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bhumi_19's review
adventurous
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
2.75
jowillread's review against another edition
5.0
“Time to find out if you are a magician, Gwydion Gwyn.”
This book. This book.
I always wondered when I read reviews that start with “This book”… I mean, what does that even mean?
This book….what?
Now I understand.
Because, guys, this book.
I first read this book (I don’t really need italics do I? You get it. I love this book) when I was eight. I found it in our ‘library’ (we don’t really have a library by the way, we had a book shelf that we called the library) and I was intrigued instantaneously.
OK, well no… that’s a lie. I was terrified instantaneously because this is my cover.
Isn’t it horrifying? And retro? And horrifyingly retro?!
Anyway, I picked it up and devoured it and it instantly became one of my favourite series.
Fast forward a few years when I was cleaning out my room when I had returned from university and I was suddenly inundated with Norton Anthologies and about three copies of [b:Heart of Darkness|4900|Heart of Darkness|Joseph Conrad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392799983l/4900._SX50_.jpg|2877220] (I swear they multiply) and I found my copy again. After the initial “What is with this cover? I fear it may be possessed by evil!” panic, I opened it with giddiness knowing that I had loved it but not really remembering why. I read the first chapter, and then the second and then about an hour later, I realised I’d actually read the first book.
Twenty one year old Jo was no longer allowed to exist because eight year old Jo had pushed her way forward and was currently immersed in a land of magic.
And if that wasn’t lovely enough, I realised/remembered that these books were set in Gwynedd where I went to university. It’s like it was fate… except I wasn’t a magician.
Or a farmer.
Anyway, when I decided I was going to do a Welsh Week on my blog, I knew that this series had to be featured because, to me, it is the ultimate celebration of all things Welsh.
In three books, you have Welsh culture, myths, legends, traditions, sheep (no seriously, sheep play quite a big part in the first book), other worlds, magicians, cursed toy horses, possessed strangers, mad princes, art projects, a passionate celebration of all things natural, family, community, the importance of friendships, trust, malevolent forces, sheep dogs, unicorns (I know, right?), children getting into mischief and going against their parent’s wishes, ships made of seaweed, glow in the dark flowers, cake.
And that’s just a snippet.
I tend to read these books in one go so, to me, they are all one book but if I had to pick my favourite it would be Emlyn’s Moon, the second book. Here we meet the wonderful and brilliant Nia Lloyd, the middle of seven (soon-to-be eight) children who befriends a mysterious boy named Emlyn and his father, even though she is told to stay away. It’s all about family secrets and dark forces and the past and feuds and magic.
Also, arts and crafts projects, which I feel is an extremely underrated subject in children’s fiction.
I know a few people might be a bit “Um…?” about the lack of world building in this series and, even though this book and I are for keeps, I am not completely blinkered.
I understand that the magic and the shenanigans that happen within this book aren’t feasible, even in Wales where dragons roam free and where spoons are classed as magical instruments of love. And I know that there are plot holes and there are unanswered questions but even in the bestest of books you get them.
And, whatever, I just don’t care. Maybe I am a little blinkered, I think that’s allowed with your favourite children’s books though.
Magic happens in this book and you have to just go with it.
This is a series for people who can believe in magic unconditionally.
I am one of those people and I hope to be one of those people forever and ever.
This book. This book.
I always wondered when I read reviews that start with “This book”… I mean, what does that even mean?
This book….what?
Now I understand.
Because, guys, this book.
I first read this book (I don’t really need italics do I? You get it. I love this book) when I was eight. I found it in our ‘library’ (we don’t really have a library by the way, we had a book shelf that we called the library) and I was intrigued instantaneously.
OK, well no… that’s a lie. I was terrified instantaneously because this is my cover.
Isn’t it horrifying? And retro? And horrifyingly retro?!
Anyway, I picked it up and devoured it and it instantly became one of my favourite series.
Fast forward a few years when I was cleaning out my room when I had returned from university and I was suddenly inundated with Norton Anthologies and about three copies of [b:Heart of Darkness|4900|Heart of Darkness|Joseph Conrad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392799983l/4900._SX50_.jpg|2877220] (I swear they multiply) and I found my copy again. After the initial “What is with this cover? I fear it may be possessed by evil!” panic, I opened it with giddiness knowing that I had loved it but not really remembering why. I read the first chapter, and then the second and then about an hour later, I realised I’d actually read the first book.
Twenty one year old Jo was no longer allowed to exist because eight year old Jo had pushed her way forward and was currently immersed in a land of magic.
And if that wasn’t lovely enough, I realised/remembered that these books were set in Gwynedd where I went to university. It’s like it was fate… except I wasn’t a magician.
Or a farmer.
Anyway, when I decided I was going to do a Welsh Week on my blog, I knew that this series had to be featured because, to me, it is the ultimate celebration of all things Welsh.
In three books, you have Welsh culture, myths, legends, traditions, sheep (no seriously, sheep play quite a big part in the first book), other worlds, magicians, cursed toy horses, possessed strangers, mad princes, art projects, a passionate celebration of all things natural, family, community, the importance of friendships, trust, malevolent forces, sheep dogs, unicorns (I know, right?), children getting into mischief and going against their parent’s wishes, ships made of seaweed, glow in the dark flowers, cake.
And that’s just a snippet.
I tend to read these books in one go so, to me, they are all one book but if I had to pick my favourite it would be Emlyn’s Moon, the second book. Here we meet the wonderful and brilliant Nia Lloyd, the middle of seven (soon-to-be eight) children who befriends a mysterious boy named Emlyn and his father, even though she is told to stay away. It’s all about family secrets and dark forces and the past and feuds and magic.
Also, arts and crafts projects, which I feel is an extremely underrated subject in children’s fiction.
I know a few people might be a bit “Um…?” about the lack of world building in this series and, even though this book and I are for keeps, I am not completely blinkered.
I understand that the magic and the shenanigans that happen within this book aren’t feasible, even in Wales where dragons roam free and where spoons are classed as magical instruments of love. And I know that there are plot holes and there are unanswered questions but even in the bestest of books you get them.
And, whatever, I just don’t care. Maybe I am a little blinkered, I think that’s allowed with your favourite children’s books though.
Magic happens in this book and you have to just go with it.
This is a series for people who can believe in magic unconditionally.
I am one of those people and I hope to be one of those people forever and ever.
vanessalovesbooks's review
Gwyn ist ein Nachfahre mächtiger Zauberer. Er lebt mit seiner Familie in Wales, inmitten der Natur. Zusammen mit seinen Freunden erlebt er zahlreiche Abenteuer, findet seine verlorene Schwester wieder und bekämpft einen rachsüchtigen Prinzen.
Wieder einmal hat Nimmo es geschafft mich voll und ganz in ihren Bann zu ziehen. Was Gwyn und seine Freunde im wunderschönen Wales erleben ist spannend und fesselte mich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite auf meinem Stuhl.
Jenny Nimmo hat für den ersten Band dieser Trilogie „Die silberne Spinne“ verschiedenste Auszeichnungen erhalten, bekannt wurde sie aber mit der Reihe „Die Kinder des roten Königs“ rund um den jungen Zauberer Charlie Bone und seine Freunde.
Wieder einmal hat Nimmo es geschafft mich voll und ganz in ihren Bann zu ziehen. Was Gwyn und seine Freunde im wunderschönen Wales erleben ist spannend und fesselte mich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite auf meinem Stuhl.
Jenny Nimmo hat für den ersten Band dieser Trilogie „Die silberne Spinne“ verschiedenste Auszeichnungen erhalten, bekannt wurde sie aber mit der Reihe „Die Kinder des roten Königs“ rund um den jungen Zauberer Charlie Bone und seine Freunde.
jakinabook's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
watermelleon's review
did anyone else read these books as a child?? I can barely remember what happens it has been so long, but I remember this series being incredible. Been thinking about it a lot lately so I have just got a hold of a copy to reread (again). I used to get this out at the library all of the time.
misssophiereads's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Loved the mythology and the close-knit family aspect, the stories were intriguing, but sometimes there were pacing issues or events were a bit confusing.
Loved the mythology and the close-knit family aspect, the stories were intriguing, but sometimes there were pacing issues or events were a bit confusing.
feuillycakes's review
I only read the first story of this book, so I don't feel comfortable giving it a proper rating. The story was alright, definitely for kids of course, but it wasn't bad by any means. I would give that one 3 stars. I guessed the truth about Bethan and Eirlys pretty much as soon as they were described, and the way Gwyn's father's attitude changed from being a rather horrible man to being cheerful only confirmed my suspicions. The thing is, I got through the first part in one sitting, but I have no desire to continue the trilogy and finish the book. As nice as it was to see some familiar names and all that, this trilogy is just not my thing. Once again, I can't speak for all the stories but the first one is enjoyable enough, but would probably be more so for a child, which I am not.
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