booksmakemyheartgofast's review
2.0
2,5/5⭐️ Good idea, (very) bad execution.
A story about an Irish girl in a “normal” world, grown up with stories of the Fae and with a dad who believed every word of the stories he told her. But when she’s twelve he disappears. (Climbing a mountain apparently.)
Okay to start of, this is a pretty original book. I don’t know how much of it is based on other Fae stories, but to me—somebody who never reads fae stories—it all sounded very original. I enjoyed the idea... But that’s also kinda it.
The writing style made me want to rip off my skin, though. That’s how annoying it was.
(Real quote from the book) ”Thanks,” I said gratefully.
Well, duh! We’re really not that stupid—even children, who this book is marketed to.
I’m not 100% sure this was said, but it gives off I nodded in agreement vibes.
WRITING 101!
The writing was bad, very bad. Besides the horrible use of adjectives and the thousand ways “says” is rewritten, it also doesn’t help that Cara is supposed to be 12. Trust me, a 12 year old doesn’t think/talk the way the book is portraying. I had to convince myself Cara was 15/16 just to prevent myself from not absolutely losing it and ditching this book (and my ipad) into the nearest river.
Another thing, this book feels way too cringe, cheesy and dark to be middle grade fiction! It’s a mix between toddler-bedtime-stories and Young-Adult. But all in a bad way.
It’s disappointing because the story overall was really interesting! That’s the only reason this book didn’t end up being a DNF.
Characters: 2/5
Originality: 4/5
Writing: 1/5
Story/plot: 4/5
(Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this free arc.)
A story about an Irish girl in a “normal” world, grown up with stories of the Fae and with a dad who believed every word of the stories he told her. But when she’s twelve he disappears. (Climbing a mountain apparently.)
Okay to start of, this is a pretty original book. I don’t know how much of it is based on other Fae stories, but to me—somebody who never reads fae stories—it all sounded very original. I enjoyed the idea... But that’s also kinda it.
The writing style made me want to rip off my skin, though. That’s how annoying it was.
(Real quote from the book) ”Thanks,” I said gratefully.
Well, duh! We’re really not that stupid—even children, who this book is marketed to.
I’m not 100% sure this was said, but it gives off I nodded in agreement vibes.
WRITING 101!
The writing was bad, very bad. Besides the horrible use of adjectives and the thousand ways “says” is rewritten, it also doesn’t help that Cara is supposed to be 12. Trust me, a 12 year old doesn’t think/talk the way the book is portraying. I had to convince myself Cara was 15/16 just to prevent myself from not absolutely losing it and ditching this book (and my ipad) into the nearest river.
Another thing, this book feels way too cringe, cheesy and dark to be middle grade fiction! It’s a mix between toddler-bedtime-stories and Young-Adult. But all in a bad way.
It’s disappointing because the story overall was really interesting! That’s the only reason this book didn’t end up being a DNF.
Characters: 2/5
Originality: 4/5
Writing: 1/5
Story/plot: 4/5
(Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this free arc.)
annieice's review
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for this wonderful book!
I gotta say this was written so well! I loved it! Cara was such a relatable and real feeling character. I liked that it was first person. I also really liked that it felt so MG contemporary like more than half but of course with magical elements of faes. I think it was done so nicely that it feels real, not just be too heavy that it seems unbelievable. Her sister Bri was soo cute, and I like how this book handled grief and the ways other people feel it, especially how Bri went mute. I liked that Bri was an artist too and her sparkle and familiar were so cool too. I liked that there were actual adults who helped. I liked this story, and when the author published the second one, I'll be up for it!
I gotta say this was written so well! I loved it! Cara was such a relatable and real feeling character. I liked that it was first person. I also really liked that it felt so MG contemporary like more than half but of course with magical elements of faes. I think it was done so nicely that it feels real, not just be too heavy that it seems unbelievable. Her sister Bri was soo cute, and I like how this book handled grief and the ways other people feel it, especially how Bri went mute. I liked that Bri was an artist too and her sparkle and familiar were so cool too. I liked that there were actual adults who helped. I liked this story, and when the author published the second one, I'll be up for it!
booksforthedavisfam's review
3.0
The Otherworld Book 1: Wish is a middle grade fantasy in which 12 year old Cara sets off on a journey to find her missing father. Along the way she learns that fairy magic is real and her family is under a dark curse. With the help of her sister, cousin, and friends she discovers her own power and battles the spreading darkness.
The author, Dr. Victoria Harris, incorporates techniques for managing emotional regulation, anxiety, grief, and negative thoughts into a story rich in fairy folklore. This would be a wonderful story for young children to read with parents to discuss their emotions and how they can release their own “sparkle” into the world to overcome darkness.
There was a great deal of buildup to bring our heroine to the final battle, and if I had one critique, I would say that I wish the ending was less abrupt and further developed. This book is set up to be a series, so perhaps there will be greater advancement of the fantasy elements in additional books.
Overall, this was an entertaining middle grade read that had some lovely fantasy elements. I feel like there are some underlying heavy topics (such as loss of a parent) and may help children address their own big feelings such as grief, loss, and anxiety.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the digital ARC. I would also like to thank Smith Publicity for a physical ARC copy as well.
I will post to my social media on Pub date of Oct 5.
The author, Dr. Victoria Harris, incorporates techniques for managing emotional regulation, anxiety, grief, and negative thoughts into a story rich in fairy folklore. This would be a wonderful story for young children to read with parents to discuss their emotions and how they can release their own “sparkle” into the world to overcome darkness.
There was a great deal of buildup to bring our heroine to the final battle, and if I had one critique, I would say that I wish the ending was less abrupt and further developed. This book is set up to be a series, so perhaps there will be greater advancement of the fantasy elements in additional books.
Overall, this was an entertaining middle grade read that had some lovely fantasy elements. I feel like there are some underlying heavy topics (such as loss of a parent) and may help children address their own big feelings such as grief, loss, and anxiety.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the digital ARC. I would also like to thank Smith Publicity for a physical ARC copy as well.
I will post to my social media on Pub date of Oct 5.
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