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mikime's review against another edition
3.0
I found this slightly less fun and thought-provoking than Winterson's previous novel for kids, Tanglewreck, which is also - surprisingly and happily - connected to this one. Lots of stuff in this, weird creatures, magic, good people, bad people, bad people turning good, stuff of legends and fairytales along with everyday stuff, and a suitable moral and happy ending... Not as fascinating as I hoped though. Not for me at least. Recommended for kids, though.
dlberglund's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't realize that this was a companion novel to Tanglewreck. I read that back in 2006, and had a difficult time pulling up the connections. It was good as a stand-alone, but would have been better if I could remember the crossovers.
daisyb's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Battle of the Sun was an intense palate cleanser after War & Peace! I raced through it (it’s for children) but it was very enjoyable, a simple plot in an ever-compelling setting (London 1601) with any and all gaps coloured in by fantastical imagery. Slathering demons and darting schooners and flower boys and cloud towers and carved bed posts but multiply those so that they all appear in great onrushes to populate the city which is itself growing, made of living wood. I think she had a lot of fun writing this.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
2.0
Jeanette Winterson is one of my all-time favorite authors, and I was pretty excited about parts of this book: alchemy, medieval London, the way it feels like a bedtime story, where fantastical things happen, and even the narrator doesn't know what to expect. But eventually that trope stopped working for me, and then the book lead back to characters from the dread Tanglewreck book, and I just... got tired of reading it. If you liked Tanglewreck (and someone must have), then I think you will like this too.
danamsbrown's review against another edition
4.0
Harry Potter reloaded.
A very interesting read by Jeanette. Lyrical as ever.
A very interesting read by Jeanette. Lyrical as ever.
singinglight's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one! I did not realize it’s by the author of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit until well after I read it. I think that would have changed my expectations somewhat going in. It’s slightly weird, but also lovely. And historical fantasy, which is always okay with me.
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