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absofsteel77's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
allicatca's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars for "it's okay." I thought the premise of the book was a little forced and I've never heard of a "food mage" which is suddenly what turned this girl dragon into a human.
I understood the girl loving chocolate and thought it was great that chocolate was her passion.
The middle of this book bored me and I found myself skipping ahead. The end of the book was the redemption. It was well-paced, interesting, and satisfying.
I was previewing this book for my 6- and 8-year-olds and I think I'll return the book to the library and we will read something else.
I understood the girl loving chocolate and thought it was great that chocolate was her passion.
The middle of this book bored me and I found myself skipping ahead. The end of the book was the redemption. It was well-paced, interesting, and satisfying.
I was previewing this book for my 6- and 8-year-olds and I think I'll return the book to the library and we will read something else.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
I love fantasy children's and YA books. The genre is so rich with creativity and this is no different.
Aventurine is a young dragon impatient to prove to her family she's not a little kid any more. When she's tricked by a food mage she is unexpectedly given the opportunity to do just that - the only drawback is she's been turned into a human. She sets out to become an apprentice at a chocolate house in order to realize her newfound dream of being a chocolatier.
First off, Aventurine is a wonderful main character. Spirited, and quick-witted without falling into tired old girl power tropes, she's a heroine I simply had to root for. Her befuddlement at the strange idiosyncrasies of the human race is highly amusing. Her earnest dedication to the little family she half finds half creates is endearing. I was invested in her story from the first page.
Aventurine is a delight, but she's also got some rough edges due to actually being y'know, a giant fire breathing beast raised to disparage all humanity. She's mistrustful of humans, impulsive, and downright mean sometimes. This only made me love her more. She's kind of a brat, but in a cute way. Her supporting cast are all funny, interesting characters that have clearly defined personalities. I appreciated how well rounded everyone, even her dragon family whom we saw comparatively very little of, was. It was entertaining watching Aventurine learn to navigate the differing dispositions of the humans around her; balancing what she would do as a dragon with what she is technically supposed to do as a person.
The story is fairly straightforward, and appealing all the same. It centers around Aventurine trying to save the chocolate house she quickly falls in love with from being shutdown permanently. There are themes of trying again in spite of failure, staying true to your convictions, and learning how to trust. It's not an in depth exploration, but it's well written and understandable for the demographic. I also thought it was woven naturally into the story so that the themes were supported by the narrative without being heavy handed.
I read this in a day I was so charmed by it. This was an easy, quick read that I had fun with. I plan on buying the sequel as soon as possible.
Aventurine is a young dragon impatient to prove to her family she's not a little kid any more. When she's tricked by a food mage she is unexpectedly given the opportunity to do just that - the only drawback is she's been turned into a human. She sets out to become an apprentice at a chocolate house in order to realize her newfound dream of being a chocolatier.
First off, Aventurine is a wonderful main character. Spirited, and quick-witted without falling into tired old girl power tropes, she's a heroine I simply had to root for. Her befuddlement at the strange idiosyncrasies of the human race is highly amusing. Her earnest dedication to the little family she half finds half creates is endearing. I was invested in her story from the first page.
Aventurine is a delight, but she's also got some rough edges due to actually being y'know, a giant fire breathing beast raised to disparage all humanity. She's mistrustful of humans, impulsive, and downright mean sometimes. This only made me love her more. She's kind of a brat, but in a cute way. Her supporting cast are all funny, interesting characters that have clearly defined personalities. I appreciated how well rounded everyone, even her dragon family whom we saw comparatively very little of, was. It was entertaining watching Aventurine learn to navigate the differing dispositions of the humans around her; balancing what she would do as a dragon with what she is technically supposed to do as a person.
The story is fairly straightforward, and appealing all the same. It centers around Aventurine trying to save the chocolate house she quickly falls in love with from being shutdown permanently. There are themes of trying again in spite of failure, staying true to your convictions, and learning how to trust. It's not an in depth exploration, but it's well written and understandable for the demographic. I also thought it was woven naturally into the story so that the themes were supported by the narrative without being heavy handed.
I read this in a day I was so charmed by it. This was an easy, quick read that I had fun with. I plan on buying the sequel as soon as possible.
strangeclaykitty's review against another edition
4.0
3,5 but closer to 4 :P
It was good, but it had its weak moments too.
Pacing was a bit weird in aventurines insecurity arc, it came way too quickly and was resolved way too quickly with no change.
Not in the demographic tho, its somewhat enjoyable, i liked it, but ya i find more nice to read in comparison to middle class even if its crappier. Read it in 2 big go's and 2 little ones which is pretty quick for me:)))
It was good, but it had its weak moments too.
Pacing was a bit weird in aventurines insecurity arc, it came way too quickly and was resolved way too quickly with no change.
Not in the demographic tho, its somewhat enjoyable, i liked it, but ya i find more nice to read in comparison to middle class even if its crappier. Read it in 2 big go's and 2 little ones which is pretty quick for me:)))
the_gracie_bird's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nxssistr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ich liebe es, wenn Figuren zwischen den Sätzen, die ich als Leserin verfolge, tatsächlich Luft holen und ein Eigenleben entwickeln. Stephanie Burgis schreibt Geschichten, in denen man das Gefühl hat, die Charaktere könnten gleich aus der Geschichte herausschlüfpen und einen Plausch mit dir halten. Das mag ich unheimlich gerne an ihren Büchern.
Zudem beweiset sie, dass ein Buch Spaß machen kann in eigensinniger Weise, ohne an Ernsthaftigkeit zu verlieren.
In dieser Geschichte geht es um einen Drachen, gefangen im Körper eines 12-Jährigen Mädchens, das beim Anblick von Königskronen am liebsten das Gold vom Kopf des Adligen moppsen würde (um es in der Hort bei anderen Schätzen zu bringen) und im selben Atemzug fällt ein Kommentar über Schicksal, Indivualismus und Fokus im Umgang mit den eigenen Träumen und Leidenschaften. Kurios, spannend, witzig und vielschichtig.
Ich habe mit der frechen Aventurine gelitten und gelacht und konnte so mit ihr mitfühlen, wenn es um ihre Rolle in der Familie und in der Welt ging. Stephanie Burgis schreibt einfach unterhaltsam und bringt einen Mehrwert in ihre middle grade Bücher, der nicht nur einer jüngeren Leserschaft etwas lehren kann.
Zudem beweiset sie, dass ein Buch Spaß machen kann in eigensinniger Weise, ohne an Ernsthaftigkeit zu verlieren.
In dieser Geschichte geht es um einen Drachen, gefangen im Körper eines 12-Jährigen Mädchens, das beim Anblick von Königskronen am liebsten das Gold vom Kopf des Adligen moppsen würde (um es in der Hort bei anderen Schätzen zu bringen) und im selben Atemzug fällt ein Kommentar über Schicksal, Indivualismus und Fokus im Umgang mit den eigenen Träumen und Leidenschaften. Kurios, spannend, witzig und vielschichtig.
Ich habe mit der frechen Aventurine gelitten und gelacht und konnte so mit ihr mitfühlen, wenn es um ihre Rolle in der Familie und in der Welt ging. Stephanie Burgis schreibt einfach unterhaltsam und bringt einen Mehrwert in ihre middle grade Bücher, der nicht nur einer jüngeren Leserschaft etwas lehren kann.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
A pleasure to read. Starting as a dragon tale, of a young dragon determined not to be seen as the baby of the family, Aventurine soon sets her destiny on a new path when she is tricked into tasting a potion that turns her into a human.
The magic encounter also left her with a deep craving and love for chocolate, and she heads for the nearest town where three chocolate houses vie for customers. Can Aventurine satisfy her need for chocolate, and can she ever find her way back to her dragon family and roots?
Aventurine makes an appealing heroine - she is a dragon in human form, Burgis carefully shows the reader how she sees the silly humans around her and stands out from them.
Her story is a wonderful fairy tale with a twist, as she does come across the usual staples of such a story - unexpected friends, some luck and coincidence, adversity, and she of course learns about the species around her and comes to feel differently about them.
And yes, chocolate does feature heavily in the story. It's wonderfully described, as Adventurine does make it inside a chocolate house and we see how the sweets/cakes/drinks are made in a town that feels Elizabethan in context.
Prejudice and stereotype play a role - two ways - the way humans view dragons, and likewise, the reciprocal bad feelings dragons have for humans. Characters from all walks of life are here - those scraping a living in near-poverty, all the way up to royalty.
It's a hugely enjoyable story. My six year old isn't quite old enough for it, possibly, but I'd be happy to read it to him in a year or two - dragons AND chocolate, bound to be a winner.
This has adventure, friendship, humour, good and bad, family, and lots and lots of chocolate. Excellent short novel for primary school readers, ages 8 to 11 ideally.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
The magic encounter also left her with a deep craving and love for chocolate, and she heads for the nearest town where three chocolate houses vie for customers. Can Aventurine satisfy her need for chocolate, and can she ever find her way back to her dragon family and roots?
Aventurine makes an appealing heroine - she is a dragon in human form, Burgis carefully shows the reader how she sees the silly humans around her and stands out from them.
Her story is a wonderful fairy tale with a twist, as she does come across the usual staples of such a story - unexpected friends, some luck and coincidence, adversity, and she of course learns about the species around her and comes to feel differently about them.
And yes, chocolate does feature heavily in the story. It's wonderfully described, as Adventurine does make it inside a chocolate house and we see how the sweets/cakes/drinks are made in a town that feels Elizabethan in context.
Prejudice and stereotype play a role - two ways - the way humans view dragons, and likewise, the reciprocal bad feelings dragons have for humans. Characters from all walks of life are here - those scraping a living in near-poverty, all the way up to royalty.
It's a hugely enjoyable story. My six year old isn't quite old enough for it, possibly, but I'd be happy to read it to him in a year or two - dragons AND chocolate, bound to be a winner.
This has adventure, friendship, humour, good and bad, family, and lots and lots of chocolate. Excellent short novel for primary school readers, ages 8 to 11 ideally.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
katiechu's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Adorable, fun, and unique! This is definitely a delightful cozy fantasy all ages can enjoy!
orsuros's review against another edition
5.0
At the start I wasn't sure whether I was going to like the book, but it had me hooked once I got through the beginning. The book has great characters, especially Adventurine.