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The Cartographer's Daughter
by
Legends say that the island of Joya was once a place where songbirds sang in every tree and the islanders were free to come and go as they pleased. That was before the harsh-ruling Governor arrived, and ravens drove out the native birds. Now there are no songbirds, and the people are forbidden to travel beyond the forest that separates them from the rest of the island.
But ...more
But ...more
Library Binding, 304 pages
Published
November 1st 2016
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
(first published May 5th 2016)
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Cleo z KvětinkovéDny
I think so. Some traditional fairy tales are so much more cruel than this book.
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Start your review of The Cartographer's Daughter
Thirteen-year-old Isabella Riosse, daughter of a cartographer, lives on the island of Joya. The songbirds of Joya were supplanted by ravens when the Governor arrived. Under his strict rule, residents of the coastal town of Gromera are forbidden to travel beyond the forest flanking the village. When a string of unsettling events make it necessary to journey beyond the forest in search of answers, Isabella joins a team of explorers on an adventure that will test her map-making skills and her coura
...more
They say the day the Governor arrived, the ravens did too. All the smaller birds flew backwards into the sea, and that is why there are no songbirds on Joya. Only huge, ragged ravens.
The Girl of Ink and Stars was a haunting, captivating Moana-esque tale - one that left tingles up my spine long after I'd finished reading.
Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella Riosse has always dreamed of the faraway lands her father once mapped. When her best friend disappears into the island's Forgotte ...more
'Any man can draw where he's been - Only a cartographer knows how to draw it to fit with where he's about to be'
If you like the following things, you will probably enjoy The Girl Of Ink And Stars:
- Alice in wonderland
- Ghibli movies
- Parallel Worlds/alternate versions of our world
- Mystical islands
- Explorations
- Stories within stories
- Stars
- Maps
- Monsters
- Fairytale-esque writing
I love ALL the things on that list ...more
If you like the following things, you will probably enjoy The Girl Of Ink And Stars:
- Alice in wonderland
- Ghibli movies
- Parallel Worlds/alternate versions of our world
- Mystical islands
- Explorations
- Stories within stories
- Stars
- Maps
- Monsters
- Fairytale-esque writing
I love ALL the things on that list ...more
Mulan, Hercules, and Moana all rolled into one! It was so fantastic and beautifully written with lots of folklore that I need as a separate book. Adventurous middle grade is the best.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Aug 01, 2017
Kate (GirlReading)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
middle-grade
There aren't many things better than reading a book that is just as gorgeous as its cover and thankfully The Girl of Ink and Stars was just that. It reminded me of Nim's Island meets Journey to the Centre of the Earth meets Disney (and yes, this would make a fantastic movie. Someone make this happen please and thank you.) It was action packed from start to finish, with twists and turns throughout. I throughly enjoyed the relationships, both family and friendship and the mythological element was
...more
Rating - 2.5 stars.
First of all, I would just like to take a moment to talk about the cover. It is absolutely beautiful and the main reason I wanted to pick this book up.
I'm going to do lists for what i liked and didn't like.
Things I liked:
- the cover yes yes YES once again
- the writing
- family relationships/friendships
- very easy to read
Things I didn't like:
- there was zero world building like i was so confused???
- the characters are all so boring and have no personality what so ever and ...more
First of all, I would just like to take a moment to talk about the cover. It is absolutely beautiful and the main reason I wanted to pick this book up.
I'm going to do lists for what i liked and didn't like.
Things I liked:
- the cover yes yes YES once again
- the writing
- family relationships/friendships
- very easy to read
Things I didn't like:
- there was zero world building like i was so confused???
- the characters are all so boring and have no personality what so ever and ...more
2.5
So cute. (Also, gr keeps doing strange stuff to my photos UGH)
I'll keep it short for now, I'll probably add some more thoughts later.
> This story had much more potential. When I read the blurb I actually envisioned this as an upper-ya magical realism book. It was probably wrong of me to imagine it the way I wanted to, because when I started reading and got that this was middle grade fantasy I was let down. Truth is this isn't even an extremely good middle grade. If you want an original, deep ...more
So cute. (Also, gr keeps doing strange stuff to my photos UGH)
I'll keep it short for now, I'll probably add some more thoughts later.
> This story had much more potential. When I read the blurb I actually envisioned this as an upper-ya magical realism book. It was probably wrong of me to imagine it the way I wanted to, because when I started reading and got that this was middle grade fantasy I was let down. Truth is this isn't even an extremely good middle grade. If you want an original, deep ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Dec 06, 2017
Alice (Married To Books)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
for-ya-book-club-local-library,
read-in-2017
I am part of a YA book group, this was October's pick of the month but have only just got around to finishing it yesterday. Going into The Girl Of Ink and Stars, I wasn't really sure what to expect other than adventure and um... Stars. Me being me, I thought this was a book set in space, it isn't. I would definitely say however that the plotline sounded more MG to me then YA but I like reading MG and as a nineteen year old, I have loved reading stories for a younger audience. The story follows y
...more
I have three young nieces who love reading and being read to, so they get quite a lot of books from my husband and me. But I like to read them first and, if they are suitable, buy fresh copies for the children. The nieces enjoy stories about spunky and capable girls with bright minds and big dreams, and this one seemed to tick all the boxes.
So I began this book a few weeks ago but then got distracted with other things I was reading. I picked it up again two days ago and found that I could not r ...more
So I began this book a few weeks ago but then got distracted with other things I was reading. I picked it up again two days ago and found that I could not r ...more
May 10, 2020
Finitha Jose
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-literature,
woman-s-fiction
I fell in love with this book the moment I saw that cover. A bad habit probably, but sorry can't help it. A time when boy wizards and demigods rule children's books, it is good to see a thirteen-year-old girl having her own adventures even in the guise of her twin brother. Set in an island steeped in legends and mythical stories, 'The Girl of Ink and Stars' is an ordinary girl's tale of courage and steadfastness.
Isabelle Riosse is the daughter of a cartographer and is also the best friend of L ...more
Isabelle Riosse is the daughter of a cartographer and is also the best friend of L ...more
Jul 07, 2018
Nat (livebreaththeread)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
borrowed
Each of us carries the map of our lives on our skin, in the way we walk, even in the way we grow.
There are not a lot of better things to get in a book when the cover is as beautiful as the story but this was just that. I really loved this because it was just purely about magic, friendship, adventure and bravery.
I was really happy when Isabella wasn't one of those special snowflake characters who find out she has magical powers. She was a normal human that had a magical way with maps. It wasn't ...more
There are not a lot of better things to get in a book when the cover is as beautiful as the story but this was just that. I really loved this because it was just purely about magic, friendship, adventure and bravery.
I was really happy when Isabella wasn't one of those special snowflake characters who find out she has magical powers. She was a normal human that had a magical way with maps. It wasn't ...more
The Girl of Ink and Stars is one of those rare treasures that is as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside. After initially eyeing this up as a cover buy and then hearing nothing but incredible things about this book I finally jumped straight in and I loved every second.
This book is absolutely gorgeous from beginning to end. Set in a beautifully imagined parallel world, The Girl of Ink and Stars is Isa’s tale. She is such a strong and fierce character and I’m sure that she will be an ins ...more
This book is absolutely gorgeous from beginning to end. Set in a beautifully imagined parallel world, The Girl of Ink and Stars is Isa’s tale. She is such a strong and fierce character and I’m sure that she will be an ins ...more
3.5 stars - sometimes it’s nice to see what is being put out there as children’s literature these days, and I wasn’t let down here! This is a beautifully written little story of myths and bravery, that I would have loved as a kid! And still did enjoy as a 23 year old ☺️
I really loved this book and wish I had read it as a child! It was so fun and imaginative and emotional but not emotionally manipulative. Highly recommended for readers of all ages who love a good adventure story.
A very decent middle-grade fantasy about friendship, courage and the importance of finding your way.
This is a wonderful book which is beautifully designed and keeps you gripped until the final page.
The book cover and pages have lovely illustrations on them which makes it a pleasure to read and gives it a feeling of a magical treasured manuscript.
It’s quite a short book but is certainly not lacking because of it.
The story follows Isabella who lives on an island that she is not allowed to leave. Strange events have taken place and when a young girl disappears everything turns to chaos. When Is ...more
The book cover and pages have lovely illustrations on them which makes it a pleasure to read and gives it a feeling of a magical treasured manuscript.
It’s quite a short book but is certainly not lacking because of it.
The story follows Isabella who lives on an island that she is not allowed to leave. Strange events have taken place and when a young girl disappears everything turns to chaos. When Is ...more
It's important to state that this is a wonderful book for both boys and girls. Some may think that a book with the silhouette of a girl of the front cover could be calling to a certain audience but there are plenty of boys on front covers and girls pick 'em up: and the same should and could be said here.
Something strange has happened the world which Isabella inhabits. It is a place full of dark secrets and a past shrouded with myths flavoured with the essence of truth. One myth, the story of Ar ...more
Something strange has happened the world which Isabella inhabits. It is a place full of dark secrets and a past shrouded with myths flavoured with the essence of truth. One myth, the story of Ar ...more
5.5/10.
The pros: This was nice. A quick, very well-written and interesting read, that did remind me, like others, of a Disney movie, like Moana. It was quite dark and sad, too. It's atmospheric and unique.
The cons: Something about the book just stopped me from fully connecting with it. It was a little slow, and it just failed to truly get me excited or entertained. It's not because of the target age being so different from my own - after all, I absolutely love other middle grade books and auth ...more
The pros: This was nice. A quick, very well-written and interesting read, that did remind me, like others, of a Disney movie, like Moana. It was quite dark and sad, too. It's atmospheric and unique.
The cons: Something about the book just stopped me from fully connecting with it. It was a little slow, and it just failed to truly get me excited or entertained. It's not because of the target age being so different from my own - after all, I absolutely love other middle grade books and auth ...more
Blog post titled 'You Are Too Young for The Girl of Ink and Stars' to come! Look out for it in the next month or so.
The art of buying books has become a hesitant action of mine while I wait for the $50 all-you-can-into-a-box book buffet that’s about to arrive. It’s a once in a year thing for my entire country, and so I don’t want to be wasting my money on just any old book. So I cajoled my mum into buying this for me, secondhand mind you, instead. Thanks mum!
However, despite the somewhat negati ...more
The art of buying books has become a hesitant action of mine while I wait for the $50 all-you-can-into-a-box book buffet that’s about to arrive. It’s a once in a year thing for my entire country, and so I don’t want to be wasting my money on just any old book. So I cajoled my mum into buying this for me, secondhand mind you, instead. Thanks mum!
However, despite the somewhat negati ...more
Okay to start this book is BEAUTIFUL. The cover is gorgeous and the pages on the inside are all decorated with illustrations of maps and ships. I loved all the characters and the setting, which is quite reminiscent of Philip Pullman's alternate earth, and the plot whilst fairly standard out of context flows naturally and actually comes to a bittersweet and moving ending that I genuinely didn't see coming from a children's book.
None of the characters are white in this, instead all are either mix ...more
None of the characters are white in this, instead all are either mix ...more
Beautifully written
This was just a book that was sitting on my bookshelf that I decided to use as a filler while I wait for my new one. After finishing it, it's going to be a permanent addition to my shelf. It's such a beautiful story of friendship, adventure, sacrifice and bravery, and I loved it a lot more than I thought I would. I will admit that it seems to be targeted at a younger audience, and it takes a little while for the action to really kick in, but neither of these things took away from the story. I ev
...more
I tabbed this book like crazy which is something that I never do or did previously.
New all time favourite for sure!
New all time favourite for sure!
Apr 21, 2017
Stacey (prettybooks)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-my-twenties,
childrens-fiction
I picked up The Girl of Ink and Stars after it won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. I don't normally read middle grade fantasy, but The Girl of Ink and Stars is an enchanting, magical adventure and is stunningly written (plus the book itself is pretty, too!).
The Girl of Ink & Stars follows Isabelle Riosse – a cartographer's daughter – as she goes on a treacherous journey to rescue her best friend, Lupe. Lupe has disappeared into the island's Forgotten Territories and because of her father' ...more
The Girl of Ink & Stars follows Isabelle Riosse – a cartographer's daughter – as she goes on a treacherous journey to rescue her best friend, Lupe. Lupe has disappeared into the island's Forgotten Territories and because of her father' ...more
From the first to the last page it was a pleasure to read it!!
Written so wonderful and intriguing that I could not put it down..
Populated with characters so vividly depicted, full of life and believable..they seems like real persons..
Floating islands, monsters, murder,heroes and vicious foes, friendship, sacrifice and treason, all what you need and more!!
Full of magic, indeed a tale of wonder and courage!!
Isabella is the daughter of the map maker, she joints the search party in the island danger ...more
Written so wonderful and intriguing that I could not put it down..
Populated with characters so vividly depicted, full of life and believable..they seems like real persons..
Floating islands, monsters, murder,heroes and vicious foes, friendship, sacrifice and treason, all what you need and more!!
Full of magic, indeed a tale of wonder and courage!!
Isabella is the daughter of the map maker, she joints the search party in the island danger ...more
Review by Cerys - Year 8
The Girl of Ink and Stars is a beautiful story of Isabella, the cartographer’s daughter, and her journey when her best friend, Lupe goes missing outside the city’s walls, which residents of the city are never allowed to leave, but on her journey through the depths of Joya, (the island) will she discover that her destiny is at hand. Mysteries and legends intertwine in this breath-taking, beautiful read, of friendship, myths and magic.
My favourite character is Isabella, for ...more
The Girl of Ink and Stars is a beautiful story of Isabella, the cartographer’s daughter, and her journey when her best friend, Lupe goes missing outside the city’s walls, which residents of the city are never allowed to leave, but on her journey through the depths of Joya, (the island) will she discover that her destiny is at hand. Mysteries and legends intertwine in this breath-taking, beautiful read, of friendship, myths and magic.
My favourite character is Isabella, for ...more
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Chicken House UK for the copy.
Everything about this book is beautiful: the cover, the title, the prose, the world it speaks of, and the brave characters featured in it. It tells a thoughtful tale of friendship and loyalty, of love and family, and of courageous dreams. The Girl of Ink and Stars is one of the few middle-grade fantasies that I think adults will enjoy. It has that timeless quality into it that fairy tales hav ...more
Everything about this book is beautiful: the cover, the title, the prose, the world it speaks of, and the brave characters featured in it. It tells a thoughtful tale of friendship and loyalty, of love and family, and of courageous dreams. The Girl of Ink and Stars is one of the few middle-grade fantasies that I think adults will enjoy. It has that timeless quality into it that fairy tales hav ...more
Apr 13, 2017
Alexa
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
flights-of-fantasy-2017,
read-in-2017
I'm really happy that I finally had the chance to read THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS. Instantly engaging, and written almost as if it were a myth passed down through the ages, I really enjoyed Isabella's tale.
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Buddy Reads: The Girl of Ink and Stars [Nov 2017] | 29 | 52 | Nov 29, 2017 12:38AM | |
| NZ Intermediate S...: The Girl of Ink and Stars | 3 | 39 | Dec 13, 2016 09:46PM | |
| Around the Year i...: The Girl of Ink and Stars, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave | 1 | 17 | Aug 24, 2016 10:35PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Kiran Millwood Hargrave is an award winning poet, playwright, and novelist.
Her books include the bestselling winner of the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017 The Girl of Ink & Stars, and Costa Book Awards- and Blue Peter Awards-shortlisted The Island at the End of Everything, and The Way Past Winter , Blackwell's Children's Book of the ...more
Her books include the bestselling winner of the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017 The Girl of Ink & Stars, and Costa Book Awards- and Blue Peter Awards-shortlisted The Island at the End of Everything, and The Way Past Winter , Blackwell's Children's Book of the ...more
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