The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Isabella lives on the island of Joya in a municipality ruled by a stern Governor in this wonderful adventure narrative. The residents of the town are not permitted to enter the forest that surrounds it, and they haven't seen the rest of the island in decades.

Strengths

This is a fantastic book that is well produced and will keep you engrossed until the very last page. Beautiful drawings adorn the book cover and pages, making it a delight to read and giving it the sensation of a mystical cherished manuscript.

Weaknesses:

Something about the book kept me from really immersing myself in it. It was a touch sluggish, and it didn't do anything to pique my interest or keep me engaged. Other middle grade books and writers are among my favorites. This one didn't quite work out.

Opinion:

The internal pages are lavishly embellished with drawings of maps and ships, and the cover is stunning. I adored all of the characters and the scenery, and the narrative, though predictable in isolation, flows easily and leads to a bittersweet and beautiful conclusion