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graff_fuller's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
I really enjoyed this story. I actually felt that this was a fairly complicated story (for a Middle Grade book). What do I know? I wasn't young enough to have read this when I was young. I think the earliest that I could of read it...was when I was 22 years old (and this was NOT the types of books I would've picked up).
I also wish that I had known more about it...when our kids were young. This would've been PERFECT, to build their reading skills, but also teach them the correct ways of handling problems.
The wicked queen was a little "mustache twirly" (obviously, she did NOT have a mustache), but you get what I mean. She was WAY over the top...though there are some real life villains that HAVE acted this way...so, there you go.
I love Martin the Warrior, but he's not the only hero in this story. In fact, he wouldn't have been the hero...without the love and support of his friends.
Loved the songs of Gonff. I was "immersion reading" (meaning reading the eBook WITH the audiobook), so the ability of the narrator to sing these ditties was really cool. In the past, I've been frustrated with LotR or The Hobbit for using this too often, but in this narrative, I think it worked perfectly (at least for my tastes).
I am not a visual reader, so I do/did not see little mice, squirrels, otters, cats, etc. in my head, but was just wrapped into the story...and it was fun.
By the end, I was really sad for the followers of Queen Tsarmina. Yes, they were not inherently evil, but they had mad a LOT of bad choices in their lives. The wonderful thing about this story, was that their was a choice to make good in their lives. They could continue down the road of evil OR choose to live better lives. Liked that.
Lastly, I was surprised (but also glad) that there were consequences for the actions of the heroes and the villains. It wasn't glossed over, but actually handled in poignant ways. Giving our children unrealistic expectations about life is harmful. In saying this, I do NOT mean to say that we should allow our children to read Crime/Thrillers at early ages, but allow the stories that they DO read to have real consequences for the actions of BOTH the good guys and the evil guys.
Again, loved this second book.
Below I put Trigger Warnings (minor) for this story. I've raised three children...and I would not have any problem with this book (or series), but maybe others might. It is a parents duty to know these things.
I also wish that I had known more about it...when our kids were young. This would've been PERFECT, to build their reading skills, but also teach them the correct ways of handling problems.
The wicked queen was a little "mustache twirly" (obviously, she did NOT have a mustache), but you get what I mean. She was WAY over the top...though there are some real life villains that HAVE acted this way...so, there you go.
I love Martin the Warrior, but he's not the only hero in this story. In fact, he wouldn't have been the hero...without the love and support of his friends.
Loved the songs of Gonff. I was "immersion reading" (meaning reading the eBook WITH the audiobook), so the ability of the narrator to sing these ditties was really cool. In the past, I've been frustrated with LotR or The Hobbit for using this too often, but in this narrative, I think it worked perfectly (at least for my tastes).
I am not a visual reader, so I do/did not see little mice, squirrels, otters, cats, etc. in my head, but was just wrapped into the story...and it was fun.
By the end, I was really sad for the followers of Queen Tsarmina. Yes, they were not inherently evil, but they had mad a LOT of bad choices in their lives. The wonderful thing about this story, was that their was a choice to make good in their lives. They could continue down the road of evil OR choose to live better lives. Liked that.
Lastly, I was surprised (but also glad) that there were consequences for the actions of the heroes and the villains. It wasn't glossed over, but actually handled in poignant ways. Giving our children unrealistic expectations about life is harmful. In saying this, I do NOT mean to say that we should allow our children to read Crime/Thrillers at early ages, but allow the stories that they DO read to have real consequences for the actions of BOTH the good guys and the evil guys.
Again, loved this second book.
Below I put Trigger Warnings (minor) for this story. I've raised three children...and I would not have any problem with this book (or series), but maybe others might. It is a parents duty to know these things.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and War