lhirl's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
thistlechaser's review against another edition
2.0
When a young girl's death wish-scientist parents vanish (assumed dead), she's sent to live in a house in Paris, a city she's never before been. The beginning of the book follows her as she travels alone, across the sea... her parents' killers on the same ship and searching for her.
The writing and humor in this book reminded me strongly of A Series of Unfortunate Events -- it was set in the "real world" but with twists and dark humor you really wouldn't find here.
I loved the writing and world building, but I just couldn't connect at all with either of the main characters, so DNF.
The writing and humor in this book reminded me strongly of A Series of Unfortunate Events -- it was set in the "real world" but with twists and dark humor you really wouldn't find here.
I loved the writing and world building, but I just couldn't connect at all with either of the main characters, so DNF.
mystic_dclouds's review
3.0
Can we just start by saying the book cover is absolutely gorgeous! Yes, I am an individual who judges books by their cover, but that’s because I’m obsessed with the color blue and this cover is not only blue but the character art is so detailed and beautiful.
However, that’s all this book did for me. I almost went into another reading slump while reading and at one point was unable to even reach the half way mark. What fell flat for me in this book was Emmeline, the main character. Her parents raised her to fend for herself and not trust anyone but that just got her into more trouble. I couldn’t like her character when she always thinks what she’s doing is the right thing and is blinded by her unfounded love of her parents.
Talking about the “right thing”, I loved Thing’s character! He’s intelligent, crafty and witty. But what’s interesting and likable about his character is that he’s honest. Thing has a secret past about him and I wish we could have explored that more throughout the story! Although Thing was the secondary main character, his story arc was much more entertaining and enjoyable.
The story starts off really slow and then divides into alternating perspectives between Emmeline and Thing, when they are separated. Emmeline’s perspective falls kind of flat for me as she doesn’t do much except get into trouble or go exploring. Thing’s perspective is much more entertaining and drives the story, the adventure and the suspense. We learn more about what’s going on from Thing’s perspective than we do from Emmeline. The side characters are also just brief occurrences and the ending is rushed with things falling in place faster than it took to set them up. The book has a lot of great ideas but the pacing felt a little messy.
This book was an okay read but it’s probably not something I’ll reread except for Thing’s perspective.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
However, that’s all this book did for me. I almost went into another reading slump while reading and at one point was unable to even reach the half way mark. What fell flat for me in this book was Emmeline, the main character. Her parents raised her to fend for herself and not trust anyone but that just got her into more trouble. I couldn’t like her character when she always thinks what she’s doing is the right thing and is blinded by her unfounded love of her parents.
Talking about the “right thing”, I loved Thing’s character! He’s intelligent, crafty and witty. But what’s interesting and likable about his character is that he’s honest. Thing has a secret past about him and I wish we could have explored that more throughout the story! Although Thing was the secondary main character, his story arc was much more entertaining and enjoyable.
The story starts off really slow and then divides into alternating perspectives between Emmeline and Thing, when they are separated. Emmeline’s perspective falls kind of flat for me as she doesn’t do much except get into trouble or go exploring. Thing’s perspective is much more entertaining and drives the story, the adventure and the suspense. We learn more about what’s going on from Thing’s perspective than we do from Emmeline. The side characters are also just brief occurrences and the ending is rushed with things falling in place faster than it took to set them up. The book has a lot of great ideas but the pacing felt a little messy.
This book was an okay read but it’s probably not something I’ll reread except for Thing’s perspective.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
stephbookshine's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free review copy of this novel via NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
I’m all excited to be writing this review, as I absolutely loved this book and was sorry to put it down!
This the book I wanted Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials series to be: an epic children’s adventure, steampunk-ish style, but where I clinically enjoyed Lyra’s adventures with no real emotional investment, I immediately engaged with The Eye of the North and almost cheered/gasped/groaned aloud as events unfolded.
The opening sentence of this book is arresting, and the early chapters reminded me somewhat of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. I found I instantly empathised with Emmeline (one of my favourite fictional characters is the archaeologist Amelia Peabody, from Elizabeth Peters’ Egyptian series, and I could instantly imagine Emmeline as a young Amelia!), and once Thing was introduced I was in character-heaven with their snark and good old-fashioned spunk.
I particularly adored how the young heroes held their own amongst the adult characters, showing bravery, initiative and learned survival skills that thoroughly impressed me. No sitting around waiting for the adults to come up with a plan here, or waiting to be rescued by your male co-protagonist. Nope, Emmeline just marshals her resources and grit and gets on with the job at hand.
In terms of story, the plot is well-paced and easy to follow, whilst retaining a few mysteries for (please!) future sequels. There are fantastical creatures and intriguing contraptions galore, but our characters buck the trend by not quite being orphans, or Chosen Ones, and not suddenly exhibiting magical powers, but instead being reliant on themselves, their allies, and whatever they can find in their pockets.
It is the tone though, that really ranks this writer amongst my all-time favourites. Sinéad O’Hart has a light, humourous, snarky touch that brings her characters sparkling to life and caused me to use the Kindle highlight function more than I have ever done in my life (er, never that I recall!). Whilst I personally enjoy any and all fiction, it is these books that nod their heads at real life, then grin and wink, that I come back to again and again in my own personal reading library (Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt, Elizabeth Peters, to name just a few). The Eye of the North is definitely joining their ranks!
So a glowing review from me for this one. I can’t think of any aspect that did not work for me in this book, and I wholeheartedly and eagerly await the next novel from Sinéad O’Hart, whether it be more Widgets (*nods enthusiastically*), or something new but equally captivating.
“Well I…” Emmeline began. “It’s sort of hard to explain.” Particularly when you don’t understand it yourself, she thought, picking absentmindedly at a loose thread on the buckle of her satchel.
“Fascinatin’ story, that,” said Thing after a minute.
– Sinéad O’Hart, The Eye of the North
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
I’m all excited to be writing this review, as I absolutely loved this book and was sorry to put it down!
This the book I wanted Philip Pullman’s Dark Materials series to be: an epic children’s adventure, steampunk-ish style, but where I clinically enjoyed Lyra’s adventures with no real emotional investment, I immediately engaged with The Eye of the North and almost cheered/gasped/groaned aloud as events unfolded.
The opening sentence of this book is arresting, and the early chapters reminded me somewhat of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. I found I instantly empathised with Emmeline (one of my favourite fictional characters is the archaeologist Amelia Peabody, from Elizabeth Peters’ Egyptian series, and I could instantly imagine Emmeline as a young Amelia!), and once Thing was introduced I was in character-heaven with their snark and good old-fashioned spunk.
I particularly adored how the young heroes held their own amongst the adult characters, showing bravery, initiative and learned survival skills that thoroughly impressed me. No sitting around waiting for the adults to come up with a plan here, or waiting to be rescued by your male co-protagonist. Nope, Emmeline just marshals her resources and grit and gets on with the job at hand.
In terms of story, the plot is well-paced and easy to follow, whilst retaining a few mysteries for (please!) future sequels. There are fantastical creatures and intriguing contraptions galore, but our characters buck the trend by not quite being orphans, or Chosen Ones, and not suddenly exhibiting magical powers, but instead being reliant on themselves, their allies, and whatever they can find in their pockets.
It is the tone though, that really ranks this writer amongst my all-time favourites. Sinéad O’Hart has a light, humourous, snarky touch that brings her characters sparkling to life and caused me to use the Kindle highlight function more than I have ever done in my life (er, never that I recall!). Whilst I personally enjoy any and all fiction, it is these books that nod their heads at real life, then grin and wink, that I come back to again and again in my own personal reading library (Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt, Elizabeth Peters, to name just a few). The Eye of the North is definitely joining their ranks!
So a glowing review from me for this one. I can’t think of any aspect that did not work for me in this book, and I wholeheartedly and eagerly await the next novel from Sinéad O’Hart, whether it be more Widgets (*nods enthusiastically*), or something new but equally captivating.
“Well I…” Emmeline began. “It’s sort of hard to explain.” Particularly when you don’t understand it yourself, she thought, picking absentmindedly at a loose thread on the buckle of her satchel.
“Fascinatin’ story, that,” said Thing after a minute.
– Sinéad O’Hart, The Eye of the North
(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)
janettedv's review against another edition
4.0
An exciting story but for me, it had too many echoes of books that I have read fairly recently. The characters are engaging though especially Thing.
momwithareadingproblem's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
The Eye of the North by Sinéad O'Hart is an exciting adventure about a girl as she looks for her parents. I’ve never been much of a middle-grade reader. Even when I was a middle-grader, I didn’t read these books. I don’t know why, but they never interested. However, The Eye of the North caught my attention immediately.
Emmeline is an interesting character. She’s a young girl who isn’t close to her parents, but loves them nonetheless. Their work keeps her in constant fear for her life. She’s been raised not to trust others and so she doesn’t, not even them. When they are kidnapped and presumed killed, she is sent away to France, but on the boat trip someone is trying to take her as well. I liked Emmeline. She’s resourceful, and for a girl who trusts no one she attracts many friends.
Thing (yes, that’s his name) is my favorite character and quickly grows on Emmeline as well. He is around her age, possibly older. He isn’t sure as he is an orphan/runaway, living off the streets and currently stowing away on the same boat as Emmeline. Thing sees her as a distraction and a way to pass the time on the boat, but when her life is in danger he quickly becomes her rescuer and partner in crime. He’s brave, rash, and a quick thinker, but also fiercely loyal which made me love him.
The plot of the story revolves around Emmeline’s parents’ secret work. What is it they really do and why have they been kidnapped? The more Em discovers, the more she realizes how little she really knew her parents. I enjoyed the twists and turns as Em discovers more and more. Then about a third of the way into the story her and Thing are separated and the story is told from both their perspectives, basically like two stories running parallel to each other. It made for an exciting read and some dramatic irony as the reader finds out things before the characters.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! While I liked Emmeline, I loved Thing. They make a great a team! But perhaps the reason I enjoyed this so much was the writing style. The author’s writing reminds me a lot of C.S Lewis’s writing in The Chronicles of Narnia. It was like the narrator who is outside of the story is talking to you about what the characters are experiencing, a little formal but intriguing. If you enjoy middle grade fantasy with a dash of steampunk, I highly recommend it.
The Eye of the North by Sinéad O'Hart is an exciting adventure about a girl as she looks for her parents. I’ve never been much of a middle-grade reader. Even when I was a middle-grader, I didn’t read these books. I don’t know why, but they never interested. However, The Eye of the North caught my attention immediately.
Emmeline is an interesting character. She’s a young girl who isn’t close to her parents, but loves them nonetheless. Their work keeps her in constant fear for her life. She’s been raised not to trust others and so she doesn’t, not even them. When they are kidnapped and presumed killed, she is sent away to France, but on the boat trip someone is trying to take her as well. I liked Emmeline. She’s resourceful, and for a girl who trusts no one she attracts many friends.
Thing (yes, that’s his name) is my favorite character and quickly grows on Emmeline as well. He is around her age, possibly older. He isn’t sure as he is an orphan/runaway, living off the streets and currently stowing away on the same boat as Emmeline. Thing sees her as a distraction and a way to pass the time on the boat, but when her life is in danger he quickly becomes her rescuer and partner in crime. He’s brave, rash, and a quick thinker, but also fiercely loyal which made me love him.
The plot of the story revolves around Emmeline’s parents’ secret work. What is it they really do and why have they been kidnapped? The more Em discovers, the more she realizes how little she really knew her parents. I enjoyed the twists and turns as Em discovers more and more. Then about a third of the way into the story her and Thing are separated and the story is told from both their perspectives, basically like two stories running parallel to each other. It made for an exciting read and some dramatic irony as the reader finds out things before the characters.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! While I liked Emmeline, I loved Thing. They make a great a team! But perhaps the reason I enjoyed this so much was the writing style. The author’s writing reminds me a lot of C.S Lewis’s writing in The Chronicles of Narnia. It was like the narrator who is outside of the story is talking to you about what the characters are experiencing, a little formal but intriguing. If you enjoy middle grade fantasy with a dash of steampunk, I highly recommend it.
diamondeyess's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the writing and the characters but I couldn't bring myself to care that much for the story. I'm surprised with the writing, it was very approachable, yet not plain at all! Beautifully written.
Pretty good middle grade, considering that I don't read much of it. I would highly recommend for people that love MG and for kids!!
Pretty good middle grade, considering that I don't read much of it. I would highly recommend for people that love MG and for kids!!
niennamarie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
charlottesomewhere's review
adventurous
tense
A brilliant, action packed middle grade adventure. I loved the sea setting and the threat of the kracken rising. I adored Thing, he's such a great friend to fierce Emmeline. Really enjoyed this one.