kes7706's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Racism
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Xenophobia, Violence, Abandonment, Classism, Grief, Death, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fatphobia and Animal cruelty
meganelise's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The beginning of the book feels a little choppy as each member of the circle is introduced and brought to Winding Circle. The book gets better once they’re all together and you have their different personalities clashing and getting to know one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
sarahhoward's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was so vibrant and original, and I would have loved it to pieces as a kid. The world-building felt so lived-in, and I was continually impressed at how that comes across with a couple details sprinkled in. The focus on meditation and a magic system that revolved around domestic and artisan work I thought was especially clever. Creating magic out of the mundane is an essential part of children's literature. I loved each of the four protagonists - how different they were, where they all came from, watching them learn their magic. It was wonderful to see them grow closer to each other over the course of the book, and I can't wait to see how their friendship grows stronger as the series goes on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Fatphobia
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