linguana's review
4.0
My full review can be found at SFF Book Review
I fell in love with the Flora books fast and hard, and I still can't believe that this is the last part. While it was another fun and clever adventure with our charmingly original heroine Flora, this instalment in the trilogy didn't keep me at the edge of my seat as much as book two did.
Many things are left unresolved and beg for a fourth book - but overall, this can be read as another standalone (even though you would deprive yourself of some major plot twists).
I recommend the entire trilogy with all my heart. To all those who enjoy clever, funny young adult books and, like me, have a soft spot in their heart for little red dogs called Flynnie.
I fell in love with the Flora books fast and hard, and I still can't believe that this is the last part. While it was another fun and clever adventure with our charmingly original heroine Flora, this instalment in the trilogy didn't keep me at the edge of my seat as much as book two did.
Many things are left unresolved and beg for a fourth book - but overall, this can be read as another standalone (even though you would deprive yourself of some major plot twists).
I recommend the entire trilogy with all my heart. To all those who enjoy clever, funny young adult books and, like me, have a soft spot in their heart for little red dogs called Flynnie.
kblincoln's review
4.0
4.5 stars
Flora Segunda is still in fine form in this third book of the series. Don't read it without the other two; you'll miss out on the accumulated relationships between Flora and her loved ones, possibly be confused by her parentage, and flounder in the plethora of characters (all of whom seem to have a name and a nickname).
If you haven't read those other books, there will be spoilers below.
But reading the whole series is by no means a chore. I love Flora Segunda and her alternate San Francisco world where Aztecs and their human sacrifices are threatening civilization. Flora is plucky and stubborn and tenacious, even when she's making the wrong choice for the wrong reasons.
In this episode, Flora is on a mission to find her true mother (revealed to be Tiny Doom and not Buck) somewhere in the wild west desert. But her mission keeps getting sidetracked as she faces a number of kidnapping attempts. Still, Flora wins out in the end, although not entirely unscathed.
Her supporting cast is slyly hilarious; Udo the dandy/Springheel Jack, the terribly threatening plush Pig, her loyal dog Flynn, and a ghost from her true House that gets accidentally turned into an octopus....you can see how a book such as this actually defies description.
Trust me, it all makes sense in the story.
But the biggest addition to the series is the introduction of Tharyn Wraathmyr, a courier and furry love interest who accompanies Flora on most of the trip. This sets up a bit of a love triangle as Flora experiences attraction in some deadly situations with (as another reviewer put it) FurryBoy while her lifelong friend Udo spends alot of the book offscreen getting into his own scrapes.
Sprinkle the non-stop action with bits of magic, spanish words, references to the flying dirigibles of Porkopolis, and the Pirate Queen of Barbacoa, and you've got a wonderful, PG-rated ride.
The only thing that kept me from wholeheartedly throwing myself at this book with 5 stars was that Flora's stubborness in not going along with secret plans because "Nobody trusts me!" felt a bit whiny by the second or third time it happened. Also, she ends up puking every chapter for one reason or another and that got a bit stale. These are just little complaints, trust me, this adventure is totally worth having despite these quibbles.
This Book's Snack Rating: Hand made tortilla chips and salsa fresca for the non-stop flavorful adventures and hilarity you can't stop gnoshing
Flora Segunda is still in fine form in this third book of the series. Don't read it without the other two; you'll miss out on the accumulated relationships between Flora and her loved ones, possibly be confused by her parentage, and flounder in the plethora of characters (all of whom seem to have a name and a nickname).
If you haven't read those other books, there will be spoilers below.
But reading the whole series is by no means a chore. I love Flora Segunda and her alternate San Francisco world where Aztecs and their human sacrifices are threatening civilization. Flora is plucky and stubborn and tenacious, even when she's making the wrong choice for the wrong reasons.
In this episode, Flora is on a mission to find her true mother (revealed to be Tiny Doom and not Buck) somewhere in the wild west desert. But her mission keeps getting sidetracked as she faces a number of kidnapping attempts. Still, Flora wins out in the end, although not entirely unscathed.
Her supporting cast is slyly hilarious; Udo the dandy/Springheel Jack, the terribly threatening plush Pig, her loyal dog Flynn, and a ghost from her true House that gets accidentally turned into an octopus....you can see how a book such as this actually defies description.
Trust me, it all makes sense in the story.
But the biggest addition to the series is the introduction of Tharyn Wraathmyr, a courier and furry love interest who accompanies Flora on most of the trip. This sets up a bit of a love triangle as Flora experiences attraction in some deadly situations with (as another reviewer put it) FurryBoy while her lifelong friend Udo spends alot of the book offscreen getting into his own scrapes.
Sprinkle the non-stop action with bits of magic, spanish words, references to the flying dirigibles of Porkopolis, and the Pirate Queen of Barbacoa, and you've got a wonderful, PG-rated ride.
The only thing that kept me from wholeheartedly throwing myself at this book with 5 stars was that Flora's stubborness in not going along with secret plans because "Nobody trusts me!" felt a bit whiny by the second or third time it happened. Also, she ends up puking every chapter for one reason or another and that got a bit stale. These are just little complaints, trust me, this adventure is totally worth having despite these quibbles.
This Book's Snack Rating: Hand made tortilla chips and salsa fresca for the non-stop flavorful adventures and hilarity you can't stop gnoshing
ashleylm's review
4.0
There were a few moments where I felt this might end up 3-ish (which isn't a bad read, just not quite as good as the former two) and then she'd pull the rug out from me slightly and I'd end up being thrilled and delighted again.
I will say that I felt the first book was appropriate for a younger audience, and that whomever read that first one would enjoy the second one when it came out, as they'd be slightly older, and this third volume felt very adult to me. Flora's grown, and she has occasional sexy thoughts--so if you're planning on a series to read to your 8 years olds, wait a few years.
Mostly I'm left with that tiresome sense of loss that a beloved series is over (without the leavening feeling of rightness that all is well and concluded ... 'cause it's not. There's so much more story that can come, and I hope she writes it!)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
I will say that I felt the first book was appropriate for a younger audience, and that whomever read that first one would enjoy the second one when it came out, as they'd be slightly older, and this third volume felt very adult to me. Flora's grown, and she has occasional sexy thoughts--so if you're planning on a series to read to your 8 years olds, wait a few years.
Mostly I'm left with that tiresome sense of loss that a beloved series is over (without the leavening feeling of rightness that all is well and concluded ... 'cause it's not. There's so much more story that can come, and I hope she writes it!)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
mandygris's review
5.0
Book 3 did not disappoint. I am really glad Ysabeau S. Wilce wrote these books and if she writes more, I will certainly read them.
astroscribe40's review
4.0
This is such a fun series to read. The amount of sass Flora has just makes you laugh. Things never seem to go right and yet she is always doing the right thing. An excellent summer read when you are looking for a fun, easy read with plenty of great adventures.
pdestrienne's review
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
If I were a college student again and/or less brain foggy all the time I'd like to do a closer reading on this series about how it is from a colonialist perspective but pretends not to be? But I am too old and have other hobbies.
poeseph29's review
4.0
Great as always!!
add on 08/26/12
I can't really review this book because I read it over a few months dew to the fact that the library that had it was in the next town, and I don't have a card there. What I can do is tell you that I plan on buying all three books in this series!! And that saying something as I haven't bought a book since I was 11!!!!
add on 08/26/12
I can't really review this book because I read it over a few months dew to the fact that the library that had it was in the next town, and I don't have a card there. What I can do is tell you that I plan on buying all three books in this series!! And that saying something as I haven't bought a book since I was 11!!!!
jpswoon's review
4.0
These books are unique and delightful. A small learning curve if it has been a while since you've read the last one, but the author does a great expository job catching you up to speed and bringing you right back into Flora's world.