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lattelibrarian's review
4.0
I read this series when I was much younger and thought that I may as well give it another go! Usually with series--especially fantasy series--there's a scene or two that really sticks out to me and makes me want to reread it, to see if it still holds up. The scene I remembered was the imprisonment Pervis, the city's chief of police--he's frequently drunk, and upon his imprisonment he has a nasty hangover involving a bucket and a couple pauses to vomit. As a kid who hated vomit more than anything, this was nightmare fuel. But as an adult, I mean...been there, minus the imprisonment.
Reading this as a child and then an adult was utterly fascinating. Alexa is so young, Pervis is nowhere as old as I thought he was, and oh my god, how is Alexa not traumatized by Warvold just flat out dying next to her? That being said, these differences made, well, all the difference, and certainly made for a nostalgic and fun re-reading experience.
When Alexa Daley goes to Bridewell with her father, as is tradition every summer, she uses her free to time to try to continue to find a way outside of a wall. But this year, the city's founder has died, she's learning more about engraved jewels, and discovers the magic that's lurking in the hills. What could possibly go wrong? What history is true, and what hasn't been discovered yet?
As Alexa attempts to put all the pieces together, she realizes that time is running out, as there's an infiltrator in the town of Bridewell who is about to unleash a fury of angry convicts, threatening to destroy everything she and the townspeople have known and loved.
Overall, I truly enjoyed rereading it. With talking animals, councils, and inner-city politics, there's certainly a lot to love. It was a fun romp as an adult, but I'd certainly recommend this to children who don't mind mystery and fantasy intertwined, and who appreciate a slow burn.
Review cross-listed here!
Reading this as a child and then an adult was utterly fascinating. Alexa is so young, Pervis is nowhere as old as I thought he was, and oh my god, how is Alexa not traumatized by Warvold just flat out dying next to her? That being said, these differences made, well, all the difference, and certainly made for a nostalgic and fun re-reading experience.
When Alexa Daley goes to Bridewell with her father, as is tradition every summer, she uses her free to time to try to continue to find a way outside of a wall. But this year, the city's founder has died, she's learning more about engraved jewels, and discovers the magic that's lurking in the hills. What could possibly go wrong? What history is true, and what hasn't been discovered yet?
As Alexa attempts to put all the pieces together, she realizes that time is running out, as there's an infiltrator in the town of Bridewell who is about to unleash a fury of angry convicts, threatening to destroy everything she and the townspeople have known and loved.
Overall, I truly enjoyed rereading it. With talking animals, councils, and inner-city politics, there's certainly a lot to love. It was a fun romp as an adult, but I'd certainly recommend this to children who don't mind mystery and fantasy intertwined, and who appreciate a slow burn.
Review cross-listed here!
isylyaeleni's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sydneyzaruba's review
3.0
Great for younger readers who enjoy fantasy and a strong young protagonist.
amyinthewind's review
2.0
I didn't find this story particularly believable. I didn't believe whatever reason the founder of the city had for building the walls in the first place, nor that he (or his wife) would hide secret and complicated clues about the possible destruction of the city rather than just ousting the criminal outright. Supposedly Warvold wasn't sure about the danger until the day he died, yet his wife made a jocosta and a spyglass identifying the traitor long before her own death.
It's hard to believe that the animals would participate to such an extent to save the city when they have no real personal stake in the city as it stands. They've been living with the criminals already, and they have no promise from anyone that the walls will come down so they can pass freely once the skirmish is over.
Even so, I kept reading because I wanted to know the identity of the traitor, and I wanted to know how they would save the city.
It's hard to believe that the animals would participate to such an extent to save the city when they have no real personal stake in the city as it stands. They've been living with the criminals already, and they have no promise from anyone that the walls will come down so they can pass freely once the skirmish is over.
Even so, I kept reading because I wanted to know the identity of the traitor, and I wanted to know how they would save the city.
bookgirl4ever's review
3.0
Alexa is a curious young girl who aches to explore outside the walls surrounding the local cities. Her desire is unexpectedly granted and so begins a great adventure.
Not the best fantasy for kids but good enough to want to read all the books in the series.
Not the best fantasy for kids but good enough to want to read all the books in the series.
empatheditor's review
5.0
I LOVE these books. Filled with adventure that pulled me in at the carriage race! Alexa is the ultimate heroine. You go, girl! Makes my top ten list of most respected authors-- Patrick Carmen's work is amazingly fantastical!
lilacflower's review
3.0
I went back to reread this series after enjoying it a lot as a kid, still entertaining enough to keep my attention but all the events seem really rushed and there is very little climax or challenge. Things seem to just fall into the main character’s lap, and there isn’t a lot she has control over. That being said the thing I love most about this book is her relationship with the men in her world. She has so many men that genuinely care about her, and as someone who has daddy issues that was very lovely to see.
_eliza's review
5.0
I really liked this book. Everything from the cover art, to the tattered-edge pages, to the wonderfully created story. I'm just sad that one of my students decided to keep the durned book when she borrowed it! I want to reread it before I reread the 2nd and 3rd books.