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Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'
The Curse of the Gloamglozer by Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell
1 review
blakethebookeater's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Huge thanks to Gavin from How to Train Your Gavin for opening up a portal in my mind and reminding me that these books exist. Because let me tell you, these books were probably the MOST influential series to me that I read (besides Goosebumps and Percy Jackson) while growing up.
Now this book is slightly weird because it's a prequel to the Twig Saga (which I read first because it came out first) but it's now recommended as the start to the Edge Chronicles, which now spans THIRTEEN books.
The Edge is a basically an entire world on this massive cliff. The Deepwoods (where Twig's story begins) is more inland, and towards the edge of the Edge, a massive floating city hangs in the sky: Sanctaphrax, where our story takes place.
This being my first read of this series in well over a decade, I wanted to see if it would be a good entry point for new readers, and since I had forgotten most everything, I was basically a new reader.
...and it was AWESOME!
We open with a sky pirate battle (ships utilizing the floating rocks of the same kind that supports Sanctaphrax--yes this world building is so damn cool)!!!! Apparently this was a separate short story that was later added in to this edition, but it's so seamless and I think it's the perfect intro to the zany, wild world.
Quint is the son of the Wind Jackal and he wants to be a sky pirate like his dad, but after his father is summoned by the Most High Academe of Sanctaphrax, Linius, they head to the city. And Quint is made Linius's apprentice. Most of the book follows Quint learning things about the city (and the various backstabbing and cutthroat nature of its scholars) and also befriending Linius' daughter Maris. They don't get along at first, but the way their relationship develops is touching.
The main plot of this novel kicks in when Quint and Maris discover that Linius is keeping a secret deep in the heart of the stone that supports Sanctaphrax, and they head to investigate.
I loved these characters and their adventures so much, and something that surprised me the most was HOW DARK THIS BOOK IS. This is a MIDDLE GRADE novel, where people die (onscreen), most of the main character's family was killed in a fire (which is remembered by Quint in fairly gruesome detail), and also MONSTERS THAT SUCK THE MEMORIES OUT OF YOU UNTIL YOU DIE.
So yes, I loved this series as a kid because it wasn't condescending and yes it may have given me nightmares because of the pictures when I was younger, but adult me just loved that stuff. I am so so excited to read the rest of this series now. Definitely going to be bingeing them all so watch out for that!
Go read this series <3
Now this book is slightly weird because it's a prequel to the Twig Saga (which I read first because it came out first) but it's now recommended as the start to the Edge Chronicles, which now spans THIRTEEN books.
The Edge is a basically an entire world on this massive cliff. The Deepwoods (where Twig's story begins) is more inland, and towards the edge of the Edge, a massive floating city hangs in the sky: Sanctaphrax, where our story takes place.
This being my first read of this series in well over a decade, I wanted to see if it would be a good entry point for new readers, and since I had forgotten most everything, I was basically a new reader.
...and it was AWESOME!
We open with a sky pirate battle (ships utilizing the floating rocks of the same kind that supports Sanctaphrax--yes this world building is so damn cool)!!!! Apparently this was a separate short story that was later added in to this edition, but it's so seamless and I think it's the perfect intro to the zany, wild world.
Quint is the son of the Wind Jackal and he wants to be a sky pirate like his dad, but after his father is summoned by the Most High Academe of Sanctaphrax, Linius, they head to the city. And Quint is made Linius's apprentice. Most of the book follows Quint learning things about the city (and the various backstabbing and cutthroat nature of its scholars) and also befriending Linius' daughter Maris. They don't get along at first, but the way their relationship develops is touching.
The main plot of this novel kicks in when Quint and Maris discover that Linius is keeping a secret deep in the heart of the stone that supports Sanctaphrax, and they head to investigate.
I loved these characters and their adventures so much, and something that surprised me the most was HOW DARK THIS BOOK IS. This is a MIDDLE GRADE novel, where people die (onscreen), most of the main character's family was killed in a fire (which is remembered by Quint in fairly gruesome detail), and also MONSTERS THAT SUCK THE MEMORIES OUT OF YOU UNTIL YOU DIE.
So yes, I loved this series as a kid because it wasn't condescending and yes it may have given me nightmares because of the pictures when I was younger, but adult me just loved that stuff. I am so so excited to read the rest of this series now. Definitely going to be bingeing them all so watch out for that!
Go read this series <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Slavery
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