A true, and pretty engrossing YA mystery. And also, pretty disturbing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Stars
To be honest, I didn’t have too high hopes for this book. But it A true, and pretty engrossing YA mystery. And also, pretty disturbing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Stars
To be honest, I didn’t have too high hopes for this book. But it isn’t too bad! Although I didn’t enjoy the YA aspects, the mystery was captivating and the plot twist truly took me by surprise. There was a slow start but it did get more interesting. I wished there was more character development, though, but I did get to know all of the Naturals well. Besides that, I also didn’t feel any connections with the main character, Cassie.
But it was an okay book. Not the best, but not the worst either.
P.S. The best part was discussing it with the most amazing buddy, Miss Who! :)...more
This book was fun while it lasted, but now I can't seem to remember most of it- I really related to Tori, though, with her love of writing and imaginaThis book was fun while it lasted, but now I can't seem to remember most of it- I really related to Tori, though, with her love of writing and imagination :D
4 / 5 stars! Read in one sitting & on my birthday!...more
Is this the most cliche fairytale, cross-dimension book ever? Perhaps. But do I totally fall for it? Absolutely!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐/ 5 Stars
This book is honestly Is this the most cliche fairytale, cross-dimension book ever? Perhaps. But do I totally fall for it? Absolutely!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐/ 5 Stars
This book is honestly another Land of Stories. And wow, this book is really like my really unoriginal daydreams. But I guess I am a target audience.
This book was truthfully, really slow. And a hundred percent predictable. But I was glued to the pages and flew through it.
This book had a really stereotypical—and thus really relatable (see the pattern here? I think I do- Haha!)—main character. Filomena Jefferson-Cho, who is bullied and an outcast at school, **lost her best friend to a group of bullies (who turned out to be ogres),** addicted to a book series, witty and clever, and also a daydreamer. And, of course, fairytale characters such as Jack, Ali Baba, and Gretel, who make up a pleasant group of friends.
As far as the plot, it wasn’t too interesting. But it didn’t really matter—I really enjoyed getting to know other characters and learning tropes that are really common in middle grade fantasy. Hopefully I can even pick out my favorites and apply them to my own writing!
Overall, not bad! This book took me by surprise one time and sometimes it was really realistic. I honestly believe this book could happen in real life… If it didn’t already happen. ;)) ...more
Well, there’s no questioning now. Yet another popular “treasure” of a YA book is proven… not so treasure-y. At lOh dear. That wasn’t so great, was it?
Well, there’s no questioning now. Yet another popular “treasure” of a YA book is proven… not so treasure-y. At least not to me.
I am really surprised, because two things; a) it’s rated highly, also by people who have similar taste as me, and b) it’s pretty unique. At least that was what it seemed like.
The writing was beautiful—let’s say that. The character voice for each muti-POV chapter was done perfectly, and the prose was just as satisfying to read. It floats off the page, but it’s nothing too spectacular. But for me, writing isn’t the most important thing.
Because the author’s got to entertain me! I need unique, three dimensional characters, and a unique, fast-paced, and valuable plot. After all, life is too short for bad books. And it might not be for anyone else, but this book kind of could fit into the category of “bad”.
And that’s because I didn’t particularly get what I was looking for. You see, the characters are pretty much cliché, and they lack humanity. Reading this book, all the characters felt so two dimensional, and I could see the author's hard work, but it didn't work for me. They have their desires, fears, all that jazz, but they lack the reason why. And more, they don’t move the story. The story moves them. They have no choice in what to do, and what not to do.
But the plot could be good, and it could be a four star, right? Well, sorry to disappoint, but of course, it wasn’t a four star, and I think you all know the reason by now. Yup—plot. What I was promised was a fast-paced, unique, and entertaining plot, but instead, I got a plot that lacks reason and meaning. It did not include anything that made me really care for the characters and the story, and, I’ve got to admit—it’s a total cliché. From the forced magical quest, to the absent parents, to the magic who everyone despises and is trying to get rid off.
The setting was good. It reflected strongly on Nigerian culture, and was an aspect that did teach me, and was valuable. It was kind of a savior to the plot and characters, making them more distinctive. But the setting could only do so much, and it wasn’t the strongest aspect. Moreover, it makes the book more cliché, in a way, because it’s just the old tropes and a new culture that changes bits and pieces, but doesn’t matter in the end.
It wasn’t the worst, but it was super boring. So for this book, I think a two star would be okay. :[
I have never read a book so realistic, yet depressing at the same time. This is the finish-in-a-sitting kind of book, and although Wow... What a book!
I have never read a book so realistic, yet depressing at the same time. This is the finish-in-a-sitting kind of book, and although you may not be pulled in at first, I promise you will.
This is the kind of book I go out of my way to avoid, and in some ways, this wasn’t my type of book, But what surprised me was how realistic this was; every detail, wording, character. This feels like a whole new genre, An Na’s own genre.
Sure, it was slow-paced at first. There’s some Korean words that might stump readers. You didn’t get why it had meanings until the end, but when you do, a sudden rage of backstories floods over you, with so much emotions combined. This book has so much Korean culture, and after you read this book, I guarantee you will learn a few Korean words, culture, and experience the life of a girl and her family through your own eyes.
It’s very magical how An Na writes the progress of age for Young Ju, and her brother. You seem to be growing with them, and do not realize they had been so young before.
This was the saddest book I have ever read in my life, and I think it “emotionally scarred” me! Don’t worry, I usually stay away from these types of books, but this holds so much wisdom, perspective, human nature, and the whole experience of growing up.
I can see why it is not as famous as some other books, but it definitely should be a lot more known. In other words, this is an underrated book, and you should definitely try this to experience things you will never do, and find yourself living a different life. :)...more
Three years ago, I was introduced to this book by the tiniest of chance. And that tiny chance is what sparked a flame inside me; An undying, powerful Three years ago, I was introduced to this book by the tiniest of chance. And that tiny chance is what sparked a flame inside me; An undying, powerful flame that will always continue to expand. If it wasn’t for this series, I don’t know what I would be today. I don’t know if I’d still be an aspiring writer and an avid bookworm.
When I first read the Sisters Grimm, the Fairytale Detectives, this book was like magic to me. I had always entertained myself with different kinds of things but never could settle down to one. However, one of my many hobbies was reading graphic novels.
Whenever other people told me to read full-length chapter books, it would only disencourage me. It would feel more like a chore than something I would actually enjoy. That’s a life I can’t ever imagine now.
To say this book changed my life was an underestimate. Because it was something I read for pure enjoyment. I remember reading a chapter every day and forcing myself to spend my free time on it until I did. I remember, for the first time, dreaming about the story, wondering about the characters. For the first time, I was actually immersed. I felt like I wasn’t in my room anymore. I felt like I was in a brand new place that was beyond my imagination.
Sure, the Sisters Grimm series isn’t the best. It isn’t filled with challenging vocabulary and wasn’t always so proper. But it was the best for me. Because it was the book that sparkled the undying flame that would never reach the end. And ever since I finished that first book, I craved more. I started going to the library everyday, walking there despite the summer heat. I filled my mind with the Ferryport Landing town and the hundreds of fairytale characters I was reintroduced to. And I couldn’t stop.
So, are we back to where we started? The short answer is no.
Reading the first Sisters Grimm book made me realize the progress and change with my reading journey since three years ago. And I guess that I could say that I am proud. I made progress, and suddenly, this book wasn’t like pure magic to me anymore.
But this book will always earn its own place in my very heart, despite how my values have changed over time.
I need to thank this series. It has become a part of my identity. It has made me who I am today. Someday, years later, I will approach someone. They will tell me that Graphic Novels are the only fun thing, and they are only forced to read novels. That day, I will show them Sisters Grimm, or maybe some other book I think they will like. Maybe I will change them into something they couldn’t imagine. And maybe someday they will thank me in their book review.
But for now, let’s just say that this book is a heck of a treasure!...more