hiii_ris's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book when I was much younger and I know for a fact I enjoyed it then.
catladylover94's review against another edition
4.0
good first book, doubt i will ever get to read the others though
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Four dazzling, startling blood-red (blood-read?) stars from this fairytale-myth-alternative history-fantasy novel! This was my first book by Rutkoski but it definitely will not be my last (I have two more from the library currently waiting for me! so I don't say that lightly).
This was an interesting read, an alternate history that takes place in and around Prague. It was more gory than I expected from the reading level/cover (it's an older MG/early YA) but not to the level of horror. It just reminded me a bit of the uncensored/real fairytales (not the Disney-softened nonsense). Brutal, harsh, gory, and frighteningly eerie. But lovely.
Rutkoski also initiates a brief conversation about racism in this book, which starts with Petra's use of the phrase "Gypsy," Neel's correction of it, and how Petra learns how people treat Neel differently because of the color of his skin and because he is Roma. I liked how she brought awareness to this while keeping it of a tone that still allowed me to suspend disbelief. It didn't feel like a blaring lecture, as it so easily could have.
Book 2 is on my shelf waiting for me. I'm excited to pick it up!
This was an interesting read, an alternate history that takes place in and around Prague. It was more gory than I expected from the reading level/cover (it's an older MG/early YA) but not to the level of horror. It just reminded me a bit of the uncensored/real fairytales (not the Disney-softened nonsense). Brutal, harsh, gory, and frighteningly eerie. But lovely.
Rutkoski also initiates a brief conversation about racism in this book, which starts with Petra's use of the phrase "Gypsy," Neel's correction of it, and how Petra learns how people treat Neel differently because of the color of his skin and because he is Roma. I liked how she brought awareness to this while keeping it of a tone that still allowed me to suspend disbelief. It didn't feel like a blaring lecture, as it so easily could have.
Book 2 is on my shelf waiting for me. I'm excited to pick it up!
cierailana's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
joelleandthebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nukie19's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to this in the car with my 9 year old, who gave it 9 out of 10 stars. It was good enough that I didn't mind the story but wasn't the most engaging to me. There is a lot of build up to what the Cabinet of Wonders actually is and how it plays into the story. Plus, the whole idea of the dad and his eyes being removed was a little graphic for kids.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Another first-in-a-series, and pretty good about setting up the place/characters. Problem is, it's also pretty predictable. I'll have to get a few second opinions from my students before I decide to buy this one.
kellkie's review against another edition
4.0
After Petra's father, Mikal Kronos, has his eyes stolen from the prince of Bohemia, she and her mechanical spider leave their tiny town for Prague, convinced they can retrieve her father's eyes and restore some sense of peace to their family. She is aided along the way by friends with magical abilities and Gypsies -- whom she is originally told to avoid at all costs.
Petra learns that the clock her father built for the prince could easily be used as a weapon, and upon gaining access to the castle, is introduced to several interesting characters that both help and hinder her progress.
The plot moves quickly in this enjoyable story, and I couldn't help but want Astrophil (the spider) for my very own! A love of knowledge, a sprinkle of some real historical events and characters, and some interesting ways to use magic make this story a very fun read!
I'm eager to begin the second book in this series, The Celestial Globe.
Petra learns that the clock her father built for the prince could easily be used as a weapon, and upon gaining access to the castle, is introduced to several interesting characters that both help and hinder her progress.
The plot moves quickly in this enjoyable story, and I couldn't help but want Astrophil (the spider) for my very own! A love of knowledge, a sprinkle of some real historical events and characters, and some interesting ways to use magic make this story a very fun read!
I'm eager to begin the second book in this series, The Celestial Globe.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
4.0
Petra Kronos is growing up in a world were magic is intertwined with every day life. Her father invents wonderous metalic creatures and has built the world's most magnificent clock for the prince of Bohemia. The Stavros Square Clock is more than beautiful, it can control the weather and thus wreak havoc. When the prince steals her father's eyes, Petra and her pet tin spider, Astrophil, set out on a quest to retrieve the eyes and stop the prince from using the clock to harm others.
Petra's world is at once familiar and strange, mixing historical people and places such as England and John Dee with a system of magical ability that is well thought out and detailed. This is a fun, quick read and the characters are both likable and sympathetic. The dastardly prince is hardly seen at all and most of the book is taken up with Petra's quest to regain her father's eyes. The dialogue is well down, descriptions vivid and well crafted and the pacing is good throughout. Because we see the prince so little he remains largely a caricature of evil, but other books in the series may fix that issue. I'll definitely be reading the next book.
Petra's world is at once familiar and strange, mixing historical people and places such as England and John Dee with a system of magical ability that is well thought out and detailed. This is a fun, quick read and the characters are both likable and sympathetic. The dastardly prince is hardly seen at all and most of the book is taken up with Petra's quest to regain her father's eyes. The dialogue is well down, descriptions vivid and well crafted and the pacing is good throughout. Because we see the prince so little he remains largely a caricature of evil, but other books in the series may fix that issue. I'll definitely be reading the next book.