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bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
(There is a major spoiler at the end of this review for parents, for some reason I can’t get the spoiler tag to work.) This is a beautifully written book about a boy whose family is involved in a car accident on a bitterly cold Christmas Eve. He is thrown from the car, and lost in a dreamlike imaginary world, must figure out how to save himself and maybe his family, too. His scenes alternate with his brave funny sister’s scenes, trapped with her mom and baby sister in the car. It’s quirky and intelligent and sometimes downright weird. If you’re an adult that wants to read it, that’s probably all you need to know, but if you’re going to read it with your children, or if you’re going to hand it to a child to read, you should know (major spoiler ahead)
Spoiler
the boy dies at the end. I think we underestimate children’s ability to deal with dark, difficult issues, so I don’t think that should keep you from reading this book. But still as a parent, if I was going to read this as a bedtime story, I would want to know this in advance. It is beautifully handled and there are many positive, hopeful elements in the epilogue, but there is also the death of a major character.mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
'Is there a castle?' he asked.
The horse seemed to flinch underneath him, as if he had wounded her. She sighed, her head sank low and then with a snort she straightened up again, although her voice wavered.
'There may be, little knight,' said Nonky. 'There may be a castle.'
So yesterday night I had about 1 hour and 20 minutes to read before I wanted to sleep, and I managed to read 220 pages, sadly I was too tired to read further, so I had to wait until now before I could find out the outcome, the last part. Would Mouse make it?
And now I am going to try to write a review, though bear with me, it may be chaotic.
Before I start to talk about the awesomeness of this book, I want to say I am giving the book -1 star. This could have been a wonderful, special, epic book, I wanted to rate it 5 stars, maybe even 5+ stars, but then the author added Violet's POV. Violet, the sister. Whose POV I did like when she was still in the car, but when she started to dismiss Mouse and his journey, even scoffing the fact he did x and not y, and just took the journey sans mystical stuff herself? It just felt like Mouse's journey was worth less. Here look at this sister, she can do it without going into a mystical world bordering on death and life, she will be the one to solve everything, look at how fast she is doing things that took her brother a whole day if not more. That is how it felt to me. With each POV of Violet I grew increasingly frustrating at her attitude and her butting in. I wanted Mouse's journey. So Violet, please stay in the car and don't move. Thanks and bye.
One other thing that was a bit eh was: The accident? I just felt so sorry for the mom, for Esme, Violet, and Mouse, though I did think it was a bit too irresponsible to go outside. Sorry, I know, not really the right thing to say, but I just couldn't help thinking that it was a bad idea. There is tons of snow, hidden ice patches, and who knows what else. Still no one deserves an accident, but I just can't help but shaking my head at people going outside in dangerous conditions. Especially if you have kids with you. Don't do it! Just go another day, I am sure the grandparents could understand.
Now back to the story, it broke my heart many times. I just knew what was going on with Mouse's journey, I just knew what all those things he encountered meant. I just knew! And it broke my heart. But I noticed that I was still hoping for another outcome. I was sure he would make it! He would find help! He would be the one saving everyone. He would grow up! He would be great! I was rooting for this little boy the entire time. Sometimes acting like Nonky did (yep, including her attitude :P). Telling the kid to not look behind him, to not fall asleep, to not waver. To continue with his journey. Cheering him on.
Mouse was a great character, I didn't entirely like him during some parts of the book (with how he acted), but mostly I just liked the little guy.
The journey was a wonderful one, the author sure wrote an engaging story. I was thinking this would just be old-fashioned fantasy (given the blurb stating that Mouse wakes up in a magical world), but it was so much more. It was so different from what the blurb states. From the start I knew that this was not some ordinary fantasy world, but something much more real. It still held all the elements of fantasy (talking animals, magic, evil knights, etc.) but... nah, I won't say more. You will just have to read it to find out what is going on.
The ending to the book? Dang. Thanks author for making me cry. Thanks for breaking my heart. I am glad though that the author didn't shy away from making this ending. Yes, it was a heartbreaking ending, but I feel that another outcome wouldn't have fitted. It wouldn't have been right. The epilogue was a really good touch and nice addition.
Also pay close attention to the little chapter images! I loved that little detail when I spotted what was going on.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Bring tissues though and grab some glue, your heart is going to need it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The horse seemed to flinch underneath him, as if he had wounded her. She sighed, her head sank low and then with a snort she straightened up again, although her voice wavered.
'There may be, little knight,' said Nonky. 'There may be a castle.'
So yesterday night I had about 1 hour and 20 minutes to read before I wanted to sleep, and I managed to read 220 pages, sadly I was too tired to read further, so I had to wait until now before I could find out the outcome, the last part. Would Mouse make it?
And now I am going to try to write a review, though bear with me, it may be chaotic.
Before I start to talk about the awesomeness of this book, I want to say I am giving the book -1 star. This could have been a wonderful, special, epic book, I wanted to rate it 5 stars, maybe even 5+ stars, but then the author added Violet's POV. Violet, the sister. Whose POV I did like when she was still in the car, but when she started to dismiss Mouse and his journey, even scoffing the fact he did x and not y, and just took the journey sans mystical stuff herself? It just felt like Mouse's journey was worth less. Here look at this sister, she can do it without going into a mystical world bordering on death and life, she will be the one to solve everything, look at how fast she is doing things that took her brother a whole day if not more. That is how it felt to me. With each POV of Violet I grew increasingly frustrating at her attitude and her butting in. I wanted Mouse's journey. So Violet, please stay in the car and don't move. Thanks and bye.
One other thing that was a bit eh was: The accident? I just felt so sorry for the mom, for Esme, Violet, and Mouse, though I did think it was a bit too irresponsible to go outside. Sorry, I know, not really the right thing to say, but I just couldn't help thinking that it was a bad idea. There is tons of snow, hidden ice patches, and who knows what else. Still no one deserves an accident, but I just can't help but shaking my head at people going outside in dangerous conditions. Especially if you have kids with you. Don't do it! Just go another day, I am sure the grandparents could understand.
Now back to the story, it broke my heart many times. I just knew what was going on with Mouse's journey, I just knew what all those things he encountered meant. I just knew! And it broke my heart. But I noticed that I was still hoping for another outcome. I was sure he would make it! He would find help! He would be the one saving everyone. He would grow up! He would be great! I was rooting for this little boy the entire time. Sometimes acting like Nonky did (yep, including her attitude :P). Telling the kid to not look behind him, to not fall asleep, to not waver. To continue with his journey. Cheering him on.
Mouse was a great character, I didn't entirely like him during some parts of the book (with how he acted), but mostly I just liked the little guy.
The journey was a wonderful one, the author sure wrote an engaging story. I was thinking this would just be old-fashioned fantasy (given the blurb stating that Mouse wakes up in a magical world), but it was so much more. It was so different from what the blurb states. From the start I knew that this was not some ordinary fantasy world, but something much more real. It still held all the elements of fantasy (talking animals, magic, evil knights, etc.) but... nah, I won't say more. You will just have to read it to find out what is going on.
The ending to the book? Dang. Thanks author for making me cry. Thanks for breaking my heart. I am glad though that the author didn't shy away from making this ending. Yes, it was a heartbreaking ending, but I feel that another outcome wouldn't have fitted. It wouldn't have been right. The epilogue was a really good touch and nice addition.
Also pay close attention to the little chapter images! I loved that little detail when I spotted what was going on.
All in all, I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Bring tissues though and grab some glue, your heart is going to need it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
scoutfinch75's review against another edition
5.0
Still sobbing uncontrollably, shall review when I have pulled myself together... it may take a while.
missbookiverse's review against another edition
2.0
[2.5 stars]
I've loved Torday's previous [b:The Last Wild|18079596|The Last Wild|Piers Torday|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380495703l/18079596._SY75_.jpg|24068971] books and I did enjoy the first third of this novel, but after that I got bored. The tiptoeing between reality and fantasy is too obvious, the slightly medieval fantasy setting is a cardboard cutout that not even the giant dinosaur and the snarky one-eyed horse can save (also knights and jousts just aren't my thing), and the protagonist, Mouse, is confusing. He's prone to daydreaming but hates books and made up stories? That didn't add up for me and his constant complaining makes him slightly unbearable. The regular mention of social media and electronic devices seems appropriate for a contemporary children's book but also makes the story feel unnecessarily dated. I'm still pondering what to think of that ending. I didn't see it coming at all and in a way it's a bold move but it doesn't feel like the right ending for this kind of story.
I've loved Torday's previous [b:The Last Wild|18079596|The Last Wild|Piers Torday|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380495703l/18079596._SY75_.jpg|24068971] books and I did enjoy the first third of this novel, but after that I got bored. The tiptoeing between reality and fantasy is too obvious, the slightly medieval fantasy setting is a cardboard cutout that not even the giant dinosaur and the snarky one-eyed horse can save (also knights and jousts just aren't my thing), and the protagonist, Mouse, is confusing. He's prone to daydreaming but hates books and made up stories? That didn't add up for me and his constant complaining makes him slightly unbearable. The regular mention of social media and electronic devices seems appropriate for a contemporary children's book but also makes the story feel unnecessarily dated. I'm still pondering what to think of that ending.
Spoiler
Mouse dies but he managed to save his mom and sisters.lmn9812's review against another edition
3.0
A strange and lovely tale, with a heartbreaking climax. This took me a little while to get into, but OH MY GOSH the payoff. A beautifully written story with power.
gracegreenlaw's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It kept me hooked from the first chapter and was engaging the whole way through - it was hard not to skip to the end to find out what happens. On the way to his grandparents’ house, Mouse is in a terrible car accident and ends up on a long and difficult journey in a mystical land.
Many recognisable elements of a fantasy book are included as Mouse meets knights, dragons, talking animals and terrible beasts on his way to the castle and it reminds me of other fables and myths where the characters have gone on difficult quests. The story is told from two different perspectives and changes between the two every couple of chapters. One perspective tells the story of Mouse and his journey to the castle the other part is from the perspective of Mouse’s sister Violet as she goes on a journey to her own ‘castle’; her grandparents’ house. Full of lots of links to the power of imagination and great for opening up discussion about death. Would be a great alternative book to base a ‘journeys’ topic off.
Many recognisable elements of a fantasy book are included as Mouse meets knights, dragons, talking animals and terrible beasts on his way to the castle and it reminds me of other fables and myths where the characters have gone on difficult quests. The story is told from two different perspectives and changes between the two every couple of chapters. One perspective tells the story of Mouse and his journey to the castle the other part is from the perspective of Mouse’s sister Violet as she goes on a journey to her own ‘castle’; her grandparents’ house. Full of lots of links to the power of imagination and great for opening up discussion about death. Would be a great alternative book to base a ‘journeys’ topic off.
nicktomjoe's review against another edition
4.0
A deceptively simple start to a story becomes something else as imagination affects how children manage after a winter car crash. The modern references jarred until, close to the end, I saw how they fitted in the protagonist’s dream world. The Pink Knight is a terrifying opponent for the fantasy sections of the story, beautifully written.
Tighter and better paced than The Last Wild trilogy, this has similar puzzles, ambiguous allegiances, and children in a truly life-or-death situation.
I didn’t guess the ending - and re-read the final chapters to see if I could have missed any clues - but it was moving and emotionally satisfying, consistent and yet surprising.
Tighter and better paced than The Last Wild trilogy, this has similar puzzles, ambiguous allegiances, and children in a truly life-or-death situation.
I didn’t guess the ending - and re-read the final chapters to see if I could have missed any clues - but it was moving and emotionally satisfying, consistent and yet surprising.
lucinda_lesbrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0