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ranam's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was sweet. It's filled with an array of characters: specters, gryphons, ogres, dragons, human royalty, fairies, scorcerers and dwarves. It was a bit slow-paced, but the last half or so of the book went by quickly enough. I loved the fantastical elements that likened it to Ella Enchanted, the only other book I read by her. Good read.
harukoreads's review
3.0
Rereading this reminded me just how much of the story imprinted on my psyche when I was a kid: the seven league boots, the dragon with her gifts, the bittersweet ending. The character development for the main character was also fantastic, and even if I found myself frustrated with her naïveté and cowardice earlier in the book, I know that’s the whole point. The world building is also so imaginative! Although I will say rereading this just made me want to read Ella Enchanted, which does everything this book does and more.
lavendermarch's review against another edition
4.0
This was a quick read, taking about 2 hours for me to get through, and a very enjoyable story. I liked Addie, and Rhys, and Meryl, and all the adventures we saw Addie go on during her quest, like her encounters with Vollys and other monsters. One of the things I liked best about this story was the character development that Addie went through. When the story began, she was timid and kind of lame, to be honest, but once she set out on her quest to find a cure for Meryl, she managed to discover new sides of herself, and grow and change, so that she could reach the person she was by the end of the book: ready to fight monsters and go on harrowing adventures for the peace that comes afterwards. So lovely! I do have to say, the reason that my rating is four stars and not five is because sometimes the writing style didn't work for me, and also the beginning of the story, before Addie goes on her quest (about seventy or a hundred pages) is a less interesting by far than her adventures. That said, definitely read until the end! It's worth it, and the romance had me giggling happily a few times, which was fun. Overall, this was a great read, and I would recommend it to fans of fairytales and Gail Carson Levine! 4 stars.
ktvondy's review
5.0
Maybe I’m bias because I read this so many times growing up, but I still love this book. At times it’s silly, but it holds up so well!
rochelleisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and War
jillselwyn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
Ugh, the ending never fails to make me cry. Bittersweet but goddamn. If this book isn't still one of the best I've read. Honestly, I love the idea rooted in the novel that you don't have to stand up to monsters or slay a dragon or wield a sword to be brave, and doing all those things doesn't necessarily make you brave either. That just knowing the stakes are high and fighting anyway, with Meryl and the Grey Death and Addie and finding the cure - they are both incredible proof of this. I was shocked that this book was less than 300 pages, and I thought that I would feel like it needed more fleshing out. But it works perfectly within its length and details and occurrences. Meryl and Addie's bond is so well written that I can't help but imagine if something like this happened to me and my little sister, which honestly, probably doesn't help when I get to the ending. I also like that there were real stakes. Yes this is a "children's book" or "middle grade" but as usual I feel like anyone of any age can enjoy a Gail Carson Levine book. I liked that Addie technically failed. She was successful for everyone else in the kingdom, but her sister. I like the explanation of how her sister was alive anyway, and almost in a way, feels more painful than Meryl simply dying. Yet another time I wish that the Ella Enchanted adaptation had done better because maybe this book would have been adapted at some point too. I believe there is a somewhat recent either sequel or prequel, which I own and am excited to hopefully read soon!
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
In a land where a disease, the Grey Death, kills many there lives two sisters, princesses called Meryl and Addie. Meryl is the brave one and Addie is timid. When Meryl is stricken with the disease Addie has to overcome many obstacles, not least of which is her own timidity, to find a cure.
It does read like a fairy tale, an interesting story of honour and striving to do what is best to defeat the evil that seems unsurmountable. A story about growing up and growing into yourself.
It does read like a fairy tale, an interesting story of honour and striving to do what is best to defeat the evil that seems unsurmountable. A story about growing up and growing into yourself.
megray1126's review
4.0
The 10 year old that I babysit insisted that I read this book, and I gotta say, even though it's technically for 8-12 y/o, I really liked it! It was full of action, adventure, and, most importantly, love!
selahsariah's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0