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burningupasun's review
5.0
Setting/World Building: 5/5
Main Character: 5/5
Other Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Triggering/Issues: 5/5 (Minor sexual harassment scene, but not bad enough to really be triggering.)
AVERAGED TOTAL: 4.6 out of 5, rounded to 5.
Maybe this book really is more of a 4.5 or a 4, but I liked it enough to bring it up to five stars. I liked it especially because of the novelty of Kellen; a girl raised as a boy, whose mother treats her as a boy no matter how she tries to act. It was an interesting glimpse at gender and how it affected her, and I liked how sort of neutral Kellen could be. She was both masculine and feminine, comfortable in boys clothes and eventually in girl's clothes, although she would always be a nice mix. I suppose the plot wasn't a very active one, I think it was mostly about her finding her place an I liked that. It was also really nice to see characters from the previous book, too. All in all, a great easy read!
Main Character: 5/5
Other Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Triggering/Issues: 5/5 (Minor sexual harassment scene, but not bad enough to really be triggering.)
AVERAGED TOTAL: 4.6 out of 5, rounded to 5.
Maybe this book really is more of a 4.5 or a 4, but I liked it enough to bring it up to five stars. I liked it especially because of the novelty of Kellen; a girl raised as a boy, whose mother treats her as a boy no matter how she tries to act. It was an interesting glimpse at gender and how it affected her, and I liked how sort of neutral Kellen could be. She was both masculine and feminine, comfortable in boys clothes and eventually in girl's clothes, although she would always be a nice mix. I suppose the plot wasn't a very active one, I think it was mostly about her finding her place an I liked that. It was also really nice to see characters from the previous book, too. All in all, a great easy read!
dainybernstein's review
5.0
http://readersdialogue.blogspot.com/2011/01/dream-makers-magic.html
As coming-of-age stories go, this one is really good. We follow Kellen from ten years old to sixteen, seeing her slowly realize what she wants and accept who she is. Both Kellen's and Gryffin's development is full of depth and color, and flows so smoothly. The way they grow into themselves is real and true-to-life - well, except for the magic part!
The feel and texture of the narrative struck me as so fitting, because I actually felt like I was in this tiny village, with ignorant, uncultured people, and when the story took us into the capital city, I felt the difference in sophistication. I think it takes a great deal of talent to create the effect of that movement from country bumpkin to city slick, and Sharon Shinn does that beautifully.
The plot kept me guessing for a good part of the book. I have to say, I was shocked when I found out who was the new Dream-Maker! I expected someone different entirely. One thing I'd say, though, is that although I didn't feel dissatisfied when reading the book, I did notice that there didn't seem to be a clear motivation or goal that the characters were working toward, and the ending was a big surprise because I didn't know the story was even heading in that direction.
Still, I like the book, the way I was drawn into the characters' lives, the weirdness of it all, and the way Kellen and Gryffin make lives for themselves.
As coming-of-age stories go, this one is really good. We follow Kellen from ten years old to sixteen, seeing her slowly realize what she wants and accept who she is. Both Kellen's and Gryffin's development is full of depth and color, and flows so smoothly. The way they grow into themselves is real and true-to-life - well, except for the magic part!
The feel and texture of the narrative struck me as so fitting, because I actually felt like I was in this tiny village, with ignorant, uncultured people, and when the story took us into the capital city, I felt the difference in sophistication. I think it takes a great deal of talent to create the effect of that movement from country bumpkin to city slick, and Sharon Shinn does that beautifully.
The plot kept me guessing for a good part of the book. I have to say, I was shocked when I found out who was the new Dream-Maker! I expected someone different entirely. One thing I'd say, though, is that although I didn't feel dissatisfied when reading the book, I did notice that there didn't seem to be a clear motivation or goal that the characters were working toward, and the ending was a big surprise because I didn't know the story was even heading in that direction.
Still, I like the book, the way I was drawn into the characters' lives, the weirdness of it all, and the way Kellen and Gryffin make lives for themselves.
kiraly's review
4.0
I enjoyed the setting and the character types (truth-tellers, safe-keepers, dream-maker) as much as the first two books in the series. What makes this book exceptional is the emphasis on individuality and generosity. The main character, Kellen, is a girl whose mother swears she was born a boy. As a result, she spends much of her childhood being treated as a boy by her mother and an outcast by nearly everyone else. Despite this, Kellen is down-to-earth and is not bitter about her situation. She makes her own path to her identity, and her hard work and generous nature (and dollop of good luck) allows her to surround herself with people who accept her for who she is.
mortonsspoon's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
pither's review against another edition
4.0
Good book by a fantastic author. In the same realm as others in her Safe Keeper, but by no means do you need to have read the first two. Good characters you respond to, and just the right amount of 'aww, young love!' romance.
tyrshand's review against another edition
4.0
This book had lovable characters and an interesting plot, though not quite the impact of the prior book of the series.
The storyline made sense, tied to the previous book (but was still a stand-alone story) and had a good "moral to the story." I love that the characters were intelligent, though not perfect, and usually actually acted to change their circumstances (I guess I've read a lot of books lately where the main characters just whine a lot but need try to change anything, so it's become extra annoying to me).
It's sad that this is (I'm guessing) the final book in the series since Shinn has now talked about each of the types of magic people in this world. I've loved watching history progress in her world -- generally through the eyes of people in the smaller towns.
The storyline made sense, tied to the previous book (but was still a stand-alone story) and had a good "moral to the story." I love that the characters were intelligent, though not perfect, and usually actually acted to change their circumstances (I guess I've read a lot of books lately where the main characters just whine a lot but need try to change anything, so it's become extra annoying to me).
It's sad that this is (I'm guessing) the final book in the series since Shinn has now talked about each of the types of magic people in this world. I've loved watching history progress in her world -- generally through the eyes of people in the smaller towns.
dokudanjou's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure what made me pick up the first book of this series, since it's nothing like what I usually read, but I'm so glad I did! These books are so calm and wonderful and relaxing, each better than the one before. I only wish there were more.
sarahaf712's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't even know that this book is a part of a series-it totally stands on its own. Great read, and I'm glad I picked it up.