hands on the second book soon!
What bothered me the most (and docked a star) was how eerily reminiscent the characters were of the trio in Harry Potter.
Spoiler
Before the final conflict, Engle was knocked unconscious. Melda stayed back with him and told Tor to go confront the Night Witch himself. This was basically a copy + paste of when Ron was knocked unconscious by the chess piece, Hermione stayed back to revive him, and Harry went to find Quirrell/Voldemort himself.Overall, though, the worldbuilding more than made up for it. The book ended on a cliffhanger that is so infuriating but enticing. I hope to get my hands on the second book soon!
anathema_device_363's review
3.0
Solid concept. Loved the plot but there were lots of spots that needed more polishing
coutures1513's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Bien qu’on ne peut pas nier la ressemblance des personnages à un trio bien connu, ce écoute fut une belle découverte! Le narrateur est super ! Il met de l’émotion dans sa narration ce qui aide vraiment à l’expérience !
J’ai aimé l’histoire, mais c’est du
Bien qu’on ne peut pas nier la ressemblance des personnages à un trio bien connu, ce écoute fut une belle découverte! Le narrateur est super ! Il met de l’émotion dans sa narration ce qui aide vraiment à l’expérience !
J’ai aimé l’histoire, mais c’est du