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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This might be one of my favorite DWJ books yet. I'm always going on about how I like the practicality of her writing style and her characters, the plain wisdom in them ("everyone must do a thing in their own way") and the careful, artful plucking of the heartstrings.
This is also one of the books where the mythology is entirely her own, and therefore entirely in the book, and I spent less time wondering what I was missing by only half-knowing the myths by, exchanging it for regularly going back and analyzing the musical hints of destiny. (but then of course replaying a myth can be half the fun of reading "Fire and Hemlock" or "Eight Days of Luke.")
This is also one of the books where the mythology is entirely her own, and therefore entirely in the book, and I spent less time wondering what I was missing by only half-knowing the myths by, exchanging it for regularly going back and analyzing the musical hints of destiny. (but then of course replaying a myth can be half the fun of reading "Fire and Hemlock" or "Eight Days of Luke.")
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Reread after probably 18 years??? The passage of time is devastating but Diana never misses. Going to finish the series this time.
Re-read, millionth time. Like all DWJ, I loved it. These were my favourites as a kid - pure fantasy. A perfect book.
A good read, fairly well written but, in the end, a bit predictable and not nearly as scintillating as Wynne's best work (i.e. [b:Howl's Moving Castle|6294|Howl's Moving Castle|Diana Wynne Jones|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165560187s/6294.jpg|2001]).
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
DWJ writes powerfully about the strength of tradition, music, storytelling, and the arts. I always love her stories.
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I haven't read a Diana Wynne Jones book since I was a teenager, and reading this made me remember why I devoured her books. The writing is spot on for the age range, with quick pacing that doesn't skimp on details, and a tightly woven story. At about 200 pages, an adult can finish it in an afternoon or two and feel satisfied but curious for more. I wouldnt have minded another 50-100 pages to build suspense, but for a young YA reader it's probably better she left them out.