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mothwings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was very invested in this series when I was younger, and as I reread them as an adult I have to say that they absolutely still hold up. The characters are very real, and their development is emotional and fulfilling. The plot is also genuinely captivating. Overall the story is a good mix of lightheartedness, emotional, dark, and adventure.
My biggest critique for the first book specifically is that it is a product of its time in terms of representation of indigenous groups, though it is not the center of the story and is only the focus for a single chapter. Overall it’s certainly not the worst representation, and the main characters and fairly respectful, though it is a bit stereotyped, and the language referring to indigenous groups could be improved.
My biggest critique for the first book specifically is that it is a product of its time in terms of representation of indigenous groups, though it is not the center of the story and is only the focus for a single chapter. Overall it’s certainly not the worst representation, and the main characters and fairly respectful, though it is a bit stereotyped, and the language referring to indigenous groups could be improved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Colonisation and Classism
lalatut's review against another edition
2.0
We read this aloud with Ellie (3rd grade). She loved it because (and if you know Ellie, I don't need to explain this): giant animals with magical powers that bond telepathically with kids. 'Nough said. This is our daughter who was seemingly born with a unicorn obsession and had no coaching from us in that area. And although the unicorn enthusiasm has eased off a bit in the last year or two, this was right up her alley.
The book, however, was pretty boring with flat characters and a hard-to-follow plot (or so my husband and I thought, she stayed right on track). Also, there was more violence than we were comfortable with - a battle description was more graphic than necessary, especially for a kids book and there was a section at the end that we read aloud somewhat selectively. The lack of literary quality combined with a few disturbing elements add up Josh and I agreeing that a pause on the rest of the series is probably in order, at least for now (though she probably won't be happy about it).
The book, however, was pretty boring with flat characters and a hard-to-follow plot (or so my husband and I thought, she stayed right on track). Also, there was more violence than we were comfortable with - a battle description was more graphic than necessary, especially for a kids book and there was a section at the end that we read aloud somewhat selectively. The lack of literary quality combined with a few disturbing elements add up Josh and I agreeing that a pause on the rest of the series is probably in order, at least for now (though she probably won't be happy about it).
coutures1513's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Je trouve que cette série a un beau potentiel ! C’est aussi quelque chose que je n’avais jamais lu avant.
Je trouve ça intéressant que chaque enfant ait un background différent. J’ai hâte d’en apprendre davantage.
Je trouve que cette série a un beau potentiel ! C’est aussi quelque chose que je n’avais jamais lu avant.
Je trouve ça intéressant que chaque enfant ait un background différent. J’ai hâte d’en apprendre davantage.
l0ve_andm0ney's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
asl4u's review against another edition
nice story - will look forward to book two eventually.
taygus's review against another edition
Fantasy for children, how much can you expect?
I did dislike all the animals in cages/like in a circus description. For a people that supposedly reveres animals, they don’t mind abusing* them.
But otherwise it’s probably a fine introduction to fantasy for children
*very very mild, in the same way that seeing lions do tricks, is technically abuse but not scarring to children watching.
I did dislike all the animals in cages/like in a circus description. For a people that supposedly reveres animals, they don’t mind abusing* them.
But otherwise it’s probably a fine introduction to fantasy for children
*very very mild, in the same way that seeing lions do tricks, is technically abuse but not scarring to children watching.
kil3yp's review against another edition
3.0
Sort of bummed this is another one of those series, with a game, written by a bunch of different authors for every book. While I appreciate the transliteracy appeal for kids - I was looking forward to another series from Mull. These game/books are also getting as trendy as YA dystopian trilogies.
It was decent, should develop well. Second book is written by Maggie Stiefvater, so we'll see what her take on it is.
I also wonder how much freedom authors have with these types of series - are they given the story line and allowed to flesh it out to a certain point? Or are they mostly acting as editors and putting their name on it?
It was decent, should develop well. Second book is written by Maggie Stiefvater, so we'll see what her take on it is.
I also wonder how much freedom authors have with these types of series - are they given the story line and allowed to flesh it out to a certain point? Or are they mostly acting as editors and putting their name on it?
ddeydub's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0