Scan barcode
hermoonreads's review
4.0
I'll be honest, I dont read middle grade and I'd never even have known, let alone bought, this one if it wasnt for the two amazing authors, AND I LOVED THIS!
Parker and Ellie were both such layered characters with their own clear voices, something that often gets lost when writers use siblings/twins as the MCs. I really enjoyed getting to explore the powers the girls have and I cant wait to see what they will be able to do in the future.
I was so, so happy to see the queer rep in this book too, especially since its targetted at young teens. I don't remember reading a single book as a preteen that had any queer characters, and as a closeted gay kid I cant imagine how affirming it would have been to see a kid have two mothers, or a guy mention his dating history with other men. It really does make such a difference, especially when it is normalised in that book world.
I'm looking forward to the next edition in the series, I feel like there is so much more to explore!
Parker and Ellie were both such layered characters with their own clear voices, something that often gets lost when writers use siblings/twins as the MCs. I really enjoyed getting to explore the powers the girls have and I cant wait to see what they will be able to do in the future.
I was so, so happy to see the queer rep in this book too, especially since its targetted at young teens. I don't remember reading a single book as a preteen that had any queer characters, and as a closeted gay kid I cant imagine how affirming it would have been to see a kid have two mothers, or a guy mention his dating history with other men. It really does make such a difference, especially when it is normalised in that book world.
I'm looking forward to the next edition in the series, I feel like there is so much more to explore!
alesehunter's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A slow beginning and buildup to the conflict. Wonderful concept! The story does feel incomplete though. I feel like a lot has been left out & it seems you need the second novel in the series to fully understand/appreciate the story.
bookschic's review
1.0
The editing for this book was HORRIBLE! There were errors in grammar (follow is a verb, follower is not… ugh!) There we’re multiple errors related to the characters. Great-aunt Mabel & great-uncle George were referred to as “the aunts”. I wasn’t sure if George was an aunt or an uncle because of multiple errors and had to search through the book to confirm that he is a “great uncle”. There was at least one major error with switching the names of the main characters (end of chapter 19) but perhaps it occurred more often….
The story premise is okay but the terrible editing & continuity issues make this book a chore rather than a fun read.
The story premise is okay but the terrible editing & continuity issues make this book a chore rather than a fun read.
electroclan17's review against another edition
5.0
I had a lot more fun with this book than I thought. I loved that the narrators are also the authors.
baekho_888's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shivanimadaan's review
4.0
for a children’s book this was so so good the plot twist i did not see coming at all? moral of the story is i am in love with melissa benoist and i will be reading anything she writes
pencilspeaker's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
wendytheowl's review
5.0
4,5*
FR
Tout d'abord, je tiens à préciser.. J'ai acheté ce livre principalement parce que Melissa Benoist est une des auteures que je l'adore énormément ! Une grande fane haha.
Et ensuite, parce que la couverture me plaisait. Je savais juste que c'était une histoire de soeurs, de magie et ça s'arrête là. Je n'en savais pas plus et je n'avais pas besoin d'en savoir plus. J'aime plonger dans un livre, dans un univers sans trop savoir (bon, parfois c'est à double tranchant mais il faut de temps en temps prendre des risques).
J'ai donc plongé, et je ne regrette rien !!
Ellie et Parker sont des soeurs absolument géniales, avec leurs qualités et leurs défauts bien à elles. J'ai adoré plusieurs autres personnages. J'ai surtout adoré l'endroit où l'histoire nous emmène. Je pouvais tout m'imaginer très facilement de par l'écriture.
Etant donné que c'est un livre écrit par trois auteures, j'avais un peu peur que ça soit peut-être "de trop", mais pas du tout. On sent une belle harmonie dans ce qui est écrit et c'était génial.
C'est un vrai coup de coeur et il me tarde déjà d'avoir la suite. C'est une saga que je vais suivre, et j'ai vraiment vraiment hâte !!
Si je n'ai pas mis 5*, c'est uniquement pour quelques légers petits détails qui m'ont fait froncer le nez (mais qui était en relation avec l'histoire).
Bref, je vous recommande largement ce livre, même pour les plus jeunes (c'est d'ailleurs le public visé de base). Foncez, foncez, foncez !
ENG
First of all, I want to clarify.. I bought this book mainly because Melissa Benoist is one of the authors that I adore her enormously ! A big fan haha.
And then, because I liked the cover. I just knew it was a story of sisters, magic and it stops there. I didn't know more and I didn't need to know more. I like to dive into a book, into a universe without knowing too much (well, sometimes it's a double-edged sword but from time to time you have to take risks).
So I dived in, and I have no regrets !!
Ellie and Parker are absolutely brilliant sisters, with their own qualities and flaws. I loved several other characters. I especially loved where the story takes us. I could imagine everything very easily from the writing.
Since it's a book written by three authors, I was a little afraid that it might be "too much", but not at all. We feel a beautiful harmony in what is written and it was great.
It's a real favorite and I can't wait for the sequel. This is a saga that I will follow, and I really can't wait !!
If I didn't give 5*, it's only for a few small details that made me wrinkle my nose (but which were related to the story).
In short, I highly recommend this book, even for the youngest (this is also the basic target audience). Go, go go !
FR
Tout d'abord, je tiens à préciser.. J'ai acheté ce livre principalement parce que Melissa Benoist est une des auteures que je l'adore énormément ! Une grande fane haha.
Et ensuite, parce que la couverture me plaisait. Je savais juste que c'était une histoire de soeurs, de magie et ça s'arrête là. Je n'en savais pas plus et je n'avais pas besoin d'en savoir plus. J'aime plonger dans un livre, dans un univers sans trop savoir (bon, parfois c'est à double tranchant mais il faut de temps en temps prendre des risques).
J'ai donc plongé, et je ne regrette rien !!
Ellie et Parker sont des soeurs absolument géniales, avec leurs qualités et leurs défauts bien à elles. J'ai adoré plusieurs autres personnages. J'ai surtout adoré l'endroit où l'histoire nous emmène. Je pouvais tout m'imaginer très facilement de par l'écriture.
Etant donné que c'est un livre écrit par trois auteures, j'avais un peu peur que ça soit peut-être "de trop", mais pas du tout. On sent une belle harmonie dans ce qui est écrit et c'était génial.
C'est un vrai coup de coeur et il me tarde déjà d'avoir la suite. C'est une saga que je vais suivre, et j'ai vraiment vraiment hâte !!
Si je n'ai pas mis 5*, c'est uniquement pour quelques légers petits détails qui m'ont fait froncer le nez (mais qui était en relation avec l'histoire).
Bref, je vous recommande largement ce livre, même pour les plus jeunes (c'est d'ailleurs le public visé de base). Foncez, foncez, foncez !
ENG
First of all, I want to clarify.. I bought this book mainly because Melissa Benoist is one of the authors that I adore her enormously ! A big fan haha.
And then, because I liked the cover. I just knew it was a story of sisters, magic and it stops there. I didn't know more and I didn't need to know more. I like to dive into a book, into a universe without knowing too much (well, sometimes it's a double-edged sword but from time to time you have to take risks).
So I dived in, and I have no regrets !!
Ellie and Parker are absolutely brilliant sisters, with their own qualities and flaws. I loved several other characters. I especially loved where the story takes us. I could imagine everything very easily from the writing.
Since it's a book written by three authors, I was a little afraid that it might be "too much", but not at all. We feel a beautiful harmony in what is written and it was great.
It's a real favorite and I can't wait for the sequel. This is a saga that I will follow, and I really can't wait !!
If I didn't give 5*, it's only for a few small details that made me wrinkle my nose (but which were related to the story).
In short, I highly recommend this book, even for the youngest (this is also the basic target audience). Go, go go !
jahooliaa's review
4.0
Full review on Nerds & Beyond: https://www.nerdsandbeyond.com/2021/10/14/havens-secret-review-a-magical-and-exciting-journey/