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schadenfreudes's review against another edition
4.0
I love Baccalario's description as much as I love Zafon's. I guess European Authors have this detailed and beautiful way of describing things. I predicted that Baccalario was a roleplayer (and indeed he was, even though I am not sure a written or stage rolpelayer). Because he has this fondness about natural flow of writing. His descriptions about Ireland and Irish' Legends & Myths are flawless. I really enjoyed the first half of the book.
Unfortunately, the title of the book is an item that haven't been used properly as a key item. Unlike Deathly Hallows that used as center pieces in Harry Potter's Saga, this particular Suitcase of Stars weren't explained properly the whereabouts after the climax happened. So I thought the title should have been something else.
Bruno's meticulous illustrations supported the stories in the best way possible. The technical-blueprint-style is so well-fitted to be used in magical, automaton themed books. This was a pleasant surprise indeed.
Unfortunately, the title of the book is an item that haven't been used properly as a key item. Unlike Deathly Hallows that used as center pieces in Harry Potter's Saga, this particular Suitcase of Stars weren't explained properly the whereabouts after the climax happened. So I thought the title should have been something else.
Bruno's meticulous illustrations supported the stories in the best way possible. The technical-blueprint-style is so well-fitted to be used in magical, automaton themed books. This was a pleasant surprise indeed.
mad_woman's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
filipeheath's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a good book , but the only thing i didnt like was the 100 first pages only talking that dint matter.But in the final it is action packed and cute , that why i gave it 4/5
holtfan's review against another edition
3.0
Some potential, particularly in the second half. But I only got through the first half because it moved fast. It was clever but not...particularly interesting?
I feel a little guilty saying that.
But the description of the plot on Goodreads (and the title even) promise more about the Enchanted Emporium than you actually get. The story concludes setting up for interesting adventures, but it spends the whole time setting up.
Maybe that means the rest of the series is interesting?
I feel a little guilty saying that.
But the description of the plot on Goodreads (and the title even) promise more about the Enchanted Emporium than you actually get. The story concludes setting up for interesting adventures, but it spends the whole time setting up.
Maybe that means the rest of the series is interesting?
cometgrrl's review against another edition
3.0
This review and more available at cometgrrl.com.
The English translation of this children’s fiction novel is due out in March of 2014. I was lucky enough to get a (free) digital copy in advance through NetGalley, in exchange for fair and honest feedback. It’s a fun, quick read.
Suitcase of Stars tells the story of how Finley comes to meet the Lily Family, and the story of the Enchanted Emporium. The emporium is a store full of magical items, and ownership of the store has been rotating between seven families for centuries.
Finley and his dog Patches make quite the pair in this fun, magical adventure story. The writing is solid and the main characters are fairly well done. I would have liked to learn more about Ailby Lily and her father. I feel like there could possibly be enough material about them to make a sequel. Finley gets the most attention, almost too much, with the beginning of the book being a little slow. It picks up at the end though!
My only complaint about the novel is that it’s billed, somewhat, as a mystery novel. In that regard, I feel it’s a let down. To be honest, Finley saves the day at the end, but from who and why? There’s some parts that just don’t add up at the end. What was the involvement of Mr. Everett? Why was Unther Farla there? Is the reader supposed to link the two based on Everett’s mention of being asked to assist as an interpreter?
All in all, this was very enjoyable to read, and I would certainly read more if there were a sequel or series with these characters in the future.
The English translation of this children’s fiction novel is due out in March of 2014. I was lucky enough to get a (free) digital copy in advance through NetGalley, in exchange for fair and honest feedback. It’s a fun, quick read.
Suitcase of Stars tells the story of how Finley comes to meet the Lily Family, and the story of the Enchanted Emporium. The emporium is a store full of magical items, and ownership of the store has been rotating between seven families for centuries.
Finley and his dog Patches make quite the pair in this fun, magical adventure story. The writing is solid and the main characters are fairly well done. I would have liked to learn more about Ailby Lily and her father. I feel like there could possibly be enough material about them to make a sequel. Finley gets the most attention, almost too much, with the beginning of the book being a little slow. It picks up at the end though!
My only complaint about the novel is that it’s billed, somewhat, as a mystery novel. In that regard, I feel it’s a let down. To be honest, Finley saves the day at the end, but from who and why? There’s some parts that just don’t add up at the end. What was the involvement of Mr. Everett? Why was Unther Farla there? Is the reader supposed to link the two based on Everett’s mention of being asked to assist as an interpreter?
All in all, this was very enjoyable to read, and I would certainly read more if there were a sequel or series with these characters in the future.
writerbrarian's review against another edition
2.0
Neat premise, but sloppy writing didn't win me over. Plus, it was a standard Book One (setup for the series but not much meat in itself). Violated McCann's Law of Chapter One: The inciting incident in Chapter One must be resolved by the end of the book. (The kid hates going to school and gets held back, but at the end of the book he's still not going to school!)
davyjones's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Murder
candidceillie's review against another edition
3.0
Have you heard of Cinderella’s glass slipper? What about Sinbad the Sailor’s Flying Carpet? In this world, there are many magical items—but only one place where they’re safe: the Enchanted Emporium. For centuries, seven families have competed for ownership of the Emporium—and some of them are willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on the powerful items housed within. Only Aiby Lily and her friend Finley have what it takes to stop the Emporium from falling into the wrong hands.
Suitcase of Stars was a very cute story. It’s clearly designed for 9 – 13 year olds, and the story was a good set up for a series, but I wish there’d been more to it. I flew through this in a few hours.
I was surprised to find the protagonist, Finley, to be someone who hated school, who as a 12 year old was failing because he was skipping class constantly. It’s not a common theme that I’ve seen in books, and disturbed me a little bit because of the age range that this book was intended for.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story, though there was very little substance to it.
Suitcase of Stars was a very cute story. It’s clearly designed for 9 – 13 year olds, and the story was a good set up for a series, but I wish there’d been more to it. I flew through this in a few hours.
I was surprised to find the protagonist, Finley, to be someone who hated school, who as a 12 year old was failing because he was skipping class constantly. It’s not a common theme that I’ve seen in books, and disturbed me a little bit because of the age range that this book was intended for.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story, though there was very little substance to it.
chaya_v's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not used to reading middle grade books anymore so it definitely took some time adapting
But I thoroughly enjoyed it!! It was adventurous and had some friendship stories in there
I probably won’t be reading the next tomes but it was a good book to start 2021
But I thoroughly enjoyed it!! It was adventurous and had some friendship stories in there
I probably won’t be reading the next tomes but it was a good book to start 2021
booksandbosox's review against another edition
2.0
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2014/04/review-suitcase-of-stars.html