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barnaclethereal's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
The story seemed so slow to start and some of the prose just felt so grindy. I liked some of it, I'll continue on with the story. I felt like some of the heaviness was to easily skimmed over. Characters only called their parents by first names, just felt awkward at times.
drlark's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
A delightful middle grade quest fantasy that centers family bonds and music. I'm pretty sure I read this series back in middle school, and I've been wanting get back to Diana Wynne Jones's writing. When I saw this series bind-up at the library book sale, I grabbed it. The writing is lovely, the humor is charming as heck, and the politics are suitably interesting to an adult audience, too, I think, as we follow Moril and his family of traveling musicians on their way back North from time spent performing in the South. On the way, they encounter danger and tragedy and also discover their own power. Good stuff. Onto book two!
thebooklovingpanda's review against another edition
5.0
it's by diana wynne Jones. she makes it awesome in itself. no seriously it's really cool. i think she excels in making up parallel universes and parallel universe magic stuff.
after reading: this is totally awesome. there's lots of stuff about magic but it all makes sense, like science, but in a magical way...? She's just so skilled in making stuff that shouldn't make sense make PERFECT sense.
clarabirdie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
cimorene1558's review against another edition
5.0
Very fine! I went and ordered the whole quartet based on how good this one is! It's high fantasy at a less epic level--if you like high fantasy, and are a good reader of any age over about 9 years who would rather not read 500 pages every time you want high fantasy, this could be just what you need!
stuchacha's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Glad to explore more DWJ work!
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
Four young people must save the world and an adventure begins. This didn't really work for me unfortunately. It was well written and entertaining enough however I didn't quite connect with the story.
b33dubs's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favorite series in middle school, and it's still just as amazing as I remember--although I notice I have less tolerance for some of the characters (Brid! Good gracious!), while I actually like Moril better.
_rusalka's review against another edition
3.0
Taken two topplers, 7 years apart, to finally read this. Not a reflection of the book at all, just of the busyness of my brain.
Diana Wynne Jones is the author I wish I had when I was a kid. She is so wonderfully perceptive of where you take kids, and challenges them in such supportive ways. I just think she is brilliant. While this book isn't perfect, I appreciate the author.
Diana Wynne Jones is the author I wish I had when I was a kid. She is so wonderfully perceptive of where you take kids, and challenges them in such supportive ways. I just think she is brilliant. While this book isn't perfect, I appreciate the author.