marmoset737's review against another edition
3.0
This is a good choice for kids who like to read longer books and like adventure-fantasy (basically a good choice for kids who've read Harry Potter and are looking for a similar vibe).
the_anonymous_author's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
A very fun and whimsical world with wonderful characters. Picked it up by accident and didn’t regret it!
amynoncsi's review against another edition
4.0
I received this free copy if the book in exchange of an honest review!
I absolutely enjoyed reading every page of this book, however, the first few chapters were hard to get my head around, however I absolutely adored Marill and Finn's characters and all the adventures the had to go though. It was really entertaining to read.
One of the main thing I did really like and appreciate about this book is that it can be educational as well especially for children.
Like when (Spoiler) they were searching for the second part of the map and they met with the talking trees.
It showed how easy it is to start spreading rumours, things that are not even true and I think its amazing to show it to children so they can be open minded as well and that they can be aware of it.
I cant wait to read the second book if there will be a second book ;) and I might as well try to get hold on to other books from the Authors.
I absolutely enjoyed reading every page of this book, however, the first few chapters were hard to get my head around, however I absolutely adored Marill and Finn's characters and all the adventures the had to go though. It was really entertaining to read.
One of the main thing I did really like and appreciate about this book is that it can be educational as well especially for children.
Like when (Spoiler) they were searching for the second part of the map and they met with the talking trees.
It showed how easy it is to start spreading rumours, things that are not even true and I think its amazing to show it to children so they can be open minded as well and that they can be aware of it.
I cant wait to read the second book if there will be a second book ;) and I might as well try to get hold on to other books from the Authors.
ava_ba's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
It’s probably just my reading slump but the jt felt so slow, the boom was awesome but I just couldn’t fully love it
kimal25's review against another edition
4.0
I had a nice long flight and layover to finish reading this book and it was nice to have something enjoyable but not too complex to read while at an airport. For a middle grade book this was a pretty good 1. The characters were not as developed as in some more adult books. But it was very good . The book was about a map that can lead you anywhere in find anything. Fin wants to find his mom, Marrill wants to find way back to her home and Ardent and call want to things too. There is a baddie as well that was driven mad by the pirate stream. I really liked the book but there were quite a few unanswered questions at the end of the book which means that it leads into the 2nd book in the series. I'm just not quite sure if I want to read the 2nd book or not. Very enjoyable though.
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
Orphans, pirates, friendship, peril, thieves, cats, excellent. What a good middle grade book.
literarystrawberry's review against another edition
4.0
I wrested back and forth for a while with what to rate this book. When I started I was pretty sure it was going to be a solid three star read, but then somewhere along the way it got bumped up a little. Maybe 3.5? 3.6? Not /quite/ four stars, at any rate, but I did enjoy it.
(I don't feel like writing a proper review at the moment so I'll just leave a few impressions)
Some pretty neat concepts. Good main characters. Interesting villain design. Pretty long for a middle-grade novel; I was able to get through well enough, but I could see it dragging some for a younger kid. Probably my favorite part was the friendship between Fin and Marrill-- I'm a sucker for lovely platonic relationships. Also the Naysayer. I liked him.
There were one or two weird typos (I took a pen and fixed "career" to "careen" off a cliff) and some mildly questionable stylistic choices, but I doubt anyone of the intended age group will care.
All in all, it wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I liked it. And my brother read it too and enjoyed it, which is always a plus. I'll probably check out the next book whenever it comes out, if only to see what happens with Fin.
(I don't feel like writing a proper review at the moment so I'll just leave a few impressions)
Some pretty neat concepts. Good main characters. Interesting villain design. Pretty long for a middle-grade novel; I was able to get through well enough, but I could see it dragging some for a younger kid. Probably my favorite part was the friendship between Fin and Marrill-- I'm a sucker for lovely platonic relationships. Also the Naysayer. I liked him.
There were one or two weird typos (I took a pen and fixed "career" to "careen" off a cliff) and some mildly questionable stylistic choices, but I doubt anyone of the intended age group will care.
All in all, it wasn't the best book I've ever read, but I liked it. And my brother read it too and enjoyed it, which is always a plus. I'll probably check out the next book whenever it comes out, if only to see what happens with Fin.
historybooksandtea's review against another edition
4.0
Super fun read - my 9 year old daughter read it and loved it, so she asked me to read it so we could have a 'book club discussion'. Great way to pass an afternoon at home recuperating from surgery.
Really great themes throughout - friendship, loss, fear, bravery, triumph. We can't wait for the next one!
Really great themes throughout - friendship, loss, fear, bravery, triumph. We can't wait for the next one!
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
4.0
This came across as a cross between the discovery of strange lands like "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and the comical silliness of "Muddle Earth" (not as silly but there is that feel to it). The hapless heroes take a voyage on the Pirate Stream stopping off at strange lands in the search for the Map to Everywhere. Each land is different with its own quirks and inhabitants, all the while they're plagued by the big bad.
The characters were pretty good, with certainly a unique aspect with Fin who's forgotten about when people shift their attention elsewhere. There was a lot of "Who are you?" but, surprisingly that didn't get annoying and was even missed in longer passages when characters had focused on him for longer periods of time. There was a good exploration on the motivations and morals of a character (who naturally became a thief) who could do anything he wanted to without fear of repercussion, and then having to come to terms to having someone about who is able to remember him and what he's done.
Merrill was a weaker character, who played the fish out of water role as she's thrust into this strange world. She's carried along her adventure by the plot and those around her, but produces very little input that wasn't just there to act upon.
The villain was pretty decent, with some unusual aspects about him that made him interesting. He's also quite well fleshed-out and, though not the sympathetic villain, is at least a villain who's motivations can be understood.
The lands were well-imagined and not too far-fetched but not all that numerous, which did speed the plot along but I would have liked to have seen more. That there are currently 4 books in the series, suggests more is there to discover. I thing I will happily attempt to do.
A fun adventure with some original ideas.
The characters were pretty good, with certainly a unique aspect with Fin who's forgotten about when people shift their attention elsewhere. There was a lot of "Who are you?" but, surprisingly that didn't get annoying and was even missed in longer passages when characters had focused on him for longer periods of time. There was a good exploration on the motivations and morals of a character (who naturally became a thief) who could do anything he wanted to without fear of repercussion, and then having to come to terms to having someone about who is able to remember him and what he's done.
Merrill was a weaker character, who played the fish out of water role as she's thrust into this strange world. She's carried along her adventure by the plot and those around her, but produces very little input that wasn't just there to act upon.
The villain was pretty decent, with some unusual aspects about him that made him interesting. He's also quite well fleshed-out and, though not the sympathetic villain, is at least a villain who's motivations can be understood.
The lands were well-imagined and not too far-fetched but not all that numerous, which did speed the plot along but I would have liked to have seen more. That there are currently 4 books in the series, suggests more is there to discover. I thing I will happily attempt to do.
A fun adventure with some original ideas.