story_goblin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was fun and silly. :)
urbanaudreye's review
5.0
Spectacularly entertaining!
This streamline middle-grade to young adult fantasy was a highly entertaining read. A perfect choice to help expand your vocabulary and increase your curiosity. I especially enjoyed the Flying Wallendas reference, having caught a performance of theirs with Circus Impossible last summer.
I can't wait to share this book with my daughter. I know she's going to love it just as much as I did.
*I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
This streamline middle-grade to young adult fantasy was a highly entertaining read. A perfect choice to help expand your vocabulary and increase your curiosity. I especially enjoyed the Flying Wallendas reference, having caught a performance of theirs with Circus Impossible last summer.
I can't wait to share this book with my daughter. I know she's going to love it just as much as I did.
*I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.
tcpallesen's review against another edition
5.0
I put off reading this book thinking it would be boring. I was so WRONG!! I absolutely loved it as devoured it in less than 24hrs. Willa is a fantastic main character who is fun to follow and the plot line is unique. I loved the use of complex words for middle grade readers that were made accessible by the author without sounding condescending. Very well written!
iheartya311's review against another edition
3.0
I won this book as a FirstReads giveaway.
To be honest and blunt, I struggled with it.
I attempted to shift my mindset to that of a youngen and suspend my belief of reality but had a hard time believing an 11 year old would act so mature. I did enjoy how Willa was outspoken, brave, observant, passionate and reckless. I tried not to let the over descriptive world building get to me - once again I struggled to get into the mindset. (Over description is a pet peeve of mine with YA and adult books as well and I complain of it often.) I was pleased by the writing style, character development, flow and pace of action. It ended with a cliffhanger but still wrapped up the story well. The illustrations were lovely and I would have liked to see more of them. I have to be honest and rate it a 3 because it didn't really "grab" me like a 4 should.
To be honest and blunt, I struggled with it.
I attempted to shift my mindset to that of a youngen and suspend my belief of reality but had a hard time believing an 11 year old would act so mature. I did enjoy how Willa was outspoken, brave, observant, passionate and reckless. I tried not to let the over descriptive world building get to me - once again I struggled to get into the mindset. (Over description is a pet peeve of mine with YA and adult books as well and I complain of it often.) I was pleased by the writing style, character development, flow and pace of action. It ended with a cliffhanger but still wrapped up the story well. The illustrations were lovely and I would have liked to see more of them. I have to be honest and rate it a 3 because it didn't really "grab" me like a 4 should.
wizzie's review against another edition
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway.
I made it 40% of the way through the book before giving up. The book was very slow to build up any story and I felt like the author was trying too hard to be clever and quirky.
I picked this back up and finished it. It ended up being enjoyable, but it was so slow to get into the real story.
I made it 40% of the way through the book before giving up. The book was very slow to build up any story and I felt like the author was trying too hard to be clever and quirky.
I picked this back up and finished it. It ended up being enjoyable, but it was so slow to get into the real story.
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