xandra_evelyn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was such a unique and beautiful story. The world building was really cool, and the characters were so loveable.
I was a little disappointed we never found out who the "M.D." was from the intro. I suspect it could have been Max, but I couldn't find their last name anywhere so I'm not sure. It wasn't spindrift's real name (which we also never learn), as her last name was Morel. Unless she got married? But that's weird, too, as the initials could have been anything then...
Spoiler
I was a little disappointed we never found out who the "M.D." was from the intro. I suspect it could have been Max, but I couldn't find their last name anywhere so I'm not sure. It wasn't spindrift's real name (which we also never learn), as her last name was Morel. Unless she got married? But that's weird, too, as the initials could have been anything then...
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Death
melodierhae's review against another edition
5.0
Something truly magical this way comes, and it’s not just in the orchids. Spindrift and the Orchid earned a solid 4 and a half stars from me with natural world building and beautiful, whimsical magic. I could truly imagine Lux, and I wished so badly for my own pair of wings so I could fly around with Spin, Max and Clemence. I did a lot of wishing- perhaps I need an Orchid of my own!
Readers of the Magic, Dragons and Swords guild will devour this quick, fantastical mystery. It checks all the boxes for early Harry Potter readers. But be warned- the ending was abrupt. Emma Trevayne wraps it up neatly, and I don’t imagine a series coming from the storyline though I wish really wish she would expand it.
Overall a fast and lovely, yet bittersweet read.
Readers of the Magic, Dragons and Swords guild will devour this quick, fantastical mystery. It checks all the boxes for early Harry Potter readers. But be warned- the ending was abrupt. Emma Trevayne wraps it up neatly, and I don’t imagine a series coming from the storyline though I wish really wish she would expand it.
Overall a fast and lovely, yet bittersweet read.
epedrotti's review against another edition
4.0
Great book for middle grade students. I immediately connected to Spindrift and the relationship she had with her grandfather. The friendships and family relationships in this book are very well written. Even though Spindrift is an orphan, she is able to get to know her parents through the letters her mom sent to her grandfather. This book has a little but if something for everyone.
fraeyalise's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book left some things to be desired. I wish that the rules of the world were more fleshed out.
I personally feel the plot could have been tightened up a bit, and it ended very suddenly. The author spent a long time dwelling on things that didn't matter, like the minutae of Spindrift's last day of school, when I was much more interested in the Orchids and the world. Why is the flower prized so much? Who were the seven sages and why does everyone know them? How did they build the city and why is that a big deal? If she's going to give us so much of Spindrift's day in school she might as well drop a bit of exposition in the story.
Also the bit with the bully felt very shoehorned in and pretty useless. I feel like it's just there because "kids books are supposed to have bullies in them". Maybe it was supposed to show Spindrift's development? But the story was doing just fine without it and it didn't even wrap up satisfyingly.
I personally feel the plot could have been tightened up a bit, and it ended very suddenly. The author spent a long time dwelling on things that didn't matter, like the minutae of Spindrift's last day of school, when I was much more interested in the Orchids and the world. Why is the flower prized so much? Who were the seven sages and why does everyone know them? How did they build the city and why is that a big deal? If she's going to give us so much of Spindrift's day in school she might as well drop a bit of exposition in the story.
Also the bit with the bully felt very shoehorned in and pretty useless. I feel like it's just there because "kids books are supposed to have bullies in them". Maybe it was supposed to show Spindrift's development? But the story was doing just fine without it and it didn't even wrap up satisfyingly.
stacikristine's review against another edition
4.0
What started as a cute middle grade fantasy novel turned into much more. The themes of greed, sacrifice, obsession, and bravery added an unexpected depth to the story. I look forward to my kids reading this someday.
lizthelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Spindrift lives with her grandfather that sells magical things. Her parents died in an accident on the sea when she was a baby, and she miraculously survived. But after a strange man comes into her grandfather's shop asking for a black orchid, everything changes. Spindrift finds out that the glass ball she inherited from her mother is that very same black orchid that man was after, and it has powers; anything Spindrift wishes for the orchid gives her. We find out that there are other orchids, and the strange man has them all save two of them. Thus, begins Spindrift's quest to keep the man from destroying the world. The first half of this book is extremely slow, and it took me forever to get into this book. I really enjoyed reading the second half and I think it was me listening to Panic at the Disco Into the Unknown that pumped up the reading. The book went from a book about protecting the world to a book about resisting the pull of power, like Lord of the Rings. Which is a pleasant surprise for a tween book. As long as you can push past the first part of the book, I'm sure you'll enjoy Spindrift's adventure as much as I have.
chickiebean_loves_books's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Five things about Spindrift and the Orchid by Emma Trevayne. 3/5⭐️s
1. If you look up the word whimsical I’m pretty sure you’ll see a photograph of this book. It’s the very definition of whimsy while also pulling off a darkness that might seem incongruous.
2. The relationship between Spindrift and her grandfather is so well portrayed. I think it might be one of my favorite family relationships in middle grade literature. Right up there with Anne and the Cuthberts or The March girls and Marmee.
3. The pacing of this book is way off. The end is entirely too abrupt while the beginning takes a painfully long time to develop.
4. While I truly enjoyed reading this, I don’t anticipate ever reading it again and I do think that’s entirely down to the pacing. It was marked enough to be uncomfortable. The story’s concept was strong enough to keep me there but now that I know the story - I don’t want to reread it.
5. I’d definitely recommend this book for middle grade lovers of fantasy. It’s has a unique and adventurous plot, strong character development, and a positive message without being preachy.
1. If you look up the word whimsical I’m pretty sure you’ll see a photograph of this book. It’s the very definition of whimsy while also pulling off a darkness that might seem incongruous.
2. The relationship between Spindrift and her grandfather is so well portrayed. I think it might be one of my favorite family relationships in middle grade literature. Right up there with Anne and the Cuthberts or The March girls and Marmee.
3. The pacing of this book is way off. The end is entirely too abrupt while the beginning takes a painfully long time to develop.
4. While I truly enjoyed reading this, I don’t anticipate ever reading it again and I do think that’s entirely down to the pacing. It was marked enough to be uncomfortable. The story’s concept was strong enough to keep me there but now that I know the story - I don’t want to reread it.
5. I’d definitely recommend this book for middle grade lovers of fantasy. It’s has a unique and adventurous plot, strong character development, and a positive message without being preachy.
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