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mythie's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
veecaswell's review against another edition
4.0
The story of Tess and her figuring out who she is after being left at Ackerbee’s Home for Lost and Foundlings, The Star-Spun Web is the excellent second book from Sinead O’Hart who follows up from the brilliant ‘Eye Of The North’.
The characters are brilliantly written in this book, though we launch into the plot quite quickly, Tess as a character develops well and the people around her are definitely just as strong, with characters such as those in the new home she lives in really emerging well within the book and those like Mrs Ackerbee who you would want to be your adopted mum too.
The story is fast paced and really gets you on the edge of your seat pretty quickly, even if you’re an adult like me, O’Hart has a natural ability at letting a gret plot unfold at a perfect but quick pace and this book is no different in that respect to previous book, ‘Eye Of The North’. I love the author also has entwined real life historical moments into her story too, creating a great end to the story.
A fantastic book for middle grade age, and adults (this is a book I’d read to a kid, for them and for me), The Star-Spun Web is a treat.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for honest review).
The characters are brilliantly written in this book, though we launch into the plot quite quickly, Tess as a character develops well and the people around her are definitely just as strong, with characters such as those in the new home she lives in really emerging well within the book and those like Mrs Ackerbee who you would want to be your adopted mum too.
The story is fast paced and really gets you on the edge of your seat pretty quickly, even if you’re an adult like me, O’Hart has a natural ability at letting a gret plot unfold at a perfect but quick pace and this book is no different in that respect to previous book, ‘Eye Of The North’. I love the author also has entwined real life historical moments into her story too, creating a great end to the story.
A fantastic book for middle grade age, and adults (this is a book I’d read to a kid, for them and for me), The Star-Spun Web is a treat.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley for honest review).
alongreader's review against another edition
5.0
Sinéad hits it out of the park with her second novel, a tale of world slipping, spiders – *a* spider, at least – and children who might be each other. Trust me, it all makes sense when you read it. And you definitely should read this one. Children will love it, and it introduces its central conceits very gently. They'll be learning as they read!
I'm very much looking forward to having this one in my hands, so that I can shove it into other peoples' hands.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
"They'd never leave me without saying anything, they'd never just go and not try to let me know they were all right. They'd never just forget me."
After a few minutes he lifted his face and sniffed, the ache in his chest so painful it felt like the air he was breathing had claws. "But Tess has proved one thing. Mum and Dad were right all this time. They knew this was possible, what Tess and me are doing." Moose turned, scampering up his sleeve until he came to rest on Thomas's shoulder. "I'll make sure their names aren't a laughing stock anymore. Whatever Tess needs, I'm going to help her - and then together we can figure out how to prove my parents were the best scientists the world has ever known."
He reached into his shirt pocket and took out a few crumbs of cheese. Moose crawled on to his outstretched palm to nibble them and Thomas felt his heart slow and the pain in his chest gradually lessen. "You were the best present they ever gave me," he whispered, running a gentle finger down Moose's back. The mouse responded by putting one tiny paw on Thomas's thumb and the boy smiled.
Finally Thomas blew out the candle and they lay down to sleep. High above the heads of the boy and his mouse, dashed across the face of the clear night sky, a web of stars was sparkling; in another world, in which the stars had been scattered in a different configuration across the heavens, a girl and her spider were dreaming of them.
I'm very much looking forward to having this one in my hands, so that I can shove it into other peoples' hands.
Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.
"They'd never leave me without saying anything, they'd never just go and not try to let me know they were all right. They'd never just forget me."
After a few minutes he lifted his face and sniffed, the ache in his chest so painful it felt like the air he was breathing had claws. "But Tess has proved one thing. Mum and Dad were right all this time. They knew this was possible, what Tess and me are doing." Moose turned, scampering up his sleeve until he came to rest on Thomas's shoulder. "I'll make sure their names aren't a laughing stock anymore. Whatever Tess needs, I'm going to help her - and then together we can figure out how to prove my parents were the best scientists the world has ever known."
He reached into his shirt pocket and took out a few crumbs of cheese. Moose crawled on to his outstretched palm to nibble them and Thomas felt his heart slow and the pain in his chest gradually lessen. "You were the best present they ever gave me," he whispered, running a gentle finger down Moose's back. The mouse responded by putting one tiny paw on Thomas's thumb and the boy smiled.
Finally Thomas blew out the candle and they lay down to sleep. High above the heads of the boy and his mouse, dashed across the face of the clear night sky, a web of stars was sparkling; in another world, in which the stars had been scattered in a different configuration across the heavens, a girl and her spider were dreaming of them.
lmn9812's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Sinead’s debut, THE EYE OF THE NORTH, so I literally squealed when THE STAR-SPUN WEB turned up on my doorstep. It did not disappoint.
This was if Diana Wynn Jones and Phillip Pullman had a literary baby. BIG COMPARISONS, but boy does it earn them. It tells the story of Tess, an orphan who was left on the door of a foundling home as a baby with a mysterious object. When a strange man who claims to be her long-lost relative turns up to take her away from Ackerbees, and the guardians and fellow orphan girls that she loves, Tess is thrust into a mystery with mean governesses, multiple worlds, and a new guardian she can’t trust.
Firstly, our heroine. I LOVE me a STEM-interested girl heroine and I adored Tess’s obvious passion for science, and figuring out puzzles–I thought it was integrated so well into the story and made for a great pay off in the climax. Tess’s pet spider, Violet was integral to the story and I loved her role–it’s so difficult to fall in love with a character that can’t physically speak, but Violet communicated through vibrations in such a beautiful way, and really her and Tess’s relationship was the heart of the story.
THE STAR-SPUN WEB played with tropes in a delightful way. I though Tess’s clear affection for the foundling home, her friends there, and her guardians was great, and such a nice change from the usual ‘awful orphanages’ trope. I also really enjoyed the close interactions between Tess and Mr Cleat — the mysterious guardian who Tess ends up living with. Tess’s mistrust of him was keenly felt, and I thought it was great (and unusual) for a heroine to see so much of the maybe-potential-antagonist.
I am a big fan of multiple world stories. In this story, the world-building (or is it worldsbuilding?) was deft and multifaceted, and I adored the twist on the method of world-travel–it made this multi-verse feel unique and original!
The ending was satisfying and wrapped up major threads whilst leaving a few mysteries hanging. I thought it was perfect, and I also thought that THE STAR-SPUN WEB has serious potential for a sequel. I for one, would love to see more of Tess’s world(s).
This was if Diana Wynn Jones and Phillip Pullman had a literary baby. BIG COMPARISONS, but boy does it earn them. It tells the story of Tess, an orphan who was left on the door of a foundling home as a baby with a mysterious object. When a strange man who claims to be her long-lost relative turns up to take her away from Ackerbees, and the guardians and fellow orphan girls that she loves, Tess is thrust into a mystery with mean governesses, multiple worlds, and a new guardian she can’t trust.
Firstly, our heroine. I LOVE me a STEM-interested girl heroine and I adored Tess’s obvious passion for science, and figuring out puzzles–I thought it was integrated so well into the story and made for a great pay off in the climax. Tess’s pet spider, Violet was integral to the story and I loved her role–it’s so difficult to fall in love with a character that can’t physically speak, but Violet communicated through vibrations in such a beautiful way, and really her and Tess’s relationship was the heart of the story.
THE STAR-SPUN WEB played with tropes in a delightful way. I though Tess’s clear affection for the foundling home, her friends there, and her guardians was great, and such a nice change from the usual ‘awful orphanages’ trope. I also really enjoyed the close interactions between Tess and Mr Cleat — the mysterious guardian who Tess ends up living with. Tess’s mistrust of him was keenly felt, and I thought it was great (and unusual) for a heroine to see so much of the maybe-potential-antagonist.
I am a big fan of multiple world stories. In this story, the world-building (or is it worldsbuilding?) was deft and multifaceted, and I adored the twist on the method of world-travel–it made this multi-verse feel unique and original!
The ending was satisfying and wrapped up major threads whilst leaving a few mysteries hanging. I thought it was perfect, and I also thought that THE STAR-SPUN WEB has serious potential for a sequel. I for one, would love to see more of Tess’s world(s).
djc16's review against another edition
4.0
Sinéad O’Hart made big waves last year with the release of The Eye of the North and this second standalone sees us in another fantastical world of adventure.
The Star Spun Web is unrelated to The Eye of the North, and it quickly introduces us to a mysterious world where Tess arrives as a baby, a world that seems similar to our 1940s world, but not quite the same.
Miss Ackerbee’s Home for Lost and Foundlings turns out to be run by a gentle and caring Miss Ackerbee. It speaks to my experience of reading about homes for children, when I was younger, when these orphanages were often populated with mean-spirited adult characters. The kind nature of Miss Ackerbee was a welcome surprise.
Tess is a curious character as we meet her carrying out her experiments, with her pet spider Violet by her side. The other girls in Ackerbee’s are full of life and curiosity, like Tess’ best friend Wilf, and the busybody but well-meaning Prissy and Prossy.
The story really starts to take shape early on as Tess is torn from this happy life by a man claiming to be a distant relative, known as Mr Cleat.
When she moves to his home of Roedeer House, under the watchful eye of the brilliantly named Miss Thistlethorn, it soon becomes apparent that Mr Cleat is after her for her growing abilities in manipulating an object of hers she calls the spinner.
Mr Cleat is involved in a fanciful society attempting to prove the existence of multiple worlds, and from there the story takes off.
The main charm in this story comes from its time setting. It is set around 1941 in this slightly different Dublin, and everything seems old-fashioned, from the importance of radio and newspapers, to the importance of getting up ridiculously early for breakfast!
Without going too much into spoiling the narrative, I really enjoyed the introduction of Thomas to the story and the friendship which develops between Tess and Thomas (as well as his pet, Moose).
The Star Spun Web is a wonderfully written adventure with the right amount of mystery, magic and twists thrown in, all making for a tightly-plotted and enjoyable story.
The Star Spun Web is unrelated to The Eye of the North, and it quickly introduces us to a mysterious world where Tess arrives as a baby, a world that seems similar to our 1940s world, but not quite the same.
Miss Ackerbee’s Home for Lost and Foundlings turns out to be run by a gentle and caring Miss Ackerbee. It speaks to my experience of reading about homes for children, when I was younger, when these orphanages were often populated with mean-spirited adult characters. The kind nature of Miss Ackerbee was a welcome surprise.
Tess is a curious character as we meet her carrying out her experiments, with her pet spider Violet by her side. The other girls in Ackerbee’s are full of life and curiosity, like Tess’ best friend Wilf, and the busybody but well-meaning Prissy and Prossy.
The story really starts to take shape early on as Tess is torn from this happy life by a man claiming to be a distant relative, known as Mr Cleat.
When she moves to his home of Roedeer House, under the watchful eye of the brilliantly named Miss Thistlethorn, it soon becomes apparent that Mr Cleat is after her for her growing abilities in manipulating an object of hers she calls the spinner.
Mr Cleat is involved in a fanciful society attempting to prove the existence of multiple worlds, and from there the story takes off.
The main charm in this story comes from its time setting. It is set around 1941 in this slightly different Dublin, and everything seems old-fashioned, from the importance of radio and newspapers, to the importance of getting up ridiculously early for breakfast!
Without going too much into spoiling the narrative, I really enjoyed the introduction of Thomas to the story and the friendship which develops between Tess and Thomas (as well as his pet, Moose).
The Star Spun Web is a wonderfully written adventure with the right amount of mystery, magic and twists thrown in, all making for a tightly-plotted and enjoyable story.
thatginger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the concept of the Star-Spun web. And it has really lovely friendships in it, which is always lovely. And I love that she has a pet spider.
I also adore Miss Ackerbee for being so matter of fact about it all! That made me laugh. It was so refreshing to have an adult figure it out and tell the main character rather than not believing them.
I feel there were a few unanswered questions, about things like why Violet and Moose are so special. Though I think a good few will be answered in a next book (it set up so beautifully I have to assume there is one!) about things like who the other people interested in the device are, and what happened with Tess’s parents. I really hope that this is picked up in a second book!
It’s also great to see Tess so concentrating on science, and I would have enjoyed a couple more scenes on that, showing all the things she was looking into and why or precious successes. Maybe this is because I’m a science nerd though 😂 I really liked her determination and focus, and her friendships that she makes along the way.
A very enjoyable read!
I really enjoyed the concept of the Star-Spun web. And it has really lovely friendships in it, which is always lovely. And I love that she has a pet spider.
I also adore Miss Ackerbee for being so matter of fact about it all! That made me laugh. It was so refreshing to have an adult figure it out and tell the main character rather than not believing them.
I feel there were a few unanswered questions, about things like why Violet and Moose are so special. Though I think a good few will be answered in a next book (it set up so beautifully I have to assume there is one!) about things like who the other people interested in the device are, and what happened with Tess’s parents. I really hope that this is picked up in a second book!
It’s also great to see Tess so concentrating on science, and I would have enjoyed a couple more scenes on that, showing all the things she was looking into and why or precious successes. Maybe this is because I’m a science nerd though 😂 I really liked her determination and focus, and her friendships that she makes along the way.
A very enjoyable read!
aomccourt's review against another edition
5.0
This was a delightful story. I loved the characters and the premise. The writing style reminded me of the Series of Unfortunate Events.