hannaww's review
4.0
I loved this book it was such a complex story and I'm excited to continue the series. Also I realized that every book (of the seven) is written by a different author. This will be an interesting story to read. And the world is so good.
twitchyredpen's review against another edition
3.0
[Audiobook] A good book if you're tired of your 11-year-old emulating the 11-year-olds from other books. I've been into a few juvenile books lately and this is the only one where I don't want to lock any characters in a closet until they reach adulthood. (Well, except that kid who Conor worked for, but you only have to suffer through him for a few pages.) The main children are all trying to do the right thing and be good to their friends/family/village, without being obnoxious little snots. The worst character trait is that Meilin is a little impatient and stuck-up, but she's still responsible.
Additionally, characters (and young readers) are introduced to the ideas that adults sometimes lie, that authority sometimes needs to be questioned, that there may be shades of grey, and that good people might work for bad causes. It doesn't make deep philosophical discussions of it; things aren't spelled out or belabored -- they're just facts of the plot.
Audiobook reader is good, no complaints.
Additionally, characters (and young readers) are introduced to the ideas that adults sometimes lie, that authority sometimes needs to be questioned, that there may be shades of grey, and that good people might work for bad causes. It doesn't make deep philosophical discussions of it; things aren't spelled out or belabored -- they're just facts of the plot.
Audiobook reader is good, no complaints.
graeae's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ryanjamesburt's review
3.0
Four kids call back the legendary spirit animals. I like the idea of the story but it takes a while to get into it. A chapter for each of the 4 kids and then a while to really get to the meat of the story. I might have been okay with it but the book ends with a lot more of the story to go. Maybe since it is middle grade they need to lay the story out slower but for me it just wasn't quite there.
snazel's review
4.0
Definately a younger book, the writing is a bit clunky and the characters are a bit simplistic. But it is also a lot of fun, and draws a lot of tension for, how when you are a kid, you just have to trust what people are saying to you. You have no way of checking it, they could be lying— you never know.
katereads2much's review
3.0
I enjoyed this story though the writing was aimed at 8 to 10 years old which was a little younger than usually appeals to me. It took a little time for me to get into the story, but things picked up around the fifth chapter. It's a set up story for a series so the introductions took some time.
aeslis's review
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I've read Fablehaven--or at least, I started it, and I felt no particular love for it. I stopped halfway through the first book. So my expectations for Wild Born were low, yet I ended up truly loving it.
The world of Erdas is essentially Earth, just re-imagined, which you'll pick up on quickly by looking at a map. The land masses may be shaped differently, but they're in the same places and have similar names (Eura, Zhong) and the people and cultures are similar to our own.
So there is actually representation in this book; they're not all white. In fact, both the girls are WoC. This gets a big thumbs up from me.
The story itself is told from all four children's perspectives, so omniscient third person, changing by chapter. There isn't a particular order; it jumps to whomever has something going on that advances the plot. But the amount of time we spend with each of the characters is balanced. No one is given more screen time than anyone else. On top of that, each of the four children provides a very different personality, which shines through in their own perspective chapters.
Rollan: Rollan fits into the trope of my favorite type of character, which is someone who comes from the streets, a little rough-and-tumble, definitely a smart aleck. Most of the time this role is taken by thieves, though Rollan is more of a street urchin who's had to make his own way. He's wary of the "good guys" that swoop in with sudden interest once he summons a legendary beast, and while he decides to go along with them, he does it on his own terms. He summons Essix, a falcon that, like Rollan, prefers doing things her own way. Their connection has yet to form any depth.
Meilin: Contrary to Rollan, Meilin comes from money. She's the daughter of a highly-respected family, wherein all her grandparents and great-grandparents summoned spirit animals. She's used to being the center of attention, and she has very high expectations for herself and those around her. But don't think she's pampered or prissy. Being part of a military family, she's been trained in martial arts since she was young, and is more than able to strategize. Meilin summons Jhi, a panda, which causes her much frustration, as Jhi is more a cuddly, sweet type than a beast that could help in battle.
Conor: Also from humble means, Conor is originally a shepherd. He's probably the most 'standard' character, being blonde, white, and good-natured. He's naturally trusting, and leans towards doing what he thinks is the right thing, despite his reservations. He's not a good fighter yet, but wants to be worthy of Briggan, the wolf he's summoned. Unlike Meilin and Rollan, Conor forms an attachment with Briggan early, and through Briggan starts seeing prophetic dreams that lead the group.
Abeke: This girl is the bomb. She's a huntress, skilled with a bow and arrow, and she summons the leopard Uzura. The two are a perfect pair, as Abeke is also one to stalk her prey. Unlike the other three, Abeke is found first by "the enemy", who tries to convince her that their ways are just, and everything she's learned is wrong. This doesn't sit quite well with Abeke, as something seems off, but she finds no reason to truly doubt them, so she goes along.
Wild Born is a fast read, and has all the key ingredients for a good fantasy. When I got to the end, I was disappointed there weren't more books already. It will be very interesting to see where the four go, and how they continue to interact with their animals.
The world of Erdas is essentially Earth, just re-imagined, which you'll pick up on quickly by looking at a map. The land masses may be shaped differently, but they're in the same places and have similar names (Eura, Zhong) and the people and cultures are similar to our own.
So there is actually representation in this book; they're not all white. In fact, both the girls are WoC. This gets a big thumbs up from me.
The story itself is told from all four children's perspectives, so omniscient third person, changing by chapter. There isn't a particular order; it jumps to whomever has something going on that advances the plot. But the amount of time we spend with each of the characters is balanced. No one is given more screen time than anyone else. On top of that, each of the four children provides a very different personality, which shines through in their own perspective chapters.
Rollan: Rollan fits into the trope of my favorite type of character, which is someone who comes from the streets, a little rough-and-tumble, definitely a smart aleck. Most of the time this role is taken by thieves, though Rollan is more of a street urchin who's had to make his own way. He's wary of the "good guys" that swoop in with sudden interest once he summons a legendary beast, and while he decides to go along with them, he does it on his own terms. He summons Essix, a falcon that, like Rollan, prefers doing things her own way. Their connection has yet to form any depth.
Meilin: Contrary to Rollan, Meilin comes from money. She's the daughter of a highly-respected family, wherein all her grandparents and great-grandparents summoned spirit animals. She's used to being the center of attention, and she has very high expectations for herself and those around her. But don't think she's pampered or prissy. Being part of a military family, she's been trained in martial arts since she was young, and is more than able to strategize. Meilin summons Jhi, a panda, which causes her much frustration, as Jhi is more a cuddly, sweet type than a beast that could help in battle.
Conor: Also from humble means, Conor is originally a shepherd. He's probably the most 'standard' character, being blonde, white, and good-natured. He's naturally trusting, and leans towards doing what he thinks is the right thing, despite his reservations. He's not a good fighter yet, but wants to be worthy of Briggan, the wolf he's summoned. Unlike Meilin and Rollan, Conor forms an attachment with Briggan early, and through Briggan starts seeing prophetic dreams that lead the group.
Abeke: This girl is the bomb. She's a huntress, skilled with a bow and arrow, and she summons the leopard Uzura. The two are a perfect pair, as Abeke is also one to stalk her prey. Unlike the other three, Abeke is found first by "the enemy", who tries to convince her that their ways are just, and everything she's learned is wrong. This doesn't sit quite well with Abeke, as something seems off, but she finds no reason to truly doubt them, so she goes along.
Wild Born is a fast read, and has all the key ingredients for a good fantasy. When I got to the end, I was disappointed there weren't more books already. It will be very interesting to see where the four go, and how they continue to interact with their animals.
eitan743's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0