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tatterededges's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book as part of my bookclub. We wanted to read something that we could read with our children.
Generally, I enjoyed this book. It was a nice whimsical tale about a fractured family that finds it's way back together. Super easy to read and at times, really engaging and difficult to put down, though I had to keep reminding myself that this is YA fiction and intended for a much younger audience than I.
That said there was a lot about the book that was pure BS. The parents knocking off to NZ with one out of three kids? The Aunt heading off to Sydney for the weekend and leaving the other two on their own. The Old folks home letting two kids walk out with a resident, the other aunt just letting them leave without informing anybody because she didn't want the family to know she was at an Ashram all had me rolling my eyes and scoffing 'as if'. There was more but you get the idea.
The older sister Tash, really needed a good hard slap. She was completely unlikeable and I didn't really understand why everyone, the adults especially, just pandered to her and let her carry on the way she did. Pregnant Pip is a good example. If a 14-year-old turned up on my doorstep with my father looking grey and needing medical attention while started telling me what to do, she'd find out pretty damn quick who was in charge.
But you know, Nan's magic or some such.
Speaking of Nan's magic. I really liked this idea and I wish it had of been fleshed out with a bit more guts to it than just Clancy seeing signs everywhere. Finding themselves in the bookshop, the moon and the books felt like it had more substance to it than most of the rest of the "signs".
The made-up suburb names drove me nuts especially since the book was littered with actual suburbs and icons too. It seemed bizarre to talk about Southerncross station and flinders lane and then make up an entire suburb. Why base the book in Melbourne at all? Just make up a city.
A very easy to read book that was generally an enjoyable read with a lovely ending. Suited for younger audience around the 9-12 age bracket.
Generally, I enjoyed this book. It was a nice whimsical tale about a fractured family that finds it's way back together. Super easy to read and at times, really engaging and difficult to put down, though I had to keep reminding myself that this is YA fiction and intended for a much younger audience than I.
That said there was a lot about the book that was pure BS. The parents knocking off to NZ with one out of three kids? The Aunt heading off to Sydney for the weekend and leaving the other two on their own. The Old folks home letting two kids walk out with a resident, the other aunt just letting them leave without informing anybody because she didn't want the family to know she was at an Ashram all had me rolling my eyes and scoffing 'as if'. There was more but you get the idea.
The older sister Tash, really needed a good hard slap. She was completely unlikeable and I didn't really understand why everyone, the adults especially, just pandered to her and let her carry on the way she did. Pregnant Pip is a good example. If a 14-year-old turned up on my doorstep with my father looking grey and needing medical attention while started telling me what to do, she'd find out pretty damn quick who was in charge.
But you know, Nan's magic or some such.
Speaking of Nan's magic. I really liked this idea and I wish it had of been fleshed out with a bit more guts to it than just Clancy seeing signs everywhere. Finding themselves in the bookshop, the moon and the books felt like it had more substance to it than most of the rest of the "signs".
The made-up suburb names drove me nuts especially since the book was littered with actual suburbs and icons too. It seemed bizarre to talk about Southerncross station and flinders lane and then make up an entire suburb. Why base the book in Melbourne at all? Just make up a city.
A very easy to read book that was generally an enjoyable read with a lovely ending. Suited for younger audience around the 9-12 age bracket.
tanja_t's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
nedge's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.0
roxyc's review against another edition
5.0
Tash and Clancy go to visit their beloved grandpa in his care facility. Wheelchair bound and suffering with Aphasia he is only able to say a few words like Yes, No and Bugger! With the help of a mystery cat, and possibly the ghost of grandma, they end up leaving the care facility and embarking on an epic adventure. This book is absolutely delightful. So visual and engaging. I could picture it all so easily and I hope that someone makes this into a film one day. I love that the story is threaded with magic and astronomy, with Clancy always looking for signs to set them on the right course. I am so happy to see more racial diversity making its way into books these days, especially as leading characters. It is refreshing, and a much more realistic portrayal of the world we live in. The relationship between the sisters is tense, but also fierce with love. They are resourceful, and the tenderness and love for their Pa is heartfelt. I love the outcome with Rosella. There is honestly so much to love about this book. Highly recommended for anyone that enjoys middle-grade fiction and lovely family centered stories. Completely adorable book.
melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings: racism, death of a grandparent (in the past).
I was somewhat hesitant going into this because Crow Country is.......yeah. Not my favourite thing in the world. But this? This was WONDERFUL. I found myself utterly absorbed in it and I read like 70% of it in an hour.
Clancy is a delightful protagonist, and I loved how strong the relationship is between the girls and their grandfather. The fabulism elements of the story were fantastic, and I really enjoyed all the secondary characters that pop in and out of the story. The adventure side of things, journeying all over Melbourne and various places in country Victoria, was great. And I loved the way that Clancy's love of astronomy flows throughout the story.
There are also some very interesting discussions of the fact that Clancy and Tash are biracial and that their grandfather is white and the instant suspicion that people have when they see two kids with Asian heritage pushing an old white dude around.
So yeah, on the whole, this was fantastic and I flew through it. Plus, that cover is GLORIOUS.
I was somewhat hesitant going into this because Crow Country is.......yeah. Not my favourite thing in the world. But this? This was WONDERFUL. I found myself utterly absorbed in it and I read like 70% of it in an hour.
Clancy is a delightful protagonist, and I loved how strong the relationship is between the girls and their grandfather. The fabulism elements of the story were fantastic, and I really enjoyed all the secondary characters that pop in and out of the story. The adventure side of things, journeying all over Melbourne and various places in country Victoria, was great. And I loved the way that Clancy's love of astronomy flows throughout the story.
There are also some very interesting discussions of the fact that Clancy and Tash are biracial and that their grandfather is white and the instant suspicion that people have when they see two kids with Asian heritage pushing an old white dude around.
So yeah, on the whole, this was fantastic and I flew through it. Plus, that cover is GLORIOUS.
ayereads's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet and wholesome book, although at times stupid, unbelievable and frustrating. I do wish the 'magical realism' element was explored more.
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