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koplomps's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow.. I've read this book before around when I was 13-15, so over ten years ago. I could only remember the dark atmosphere.
This started pretty light, and I was maybe a bit dissapointed, but around 50 pages I was really invested.
The themes around death hit a bit too close to my current personal life, so needless to say I felt quite a lot of anxiety towards the climax.
I'm really glad I re-read this as a 26-year old.
This started pretty light, and I was maybe a bit dissapointed, but around 50 pages I was really invested.
The themes around death hit a bit too close to my current personal life, so needless to say I felt quite a lot of anxiety towards the climax.
I'm really glad I re-read this as a 26-year old.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Gore, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
David Almond has a gift for writing truly immersive fiction. The first time I read Skellig, I was the same age as Michael and Mina. Now in my twenties, the sense of wonder and atmosphere Almond is able to weave with the setting and characters, and the way they change, is just as easily accessible. I really enjoy how round of a character Michael is. His stillness in the face of fear conflicts with his deep desire to help himself, Skellig, and his sister. The ways he acts when he's with Coot and Leaky, versus when he's with Mina, and his frustration when his two lives collide violently give a glimpse of the depth of emotion and growth possible in seemingly simple childhood situations.
Almond's depictions of fear, anxiety, and grief in Michael and both of his parents are unique to their age groups and vividly reflect real life and real emotions. This book is more religious than I remember it being, but that's not a bad thing. I think it's a really interesting way to inject Christianity into children's literature without making it didactic.
It was wonderful to read through Skellig again, but the second time through wasn't as magical as the first.
Almond's depictions of fear, anxiety, and grief in Michael and both of his parents are unique to their age groups and vividly reflect real life and real emotions. This book is more religious than I remember it being, but that's not a bad thing. I think it's a really interesting way to inject Christianity into children's literature without making it didactic.
It was wonderful to read through Skellig again, but the second time through wasn't as magical as the first.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Medical content, and Grief