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bookbowerbird's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 Stars.
Lovely Spanish setting, lovely surrealism, & characters, but not quite enough plot/resolution? A little too surrealistic for me maybe. :)
Lovely Spanish setting, lovely surrealism, & characters, but not quite enough plot/resolution? A little too surrealistic for me maybe. :)
shanchat's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
textpublishing's review against another edition
5.0
‘There are lots of twists in this book and I never knew what was going to happen next…Recommended to anyone who likes magical adventure stories.’
Kookie Magazine
Leanne Hall has created a playful, imaginative world in Iris and the Tiger. From tennis-playing sunflowers to surrealist dinner parties, there is a lot to love here.
‘A surrealist mystery (what could be more intriguing than that?) and a fantastic journey through life, art and families. Wise, whimsical, delightfully original and altogether charming.’
Cassandra Golds
‘Reminiscent of Elizabeth Goudge’s classic The Little White Horse, full of mystery and an enchanting sense of elsewhere.’
Martine Murray
‘The surrealist magic is the most refreshing element of the book: it’s a kind of magical realism that is unusual in children’s and YA fantasy…Iris and the Tiger will appeal to older primary and younger high-school readers who like magic and are, like Iris, bored by teen romances.’
Books+Publishing
‘Iris and the Tiger has all the hallmarks of a classic children’s novel…A great adventure novel.’
Readings
‘Younger (and not-so-young) readers will delight in this marvellously original tale, with its clever plot and wealth of imaginative ideas…An utterly enchanting book.’
BookMooch
‘I absolutely loved Iris and the Tiger! Leanne Hall enchanted me with her tale of magic and mystery. It is a really unique and refreshing story with plenty of excitement to keep you reading. There is something in this book for everyone – art, magic, mystery and wonderful characters.’
My Best Friends Are Books
‘Leanne Hall’s charming adventure story for younger readers takes classic tropes of children’s literature and gives them a surprising twist.’
Age/Sydney Morning Herald
‘This is a compelling and totally absorbing book that has a timeless, classic feel about it…A wonderful, unique adventure story to read, cherish and remember.’
ReadPlus
‘Iris and the Tiger is its own piece of surrealist art…It resonates, and it offers you a glimpse into a new world. And it defies labels, and challenges preconceptions.’
CBCA Reading Time
‘This is a very special book, by a vibrant Australian author. I love that younger readers get to experience the writing of Leanne Hall, and I especially love that Iris and the Tiger will also surprise and delight older readers alike.’
Alpha Reader
‘Full of surprises and unexpected turnings.’
Magpies
‘Special, and confusing, wonderous and odd…A thoroughly enjoyable, perfectly strange book.’
Where the Writer Comes to Write
‘Enchanting…Bound to appeal to tweens glimpsing the excitement of growing up.’
Daily Telegraph
‘The writing flows so naturally that you are easily taken along on this journey with Iris…This is a book that just keeps giving.’
New Zealand Book Council
‘I loved the story and its anti-development perspective, while the magic of the forests and the mansion where Aunt Ursula lives is simply beguiling.’
ReadPlus
‘By balancing a thoroughly relatable central character in the middle of a see-saw of mind boggling absurdity and soul-crushing realism, Hall has created a novel that defies generic conventions.’
Stuff NZ
‘Readers will happily go along for the ride as Iris and Jordi combine method and adventure to solve these riddles. A quirky, cleareyed enchantment. More like this, please!’
Kirkus
‘This is a wonderful story of finding your true self (and true friends) in a foreign land.’
Readings, Best Middle Fiction of 2016
‘Inspired by surrealist art, Leanne Hall’s book is full of wondrous details…This is magic realism translated for a middle primary audience.’
Best Books of 2016, Sydney Morning Herald
‘Fantasy fans will delight in the wackiness, the surprising plot, and the family secrets revealed. Best of all is Iris’ growing confidence amid the chaos.’
Booklist
Read an interview with Leanne Hall: www.textpublishing.com.au/blog/a-q-and-a-with-leanne-hall
We also have teaching notes available: www.textpublishing.com.au/books/iris-and-the-tiger
Check out the warm and hilarious launch speech by Andrew McDonald at the Iris and the Tiger launch: http://mrandrewmcdonald.com/my-speech-from-the-launch-of-iris-and-the-tiger/
Kookie Magazine
Leanne Hall has created a playful, imaginative world in Iris and the Tiger. From tennis-playing sunflowers to surrealist dinner parties, there is a lot to love here.
‘A surrealist mystery (what could be more intriguing than that?) and a fantastic journey through life, art and families. Wise, whimsical, delightfully original and altogether charming.’
Cassandra Golds
‘Reminiscent of Elizabeth Goudge’s classic The Little White Horse, full of mystery and an enchanting sense of elsewhere.’
Martine Murray
‘The surrealist magic is the most refreshing element of the book: it’s a kind of magical realism that is unusual in children’s and YA fantasy…Iris and the Tiger will appeal to older primary and younger high-school readers who like magic and are, like Iris, bored by teen romances.’
Books+Publishing
‘Iris and the Tiger has all the hallmarks of a classic children’s novel…A great adventure novel.’
Readings
‘Younger (and not-so-young) readers will delight in this marvellously original tale, with its clever plot and wealth of imaginative ideas…An utterly enchanting book.’
BookMooch
‘I absolutely loved Iris and the Tiger! Leanne Hall enchanted me with her tale of magic and mystery. It is a really unique and refreshing story with plenty of excitement to keep you reading. There is something in this book for everyone – art, magic, mystery and wonderful characters.’
My Best Friends Are Books
‘Leanne Hall’s charming adventure story for younger readers takes classic tropes of children’s literature and gives them a surprising twist.’
Age/Sydney Morning Herald
‘This is a compelling and totally absorbing book that has a timeless, classic feel about it…A wonderful, unique adventure story to read, cherish and remember.’
ReadPlus
‘Iris and the Tiger is its own piece of surrealist art…It resonates, and it offers you a glimpse into a new world. And it defies labels, and challenges preconceptions.’
CBCA Reading Time
‘This is a very special book, by a vibrant Australian author. I love that younger readers get to experience the writing of Leanne Hall, and I especially love that Iris and the Tiger will also surprise and delight older readers alike.’
Alpha Reader
‘Full of surprises and unexpected turnings.’
Magpies
‘Special, and confusing, wonderous and odd…A thoroughly enjoyable, perfectly strange book.’
Where the Writer Comes to Write
‘Enchanting…Bound to appeal to tweens glimpsing the excitement of growing up.’
Daily Telegraph
‘The writing flows so naturally that you are easily taken along on this journey with Iris…This is a book that just keeps giving.’
New Zealand Book Council
‘I loved the story and its anti-development perspective, while the magic of the forests and the mansion where Aunt Ursula lives is simply beguiling.’
ReadPlus
‘By balancing a thoroughly relatable central character in the middle of a see-saw of mind boggling absurdity and soul-crushing realism, Hall has created a novel that defies generic conventions.’
Stuff NZ
‘Readers will happily go along for the ride as Iris and Jordi combine method and adventure to solve these riddles. A quirky, cleareyed enchantment. More like this, please!’
Kirkus
‘This is a wonderful story of finding your true self (and true friends) in a foreign land.’
Readings, Best Middle Fiction of 2016
‘Inspired by surrealist art, Leanne Hall’s book is full of wondrous details…This is magic realism translated for a middle primary audience.’
Best Books of 2016, Sydney Morning Herald
‘Fantasy fans will delight in the wackiness, the surprising plot, and the family secrets revealed. Best of all is Iris’ growing confidence amid the chaos.’
Booklist
Read an interview with Leanne Hall: www.textpublishing.com.au/blog/a-q-and-a-with-leanne-hall
We also have teaching notes available: www.textpublishing.com.au/books/iris-and-the-tiger
Check out the warm and hilarious launch speech by Andrew McDonald at the Iris and the Tiger launch: http://mrandrewmcdonald.com/my-speech-from-the-launch-of-iris-and-the-tiger/
melhara's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very whimsical and surreal middle-grade novel. While I'm not usually a fan of magical realism, there was a certain charm to the setting and magic that I think would definitely be appealing to younger audiences.
I think those who love Alice in Wonderland would also enjoy this strange, quirky, and imaginative novel.
I think those who love Alice in Wonderland would also enjoy this strange, quirky, and imaginative novel.
tamsinlucycp's review
5.0
Stunning, absolutely beautiful. Read this in an afternoon and would do it again.
emilyjmead's review against another edition
2.0
Iris and the Tiger is an MG kind of Wonderland-ish book.
And there were things that I loved about it.
For example, the surrealism. There’s all sorts of weird stuff happening and I absolutely love it. I especially loved the boots that merged into feet and walk you around. I could use a pair of them.
The idea that paintings can become real is SO COOL and something I’ve occasionally used in my own writing. I know next to nothing about paintings, but surrealism is definitely my favourite kind. Because, you know, it’s loony.
But apart from that part of the book, there wasn’t much else that I found intriguing.
The plot wasn’t very interesting, and Iris herself wasn’t particularly engaging. I found myself drifting and thinking about weird other stuff, like tigers.
Or irises.
THEN AGAIN, not all MG books were written with me in mind. I’m old and uncultured, clearly.
And there were things that I loved about it.
For example, the surrealism. There’s all sorts of weird stuff happening and I absolutely love it. I especially loved the boots that merged into feet and walk you around. I could use a pair of them.
The idea that paintings can become real is SO COOL and something I’ve occasionally used in my own writing. I know next to nothing about paintings, but surrealism is definitely my favourite kind. Because, you know, it’s loony.
But apart from that part of the book, there wasn’t much else that I found intriguing.
The plot wasn’t very interesting, and Iris herself wasn’t particularly engaging. I found myself drifting and thinking about weird other stuff, like tigers.
Or irises.
THEN AGAIN, not all MG books were written with me in mind. I’m old and uncultured, clearly.
missusb21's review against another edition
4.0
My review is now posted at Reading Time. I really enjoyed it.
maree_k's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this sweet and fun story aimed at readers around 10years plus. Iris, the main character, is fun and intriguing little girl. At home she finds she doesn't fit in at home or at school, but left to explore the grand estate of her eccentric great Aunt, Iris finds out how brave, smart and strong she is. Filled with magic, art, friendships, oddball characters and fun, this is an enchanting story with lots of adventure, a few scary moments and a few gentle life lessons. A great read for kids and adults who love reading kids' books.