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smallskim's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
listen_learn's review
I feel like I always tear through Hereville books and leave them not sure what to think. On the one hand, they contain good messages, have great characters, and seem to explain rather than condemn many Orthodox practices. On the hand, there are details that as an insider I don't think are quite right (why does Fruma only mostly cover her hair? if she's so religious why would she be willing to handle the package on Shabbos, which is forbidden, when she could have asked the mailman to lay it down inside the door, since she wasn't going to use it until after Shabbos anyway? why doesn't anyone think all this magical stuff is avodah zarah (idolatry) or at least kishuf(forbidden magic)? and if a young jewish girl could imagine having a wish wouldn't it be for mashiach? also, while Mirka prays to Hashem when she is in trouble, she doesn't say thank you to Him afterward) .
rocketbride's review
5.0
Mirka is so prickly and delightful. I was so moved by all the mothers and daughters in this story.
carolynaugustyn's review
4.0
I really enjoy this series and I think this might be my favorite so far. Barry Deutsch's art style is a lot of fun, lots of movement and interesting panels to explore. But I love the story the most. The Orthodox Jewish community has always interested me quite a bit. (Side story- when my mom first moved to the East Coast, she found that our town had a decent size Orthodox Jewish community living not too far from our house. This was new to her and she set out to learn more about the religion. We would drive by seeing the groups walking to temples on the Sabbath-usually on the way home from the mall or the library- and my mom would share the facts she knew with me. I was particularly intrigued as a kid by the fact that they couldn't drive or watch TV or even turn on light switches- and a little miffed we didn't live closer to an Orthodox Jewish family because I knew a few kids who got paid to do a few chores on the Sabbath, like collect their mail and come over to flip on the lights.) There are lots of Hebrew phrases throughout the book, so I'm also learning some language skills!
I thought that this was the most interesting story in the series so far because it involved the backstory of Mirka's stepmother which proved to be pretty close to Mirka's own story. This was certainly a more emotional story and the ending was pretty great. I really look forward to more Mirka in my life.
I thought that this was the most interesting story in the series so far because it involved the backstory of Mirka's stepmother which proved to be pretty close to Mirka's own story. This was certainly a more emotional story and the ending was pretty great. I really look forward to more Mirka in my life.
oneangrylibrarian's review
4.0
I really enjoy this series. They are full of heart, fantasy, adventure, and humor. As someone who is not overly familiar with Jewish culture, I love learning about customs and new Yiddish terms.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
The best of the series so far. This spends much more time with the characters than it does with the setting. It doesn't explain how Fruma could be living in the same spot if she was raised Modern. But other than that plot hole. A fun modified fairytale with consequences and history.
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
I got this in the mail today, and opened up, thinking to just browse through it, before putting it aside to read later, and found that I read half the book through before I could put it down. Although the first book will always be my favorite, I really liked this fish of an evil fish that Mirka had to overcome. This time, time-travel (or time viewing) is thrown in, so we see that having magic is a family affaire. If you haven't read the first book in the series, read that, first, just to get a taste of what this series offers.
Mirka is a good heroine, flawed, but good hearted, who loves her family. With witches, trolls and magic fish thrown in, what more could you ask for?
Mirka is a good heroine, flawed, but good hearted, who loves her family. With witches, trolls and magic fish thrown in, what more could you ask for?