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The Floating Islands #1
The Floating Islands
When Trei loses his family in a tragic disaster, he must search out distant relatives in a new land. The Floating Islands are unlike anything Trei has ever stunning, majestic, and graced with kajurai, men who soar the skies with wings.
Trei is instantly sky-mad, and desperate to be a kajurai himself. The only one who fully understands his passion is Araene, his newfound cousin. Prickly, sarcastic, and gifted, Araene has a secret of her own . . . a dream a girl cannot attain.
Trei and Araene quickly become conspirators as they pursue their individual paths. But neither suspects that their lives will be deeply entwined, and that the fate of the Floating Islands will lie in their hands. . . .
Filled with rich language, and told in alternating voices, The Floating Islands is an all-encompassing young adult fantasy read.
From the Hardcover edition.
Trei is instantly sky-mad, and desperate to be a kajurai himself. The only one who fully understands his passion is Araene, his newfound cousin. Prickly, sarcastic, and gifted, Araene has a secret of her own . . . a dream a girl cannot attain.
Trei and Araene quickly become conspirators as they pursue their individual paths. But neither suspects that their lives will be deeply entwined, and that the fate of the Floating Islands will lie in their hands. . . .
Filled with rich language, and told in alternating voices, The Floating Islands is an all-encompassing young adult fantasy read.
From the Hardcover edition.
388 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2011
66 people are currently reading
4213 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Neumeier
56 books571 followersRachel Neumeier started writing fiction to relax when she was a graduate student and needed a hobby unrelated to her research. Prior to selling her first fantasy novel, she had published only a few articles in venues such as The American Journal of Botany. However, finding that her interests did not lie in research, Rachel left academia and began to let her hobbies take over her life instead.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
April 15, 2011
It’s no secret how much I love a good well-written high fantasy, one replete with intricate societal customs, political upheavel, and, of course, magic. So I was delighted when THE FLOATING ISLANDS was exactly what I wanted: a captivating and gorgeously written fantasy world.
I don’t think I have the words to describe why I loved Rachel Neumeier’s writing style so much. It’s not “purple prose-y” in that poetic, whimsical, or heartachingly beautiful way that I like in other books; instead, it’s like the perfect prose-prose, uncomplicated diction that paints an astonishingly clear picture of the setting. You see what the characters see without needing to read ten pages of minute description per scene. It’s hard to explain. It just…does the job of descriptive prose exactly right, and that’s why I call it perfect.
Araenè and Trei are wonderful protagonists with curious and unique adventures. I think Araenè will appeal to people who like reading about girls masquerading as boys to do grand things. The type of magic that she learns is fascinating and a feast for the senses, featuring glowing glass spheres, doors that don’t always lead to the same places each tiem, and flavors of spieces and herbs.
Trei’s experience as a kajurai was cool, too, if slightly less well described than Araenè mage-learning. The kajuraihi also brings us Ceirfei, Trei’s friend and fellow kajurai, who is so noble, level-headed, and admirable. Mages and kajuraihi alike contribute to the protection of the Islands in a fascinating set of tense war scenes.
All in all, as a fantasy enthusiast, I loved THE FLOATING ISLANDS. It effortlessly presents to us a different and thoroughly imaged world, yet dumbs nothing down for readers. The ending is satisfying and yet hints at the possibility of a sequel, which I would most happily welcome. Definitely a book I want to reread and that I’ll be recommending to lovers of high fantasy!
I don’t think I have the words to describe why I loved Rachel Neumeier’s writing style so much. It’s not “purple prose-y” in that poetic, whimsical, or heartachingly beautiful way that I like in other books; instead, it’s like the perfect prose-prose, uncomplicated diction that paints an astonishingly clear picture of the setting. You see what the characters see without needing to read ten pages of minute description per scene. It’s hard to explain. It just…does the job of descriptive prose exactly right, and that’s why I call it perfect.
Araenè and Trei are wonderful protagonists with curious and unique adventures. I think Araenè will appeal to people who like reading about girls masquerading as boys to do grand things. The type of magic that she learns is fascinating and a feast for the senses, featuring glowing glass spheres, doors that don’t always lead to the same places each tiem, and flavors of spieces and herbs.
Trei’s experience as a kajurai was cool, too, if slightly less well described than Araenè mage-learning. The kajuraihi also brings us Ceirfei, Trei’s friend and fellow kajurai, who is so noble, level-headed, and admirable. Mages and kajuraihi alike contribute to the protection of the Islands in a fascinating set of tense war scenes.
All in all, as a fantasy enthusiast, I loved THE FLOATING ISLANDS. It effortlessly presents to us a different and thoroughly imaged world, yet dumbs nothing down for readers. The ending is satisfying and yet hints at the possibility of a sequel, which I would most happily welcome. Definitely a book I want to reread and that I’ll be recommending to lovers of high fantasy!
March 25, 2011
The Floating Islands is a beautiful, intriguing novel. It swept me away with its magic. This book is lyrical and delicious, soaring with the many layered, tangible winds, and garnished with the flavors of magic, all interwoven into a tale of war, acceptance, finding your destiny, and friendship.
Trei has just lost his home and his family in a tragic volcanic eruption, destroying everything’s he’s known. Rejected by his Tolounn relatives, he sets out to the Floating Islands in hopes that his mother’s family there will take him in. In the open sea, on a ship far below the islands, he sees the kajurai, men who fly above the islands on majestic wings and have crystal eyes, and knows no greater wish of his. He yearns to join them, to fly in the open air with complete abandon. His relatives do take him in, and love him despite where he came from. Trei finds he has a cousin, a girl named Araené, who has a dream of her own. She wishes to become a chef, but because she is a girl, she is not allowed the option to follow her dream. But she doesn’t give up. Neither does Trei.
These two cousins, with their ill-suited dreams urging them forward, fight for what they believe in, and soon find themselves integral parts of the war that is coming to their islands. Trei’s dream soon comes true. Araené, on the other hand, finds a greater calling for her than becoming a chef. She discovers that she is a mage, and it is with her chef skills, her passion in it that allows her to know scents so well and taste them through anything, that makes her magic meaningful. She tastes magic, and that is what made this story delicious to me. Flavors and spices were described through Araené as she began to feel her magic and learn to use it.
I loved the concept of this story, floating islands and men who fly, and two kids with fiery dreams. And the dragons. Yep, dragons. You wouldn’t know by the cover or synopsis that this story has dragons in it, but it does. It’s because of their magic that lets the islands stay adrift in the sky and help the kajurai to fly.
I just fell in love with this book. The characters were strong, the plot well executed. It was enchanting and engrossing. And the writing was so beautiful. Flowing smoothly and brilliantly crafted. The kind of writing that just seeps into me, luring me in with the beautiful cadence of words spun poetically together. Writing that makes me read slower, so as to savor each delicate word and delight in it. I would kind of like to see a sequel. I’m not sure where Rachel would go with it, (except play out that little romance at the end of the book, which would be just perfect with me ;) but it doesn’t need a sequel, it stands perfectly on its own.
Trei has just lost his home and his family in a tragic volcanic eruption, destroying everything’s he’s known. Rejected by his Tolounn relatives, he sets out to the Floating Islands in hopes that his mother’s family there will take him in. In the open sea, on a ship far below the islands, he sees the kajurai, men who fly above the islands on majestic wings and have crystal eyes, and knows no greater wish of his. He yearns to join them, to fly in the open air with complete abandon. His relatives do take him in, and love him despite where he came from. Trei finds he has a cousin, a girl named Araené, who has a dream of her own. She wishes to become a chef, but because she is a girl, she is not allowed the option to follow her dream. But she doesn’t give up. Neither does Trei.
These two cousins, with their ill-suited dreams urging them forward, fight for what they believe in, and soon find themselves integral parts of the war that is coming to their islands. Trei’s dream soon comes true. Araené, on the other hand, finds a greater calling for her than becoming a chef. She discovers that she is a mage, and it is with her chef skills, her passion in it that allows her to know scents so well and taste them through anything, that makes her magic meaningful. She tastes magic, and that is what made this story delicious to me. Flavors and spices were described through Araené as she began to feel her magic and learn to use it.
I loved the concept of this story, floating islands and men who fly, and two kids with fiery dreams. And the dragons. Yep, dragons. You wouldn’t know by the cover or synopsis that this story has dragons in it, but it does. It’s because of their magic that lets the islands stay adrift in the sky and help the kajurai to fly.
I just fell in love with this book. The characters were strong, the plot well executed. It was enchanting and engrossing. And the writing was so beautiful. Flowing smoothly and brilliantly crafted. The kind of writing that just seeps into me, luring me in with the beautiful cadence of words spun poetically together. Writing that makes me read slower, so as to savor each delicate word and delight in it. I would kind of like to see a sequel. I’m not sure where Rachel would go with it, (except play out that little romance at the end of the book, which would be just perfect with me ;) but it doesn’t need a sequel, it stands perfectly on its own.
June 20, 2012
Ah, here's a quality gem. It's so underrated and outside of the known book blogging presence it's quite a shame, really. Many more people should know about these lovely books.
It's got:
Floating islands! Obvious by the title but come on! Isn't awesome!?
Magic! You guys know you love magic.
[image error]
And dragons! I mean, dragons! That's like an instant win! Hello! If that doesn't get you excited than I don't know what will. You clearly are not a fantasy fan. Lmao. (I joke... Or do I?)
But anyway, this book is great! Why? The writing, of course. It's lovely. I mean, it's not wonderfully delicious but the author has a beautiful way of describing things that are so clear but with a delicate touch to give it emotion.
Her world building is fabulous. You immediately get a sense of place, how the place functions as a whole, and an added layer of politics and expansion into and from the outside world from the original place of location. It's so fantastic how she manages to weave magic so seamlessly into it.
There is a lot of depth too. Since the book is split between two povs (Araene and Trei's), we are able to experience two very different aspects of this world. We are able to feel Trei's sorrow and depression from the loss of his family but also the hurt and anger when he is rejected from his real relatives and forced to enter the home of another, who take him in and treat him with caution. Throughout his troubles the author is able to comment lightly on the issue of immigration and how he is thought of and treated negatively because he is one. But also when war breaks out between his new home and his former one, we're able to see how one can feel conflicted about what their true place of nationality is - is it the land you've been born and raised in or the place that you now call home? I love how he's one of those quiet but hardworking characters who does everything in earnest.
Araene gives another view. She constantly feels oppressed and unsatisfied with her role in life because of the set standards and restrictions she has to deal with for being a woman in society. She's not allowed to do the things she really wants and rebels against it in her own way. I love how gender roles were addressed here but in a light-handed manner as not to make it an overriding point in the plot. She is stubborn, suspicious, but all parts compassionate and gentle. She isn't a brash, smart-mouthed character. She observes first and puts herself into action when the situation warrants it.
Now the pacing of this book is leisurely and unassuming and some people may very well be put off by it but I wasn't. Somehow I got wrapped up in the story the further I went along. The first few chapters are difficult because there's a lot of world building and set up and many of the place names and character names sound very similar to the other but once you settle into a groove it's easier to read over. This is very much a high fantasy novel, so expect the usual fancy naming schemes which might trip you up a bit.
For those of you who are tired of the excessive emphasis placed on romance in YA books, or just books in general nowadays, fear not. This book has none of it. In fact, I'd say it's void of it. Well, there's a brief dash of it at the end that's so faint it's almost like it's not even there. The focus of this book is on the characters and their separate journeys of finding their own place in this world.
This is a great book and I wish many more people would read it. It has a wonderful cover as well to help spur you in that direction. So why not?
Btw, I imagined Trei to look sort of Polynesian. He might not actually be but that's the image that pops up in my head. Sort of like this guy, only younger and with shorter hair.
It's got:
Floating islands! Obvious by the title but come on! Isn't awesome!?
Magic! You guys know you love magic.
[image error]
And dragons! I mean, dragons! That's like an instant win! Hello! If that doesn't get you excited than I don't know what will. You clearly are not a fantasy fan. Lmao. (I joke... Or do I?)
But anyway, this book is great! Why? The writing, of course. It's lovely. I mean, it's not wonderfully delicious but the author has a beautiful way of describing things that are so clear but with a delicate touch to give it emotion.
Her world building is fabulous. You immediately get a sense of place, how the place functions as a whole, and an added layer of politics and expansion into and from the outside world from the original place of location. It's so fantastic how she manages to weave magic so seamlessly into it.
There is a lot of depth too. Since the book is split between two povs (Araene and Trei's), we are able to experience two very different aspects of this world. We are able to feel Trei's sorrow and depression from the loss of his family but also the hurt and anger when he is rejected from his real relatives and forced to enter the home of another, who take him in and treat him with caution. Throughout his troubles the author is able to comment lightly on the issue of immigration and how he is thought of and treated negatively because he is one. But also when war breaks out between his new home and his former one, we're able to see how one can feel conflicted about what their true place of nationality is - is it the land you've been born and raised in or the place that you now call home? I love how he's one of those quiet but hardworking characters who does everything in earnest.
Araene gives another view. She constantly feels oppressed and unsatisfied with her role in life because of the set standards and restrictions she has to deal with for being a woman in society. She's not allowed to do the things she really wants and rebels against it in her own way. I love how gender roles were addressed here but in a light-handed manner as not to make it an overriding point in the plot. She is stubborn, suspicious, but all parts compassionate and gentle. She isn't a brash, smart-mouthed character. She observes first and puts herself into action when the situation warrants it.
Now the pacing of this book is leisurely and unassuming and some people may very well be put off by it but I wasn't. Somehow I got wrapped up in the story the further I went along. The first few chapters are difficult because there's a lot of world building and set up and many of the place names and character names sound very similar to the other but once you settle into a groove it's easier to read over. This is very much a high fantasy novel, so expect the usual fancy naming schemes which might trip you up a bit.
For those of you who are tired of the excessive emphasis placed on romance in YA books, or just books in general nowadays, fear not. This book has none of it. In fact, I'd say it's void of it. Well, there's a brief dash of it at the end that's so faint it's almost like it's not even there. The focus of this book is on the characters and their separate journeys of finding their own place in this world.
This is a great book and I wish many more people would read it. It has a wonderful cover as well to help spur you in that direction. So why not?
Btw, I imagined Trei to look sort of Polynesian. He might not actually be but that's the image that pops up in my head. Sort of like this guy, only younger and with shorter hair.
June 1, 2017
The Floating Islands is one of those novels I wasn't quite sure how to rate: I LOVED the setting and story but also found the characters' narrative voices, dialogue, and pacing didn't entirely work for me. It's largely an uplifting, hopeful story (though there is grief and loss, it's more focused on moving forward) about two cousins: Trei, a fourteen-year-old boy forced to leave his homeland to live with his mother's family in the Floating Islands, and Araenè, a girl who sneaks out of the house dressed as a boy in order to attend lectures about cooking. It's at once familiar and unique and features magic, air and fire dragons, and food references (do not read while hungry). Though I had some reservations, I'm still very likely to read the eventual sequel since it did have so many strengths and parts that I thought were wonderful!
Full Review on My Website
Full Review on My Website
July 25, 2011
Opening: "Trei was fourteen the first time he saw the Floating Islands. He had made the whole long voyage south from Rounn in a haze of loss and misery, not really noticing the harbors in which the ship sometimes anchored or the sea between. But here, where both sea and sky lay pearl-gray in the dawn, the wonder of the Floating Islands broke at last into that haze."
In general, I'm a fan of fantasies with some sort of political component--the Queen's Thief series (obviously), Leah Cypress's Mistwood. This is another one of those, except that it's much subtler. The political aspect is there if you look for it, but it doesn't ever take over the story.
Instead, the focus is on two cousins, Trei, a half-Island, half-Tolounnese boy who has lost his family, and Araenè, who has never left the Islands but longs for the freedom to study what she wants. Throughout the book, they both struggle to find their place in a world that seems all too likely to deny them their hearts' desires.
Neumeier has a gift for clear, vivid descriptions, and for creating worlds that seem both plausible and interesting. Here, the Islands have a particular flavor which sets it apart. I loved the fact that Araenè is so focused on the tastes of things, which means that is how she senses magic. It's a lovely way to think about it and one I haven't encountered before. The kajuraihi, winged men, who Trei longs to join also add a particular dimension to the story which I enjoyed a lot.
In general, this feels less like a traditional fantasy than City in the Lake did. Which is not to fault City in the Lake--I enjoyed it very much and would heartily recommend it. But I liked seeing what Neumeier did with a different kind of setting. She certainly delivered.
So, I liked story, characters, and setting very much indeed. It felt very solid to me--solid in a way that means the whole thing held together. I was never thrown out of the story by a jarring moment. There was one relationship that I thought developed a little quickly, but I then I felt like this was also a story about people growing up quickly and so it was all right with me.
One of my favorite quotes: "Araenè wondered, caught again between laughter and tears, whether any apprentice before her had ever broken all four of the mages' rules less than a day after arriving at the school."
Book source: public library
Book information: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011; YA/upper mg (there's some mostly off-screen death, but I think upper mg could very easily enjoy this one)
Rachel Neumeier, previously
In general, I'm a fan of fantasies with some sort of political component--the Queen's Thief series (obviously), Leah Cypress's Mistwood. This is another one of those, except that it's much subtler. The political aspect is there if you look for it, but it doesn't ever take over the story.
Instead, the focus is on two cousins, Trei, a half-Island, half-Tolounnese boy who has lost his family, and Araenè, who has never left the Islands but longs for the freedom to study what she wants. Throughout the book, they both struggle to find their place in a world that seems all too likely to deny them their hearts' desires.
Neumeier has a gift for clear, vivid descriptions, and for creating worlds that seem both plausible and interesting. Here, the Islands have a particular flavor which sets it apart. I loved the fact that Araenè is so focused on the tastes of things, which means that is how she senses magic. It's a lovely way to think about it and one I haven't encountered before. The kajuraihi, winged men, who Trei longs to join also add a particular dimension to the story which I enjoyed a lot.
In general, this feels less like a traditional fantasy than City in the Lake did. Which is not to fault City in the Lake--I enjoyed it very much and would heartily recommend it. But I liked seeing what Neumeier did with a different kind of setting. She certainly delivered.
So, I liked story, characters, and setting very much indeed. It felt very solid to me--solid in a way that means the whole thing held together. I was never thrown out of the story by a jarring moment. There was one relationship that I thought developed a little quickly, but I then I felt like this was also a story about people growing up quickly and so it was all right with me.
One of my favorite quotes: "Araenè wondered, caught again between laughter and tears, whether any apprentice before her had ever broken all four of the mages' rules less than a day after arriving at the school."
Book source: public library
Book information: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011; YA/upper mg (there's some mostly off-screen death, but I think upper mg could very easily enjoy this one)
Rachel Neumeier, previously
September 26, 2015
Read This Review & More Like It On My Blog!
Jessie's Reasons Why *You* Should Read The Floating Islands:
~ magic!
(Of the two novels by this author that I have read so far, she takes pains to create unique, if somewhat similar, systems of magic for her fantasy worlds.)
~ magic dragons - some of wind and some of fire!
(And both kinds are key to the plot of the story AND the backstory of both the main characters Trei and Araenè. Their respective connections to my favorite mythical beast added to the story.)
~ girls masquerading as boys for the freedom that gender provides
(Araenè is one of the prickliest and grouchiest protagonists I've come across in some time. However the restrictions on her life, due to gender and her society's repression of woman makes it understandable and her sympathetic in her flaws.)
~ dragon-given ability for people to fly with man-made wigs
(They're called kajuraihi - and this one aspect of unique worldbuilding and magic does a lot set this YA fantasy apart. The techniques and history aren't as explained as they could have been - but the mystery behind the sky-mad works for them.)
~an intriguing setting unlike others I've ever read
(I've read fantasy novels about islands, about avaricious empires, about complex societies and castes, but none that combined floating islands fighting against a land-bound empire. I love when authors do something new in their genre, and that is exactly the case here.)
~ complex, interesting characters
(And I'm not just talking about Trei and Araenè, either. The novice master, Cerfei, Genrai, Trei's family, etc.; All are reasonably fleshed out - both good and bad aspects. It's a vast improvement over theKarah Mary Sue nature of Neumeier's House of Shadows main characters.)
~ a creative plot
(involving warring cultures, themes of loss and home, battles of steam technology versus nature, etc. Captivating and just plain fun from start to finish.)
The Floating Islands had a lot going for it. Compulsively readable, intensely unique, and well-written, it's going to easily stand out for fans of fantasy. Fans of Neumeier's previous novels will enjoy it and new fans will find it a promising entrance into the vivid imagination of a prolific and talented author.
Jessie's Reasons Why *You* Should Read The Floating Islands:
~ magic!
(Of the two novels by this author that I have read so far, she takes pains to create unique, if somewhat similar, systems of magic for her fantasy worlds.)
~ magic dragons - some of wind and some of fire!
(And both kinds are key to the plot of the story AND the backstory of both the main characters Trei and Araenè. Their respective connections to my favorite mythical beast added to the story.)
~ girls masquerading as boys for the freedom that gender provides
(Araenè is one of the prickliest and grouchiest protagonists I've come across in some time. However the restrictions on her life, due to gender and her society's repression of woman makes it understandable and her sympathetic in her flaws.)
~ dragon-given ability for people to fly with man-made wigs
(They're called kajuraihi - and this one aspect of unique worldbuilding and magic does a lot set this YA fantasy apart. The techniques and history aren't as explained as they could have been - but the mystery behind the sky-mad works for them.)
~an intriguing setting unlike others I've ever read
(I've read fantasy novels about islands, about avaricious empires, about complex societies and castes, but none that combined floating islands fighting against a land-bound empire. I love when authors do something new in their genre, and that is exactly the case here.)
~ complex, interesting characters
(And I'm not just talking about Trei and Araenè, either. The novice master, Cerfei, Genrai, Trei's family, etc.; All are reasonably fleshed out - both good and bad aspects. It's a vast improvement over the
~ a creative plot
(involving warring cultures, themes of loss and home, battles of steam technology versus nature, etc. Captivating and just plain fun from start to finish.)
The Floating Islands had a lot going for it. Compulsively readable, intensely unique, and well-written, it's going to easily stand out for fans of fantasy. Fans of Neumeier's previous novels will enjoy it and new fans will find it a promising entrance into the vivid imagination of a prolific and talented author.
November 21, 2014
Lots of pros and cons to this one. I'm giving it four stars but don't see myself booktalking it. It will appeal only to specific readers, but it will appeal to them very much.
On the pro side: Some wonderful, creative world-building and it's a fantasy world that's not based on Northern Europe. It has a Middle Eastern or South Asian flair to it. The way magic works is intriguing, especially the way doors open for the mages where they need to go. The writing is beautiful, especially the descriptions of flying and some truly moving passages about grief. The characters are appealing and the secondary characters are well developed.
Now the cons, almost all of which are the flip side of a pro: The lyrical writing moves quite slowly, sometimes forgetting about action and story-telling in the interest of description. It's especially bogged down by internal monologues which sometimes go on for what seems like pages ("He didn't know what to do. Should he do this? Or that?" etc.) The magic intrigues but isn't fully explained. There's something to do with spheres and putting structures into people's heads and it's all a bit vague, other than the doors. Those appealing characters include only one female. She's one of the two main characters and a strong heroine but there are no other significant girls or women in the story.
Overall, I felt like I was indeed observing the story from a floating island, from far away. There's a war but it all happens at a remove--we're told people have died but never really feel the trauma. And then it's all resolved by talking and by some key details that weren't mentioned earlier. We get great introductions to the two schools that are important in the book, but very little of what's going on outside of them. It's almost like a series of episodes that happen to the same characters but don't necessarily add up to a full story. I feel like I'm being nit-picky, but it's because I had such high hopes for this book and felt a bit let down and I'm trying to figure out exactly what went wrong for me.
On the pro side: Some wonderful, creative world-building and it's a fantasy world that's not based on Northern Europe. It has a Middle Eastern or South Asian flair to it. The way magic works is intriguing, especially the way doors open for the mages where they need to go. The writing is beautiful, especially the descriptions of flying and some truly moving passages about grief. The characters are appealing and the secondary characters are well developed.
Now the cons, almost all of which are the flip side of a pro: The lyrical writing moves quite slowly, sometimes forgetting about action and story-telling in the interest of description. It's especially bogged down by internal monologues which sometimes go on for what seems like pages ("He didn't know what to do. Should he do this? Or that?" etc.) The magic intrigues but isn't fully explained. There's something to do with spheres and putting structures into people's heads and it's all a bit vague, other than the doors. Those appealing characters include only one female. She's one of the two main characters and a strong heroine but there are no other significant girls or women in the story.
Overall, I felt like I was indeed observing the story from a floating island, from far away. There's a war but it all happens at a remove--we're told people have died but never really feel the trauma. And then it's all resolved by talking and by some key details that weren't mentioned earlier. We get great introductions to the two schools that are important in the book, but very little of what's going on outside of them. It's almost like a series of episodes that happen to the same characters but don't necessarily add up to a full story. I feel like I'm being nit-picky, but it's because I had such high hopes for this book and felt a bit let down and I'm trying to figure out exactly what went wrong for me.
March 4, 2019
This isn’t a perfect book. But I’ve returned to it at least once a year since I’ve first read it, and I first read it quite a while back; I included it in the 2014 book battle (remember those?!) and it wasn’t new to me then, either. Goodreads says I read this in May 2011. Let’s go with that.
There’s a lot of what I love about the Black Dog series in this book, a lot of what has come to be signature Neumeier YA. Politics, but not just politics - coming of age, but not just coming of age - a certain clever, outsider-perspective way of comingling the two to create a story where coming of age cannot be separated from politics: where you are your place in the world. Where you make your place in the world. Where, in what I now think must be a wish-fulfillment way, the world will reshape itself at your tentative goodwill gestures.
Of course, an inherent part of storytelling is that the protagonists need to have the power to effect change. Otherwise why would we read a story about them? It’s not unlikely or unexpected. But I’m convinced that the aspect of wish-fulfillment here carries all the way down to the soldiers who are happy with their orders in the end. To the prince practicing his day-to-day real benevolence, and finding it brings the results he hopes for - the results he, as an honorable person, can live with.
I haven’t talked about honor yet, even though it’s one of the driving forces of this book: in taking in kin, in finding your path, in respecting your job and doing it well, in protecting your home. In attacking a chain of islands, at least governed by some measure of restraint.
And so this is about wish fulfillment: it’s not a perfect world, but it’s a world of possibility and hope, a world with a future, even in the aftermath of an attack. And it’s certainly a world I want to read more about.
There’s a lot of what I love about the Black Dog series in this book, a lot of what has come to be signature Neumeier YA. Politics, but not just politics - coming of age, but not just coming of age - a certain clever, outsider-perspective way of comingling the two to create a story where coming of age cannot be separated from politics: where you are your place in the world. Where you make your place in the world. Where, in what I now think must be a wish-fulfillment way, the world will reshape itself at your tentative goodwill gestures.
Of course, an inherent part of storytelling is that the protagonists need to have the power to effect change. Otherwise why would we read a story about them? It’s not unlikely or unexpected. But I’m convinced that the aspect of wish-fulfillment here carries all the way down to the soldiers who are happy with their orders in the end. To the prince practicing his day-to-day real benevolence, and finding it brings the results he hopes for - the results he, as an honorable person, can live with.
I haven’t talked about honor yet, even though it’s one of the driving forces of this book: in taking in kin, in finding your path, in respecting your job and doing it well, in protecting your home. In attacking a chain of islands, at least governed by some measure of restraint.
And so this is about wish fulfillment: it’s not a perfect world, but it’s a world of possibility and hope, a world with a future, even in the aftermath of an attack. And it’s certainly a world I want to read more about.
April 6, 2020
When Trei’s parents die in a volcanic eruption in warlike Tolounn, he goes to the Floating Islands, which are powered by dragon magic, and meets his cousin Araené, who also wishes she was able to achieve her full potential, but can’t because she’s a girl. Together, they make friends with each other and each embarks on a journey of discovery.
What a charming, magical book, beautifully written. The magic system of the Floating Islands was innovative, just the sort of elemental, soft, intuitive magic system I like and a nice, unhurried plot reveal. In particular, I loved the premise that the professors (masters) didn’t have enough magic to sustain complex spells themselves and needed adjuvants: supplemental magic suppliers. It’s a nice inversion of the traditional mentor-student relationship. I know that mentor stories are all too common, but I would have liked more of a bond between Araené and the masters (e.g. more character development). This book went to the other end of the mentor-student relationship: the masters just seemed to appear whenever the plot required them.
Even though the worldbuilding was enjoyable and creative, I would really have liked to see what Araené did with her cooking ability, if she hadn’t become a mage. It felt like the mage subplot took over quite a bit. I would also have enjoyed seeing her struggle a bit more - not just with her lack of prior knowledge, but with the demands of juggling a social life in disguise - e.g. having to be home by curfew and never having time to spend with her university friends.
I did enjoy the sensory imagery associated with Araené’s magic, but didn’t quite understand the purpose of the stones she was supposed to memorise and use. There was a lot of discussion of the various stones and their purposes, without much payoff.
I found the ability to open doors to places a little too convenient, and the prince’s negotiation at the end was a bit too pat.
Trei’s half of the story was utterly satisfying. The beautiful descriptions of the Floating Islands and Toulonn, in particular, were masterful.
Overall, I thought both Trei’s and Araene’s arcs were well written and dovetailed nicely, even if they and Ceirfei seemed a bit too precocious for their ages. In particular, grief was well expressed; the characters mourning their losses always felt real. The friendship between the younger characters was also done well.
What a charming, magical book, beautifully written. The magic system of the Floating Islands was innovative, just the sort of elemental, soft, intuitive magic system I like and a nice, unhurried plot reveal. In particular, I loved the premise that the professors (masters) didn’t have enough magic to sustain complex spells themselves and needed adjuvants: supplemental magic suppliers. It’s a nice inversion of the traditional mentor-student relationship. I know that mentor stories are all too common, but I would have liked more of a bond between Araené and the masters (e.g. more character development). This book went to the other end of the mentor-student relationship: the masters just seemed to appear whenever the plot required them.
Even though the worldbuilding was enjoyable and creative, I would really have liked to see what Araené did with her cooking ability, if she hadn’t become a mage. It felt like the mage subplot took over quite a bit. I would also have enjoyed seeing her struggle a bit more - not just with her lack of prior knowledge, but with the demands of juggling a social life in disguise - e.g. having to be home by curfew and never having time to spend with her university friends.
I did enjoy the sensory imagery associated with Araené’s magic, but didn’t quite understand the purpose of the stones she was supposed to memorise and use. There was a lot of discussion of the various stones and their purposes, without much payoff.
I found the ability to open doors to places a little too convenient, and the prince’s negotiation at the end was a bit too pat.
Trei’s half of the story was utterly satisfying. The beautiful descriptions of the Floating Islands and Toulonn, in particular, were masterful.
Overall, I thought both Trei’s and Araene’s arcs were well written and dovetailed nicely, even if they and Ceirfei seemed a bit too precocious for their ages. In particular, grief was well expressed; the characters mourning their losses always felt real. The friendship between the younger characters was also done well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2013
I have a three-pronged reaction to seeing The Floating Islands on my shelf.
(1) A sigh of contentment because just look at that cover! It's gorgeous and oh-so fitting for the story within.
(2) A goofy smile because my copy is signed! Also: I think this is the only signed book I own, so a double goofy grin. (If those even exist...)
and
(3) A large pool of guilt because, no matter how much I try, I simply cannot seem to sit down and write a review for this book.
I've sort of promised myself that I am - under no circumstances - allowed to read another Neumeier book until I review the last book of hers I read; otherwise I'd just inhale all her books over a weekend. (Yes, they're just that good.)
When I read Neumeier's House of Shadows last year, I was struck by the strange sensation that Neumeier was not merely writing for an audience of fantasy lovers, she was writing for me. Which, obviously, is not true, but her books, nevertheless, contain all the perfect ingredients that I yearn for. With Neumeier, you are guaranteed to get three things, all done to perfection.
(1) Character Development
(2) Political Intrigue
and
(3) World Building
(NOT necessarily in that order, mind you!)
From the beginning itself, I was captivated by the three-dimensional quality of her characters. The Floating Islands shifts between the perspectives of Trei, an orphan who arrives at the Floating Islands to stay with his uncle, and Araene, his cousin who, as a girl, has a very limited amount of freedom. With this set-up, not only do we delve into the mind of these two protagonists - their dreams, hopes, and fears - but we also grow to understand the world around them. Trei cannot help but compare the Floating Islands to his homeland in the North and similarly, Araene cannot help but yearn to be a boy in her land instead of a girl. When Araene, notorious for sneaking out of her home as a boy, discovers a hidden school of magic and Trei, an outsider to the Floating Islands, is filled with an ambition to become a kajurai, one of the messengers of the realm who learn to fly, a tale of political intrigue is swiftly uncovered as are...dragons!
I wish I could wax poetry about this book, but I think I'll stick to sentences for the sake of all our sanities. Quite simply put, this book is brilliant. Trei and Araene grow to have a close bond of kinship - a pleasant change from the usual romances - and the focus of the plot never leaves the tense political situation at hand. Furthermore, the plot threads of Trei and Araene's life come together beautifully, all with a burst of emotion too as both these protagonists suffer greatly throughout the novel. While their adventures will keep you on the edge of your seat, their experiences will touch your heart.
What Neumeier does so well is build, not only her world (seamlessly), but also the relationships between her secondary characters. Both Trei and Araene grow to find their places in the world, both of their own accord and with the help of the new friends they make. I love that with Neumeier, nothing is truly sacrificed in her novels. Trei, who struggles to find a place to call home, and Araene, who is so uncomfortable in her own skin and what it dictates she can and cannot do in her own homeland, grow to find themselves gradually as the novel progresses. Furthermore, though, the secondary characters in this book are just as fleshed-out, integral to both the plot and the character growth. Neumeier is a true storyteller and tales are like one big puzzle piece, just waiting to be put together into such an incredible package.
The Floating Islands lacks for nothing. It has dragons in it - everyone's favorite mythological creature - politics, and, best of all, two protagonists to get behind. I already know I'll be re-reading this one, multiple times, in the future and I'm sure that each time, I'll discover something new to love about this. Is it my favorite Neumeier? Quite happily, I can't decide yet. After all, I still have so many of her books left to read - and I hope it stays that way for awhile. When I need a book to just get me, I know where to look: Rachel Neumeier.
(1) A sigh of contentment because just look at that cover! It's gorgeous and oh-so fitting for the story within.
(2) A goofy smile because my copy is signed! Also: I think this is the only signed book I own, so a double goofy grin. (If those even exist...)
and
(3) A large pool of guilt because, no matter how much I try, I simply cannot seem to sit down and write a review for this book.
I've sort of promised myself that I am - under no circumstances - allowed to read another Neumeier book until I review the last book of hers I read; otherwise I'd just inhale all her books over a weekend. (Yes, they're just that good.)
When I read Neumeier's House of Shadows last year, I was struck by the strange sensation that Neumeier was not merely writing for an audience of fantasy lovers, she was writing for me. Which, obviously, is not true, but her books, nevertheless, contain all the perfect ingredients that I yearn for. With Neumeier, you are guaranteed to get three things, all done to perfection.
(1) Character Development
(2) Political Intrigue
and
(3) World Building
(NOT necessarily in that order, mind you!)
From the beginning itself, I was captivated by the three-dimensional quality of her characters. The Floating Islands shifts between the perspectives of Trei, an orphan who arrives at the Floating Islands to stay with his uncle, and Araene, his cousin who, as a girl, has a very limited amount of freedom. With this set-up, not only do we delve into the mind of these two protagonists - their dreams, hopes, and fears - but we also grow to understand the world around them. Trei cannot help but compare the Floating Islands to his homeland in the North and similarly, Araene cannot help but yearn to be a boy in her land instead of a girl. When Araene, notorious for sneaking out of her home as a boy, discovers a hidden school of magic and Trei, an outsider to the Floating Islands, is filled with an ambition to become a kajurai, one of the messengers of the realm who learn to fly, a tale of political intrigue is swiftly uncovered as are...dragons!
I wish I could wax poetry about this book, but I think I'll stick to sentences for the sake of all our sanities. Quite simply put, this book is brilliant. Trei and Araene grow to have a close bond of kinship - a pleasant change from the usual romances - and the focus of the plot never leaves the tense political situation at hand. Furthermore, the plot threads of Trei and Araene's life come together beautifully, all with a burst of emotion too as both these protagonists suffer greatly throughout the novel. While their adventures will keep you on the edge of your seat, their experiences will touch your heart.
What Neumeier does so well is build, not only her world (seamlessly), but also the relationships between her secondary characters. Both Trei and Araene grow to find their places in the world, both of their own accord and with the help of the new friends they make. I love that with Neumeier, nothing is truly sacrificed in her novels. Trei, who struggles to find a place to call home, and Araene, who is so uncomfortable in her own skin and what it dictates she can and cannot do in her own homeland, grow to find themselves gradually as the novel progresses. Furthermore, though, the secondary characters in this book are just as fleshed-out, integral to both the plot and the character growth. Neumeier is a true storyteller and tales are like one big puzzle piece, just waiting to be put together into such an incredible package.
The Floating Islands lacks for nothing. It has dragons in it - everyone's favorite mythological creature - politics, and, best of all, two protagonists to get behind. I already know I'll be re-reading this one, multiple times, in the future and I'm sure that each time, I'll discover something new to love about this. Is it my favorite Neumeier? Quite happily, I can't decide yet. After all, I still have so many of her books left to read - and I hope it stays that way for awhile. When I need a book to just get me, I know where to look: Rachel Neumeier.
July 29, 2011
I picked up The Floating Islands because I was taken in by the magical world on its cover. It turned out to be very representative of the story, as the world is the real strength of the book.
Trei has just arrived at the Floating Islands after his family is killed in a volcanic eruption. He goes to live with his aunt and uncle and his cousin Araenè. He is completely in awe of the islands, and from the moment he sees the island’s kajuraihi (men who fly), he is determined to become one.
Coming from Tolounn, a country principally known for being very good at conquering other countries, he initially finds the more peaceful culture of the islands unusual. Because his father was Tolounnese and his mother was an Islander, he isn’t fully accepted in either country and is often greeted with suspicion.
Araenè also struggles with belonging: as a girl, she has very little choice about her future, and her dreams of becoming a chef are impossible. She is in the habit of dressing up as a boy and sneaking into cooking lectures at the university. (Because of this obsession with cooking, there are also several mouth-watering descriptions of food.)
There are two brands of magic in this world. The more traditional one, based on spellwork, is practiced by mages. The second is practiced by the kajuraihi, who depend on the wind dragons (who also keep the islands in the air) for their power of flight.
I loved the world and the characters were likeable. The storyline was good, but solutions came a little too easily sometimes.
Trei has just arrived at the Floating Islands after his family is killed in a volcanic eruption. He goes to live with his aunt and uncle and his cousin Araenè. He is completely in awe of the islands, and from the moment he sees the island’s kajuraihi (men who fly), he is determined to become one.
Coming from Tolounn, a country principally known for being very good at conquering other countries, he initially finds the more peaceful culture of the islands unusual. Because his father was Tolounnese and his mother was an Islander, he isn’t fully accepted in either country and is often greeted with suspicion.
Araenè also struggles with belonging: as a girl, she has very little choice about her future, and her dreams of becoming a chef are impossible. She is in the habit of dressing up as a boy and sneaking into cooking lectures at the university. (Because of this obsession with cooking, there are also several mouth-watering descriptions of food.)
There are two brands of magic in this world. The more traditional one, based on spellwork, is practiced by mages. The second is practiced by the kajuraihi, who depend on the wind dragons (who also keep the islands in the air) for their power of flight.
I loved the world and the characters were likeable. The storyline was good, but solutions came a little too easily sometimes.
November 5, 2012
The Floating Islands was an okay read. I would have rather given it 3.5 stars instead of just 3.
1) At times it dragged on. The fantasy elements are lovely and I don't mind a bit of heavier description in my fantasies. It was done a bit too much now and then in this book, causing the action of the story to not really occur until about halfway.
2) Alright characters. I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, and instead felt like they could have had more `oomph' to who they were. I did enjoy the switch between the POVs of the girl (masquerading as a boy) and her cousin with dreams of flying. I thought it was well balanced and I did come to like them, just not very strongly.
3) Overall story plot was interesting and not that exciting until the book was already half over. If more magic had been used, maybe that would have spiced things up for me. After having read it, I felt like there was a lot more that could have been done.
There was a lot of description and not enough character involvement, which would have made the book more gripping for me, personally. However, I didn't regret reading this and thought it was an overall pleasant enough read.
Re-readability: Low
1) At times it dragged on. The fantasy elements are lovely and I don't mind a bit of heavier description in my fantasies. It was done a bit too much now and then in this book, causing the action of the story to not really occur until about halfway.
2) Alright characters. I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters, and instead felt like they could have had more `oomph' to who they were. I did enjoy the switch between the POVs of the girl (masquerading as a boy) and her cousin with dreams of flying. I thought it was well balanced and I did come to like them, just not very strongly.
3) Overall story plot was interesting and not that exciting until the book was already half over. If more magic had been used, maybe that would have spiced things up for me. After having read it, I felt like there was a lot more that could have been done.
There was a lot of description and not enough character involvement, which would have made the book more gripping for me, personally. However, I didn't regret reading this and thought it was an overall pleasant enough read.
Re-readability: Low
June 28, 2013
Definitely my favorite Neumeier book to date. I love her balance of adventure, politics, and magic, with just a dash of romance. It's so easy to fall into this world of floating islands, and flying boys, and dragons. Hopefully I get a full review written, but either way, highly recommended.
February 17, 2011
One Sentence Review: Why have one magical school in a book when you can have two AND a kickin' girl protagonist AND some scenes straight out of an action thriller AND a great standalone read?
August 31, 2021
My TBR pile tends to be last in, first out, which is a problem, and leads to very good books languishing on it for years and years (since I am faster at finding books than reading them, that can be a very long time). This was another treasure lurking way way back in my TBR pile - recommendation from a lot of my friends list, who yeah are much more reliable at this than any algorithm or reviewer ever.
Such a good novel, YA fantasy about loss and loyalties, with dragons and politics and friendships. Two very good characters who are not boring but compelling. Incidentally, I loved the (tangential) references to food - if I had my choice of a mean in a fictional universe, this would be one of the top contenders...
It was not perfect, exactly for me, for some reason the rhythm towards the middle kind of lost me, I am not sure why, but it did. And something slightly maddening towards the ending
Such a good novel, YA fantasy about loss and loyalties, with dragons and politics and friendships. Two very good characters who are not boring but compelling. Incidentally, I loved the (tangential) references to food - if I had my choice of a mean in a fictional universe, this would be one of the top contenders...
It was not perfect, exactly for me, for some reason the rhythm towards the middle kind of lost me, I am not sure why, but it did. And something slightly maddening towards the ending
September 29, 2012
I found this book on a library list of notable middle grade books for 2011, and I loved the cover, so I picked it up. I’m glad I did. It turned out to be one of my favorite adventures of this year.
The book opens with Trei on his way to the Floating Islands. His family has recently been buried in a volcanic eruption and his kin in Tolounn, the country of his birth, have turned him away. So he’s searching out his mother’s brother in the Islands where she was raised. As he draws near, he catches sight of the kajuraihi, the Island men who use dragon magic (the same magic that holds up the Islands) to fly, and he knows immediately that he must become one of them. He must fly!
Meanwhile, Trei’s cousin Araenè is rebelling against the limited freedom given to girls within Island culture. Well-bred women should never go out unescorted, may only become wives and mothers, and are expected to spend their lives doing needlework and gossiping politely. But Araenè has a gift for the culinary arts (try to read this one without visiting the sweet shop!) and a rising tide of magic within her.
Then Tolounn wages war against the tiny Island country. Trei must determine where his true loyalties lie, and Araenè must make some difficult choices about her future.
This is a fun read: dragons, magic, and plenty of excitement. Araenè has a habit of dressing as a boy and sneaking off, so we’re lead all over the city—through narrow cobbled alleyways with second stories meeting overhead, to the University campus, to the tall, spindly towers overlooking the ocean far below. Trei takes us soaring through the clouds, turning somersaults and floating on warm currents. And the hidden Mage school is particularly enjoyable. It shifts location in the city constantly, the rooms reconfigure themselves, and doors open in empty walls and lead to who-know-where. The book is perfectly clean, it’s written in a pretty, lyrical style, the characters are likeable, the setting gorgeous, and the children’s problems believable.
But I have three complaints. First, the fairly important character of Prince Ceirfei is altogether too perfect. A few rough edges would benefit him. Second, the author does just a bit too much explaining in those moments when we should be left to exclaim “ah-ha!” on our own. And last, I couldn’t pronounce a single name in the book: Araenè Naseida, Hiraisi Tegana, Anerii Pencara, Tenarii Hanerè… I’d recommend writing them down as you go. I didn’t, and I never really did sort everyone out. Oh, and don’t read it out loud unless you plan to do a lot of fudging!
Speaking of fudge, this one’s plenty sweet for any palette and quite literally offers high-flying excitement. I strongly recommend it.
At 388 pages, I’d probably place this at 10+.
The book opens with Trei on his way to the Floating Islands. His family has recently been buried in a volcanic eruption and his kin in Tolounn, the country of his birth, have turned him away. So he’s searching out his mother’s brother in the Islands where she was raised. As he draws near, he catches sight of the kajuraihi, the Island men who use dragon magic (the same magic that holds up the Islands) to fly, and he knows immediately that he must become one of them. He must fly!
Meanwhile, Trei’s cousin Araenè is rebelling against the limited freedom given to girls within Island culture. Well-bred women should never go out unescorted, may only become wives and mothers, and are expected to spend their lives doing needlework and gossiping politely. But Araenè has a gift for the culinary arts (try to read this one without visiting the sweet shop!) and a rising tide of magic within her.
Then Tolounn wages war against the tiny Island country. Trei must determine where his true loyalties lie, and Araenè must make some difficult choices about her future.
This is a fun read: dragons, magic, and plenty of excitement. Araenè has a habit of dressing as a boy and sneaking off, so we’re lead all over the city—through narrow cobbled alleyways with second stories meeting overhead, to the University campus, to the tall, spindly towers overlooking the ocean far below. Trei takes us soaring through the clouds, turning somersaults and floating on warm currents. And the hidden Mage school is particularly enjoyable. It shifts location in the city constantly, the rooms reconfigure themselves, and doors open in empty walls and lead to who-know-where. The book is perfectly clean, it’s written in a pretty, lyrical style, the characters are likeable, the setting gorgeous, and the children’s problems believable.
But I have three complaints. First, the fairly important character of Prince Ceirfei is altogether too perfect. A few rough edges would benefit him. Second, the author does just a bit too much explaining in those moments when we should be left to exclaim “ah-ha!” on our own. And last, I couldn’t pronounce a single name in the book: Araenè Naseida, Hiraisi Tegana, Anerii Pencara, Tenarii Hanerè… I’d recommend writing them down as you go. I didn’t, and I never really did sort everyone out. Oh, and don’t read it out loud unless you plan to do a lot of fudging!
Speaking of fudge, this one’s plenty sweet for any palette and quite literally offers high-flying excitement. I strongly recommend it.
At 388 pages, I’d probably place this at 10+.
June 27, 2011
I completely loved this book. One of the best I've read for months. The world creation is breathtaking in its scope and originality.
I read this book in part because the cover is so eyecatching and in part because of my last vacation when I discovered some
MAGIC ISLANDS of my own...
But even if you didn't have a bit of an island obsession I think you'd love this. Trei is orphaned (and this is complex and beautifully dealt with) and goes to the Floating Islands to stay with his mothers family. The world of the islands is almost as strange to him as it is to us, and his eyes see beautifully for us, the tiers of palace balconies on the underside of the island high above the sea.
His cousin is a rich contrast. The same age, she is obsessed with cooking. She has a deep understand of flavours and the culinary arts, and perceives a lot of the world around her in terms of flavours. This unique angle is brilliantly presented.
Both the young characters are brave, but slightly wounded, and approach their moments of truth in stops and starts of growing self awareness. For a quite normal sized book it's absolutely packed with story, ideas, images and adventures. And then there's the Floating-ness of it all. There are flying warriors, who put together wings from borrowed feathers and they soar on dragon winds, seeing currents of air with their special eyes.
I read this book in part because the cover is so eyecatching and in part because of my last vacation when I discovered some
MAGIC ISLANDS of my own...
But even if you didn't have a bit of an island obsession I think you'd love this. Trei is orphaned (and this is complex and beautifully dealt with) and goes to the Floating Islands to stay with his mothers family. The world of the islands is almost as strange to him as it is to us, and his eyes see beautifully for us, the tiers of palace balconies on the underside of the island high above the sea.
His cousin is a rich contrast. The same age, she is obsessed with cooking. She has a deep understand of flavours and the culinary arts, and perceives a lot of the world around her in terms of flavours. This unique angle is brilliantly presented.
Both the young characters are brave, but slightly wounded, and approach their moments of truth in stops and starts of growing self awareness. For a quite normal sized book it's absolutely packed with story, ideas, images and adventures. And then there's the Floating-ness of it all. There are flying warriors, who put together wings from borrowed feathers and they soar on dragon winds, seeing currents of air with their special eyes.
March 23, 2011
Originally Reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2011/02/b...
After losing his mother, father and elder sister in the devastating volcanic eruption that leveled his hometown of Rounn, Trei has been in a fog of despair. Turned away by his Tolounn dwelling Uncle and Aunt, Trei has no other choice but to make his way to his mother’s family in the mythic Floating Islands to the south. From his first glimpse of the islands, emerging like jewels in the mist-shrouded sky, Trei instantly feels in awe at his new home – and from his first glimpse of the mysterious flying men, the kajuraihi, Trei knows that his destiny lies in the winds and sky. When he arrives at his Uncle’s home, Trei finds himself warmly embraced by his southern family, although his younger cousin, the headstrong Araenè is initially resentful of his presence, disturbing her privacy and routine at home. For Araenè is no docile Island girl, ready to do her part and become a submissive wife; instead, Araenè dresses up as a boy and sneaks out of her home to explore the city and attends lectures from famous cooks to hone her own skills, all the while lamenting the fact that she was not born a boy and can never use her talents for anything other than homemaking.
When Trei wins his audition to become one of the kajuraihi and passes the initiation, and Araenè finds herself drawn to the hidden school of mages – only a select few mages are drawn each generation – it becomes clear that for both Trei and Araenè, the future holds unexpected, dramatic twists. The fates of these two cousins will intertwine, resulting in heartache and tragedy, and courage and triumph.
The Floating Islands is Rachel Neumeier’s second novel for young adults, and in this humble reviewer’s opinion, a completely winsome, traditional fantasy novel, with adventure and intrigue in spades. The first striking thing about the book is its unique vista setting; for once, the cover gets the feel and tone of the novel almost perfectly. The titled islands are these gorgeous, magical bodies, floating above the sea, proudly independent of the nations surrounding them by virtue of the same dragon magic that the kajuraihi use to fly. Beyond creating a unique airborne landscape and atmospheric setting for the book, the actual islands play a vital role in the plot, and also shape the characterizations of the book’s dual protagonists. One of the biggest (but most important) challenges with creating a new world in fantasy is managing to imbue a landscape with enough influence to create a unique culture, psyche, and flavor for its characters – and in this, Ms. Neumeier excels. Easily, the southern floating islands with their dragons, flying men, mages, and potent mix of spices is one of my favorite YA fantasy settings in recent memory.
But enough of setting and atmosphere – what of the story and the characters? In terms of character, Rachel Neumeier manages to do the dual protagonist thing with alternating storylines, but told in a single third person (limited omniscient) voice, which is awesome and effective. Although I found myself a little less tolerant of Araenè (at least, initially), both protagonists are worthy heroes with their own sizable obstacles to overcome. Trei’s struggles, with his confused sense of loyalty and patriotism as both a child of Tolounn and a newly-made kajuraihi, is the defining story of the novel, in my opinion. While Araenè’s struggles with gender roles and her inadvertent secret keeping certainly are fascinating and play a vital role in the development of the story, and certainly Araenè is a spirited and enjoyable young heroine, to me, this is Trei’s story. As he tries to prove himself to his peers and teachers, as a true islander and an asset, he also feels undeniable twinges of regret – for although his adopted home is this strange new place in the sky, he was born of Tolounn. Also, he struggles with his own grief with the loss of his family – and the accusations that Trei may be a spy for Tolounn, in the face of all that he has suffered, makes Trei an instantly sympathetic and powerful character. In contrast, Araenè’s struggles are no less genuine, but a bit more…familiar. Although both characters use common fantasy tropes (the orphaned, powerful child; the girl warrior that masquerades as a boy to gain denied power), they are used skillfully enough, and with the imaginative scope of setting and plotting, this traditionalism is not so much an annoyance as it is a familiar and comfortable friend. My only quibble with character lay with the inner workings of these dual protagonists, as both felt a little too adult in their thought processes and narrative voices. Granted, these are two young adults that have gone through a whole lot over the course of the book, so perhaps this is warranted.
From a storytelling perspective, Ms. Neumeier truly shines – just as in her adult work, the world and societies that the author has created with The Floating Islands is truly remarkable stuff. I loved the intricate differences in politics and technology between the Islands and the militant Tolounnese, just as I loved the role of the mages, the dragon-men and their different types of magic within this world. The story itself is a coming of age tale, a war story, and – above all else – an adventure. For fear of spoilers, I won’t say too much about the story, other than even though a number of familiar plot fixtures abound, Ms. Neumeier manages to imbue her story with enough life and originality to make it a truly memorable new entry in the YA fantasy arena. Absolutely recommended for young readers, old readers, and those that want an excapist, nostalgic traditional fantasy.
Trei was fourteen the first time he saw the Floating Islands. He had made the whole long voyage south from Rounn in a haze of loss and misery, not really noticing the harbors in which the ship sometimes anchored or the sea between. But here, where both sea and sky lay pearl-gray in the dawn, the wonder of the Floating Islands broke at last into that haze.
After losing his mother, father and elder sister in the devastating volcanic eruption that leveled his hometown of Rounn, Trei has been in a fog of despair. Turned away by his Tolounn dwelling Uncle and Aunt, Trei has no other choice but to make his way to his mother’s family in the mythic Floating Islands to the south. From his first glimpse of the islands, emerging like jewels in the mist-shrouded sky, Trei instantly feels in awe at his new home – and from his first glimpse of the mysterious flying men, the kajuraihi, Trei knows that his destiny lies in the winds and sky. When he arrives at his Uncle’s home, Trei finds himself warmly embraced by his southern family, although his younger cousin, the headstrong Araenè is initially resentful of his presence, disturbing her privacy and routine at home. For Araenè is no docile Island girl, ready to do her part and become a submissive wife; instead, Araenè dresses up as a boy and sneaks out of her home to explore the city and attends lectures from famous cooks to hone her own skills, all the while lamenting the fact that she was not born a boy and can never use her talents for anything other than homemaking.
When Trei wins his audition to become one of the kajuraihi and passes the initiation, and Araenè finds herself drawn to the hidden school of mages – only a select few mages are drawn each generation – it becomes clear that for both Trei and Araenè, the future holds unexpected, dramatic twists. The fates of these two cousins will intertwine, resulting in heartache and tragedy, and courage and triumph.
The Floating Islands is Rachel Neumeier’s second novel for young adults, and in this humble reviewer’s opinion, a completely winsome, traditional fantasy novel, with adventure and intrigue in spades. The first striking thing about the book is its unique vista setting; for once, the cover gets the feel and tone of the novel almost perfectly. The titled islands are these gorgeous, magical bodies, floating above the sea, proudly independent of the nations surrounding them by virtue of the same dragon magic that the kajuraihi use to fly. Beyond creating a unique airborne landscape and atmospheric setting for the book, the actual islands play a vital role in the plot, and also shape the characterizations of the book’s dual protagonists. One of the biggest (but most important) challenges with creating a new world in fantasy is managing to imbue a landscape with enough influence to create a unique culture, psyche, and flavor for its characters – and in this, Ms. Neumeier excels. Easily, the southern floating islands with their dragons, flying men, mages, and potent mix of spices is one of my favorite YA fantasy settings in recent memory.
But enough of setting and atmosphere – what of the story and the characters? In terms of character, Rachel Neumeier manages to do the dual protagonist thing with alternating storylines, but told in a single third person (limited omniscient) voice, which is awesome and effective. Although I found myself a little less tolerant of Araenè (at least, initially), both protagonists are worthy heroes with their own sizable obstacles to overcome. Trei’s struggles, with his confused sense of loyalty and patriotism as both a child of Tolounn and a newly-made kajuraihi, is the defining story of the novel, in my opinion. While Araenè’s struggles with gender roles and her inadvertent secret keeping certainly are fascinating and play a vital role in the development of the story, and certainly Araenè is a spirited and enjoyable young heroine, to me, this is Trei’s story. As he tries to prove himself to his peers and teachers, as a true islander and an asset, he also feels undeniable twinges of regret – for although his adopted home is this strange new place in the sky, he was born of Tolounn. Also, he struggles with his own grief with the loss of his family – and the accusations that Trei may be a spy for Tolounn, in the face of all that he has suffered, makes Trei an instantly sympathetic and powerful character. In contrast, Araenè’s struggles are no less genuine, but a bit more…familiar. Although both characters use common fantasy tropes (the orphaned, powerful child; the girl warrior that masquerades as a boy to gain denied power), they are used skillfully enough, and with the imaginative scope of setting and plotting, this traditionalism is not so much an annoyance as it is a familiar and comfortable friend. My only quibble with character lay with the inner workings of these dual protagonists, as both felt a little too adult in their thought processes and narrative voices. Granted, these are two young adults that have gone through a whole lot over the course of the book, so perhaps this is warranted.
From a storytelling perspective, Ms. Neumeier truly shines – just as in her adult work, the world and societies that the author has created with The Floating Islands is truly remarkable stuff. I loved the intricate differences in politics and technology between the Islands and the militant Tolounnese, just as I loved the role of the mages, the dragon-men and their different types of magic within this world. The story itself is a coming of age tale, a war story, and – above all else – an adventure. For fear of spoilers, I won’t say too much about the story, other than even though a number of familiar plot fixtures abound, Ms. Neumeier manages to imbue her story with enough life and originality to make it a truly memorable new entry in the YA fantasy arena. Absolutely recommended for young readers, old readers, and those that want an excapist, nostalgic traditional fantasy.
April 4, 2011
I like this better than my rating indicates; it's a lyrical fantasy that somehow handles war almost gently, and has alternating points of view that I both enjoyed. (I got myself through writing peer reviews for work -- a dreadful task indeed -- by rewarding myself with two chapters for each peer review. It wasn't fair to stop at just one chapter, you see.)
The beginning's a bit slow, but Trei comes to the Floating Islands, exactly what they sound like, uplifted by dragon magic. He's an orphan and a half-blood, rejected by one uncle and hoping to be accepted by the other here. His family here is kinder, and his cousin Araenè, at first prickly and resentful, comes to be a close friend, even as he pursues his dream of becoming one of the few winged fliers.
She wants to be a chef, which I loved. However, only men can pursue that career on the Floating Islands. And here my issues began; not that the sexism existed, but why there and not in other, earth-anchored realms from whence the Floating Islands apparently once were bound? Trei explicitly notes that his sister never would have accepted the restrictions that bind his cousin. Food also became a diminishing element of the story, which saddened me.
Then there's another cultural revelation that Trei reveals -- but only once it's sharply relevant, nearing the end of the story. I'm perhaps oversensitive to the issues of culture shock, but I really thought this divide should have been described earlier.
It's a lovely story, with characters I just want to lean into -- and the secondary characters were gracefully introduced too, and likable as well -- but the substance just isn't there. It felt like an elegant, airy confection that said some nice things about the nature of home and belonging and honor and family and pursuing your passion...but in a book that's titled after the setting, I need that world (ironically) to be firmly grounded, and I didn't get that.
I do expect to acquire a copy of this and reread it, but it will be for those times when I'm in the mood for something beautiful yet light, not deeply, resoundingly fulfilling. I suspect my opinion will grow kinder, especially when I haven't read a nonfiction work about cultural education immediately beforehand.
The beginning's a bit slow, but Trei comes to the Floating Islands, exactly what they sound like, uplifted by dragon magic. He's an orphan and a half-blood, rejected by one uncle and hoping to be accepted by the other here. His family here is kinder, and his cousin Araenè, at first prickly and resentful, comes to be a close friend, even as he pursues his dream of becoming one of the few winged fliers.
She wants to be a chef, which I loved. However, only men can pursue that career on the Floating Islands. And here my issues began; not that the sexism existed, but why there and not in other, earth-anchored realms from whence the Floating Islands apparently once were bound? Trei explicitly notes that his sister never would have accepted the restrictions that bind his cousin. Food also became a diminishing element of the story, which saddened me.
Then there's another cultural revelation that Trei reveals -- but only once it's sharply relevant, nearing the end of the story. I'm perhaps oversensitive to the issues of culture shock, but I really thought this divide should have been described earlier.
It's a lovely story, with characters I just want to lean into -- and the secondary characters were gracefully introduced too, and likable as well -- but the substance just isn't there. It felt like an elegant, airy confection that said some nice things about the nature of home and belonging and honor and family and pursuing your passion...but in a book that's titled after the setting, I need that world (ironically) to be firmly grounded, and I didn't get that.
I do expect to acquire a copy of this and reread it, but it will be for those times when I'm in the mood for something beautiful yet light, not deeply, resoundingly fulfilling. I suspect my opinion will grow kinder, especially when I haven't read a nonfiction work about cultural education immediately beforehand.
January 11, 2011
Trei travels to The Floating Islands to find his mother’s family after his parents and sister are killed. He is immediately captivated by the kajurai who soar in the skies above The Floating Islands. Trei vows to become one. Grief-stricken and submerged in a world so different from where he was raised, he finds an unlikely friend and supporter in his cousin Araene. Araene has her own set of secret aspirations, and seems to feel a sense of relief that her cousin can be trusted. When tragedy strikes, they will have to rely on each other to save the place they call home from disaster.
I was immediately taken with the cover of The Floating Islands and couldn’t wait to read it. The chapters alternate between the point of view of two cousins, Trei and Araene. Both characters are well developed and likable. I did enjoy Araene’s POV much more than Trei’s. She was a perfect combo of sweet and sassy, and I felt her dialogue flowed better. Trei is a good character though, and I commend him for being able to move on after his devastating loss. It initially seemed the two cousins wouldn’t get along, and I was thrilled when the plot revealed that wasn’t the case.
The world building was also well done. I was thoroughly impressed with the author’s vivid writing style. Everything was described with so much detail. Magic, dragons, and islands that float all add up to one fascinating premise. With a strong female and male lead, this book has the ability to appeal to fantasy fans of both genders.
The Floating Islands contains some violence, but for the most part is a very clean read. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to my tween. The ending seemed to almost scream sequel, and if that is truly the case I look forward to reading it.
I was immediately taken with the cover of The Floating Islands and couldn’t wait to read it. The chapters alternate between the point of view of two cousins, Trei and Araene. Both characters are well developed and likable. I did enjoy Araene’s POV much more than Trei’s. She was a perfect combo of sweet and sassy, and I felt her dialogue flowed better. Trei is a good character though, and I commend him for being able to move on after his devastating loss. It initially seemed the two cousins wouldn’t get along, and I was thrilled when the plot revealed that wasn’t the case.
The world building was also well done. I was thoroughly impressed with the author’s vivid writing style. Everything was described with so much detail. Magic, dragons, and islands that float all add up to one fascinating premise. With a strong female and male lead, this book has the ability to appeal to fantasy fans of both genders.
The Floating Islands contains some violence, but for the most part is a very clean read. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to my tween. The ending seemed to almost scream sequel, and if that is truly the case I look forward to reading it.
Read
February 9, 2011When Trei comes to the Floating Islands to live with his relatives, one of the first things he sees is the kajurai, men with wings who speed through the skies. From that moment on, Trei knows that he must become a kujarai at all costs.
Trei's cousin, Araene, is a girl with a big dream confined to a society where women are neither allowed freedoms nor occupations. Having a talent with cooking and baking, Araene often disguises herself as a boy to take cooking classes -- dreaming of a day when she can use her gifts in an official capacity.
I admit I decided to read THE FLOATING ISLANDS because of its gorgeous cover. Inside is a fun and enjoyable fantasy told from alternative points-of-view of Trei and Araene. Personally, I enjoyed Araene's narratives more than I did Trei, particularly because hers contained elements I love: gender disguises, a sarcastic voice, and a strong female lead. My favorite part is Araene's talent: cooking. In many YA novels I've read, "cooking" is often relegated to a feminine pursue, one that's just for fun. However, Araene, who has a gift for it, wants to pursue cooking professionally -- something she cannot do because of the patriarchal society she lives in. It's a fresh take on the subject.
While it took me a little while longer to warm up to Trei, I did like his story line as well -- and particularly enjoyed the interactions between Trei and Araene.
Recommended to fantasy readers.
Trei's cousin, Araene, is a girl with a big dream confined to a society where women are neither allowed freedoms nor occupations. Having a talent with cooking and baking, Araene often disguises herself as a boy to take cooking classes -- dreaming of a day when she can use her gifts in an official capacity.
I admit I decided to read THE FLOATING ISLANDS because of its gorgeous cover. Inside is a fun and enjoyable fantasy told from alternative points-of-view of Trei and Araene. Personally, I enjoyed Araene's narratives more than I did Trei, particularly because hers contained elements I love: gender disguises, a sarcastic voice, and a strong female lead. My favorite part is Araene's talent: cooking. In many YA novels I've read, "cooking" is often relegated to a feminine pursue, one that's just for fun. However, Araene, who has a gift for it, wants to pursue cooking professionally -- something she cannot do because of the patriarchal society she lives in. It's a fresh take on the subject.
While it took me a little while longer to warm up to Trei, I did like his story line as well -- and particularly enjoyed the interactions between Trei and Araene.
Recommended to fantasy readers.
April 5, 2011
Not as great as I'd expected it to be. Great ideas, but I don't think the author really captured them as well as she could have. I didn't find Trei's story to be very interesting... I mean, I like the whole concept of flying with the kajurai, but there were too many characters to keep track off and I could barely tell what was going on! O_o
I really liked Aranae's story though... I like when girls dress up as guys to do what they believe in. (I realize now that sounds a little creepy with the way I worded it, but oh well!) Aranae (or Arei, whichever gender you know her as) is the right type of gal to be friends with. Not only does she have brains and remote common sense, but her character actually evolves during the story. Trei didn't develop that much, other than realizing that he was an islander. (Took him long enough >XP)
I also found it a little confusing because there were a lot of terms where it didn't explain what they meant. Like when it says "Meet be at third bell", you can clearly tell that means 3 o clock. But with terms describing places like Ygulian or whatever, you have to try to imagine what it's supposed to be like.
Final derogatory comment of the day: It was kind of slow paced for my liking.
But hey, just because I didn't like it doesn't mean no one else should... It just means that they like dull stories (Jk, don't shoot! OW! Who threw that?!?!)
'Til my next review, au revior! (I can barely spell correctly in English, and now apparently French too :P )
I really liked Aranae's story though... I like when girls dress up as guys to do what they believe in. (I realize now that sounds a little creepy with the way I worded it, but oh well!) Aranae (or Arei, whichever gender you know her as) is the right type of gal to be friends with. Not only does she have brains and remote common sense, but her character actually evolves during the story. Trei didn't develop that much, other than realizing that he was an islander. (Took him long enough >XP)
I also found it a little confusing because there were a lot of terms where it didn't explain what they meant. Like when it says "Meet be at third bell", you can clearly tell that means 3 o clock. But with terms describing places like Ygulian or whatever, you have to try to imagine what it's supposed to be like.
Final derogatory comment of the day: It was kind of slow paced for my liking.
But hey, just because I didn't like it doesn't mean no one else should... It just means that they like dull stories (Jk, don't shoot! OW! Who threw that?!?!)
'Til my next review, au revior! (I can barely spell correctly in English, and now apparently French too :P )
July 21, 2012
This book was one of those gems that you pick up because of the amazing cover art and take it home. But i must admit, was a bit of a letdown. I love the idea behind the story, basically; A boy named Trei has traveled to find his cousins home after his family died. His cousins live on chain of floating islands, suspended in the air through dragon magic. Independent of the empire, there are a variety of magical beings on the islands including mages and a a race of people called the kajurai; people who use the dragon magic to fly. Trei instantly knows that he wants to be a kajurai, and the story progresses from there.
Although the idea behind the story is great, it isn't as well written as one might hope. Main events are short and don''t have as many details as the reader craves. I was left at several points in this book thinking "Is that it?"
PLUS its also a very predictable plot. A boy enters a new place and "tadah!" finds his magical calling, then he has to save the world and then everyone likes him and there's peace and its great.
So in the end it was a middle-of-the-road book. I forgot about it all too quickly.
Although the idea behind the story is great, it isn't as well written as one might hope. Main events are short and don''t have as many details as the reader craves. I was left at several points in this book thinking "Is that it?"
PLUS its also a very predictable plot. A boy enters a new place and "tadah!" finds his magical calling, then he has to save the world and then everyone likes him and there's peace and its great.
So in the end it was a middle-of-the-road book. I forgot about it all too quickly.
April 4, 2011
I haven't read a book this good in a long time. It was adventurous and exciting, and the characters were very well-developed and likeable. The world was so beautifully described that I was easily lost in the story. I never got bored with the plot and I actually didn't mind the switches in point-of-view (which usually annoys me). The ending was wonderful and I was very happy with the book as a whole. The only complaint that I have is that the names were somewhat hard to pronounce (even in my head), but I really did like that they were so unique.
February 28, 2025
Rachel Neumeier's writing reminds me of a cross between Megan Whalen Turner and Orson Scott Card. Her characters are nuanced. Her politics are not simple. Her conflicts have consequences. The feel of the wind and the heat of the sun practically radiate off the pages.
While The Floating Islands wasn't brimming with fast-paced action sequences, I enjoyed the exotic scenery, our two main characters pursuing their dreams, and the high stakes!
Oh how I wish I could spend more time in this world.
While The Floating Islands wasn't brimming with fast-paced action sequences, I enjoyed the exotic scenery, our two main characters pursuing their dreams, and the high stakes!
Oh how I wish I could spend more time in this world.
May 8, 2025
So so sooooo cute and lovely and just the right middle grade fantasy to get me off my butt and into a book again 🫶🫶🫶
The world building was wonderful and the characters were witty and charming. This is a wonderful fantasy novel perfect for younger readers or to get you out of a slump😌😌
**
OVERVIEW
“When Trei loses his family in a tragic disaster, he must search out distant relatives in a new land. The Floating Islands are unlike anything Trei has ever stunning, majestic, and graced with kajurai, men who soar the skies with wings. Trei is instantly sky-mad, and desperate to be a kajurai himself. The only one who fully understands his passion is Araene, his newfound cousin. Prickly, sarcastic, and gifted, Araene has a secret of her own... a dream a girl cannot attain. Trei and Araene quickly become conspirators as they pursue their individual paths. But neither suspects that their lives will be deeply entwined, and that the fate of the Floating Islands will lie in their hands. Filled with rich language, and told in alternating voices, The Floating Islands is an all-encompassing young adult fantasy read.”
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
High emphasis placed on honour and chivalry. Positive messages of friendship, loyalty and living honesty. Self sacrifice and strong family bonds.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
There are mages and magic. The islands are held up by wind dragons. Mentions of gods.
VIOLENCE
War. Talk of war. Death and grief described. Natural disasters. Invasions and threats. Explosions and mentions of weapons.
SEXUAL CONTENT
Minor attraction between boy and girl mentioned. Boy asks about courting a girl. Girl dresses as a boy in order to sneak around town alone.
LANGUAGE
Clean.
DRUGS / ALCOHOL
N/A
OTHER NOTES
Recommended ages 12-13+ for violence and death.
**
~Happy Reading~
The world building was wonderful and the characters were witty and charming. This is a wonderful fantasy novel perfect for younger readers or to get you out of a slump😌😌
**
OVERVIEW
“When Trei loses his family in a tragic disaster, he must search out distant relatives in a new land. The Floating Islands are unlike anything Trei has ever stunning, majestic, and graced with kajurai, men who soar the skies with wings. Trei is instantly sky-mad, and desperate to be a kajurai himself. The only one who fully understands his passion is Araene, his newfound cousin. Prickly, sarcastic, and gifted, Araene has a secret of her own... a dream a girl cannot attain. Trei and Araene quickly become conspirators as they pursue their individual paths. But neither suspects that their lives will be deeply entwined, and that the fate of the Floating Islands will lie in their hands. Filled with rich language, and told in alternating voices, The Floating Islands is an all-encompassing young adult fantasy read.”
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
High emphasis placed on honour and chivalry. Positive messages of friendship, loyalty and living honesty. Self sacrifice and strong family bonds.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
There are mages and magic. The islands are held up by wind dragons. Mentions of gods.
VIOLENCE
War. Talk of war. Death and grief described. Natural disasters. Invasions and threats. Explosions and mentions of weapons.
SEXUAL CONTENT
Minor attraction between boy and girl mentioned. Boy asks about courting a girl. Girl dresses as a boy in order to sneak around town alone.
LANGUAGE
Clean.
DRUGS / ALCOHOL
N/A
OTHER NOTES
Recommended ages 12-13+ for violence and death.
**
~Happy Reading~
May 14, 2018
Excellent. Rachel Neumeier seems to have the enviable knack of effectively working through her characters' grief, fear and doubts. The story in this book doesn't move swiftly, but in many ways that's an advantage, since it gives readers time to become well acquainted with how the main characters'minds work. It's well worth the effort.
August 24, 2016
2016 Reading Challenge: A book that takes place on an island/a fantasy novel.
I think I might have liked this book more if I'd been able to settle down with it and read for some good chunks of time. As it was, I started it during a time period when I didn't get good reading time, so I had a tough time feeling engaged with the story initially. I especially had difficultly (as usual) because of the various names that often looked similar to one another with tons of vowels. Grr.
As for the story itself....it was alright, I suppose. I didn't feel blown away, despite the rave reviews from others. Plot points felt rushed, while descriptions and inner thoughts felt dragged out. The two main characters whose POVs this book swaps between, recently orphaned Trei and his cousin Araene, sometimes seemed to lack conflict.....despite the fact that Trei just lost his family and home, while Araene also and dresses as a boy in order to train as a mage. Both get into their respective very-exclusive schools without any effort (Trei decided on a whim to try to join the elite group of men who don wings and fly around the floating islands on which this story is set), and are readily welcomed by all of the other students without hesitation.
Things just felt rushed. Trei becomes one of the winged-men (I can't remember their vowel-laden name and I don't feel like looking it up), but then we're barely shown any of his training or struggle to become adept at the skill of FLYING before he suddenly decides to go off and save the day. Araene is apparently a brilliant cook and wants desperately to be a chef....but when she gets welcomed into a school of mages she decides that's good enough, and never again thinks about being a chef. She experiences magic as flavors, which is discussed way too frequently, but this never serves a purpose to the plot. She doesn't accomplish anything by figuring out some kind of magic based on the taste...it's just there. Oh yeah, and as with Trei, she joins the mage school and then immediately gets embroiled in saving their city, no further mage training discussed. She also endangers their city, and is more or less responsible for the deaths of countless innocent people in another city because she doesn't want her mage master to know she's female (in the end, she tells him, and no one cares).
The final conflicts toward the end of the book were resolved too easily, and there almost seemed to be some back pedaling from the author to have the characters quickly info-dump some stuff in order to explain away the forced conclusions.
But...in the end, the book was just entertaining enough to finish it. The ending was briefly action packed (with lulls of inner thinking), and I read the ending pretty swiftly. It's probably not a good thing, though, that I read the ending quickly because I just wanted to be done.
I think I would have preferred this book to have focused on one protagonist. It felt bogged down with two, especially since their stories were so similar.
So, in the end....the idea for this book was interesting, but it just wasn't fully fleshed out. In a nearly 400 page book, the author should have been able to accomplish better plot and character development.
I think I might have liked this book more if I'd been able to settle down with it and read for some good chunks of time. As it was, I started it during a time period when I didn't get good reading time, so I had a tough time feeling engaged with the story initially. I especially had difficultly (as usual) because of the various names that often looked similar to one another with tons of vowels. Grr.
As for the story itself....it was alright, I suppose. I didn't feel blown away, despite the rave reviews from others. Plot points felt rushed, while descriptions and inner thoughts felt dragged out. The two main characters whose POVs this book swaps between, recently orphaned Trei and his cousin Araene, sometimes seemed to lack conflict.....despite the fact that Trei just lost his family and home, while Araene also and dresses as a boy in order to train as a mage. Both get into their respective very-exclusive schools without any effort (Trei decided on a whim to try to join the elite group of men who don wings and fly around the floating islands on which this story is set), and are readily welcomed by all of the other students without hesitation.
Things just felt rushed. Trei becomes one of the winged-men (I can't remember their vowel-laden name and I don't feel like looking it up), but then we're barely shown any of his training or struggle to become adept at the skill of FLYING before he suddenly decides to go off and save the day. Araene is apparently a brilliant cook and wants desperately to be a chef....but when she gets welcomed into a school of mages she decides that's good enough, and never again thinks about being a chef. She experiences magic as flavors, which is discussed way too frequently, but this never serves a purpose to the plot. She doesn't accomplish anything by figuring out some kind of magic based on the taste...it's just there. Oh yeah, and as with Trei, she joins the mage school and then immediately gets embroiled in saving their city, no further mage training discussed. She also endangers their city, and is more or less responsible for the deaths of countless innocent people in another city because she doesn't want her mage master to know she's female (in the end, she tells him, and no one cares).
The final conflicts toward the end of the book were resolved too easily, and there almost seemed to be some back pedaling from the author to have the characters quickly info-dump some stuff in order to explain away the forced conclusions.
But...in the end, the book was just entertaining enough to finish it. The ending was briefly action packed (with lulls of inner thinking), and I read the ending pretty swiftly. It's probably not a good thing, though, that I read the ending quickly because I just wanted to be done.
I think I would have preferred this book to have focused on one protagonist. It felt bogged down with two, especially since their stories were so similar.
So, in the end....the idea for this book was interesting, but it just wasn't fully fleshed out. In a nearly 400 page book, the author should have been able to accomplish better plot and character development.
November 29, 2011
I wish I had better things to say about The Floating Islands, but I don't. Chapter 1 dumps the Reader right in the middle of the story, waiting until Chapter 3 to explain anything at all. Good luck trying to figure out which country is which, or who is who. The names of places and people are just thrown at you, and to make them more confusing, they almost all have an "ei" or "ai" ending, and there is no pronunciation guide in the back. So you'll spend over half your time slurring through everyone's vowel-infested name.
The writing is at best amateur. The Author uses the same word twice or more in one paragraph, so it reads very redundantly and blockishly. She does not believe in the period, but she's a strong believer in describing every single little movement a character makes. These she then strings together in one very long sentence with tons of commas and no end in sight. Now, Charles Dickens, Jonathan Swift, and Jane Austen can do unending sentences, but only because their style is witty and they aren't stringing together every single little movement a character is making. Okay, Charles Dickens does that sometimes, but it's purely for humor. On top of her run-on sentences, Ms. Neumeier's transitions are horrible. A character will be talking and then suddenly they're in a different room. And things also just happen for no real reason. For instance, Araene is making her way home in one scene along a street she knows very well. The Author goes on a long splurge of descriptions, and then suddenly Araene is lost. It reminded me of the writing exercises I used to do when I was younger. I would start a story with no apparent storyline. Things happened just so I could practice at phrasing, transitions, ect. And that's what it felt like reading this book - it felt like a storyboard.
Past the first five or seven chapters, things do improve. It's like this is where the Author originally started writing the story, and then someone told her that she needed to put something before it, so she cobbled a few earlier chapters together and didn't put much thought into them. Her writing improves a little bit, there's a more tangible storyline, and the Reader finally gets some of the world's politics and situations explained. The Author still suffers from an acute obsession with spices (though it feels as if her knowledge of spices is pretty limited, for she only talks of a very few over and over again), and there is still no pronunciation guide, but it doesn't feel quite so . . . storyboardish.
The Floating Islands was relatively interesting once you get past the annoying chapters, but I don't think I'll be adding it to my collection.
The writing is at best amateur. The Author uses the same word twice or more in one paragraph, so it reads very redundantly and blockishly. She does not believe in the period, but she's a strong believer in describing every single little movement a character makes. These she then strings together in one very long sentence with tons of commas and no end in sight. Now, Charles Dickens, Jonathan Swift, and Jane Austen can do unending sentences, but only because their style is witty and they aren't stringing together every single little movement a character is making. Okay, Charles Dickens does that sometimes, but it's purely for humor. On top of her run-on sentences, Ms. Neumeier's transitions are horrible. A character will be talking and then suddenly they're in a different room. And things also just happen for no real reason. For instance, Araene is making her way home in one scene along a street she knows very well. The Author goes on a long splurge of descriptions, and then suddenly Araene is lost. It reminded me of the writing exercises I used to do when I was younger. I would start a story with no apparent storyline. Things happened just so I could practice at phrasing, transitions, ect. And that's what it felt like reading this book - it felt like a storyboard.
Past the first five or seven chapters, things do improve. It's like this is where the Author originally started writing the story, and then someone told her that she needed to put something before it, so she cobbled a few earlier chapters together and didn't put much thought into them. Her writing improves a little bit, there's a more tangible storyline, and the Reader finally gets some of the world's politics and situations explained. The Author still suffers from an acute obsession with spices (though it feels as if her knowledge of spices is pretty limited, for she only talks of a very few over and over again), and there is still no pronunciation guide, but it doesn't feel quite so . . . storyboardish.
The Floating Islands was relatively interesting once you get past the annoying chapters, but I don't think I'll be adding it to my collection.
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