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ageorges's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a pleasant surprise. It's packed full of historical and social commentary in easily digestible pieces for the kids. Warning: this book will make you cry.
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
Marah Levi is a young girl living in a divided society. The Hulani are considered sparkers because of their lack of magical abilities. Although they out number the Kashir class 2:1, Hulani are forced into subsistence living by their fear of and dependence on the Kashir class. A plague infects both classes and Marah must work with Azariah, a wealthy magican's son, to find a cure for both classes. The shocking source of the plague and what it means for both classes going forward will cause readers to look at war in a different way. Ms. Glewwe has penned a great read that mirrors so many of the conflicts that afflict different parts of the world today. She deals with the topic of race superiority in a sensitive and creative way,
anne_of_february's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
we sit in the semidarkness, contemplating the unfathomable depths of the world’s injustice and wondering if we will ever be able to forgive ourselves.
mlottermoser's review against another edition
3.0
A plague that effects magicians and non-magicians alike draws two children from different walks of life together. It felt a little heavier/darker than my normal YA book. It definitely wasn't predictable.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
The city of Ashara is divided between two castes of people -- the kasiri, who have magic, and the halani (or sparkers) who don't. Marah is a halan girl trying to make her way through school with many odds against her. Through a chance incident at the marketplace, she becomes friends with a kasari family. One of the brothers shares her love of foreign languages. Between them they translate an old and forbidden text, uncovering answers to a mysterious illness that has befallen their city.
There are underlying messages about the systemic oppression of racism and the need to fight against it, though not too heavy handed to get in the way of the story. What I found most distracting however, was the use of Hebrew names for the majority of the characters. I just want to know why the author did that.
Recommended for fantasy lovers, grades 4-8.
There are underlying messages about the systemic oppression of racism and the need to fight against it, though not too heavy handed to get in the way of the story. What I found most distracting however, was the use of Hebrew names for the majority of the characters. I just want to know why the author did that.
Recommended for fantasy lovers, grades 4-8.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
I'm always on the lookout for great middle grade science-fiction or fantasy that incorporates musical elements, string instruments are a bonus, and this duology has both!
Marah lacks magic, but she's a budding violinist in the city of Ashara, where the magical (kasir) and non-magical (halan or sparker) are segregated and prejudice against the non-magical runs rampant.
She saves a young magical girl, Sarah Rashid. Sarah treats Marah with none of the stereotypical racism or hatred of her elders and gets Marah to tell her a story. Marah doesn't finish, so Leah invites her to her house the next day, and Marah meets Sarah's brother, Azariah. He's trying to decipher a text in a language, Hagramet, he's never seen before, but Marah has. In fact, she knows some of it, and helps him to start translating it.
At the same time, a disease hits. It kills Sparkers and Kasir alike. The Council promises it is working on a cure, but as Azariah and Marah translate the book (it's a book of spells) they quickly discover it may hold the key to a cure to the disease. Because it's not a disease at all, but a side-effect of the kind of magic the kasir have been doing for decades, and it's finally built up to toxic levels.
I won't give away the ending, just know this was an exquisitely crafted book, and all the musical references (particularly to the violin) rang true!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Marah lacks magic, but she's a budding violinist in the city of Ashara, where the magical (kasir) and non-magical (halan or sparker) are segregated and prejudice against the non-magical runs rampant.
She saves a young magical girl, Sarah Rashid. Sarah treats Marah with none of the stereotypical racism or hatred of her elders and gets Marah to tell her a story. Marah doesn't finish, so Leah invites her to her house the next day, and Marah meets Sarah's brother, Azariah. He's trying to decipher a text in a language, Hagramet, he's never seen before, but Marah has. In fact, she knows some of it, and helps him to start translating it.
At the same time, a disease hits. It kills Sparkers and Kasir alike. The Council promises it is working on a cure, but as Azariah and Marah translate the book (it's a book of spells) they quickly discover it may hold the key to a cure to the disease. Because it's not a disease at all, but a side-effect of the kind of magic the kasir have been doing for decades, and it's finally built up to toxic levels.
I won't give away the ending, just know this was an exquisitely crafted book, and all the musical references (particularly to the violin) rang true!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
lyndiane's review against another edition
4.0
A well-written plot, especially relevant in these times of Covid-19.
The focus on class segregation is very well presented and the author very cleverly does not fall into the trap of creating a victim mentality in any of the characters; thankfully there is also a complete lack of the racial hysteria that is so prevalent nowadays. The narrative has a strong eastern Europe flavour, with dark undertones of the Polish ghettos; this is further emphasised by the use of Jewish names. There is heartbreak as well as triumph, and I found the book impossible to put down.
This is suitable reading for all ages.
The focus on class segregation is very well presented and the author very cleverly does not fall into the trap of creating a victim mentality in any of the characters; thankfully there is also a complete lack of the racial hysteria that is so prevalent nowadays. The narrative has a strong eastern Europe flavour, with dark undertones of the Polish ghettos; this is further emphasised by the use of Jewish names. There is heartbreak as well as triumph, and I found the book impossible to put down.
This is suitable reading for all ages.
basicallybisaha's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Mara Levi, who lives in a city where magic is in the hands of a pitiless ruling class, is caught in a plague that turns its victims eyes dark. She and her unlikely friend Azariah stumble across the cure in an ancient book in a forgotten language and spark a revolution when they insists on distributing it equally to all the afflicted.
Love the characters and enjoy the world. Good insight into how social norms can cause people to act without kindness, even when they have a better self.
Advanced reader copy provided by edelweiss.
Love the characters and enjoy the world. Good insight into how social norms can cause people to act without kindness, even when they have a better self.
Advanced reader copy provided by edelweiss.