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mary_louise's review against another edition
5.0
yup. this is it. my favorite middle grade read of the year! Inkheart meets Aru Shah with humor to rival Rick Riordan’s- I couldn’t put this down!
antonique_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ros_lanta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I'm so impressed with this book. I adored it. I loved Kiki and the other characters. I don't know a lot about Hindu mythology, but I found the way it was incorporated within the story fascinating and imaginative. The magical version of Mysore is depicted so well that I could visualise it.
I'm also really, really happy to see mental health representation in a kids fantasy novel - the main character Kiki has anxiety. While I'm not any kind of expert, I felt that this was handled really well.
Anyone who is a fan of the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint, and other similar mythology based middle grade fantasy novels, will love this. Even if you have never read one of those types of books before, I strongly recommend checking out Kiki Kallira. I'll be queueing up for book 2.
I'm also really, really happy to see mental health representation in a kids fantasy novel - the main character Kiki has anxiety. While I'm not any kind of expert, I felt that this was handled really well.
Anyone who is a fan of the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint, and other similar mythology based middle grade fantasy novels, will love this. Even if you have never read one of those types of books before, I strongly recommend checking out Kiki Kallira. I'll be queueing up for book 2.
toblerowl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. Will write a more detailed review soon but it is one of the best books I've read all year and a brilliant MG adventure with fantastic story, world and great handling of the main character's anxiety
kassiereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pagesandpaws's review against another edition
4.0
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom was such a beautiful story with fantastic worldbuilding and a diverse cast of characters that was so much fun to read. There are some brilliant messages woven throughout the story in relation to celebrating our own merits, not comparing ourselves to others and working together as a team. Something that I enjoyed equally was the anxiety representation and how that was explored throughout the novel, Kiki is the perfect (imperfect) rolemodel that will bring so much confidence and comfort to so many children. The rest of the cast of characters were unique and memorable in the best way, and were not without their own struggles either.
The way mythology and culture is entwined into the story creates such a vibrant and interesting setting that you get sucked into from the first page. I am sure those with knowledge of Hindu mythology will love to see these characters reinvented into a new light whilst the explanations throughout make it a great starting point for those that have never been emersed into this type of culture before. The writing style really does make it accessible.
One thing I would say, is there is a slight lull in pacing around the middle of the book but the plot twists and action towards the end makes it totally worth sticking out, even if the speed the story goes at isn't always consistent.
Overall would definitely recommend it.
The way mythology and culture is entwined into the story creates such a vibrant and interesting setting that you get sucked into from the first page. I am sure those with knowledge of Hindu mythology will love to see these characters reinvented into a new light whilst the explanations throughout make it a great starting point for those that have never been emersed into this type of culture before. The writing style really does make it accessible.
One thing I would say, is there is a slight lull in pacing around the middle of the book but the plot twists and action towards the end makes it totally worth sticking out, even if the speed the story goes at isn't always consistent.
Overall would definitely recommend it.
rhiannonafternoon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stephenjpass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nightwing's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Young Readers Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Actual rating is 2.75/5 stars.
Kiki loves to draw and drawing is her main escape from the chaos of the world. Not to mention, it's an escape from her anxiety disorder. Her life's pretty good until a monster comes to life from her drawings and the hero from her story appeared to save Kiki from the monster. Then she discovers her world is alive in the drawing notebook, and it's in big trouble!
It's not really a bad story, it's got a cool Narnia-style idea and worldbuilding, but I felt like as an adult there were too many holes that made the worldbuilding confusing. It also didn't help there wasn't a glossary for half the gods mentioned in the book.
Lej was being a total jerkwad the entire book and I couldn't stand them at all. I didn't see the point of their harsh criticisms since Kiki already has to deal with anxiety so it felt like an unnecessary stomping on Kiki herself. Annoying character, frankly.
Fair warning, there's a character death. I was pretty shocked it happened in the first place, especially in a book for younger audiences. It didn't help that they brushed over it pretty easily, though. Lej was nasty toward Kiki about it because of COURSE he was.
Not a bad read for younger audiences but it wasn't super exciting to me. I really did greatly enjoy the disabled representation in it, however.
Kiki loves to draw and drawing is her main escape from the chaos of the world. Not to mention, it's an escape from her anxiety disorder. Her life's pretty good until a monster comes to life from her drawings and the hero from her story appeared to save Kiki from the monster. Then she discovers her world is alive in the drawing notebook, and it's in big trouble!
It's not really a bad story, it's got a cool Narnia-style idea and worldbuilding, but I felt like as an adult there were too many holes that made the worldbuilding confusing. It also didn't help there wasn't a glossary for half the gods mentioned in the book.
Lej was being a total jerkwad the entire book and I couldn't stand them at all. I didn't see the point of their harsh criticisms since Kiki already has to deal with anxiety so it felt like an unnecessary stomping on Kiki herself. Annoying character, frankly.
Fair warning, there's a character death. I was pretty shocked it happened in the first place, especially in a book for younger audiences. It didn't help that they brushed over it pretty easily, though. Lej was nasty toward Kiki about it because of COURSE he was.
Not a bad read for younger audiences but it wasn't super exciting to me. I really did greatly enjoy the disabled representation in it, however.
righter_of_words's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25