laurasullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
quartofgoats's review against another edition
5.0
That was so amazing. Of course DWJ shows everyone how to write a prehistoric sequel. It has those amazing elements she's known for in execution and style of magic, beautiful thought and care go into the artistry of creation in particular in this book and the magic is literally earth shattering (an always satisfying culmination to see in her writing). The ending notes are the best example I've ever seen of historic contextualization and frankly brought everything together while sending shivers down my spine with their elegance and thoughtfulness.
Also as usual the portrayal of relationships are wonderful. Characters are complex and realistic and even minor characters have visible personal motivation. I must always praise that characters hate and love one another in both long and short term, that family members are shown to be flawed (and sometimes truly horrible) and have strengths as well, and simply that families are large and complex and have shifting membership and dynamics.
As expected from a scholar of her caliber, interesting permutations of legends, folklore, and religious elements woven into something relatable but new. Ever unexpected, the usual understated masterpiece.
Also as usual the portrayal of relationships are wonderful. Characters are complex and realistic and even minor characters have visible personal motivation. I must always praise that characters hate and love one another in both long and short term, that family members are shown to be flawed (and sometimes truly horrible) and have strengths as well, and simply that families are large and complex and have shifting membership and dynamics.
As expected from a scholar of her caliber, interesting permutations of legends, folklore, and religious elements woven into something relatable but new. Ever unexpected, the usual understated masterpiece.
thunguyen's review against another edition
4.0
Siblings' adventure is one of DWJ's favourite topics and this story probably has the best siblings story that I've read. All the relationships and characters in this book appear quite simple because they were told from the view of a small child but the little details in the writing makes them all very real, relatable, and funny.
The writing itself is just wonderful to listen to in audiobook form except action sequels. The narrator is very good with voices. The story is rather messy as seen in other DWJ's books.
The ending is abrupt and weird. I thought the audiobook version miss a chapter or two. I hope book 4 will see all 3 stories string together in a grand scheme?
The writing itself is just wonderful to listen to in audiobook form except action sequels. The narrator is very good with voices. The story is rather messy as seen in other DWJ's books.
The ending is abrupt and weird. I thought the audiobook version miss a chapter or two. I hope book 4 will see all 3 stories string together in a grand scheme?
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the world, I liked Tanaqui very much, and as usual the ending is a mad rush to tie up all the loose ends. Nevertheless, the next two (chronologically) are winging their way to me, and then I can finally read them all.
halfcentreader's review against another edition
3.0
prequel now for the final in the series that ties it all together!
fibrejunky's review against another edition
4.0
I have a feeling I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
margaret_j_c's review against another edition
5.0
Jones is master of her craft. It will take more than a few rereads to appreciate her nuanced style.
Her characters are her strong suite - and in #3 they are unparalleled. Tanaqui and Tanamil will be some of my favorites long after I've forgotten everything else about the series.
4/22/17:
GOSH I'd forgotten how wonderful this book is. Truly delightful. I sat down and read it in one sitting. The one annoying thing was that I knew a million details were eluding me because it's been two years and because I'm not familiar enough with the series to recognize Jones' easter eggs. Motivation to revisit the others.
Her characters are her strong suite - and in #3 they are unparalleled. Tanaqui and Tanamil will be some of my favorites long after I've forgotten everything else about the series.
4/22/17:
GOSH I'd forgotten how wonderful this book is. Truly delightful. I sat down and read it in one sitting. The one annoying thing was that I knew a million details were eluding me because it's been two years and because I'm not familiar enough with the series to recognize Jones' easter eggs. Motivation to revisit the others.
travelgirlut's review against another edition
3.0
I love the premise in this book, that stories and spells can be woven into fabric, and the first half of the book had me fairly deeply drawn in. But when we get to the second half, it really lost me. The main character makes all sorts of intuitive leaps of understanding that I don't feel were ever adequately explained. Then throw in all the Undying that keep popping up and they each have a gillion different names and I got lost. Really lost. I kept reading hoping that something would sum everything up and make sense, but it didn't. I got the general gist of things, but I would really have liked to have been able to stay deeper in the story through the whole thing. I'm very much hoping that the final book brings everything together and isn't just another individual story as the first three have been.