I wanted to like this book but a handful of things held me back. For some reason, the visual portrayal of the alcoholic father rubbed me the wrong way. I struggle to put the reason why into words. I also think that the author bit off a little too much and did not portray the friendship well.
Even just a few days after finishing this book, I struggle to remember details without a refresher from the synopsis. This second book (for me) from Chang cements – even though I gave her another chance – that Chang is not the author for me. I enjoyed a handful of things in the narrative but many of the pieces fell flat like the time jump towards the beginning and some supposed character development off page during that jump. I also really do not like love triangles.
I really liked Leighton’s twist on the Sleeping Beauty tale. Unfortunately, the unique premise got short shrift in this narrative. Leighton had far too many perspectives and also inadequate connections between the points of view as well as events of the plot which made several parts quite confusing.
After a couple lackluster fantasies in a row, Bado showed that fantasy has not lost its luster. I love the world Bado has created as well as the high level of political intrigue that infused the entire narrative. Bado has laid all kinds of intricate groundwork on this dynamic chessboard that I cannot wait to see play out as the series progresses. I am so glad that I own a stunning special edition of this.
Oof. This one hurts. I wanted so much to love this narrative that kept me engaged long after I considered DNF’ing. My main – significant – problem reared its head right at the beginning with the main character’s experience arriving as an immigrant at Ellis Island. While this part of the narrative appears accurate, I could not shake the anachronistic vibes knowing that the book opens in the 1920s. I looked up the history of Ellis Island and confirmed that if
the main character had immigrated at the time the author said she did, she would not have had such an experience since Ellis Island stopped processing most immigrants that way after World War I due to increased establishment of embassies overseas. This anachronism makes it nearly impossible to believe that later events in the story have any accuracy. I also disliked the near constant string of tragedies lasting until almost the very end which somehow closes out with a positivity that does not match the remainder of the book. I do not recommend this one.
I loved this Men in Black style middle grade fantasy book. The characters are adorable and who doesn’t love a stylish unicorn as the agent in training?
