kaitlynredwing's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY liked this book, and it was so close to being 4 stars for me.
So here's what I LOVED and what also fell flat for me below. I won't give away too much either.
Because who doesn't love a book about pirates and time-travel!? No one.
The Time Traveling
Okay, so I LOVE this concept. And I haven't read very many books on time traveling, if any, but this was a very, very neat concept. So basically, Nix and her father can take any map--with a sea border-- when they are on their ship and travel to that time. However, you can't go to a place where you currently exist, and you can only use a map once. You can also travel on foot, but you can't take a bunch of people with you, so it's easier to sail a ship to ports. If that makes sense. Now, there might be some more technicalities; and this was one of the parts I didn't love about the book--it was confusing to understand at times. It was also confusing when there was a lot of action, I felt like I got lost at times but eventually found my way back. It wasn't terrible, but enough to knock a star off for.
Pirates
Well, not REAL pirates. But the author explains in the end that the story is based off a pirate heist on Hawaii in the 1700s? (I don't have the book next to me but I think it was around then) And Nix and her dads crew are basically the best group of "Pirates" you could imagine. I really hope we get more into their lives in the second book. Especially Kashmir. (hot damn I love him)
The Characters
Not only were the characters layered and flawed, they were diverse. Nix is Chinese, but born on Hawaii. Kashmir is Persian(Also inspired from stories in A Thousand Nights) who speaks Arabic, French, English, and Persian. (I could be missing one) One of the crew mates was a lesbian, Bee, who is also African and used to be married but her wife has since passed. Though she still talks and "interacts" with her wife even though no one else can see or hear her. Like, I can't tell you how great it was to read about a bunch of diverse characters who lived these lives in different time periods and are now all time traveling on a SHIP. Incredible
Ugh, let me have my romantic trope okay. Except he's not any basic trope you're used to. He's a thief who has a sketchy moral compass, witty, entertaining, and I bet his smirk would kill you. And he loves Nix. It's evident from the very beginning, and not in a romantic sense. In a, I will kill for this person without question and also throw myself in front of any danger to save this person, type way. He also speaks a thousand languages and understands Nix and is there for her when her father isn't. I just love his character, okay?
Okay, so that's just a little of what I loved about this book. Really though, what bothered me the most was the climax didn't feel very climatic. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't great and It felt rushed to me. That's okay, I will still read the next book, which as I understand is the last. So yay for Duologies! There was also some love triangle stuff going on. But it didn't bother me that much, it isn't too serious and it makes sense to me. Most of the time I want to put a book down when I sense a love triangle, but not with this one. I know who the end game is, if it happens, and I'm okay with this character growth. That's what I'm calling it. And if it doesn't happen, that's okay. Because Nix and Kash are friends and always will be friends first. No matter what. They're relationship is so much more than just romance, and I really enjoyed them.
So if you love time travel and spirited, witty pirates, give this a go. You won't be disappointed. My 3 stars is merely a "head with caution" and don't expect a perfect book. But you shouldn't NOT read it for the problems I state, because it truly is a fun read that only took me a day to read. Like, I couldn't put it down. I might change my rating to 4 stars after I've thought about it for awhile.
So here's what I LOVED and what also fell flat for me below. I won't give away too much either.
Because who doesn't love a book about pirates and time-travel!? No one.
The Time Traveling
Okay, so I LOVE this concept. And I haven't read very many books on time traveling, if any, but this was a very, very neat concept. So basically, Nix and her father can take any map--with a sea border-- when they are on their ship and travel to that time. However, you can't go to a place where you currently exist, and you can only use a map once. You can also travel on foot, but you can't take a bunch of people with you, so it's easier to sail a ship to ports. If that makes sense. Now, there might be some more technicalities; and this was one of the parts I didn't love about the book--it was confusing to understand at times. It was also confusing when there was a lot of action, I felt like I got lost at times but eventually found my way back. It wasn't terrible, but enough to knock a star off for.
Pirates
Well, not REAL pirates. But the author explains in the end that the story is based off a pirate heist on Hawaii in the 1700s? (I don't have the book next to me but I think it was around then) And Nix and her dads crew are basically the best group of "Pirates" you could imagine. I really hope we get more into their lives in the second book. Especially Kashmir. (hot damn I love him)
The Characters
Not only were the characters layered and flawed, they were diverse. Nix is Chinese, but born on Hawaii. Kashmir is Persian(Also inspired from stories in A Thousand Nights) who speaks Arabic, French, English, and Persian. (I could be missing one) One of the crew mates was a lesbian, Bee, who is also African and used to be married but her wife has since passed. Though she still talks and "interacts" with her wife even though no one else can see or hear her. Like, I can't tell you how great it was to read about a bunch of diverse characters who lived these lives in different time periods and are now all time traveling on a SHIP. Incredible
Ugh, let me have my romantic trope okay. Except he's not any basic trope you're used to. He's a thief who has a sketchy moral compass, witty, entertaining, and I bet his smirk would kill you. And he loves Nix. It's evident from the very beginning, and not in a romantic sense. In a, I will kill for this person without question and also throw myself in front of any danger to save this person, type way. He also speaks a thousand languages and understands Nix and is there for her when her father isn't. I just love his character, okay?
Okay, so that's just a little of what I loved about this book. Really though, what bothered me the most was the climax didn't feel very climatic. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't great and It felt rushed to me. That's okay, I will still read the next book, which as I understand is the last. So yay for Duologies! There was also some love triangle stuff going on. But it didn't bother me that much, it isn't too serious and it makes sense to me. Most of the time I want to put a book down when I sense a love triangle, but not with this one. I know who the end game is, if it happens, and I'm okay with this character growth. That's what I'm calling it. And if it doesn't happen, that's okay. Because Nix and Kash are friends and always will be friends first. No matter what. They're relationship is so much more than just romance, and I really enjoyed them.
So if you love time travel and spirited, witty pirates, give this a go. You won't be disappointed. My 3 stars is merely a "head with caution" and don't expect a perfect book. But you shouldn't NOT read it for the problems I state, because it truly is a fun read that only took me a day to read. Like, I couldn't put it down. I might change my rating to 4 stars after I've thought about it for awhile.
afutt92's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very enjoyable book! It matched fantasy with history very well, and I love that it primarily took place in an era that isn't written about much or widely known. I've always been fascinated with Hawaii (my grandfather was stationed there in WWII and I loved seeing his pictures and hearing his stories about it), so this was a special treat for me. My one complaint is that I wish we had more information about Navigating- it was a bit difficult to understand. However, overall a fun adventure story that I very much enjoyed! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
nicole_flnr's review against another edition
4.0
6 phrase review:
- Lowkey love triangle
- Slow paced
- Intruiging world
- confusing timeline
- fucked up father/ daughter relationship
- amazing side characters (KASH)
3,5 stars
- Lowkey love triangle
- Slow paced
- Intruiging world
- confusing timeline
- fucked up father/ daughter relationship
- amazing side characters (KASH)
3,5 stars
alicefromwonderland00's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This was a solid, decent YA novel, but I expected more. I really loved the premise- a boat that could travel anywhere, anytime, fact or fiction? Awesome! However, by the end of the book, I found myself only having seen a few places, and overall I felt underwhelmed.
The Places
I loved how Heilig detailed Honolulu, 1884. Good thing too, considering the vast majority of the novel took place there. I really wanted to see more traveling, though Heilig portrays "Navigating" as a difficult process. The other locations were interesting enough, though I wanted to see more of them. She does definitely know her history- I learned a lot about the kingdom of Hawaii.
The People
If your looking for a strong, gritty, YA heroine, don't look here. I liked Nix well enough, but she was always falling into somebody's arms every time something remotely frightening happened.
I found Slate very interesting. Through reading the book, we saw multiple sides of him. The selfish side, the caring father side, the obsessed lover side. He is a complex character, more complex, I think, than Nix.
The rest of the characters were likable enough, but forgettable.
The Plot
Eh. It was a bit slow, and sometimes hard to follow. There were two main things I found interesting. First, Heilig ultimately tells the story of the mysterious heist that truly did happen in 1884 Honolulu. The Kingdom of Hawaii robbed, without a shot fired. Second, I loved bringing the terra-cotta warriors in for the fight. Far-fetched, but with the premise of this book, you could do anything, and that's what I love about it.
This was a solid, decent YA novel, but I expected more. I really loved the premise- a boat that could travel anywhere, anytime, fact or fiction? Awesome! However, by the end of the book, I found myself only having seen a few places, and overall I felt underwhelmed.
The Places
I loved how Heilig detailed Honolulu, 1884. Good thing too, considering the vast majority of the novel took place there. I really wanted to see more traveling, though Heilig portrays "Navigating" as a difficult process. The other locations were interesting enough, though I wanted to see more of them. She does definitely know her history- I learned a lot about the kingdom of Hawaii.
The People
If your looking for a strong, gritty, YA heroine, don't look here. I liked Nix well enough, but she was always falling into somebody's arms every time something remotely frightening happened.
I found Slate very interesting. Through reading the book, we saw multiple sides of him. The selfish side, the caring father side, the obsessed lover side. He is a complex character, more complex, I think, than Nix.
The rest of the characters were likable enough, but forgettable.
The Plot
Eh. It was a bit slow, and sometimes hard to follow. There were two main things I found interesting. First, Heilig ultimately tells the story of the mysterious heist that truly did happen in 1884 Honolulu. The Kingdom of Hawaii robbed, without a shot fired. Second, I loved bringing the terra-cotta warriors in for the fight. Far-fetched, but with the premise of this book, you could do anything, and that's what I love about it.
freckles1987's review against another edition
4.0
A fun adventure through time, with a compelling dilemma and beautiful settings. The peak into 19th century Hawaii was as fascinating as the time travel and familial conflict. If you enjoy YA, time travel, and light romance then you will love The Girl from Everywhere.
mntaylor13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mygeekblasphemy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
yomireads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
j_emerson18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75