Reviews

Dragon Curse by Lisa McMann

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_aoibheann_'s review

adventurous emotional funny 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

3.0

~ Another Great Installment! ~

Loved seeing all the pieces start to come together!! We’re now really getting a sense of stakes for everything!!
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Loved Thisbe’s actions in this book and her developing relationship with the others!! The setting up of Freida Stubbs and the Dissenters was amazing too!!
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Onwards to the next one!!
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lydiastorytime's review

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4.0

Positives: beautiful magical world with unique magical creatures. Loving found family. Mischievous twin girls with strong unruly magical abilities.
Best bits: Thisbe and Rohan being adorable. A masquerade. Fox and kitten. Kailys fist fight.

Negatives: Lack of parental guidance or appropriate adult child relationships. Inappropriately heavy leadership decisions laid on children. Idiotic adults and immature child leaders.

Triggers for sensitive minds

Physically violence: inhuman treatment of prisoners human and animal, cruel tyranny, slavery (work based), illness from hunger and dehydration, civil war, description of wounds, forced drinking of magical broth that causes physical changes, isolation, various forms of coercion, fighting to escape and to rescue with some lethal force used, mind control via magical animal instincts, weaponized fire, smoke inhalation.

Emotional pain: loss and grief of loved one, fear of death and imprisonment, abandonment, coercion, inappropriately heavy leadership decisions laid on children.

ccpprrjj's review

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adventurous emotional tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

This one was definitely better than the previous one. There was more action and interesting character/plot developments. It wasn't just a bunch of characters camping for 200 pages. And we got to spend more time in Artime, which definitely helped. Like I've done for the past couple of books, I'll talk a bit about each of the major storylines.

Thisbe/Grimere Storyline:
I really love Thisbe. She's put in situations that drag her away from the home she grew up in and the people who raised her, which allows her to stretch and grow as a character. I also love seeing her interactions with Rohan. They're just so sweet and cute together. They have completely opposite demeanors but shared goals and interests

(e.g. Rohan is also a great actor).

The second half of the book, which mostly focused on Thisbe's adventures in Grimere, did drag a little bit. I really wanted to spend more time checking in on Artime, but I understand the narrative choice not to. I also really appreciated Thisbe and Aaron's relationship. They're quite different (Aaron's much quieter than Thisbe, for one thing), but they get along so well. And Thisbe's relationship with Sky is great, too. It makes sense that they'd be close after what they went through in Grimere, and Sky is just such a soothing presence for both Thisbe and Fifer (and honestly all the Stowe siblings).

Fifer/Aaron/Artime Storyline:
Speaking of the other Stowe siblings, lets talk about the others. I really appreciate the choice to make Artime

politically unstable in this book. I feel like it's been such a consistently good place, filed with good people that it was interesting to see a different side of it in this book. It makes me sad, but it's a good plot point. And it calls back to when Fifer and Thisbe were told earlier in the series (maybe book one?) that places/people are always changing for the worse/better and then were asked which way Artime was changing. This book answered that question: worse.

I also feel so bad for Aaron in this book. Honestly the past two books have been rough for him. Poor guy just wants to go chill on the Island of Shipwrecks with his family but he can't. I'm am a little annoyed at him for making the choice to

give up the robe, especially in the way that he did it. But it's an in character choice and also shows character development, so I'm not really mad at him. He's just an idiot (it runs in the family).

And the scene where all the various rescue parties reunited was so sweet. Aaron finally getting to see the rest of his family again, Crow getting reunited with Sky (and Scarlet), and Thatcher's reunion with Henry and their kids were all so cute and heart-wrenching. I loved getting to spend more time in Artime. However, Fifer in this book was a little unbearable. I understand that she's written in a way where we're supposed to find her annoying, but she just doesn't have enough redeeming characteristics for me to root her her. Her fights with Thisbe seemed so petty and she's so self-centered. She needs to have a lot of character development in the next couple of books for me to actually like her as a protagonist.

Anyways, looking forward to the next book and seeing the unfolding drama in Artime.

yapha's review

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3.0

Excellent continuation of the story. For fans of the series. Must read in order, starting with the original Unwanteds series. For grades 4 & up.

shoelessgirl's review

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2.0

2.5 stars. Good continuation of the series

marcel's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad fast-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rohan stans keep winning

yujahey's review

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3.0

Okay, so it's a cute book with ships sailing and hearts broken. I like the new Thisbe, she's more wild and rebellious in a good way. She still thinks about all those she loves and acts upon her instincts of protecting her only family after Alex's death (very sad). Fifer is getting kinda annoying, I don't like how she wished she's still in command when her leadership had to lead them to more disaster. Honestly why host a party after a stroke of luck. It's not any better that she's lashing out all her feelings on those around her. Sky is just so sweet and considerate of Fifer and everyone, but Aaron shouldn't have let go of his cape and leadership of Artemis. The people under his rule are just stupid of all his struggles to become a better person. Looking forward to the next book!

connon's review

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3.0

Första halvan var riktigt seg och jag fick typ pina mig igenom den. Det känns som att många av de vuxna karaktärerna är som en 13-åring önskar att vuxna människor ska vara, och inte hur de faktiskt är. Som (iaf till åldern, mognadsmässigt kan vi diskutera) vuxen är det ofta ganska provocerande. Jag är också lite förvånad övar att den inte slutar i en massiv cliffhanger som verkar vara lite av Lisas stil.