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The Colours of Madeleine #2
The Cracks in the Kingdom
The second in Jaclyn Moriarty's brilliant, acclaimed fantasy trilogy, THE COLOURS OF MADELEINE!
Princess Ko's been bluffing about the mysterious absence of her father, desperately trying to keep the government running on her own. But if she can't get him back in a matter of weeks, the consequence may be a devastating war. So under the guise of a publicity stunt she gathers a group of teens -- each with a special ability -- from across the kingdom to crack the unsolvable case of the missing royals of Cello.
Chief among these is farm-boy heartthrob Elliot Baranski, more determined than ever to find his own father. And with the royal family trapped in the World with no memory of their former lives, Elliot's value to the Alliance is clear: He's the only one with a connection to the World, through his forbidden communications with Madeleine.
Through notes, letters, and late nights, Elliot and Madeleine must find a way to travel across worlds and bring missing loved ones home. The stakes are high, and the writing by turns hilarious and suspenseful, as only Jaclyn Moriarty can be.
Princess Ko's been bluffing about the mysterious absence of her father, desperately trying to keep the government running on her own. But if she can't get him back in a matter of weeks, the consequence may be a devastating war. So under the guise of a publicity stunt she gathers a group of teens -- each with a special ability -- from across the kingdom to crack the unsolvable case of the missing royals of Cello.
Chief among these is farm-boy heartthrob Elliot Baranski, more determined than ever to find his own father. And with the royal family trapped in the World with no memory of their former lives, Elliot's value to the Alliance is clear: He's the only one with a connection to the World, through his forbidden communications with Madeleine.
Through notes, letters, and late nights, Elliot and Madeleine must find a way to travel across worlds and bring missing loved ones home. The stakes are high, and the writing by turns hilarious and suspenseful, as only Jaclyn Moriarty can be.
468 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2014
37 people are currently reading
2558 people want to read
About the author
Jaclyn Moriarty
37 books1,531 followersJaclyn Moriarty is an Australian writer of young adult literature.
She studied English at the University of Sydney, and law at Yale University and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD.
She is the younger sister of Liane Moriarty. She was previously married to Canadian writer Colin McAdam, and has a son, Charlie. She currently lives in Sydney.
She studied English at the University of Sydney, and law at Yale University and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD.
She is the younger sister of Liane Moriarty. She was previously married to Canadian writer Colin McAdam, and has a son, Charlie. She currently lives in Sydney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
August 11, 2015
Completely exhilarating and brilliant and breath-taking and funny and clever and unexpected. Also: so much fun and delight and some very smiley swoony moments. Jaclyn Moriarty is amazing and The Cracks in the Kingdom is on my all time ultimate faves list.
A Corner of White was just the beginning. I loved it whole-heartedly (my fave book of 2012) and The Cracks in the Kingdom has taken my love for this series to a whole new level (is that even possible?)
The plot cracks along splendidly. Whereas A Corner of White needed more time world building, TCitK takes off from the first chapter. I couldn't put it down, and trust me, I tried. I wanted to savour it and stretch it out and linger for a while but I was compelled to keep flying through, greedy for more, desperate to see where Moriarty would take me. And Moriarty delivers. For the mid series book, it really amps everything up -- and while it sets up the third book perfectly with some new complications, it still delivers with so many satisfying climaxes and resolutions to plot threads from the 1st book and 2nd. (no spoilers here but be excited, guys! So much goodness unfolds!)
The way Moriarty wields all her threads together, she builds them and builds them into this stunning and startling climax, revelations and twists and unexpected flips. I did not see so much of it coming and the way everything unfolded was pretty much perfect. Moriarty is daring and genius. I felt exhilarated when I finished, breathless and giddy and silly and satisfied (except for wanting book three, the finale for this trilogy. stat.)
TCitK is not just a fun, compelling and original, magical book. It's so much more than that. It has Moriarty's off kilter and gorgeous, grin worthy prose, but beyond that I feel like it's all real. I care so much for this Kingdom and the World. The characters have completely won me over and I have a deep and real affection for them.
I've always loved Elliot -- " the boy who knew exactly how to make a girl feel like some kind of carbonated sugar drink was running through her veins" (p.382). And Madeleine grew on me by the end of A Corner of White so that by the time I started The Cracks in the Kingdom she was firmly one of my fave literary heroines and I love spending time with her. I also love a new character in the series "a kid named Samuel from Olde Quaint who's a walking panic attack." (p.78). He is so endearing and earnest and I laughed out loud multiple times at his try-hard ways (laughing in a nice way ;))
Here are a few highlights from the book:
(I actually have a lot more highlights but they all crossover into spoilery territory...)
In conclusion: The Cracks in the Kingdom is one of the best books I have ever read, and The Colours of Madeleine is my favourite series of all time. The series is original and it shines so brightly with creativity and heart and humour and is everything I could ever ask for in the most ultimate reading experience. I so hope you give this series a go, and I hope it brings you just as much joy as it does to me.
A Corner of White was just the beginning. I loved it whole-heartedly (my fave book of 2012) and The Cracks in the Kingdom has taken my love for this series to a whole new level (is that even possible?)
The plot cracks along splendidly. Whereas A Corner of White needed more time world building, TCitK takes off from the first chapter. I couldn't put it down, and trust me, I tried. I wanted to savour it and stretch it out and linger for a while but I was compelled to keep flying through, greedy for more, desperate to see where Moriarty would take me. And Moriarty delivers. For the mid series book, it really amps everything up -- and while it sets up the third book perfectly with some new complications, it still delivers with so many satisfying climaxes and resolutions to plot threads from the 1st book and 2nd. (no spoilers here but be excited, guys! So much goodness unfolds!)
The way Moriarty wields all her threads together, she builds them and builds them into this stunning and startling climax, revelations and twists and unexpected flips. I did not see so much of it coming and the way everything unfolded was pretty much perfect. Moriarty is daring and genius. I felt exhilarated when I finished, breathless and giddy and silly and satisfied (except for wanting book three, the finale for this trilogy. stat.)
TCitK is not just a fun, compelling and original, magical book. It's so much more than that. It has Moriarty's off kilter and gorgeous, grin worthy prose, but beyond that I feel like it's all real. I care so much for this Kingdom and the World. The characters have completely won me over and I have a deep and real affection for them.
I've always loved Elliot -- " the boy who knew exactly how to make a girl feel like some kind of carbonated sugar drink was running through her veins" (p.382). And Madeleine grew on me by the end of A Corner of White so that by the time I started The Cracks in the Kingdom she was firmly one of my fave literary heroines and I love spending time with her. I also love a new character in the series "a kid named Samuel from Olde Quaint who's a walking panic attack." (p.78). He is so endearing and earnest and I laughed out loud multiple times at his try-hard ways (laughing in a nice way ;))
Here are a few highlights from the book:
The letters are fantastic, charming and vibrant and a highlight (Moriarty is the queen of epistolary)
The trip to the Lake of Spells (best camping trip ever!)
The mystery of the 5 missing royals (so compelling and sad and suspenseful!)
The whole mystery with Elliot's dad (some really awesome revelations and conclusions!)
More science (so smart and interesting!) and more magic (of the quirky and funny and awesome kind) and more Colour attacks (love all the Colour scenes)
Secret security and characters with hidden agendas (love Sergio!)
The turquiose rain in Jagged Edge (another fave moment, so cool).
Also, more travelling throughout the Kingdom of Cello (you se so much more of the strange and beautiful and unique world and it's inhabitants)
(I actually have a lot more highlights but they all crossover into spoilery territory...)
In conclusion: The Cracks in the Kingdom is one of the best books I have ever read, and The Colours of Madeleine is my favourite series of all time. The series is original and it shines so brightly with creativity and heart and humour and is everything I could ever ask for in the most ultimate reading experience. I so hope you give this series a go, and I hope it brings you just as much joy as it does to me.
April 5, 2016
I really enjoyed A Corner of White, the first book in this series and made a point of obtaining and reading The Cracks in the Kingdom as soon as I could. Jaclyn Moriarty has a very distinctive style of her own which I suppose some people might not like. I however love it. Her words fly across the page and in no time at all the reader is aware of the worlds in which the story is set without long or tedious explanations. Her characters too just grow and develop with the story and by the end you really care for them. There is a lovely moment at the end between two of the main characters which would make reading the whole book worthwhile even if you did not like it much. I did like it though - very much! And now I discover that book 3 has only just been published. What great timing on my part. It is now on my Kindle, ready to start:)
December 16, 2014
This is an impossible book to describe. It defies convention, challenges preconceptions and ignores boundaries.
So, of course, I loved it!
Moriarty plays around with structure, embraces the ridiculous and celebrates the sublime.
If you haven't read the first, get onto that!!
If you have read the first, then be prepared for an epic ride of crazy, full-on madness.
But there's still control here. Nothing is overdone, nothing overplayed.
There is a number three, right? There better be.
This copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley, and received and read with gladness.
Out in Australia on Feb 25, a month later in the US.
So, of course, I loved it!
Moriarty plays around with structure, embraces the ridiculous and celebrates the sublime.
If you haven't read the first, get onto that!!
If you have read the first, then be prepared for an epic ride of crazy, full-on madness.
But there's still control here. Nothing is overdone, nothing overplayed.
There is a number three, right? There better be.
This copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley, and received and read with gladness.
Out in Australia on Feb 25, a month later in the US.
May 6, 2014
There's a wonderful moment in this book when one of the characters says something like "I'm not taking this seriously, I'm quite light hearted about it. But I am telling the truth". I can't remember reading another series that pays such attention to the subtle differences between these three states. This one truly is unique. The Cracks in the Kingdom follows on from a Corner of White and deepens it, uses the world to explore more and more truths, without succumbing to seriousness. And there are some truly lovely sequences, like the spell fishing one. My one complaint is that I felt it stopped a bit too abruptly, I'm not a big fan of cliffhanger endings, and this could have avoided being one it just needed a bit more resolution at the end.
January 23, 2016
Ya me acordé por qué considero a esta mina una de las mejores escritoras que tuve el placer de leer alguna vez.
July 10, 2014
The last few pages of The Cracks in the Kingdom are very compelling, but it's too little, too late. For the bulk of the novel, the story skates between predictable and poorly paced (when the predictable elements take too long to show up). The voice - Moriarty's trademark might the the originality of her voices - fails utterly, because too many characters as well as the narration employ the same voice at erratic moments. And so the quirkiness calls attention to itself instead of enhancing the story.
That's the real problem with The Cracks in the Kingdom, actually: so much of it gets in the way of honest storytelling.
Everything about the plot, for example, is telegraphed so openly.
It almost feels like Moriarty painted herself into a corner. The first novel was so ambitious and the challenges so enormous that allowing them to be solved with apparent ease and a sense of inevitability results in a mess of contrivances instead of a believable chain of events.
Also, the science-and-magic duality goes from vague to completely unbelievable here. There's an attempt to show how science and magic are two sides to the same coin, but the suddenness of the discoveries - and the convenient timing - are so preposterous that it renders both science and magic unbelievable. The way both are hammered home, and the way both reach at meaning, too, as if pretty writing can mask contrivance which can mimic truth, is... almost insulting, strong as that sounds.
What this book also has: teens who save the day because the adults are conveniently absent; friends who contribute nothing but faux-profundities and carryover from the first novel (which does all of them a disservice); a relationship that veers into "I forgot my name but still think you're beautiful, so clearly we must be Meant To Be." No thanks.
The ending is gutsy, though. Especially if there's no sequel. Those are the only pages where the book tells the truth. Until those few pages, it's giddiness and odd turns of phrase and such a degree of predictability that, much as I admire those pages, I have to think that the WSU gets disbanded and they all live happily ever after. Sigh.
That's the real problem with The Cracks in the Kingdom, actually: so much of it gets in the way of honest storytelling.
Everything about the plot, for example, is telegraphed so openly.
It almost feels like Moriarty painted herself into a corner. The first novel was so ambitious and the challenges so enormous that allowing them to be solved with apparent ease and a sense of inevitability results in a mess of contrivances instead of a believable chain of events.
Also, the science-and-magic duality goes from vague to completely unbelievable here. There's an attempt to show how science and magic are two sides to the same coin, but the suddenness of the discoveries - and the convenient timing - are so preposterous that it renders both science and magic unbelievable. The way both are hammered home, and the way both reach at meaning, too, as if pretty writing can mask contrivance which can mimic truth, is... almost insulting, strong as that sounds.
What this book also has: teens who save the day because the adults are conveniently absent; friends who contribute nothing but faux-profundities and carryover from the first novel (which does all of them a disservice); a relationship that veers into "I forgot my name but still think you're beautiful, so clearly we must be Meant To Be." No thanks.
The ending is gutsy, though. Especially if there's no sequel. Those are the only pages where the book tells the truth. Until those few pages, it's giddiness and odd turns of phrase and such a degree of predictability that, much as I admire those pages, I have to think that the WSU gets disbanded and they all live happily ever after. Sigh.
June 28, 2014
I have much love for this beautifully imagined series. The worlds and characters are richly imagined, and the world-building (and the mystery of dual realities) so intelligently handled.
In this second novel, the pressure mounts for Madeleine and Elliot to work out how the cracks between their worlds work. But even with the urgency to find and rescue the royal family, the story unfolds at a pace that allows time to discover and explore not just the Kingdom of Cello, but also the 'real' world where Madeleine faces her own challenges.
I particularly enjoyed the whole 'scientific approach to magic' theme that is cleverly woven through the story, as well as the deepening friendship/fledgling romance building between Madeleine and Elliot. They have a shared curiosity for each other and their respective worlds, and share the grief of an absent father (albeit through different circumstances). They're also teenagers, and I love their faltering flirting via old fashioned notes (the only way to communicate through the crack between their worlds).
There are some welcome answers in The Cracks in the Kingdom, and a fantastic and unexpected twist right at the end that promises even more in the next book.
Oh, and the writing is again evocative, beautiful and imaginative.
In this second novel, the pressure mounts for Madeleine and Elliot to work out how the cracks between their worlds work. But even with the urgency to find and rescue the royal family, the story unfolds at a pace that allows time to discover and explore not just the Kingdom of Cello, but also the 'real' world where Madeleine faces her own challenges.
I particularly enjoyed the whole 'scientific approach to magic' theme that is cleverly woven through the story, as well as the deepening friendship/fledgling romance building between Madeleine and Elliot. They have a shared curiosity for each other and their respective worlds, and share the grief of an absent father (albeit through different circumstances). They're also teenagers, and I love their faltering flirting via old fashioned notes (the only way to communicate through the crack between their worlds).
There are some welcome answers in The Cracks in the Kingdom, and a fantastic and unexpected twist right at the end that promises even more in the next book.
Oh, and the writing is again evocative, beautiful and imaginative.
May 17, 2019
The Kingdom of Cello is an alternate world that lies just beneath the surface of ours. Every so often cracks form between the two worlds, but the Kingdom of Cello keeps closing them back up. And if you know about a crack and don't report it you could be executed.
The main difference between the two worlds seems to be colours. In Cello, colours are real monsters and each colour has a different danger level.
It is a great way to frame a world, and the story within it centers around Elliott in Cello and Madeline in the World who have started communicating through a crack. In this second instalment they are also trying to find a way through the crack in order to rescue some of the royal family.
Great second book, slightly wordy at times, but really enjoyable. Great audio narration with 2 narrators for the main characters which works perfectly.
Highly recommended for YA Fantasy fans that enjoy character development!
The main difference between the two worlds seems to be colours. In Cello, colours are real monsters and each colour has a different danger level.
It is a great way to frame a world, and the story within it centers around Elliott in Cello and Madeline in the World who have started communicating through a crack. In this second instalment they are also trying to find a way through the crack in order to rescue some of the royal family.
Great second book, slightly wordy at times, but really enjoyable. Great audio narration with 2 narrators for the main characters which works perfectly.
Highly recommended for YA Fantasy fans that enjoy character development!
January 25, 2015
¡Ay, Moriaaaaaaaaaaaaarty!
Es muy genia esta mujer.
Al principio me costaba agarrarle el ritmo, me parecía que se le estaba yendo la mano con los disparates de forma innecesaria (y lo sostengo), pero llega un momento en el que libro se pone insoltable.
La recta final es un sufrimiento brillante, me gustó mucho.
¿Ahora qué hago hasta que salga el último? ¿QUÉ?
Es muy genia esta mujer.
Al principio me costaba agarrarle el ritmo, me parecía que se le estaba yendo la mano con los disparates de forma innecesaria (y lo sostengo), pero llega un momento en el que libro se pone insoltable.
La recta final es un sufrimiento brillante, me gustó mucho.
¿Ahora qué hago hasta que salga el último? ¿QUÉ?
January 4, 2016
The Cracks in the Kingdom is everything I like in a sequel. The plot threads are picked up and the characters return with vigor and become even more colourful than in the first installment of the trilogy. This book focuses more on Elliot than on Madeleine and this worked well for me because the action occurs where Elliott is. Madeleine’s character was developed quite thoroughly in the first book and I think because the first book was so introspective, so focused on her growth as a person rather than external action, the pace of it lagged quite a bit. In contrast, this book is chockful of action. Elliot finds himself having to take part in the Royal Youth Alliance which is just a cover for the actual work the group is doing: retrieving the members of the royal family who have been exiled to the World.
The Cracks in the Kingdom has Moriarty’s signature style of wit interspersed with such clever wisdom that I had to read a passage twice and even thrice to soak it in entirely. I love Moriarty’s turn of phrase and with this novel, she redeemed herself for me. Moriarty’s brilliance is character building; she manages to individuate each character so thoroughly that thinking of them as real people rather than fictional people becomes easy. No stock character tropes such as “love interest” for her, no, Elliot is fully realized as a person with hopes, wishes and flaws. I love the conversations he has with Madeleine and how he expresses his inability to comprehend her at times. Their interactions are a highlight of the novel and even when their relationship goes south, it does so in a believable way. All writers should aspire to write their characters the way Moriarty does because I know I do. The romance such as it is finally starts to unfurl. It is a small aspect of the novel though but a welcome one.
The novel is mainly about relationships between parents and children. The themes of loss are prominent and along the way there is a definite flavour of bildungsroman thrown in for good measure. The Kingdom of Cello is wonderfully created and the new characters introduced in the novel are all, as expected, fascinating. I love the twist at the end of the book; it was unexpected but welcome. The book leaves the reader at a good point: satisfied but wanting more. I recommend this series to you, really. Stop reading about sparkly vampires and give this one a chance. It will ask more from you but it gives more in return. Strongly recommended.
The Cracks in the Kingdom has Moriarty’s signature style of wit interspersed with such clever wisdom that I had to read a passage twice and even thrice to soak it in entirely. I love Moriarty’s turn of phrase and with this novel, she redeemed herself for me. Moriarty’s brilliance is character building; she manages to individuate each character so thoroughly that thinking of them as real people rather than fictional people becomes easy. No stock character tropes such as “love interest” for her, no, Elliot is fully realized as a person with hopes, wishes and flaws. I love the conversations he has with Madeleine and how he expresses his inability to comprehend her at times. Their interactions are a highlight of the novel and even when their relationship goes south, it does so in a believable way. All writers should aspire to write their characters the way Moriarty does because I know I do. The romance such as it is finally starts to unfurl. It is a small aspect of the novel though but a welcome one.
The novel is mainly about relationships between parents and children. The themes of loss are prominent and along the way there is a definite flavour of bildungsroman thrown in for good measure. The Kingdom of Cello is wonderfully created and the new characters introduced in the novel are all, as expected, fascinating. I love the twist at the end of the book; it was unexpected but welcome. The book leaves the reader at a good point: satisfied but wanting more. I recommend this series to you, really. Stop reading about sparkly vampires and give this one a chance. It will ask more from you but it gives more in return. Strongly recommended.
February 10, 2014
Um what…JACLYN MORIARTY WHY DID YOU DO THAT TO ME?!!! WHY OH MY GOD MY HEART AND I JUST MY LIFE SUCKS RIGHT NOW UGH AUTHORS ARE EVIL.
Picking up from the first book, Princess Ko is in need of getting her family back before doom will fall on the Kingdom of Cello. In order to do so, she makes the Royal Youth Alliance, gathering young adolescents, to help her. That's the basic plot going on. But there is also Elliot and his missing father and Madeline and her world. And also they try to cross over to each other's world….
Okay, this is going to be so hard but I am going to make this spoiler-free. It's so hard not to tell you what happens and I just want to and ADFJKALF--yeah. GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK ALREADY!
I swear Elliot and Madeline yes they need to kiss and make babies together--they are so adorable together and I love how comforting they feel in each others' presences. And they just so perfect they are my OTP all the way. I'm shipping this boat all the way.
Lots of things are still unanswered about the cracks but you get loads more information about them and as ever the surprises just kept on coming and I loved it! You get a bit more like how you can pass through cracks or what happens when people in Cello go to the World (our world). You also get to see more of Cello!
I loved that even though there is all these things happening, Moriarty still manages to make it a heartwarming, funny, and emotional read. My heart right now…it's in pieces.
Now excuse me while I squeeze lemon on my elbow and see if I'm from Cello.
Picking up from the first book, Princess Ko is in need of getting her family back before doom will fall on the Kingdom of Cello. In order to do so, she makes the Royal Youth Alliance, gathering young adolescents, to help her. That's the basic plot going on. But there is also Elliot and his missing father and Madeline and her world. And also they try to cross over to each other's world….
Okay, this is going to be so hard but I am going to make this spoiler-free. It's so hard not to tell you what happens and I just want to and ADFJKALF--yeah. GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK ALREADY!
I swear Elliot and Madeline yes they need to kiss and make babies together--they are so adorable together and I love how comforting they feel in each others' presences. And they just so perfect they are my OTP all the way. I'm shipping this boat all the way.
Lots of things are still unanswered about the cracks but you get loads more information about them and as ever the surprises just kept on coming and I loved it! You get a bit more like how you can pass through cracks or what happens when people in Cello go to the World (our world). You also get to see more of Cello!
I loved that even though there is all these things happening, Moriarty still manages to make it a heartwarming, funny, and emotional read. My heart right now…it's in pieces.
Now excuse me while I squeeze lemon on my elbow and see if I'm from Cello.
March 19, 2017
This is an action-packed sequel to "A Corner of White" and really moves the plot along. There are plot twists revealed in this book -- some I had guessed, others were a total surprise. This second part of the trilogy moved along at a faster pace than the first and included some exciting sequences that advanced the storyline.
Madeleine and Elliot continue to communicate through the crack. We learn more about the royal family and where they are as well as how they can be rescued. The kids in the Alliance get to play an important part in helping Princess Ko. We learn more about many open-ended items from the first part as well.
If you were a bit underwhelmed by Part 1, do not give up. Read on! I am happy to say that I have "A Tangle of Gold" already checked out and ready to read.
Madeleine and Elliot continue to communicate through the crack. We learn more about the royal family and where they are as well as how they can be rescued. The kids in the Alliance get to play an important part in helping Princess Ko. We learn more about many open-ended items from the first part as well.
If you were a bit underwhelmed by Part 1, do not give up. Read on! I am happy to say that I have "A Tangle of Gold" already checked out and ready to read.
November 18, 2013
Loved this even more than the first one.
August 27, 2019
No puedo creer que no hayan publicado el tercero :(
March 31, 2017
I finished this book last weekend, and it's taken me a while to sit down to write a review -- largely because it took me more than a month to read, and I've been trying to put my finger on why.
Other than general life busyness and the danger of reading hardcover books in bed when you're tired (ow), the obvious reason is that all the books in this series are quite long (and also heavy -- ow). This one is almost 500 pages, and maybe my attention span isn't what it used to be, but it just seemed like a lot. If you've read the first book in the series, you will know that the series is a parallel world tale where one of the two main characters, Madeline, is in England while the other is a boy named Elliot who lives in a magical modern-day equivalent of Earth that is called Cello. Moriarty puts a lot of work into world-building as far as Cello goes. Like, a lot. There are extracts from guide books, for example, and newspaper clippings, as well as the letters that the blurb mentions. They are relevant to the story, but gosh there are a lot of them!
There were some parts of the story that dragged and -- despite the name of the trilogy -- they are almost all Madeline's sections. She doesn't have as much to do in the second story other than live her quirky life, post some letters, and be increasingly interested in Elliot, who is (apparently) forever unattainable.
Elliot on the other hand is a very interesting character, as are the other members of the Royal Youth Alliance, Ko, Kiera, Sergio and Samuel. I far enjoyed reading about their meetings and efforts to rescue the royal family. That's where all the action in the book is. (Sorry, Madeline.)
I realise this review might seem lukewarm, but I really did enjoy most of it -- hence the four stars! I went straight into the last book in the series, and I'm hoping I can get it done more quickly than this one!
Other than general life busyness and the danger of reading hardcover books in bed when you're tired (ow), the obvious reason is that all the books in this series are quite long (and also heavy -- ow). This one is almost 500 pages, and maybe my attention span isn't what it used to be, but it just seemed like a lot. If you've read the first book in the series, you will know that the series is a parallel world tale where one of the two main characters, Madeline, is in England while the other is a boy named Elliot who lives in a magical modern-day equivalent of Earth that is called Cello. Moriarty puts a lot of work into world-building as far as Cello goes. Like, a lot. There are extracts from guide books, for example, and newspaper clippings, as well as the letters that the blurb mentions. They are relevant to the story, but gosh there are a lot of them!
There were some parts of the story that dragged and -- despite the name of the trilogy -- they are almost all Madeline's sections. She doesn't have as much to do in the second story other than live her quirky life, post some letters, and be increasingly interested in Elliot, who is (apparently) forever unattainable.
Elliot on the other hand is a very interesting character, as are the other members of the Royal Youth Alliance, Ko, Kiera, Sergio and Samuel. I far enjoyed reading about their meetings and efforts to rescue the royal family. That's where all the action in the book is. (Sorry, Madeline.)
I realise this review might seem lukewarm, but I really did enjoy most of it -- hence the four stars! I went straight into the last book in the series, and I'm hoping I can get it done more quickly than this one!
August 5, 2014
I never reviewed the first book in this series (A Corner of White) because I had mixed feelings about it. The second book though --WOW! So imaginative and delightful. Not that the first book wasn’t imaginative as well, but this one really just pressed all the right buttons. The book has a contemporary feel to it mixed with J. Moriarty’s quirky prose, yet it’s a fantasy as well.
Basically it’s about two worlds that co-exist in different dimensions- The World (where we live) and a somewhat magical kingdom called Cello. In the first book, the main characters, Madeline and Elliot find a crack between the two worlds where they’re able to send letters to each other. At the close of the first book, we’ve discovered that the royal family has been kidnapped and sent to The World. In the second book, Princess Ko, the lone remaining royal, recruits Elliot to help her get her family back.
The characters in this book really shine - there’s Elliot of course, but new characters have been added. We see more of Princess Ko, who is a tough leader with a buried heart of kindness. Samuel is so funny - he’s from a province called Olde Quaint, he wears funny clothing like Old Irishmen, and every other sentence he speaks is a simile (which usually don’t make sense). Keira is also hard as nails and she’s from a province called Jagged Edge. She’s a night dweller, and also something of tech genius. Then there’s Serge, a stable boy, who turns out to be an Occasional Pilot (and no I won’t tell you what that’s all about). While the characters in Cello shine, they also way outdo the characters in The World. Which is unfortunate, because if this book didn’t have it’s magical elements then the characters in The World would be equally delightful and engaging on their own. It’s just that Cello is so much...more, that it makes you want to skip those parts where Madeline, Belle and Jack are hanging out. All in all though, I love all of these characters and can’t wait to see what they do next.
If you love young adult fantasy and also contemporary, then you really must start this series. The first book is a little confusing at first, though still delightful. The second book will leave you itching for more. Dare I say it? Almost as much as Harry Potter. (There, I’ve said it.) J. Moriarty’s imagination is outstanding, and every reader ought to get to know her - even if it’s just to discover what the Lake of Spells is!
Basically it’s about two worlds that co-exist in different dimensions- The World (where we live) and a somewhat magical kingdom called Cello. In the first book, the main characters, Madeline and Elliot find a crack between the two worlds where they’re able to send letters to each other. At the close of the first book, we’ve discovered that the royal family has been kidnapped and sent to The World. In the second book, Princess Ko, the lone remaining royal, recruits Elliot to help her get her family back.
The characters in this book really shine - there’s Elliot of course, but new characters have been added. We see more of Princess Ko, who is a tough leader with a buried heart of kindness. Samuel is so funny - he’s from a province called Olde Quaint, he wears funny clothing like Old Irishmen, and every other sentence he speaks is a simile (which usually don’t make sense). Keira is also hard as nails and she’s from a province called Jagged Edge. She’s a night dweller, and also something of tech genius. Then there’s Serge, a stable boy, who turns out to be an Occasional Pilot (and no I won’t tell you what that’s all about). While the characters in Cello shine, they also way outdo the characters in The World. Which is unfortunate, because if this book didn’t have it’s magical elements then the characters in The World would be equally delightful and engaging on their own. It’s just that Cello is so much...more, that it makes you want to skip those parts where Madeline, Belle and Jack are hanging out. All in all though, I love all of these characters and can’t wait to see what they do next.
If you love young adult fantasy and also contemporary, then you really must start this series. The first book is a little confusing at first, though still delightful. The second book will leave you itching for more. Dare I say it? Almost as much as Harry Potter. (There, I’ve said it.) J. Moriarty’s imagination is outstanding, and every reader ought to get to know her - even if it’s just to discover what the Lake of Spells is!
May 26, 2017
"This world is made of more than particles. It's made of things you can't hold in your hand, like fear, love, loss, hope, truth. And maybe truths are like horses on a carousel. You could keep running around, trying to catch one, or you could just stand still and believe, and wait for it to come around to you."
In this book, Madeleine and Elliot grow even closer as they continue to communicate between both their worlds. In the kingdom of Cello, Princess Ko continues to use Elliot's help to trace the whereabouts of the remainder of the royal family while in the World Madeleine learns about light and color and discovers a better possible way to perhaps travel between the cracks between the kingdoms.
I absolutely fell completely in love with the first book in this series. The story was completely fresh and unique, and the writing was crystal clear and beautiful. So needless to say, I was eagerly anticipating the release of the second novel in the series and I was not disappointed in the least. It was almost five hundred pages of delightful storytelling and even further character development. Sometimes the second book in a series can suffer from the story dragging and bland characters but this was not the case in this series. I loved watching Madeleine and Elliot grow even closer. I loved learning even more about the Kingdom of Cello and learning the mystery between the royal family's disappearance.
This is just an overall feel-good story that everyone can love and enjoy!
There was the extraordinary rush of it, the warmth and buzz of each other's hands. It was like standing in the path of closing elevator doors and stepping aside just in time: the breeze of the doors still cold against your cheeks; the quiet power of an ordinary think like a door or the touch of a hand.
In this book, Madeleine and Elliot grow even closer as they continue to communicate between both their worlds. In the kingdom of Cello, Princess Ko continues to use Elliot's help to trace the whereabouts of the remainder of the royal family while in the World Madeleine learns about light and color and discovers a better possible way to perhaps travel between the cracks between the kingdoms.
I absolutely fell completely in love with the first book in this series. The story was completely fresh and unique, and the writing was crystal clear and beautiful. So needless to say, I was eagerly anticipating the release of the second novel in the series and I was not disappointed in the least. It was almost five hundred pages of delightful storytelling and even further character development. Sometimes the second book in a series can suffer from the story dragging and bland characters but this was not the case in this series. I loved watching Madeleine and Elliot grow even closer. I loved learning even more about the Kingdom of Cello and learning the mystery between the royal family's disappearance.
This is just an overall feel-good story that everyone can love and enjoy!
There was the extraordinary rush of it, the warmth and buzz of each other's hands. It was like standing in the path of closing elevator doors and stepping aside just in time: the breeze of the doors still cold against your cheeks; the quiet power of an ordinary think like a door or the touch of a hand.
March 8, 2014
Title: The Cracks in the Kingdom
Author: Jaclyn Moriarty
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Rating: 5/5
Cover Impressions: The digital image really doesn't do this one justice. In the physical copy, the colors are so vibrant and the raindrops and lightning keep your eye moving across the image. It fits beautifully with the first cover in this series, but I am still wishing for the parking meter to be featured on a cover - here's hoping for #3!
The Gist: Madeleine and Elliot's communications through a mysterious crack between their worlds have been fun and exciting, but now their notes must take on more purpose. The royal family is missing, presumably transported to The World and Madeleine and Elliot have been charged not only with finding them, but with determining the science governing the cracks so that they can bring the family home. As if that weren't enough, Elliot must also travel Cello with the Royal Youth Alliance and endure tours and parties while trying to discover where in The World to start looking for the missing royals.
Review:
I shouldn't like this book. The characters are strange and some are completely unrelatable, there are long scientific diatribes that make little sense and the "rules" of the fantasy kingdom are near impossible to discern. I shouldn't like this book, but I do. In fact, I love it.
It has a strange charm that drew me in and I ended up closing the book wishing for just one more chapter. Please, Ms. Moriarty, Just. One. More. Chapter.
The rest of this review, and my parent/teacher advisories can be found at Reading Between Classes
Author: Jaclyn Moriarty
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Rating: 5/5
Cover Impressions: The digital image really doesn't do this one justice. In the physical copy, the colors are so vibrant and the raindrops and lightning keep your eye moving across the image. It fits beautifully with the first cover in this series, but I am still wishing for the parking meter to be featured on a cover - here's hoping for #3!
The Gist: Madeleine and Elliot's communications through a mysterious crack between their worlds have been fun and exciting, but now their notes must take on more purpose. The royal family is missing, presumably transported to The World and Madeleine and Elliot have been charged not only with finding them, but with determining the science governing the cracks so that they can bring the family home. As if that weren't enough, Elliot must also travel Cello with the Royal Youth Alliance and endure tours and parties while trying to discover where in The World to start looking for the missing royals.
Review:
I shouldn't like this book. The characters are strange and some are completely unrelatable, there are long scientific diatribes that make little sense and the "rules" of the fantasy kingdom are near impossible to discern. I shouldn't like this book, but I do. In fact, I love it.
It has a strange charm that drew me in and I ended up closing the book wishing for just one more chapter. Please, Ms. Moriarty, Just. One. More. Chapter.
The rest of this review, and my parent/teacher advisories can be found at Reading Between Classes
October 26, 2016
This series is fluffy on the outside and so, so rich in the inside. The characters, the world, the prose, and the way the plot slots together like perfectly formed puzzle pieces are all absolutely beautiful.
February 17, 2016
Much better than the first one! I'm really enjoying this series - it's like nothing I've ever read before.
February 22, 2015
As to a curling iron in lip balm. Call yourselves my apologies if you don't know this, (I didn't lose my marbles, I'm just quoting one of the characters)...
I read this book two days ago, and to tell the truth didn't know what to think of it. There was a buzz in the air...the buzz of disappointment. You see, I don't mind an open ending; but this one was a little too open for me.
Higher the expectations, harder the fall. I went as far as to scrutinize the bottom of the last page (pg. 468) and the bottom of "The Acknowledgments"( damn! no page number) ... because you know MAYBE I bought a defective copy.
Mental relief came in the form of a few lines on Moriarty's blog:
"The Cracks in the Kingdom, Book 2 in the Colors of Madeleine trilogy..."
You see I've read "The Colors of Madeleine" under the silly misconception this was a duology. On Goodreads, there's no trace of that UNTITLED fake cover for a third book( not to speak of a release date *sigh*).
I'm still not sane enough to write a proper review ... I'll just say with my newly acquired knowledge that the story doesn't end on page 468 of The Cracks in the Kingdom ... it was a great second book in a trilogy (I always fear the second one), and I hope my hair doesn't turn grey waiting for book three.
I read this book two days ago, and to tell the truth didn't know what to think of it. There was a buzz in the air...the buzz of disappointment. You see, I don't mind an open ending; but this one was a little too open for me.
Higher the expectations, harder the fall. I went as far as to scrutinize the bottom of the last page (pg. 468) and the bottom of "The Acknowledgments"( damn! no page number) ... because you know MAYBE I bought a defective copy.
Mental relief came in the form of a few lines on Moriarty's blog:
"The Cracks in the Kingdom, Book 2 in the Colors of Madeleine trilogy..."
You see I've read "The Colors of Madeleine" under the silly misconception this was a duology. On Goodreads, there's no trace of that UNTITLED fake cover for a third book( not to speak of a release date *sigh*).
I'm still not sane enough to write a proper review ... I'll just say with my newly acquired knowledge that the story doesn't end on page 468 of The Cracks in the Kingdom ... it was a great second book in a trilogy (I always fear the second one), and I hope my hair doesn't turn grey waiting for book three.
August 30, 2016
Welllllll...
Okay, so, I never quite got fully invested in this one. Perhaps I just wasn't in the mood for it, but in any case I found myself kind of disliking pretty much everyone in the book besides Madeleine and Elliot. I just didn't care about Princess Ko or her missing family. I didn't care about Madeleine's cancer survivor mother, or Elliott's missing dad. I didn't really care about Jack or Belle. For whatever reason, all those characters felt flat to me this time. It's not like this is a short book, and yet somehow it felt like there was too much of the stuff that didn't interest me and not nearly enough of the stuff that did.
But most other people seem to be liking this one a lot, so maybe I'm crazy.
All that said, I still love the way Jaclyn Moriarty writes, and there were several lines in this that I read over and over again because they were just so beautifully right. I'm not sure I want to read the next book in this series, but I'll certainly look forward to whatever Moriarty does afterward.
Okay, so, I never quite got fully invested in this one. Perhaps I just wasn't in the mood for it, but in any case I found myself kind of disliking pretty much everyone in the book besides Madeleine and Elliot. I just didn't care about Princess Ko or her missing family. I didn't care about Madeleine's cancer survivor mother, or Elliott's missing dad. I didn't really care about Jack or Belle. For whatever reason, all those characters felt flat to me this time. It's not like this is a short book, and yet somehow it felt like there was too much of the stuff that didn't interest me and not nearly enough of the stuff that did.
But most other people seem to be liking this one a lot, so maybe I'm crazy.
All that said, I still love the way Jaclyn Moriarty writes, and there were several lines in this that I read over and over again because they were just so beautifully right. I'm not sure I want to read the next book in this series, but I'll certainly look forward to whatever Moriarty does afterward.
January 28, 2015
This is such an unusual series. I would never think I would enjoy these books, but I do. The author is whimsical and unusual but somehow beautiful. The story dragged a little bit towards the end but it was definitely worth the read.
July 20, 2015
I don't know what to expect with these books, which makes reading them fun. Anything could happen.
Library copy
Library copy
November 29, 2013
Just wonderful. How long till the next?
June 2, 2014
Emotional roller coaster.
This book in a nutshell. Whew. Wow. I NEED THE NEXT ONE ><><><
This book in a nutshell. Whew. Wow. I NEED THE NEXT ONE ><><><
November 3, 2016
I love it so much. And I'm so scared and sad.
October 17, 2021
Misterul din regat 3.5*
Știți, dacă nu vă spun eu, ador fantasy....nu mă plictisesc deloc citind această categorie literară, dar se pare ca greu mă mai mulțumesc cărțile acestea.
Ei bine, acest al doilea volum, l-am început după ce am descoperit ultimele 20 de pagini ale primului volum, atât de bune au fost acele pagini, încât mi-am dorit să aflu totuși ce s-a mai întâmplat.
Greu, foarte greu am terminat acest volum, poate a fost ales într-o perioadă nepotrivită pentru mine...a fost ca o cafea fierbinte, ce nu am lăsat-o să se răcească, pentru a fi savurată, iar la care uitasem să amestec zahărul...iar acest lucru a condus la o opărire, o senzație amăruie pe durata degustarii ....încât nu stiu ce sa va spun referitor la volumul al treilea.
Cred ca mi-am dorit să fie Isaac Newton mai des menționat în carte, au mai fost și alții....dar mi-aș fi dorit mai multe informatii (așa pentru cultura mea generală )
Ii dau 3.5 stelute
Spoiler...
Două lumi paralele, Lumea noastră și un Regat -Cello...înainte existau portaluri și se vizitau, acum există fisuri dar Usl ul are grijă să le închidă imediat, și totusi exista una ,iar doi copii corespondeaza cu ajutorul scrisorilor și încearcă să găsească o mare parte din familia regală a fost răpită și dusă în Lume .
Știți, dacă nu vă spun eu, ador fantasy....nu mă plictisesc deloc citind această categorie literară, dar se pare ca greu mă mai mulțumesc cărțile acestea.
Ei bine, acest al doilea volum, l-am început după ce am descoperit ultimele 20 de pagini ale primului volum, atât de bune au fost acele pagini, încât mi-am dorit să aflu totuși ce s-a mai întâmplat.
Greu, foarte greu am terminat acest volum, poate a fost ales într-o perioadă nepotrivită pentru mine...a fost ca o cafea fierbinte, ce nu am lăsat-o să se răcească, pentru a fi savurată, iar la care uitasem să amestec zahărul...iar acest lucru a condus la o opărire, o senzație amăruie pe durata degustarii ....încât nu stiu ce sa va spun referitor la volumul al treilea.
Cred ca mi-am dorit să fie Isaac Newton mai des menționat în carte, au mai fost și alții....dar mi-aș fi dorit mai multe informatii (așa pentru cultura mea generală )
Ii dau 3.5 stelute
Spoiler...
Două lumi paralele, Lumea noastră și un Regat -Cello...înainte existau portaluri și se vizitau, acum există fisuri dar Usl ul are grijă să le închidă imediat, și totusi exista una ,iar doi copii corespondeaza cu ajutorul scrisorilor și încearcă să găsească o mare parte din familia regală a fost răpită și dusă în Lume .
January 14, 2018
This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Bookworm
The sequel to A Corner of White, which I read last week, it's safe to say The Cracks in the Kingdom DOES NOT suffer from second book syndrome! If possible, it's better than the first book in the trilogy, and I'm now almost scared to read the third book for fear it won't hold up (and also because I don't want this series to end!).
I'm not going to get into this too much, for fear of spoilers, but this was even more magical whimsy than the first book. I loved the adventure elements and all the new characters we came to meet. There were so many twists and turns, none of which I predicted, and yet another cliffhanger ending which just about had me shrieking! Such a good book, and I can't wait to see what happens next - 5 stars
Check out the rest of my review here!
The sequel to A Corner of White, which I read last week, it's safe to say The Cracks in the Kingdom DOES NOT suffer from second book syndrome! If possible, it's better than the first book in the trilogy, and I'm now almost scared to read the third book for fear it won't hold up (and also because I don't want this series to end!).
I'm not going to get into this too much, for fear of spoilers, but this was even more magical whimsy than the first book. I loved the adventure elements and all the new characters we came to meet. There were so many twists and turns, none of which I predicted, and yet another cliffhanger ending which just about had me shrieking! Such a good book, and I can't wait to see what happens next - 5 stars
Check out the rest of my review here!
May 26, 2020
I very much enjoyed this book, but to be honest, I think that the introduction of a more substantial plot line weakens this book in comparison to the first. The YA tropes of the lucky coincidence and other such loophole developments appear in the story, which takes away from some of the magic within A Corner of White (although it's definitely not even close to as bad as some other books, also! no instalove!). I find Moriarty's characters to be more compelling than the actual storyline (this holds true for all of her works that I have read so far, actually), and it is this strength that keeps me in love with this series. On to number three!
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