bookslesstravelled's review against another edition
4.0
A great read. One I would love to read again soon.
brookerhees's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed it up until the ending, which felt sudden and unresolved. There was a lot of buildup throughout the book and I felt that the end sort of brushed away a lot of issues without giving them the attention I hope for in a well written book. I appreciate the depth of her writing in general, so the unexpected twist left me feeling cheated rather than satisfied.
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable, though the ending was a little too neat, almost made you want one more book
Actually listened to this book, but am switching my audio books to non-audio for my pages read records.
Actually listened to this book, but am switching my audio books to non-audio for my pages read records.
amandabock's review against another edition
3.0
I love the way Nancy Farmer blends folklore with adventure, linking together all kinds of old tales. However, it's less effective when the tales are more obscure, simply because you miss all the cool things she's doing. This installment lacked excitement. Plot elements came out of nowhere, and all was wrapped neatly with a bow at the end. I miss Olaf One-Brow.
What I appreciate most about this series is how many characters are a mixture of horrible and honorable characteristics. For instance, the Northmen are blood-thirsty pillagers, but are also incredibly loyal and brave. If they are to be your allies, you must accept the bad with the good. I'm noticing villains like this in other books as well, and am wondering if it's a new trend that reflects a more inclusive world view.
What I appreciate most about this series is how many characters are a mixture of horrible and honorable characteristics. For instance, the Northmen are blood-thirsty pillagers, but are also incredibly loyal and brave. If they are to be your allies, you must accept the bad with the good. I'm noticing villains like this in other books as well, and am wondering if it's a new trend that reflects a more inclusive world view.
read_with_miss_g's review against another edition
3.0
i am honestly not sure how to rate this book. This was a great series but the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. The story sort of meandered away from the core plot at times and then only picked up snippets of it later. The ending was similar to many other fantasy books. However i liked having the Bard in it more, I would have liked to have seen the plot develop a little bit more. I was left with more answers then I should hsve been in a conclusion.
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
I had a little bit of a hard time getting through the audio version, which could have been my attention span or the fact that it's a story chock-full of details and thus hard to pay attention to while driving and listening to it in short snippets. I'll have to reread the trilogy one of these days and give this final volume its due. I still believe that [b:The Sea of Trolls|100476|The Sea of Trolls (Sea of Trolls, #1)|Nancy Farmer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171467728s/100476.jpg|2769926] is completely fabulous and the perfect blend of historical fiction, mythology, and old-fashioned adventure. Just say no to pillaging!
dairyqueen84's review against another edition
4.0
Nancy Farmer does it again. Island of the Blessed does not disappoint, it is filled with action, adventure, and a rip-roaring pace. This book is the conclusion to the Sea of Trolls trilogy. Jack and the Bard are back and Jack has been gaining more experience telling stories and using magic. A draugr, a village devastated by a tornado, and a hogboon are some of the trials Jack must overcome in this volume. Thorgil, the Northland berserker, his sometimes exasperating companion in adventure, accompanies him on his quests once again. After Jack’s village is destroyed by a tornado, which Thorgil thinks was the Norse God Odin on a Wild Hunt, the Bard decides that they need to go to Bebba’s Town to ask for food and supplies for the winter. In the meantime a draugr, a mermaid turned seahag, is looking for revenge against Father Severus. Jack’s sister, who had been kidnapped in the first book, is returned to her family but she has a hard time living as a human as she has been raised by hobgoblins since she was five. Jack, Thorgil, and the Bard reunite with the Northmen for part of the adventure and familiar characters from the earlier books are just as entertaining. Enough of the back story is included to allow this volume to stand alone. Give this book and the series to readers who enjoyed The Ranger’s Apprentice and the Percy Jackson series.
weaver's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5