sdeb26's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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
4.5
peytiebear's review against another edition
This is an absolutely charming and engaging book. The characters are so grounded and richly drawn. My favorite thing was the way Jones contrasted very down-to-earth "human" behavior with the fantastical bodies of the griffins. A must-read for all fantasy-lovers!
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars seems like a low rating, but I didn't hate this book: it's just not up to the usual standard of Jones's work. The pacing is all wrong, with a slow and confusing beginning and a rushed ending, and the tone is strange. Some of the time this is satire, sometimes it's drama. The story is about a world that has become overrun and destroyed by tourists: they come to experience a Dark Lord tour, in which they travel the land, fight in armies, and ultimately triumph over a Dark Lord. Every year, a new Dark Lord is chosen: this year, it's Derk. The country is desperate for exploitative tours to end, and they hope Derk's incompetence will bring this about. Derk is the father of two human children and five griffin children, and creates many strange hybrids, including flying pigs and horses, and geese who can do magic. The story veers around: there are some very entertaining griffin shenanigans, various encounters with livestock, and an excellent dragon. There are also some very gritty moments with soldiers, including a heavily implied gang rape, which feels completely tonally inconsistent with the rest of the book. The story, overall, is jarring: there are a lot of ingredients, some good, some bad, a lot of sudden changes in tone, and a very swift resolution. I was entertained while I read this, but I don't know if I'd recommend it.
bekatron3000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
m4tr1m0ny's review against another edition
4.0
great! i loved the griffins!!! she kind of brings them back in the chrestomanci series with cat and marianne which is awesome because i read that book first, though i think actually i like the griffins in this one better. very heartwarming
caedocyon's review against another edition
5.0
Inner-teenager rating of one of my favorite books at the time.
sam_skogrand's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'll keep this brief.
Diana's work always lifts my spirits. This book was the darkest of hers that I've read, but even so, it's still completely her style. Still a fun, enjoyable read.
I found the plot intriguing and amusing. The characters played off each other nicely and made me care. The stakes felt real, even though I was sure it would work out in the end. It was nice to see the characters each face their own unique frustrations and hardships, but still strive to succeed (if not for themselves, then for others).
All in all, I had fun reading this book and would recommend it to fantasy lovers. If you have liked Diana's other works, you'll like this.
Diana's work always lifts my spirits. This book was the darkest of hers that I've read, but even so, it's still completely her style. Still a fun, enjoyable read.
I found the plot intriguing and amusing. The characters played off each other nicely and made me care. The stakes felt real, even though I was sure it would work out in the end. It was nice to see the characters each face their own unique frustrations and hardships, but still strive to succeed (if not for themselves, then for others).
All in all, I had fun reading this book and would recommend it to fantasy lovers. If you have liked Diana's other works, you'll like this.
mooneyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
thunguyen's review against another edition
4.0
My all time favourite fantasy book! I love the characters, their feelings and ways of thinking like an ordinary family despite being wizards and witches, kids and talking fantasy beasts in a fantasy world. I love the book's humour.
The only part I'm not sure about is when the story led to the fighting ring, and the mine. It was like "Really? A whole new place and more characters this close to the end?"
The only part I'm not sure about is when the story led to the fighting ring, and the mine. It was like "Really? A whole new place and more characters this close to the end?"
annaplatypus's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It's a wonderful book that makes you grateful for loved ones, even if your relationships aren't perfect. I also love the way Diana Wynne Jones writes her characters: everyone feels so real, even if they get less dialogue/page time, they're fleshed out, complicated, real people. The only reason I give 4.75 instead of 5 stars is because the book sometimes drags a bit with all the details of things going wrong and people being stressed, building tension, up until the very end when everything is wrapped up so neatly it almost feels anticlimactic. But I loved the ending all the same.