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jengennari's review against another edition
4.0
Loads of fun, with compelling characters and inspiration drawn from fantasy and well-known myths.
fraeyalise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a winding, meandering, grand tale of hope and finding meaning. Not for me, but I think this is a lovely kids story. I worry that it is too long and meandering to keep a kids attention for long. Maybe if this was read with an adult, like a chapter a night, that would help. However, things are so bad for so long and then wrap up very very quickly at the end, it was a bit of a struggle to get through.
armanbeer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
emblepemble's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
crappyalien's review against another edition
4.0
Despite it taking me a month to finish this, I did enjoy this book a lot. It would have gotten 5 stars if not for it dragging in the middle a bit. That being said the writing style was brilliant and so wonderful. I was rooting for the main character since the beginning and wanted nothing for him but the best. All in all, I think everyone who likes this type of book should read it. Even if you don't like this genre typically I still think you should give it a try.
branpender12's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of this ARC from Netgalley and Candlewick Press publishing house in exchange for an honest review.
his was not a final version of the book, and many of the illustrations were not provided; the few that were had been artfully crafted to follow the story. There were also a few grammar issues that I hoped they ironed out prior to publishing the full novel.
I did not fall in love with the story like I had hoped that I would. The main character is humanoid fox named 13 who las long been oppressed by his mistress Miss Carbunkle who owns the orphanage where he lives. His character lacks the conviction to survive and seems to a poorly rewritten version of Oliver Twist. Later, he is dubbed Arthur by his friend and soon adapts the moniker permanently. The name change does not aid in helping him in character growth as he lets the world he resides in command his life and does not want to grasp it by the reins.
I did like how whimsical the world of Wonderling was written and the humanoid characters that reside there. I also like how the author incorporated Steampunk innovations and magical characteristics into the story. I just wish it had helped the characters out instead of being a profound backdrop.
his was not a final version of the book, and many of the illustrations were not provided; the few that were had been artfully crafted to follow the story. There were also a few grammar issues that I hoped they ironed out prior to publishing the full novel.
I did not fall in love with the story like I had hoped that I would. The main character is humanoid fox named 13 who las long been oppressed by his mistress Miss Carbunkle who owns the orphanage where he lives. His character lacks the conviction to survive and seems to a poorly rewritten version of Oliver Twist. Later, he is dubbed Arthur by his friend and soon adapts the moniker permanently. The name change does not aid in helping him in character growth as he lets the world he resides in command his life and does not want to grasp it by the reins.
I did like how whimsical the world of Wonderling was written and the humanoid characters that reside there. I also like how the author incorporated Steampunk innovations and magical characteristics into the story. I just wish it had helped the characters out instead of being a profound backdrop.
branpender12's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of this ARC from Netgalley and Candlewick Press publishing house in exchange for an honest review.
his was not a final version of the book, and many of the illustrations were not provided; the few that were had been artfully crafted to follow the story. There were also a few grammar issues that I hoped they ironed out prior to publishing the full novel.
I did not fall in love with the story like I had hoped that I would. The main character is humanoid fox named 13 who las long been oppressed by his mistress Miss Carbunkle who owns the orphanage where he lives. His character lacks the conviction to survive and seems to a poorly rewritten version of Oliver Twist. Later, he is dubbed Arthur by his friend and soon adapts the moniker permanently. The name change does not aid in helping him in character growth as he lets the world he resides in command his life and does not want to grasp it by the reins.
I did like how whimsical the world of Wonderling was written and the humanoid characters that reside there. I also like how the author incorporated Steampunk innovations and magical characteristics into the story. I just wish it had helped the characters out instead of being a profound backdrop.
his was not a final version of the book, and many of the illustrations were not provided; the few that were had been artfully crafted to follow the story. There were also a few grammar issues that I hoped they ironed out prior to publishing the full novel.
I did not fall in love with the story like I had hoped that I would. The main character is humanoid fox named 13 who las long been oppressed by his mistress Miss Carbunkle who owns the orphanage where he lives. His character lacks the conviction to survive and seems to a poorly rewritten version of Oliver Twist. Later, he is dubbed Arthur by his friend and soon adapts the moniker permanently. The name change does not aid in helping him in character growth as he lets the world he resides in command his life and does not want to grasp it by the reins.
I did like how whimsical the world of Wonderling was written and the humanoid characters that reside there. I also like how the author incorporated Steampunk innovations and magical characteristics into the story. I just wish it had helped the characters out instead of being a profound backdrop.
singerji's review against another edition
2.0
The Wonderling, by Mira Bartok, begins in the Home for Wayward and Misbegotten Creatures. It's an orphanage by an evil headmistress, Miss Carbunkle, who believes her charges live only to serve and suffer. However, this institution houses "groundlings," who are part animal and part human. They work in menial and dangerous factory jobs, forbidden to enjoy anything regular children have, most particularly singing and music. "Number Thirteen," also known as Arthur, is our protagonist, a painfully shy fox-like creature. Eventually he manages to escape with the help of a birdlike creature named Trinket and together they head out into the world to try and discover Arthur's dimly-remembered past.
The book reminded me very much of Oliver Twist, with a fable or fantasy-like setting. It was quite melancholy and meandering -- Arthur seemed to have little agency or inner strength of character, and his naive approach and acceptance of events grated on me after a while. Not to my taste, unfortunately.
The book reminded me very much of Oliver Twist, with a fable or fantasy-like setting. It was quite melancholy and meandering -- Arthur seemed to have little agency or inner strength of character, and his naive approach and acceptance of events grated on me after a while. Not to my taste, unfortunately.
ashere's review against another edition
4.0
This is like a steampunk Charles Dickensian/ Series of Unfortunate events book for children. It has pitiful orphans Or groundlings as they are called (in this case part creature and part human), mechanical inventions, Miss Carbuncle's home for wayward and misbegotten creatures, bullies, & heroic quests. Such lovely descriptive writing.
lewisxm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5