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cdaetwyler's review against another edition
4.0
First novel, and I was really impressed! Shades of Michael Ende.
em_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
Such an easy book to fall into, and full of little surprises along the way. The writing keeps a fairy-tale feeling going the whole time, even when it's describing a perfectly mundane scene.
tezerenee's review
5.0
I was recommended this book by a friend, and am very thankful that they turned me on to it!
Despite being a new author, as far as I can tell, Ms. Newton has a knack for storytelling that is incredibly engaging, as well as a prodigious vocabulary that lends it lyricism. This story covers a wide range of experiences with aplomb, from the main character's outside take on modern life to fantastical adventures that bring interesting twists to several old classics. I was genuinely impressed with how different the novel began, as a sort of more staid reverse anthropology – albeit told from our own mythos, to how the story concluded, with adventure, moral contention and growth, and some excellent fantasy elements.
I guess my biggest issue with this book, and it is a small one, is that the arcs of the narrative, especially at the beginning, are so engaging that it is hard to find a lull to pause in (leading to me running late after reading, more than once!). Even in the depictions of the mundane, the author's way with words (and metaphor) left me turning the pages.
In fact, after finishing the book I had that glow of excitement you sometimes get when discovering a new series, and a persistent hunger to read more. I was, I'll admit, a little disappointed that there wasn't a sequel (yet?).
Overall, an excellent debut, and I certainly hope Ms. Newton does not keep her readers waiting too long for the next tale, or Tale! (a little joke from the book) ;)
Despite being a new author, as far as I can tell, Ms. Newton has a knack for storytelling that is incredibly engaging, as well as a prodigious vocabulary that lends it lyricism. This story covers a wide range of experiences with aplomb, from the main character's outside take on modern life to fantastical adventures that bring interesting twists to several old classics. I was genuinely impressed with how different the novel began, as a sort of more staid reverse anthropology – albeit told from our own mythos, to how the story concluded, with adventure, moral contention and growth, and some excellent fantasy elements.
I guess my biggest issue with this book, and it is a small one, is that the arcs of the narrative, especially at the beginning, are so engaging that it is hard to find a lull to pause in (leading to me running late after reading, more than once!). Even in the depictions of the mundane, the author's way with words (and metaphor) left me turning the pages.
In fact, after finishing the book I had that glow of excitement you sometimes get when discovering a new series, and a persistent hunger to read more. I was, I'll admit, a little disappointed that there wasn't a sequel (yet?).
Overall, an excellent debut, and I certainly hope Ms. Newton does not keep her readers waiting too long for the next tale, or Tale! (a little joke from the book) ;)
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