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lmkennedy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This concept was so interesting but ultimately fell short of what I wanted. The twists of the characters identities were easy to spot, and the disdain for modern ways of making history (maps) accessible was kind of weird when in the end the goal was to share the town with the world.
I enjoyed this book and wanted to see what happened but it definitely had its problems.
I enjoyed this book and wanted to see what happened but it definitely had its problems.
charlieteuthis's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic! Super creative! Some slight pacing issues in the second half, but overall a unique and engaging story :)
mathman329's review against another edition
4.0
2022 Book Review - Book No. 19: “The Cartographers” by Peng Shepherd
Date started: 9/12/22
Date finished: 10/9/22
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(would recommend reading this if you like maps, magic, and POV chapters)
Spoiler free review: After the first 100 pages of this book, I really thought it was a “Da Vinci Code” style tale where the religious puzzle solving had been replaced by maps and mathematics. It didn’t quite turn out that way, though, as it turned into more of a character driven tale where the pieces of the puzzle slowly revealed themselves. By the end, I had predicted a couple twists which is partly what kept this from being a 5 star read for me. Even so, the climax was not what I predicted and made the end enjoyable.
At the core of the story is Nell, the cartographer daughter of two cartographer parents, who was once relegated from the world of classical cartography only to be drawn back in when her father is found dead. The only thing she inherits from him is a nondescript map that was the catalyst for her relegation years before. After some research, the only remarkable thing she discovers about the map is that it contains a town on it that doesn’t seem to exist in any other maps of the same era. Even more remarkable is that among the world of black-market map sales and acquisitions, every other copy of this map has either been lost, stolen, or destroyed in some way, leaving it as the only surviving edition. From here, the mystery kicks into high gear.
The story delves into the tradition of Phantom Settlements, towns or other fictional indicators map makers would add as copyright protection to their maps, and asks “what if they’re not fictional”? The largest reason I couldn’t give this 5 stars is because it felt like the story was underdeveloped. I wanted more of the magic behind Phantom Settlements, not just a character-driven tale about Nell’s family. It doesn’t feel like a sequel is coming, and perhaps that’s also what made it feel unfulfilled. I would love for the story to have dove a little deeper into the magic of this aspect of cartography. For that reason, it stays at 4 stars for me, but it is still absolutely a worthwhile read.
Date started: 9/12/22
Date finished: 10/9/22
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(would recommend reading this if you like maps, magic, and POV chapters)
Spoiler free review: After the first 100 pages of this book, I really thought it was a “Da Vinci Code” style tale where the religious puzzle solving had been replaced by maps and mathematics. It didn’t quite turn out that way, though, as it turned into more of a character driven tale where the pieces of the puzzle slowly revealed themselves. By the end, I had predicted a couple twists which is partly what kept this from being a 5 star read for me. Even so, the climax was not what I predicted and made the end enjoyable.
At the core of the story is Nell, the cartographer daughter of two cartographer parents, who was once relegated from the world of classical cartography only to be drawn back in when her father is found dead. The only thing she inherits from him is a nondescript map that was the catalyst for her relegation years before. After some research, the only remarkable thing she discovers about the map is that it contains a town on it that doesn’t seem to exist in any other maps of the same era. Even more remarkable is that among the world of black-market map sales and acquisitions, every other copy of this map has either been lost, stolen, or destroyed in some way, leaving it as the only surviving edition. From here, the mystery kicks into high gear.
The story delves into the tradition of Phantom Settlements, towns or other fictional indicators map makers would add as copyright protection to their maps, and asks “what if they’re not fictional”? The largest reason I couldn’t give this 5 stars is because it felt like the story was underdeveloped. I wanted more of the magic behind Phantom Settlements, not just a character-driven tale about Nell’s family. It doesn’t feel like a sequel is coming, and perhaps that’s also what made it feel unfulfilled. I would love for the story to have dove a little deeper into the magic of this aspect of cartography. For that reason, it stays at 4 stars for me, but it is still absolutely a worthwhile read.
stepp_it_up's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Da Vinci Code vibes
avamarina's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
aroth638's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kaecho's review against another edition
3.0
said this was a 3.75 in my goodreads review but post-book club im taking it down to a bad 3
i rarely do audiobooks but this one was very well done! did not make me hate the fact that i had to read the book that way to finish it on time for book club.
people who aren't nitpickers would not take the quarter-star i did off of this, so if you're normal this is a solid 4 stars and a very enjoyable experience. i'll be shocked if hbo max or apple tv+ don't snatch it up for an adaptation within the next couple of years. my only complaint is that i saw the twist coming like 75 miles away, which is not to say that it was bad or unsatisfying, it probably just means i read too much.
i rarely do audiobooks but this one was very well done! did not make me hate the fact that i had to read the book that way to finish it on time for book club.
people who aren't nitpickers would not take the quarter-star i did off of this, so if you're normal this is a solid 4 stars and a very enjoyable experience. i'll be shocked if hbo max or apple tv+ don't snatch it up for an adaptation within the next couple of years. my only complaint is that i saw the twist coming like 75 miles away, which is not to say that it was bad or unsatisfying, it probably just means i read too much.
brookeworm18's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
magical realism john green for grown ups
finini's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75