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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Really liked this one. Could have used more exploration of death and dying given the subject matter, but the themes of burnout and the pressures of a sexist and ableist society worked well too. Lovely to see burgeoning romances with Oliver and Alice (though with separate people), though I don't think I'll ever get over the idea of a boy with spiders in his blood.
adventurous
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Gostei muuuuito da continuação de Além da Magia. Muito fofinho ver o Oliver apaixonado e a Alice me fez rir, assim como no primeiro livro.
CHECK OUT MY FULL REVIEW HERE
After loving Furthermore (which you can check out here) so much I immediately picked up Whichwood. Can we just talk about how gorgeous the cover is? I loved the Furthermore cover but I think I love this one even more.
After reading the first book, I expected this one to be just as bright and whimsical but this one is a lot colder and darker. I actually found this one to be less middle-grade and more young adult with the themes it explores. I would recommend reading Furthermore before starting Whichwood. Despite our main character being Laylee, there are still appearances from Alice and Oliver as well as references to the first book.
This novel has been out for a little while now and I definitely recommend picking it up along with Furthermore. I plan on picking up a finished copy as soon as I can to add to my collection!
From the beautiful cover, to the magical writing; Tahereh Mafi is a fantastic writer who creates magical and whimsical worlds and I highly recommend you check these books out. Readers who loved Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz will love these books.
After loving Furthermore (which you can check out here) so much I immediately picked up Whichwood. Can we just talk about how gorgeous the cover is? I loved the Furthermore cover but I think I love this one even more.
After reading the first book, I expected this one to be just as bright and whimsical but this one is a lot colder and darker. I actually found this one to be less middle-grade and more young adult with the themes it explores. I would recommend reading Furthermore before starting Whichwood. Despite our main character being Laylee, there are still appearances from Alice and Oliver as well as references to the first book.
This novel has been out for a little while now and I definitely recommend picking it up along with Furthermore. I plan on picking up a finished copy as soon as I can to add to my collection!
From the beautiful cover, to the magical writing; Tahereh Mafi is a fantastic writer who creates magical and whimsical worlds and I highly recommend you check these books out. Readers who loved Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz will love these books.
Please keep in mind I write my reviews from the perspective of an adult, but I genuinely enjoy reading YA, Teen and Middle School books. Whichwood is a companion novel to Furthermore, and while there are some of the same characters, you don't have to read Furthermore first.
This is the first Tahereh Mafi I've read (I know, don't @ me) and I'm completely enchanted by her powers of description. Her language is lush and lyrical but still focused. She describes as snow storm: "Infant snow drifted down in gentle whorls, flakes as large as pancakes glinting silver as they fell. Shaggy trees wore white leaves and moonlight glimmered across a glassy lake. The night was soft and all was slow and snow had hushed the earth into a deep, sound slumber and oh, winter was fast approaching." I don't know about you, but that makes me want to cuddle up in front of a fireplace with a hot cocoa. And this description extends beyond the physical to the emotions of our characters. And Bronson Pinchot reading the audiobook is a perfect match, with the voice of the narrator low and soothing.
Mafi's setting is a chaotic kaleidoscope of strange magics with a Persian flair. Our heroine, Laylee, is a mordeshoor--a job title which comes from Iran--a washer of the dead. Being 13 and abandoned by her father, and undervalued by the citizens of Whichwood, she is overcome by bodies and under-supplied with funds for food or firewood. Laylee and her friends visit the city for Yalda, where Mafi's description of food and magical pomegranate seeds falling from the sky like rubies is a magic of its own kind.
The main theme of Whichwood is "the power of friendship" (and yes, it feels like it should be in quotes like that). And this is where I feel like the book could have used some additional work. Mafi adds artificial hurdles and some repetitive bits to show how low Laylee is and how her friends are committed to helping her. Even though this book is aimed at the middle school audience, I feel like this may be a bit oversimplified for even that age group. If you have an advanced elementary reader, this may be a perfect book to share with them. It has some kinda creepy bits, to keep them interested but not enough to cause nightmares. Overall a cute read.
This is the first Tahereh Mafi I've read (I know, don't @ me) and I'm completely enchanted by her powers of description. Her language is lush and lyrical but still focused. She describes as snow storm: "Infant snow drifted down in gentle whorls, flakes as large as pancakes glinting silver as they fell. Shaggy trees wore white leaves and moonlight glimmered across a glassy lake. The night was soft and all was slow and snow had hushed the earth into a deep, sound slumber and oh, winter was fast approaching." I don't know about you, but that makes me want to cuddle up in front of a fireplace with a hot cocoa. And this description extends beyond the physical to the emotions of our characters. And Bronson Pinchot reading the audiobook is a perfect match, with the voice of the narrator low and soothing.
Mafi's setting is a chaotic kaleidoscope of strange magics with a Persian flair. Our heroine, Laylee, is a mordeshoor--a job title which comes from Iran--a washer of the dead. Being 13 and abandoned by her father, and undervalued by the citizens of Whichwood, she is overcome by bodies and under-supplied with funds for food or firewood. Laylee and her friends visit the city for Yalda, where Mafi's description of food and magical pomegranate seeds falling from the sky like rubies is a magic of its own kind.
The main theme of Whichwood is "the power of friendship" (and yes, it feels like it should be in quotes like that). And this is where I feel like the book could have used some additional work. Mafi adds artificial hurdles and some repetitive bits to show how low Laylee is and how her friends are committed to helping her. Even though this book is aimed at the middle school audience, I feel like this may be a bit oversimplified for even that age group. If you have an advanced elementary reader, this may be a perfect book to share with them. It has some kinda creepy bits, to keep them interested but not enough to cause nightmares. Overall a cute read.
Another great read in the Furthermore series! This is a ‘young reader’ read that can be enjoyed at any age. It’s beautifully written and can cater to anyone. I love authors that make young reader books but still include mature themes and words. I think, sometimes, authors will really baby down stories in a certain age group and they become grossly immature. I love a young read that can put many YA books to shame.
Not sure if it’s been said, but I’m curious if Tahereh Mafi will build any more worlds. If so, I’m here for it :]
Not sure if it’s been said, but I’m curious if Tahereh Mafi will build any more worlds. If so, I’m here for it :]