A journey woven through folktales. I very much enjoyed being exposed to elements of various Chinese legends used as the seeds from which this story grA journey woven through folktales. I very much enjoyed being exposed to elements of various Chinese legends used as the seeds from which this story grows and found their ancient magic sweeping me into the fantasy of this tale. The gorgeously detailed paintings add something special, with the feel of those best treasured fairy tale bindings from childhood....more
Whimsy built with detail and intellect is the result of the skillful writing in this book. Akin to my first experience with Oz, my journey through FaiWhimsy built with detail and intellect is the result of the skillful writing in this book. Akin to my first experience with Oz, my journey through Fairyland's nonsense kept pushing beyond my imagination while maintaining its verity. Valente's words had me floating in bedtime adventures of childhood reading and growing attached alongside September. ...more
The root of DiMartino's story--that art is magic--is one that I was so excited to see grow into its story. Rebel Genius offers a fascinating new worldThe root of DiMartino's story--that art is magic--is one that I was so excited to see grow into its story. Rebel Genius offers a fascinating new world dripping with fantasy elements conjured from the shapes and lines with which artists work. The characters are a bit simple; this introduction to the series is clearly very plot-based, something that younger readers might enjoy, however I would like to see more character depth as the series continues. The science of the world's magic also needs a bit of filling in. Overall, I enjoyed the ingenuity of the world's lore, and the artwork sprinkled through the book's pages added to the fun, fast-pace of this middle-grade read....more
The creepy, fantastical world of the Heap House is full of an imagination reminiscent of Roald Dahl. A great read for getting lost in the language of The creepy, fantastical world of the Heap House is full of an imagination reminiscent of Roald Dahl. A great read for getting lost in the language of 19th century England. The book has a slow start, with much world building, but eventually we are introduced to an inventive magic and a villain worthy of the powers of this odd world. Beware, however, the lack of ending! Potentially a classic for young readers....more
A cute read with eerie, atmospheric graveyard scenes and faery lore to captivate the imagination. Also with a nice "recognize your own strengths" moraA cute read with eerie, atmospheric graveyard scenes and faery lore to captivate the imagination. Also with a nice "recognize your own strengths" moral. ...more
An enjoyably big journey combining nonstop appearances of mythological figures. I found the beginning a bit slow--the quest doesn't begin until I thinAn enjoyably big journey combining nonstop appearances of mythological figures. I found the beginning a bit slow--the quest doesn't begin until I think about 200 pages in and the camp setup does not feel like it needs to be as long. Yet, after that the action sequences were so abundant, and perhaps that's a good thing for some readers, but I felt that I would have liked a bit more build and less one-fight-after-another. There was one fight, with wolves outside of a cave, that had such atmosphere--I would have liked more of that. There is definitely a lot of energy created for the next in the series....more
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