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sal_the_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
1.0
i originally really liked the book and especially the queer representation but then i heard very valid criticism about the orphanages resembelling the residental schools that kept indigious canadian children away from their parents, punished them for celebrating their culture and were responsible for killing a lot of indigious children. this cultural genecide was followed by the "sixties scoop" where indigious children were taken from their families and got adopted by white people to further remove them from their culture. the author actually even admitted to using this as his inspiration for the book. i can't understand how somebody (who is white) can learn about that and then decide to write a cozy found family book about it. this just seemy really tone deaf and i don't feel like the book works well as a way to teach about the event. linus as the normal white guy fixing the problems with the town also adds a white saviour layer to it all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, and Cultural appropriation
kiki_kyns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Child abuse
kay_chan's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
Every time I read a TJ Klune book, I fall a little bit more in love with his characters and the stories they live.
I really wanted to give the story a 4.25 because of how much I connected with the characters and thoroughly enjoyed the narration, but there are a few things that need further development in the world building itself to push it over the four-star range. More about the magical system itself and how it integrates with Society, especially if this is an alternate Society where this is supposed to be magical realism.
After discovering that some of the inspiration for Marsyas was from the res schools of Canada, and having a personal connection to Res schools in America from my own distant relatives and study, I definitely have some feelings about how they were represented here. But I'm happy to be able to separate this story from history.
I really wanted to give the story a 4.25 because of how much I connected with the characters and thoroughly enjoyed the narration, but there are a few things that need further development in the world building itself to push it over the four-star range. More about the magical system itself and how it integrates with Society, especially if this is an alternate Society where this is supposed to be magical realism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cultural appropriation
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia
veronyqueso's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
This is such a cute story! The magical children are so charming and the main character grew immensely throughout the story. The humor is endearing and there are so many life lessons about kindness, friendship, and being yourself. The first half of the novel is kinda cheesy and slow, but I became more invested as I read on. Very wholesome read :’)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
weepy_iskwew's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is light-hearted, whimsical, sweet, with some obvious ‘lessons’ that are still worth talking about. I enjoyed reading it. I also enjoyed the stylized form of writing, a little Lemony Snicket adjacent. I enjoyed the humor, the queer relationships, the mature and wholesome romance subplot, the found family vibes, loved all the children etc. etc. I also loved the scenery, worldbuilding etc. It was very vivid and could easily be translated into a show or movie someday.
However…
I read this book knowing about the controversy surrounding the author’s inspiration for the story. As an Indigenous person, I tend to avoid arguments about who should tell stories related to our history because I don’t have all the answers either. But, what I do know is that if you are going to tell our stories you better do it justice.
The following are some flaws that I feel got in the way of this being higher rated for me. Especially if we look at this as a story inspired by the 60s scoop and other Indigenous history. Covering this whole section as spoilers just in case - read at your own risk!
Ultimately, I think in favour of whimsy, and ‘feel-good’ story, Klune left out many of the deeper, more meaningful, and challenging parts of the history that he was inspired by. Which is a choice that an author is allowed to make, and one that some may like. But not really one that makes me excited.
That being said, I do wonder if some of this deeper story could be explored in the sequel. I’d reread this story, and I’ll be adding the sequel to my wishlist. However, I wasn’t so charmed by the whimsy or so convinced that this author has something significant to say that I’ll be rushing out to get it on release.
- Linus is sweet, but ultimately the most boring character to explore the world through. Everything happens to him, and he does very little until the very end. He begins with certain beliefs and standards, but they are so comically ‘bad’ and he lets go of them so quickly it’s a wonder he hadn’t gone through this journey already. He’s kind of a nothing character to me which is unfortunate.
- Also, Linus succeeds in the face of this supposedly crazy oppressive government department; which is a great success for the story but felt a little too easily resolved for my preference. Also, the resolution of the confrontation with the villagers felt a little unrealistic to me.
- Linus (and a few others) hold problematic beliefs due to ignorance and once the ignorance bubble is ‘popped’ through exposure, the problematic beliefs and behaviors can and should be forgiven. Honestly, this is a perspective that many of my Elders would agree with and teach themselves. But, the radical side of me wants to say that ignorance is a choice, and not an excuse despite the forces that might be in place to keep you there. Someday, I’ll be as gracious as my Elders are lol.
- Ultimately, there is no deeper analysis of the system and how it results in the children having no family or community to care for them. There are brief mentions of a deeper history, like boarding schools, and some of the individual stories of the children and how they came to this orphanage. However, it seemed like all the children were in care because of legitimate reasons (aka their parents were dead or presumed dead; to be fair some related to mistreatment by the non-magical government). However, the reasons why children were brought into care during the 60s scoop were much more nuanced, and a direct result of residential schools, racist policies, and systemic discrimination resulting in systemic poverty.
Ultimately, I think in favour of whimsy, and ‘feel-good’ story, Klune left out many of the deeper, more meaningful, and challenging parts of the history that he was inspired by. Which is a choice that an author is allowed to make, and one that some may like. But not really one that makes me excited.
That being said, I do wonder if some of this deeper story could be explored in the sequel. I’d reread this story, and I’ll be adding the sequel to my wishlist. However, I wasn’t so charmed by the whimsy or so convinced that this author has something significant to say that I’ll be rushing out to get it on release.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Cultural appropriation
fred___'s review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This was written based on the 60s scoop. Indigenous populations have discussed often that it was not an appropriate thing for a white cis author to cover (and give a happy ending to) because it dismissed the trauma indigenous populations are still living.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
anchik's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Cultural appropriation
chelle22's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
On the surface this is a sweet book. A bureaucrat named Linus goes to an orphanage to see how things are going with the magical children and their mysterious headmaster, for lack of a better term. The kids are sweet and he comes to love them and Arthur, the headmaster (who deeply loves and cares for the children). I was very fond of Arthur and the children, and was passingly fond of Linus. We are told he is by the book and seems unflappable, which is why he was chosen for this review by the government agency he works for. But he sort of dithers around and seems very surprised and shocked by the kids. We are constantly told how wonderful he is, but I don't quite see it? Because he is open-minded and not a jerk to the kids? I also think the book is a smidge too long. I found it to be a soothing book about giving people chances and not judging them for being different, and that everyone deserves a place to call home with people who love them.
HOWEVER, there are some controversies about this book, as Klune was at least partially inspired by residential schools, where Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in to orphanages, treated brutally (some even killed) to try to assimilate them into white society and culture. There are also some excellent points to be made about trauma and children in foster care systems, and whether or not that is accurately reflected here in the book. As I have no experience with the foster care system, and I am not an Indigenous Person, or even a person of color, I do not want to make a judgement call on this, nor do I feel able to. I have seen comments on both sides about these issues. What is clear is that Klune is using the magical children as an allegory to show the oppression of a marginalized group by society, culture, and the government. I think we can all appreciate the attempt. But how people feel going from there is really going to be up to each person and their individual lives and experiences. The story and the characters are sweet and soothing, but there is still a lot I feel uncertain about. I did not want to ignore the issues that many other readers have addressed much better than I have.
HOWEVER, there are some controversies about this book, as Klune was at least partially inspired by residential schools, where Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in to orphanages, treated brutally (some even killed) to try to assimilate them into white society and culture. There are also some excellent points to be made about trauma and children in foster care systems, and whether or not that is accurately reflected here in the book. As I have no experience with the foster care system, and I am not an Indigenous Person, or even a person of color, I do not want to make a judgement call on this, nor do I feel able to. I have seen comments on both sides about these issues. What is clear is that Klune is using the magical children as an allegory to show the oppression of a marginalized group by society, culture, and the government. I think we can all appreciate the attempt. But how people feel going from there is really going to be up to each person and their individual lives and experiences. The story and the characters are sweet and soothing, but there is still a lot I feel uncertain about. I did not want to ignore the issues that many other readers have addressed much better than I have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, and Grief
onyxisalive's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
On a purely surface level this book was a very enjoyable, cozy and fluffy fantasy read. I enjoyed reading it and the characters are well written and extremely likeable.
However, there is quite a controversy surrounding this book due to the author using the sixties scoop in Canda as source material. It complicates things quite a lot as it brings up the question of if it was this authors story to tell.
Although I don’t believe it was the authors intention it can come across like he is comparing indigenous people to magical creatures- which leaves a poor taste in your mouth.Linus being the bridge between the children and the village kind of came across like a white saviour complex, which yet again leaves a poor taste in your mouth
The book was relatively predicatable, but I don’t feel that takes away from it in any sense.
All in all if you take this book at the surface level as a fluffy fantasy story it is really enjoyable. However don’t take this book at all as a story of the sixties scoop in Canda, or an interpretation- just let it be a surface level queer fantasy love story and leave it at that.
However, there is quite a controversy surrounding this book due to the author using the sixties scoop in Canda as source material. It complicates things quite a lot as it brings up the question of if it was this authors story to tell.
Although I don’t believe it was the authors intention it can come across like he is comparing indigenous people to magical creatures- which leaves a poor taste in your mouth.
The book was relatively predicatable, but I don’t feel that takes away from it in any sense.
All in all if you take this book at the surface level as a fluffy fantasy story it is really enjoyable. However don’t take this book at all as a story of the sixties scoop in Canda, or an interpretation- just let it be a surface level queer fantasy love story and leave it at that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Cultural appropriation