super_jane19's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ystarcanex's review against another edition
It has a love triangle in it, and I' not down for that :(
rosekk's review against another edition
5.0
To anyone looking to review to decide if this book is worth buying: yes. Stop what you are doing - what ever you are doing, be it work, chores, life-saving surgery - and read this book.
I started reading this a few days ago, but didn't get much past the first few pages because I knew I was going to love this book and I was nervous to get stuck in to quickly - I wanted to look forward to it. I started reading it properly today, so starting from just after the introduction, I have read it almost continuously today, and it is one of my new favourite books. The characters are so easy to love and understand, and the world is so easy to fall for, the magic so exactly what you want in fantasy. Last time I felt this way about a book, it was the Night Circus. Both tales hold such a sense of wonder, while making perfect sense.
I started reading this a few days ago, but didn't get much past the first few pages because I knew I was going to love this book and I was nervous to get stuck in to quickly - I wanted to look forward to it. I started reading it properly today, so starting from just after the introduction, I have read it almost continuously today, and it is one of my new favourite books. The characters are so easy to love and understand, and the world is so easy to fall for, the magic so exactly what you want in fantasy. Last time I felt this way about a book, it was the Night Circus. Both tales hold such a sense of wonder, while making perfect sense.
womanon's review against another edition
5.0
This book was something. It ripped out my heart, crumbled it, and put it back. It has been one of the most beautiful, compelling heart-wrenching stories I've ever read.
kathikuhn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the first half or so of the book, which was about the magic of this and the imagination. About finding a family and your place in the world, and the adventure in it.
I really struggled with the second half. From nice adventurous Christmas story it turns into a rather bleak and depressing tale of rivalry, war, jealousy and just keeps going down. I can't say much without spoiling, but there characters felt less and less real to me and just went off the rail.
The last third was just so off, I rolled my eyes more than anything - especially as it's so much *not* what the blurb promised. I think of I had expected a dark tale about loss and getting to terms with stuff falling apart I might have clicked better with it, but alas, this didn't work out for me in the end.
I did love all the magic and imagination and especially the patchwork dog, and the first half of the book, so I will give 3* (2,5 rounded up) and hope for others the second half works better than it did for me.
I really struggled with the second half. From nice adventurous Christmas story it turns into a rather bleak and depressing tale of rivalry, war, jealousy and just keeps going down. I can't say much without spoiling, but there characters felt less and less real to me and just went off the rail.
The last third was just so off, I rolled my eyes more than anything - especially as it's so much *not* what the blurb promised. I think of I had expected a dark tale about loss and getting to terms with stuff falling apart I might have clicked better with it, but alas, this didn't work out for me in the end.
I did love all the magic and imagination and especially the patchwork dog, and the first half of the book, so I will give 3* (2,5 rounded up) and hope for others the second half works better than it did for me.
avigail's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kirkw1972's review against another edition
4.0
This book was magical and although not a Christmas book per se it does have a Christmas theme running through it as the Toymakers only open for a certain part of the year. It was an excellent read in the run up to Christmas. It took me back to my own childhood and the magic within it; toy soldiers, games, I'd love to have had paper trees that sprang up into a forest although not sure my mum would have approved.
That childlike quality changes as Cathy, Kasper & Emil grow up and experience war and loss and we follow them and feel their pain as they change with each new heartbreak. The ending took me by surprise but then did make some sense when taken overall within the book and it's quite bittersweet. It captured me from beginning to end
That childlike quality changes as Cathy, Kasper & Emil grow up and experience war and loss and we follow them and feel their pain as they change with each new heartbreak. The ending took me by surprise but then did make some sense when taken overall within the book and it's quite bittersweet. It captured me from beginning to end