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veecaswell's review against another edition
4.0
I love plucky characters like Emmeline. Straight from the top of the story, this character roars into life in the strangest of circumstances and makes for such a fantastic heroine in this middle grade title.
A nice plot that sees a great friendship grow between Thing and Emmeline in the start, the characters are pretty human considering the story in how they react to the situations they end up in and the adventure plot of the story is rip-roaring as the story goes on, making for a great yarn for younger readers.
The writing is delightful and perfect for young kids, that it really makes me want to buy it for my cousins as this is a story I think that would grip them, though not an ideal story for bed, the story I think will leave them wanting more!
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
A nice plot that sees a great friendship grow between Thing and Emmeline in the start, the characters are pretty human considering the story in how they react to the situations they end up in and the adventure plot of the story is rip-roaring as the story goes on, making for a great yarn for younger readers.
The writing is delightful and perfect for young kids, that it really makes me want to buy it for my cousins as this is a story I think that would grip them, though not an ideal story for bed, the story I think will leave them wanting more!
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read about Emmeline and her friend Thing trying to stop a mysterious scientist from putting the whole world in danger with his experiments. A slow starter, I thought, but things picked up within a few chapters and didn't slow down for most of the book.
As the story went on there were more and more characters to keep track of; occasionally we'd switch POV and I'd have to take a moment to remember who this character was. That's probably my issue, though, not anything to do with the writing.
Definitely an interesting read, and I can see it spurring interest in certain sections of mythology as well. I'll be recommending this one!
I received a proof copy from Stripe publishing. This did not affect my review in any way.
As the story went on there were more and more characters to keep track of; occasionally we'd switch POV and I'd have to take a moment to remember who this character was. That's probably my issue, though, not anything to do with the writing.
Definitely an interesting read, and I can see it spurring interest in certain sections of mythology as well. I'll be recommending this one!
I received a proof copy from Stripe publishing. This did not affect my review in any way.
jadeyrae's review against another edition
4.0
So nearly 5 stars, so so nearly.
This was utterly fantastic, I loved this a whole heck of a lot.
This was utterly fantastic, I loved this a whole heck of a lot.
lmn9812's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great, old-fashioned quest into the frozen north. I really enjoyed the mystery and secrets of Emmeline’s parents, the discovery of OSCAR, and the friendship and devotion between Emmeline and Thing (Can ya tell I love middle-grade friendship? I’ve only mentioned it in ALL THREE REVIEWS)
This story felt timeless and classic, but at the same time it was SO exciting–it was action packed, in the best way possible.
I adored the mythology–it felt fresh, and yet so rich, which is SO difficult to do well in MG fiction.
I also really enjoyed the animal-human relationships–there was such kindness and understanding–especially between Emmeline and Meadowmane.
Also, the villain, Doctor Siegfried Bauer, was scarily great.
This was a great debut novel, and I am SO excited to see what Sinead O’Hart writes next (a sequel, maybe?) If you like brave girls, a secret society and magical creatures, you’ll love The Eye of the North.
This story felt timeless and classic, but at the same time it was SO exciting–it was action packed, in the best way possible.
I adored the mythology–it felt fresh, and yet so rich, which is SO difficult to do well in MG fiction.
I also really enjoyed the animal-human relationships–there was such kindness and understanding–especially between Emmeline and Meadowmane.
Also, the villain, Doctor Siegfried Bauer, was scarily great.
This was a great debut novel, and I am SO excited to see what Sinead O’Hart writes next (a sequel, maybe?) If you like brave girls, a secret society and magical creatures, you’ll love The Eye of the North.
vickylovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
This book is excellent - such quick pacing, such a desire to know more, to read more, to find out more. Honestly, middle grade fiction is so good these days and this book is no exception. A thrilling, daring adventure filled with likeable characters.
nbwessler's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this one, but it just never clicked and was honestly a bit of a slog. I feel like this book was trying to be too many things at once, or rather, couldn't decide on the type of book it wanted to be -- twee mystery, thrilling spy adventure, mystical fantasy? -- and settled for simply shifting between all three. This resulted, often enough, in a disconnect between tone and plot, which was a huge hindrance for me. Add in a heroine that I found off putting and count me a disappointed reader.
There is, however, plenty that others may enjoy: magical creatures, secret societies, mad scientists, dangerous treks across arctic tundras, and exciting flights from fiendish henchmen. The ingredients are there. And I really did love Thing. (Spoiler? Lower you expectations re: his backstory now.) I enjoyed the book best when he and Emmeline were together, and I think a lot of kids will be charmed by him and simple, stouthearted soul. I can also see Emmeline's Macgyver like skills impressing many a young mind.
Arc provided by NetGalley.
There is, however, plenty that others may enjoy: magical creatures, secret societies, mad scientists, dangerous treks across arctic tundras, and exciting flights from fiendish henchmen. The ingredients are there. And I really did love Thing. (Spoiler? Lower you expectations re: his backstory now.) I enjoyed the book best when he and Emmeline were together, and I think a lot of kids will be charmed by him and simple, stouthearted soul. I can also see Emmeline's Macgyver like skills impressing many a young mind.
Arc provided by NetGalley.
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece of middle grade loveliness! Emmeline is adorable, and Thing annoyed me a little right at the start, but properly grew on me.
I did feel that Emmeline’s parents were super mean to her, but I loved her little paranoid heart and her satchel of awesome. She was resourceful even when scared which was lovely.
The bad guys were a tiny bit cartoonish (as well the good guys in places actually) but it works well for a story about trying to prevent a monster being freed from the deeps of the ice.
I always love a quest or adventure, and this really spoke to that - plus they managed so much action along the way! It also felt relatively believable, they had to work hard to get to the end!
Super sweet and gorgeous.
I did feel that Emmeline’s parents were super mean to her, but I loved her little paranoid heart and her satchel of awesome. She was resourceful even when scared which was lovely.
The bad guys were a tiny bit cartoonish (as well the good guys in places actually) but it works well for a story about trying to prevent a monster being freed from the deeps of the ice.
I always love a quest or adventure, and this really spoke to that - plus they managed so much action along the way! It also felt relatively believable, they had to work hard to get to the end!
Super sweet and gorgeous.
lhirl's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
thistlechaser's review against another edition
2.0
When a young girl's death wish-scientist parents vanish (assumed dead), she's sent to live in a house in Paris, a city she's never before been. The beginning of the book follows her as she travels alone, across the sea... her parents' killers on the same ship and searching for her.
The writing and humor in this book reminded me strongly of A Series of Unfortunate Events -- it was set in the "real world" but with twists and dark humor you really wouldn't find here.
I loved the writing and world building, but I just couldn't connect at all with either of the main characters, so DNF.
The writing and humor in this book reminded me strongly of A Series of Unfortunate Events -- it was set in the "real world" but with twists and dark humor you really wouldn't find here.
I loved the writing and world building, but I just couldn't connect at all with either of the main characters, so DNF.
mystic_dclouds's review
3.0
Can we just start by saying the book cover is absolutely gorgeous! Yes, I am an individual who judges books by their cover, but that’s because I’m obsessed with the color blue and this cover is not only blue but the character art is so detailed and beautiful.
However, that’s all this book did for me. I almost went into another reading slump while reading and at one point was unable to even reach the half way mark. What fell flat for me in this book was Emmeline, the main character. Her parents raised her to fend for herself and not trust anyone but that just got her into more trouble. I couldn’t like her character when she always thinks what she’s doing is the right thing and is blinded by her unfounded love of her parents.
Talking about the “right thing”, I loved Thing’s character! He’s intelligent, crafty and witty. But what’s interesting and likable about his character is that he’s honest. Thing has a secret past about him and I wish we could have explored that more throughout the story! Although Thing was the secondary main character, his story arc was much more entertaining and enjoyable.
The story starts off really slow and then divides into alternating perspectives between Emmeline and Thing, when they are separated. Emmeline’s perspective falls kind of flat for me as she doesn’t do much except get into trouble or go exploring. Thing’s perspective is much more entertaining and drives the story, the adventure and the suspense. We learn more about what’s going on from Thing’s perspective than we do from Emmeline. The side characters are also just brief occurrences and the ending is rushed with things falling in place faster than it took to set them up. The book has a lot of great ideas but the pacing felt a little messy.
This book was an okay read but it’s probably not something I’ll reread except for Thing’s perspective.
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However, that’s all this book did for me. I almost went into another reading slump while reading and at one point was unable to even reach the half way mark. What fell flat for me in this book was Emmeline, the main character. Her parents raised her to fend for herself and not trust anyone but that just got her into more trouble. I couldn’t like her character when she always thinks what she’s doing is the right thing and is blinded by her unfounded love of her parents.
Talking about the “right thing”, I loved Thing’s character! He’s intelligent, crafty and witty. But what’s interesting and likable about his character is that he’s honest. Thing has a secret past about him and I wish we could have explored that more throughout the story! Although Thing was the secondary main character, his story arc was much more entertaining and enjoyable.
The story starts off really slow and then divides into alternating perspectives between Emmeline and Thing, when they are separated. Emmeline’s perspective falls kind of flat for me as she doesn’t do much except get into trouble or go exploring. Thing’s perspective is much more entertaining and drives the story, the adventure and the suspense. We learn more about what’s going on from Thing’s perspective than we do from Emmeline. The side characters are also just brief occurrences and the ending is rushed with things falling in place faster than it took to set them up. The book has a lot of great ideas but the pacing felt a little messy.
This book was an okay read but it’s probably not something I’ll reread except for Thing’s perspective.
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf