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wrentheblurry's review
I made it to page 76, and that is only because my 10-year old son said to continue every time I asked if we could stop and read another book instead, and I asked about three times. Then my son found a used copy of the first in the Bartimaeus series (Amulet of Samarkand), and I offered to read that to him instead of Nightshade City. The fourth time took, and I could finally put this one down.
I never enjoyed the writing style. It's overly detailed, bogging everything down with a heavy feeling, even the happier, light-hearted scenes. Also, I don't think the font or size of the text has bothered me in a book before this one, but I really did not like it. It stretched out what was an unenjoyable experience, and was not so easy on the eyes.
I like the focus on the characters, that is done well. There is a great variety of types, and they all have strong, distinctive personalities. The storyline involves the 'good' rats banding together to get out from under the oppressive regime of the 'bad' rats. This worked for me, and is probably a main reason that my son selected it for us to read. Still, I thought the violence was a bit harsh in places, and I would hesitate to read it to younger children. Some themes may be difficult to take. On that note, I usually like when a title I am reading aloud to my sons contains challenging words. Sometimes I'll stop reading and just make sure they know what it means. They are bright kids, reading well above their grade level, but this book had way too many difficult words. If I continued to stop each time, the pacing of the story would've slowed too much. Perhaps this is better as a YA book instead of one in the children's section?
I see that plenty do enjoy this book, and that's fine. A few days after we started reading The Amulet of Samarkand instead of this title my son said to me "You know, I look forward to the times when we read the Bartimaeus book, and I think about it when we aren't reading. That never happened with Nightshade City." That is when I knew he finally realized that you do not have to finish every book you start, that there are many wonderful book experiences out there.
I never enjoyed the writing style. It's overly detailed, bogging everything down with a heavy feeling, even the happier, light-hearted scenes. Also, I don't think the font or size of the text has bothered me in a book before this one, but I really did not like it. It stretched out what was an unenjoyable experience, and was not so easy on the eyes.
I like the focus on the characters, that is done well. There is a great variety of types, and they all have strong, distinctive personalities. The storyline involves the 'good' rats banding together to get out from under the oppressive regime of the 'bad' rats. This worked for me, and is probably a main reason that my son selected it for us to read. Still, I thought the violence was a bit harsh in places, and I would hesitate to read it to younger children. Some themes may be difficult to take. On that note, I usually like when a title I am reading aloud to my sons contains challenging words. Sometimes I'll stop reading and just make sure they know what it means. They are bright kids, reading well above their grade level, but this book had way too many difficult words. If I continued to stop each time, the pacing of the story would've slowed too much. Perhaps this is better as a YA book instead of one in the children's section?
I see that plenty do enjoy this book, and that's fine. A few days after we started reading The Amulet of Samarkand instead of this title my son said to me "You know, I look forward to the times when we read the Bartimaeus book, and I think about it when we aren't reading. That never happened with Nightshade City." That is when I knew he finally realized that you do not have to finish every book you start, that there are many wonderful book experiences out there.
tannik03's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tfrohock's review
4.0
A super fantasy for young people, Nightshade City has it all: adventure, bad guys, and really cool rats that you will love. Booklove review coming soon!
hellohihunter's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
3.5
this book was clearly meant for children, but i’m giving it 3.5 stars because it was fun and i would’ve been obsessed as a child.
ketutar's review
4.0
A fascinating little tale. I liked it and plan on reading the sequel.
There are thing that irritate me, like how the author has changed rats to fit her story, instead of fitting the story to how rats are and function. The ages were difficult to follow... I really don't know how old these rats are supposed to be; in rat years or human year.
I'm also not quite happy with the story. A bit... too... easy, perhaps? Written for young children. On the other hand, it is written for young children, so being too easy isn't a bad thing. I'm sure I would have loved it if I was 40 years younger :-D
I also like the nod to [b:Watership Down|76620|Watership Down (Watership Down, #1)|Richard Adams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405136931s/76620.jpg|1357456]
I don't like how females were brushed aside. I mean, they had been working on this new city for years, and had - or should have had - important female rats among the leadership, but they aren't mentioned, nor do they get any influence in the new city leadership. The only females in the new leadership are there due to nepotism.
Also, females are only interested in cooking, clothes and babies.
I was really hoping Clover to be more important.
There are thing that irritate me, like how the author has changed rats to fit her story, instead of fitting the story to how rats are and function. The ages were difficult to follow... I really don't know how old these rats are supposed to be; in rat years or human year.
I'm also not quite happy with the story. A bit... too... easy, perhaps? Written for young children. On the other hand, it is written for young children, so being too easy isn't a bad thing. I'm sure I would have loved it if I was 40 years younger :-D
I also like the nod to [b:Watership Down|76620|Watership Down (Watership Down, #1)|Richard Adams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1405136931s/76620.jpg|1357456]
I don't like how females were brushed aside. I mean, they had been working on this new city for years, and had - or should have had - important female rats among the leadership, but they aren't mentioned, nor do they get any influence in the new city leadership. The only females in the new leadership are there due to nepotism.
Also, females are only interested in cooking, clothes and babies.
I was really hoping Clover to be more important.
baranchi's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Slavery
mouseinmypocket's review
5.0
I quite enjoyed this book. It was a lovely little read that I would recommend for anyone who has enjoyed "The Secret of NIHM."
noahthequeer's review
2.0
I didn't feel attached to the characters, the good guys seemed all too perfect and the bad guys were all too evil. The only sympathy built towards the evil second-in-command was stilted and brief. There was a lot of fatphobia and ableism. The Evil Minister in charge is described repeatedly as disgustingly obese as is another of the evil rats. The aforementioned second-in-command is physically deformed and is hinted at being mentally ill as a result of being experimented on as a lab rat, testing anti-depression medication.
Also, the setting feels vaguely British, and the only rat with an 'exotic-sounding' name, Jazeer, is a traitor to the cause. (Although Spoiler he is revealed to have not been a traitor).
There doesn't feel like there's much tension in the book, and everything is straightforward, everything is exactly as the good guys say it is. I know that the author was setting this up for a sequel, and this might not actually be the case, but this book doesn't make me want to read on to find out. There should have been some sort of twist in the first book as well.
It wasn't horrid, but I didn't get anything out of it.
Also, the setting feels vaguely British, and the only rat with an 'exotic-sounding' name, Jazeer, is a traitor to the cause. (Although Spoiler he is revealed to have not been a traitor).
There doesn't feel like there's much tension in the book, and everything is straightforward, everything is exactly as the good guys say it is. I know that the author was setting this up for a sequel, and this might not actually be the case, but this book doesn't make me want to read on to find out. There should have been some sort of twist in the first book as well.
It wasn't horrid, but I didn't get anything out of it.