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undervmountain's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
A dystopia somewhat similar to Oliver Twist, this is a unique story of a girl and her friends who live and work in the trash dumped by what they call "The Lands Of Luxury", unable to leave due to the robots that keep them there.
I thought this story was really sweet, there was just some odd moments - when she returns the doll and meets the owner's family who want to adopt her, it started to feel weirdly... predatory? She met them for like a minute.
I'm also not a fan of an adult POV in middle grade / YA, I don't think there's a need for it and I found Marc's POV a little jarring with the rest of the story. I did like that we got to see what was happening in Jane's home through the POV of her friends that she had to leave behind though.
I thought this story was really sweet, there was just some odd moments - when she returns the doll and meets the owner's family who want to adopt her, it started to feel weirdly... predatory? She met them for like a minute.
I'm also not a fan of an adult POV in middle grade / YA, I don't think there's a need for it and I found Marc's POV a little jarring with the rest of the story. I did like that we got to see what was happening in Jane's home through the POV of her friends that she had to leave behind though.
morgangiesbrecht's review against another edition
5.0
This beautiful book was “altogether grand”! (And that cover!
abooklovingleo_monique's review against another edition
5.0
Besides the fact that this book has one of the most gorgeous covers I have ever seen, this was such a sweet and adventurous story.
We follow Jane who lives on an island of trash that was once loved by others. She loves her island, even when she has to take care of some robots and dig through trash with her friends. But when a doll appears with the words please return to Gloria Thatcher on the tag, everything changes. Jane vows to return the doll but is that even possible if no one has ever left the island before?
Please Return to the Land of Luxury is an exeptionally well written book and while middle grade is not a genre I read, I was pleasantly surprised.
Jane is an adorably loveable and caring character who once she sets her mind on something becomes extremely determined to execute it.
I loved the friendships between all the characters and every message this book shares with it’s readers. We learn to forgive, to love and care and to build trust in this beautifully thought out first book.
My only complaint is that I do not have the next book.
*Thank you so much to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
We follow Jane who lives on an island of trash that was once loved by others. She loves her island, even when she has to take care of some robots and dig through trash with her friends. But when a doll appears with the words please return to Gloria Thatcher on the tag, everything changes. Jane vows to return the doll but is that even possible if no one has ever left the island before?
Please Return to the Land of Luxury is an exeptionally well written book and while middle grade is not a genre I read, I was pleasantly surprised.
Jane is an adorably loveable and caring character who once she sets her mind on something becomes extremely determined to execute it.
I loved the friendships between all the characters and every message this book shares with it’s readers. We learn to forgive, to love and care and to build trust in this beautifully thought out first book.
My only complaint is that I do not have the next book.
*Thank you so much to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
madisontoled0's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
beliemi's review against another edition
4.0
If you are looking for a quick, easy, and cute book to read, filled with braveness and love, this one is the one to get for the kids around you (or even for you).
As I read this cute book, I realized how incredibly privileged we are to be in these positions, (for me to write this and for you dear reader, to read this).
We follow Jane, a young girl that finds herself having to go on an adventure by herself to give back a doll she found. Throughout her trip, she gets to connect more with herself and also with what is around her.
This book is ranged at a younger public but it tackles topics like dealing with grief, missing the people you lost, and simply finding a way to heal yourself. It also discusses friendship, with the strong bond between Jane and two other young kids. The characters are all very touching with big hearts and brave personalities.
Following this story was refreshing and I wished I could have read a story like this one when my young self had to face grief.
favorite quote of the book:
“I’m sure we’ll have plenty of new things. But maybe some wear is worth keeping. It shows our journey, everything we experience to this moment. And it’s worth remembering, even the parts that were hard.”
As I read this cute book, I realized how incredibly privileged we are to be in these positions, (for me to write this and for you dear reader, to read this).
We follow Jane, a young girl that finds herself having to go on an adventure by herself to give back a doll she found. Throughout her trip, she gets to connect more with herself and also with what is around her.
This book is ranged at a younger public but it tackles topics like dealing with grief, missing the people you lost, and simply finding a way to heal yourself. It also discusses friendship, with the strong bond between Jane and two other young kids. The characters are all very touching with big hearts and brave personalities.
Following this story was refreshing and I wished I could have read a story like this one when my young self had to face grief.
favorite quote of the book:
“I’m sure we’ll have plenty of new things. But maybe some wear is worth keeping. It shows our journey, everything we experience to this moment. And it’s worth remembering, even the parts that were hard.”
_christinacreads's review against another edition
4.0
Please Return to the Lands of Luxury by Jon Tilton is a heartwarming action-packed unapologetically Middle Grade adventure novel that tells a story of family, friendship, courage, and finding your place in the world.
This book was incredibly well written, absolutely perfect for its age group. The prose was inspiring, the descriptions lush, and the story itself was really solid. The characters were all unique with their distinct personality traits as well. Viewing a dystopian world through the eyes of a child was quite interesting to me as I haven’t really read anything like this but worked out really well. There were also a lot of beautiful lessons that would speak to a child and a lot of topics discussed would be an amazing point of discussion for a curious middle grader.
The adult in me felt a little put off when an old man approached one of the children and told them to accompany them (with all good intentions, but in real life how often is this true)– and our character not having a single Stranger Danger Bone in her body. It might be worth highlighting for parents of younger audiences.
Talon David as a narrator was an incredible surprise. She was an engaging and interesting storyteller. I enjoyed her a lot and I do think that even children who are interested in reading through audio would very much enjoy her as well.
Thank you to Netgalley and Blueberry Finch for gifting me an AudioARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was incredibly well written, absolutely perfect for its age group. The prose was inspiring, the descriptions lush, and the story itself was really solid. The characters were all unique with their distinct personality traits as well. Viewing a dystopian world through the eyes of a child was quite interesting to me as I haven’t really read anything like this but worked out really well. There were also a lot of beautiful lessons that would speak to a child and a lot of topics discussed would be an amazing point of discussion for a curious middle grader.
The adult in me felt a little put off when an old man approached one of the children and told them to accompany them (with all good intentions, but in real life how often is this true)– and our character not having a single Stranger Danger Bone in her body. It might be worth highlighting for parents of younger audiences.
Talon David as a narrator was an incredible surprise. She was an engaging and interesting storyteller. I enjoyed her a lot and I do think that even children who are interested in reading through audio would very much enjoy her as well.
Thank you to Netgalley and Blueberry Finch for gifting me an AudioARC in exchange for an honest review.
haleybeck's review against another edition
4.0
Fun middle grade fantasy adventure with great themes of honesty, friendship, adoptions, and dealing with your past.
For my full review check out my YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8DtW57S7jc&t=29s
Cleanliness:
For my full review check out my YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8DtW57S7jc&t=29s
Cleanliness:
marayrr's review against another edition
4.0
I am shocked to read that this is a debut novel. The story is incredible. I really enjoyed discovering this new universe. The characters are all, without exception, likeable.
I didn't expect this much from a middle grade's story but here I am.
We are immediately immersed in the plot, which takes a rather serious direction as soon as Jane leaves on her own and starts interacting with other characters.
The narrator did an excellent job and now I really want to read this book again, to fully grasp what I couldn't with the first listening.
Thank you to Jon Tilton, Blueberry Finch and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I didn't expect this much from a middle grade's story but here I am.
We are immediately immersed in the plot, which takes a rather serious direction as soon as Jane leaves on her own and starts interacting with other characters.
The narrator did an excellent job and now I really want to read this book again, to fully grasp what I couldn't with the first listening.
Thank you to Jon Tilton, Blueberry Finch and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
tosmeabook27's review against another edition
4.0
4 Star
Can we get into this amazing cover. I absolutely loved it and the descriptions really brought the threat of the metal men on the cover to life.
This book was so so wholesome. The found family between Jane, Timothy and Rodney was just heartwarming.
Honestly, I loved seeing Jane's determination to make sure Gloria got her doll and retained the memories attached to it.
Jane is such a sweet character and she deserves all the good things the Land of Luxury has to offer her
Can we get into this amazing cover. I absolutely loved it and the descriptions really brought the threat of the metal men on the cover to life.
This book was so so wholesome. The found family between Jane, Timothy and Rodney was just heartwarming.
Honestly, I loved seeing Jane's determination to make sure Gloria got her doll and retained the memories attached to it.
Jane is such a sweet character and she deserves all the good things the Land of Luxury has to offer her
bethreneereadsbooks's review
5.0
Jane lives on an island of trash. And even though she has to scavenge garbage and deal with sinister robots, she still loves her home. It’s all she’s ever experienced, from her most cherished memories to her foggy past that she can’t quite remember.
But when a doll shows up in the latest batch of garbage, everything changes. Unlike the rest of the junk, the doll is in excellent condition, including its tag which reads, “Please return to Gloria Thatcher.”
Convinced it arrived by accident, Jane vows to return the doll to its rightful owner. There’s just one problem—nobody has left the island before, thanks to the tyrannical robots guarding the Docks, a dangerous place with a mysterious history.
Will Jane find safe passage to the Lands of Luxury? Will she uncover the secrets of her past?
This was a delight to read- a fun dystopian middle-grade adventure tale, enjoyable for kids and adults alike. It’s the first in what’s sure to be a promising series.
I listened to the audiobook, which was adeptly narrated by Talon David.
* I received an ARC of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
But when a doll shows up in the latest batch of garbage, everything changes. Unlike the rest of the junk, the doll is in excellent condition, including its tag which reads, “Please return to Gloria Thatcher.”
Convinced it arrived by accident, Jane vows to return the doll to its rightful owner. There’s just one problem—nobody has left the island before, thanks to the tyrannical robots guarding the Docks, a dangerous place with a mysterious history.
Will Jane find safe passage to the Lands of Luxury? Will she uncover the secrets of her past?
This was a delight to read- a fun dystopian middle-grade adventure tale, enjoyable for kids and adults alike. It’s the first in what’s sure to be a promising series.
I listened to the audiobook, which was adeptly narrated by Talon David.
* I received an ARC of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.