relearning2read's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
This book follows in the trend of this series (and especially the books set in the portal worlds) of being more about the things that surround these children and their actions than about the moments of heroism themselves. This is a story about how Regan was shaped into the girl who could make the decisions she made rather than about that decision and its consequences for the world she was destined to save. I really appreciate the way each book can give a different perspective on this theme and I also really enjoyed this particular take and Regan as a character - who is quite different than many of the other wayward children we have met so far (though she may have the most in common with Cora, my current favourite - which might help explain why I liked this book so much)
The hooflands sound like an intriguing and magical place - with a unique set of problems for a child to be faced with compared to previous world and not without its dangers but ultimately kinder than other worlds we have explored. But I also can't really picture it, or many of the characters which is ultimately where this book fell a little bit short for me. Still excited to continue to read this series and see new variations of these themes
The hooflands sound like an intriguing and magical place - with a unique set of problems for a child to be faced with compared to previous world and not without its dangers but ultimately kinder than other worlds we have explored. But I also can't really picture it, or many of the characters which is ultimately where this book fell a little bit short for me. Still excited to continue to read this series and see new variations of these themes
ghostlibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
shksprsis's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
talyahonor23's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
dalstellar's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
becca1909's review against another edition
4.5
just love this series and this was just as good as the rest
mshultz89's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
This spoke to the horse crazy little girl that I used to be. I definitely enjoyed this one so much. I just wish it had been longer. Of course, the messages in this book are so important.
saguaros's review against another edition
2.0
Sigh. I need to quit this series. It's just clearly not for me. And while I like some books more than others, all of them just leave me frustrated. A big case of loving the ideas and potential and being continually let down by the execution.
This one was just plain fucking boring. It literally picked up for me 3/4 in, and this being a novella it meant like the last 3 chapters or something to that effect. Constantly, I read these books and wonder why the author made the choices she made where there are CLEARLY something more interesting RIGHT THERE. Too long is spent on the kids' childhoods so that they only get to the other world a third of the novella in, and then we get a lot of telling and not showing and MAYBE a little bit of action at the end and that's it. Interesting events are skimmed over or just mentioned for the sake of exposition about growth. It's definitely the case in this one.
Once Reagan makes it to the other world, (a third in), she meets a centaur. And then we just, read about her life with the centaurs. Very little happen. There's a kidnapping but, that doesn't last long, nor does it feel tensed or dangerous. Then more exposition of living with the centaurs, but this time in hiding! They're like family and it's sweet but it's B O R I N G. The centaurs are boring. The unicorns are boring. Other species are mentioned and never seen. A bad queen is mentioned and never seen. And then less than a handful of chapters before the end, Reagan leaves on her quest to save the world. She meets a kelpie and a peryton and that was the only spark of interest I had in the whole book. Their dynamics far more interesting. And then the "twist" isn't much of one--underwhelming and obvious.
It's clear to me that what the author wants to tell and what I want to be told do not match at all. I will never understand her choices, no matter how fascinated I am by the glimpses we get of all the worlds she creates. Time to let go.
This one was just plain fucking boring. It literally picked up for me 3/4 in, and this being a novella it meant like the last 3 chapters or something to that effect. Constantly, I read these books and wonder why the author made the choices she made where there are CLEARLY something more interesting RIGHT THERE. Too long is spent on the kids' childhoods so that they only get to the other world a third of the novella in, and then we get a lot of telling and not showing and MAYBE a little bit of action at the end and that's it. Interesting events are skimmed over or just mentioned for the sake of exposition about growth. It's definitely the case in this one.
Once Reagan makes it to the other world, (a third in), she meets a centaur. And then we just, read about her life with the centaurs. Very little happen. There's a kidnapping but, that doesn't last long, nor does it feel tensed or dangerous. Then more exposition of living with the centaurs, but this time in hiding! They're like family and it's sweet but it's B O R I N G. The centaurs are boring. The unicorns are boring. Other species are mentioned and never seen. A bad queen is mentioned and never seen. And then less than a handful of chapters before the end, Reagan leaves on her quest to save the world. She meets a kelpie and a peryton and that was the only spark of interest I had in the whole book. Their dynamics far more interesting. And then the "twist" isn't much of one--underwhelming and obvious.
It's clear to me that what the author wants to tell and what I want to be told do not match at all. I will never understand her choices, no matter how fascinated I am by the glimpses we get of all the worlds she creates. Time to let go.
areaderintime's review against another edition
3.0
I love the world that the author crafted in this book but I didn't totally love it overall. The story was fast paced and has an intersex main character which I have never read about before and appreciate the representation. It's whimsical and fun but not my favorite in this series.