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kelleemoye's review against another edition
4.0
Full review including teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=14816
It is obvious that Rubens writes comedy for a living. Emily’s story is a perfect mix of laugh out loud moments, puns, and crazy adventures with monsters and evil. And unlike other books this reminded me of, Rubens has created his own monsters and villains instead of using an established mythology which means it made it really hard for me to make predictions, so I was on the edge of my seat (LAUGHING along the way) the entire novel. As soon as I finished, I went on Twitter to make sure all of my middle grade teacher friends knew about this one because I think that fans of Riordan’s books are going to really enjoy this one.
It is obvious that Rubens writes comedy for a living. Emily’s story is a perfect mix of laugh out loud moments, puns, and crazy adventures with monsters and evil. And unlike other books this reminded me of, Rubens has created his own monsters and villains instead of using an established mythology which means it made it really hard for me to make predictions, so I was on the edge of my seat (LAUGHING along the way) the entire novel. As soon as I finished, I went on Twitter to make sure all of my middle grade teacher friends knew about this one because I think that fans of Riordan’s books are going to really enjoy this one.
sasha_in_a_box's review against another edition
3.0
It's a fun but ultimately shallow fantasy for the kids who really want an iPhone and instead get a demon who tries to kill them.
bluebeereads's review against another edition
3.0
Quite The Novel Idea ~ Words from the Clouds
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be amusing. Either that or charming. It's everything a middle grade fantasy book should be at its core. Fun, charming, exciting, amusing,... And while I enjoyed it very much, I found that it lacked that little extra that would have made it amazing.
Emily and the Spellstone is about the twelve-year-old Emily, a girl that hates adventures. One day when she visits the beach with her family, she finds a cellphone. Only, it's not a cellphone. It's a magical stone. And by picking it up, she has become a stonemaster. Soon Emily is swept up in one of the adventures she never wanted to have, fighting off evil monsters, wicked people that want the stone and befriending a demon. And all that while fending off mean girls at school and avoiding her parents finding out about any of it.
I really enjoy Michael Rubens' writing a lot. He has such a nice writing style with so much humor that's easy to get into. I loved his YA book The Bad Decisions Playlist so I was eager to check out this one and for the most part, it did not disappoint. I loved the overall story and the dynamics between Emily and the demon Gorgo, who was just so very amusing. I loved their banter and their growing friendship. And I loved the friendship that blossomed between Emily and Angela. I also liked the message the book sent.
The story, while exciting and kind of original in some parts, did wrap up a bit easily for me, but it's Middle Grade so I guess I can forgive it for that? The villains seemed a bit... easily defeated. And while the ending was left open just enough for a possible sequel, I don't like that even if it's a standalone, it just ended up basically in the same spot where we started. With just a few details changed. It went back to the status quo instead of raising the stakes a bit. I know, I know, middle grade. But I think we should encourage middle grade fantasy where the stakes are a bit higher.
Also her parents were just... kind of... there. If they'd been left out completely, nothing would have changed. That is something that irritates me more in MG than in YA. And it irritates me A LOT in YA. But in MG the protagonists are even younger so WHUT ARE YOU DOING PARENTS? Seriously. I never could have gotten away with any of this at twelve years old. Never.
All in all, Emily and the Spellstone was a very amusing and charming story that I really enjoyed despite my issues with it overall. if you're a fan of Middle Grade Fantasy, I highly encourage picking it up.
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be amusing. Either that or charming. It's everything a middle grade fantasy book should be at its core. Fun, charming, exciting, amusing,... And while I enjoyed it very much, I found that it lacked that little extra that would have made it amazing.
Emily and the Spellstone is about the twelve-year-old Emily, a girl that hates adventures. One day when she visits the beach with her family, she finds a cellphone. Only, it's not a cellphone. It's a magical stone. And by picking it up, she has become a stonemaster. Soon Emily is swept up in one of the adventures she never wanted to have, fighting off evil monsters, wicked people that want the stone and befriending a demon. And all that while fending off mean girls at school and avoiding her parents finding out about any of it.
I really enjoy Michael Rubens' writing a lot. He has such a nice writing style with so much humor that's easy to get into. I loved his YA book The Bad Decisions Playlist so I was eager to check out this one and for the most part, it did not disappoint. I loved the overall story and the dynamics between Emily and the demon Gorgo, who was just so very amusing. I loved their banter and their growing friendship. And I loved the friendship that blossomed between Emily and Angela. I also liked the message the book sent.
The story, while exciting and kind of original in some parts, did wrap up a bit easily for me, but it's Middle Grade so I guess I can forgive it for that? The villains seemed a bit... easily defeated. And while the ending was left open just enough for a possible sequel, I don't like that even if it's a standalone, it just ended up basically in the same spot where we started. With just a few details changed. It went back to the status quo instead of raising the stakes a bit. I know, I know, middle grade. But I think we should encourage middle grade fantasy where the stakes are a bit higher.
Also her parents were just... kind of... there. If they'd been left out completely, nothing would have changed. That is something that irritates me more in MG than in YA. And it irritates me A LOT in YA. But in MG the protagonists are even younger so WHUT ARE YOU DOING PARENTS? Seriously. I never could have gotten away with any of this at twelve years old. Never.
All in all, Emily and the Spellstone was a very amusing and charming story that I really enjoyed despite my issues with it overall. if you're a fan of Middle Grade Fantasy, I highly encourage picking it up.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
4.0
Emily hates adventures, but when she discovers a magical stone that acts as a cellphone, she is thrown into a magical adventure that proves she is strong and resourceful against the greatest of enemies. A fiery monster named Gorgo is trapped in the Spellstone, and vows to eat Emily if he ever gets free. But Emily needs his help to defeat the nasty people who are seeking the stone's power for their own evil purposes.
I loved the wit and humor of this book! The dialogue is snappy and every new magical situation is hilariously weird. The plot is full of action and danger. The characters are beautifully written with plenty of contrast and development.
I adore Emily! She's a whiny piteous brat at the beginning, throwing a pity party for herself, and at the end she's tough and compassionate and full of confidence. Her unlikely friendships with several of the characters, and her silly relationship with her family made me laugh and cry and hug the book!
I took off one star because of the dual perspective in the writing. Some of the scenes follow the villains plotting their evil deeds, and I didn't enjoy that part of the storytelling. Changing POVs is a pet peeve of mine, and very few authors can pull it off, in my opinion. I felt like it broke up the pacing of the story, since we would be following Emily's POV, and then switch to a scene with the villains. It's not badly written; it's fine. But it is a pet peeve of mine, so I didn't like it. Other people probably wouldn't care or barely notice.
This book is an imaginative and playful adventure, bouncing with magic and absurdities!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I loved the wit and humor of this book! The dialogue is snappy and every new magical situation is hilariously weird. The plot is full of action and danger. The characters are beautifully written with plenty of contrast and development.
I adore Emily! She's a whiny piteous brat at the beginning, throwing a pity party for herself, and at the end she's tough and compassionate and full of confidence. Her unlikely friendships with several of the characters, and her silly relationship with her family made me laugh and cry and hug the book!
I took off one star because of the dual perspective in the writing. Some of the scenes follow the villains plotting their evil deeds, and I didn't enjoy that part of the storytelling. Changing POVs is a pet peeve of mine, and very few authors can pull it off, in my opinion. I felt like it broke up the pacing of the story, since we would be following Emily's POV, and then switch to a scene with the villains. It's not badly written; it's fine. But it is a pet peeve of mine, so I didn't like it. Other people probably wouldn't care or barely notice.
This book is an imaginative and playful adventure, bouncing with magic and absurdities!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
lilyn_g's review
5.0
Emily is not a spunky young heroine looking for adventure. Her two favorite things are hibernating with a book and collecting rocks. Adventure is not her thing. But, when needs must, she’ll rise to the occasion. Her sidekick? This isn’t a Golden Trio thing, or anything close to that. Emily doesn’t want her chosen companion for the adventure she has no desire to have. Especially when he’s openly admitted to the fact that he’s going to eat her as soon as he is free.
Emily and the Spellstone is meant to be a comedic take on the typical middle-grade fantasy adventure, and it accomplishes that perfectly. Even when you were laughing at some of the ridiculousness the author was spewing, you were still interested in the adventure itself.
Visit Sci-Fi & Scary for the full Emily and the Spellstone review.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley for review consideration.
Emily and the Spellstone is meant to be a comedic take on the typical middle-grade fantasy adventure, and it accomplishes that perfectly. Even when you were laughing at some of the ridiculousness the author was spewing, you were still interested in the adventure itself.
Visit Sci-Fi & Scary for the full Emily and the Spellstone review.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley for review consideration.
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