jenniehenn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.75
gavinsteyn's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
squishies's review against another edition
4.0
I was holding back from reading it because I didn't want it to end - I wanted to read more about the different worlds and its inhabitants that Wexler's dreamt up and the adventures Alice and the gang gets up to.
But all good things comes to and end, I suppose, and it was a good one.
Would have to say that Alice being part labyrinthe was a nice twist and I giggled a little when her mother sent the rest home and decided to go back to sleep for a hundred years. It was a sweet scene.
But all good things comes to and end, I suppose, and it was a good one.
Spoiler
Although we had plenty of warning about Ending's real motives, I was still a bit surprised when she revealed her plans to Alice. Bit of a "oh damn" moment for me. Yet another "I should have seen it coming".Would have to say that Alice being part labyrinthe was a nice twist and I giggled a little when her mother sent the rest home and decided to go back to sleep for a hundred years. It was a sweet scene.
dragontomes2000's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun, whimsical, and entertaining conclusion to the Forbidden Library Quartet!!!! I discovered Django Wexler about 3 1/2 years ago when I stumbled upon 2 books, The Forbidden Library and The Thousand Names. I started with the Forbidden Library and man did it ever impress me for being a middle grade. It had an easy to follow story, a wonderfully crafted world that any book lover would want to be a part of, and also a colorful ensemble of characters. Here we are with the Fall of the Readers and Wexler does everything in his power to create a satisfying conclusion and man does he deliver. From the very first page it was action packed, we had a couple plot twists, we also had maybe a slight window to carry on with the story, but if not I am satisfied either way. I highly recommend this series to anyone. I believe this series is very underrated and would like to see it soar and be loved by more people. 5 out of 5 stars to the entire series. Now the wait continues for the finale of the Shadow Campaign series but not too much longer now.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I loved this series. What a wonderful surprise. I don't even know why I checked the first book out of the library, but when it was over, I had to immediately listen to all of the rest of them, and I usually don't like to do that. Loved the protagonist and how her character developed, and Ashes the half-cat was also a favorite. Highly recommended.
I loved this series. What a wonderful surprise. I don't even know why I checked the first book out of the library, but when it was over, I had to immediately listen to all of the rest of them, and I usually don't like to do that. Loved the protagonist and how her character developed, and Ashes the half-cat was also a favorite. Highly recommended.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
dark_reader's review against another edition
4.0
There's no percentage in hanging about; it's time to promote the heck out of this original middle-grade fantasy series.
As a parent, I would happily recommend this series to my children, when they are at an appropriate reading level. As a reader, I loved it. (I like to pretend that I am 'pre-screening' books for my kids eventual consumption, but you all know that this is a front for my own enjoyment). What's not to love? We have clever, young female protagonist who is full of grit, who struggles and makes mistakes but doesn't let anything stop her from trying to reach her goals; a unique magical setting and original fantastic creatures; exciting action sequences; great writing with a vocabulary that will enhance your children's literacy. The series is succinct, telling a good story within a manageable number of volumes.
This final volume on its own is great too, and absolutely delivers on all fronts. I liked how it finally brought the broad human world into the series' events, which until now have been limited to the Readers' hidden magical spaces. We got to see some creepy new creatures. It wrapped up the series with a very satisfying outcome.
Seriously, I can't get over how much I like Alice as a character. She is an embodiment of 12-year old strength and wisdom. When a giant bird with flaming laser eyes attacks, does she get scared? No! She leaps up and breaks it's *-ing neck! Don't mess with this girl, for real.
As a parent, I would happily recommend this series to my children, when they are at an appropriate reading level. As a reader, I loved it. (I like to pretend that I am 'pre-screening' books for my kids eventual consumption, but you all know that this is a front for my own enjoyment). What's not to love? We have clever, young female protagonist who is full of grit, who struggles and makes mistakes but doesn't let anything stop her from trying to reach her goals; a unique magical setting and original fantastic creatures; exciting action sequences; great writing with a vocabulary that will enhance your children's literacy. The series is succinct, telling a good story within a manageable number of volumes.
This final volume on its own is great too, and absolutely delivers on all fronts. I liked how it finally brought the broad human world into the series' events, which until now have been limited to the Readers' hidden magical spaces. We got to see some creepy new creatures. It wrapped up the series with a very satisfying outcome.
Seriously, I can't get over how much I like Alice as a character. She is an embodiment of 12-year old strength and wisdom. When a giant bird with flaming laser eyes attacks, does she get scared? No! She leaps up and breaks it's *-ing neck! Don't mess with this girl, for real.
hangrybookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
REJOICE! Again all ye, I say rejoice! It has been so long since I've read a good book, and even longer since I've been happy with the conclusion of a series. *Happy tears stream down my face*
P.S. Yeah, I read this in one day. What else what I supposed to do with it being so cold out?!
P.S. Yeah, I read this in one day. What else what I supposed to do with it being so cold out?!
simplymeh's review
4.0
This was such a fun series to read. It's the perfect example of a young adult series that is well written, without glaringly focusing on the age of the protagonist. The characters are believable and likable, and I love the world that's been built. To be honest, I'm sad it's over - could definitely read more books set in the multitude worlds in the books.