justgraceanne's review
4.0
Beautiful storytelling, immersive world-building, gorgeous illustrations, this was such a good read!
I've been recommending this one to a lot of middle-grade graphic novel readers who come to the library where I work, but because of that, I haven't gotten my hands on it til now! And wow, it does NOT disappoint.
I've read a few middle-grade graphic novels that would have beautiful illustrations but then absolutely no plot (or a very poor one). This book checked every box for me, though! The lore was so deep and lush. I can't wait for more!
I've been recommending this one to a lot of middle-grade graphic novel readers who come to the library where I work, but because of that, I haven't gotten my hands on it til now! And wow, it does NOT disappoint.
I've read a few middle-grade graphic novels that would have beautiful illustrations but then absolutely no plot (or a very poor one). This book checked every box for me, though! The lore was so deep and lush. I can't wait for more!
josie_addison's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
iovoj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
macklin's review
Ahhh I can’t wait for the sequel! The art is gorgeous. Frowley is my fav. So cute and funny.
bookbuyingwithkatie's review
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? No
4.25
kblincoln's review
4.0
Zuli lives in a world tree, surrounded by a few corporeal birds and the guardian spirits of birds. Each day, when the souls of living birds fly to the tree to be renewed and reborn, she hears their gossip. Until one day, no new souls come, and Zuli decides she finally wants to venture into the world to find out who she is and what is happening to the bird souls.
Of course, grumpy corporeal owl Frowly must accompany her, complaining all the way. And of course she immediately gets attacked by wraiths and is saved by a young winged fellow scavenging a dead city.
And of course then Zuli finds her quest will take her into the dens/caves/homes of various creatures who at first seem intent on eating or using her until the friendship and acceptance Zuli learned amongst the birds wins them over.
There's a big reveal at the end and its a cliffhanger, so booo. But the illustrations are gorgeous, the creatures imaginatively drawn on the page, and the story pretty much safe for middle schoolers. Indeed, at points the story felt a bit quick for my taste. For instance, Zuli wins over a dragon in like just a few pages, and I'd have loved to see that relationship drawn out a little longer and involve more work on her part. But for the audience I see this length is better.
Sweet, compelling quest story with some juicy conflict set up right at the end, touching on some issues of prejudice couched in wing/non-wing terms.
Of course, grumpy corporeal owl Frowly must accompany her, complaining all the way. And of course she immediately gets attacked by wraiths and is saved by a young winged fellow scavenging a dead city.
And of course then Zuli finds her quest will take her into the dens/caves/homes of various creatures who at first seem intent on eating or using her until the friendship and acceptance Zuli learned amongst the birds wins them over.
There's a big reveal at the end and its a cliffhanger, so booo. But the illustrations are gorgeous, the creatures imaginatively drawn on the page, and the story pretty much safe for middle schoolers. Indeed, at points the story felt a bit quick for my taste. For instance, Zuli wins over a dragon in like just a few pages, and I'd have loved to see that relationship drawn out a little longer and involve more work on her part. But for the audience I see this length is better.
Sweet, compelling quest story with some juicy conflict set up right at the end, touching on some issues of prejudice couched in wing/non-wing terms.