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roseleaf24's review
3.0
Printz Honor Book 2002...my first thoughts, YA fantasy has come a LONG way in the last 17 years. This is a good book, but I don't think it holds up as excellent any more.
It is a good book, though. It has a bit of a slow pace to begin with, but instead of boring, I found this rich of character and setting, without the detail being overwhelming. The story unfolded nicely, and the pace picked up with the action. The plot kept me wondering and eager for more. I did, though, find the quicker paced portions with a lot of new magic to be somewhat confusing, so I lost the drive of the plot for a bit about two-thirds of the way through.
This book is well worth reading, but if you're only looking to read one YA fantasy deserving of literary credit, I would look at some more recent authors first.
It is a good book, though. It has a bit of a slow pace to begin with, but instead of boring, I found this rich of character and setting, without the detail being overwhelming. The story unfolded nicely, and the pace picked up with the action. The plot kept me wondering and eager for more. I did, though, find the quicker paced portions with a lot of new magic to be somewhat confusing, so I lost the drive of the plot for a bit about two-thirds of the way through.
This book is well worth reading, but if you're only looking to read one YA fantasy deserving of literary credit, I would look at some more recent authors first.
chelery's review
adventurous
hopeful
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
4.25
cimorene1558's review
5.0
One of my favourite fantasy novels and it also happens to be by one of my favourite authors! Interesting premise, fairly original concept of magic (which is rare in fantasy, and the companion book, Angel Isle, is even more original in that sense and just as good a book as this one), and really interesting, human characters--in that they have normal faults as well as the good stuff. And with a strong (if young) female protagonist and several other feisty and/or powerful women, but not in an "OMG, they're women, isn't that awesome!" kind of way, just strong, interesting people who happen to be female, which is kind of nice.
laurentined's review
Was enjoying the first rhqkfnof the book with the quest to protect the valley but the second half has started to feel like a slog plot wise and the character voice just isn't enough to keep pulling me through so it's time to put down.
aurodon's review
4.0
A well-written, unique and engaging tale. I could see it being a fun book to read aloud at bedtime to a child or sharing with a tween.
roshk99's review
3.0
Convoluted, but readable. Classic fantasy, but does not make itself accessible to the reader.
rachel_abby_reads's review
I started this book with high hopes, but after reading about 2/3 of it, I can't do any more. If the author isn't going to take us inside the character's head, then they need to show us who they are and what they are becoming in other ways. This book was way too much geography aand detail where it was unnecessary, and far too little character development/revelation as the story has been moving. Flipping ahead to skim the end doesn't show that there will be much of a payoff. So I'm done. The jacket quotes were all quite enthusiastic. I wonder if the reviewers were personal friends of the author.
katlikespie's review
2.0
Twenty generations ago, inhabitants of the peaceful Valley set out to find a way to keep their land safe. A powerful magician gave them a spell to keep them safe - one family must offer up oats to the cedars of the forest, and sing songs; another must sing to the river. This has kept the land safe for generations, but now the spell's time is up, and it is up to the descendants of the original questers to find this magician again and renew the bonds of safety.
Tilja has grown up in the valley, slowly coming to terms with the fact that, in her magical family, she has no magical ability. It is she, along with her grandmother and two members of the other magical family, who must seek out the magician who set the spell, and keep her land safe.
I liked the premise. I liked the writing. I liked the fact that the epic adventure story had to pause because Tilja's grandmother's hip was bothering her. But I give it two stars because I just couldn't finish this book. The descriptions were lovely, but it took so long for anything to happen that I kept putting the book down, checking my phone, snuggling the cat - anything but reading. When it was due back at the library, I just returned it.
Tilja has grown up in the valley, slowly coming to terms with the fact that, in her magical family, she has no magical ability. It is she, along with her grandmother and two members of the other magical family, who must seek out the magician who set the spell, and keep her land safe.
I liked the premise. I liked the writing. I liked the fact that the epic adventure story had to pause because Tilja's grandmother's hip was bothering her. But I give it two stars because I just couldn't finish this book. The descriptions were lovely, but it took so long for anything to happen that I kept putting the book down, checking my phone, snuggling the cat - anything but reading. When it was due back at the library, I just returned it.
angelofdudes's review
5.0
This book was SO goooooood, the plot was understandable and everyone made reasonable choices unlike so many books and shows and movies where the characters do something completely wild for the sake of drama, i loved visualizing the setting i thought the set-up was great, it didn’t flip-flop between explanations and present time too much it’s really just a great book! And it ended when it was supposed to end, didn’t cut off too early, didn’t drag on too long, and the epilogue makes sense and there’s no need for a sequel since the premise is cyclical and it would just be wash rinse and repeat with different characters and different circumstances. Am fully satiated by this book, didn’t leave me wanting more and I never got mad at the characters for their behavior, absolutely everything made sense!