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The Map to Everywhere #2
City of Thirst
New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis transport readers back to the boundless world of the Pirate Stream in this engaging and exhilarating sequel to the highly acclaimed The Map to Everywhere that is equal parts adventure, humor, and heart!
When the magical waters of the Pirate Stream begin flooding Marrill's world, the only way to stop the destruction is to return to the Stream and find the source of the mysterious Iron Tide. Reunited with her best friend Fin--who has been forgotten all over again--Marrill, her disbelieving babysitter, and the Enterprising Kraken crew must make the treacherous trek to the towering, sliding, impossible world of Monerva and uncover the secrets of its long-lost wish machine. Only there can Fin wish to finally be remembered. Only there can Marrill wish to save her world and all the people she loves. But to get everything they've ever wanted, Marrill and Fin may have to give up on the most important thing they already have: each other.
When the magical waters of the Pirate Stream begin flooding Marrill's world, the only way to stop the destruction is to return to the Stream and find the source of the mysterious Iron Tide. Reunited with her best friend Fin--who has been forgotten all over again--Marrill, her disbelieving babysitter, and the Enterprising Kraken crew must make the treacherous trek to the towering, sliding, impossible world of Monerva and uncover the secrets of its long-lost wish machine. Only there can Fin wish to finally be remembered. Only there can Marrill wish to save her world and all the people she loves. But to get everything they've ever wanted, Marrill and Fin may have to give up on the most important thing they already have: each other.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2015
57 people are currently reading
996 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Ryan
54 books4,824 followersCarrie Ryan is the New York Times bestselling author of a lot of books. She use to be a lawyer. Happily, she is not anymore. You can keep it that way by reading her books:
Latest release (out Aug 2, 2022), perfects for fans of thrillers, serial killers, missing girls, mysteries, unputdownable books: Trapper Road
If you like zombies, try the Forest of Hands and Teeth series.
If you like clever, fun adventure fantasy for 8-12 year olds, definitely read the Map To Everywhere series (co-written with her husband, John Parke Davis).
If you like cold calculated revenge involving hidden identities and lots of secrets: Daughter of Deep Silence.
If you or your kids like multi-author, multi-platform series like 39 Clues and Spirit Animals, try Infinity Ring: Divide and Conquer -- it's produced by the same publisher (and has vikings and true history!)
If you like true-crime stuff (both fiction and podcasts), check out her upcoming release, Dead Air, a serialized thriller co-written with Gwenda Bond and Rachel Caine.
If you're pretty sure you won't survive the zombie apocalypse, you're in good company. She won't either.
instagram: @CarrieRyanWrites
twitter: @CarrieRyan
website: www.CarrieRyan.com
Latest release (out Aug 2, 2022), perfects for fans of thrillers, serial killers, missing girls, mysteries, unputdownable books: Trapper Road
If you like zombies, try the Forest of Hands and Teeth series.
If you like clever, fun adventure fantasy for 8-12 year olds, definitely read the Map To Everywhere series (co-written with her husband, John Parke Davis).
If you like cold calculated revenge involving hidden identities and lots of secrets: Daughter of Deep Silence.
If you or your kids like multi-author, multi-platform series like 39 Clues and Spirit Animals, try Infinity Ring: Divide and Conquer -- it's produced by the same publisher (and has vikings and true history!)
If you like true-crime stuff (both fiction and podcasts), check out her upcoming release, Dead Air, a serialized thriller co-written with Gwenda Bond and Rachel Caine.
If you're pretty sure you won't survive the zombie apocalypse, you're in good company. She won't either.
instagram: @CarrieRyanWrites
twitter: @CarrieRyan
website: www.CarrieRyan.com
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July 22, 2015I'm not here to leave a review (obviously I'm a bit biased since I wrote this book - lol)! I just wanted to use this space to give you some updates and say a huge thanks for continuing the journey along the Pirate Stream with JP and me. We've had an unbelievably amazing time writing this series and have been overjoyed at the responses we've received. Thank you for adding this book to your shelves, for reading it and reviewing and discussing and just being all around passionate about books!
And if you're interested in learning more about me, my writing, my life (and, let's be honest, pictures of my cat and dog), you can find me online:
Sign up for my newsletter here
Website: CarrieRyan.com
Twitter: @CarrieRyan
Instagram: @CarrieRyanWrites
Facebook: @AuthorCarrieRyan
Blog: CarrieRyan.com/blog
Thanks for reading!!
And if you're interested in learning more about me, my writing, my life (and, let's be honest, pictures of my cat and dog), you can find me online:
Sign up for my newsletter here
Website: CarrieRyan.com
Twitter: @CarrieRyan
Instagram: @CarrieRyanWrites
Facebook: @AuthorCarrieRyan
Blog: CarrieRyan.com/blog
Thanks for reading!!
December 18, 2020
This starts few months after where the first one ended. Marrill is in her own world and she receives a message that she's needed back on the Pirate Stream. And Fin is still aboard The Kraken with everyone always forgetting him. But when Marrill and Fin reunite, we all know it's gonna be more adventures and a lot of action.
We are introduced with few new characters of which I really liked Remy who babysits Marrill in Arizona and when Marrill comes back to the Pirate Stream, Remy follows her and ends up on the Pirate Stream as well and for the good. Because I totally ship Coll and her.
We still don't know anything else about Coll. However we find Annalessa whom the wizard, Ardent was seeking in the first book or rather The Map To Everywhere to find her.
We were introduced with Naysayer in the first book and I really liked him and he's still in this book but not as much as I would have liked him to be.
This book suffered from The Second Book Syndrome for me. Like I said it started out great. We find few things about Fin. My heart goes out to him throughout the book. Marrill however became very annoying in this book. It's always all about her, about her priorities and nope I didn't like that. Fin on the other hand kept me going. Otherwise I was thinking to DNF at one point because a whole lot of nothing happens in this book from the middle to very end. It just kept on dragging which was the exact opposite to the first one. I'm guessing it'll be somehow important in the grand scheme of things but in this book was just dragging.
I would like to know more about Coll and yes I said the same thing after the first book. I'd like to see more of Remy and Coll's relationship as well.
Fin, Remy and the Naysayer make this book for me and they make it to 3 stars from somewhere between DNF to 1 star. Also, I will continue with the series just for these three.
3 stars
We are introduced with few new characters of which I really liked Remy who babysits Marrill in Arizona and when Marrill comes back to the Pirate Stream, Remy follows her and ends up on the Pirate Stream as well and for the good. Because I totally ship Coll and her.
We still don't know anything else about Coll. However we find Annalessa whom the wizard, Ardent was seeking in the first book or rather The Map To Everywhere to find her.
We were introduced with Naysayer in the first book and I really liked him and he's still in this book but not as much as I would have liked him to be.
This book suffered from The Second Book Syndrome for me. Like I said it started out great. We find few things about Fin. My heart goes out to him throughout the book. Marrill however became very annoying in this book. It's always all about her, about her priorities and nope I didn't like that. Fin on the other hand kept me going. Otherwise I was thinking to DNF at one point because a whole lot of nothing happens in this book from the middle to very end. It just kept on dragging which was the exact opposite to the first one. I'm guessing it'll be somehow important in the grand scheme of things but in this book was just dragging.
I would like to know more about Coll and yes I said the same thing after the first book. I'd like to see more of Remy and Coll's relationship as well.
Fin, Remy and the Naysayer make this book for me and they make it to 3 stars from somewhere between DNF to 1 star. Also, I will continue with the series just for these three.
3 stars
February 27, 2016
I really hope we get some answers in the next book. That was my only complaint about this book. I still like the main characters and the Pirate Stream. The Naysayer is still funny, but I was disappointed that he wasn't in this book more.
October 24, 2015
***This review has also been posted on The Social Potato
When I read The Map to Everywhere last year, I fell in love. I am the kid who loves adventures. I grew up reading about kids who go on adventures and I love being an adult who reads about kids going on adventures. The follow-up to The Map to Everywhere however, was not about an adventure. Did I still enjoy reading it? Yes. Did I wish it were an adventures. Yes. Would I change the book if I could? I honestly don’t know.
I think this instalment is important in the grand scheme of things but at the moment, the only thing that really makes sense to me is that without this instalment, Marill and Fin wouldn’t have been reunited and we wouldn’t have been introduced to Remy, Marill’s babysitter and an awesome secondary character.
You would think that being as awesome as they are, Fin and Marill have nothing left to learn but Ryan and Davis prove us wrong and show that there is always something to learn. No one is perfect and neither are these two awesome main characters.
I may not have been happy with the fact that these characters weren’t still travelling but the world of Monerva, the place this book is set in, is SO well built. It also happens to be utter nonsense but then again, we were warned that continuity wouldn’t be guaranteed.
Fin and Marill pair up again to save the day, or more specifically save the Pirate Stream from the Iron tide and I loved being reunited with everyone.
I had loads of fun with the book and the only thing I’d change about my experience is that I’d read a little more slowly so I could enjoy those little details that I find so charming even more. This series is a whole lot of fun to read and I can only hope things will get even better as we go on.
Note that I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
When I read The Map to Everywhere last year, I fell in love. I am the kid who loves adventures. I grew up reading about kids who go on adventures and I love being an adult who reads about kids going on adventures. The follow-up to The Map to Everywhere however, was not about an adventure. Did I still enjoy reading it? Yes. Did I wish it were an adventures. Yes. Would I change the book if I could? I honestly don’t know.
I think this instalment is important in the grand scheme of things but at the moment, the only thing that really makes sense to me is that without this instalment, Marill and Fin wouldn’t have been reunited and we wouldn’t have been introduced to Remy, Marill’s babysitter and an awesome secondary character.
You would think that being as awesome as they are, Fin and Marill have nothing left to learn but Ryan and Davis prove us wrong and show that there is always something to learn. No one is perfect and neither are these two awesome main characters.
I may not have been happy with the fact that these characters weren’t still travelling but the world of Monerva, the place this book is set in, is SO well built. It also happens to be utter nonsense but then again, we were warned that continuity wouldn’t be guaranteed.
Fin and Marill pair up again to save the day, or more specifically save the Pirate Stream from the Iron tide and I loved being reunited with everyone.
I had loads of fun with the book and the only thing I’d change about my experience is that I’d read a little more slowly so I could enjoy those little details that I find so charming even more. This series is a whole lot of fun to read and I can only hope things will get even better as we go on.
Note that I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
January 20, 2016
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This second installment of the Map to Everywhere series did not disappoint! This one had all of the fun and excitement of the first book with even more unique magical worlds. My kids and I especially loved the wall city that was constantly sinking and being rebuilt from the top, and I was impressed with the many themes that were explored with this city (the social hierarchy of this world was based on who lived closest to the top). Actually, I would say that this second book explored many deeper issues than the first book – including the possible downfall of Marrill and Fin’s friendship (because Marrill no longer needs Fin the way she did in the first book and she’s more focused on herself, there are some very sad consequences). Meanwhile, Fin and Marrill are both still trying to defeat the villain from the first book – but there are many surprises along the way. There is a new secondary character introduced in this book – Remy, Marrill’s babysitter, who ends up on the Pirate Stream with Marrill. I loved that she was so dedicated to her job that she would not leave Marrill’s side – even when things got very crazy indeed!
Overall, I’d say this was a fantastic follow-up to The Map to Everywhere, and it left me and my kids wanting more! Can’t wait for the next book!
This second installment of the Map to Everywhere series did not disappoint! This one had all of the fun and excitement of the first book with even more unique magical worlds. My kids and I especially loved the wall city that was constantly sinking and being rebuilt from the top, and I was impressed with the many themes that were explored with this city (the social hierarchy of this world was based on who lived closest to the top). Actually, I would say that this second book explored many deeper issues than the first book – including the possible downfall of Marrill and Fin’s friendship (because Marrill no longer needs Fin the way she did in the first book and she’s more focused on herself, there are some very sad consequences). Meanwhile, Fin and Marrill are both still trying to defeat the villain from the first book – but there are many surprises along the way. There is a new secondary character introduced in this book – Remy, Marrill’s babysitter, who ends up on the Pirate Stream with Marrill. I loved that she was so dedicated to her job that she would not leave Marrill’s side – even when things got very crazy indeed!
Overall, I’d say this was a fantastic follow-up to The Map to Everywhere, and it left me and my kids wanting more! Can’t wait for the next book!
November 7, 2017
In the first book, we travelled to a few interesting and imaginative places and I left that book looking forward to visiting more places in this one. With that expectancy, I was a little disappointed that we only visited a couple. However, they were indeed interesting and imaginative with the titular city being the setting for most of the story.
There was a lot of emphasis on want and need that drove many plot points and threats, which made for a different type of 'engine' running the story. Unlike most stories where this need is realised in the stealing of that gold or the murdering of that competition, this need is more of that unspent yearning which is spun into something tangible. It encompasses most of the characters and plot points as well as shine the first book in a more needy light. Fin's need to be remembered, Marrill's need for her mother's recovery, the Naysayer's need to look after the cat, Coll's need to keep on sailing and Ardent's need to find his lost love.
In a bid to keep this world 'fresh' they Marrill's teenage babysitter was dragged along too and she played the fish-out-of-water character. Beyond that, there wasn't really anything she added to the story or the plot, which was a wasted opportunity. In some scenes she may as well not even be there and it's only when she finally speaks or reacts to something that I'm reminded that she's even in the story.
As with book one, the story is accompanied by some fabulous pieces of artwork that feel like they're stills from an animated TV series or film and accentuate the story beautifully.
There was a lot of emphasis on want and need that drove many plot points and threats, which made for a different type of 'engine' running the story. Unlike most stories where this need is realised in the stealing of that gold or the murdering of that competition, this need is more of that unspent yearning which is spun into something tangible. It encompasses most of the characters and plot points as well as shine the first book in a more needy light. Fin's need to be remembered, Marrill's need for her mother's recovery, the Naysayer's need to look after the cat, Coll's need to keep on sailing and Ardent's need to find his lost love.
In a bid to keep this world 'fresh' they Marrill's teenage babysitter was dragged along too and she played the fish-out-of-water character. Beyond that, there wasn't really anything she added to the story or the plot, which was a wasted opportunity. In some scenes she may as well not even be there and it's only when she finally speaks or reacts to something that I'm reminded that she's even in the story.
As with book one, the story is accompanied by some fabulous pieces of artwork that feel like they're stills from an animated TV series or film and accentuate the story beautifully.
April 27, 2016
Ad ogni capitolo, mi innamoro sempre di più di questa saga. Amo Fin, amo Marrill e amo tutti gli altri. Anche Remy, che all'inizio sopportavo poco, verso la fine non mi è dispiaciuta. Amo come le vicende siano assurde ed ambientate in posti ancora più assurdi. E niente, non posso che consigliarvelo.
November 6, 2023
Everything good about the first book still applies in this one, but even more so! Furthermore, as I said in one of the updates I put up, the imagery was gorgeous, and the symbolism with the fire representing desire (and tying that to a cycle of rebirth and destruction) was really well done, and very digestible for the younger audience this book is meant for. I adored the emotional conflict and development being enhanced in all the characters present, it was really fascinating to see more insight into everyone’s backgrounds and such. I’m hungry for more to say the least! It’s really hard I find to balance making something consumable for younger audiences and still having more complex intricacies (like the fire, and the two main character’s conflict between being with each other and pursuing their most profound desires) and this book does it really well, while still being a very coherent and enjoyable read, even for someone such as myself who’s a bit older than the intended audience. I think I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I could’ve because I didn’t read it all in one go and instead took a couple months break from reading, but that’s my fault. Overall, I highly recommend this series, it’s quickly becoming one of my favourites.
January 12, 2018
I just love this series. Marrill heads back into the Pirate Stream and this time Remy is in tow. Tattoos that strangle, levator snails named Elle and a Sand King that burns are just some of the extraordinary things that pop up in this sequel to the Map to Everywhere. Marrill and Fin have to be some of my all time favorite characters and you can't help but cheer for them. In this story, some tough decisions must be made all while trying to escape the deadly Iron Tide. Honestly, I can't wait to read the next book!
June 28, 2020
The only complaint I have about this sequel is that I wish there was more of Remy + Coll because I love them. Remy was such a great addition to the group :)
Also I was SO SAD with the whole "not remembering" thing. I was NOT prepared for that emotional distress, but it all worked out in the end so yay.
Also I was SO SAD with the whole "not remembering" thing. I was NOT prepared for that emotional distress, but it all worked out in the end so yay.
February 2, 2023
3,5*
Auch das zweite Abenteuer hat Spaß gemacht.
Auch das zweite Abenteuer hat Spaß gemacht.
July 7, 2016
I was a little skeptical that this book would not be as amazing as the first one; boy, was I wrong! This book truly lives up to the first one.
The characters are just as wonderful and unforgettable.
I was worried about having Remy along, since the idea of a controlling babysitter on board the Kraken sounded just as fun as having Eustace Scrubb on the Dawn Treader. But, she was actually pretty reliable and broke away from the stereotypes I thought she would fulfill. Plus, she is the only one (besides Marrill) who even gets close to remembering Fin.
Marrill is just as compassionate and adventure-loving as she is in the first one. Even though, I have to admit, towards the end she started making me for the way she was treating Fin, she definitely makes up for it by the very end of the book.
Ardent. Oh Ardent! Can I just have Dumbledore, Pym and him set down for a cup of tea and discuss what things they have been accomplishing as some of the most powerful (and funny) wizards around? Yes, I would like that.
Annalessa was a good addition as well! And I feel awful discovering the truth about Coll's tattoos.
And last, but definitely not least.....FIN! One of my all time favorite characters; I don't know what else I can say. Not only as he just as hilarious and mischievous, but you see a side of him being truly selfless and learn how far he would go for his friends.
Plot! I was worried that because this book took place all in the same city that we really wouldn't get to see all of the fun and unique worlds we saw in the last book. But, the travels through the pirate stream and the shattered archipelago were surprising! And we discover that Monerva has many different "worlds" within it as well. I particularly liked the scene where Fin and Marrill arrived at the outdoor celebration held by the Monervans.
All in all, a great read. Would recommend to anyone!
The characters are just as wonderful and unforgettable.
I was worried about having Remy along, since the idea of a controlling babysitter on board the Kraken sounded just as fun as having Eustace Scrubb on the Dawn Treader. But, she was actually pretty reliable and broke away from the stereotypes I thought she would fulfill. Plus, she is the only one (besides Marrill) who even gets close to remembering Fin.
Marrill is just as compassionate and adventure-loving as she is in the first one. Even though, I have to admit, towards the end she started making me for the way she was treating Fin, she definitely makes up for it by the very end of the book.
Ardent. Oh Ardent! Can I just have Dumbledore, Pym and him set down for a cup of tea and discuss what things they have been accomplishing as some of the most powerful (and funny) wizards around? Yes, I would like that.
Annalessa was a good addition as well! And I feel awful discovering the truth about Coll's tattoos.
And last, but definitely not least.....FIN! One of my all time favorite characters; I don't know what else I can say. Not only as he just as hilarious and mischievous, but you see a side of him being truly selfless and learn how far he would go for his friends.
Plot! I was worried that because this book took place all in the same city that we really wouldn't get to see all of the fun and unique worlds we saw in the last book. But, the travels through the pirate stream and the shattered archipelago were surprising! And we discover that Monerva has many different "worlds" within it as well. I particularly liked the scene where Fin and Marrill arrived at the outdoor celebration held by the Monervans.
All in all, a great read. Would recommend to anyone!
March 5, 2016
2.5 stars.
While I still enjoyed this second book of a proposed 5 book series, I still find myself reaffirmed in my original opinion that 5 books is too many for this series, the way it's being written. It's extremely obvious, not to mention frustrating, that these books are all 400+ pages and being strung out simply to accomplish there being 5 books.
The cast of characters continues to be great, though I need more Coll and Remy and I find myself once again bemoaning the lack of pirats. If you have tiny pirates rats that run around in tiny pirate clothing, gosh darn, I expect you to use them. The drama between Marrill and Fin got old pretty quick, but I suppose it was natural and hopefully it'll be out of the way for future books.
The plot, for as much time as we had, didn't go a whole lot of anywhere, and the whole plot points dealing with the Sand King (?) were a little confusing and lackluster. Plot-wise, I probably cared less this time around than in Book 1, but the pacing was maybe a little better, even though our characters were more stationary and as a whole, the story was less "adventurous".
Still a fun read, I'll definitely be around for Book 3, and I'm considering passing them along to my younger brother, but I do wish they were better paced and had less filler.
While I still enjoyed this second book of a proposed 5 book series, I still find myself reaffirmed in my original opinion that 5 books is too many for this series, the way it's being written. It's extremely obvious, not to mention frustrating, that these books are all 400+ pages and being strung out simply to accomplish there being 5 books.
The cast of characters continues to be great, though I need more Coll and Remy and I find myself once again bemoaning the lack of pirats. If you have tiny pirates rats that run around in tiny pirate clothing, gosh darn, I expect you to use them. The drama between Marrill and Fin got old pretty quick, but I suppose it was natural and hopefully it'll be out of the way for future books.
The plot, for as much time as we had, didn't go a whole lot of anywhere, and the whole plot points dealing with the Sand King (?) were a little confusing and lackluster. Plot-wise, I probably cared less this time around than in Book 1, but the pacing was maybe a little better, even though our characters were more stationary and as a whole, the story was less "adventurous".
Still a fun read, I'll definitely be around for Book 3, and I'm considering passing them along to my younger brother, but I do wish they were better paced and had less filler.
August 4, 2018
This was a great continuation of the series! I loved it just as much as the first book. :)
April 9, 2024
In the series, this book is my favorite. The imagination of the authors! I am in awe!
June 11, 2017
A Character Driven Middle Grade Adventure Tale
Sure, lots of action/adventure stuff happens here, although not as much as in the first book. We explore and battle and lurk and outwit and all of that.
But, the aspect of this book I find most appealing, and somewhat uncommon and unexpected, turns on the development of the characters, the issues they address, and the subtle undercurrent of fantastical melancholy. Our two main heroes, Marrill and Fin, continue to grow and develop. Numerous secondary characters are allowed to make their marks on the narrative. Some new and refreshing characters are introduced. These characters have to grapple with loss, regret, and concern over the fate of loved ones, as well as more familiar and time worn coming of age issues.
All of this adds a special dimension to the otherwise more standard fantasy. We have the Pirate Stream, amazing creatures, an interesting alternate world, and hundreds of little throwaway bits of imagineering. That is good, solid fantasy swashbuckling material, but it is all elevated and colored by the quality of the character building.
It's worth emphasizing that there is a lot of humor here. There are broad bits of silliness, some nice set pieces, lots of clever cross-talk, and then a few goofy bits and a lot of wordplay. It is a testament to the author's craftsmanship that this isn't the type of book that has one or two funny/silly comic relief characters, with every other character fulfilling some other role. Every character in this book is smart, articulate, and clued in to what is going on. As a consequence the reader never knows who is going to get the best line or the last word, and that keeps the interest level high and the pace fast.
That said, there seems, to me, to be a strong vein of sadness running through the stories of all of the main characters. There is hope that all will be resolved happily as the series progresses, but the book doesn't promise, or necessarily even suggest, that that will be the case. Perhaps this accounts in part for the tremendous loyalty of those readers who have taken the series to heart.
So, a well-crafted, intriguing, and surprisingly rich adventure tale; a nice find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Sure, lots of action/adventure stuff happens here, although not as much as in the first book. We explore and battle and lurk and outwit and all of that.
But, the aspect of this book I find most appealing, and somewhat uncommon and unexpected, turns on the development of the characters, the issues they address, and the subtle undercurrent of fantastical melancholy. Our two main heroes, Marrill and Fin, continue to grow and develop. Numerous secondary characters are allowed to make their marks on the narrative. Some new and refreshing characters are introduced. These characters have to grapple with loss, regret, and concern over the fate of loved ones, as well as more familiar and time worn coming of age issues.
All of this adds a special dimension to the otherwise more standard fantasy. We have the Pirate Stream, amazing creatures, an interesting alternate world, and hundreds of little throwaway bits of imagineering. That is good, solid fantasy swashbuckling material, but it is all elevated and colored by the quality of the character building.
It's worth emphasizing that there is a lot of humor here. There are broad bits of silliness, some nice set pieces, lots of clever cross-talk, and then a few goofy bits and a lot of wordplay. It is a testament to the author's craftsmanship that this isn't the type of book that has one or two funny/silly comic relief characters, with every other character fulfilling some other role. Every character in this book is smart, articulate, and clued in to what is going on. As a consequence the reader never knows who is going to get the best line or the last word, and that keeps the interest level high and the pace fast.
That said, there seems, to me, to be a strong vein of sadness running through the stories of all of the main characters. There is hope that all will be resolved happily as the series progresses, but the book doesn't promise, or necessarily even suggest, that that will be the case. Perhaps this accounts in part for the tremendous loyalty of those readers who have taken the series to heart.
So, a well-crafted, intriguing, and surprisingly rich adventure tale; a nice find.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
September 21, 2022
🧭⚓🍁City of Thirst🍁⚓🧭
After the adventurous journey Marrill has experienced, life hasn't felt as action-packed as it used to. Fin struggles with constantly getting forgotten every day, and is determined to find a wish that can allow those he cares for to remember him. When the Pirate Stream is leaking into Marrill's world, Marrill and Remy are whisked off into another world. Reunited with Fin, they travel to Monerva in search for an ancient and powerful object that can grant a wish. However, to tamper with ancient Dzane magic will always have something to gain and lose. As Marrill and Fin's wishes collide with each other, they find that they have different motives, but to survive they must work together.
This was a good sequel to the Map to Everywhere quartet filled with action, world-building, and creativity. I love books with creative concepts, and I have been continuing this series because of the imagination poured into these books. Although I still cannot feel invested in the characters or plot, I still like this series. What I wished was for darker themes or Marrill's mother's illness to be focused on more. I understand that middle grade is aimed for 8-12, but what about people in that age range that are more mature and crave for more real-life topics to be integrated into a fantasy?
There are just certain moments that could have become more profound or used to add more complexity to the protagonist but were instead turned away from him. I enjoyed the imagination in this book, nevertheless, the action, and Marrill and Fin's friendship. Fin and Marrill's were a very important part of their friendship, an opposition where they were finally faced with their own desires and the desires of others. To see them opposed and struggle with both their own emotions and shock at their friends' emotions was written very well.
Overall, an interesting and fun adventure.
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
✅PLOT TWIST
After the adventurous journey Marrill has experienced, life hasn't felt as action-packed as it used to. Fin struggles with constantly getting forgotten every day, and is determined to find a wish that can allow those he cares for to remember him. When the Pirate Stream is leaking into Marrill's world, Marrill and Remy are whisked off into another world. Reunited with Fin, they travel to Monerva in search for an ancient and powerful object that can grant a wish. However, to tamper with ancient Dzane magic will always have something to gain and lose. As Marrill and Fin's wishes collide with each other, they find that they have different motives, but to survive they must work together.
This was a good sequel to the Map to Everywhere quartet filled with action, world-building, and creativity. I love books with creative concepts, and I have been continuing this series because of the imagination poured into these books. Although I still cannot feel invested in the characters or plot, I still like this series. What I wished was for darker themes or Marrill's mother's illness to be focused on more. I understand that middle grade is aimed for 8-12, but what about people in that age range that are more mature and crave for more real-life topics to be integrated into a fantasy?
There are just certain moments that could have become more profound or used to add more complexity to the protagonist but were instead turned away from him. I enjoyed the imagination in this book, nevertheless, the action, and Marrill and Fin's friendship. Fin and Marrill's were a very important part of their friendship, an opposition where they were finally faced with their own desires and the desires of others. To see them opposed and struggle with both their own emotions and shock at their friends' emotions was written very well.
Overall, an interesting and fun adventure.
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
✅PLOT TWIST
August 2, 2017
Reader thoughts: Parts of this book I really liked, but I kept getting distracted and finding myself not listening. So, it wasn't holding my attention.
I like the new ideas, like having forgetful people who are called fades. I liked that the captain has a tattoo noose on his neck that tries to choke him sometimes. I liked that a pirate stream could connect all worlds. I liked the idea of an iron bad ship chasing the good guys into a whirlpool and coming out years before them. I liked the floating, spinning island. The sinking city wasn't as unique, but it was still a neat addition.
All together? I think I just wasn't paying the book enough attention. The characters are likable, but they weren't interesting enough to me. Maybe because so much of the book was based on wanting, on wishes, on selfish reasons to search for the bad guys? I like selfless heroes better.
Then Meryl forgot Finn, and I listened better. THAT was interesting. :)
I'll definitely read the next book. I'm just not desperate to do so.
Writer thoughts: Characters must have motivations, and they can't simply react to events around them. They need to be active protagonists.
Finn and Meryl fit that description, but perhaps it is not as good as it could have been. Perhaps, in effort to make sure Finn and Meryl were active not reactive, CR wrote them as pursuing their goals. Except, to me, those goals felt selfish. Yes, Meryl wants to save her mom, but searching for a magical item that grants wishes feels like such a short-term sort of goal. I would have rather seen Meryl searching for a magical plant that heals people (or even something like Digory in The Magician's Nephew).
I like the new ideas, like having forgetful people who are called fades. I liked that the captain has a tattoo noose on his neck that tries to choke him sometimes. I liked that a pirate stream could connect all worlds. I liked the idea of an iron bad ship chasing the good guys into a whirlpool and coming out years before them. I liked the floating, spinning island. The sinking city wasn't as unique, but it was still a neat addition.
All together? I think I just wasn't paying the book enough attention. The characters are likable, but they weren't interesting enough to me. Maybe because so much of the book was based on wanting, on wishes, on selfish reasons to search for the bad guys? I like selfless heroes better.
Then Meryl forgot Finn, and I listened better. THAT was interesting. :)
I'll definitely read the next book. I'm just not desperate to do so.
Writer thoughts: Characters must have motivations, and they can't simply react to events around them. They need to be active protagonists.
Finn and Meryl fit that description, but perhaps it is not as good as it could have been. Perhaps, in effort to make sure Finn and Meryl were active not reactive, CR wrote them as pursuing their goals. Except, to me, those goals felt selfish. Yes, Meryl wants to save her mom, but searching for a magical item that grants wishes feels like such a short-term sort of goal. I would have rather seen Meryl searching for a magical plant that heals people (or even something like Digory in The Magician's Nephew).
March 2, 2018
La Città Sospesa è il seguito del libro La Mappa dei Desideri, del quale ha molti richiami. Anche qui le vicende e i punti di vista dei due protagonisti sono alternati fra i capitoli, ma la narrazione è abbastanza scorrevole e piacevole.
In questo secondo racconto vengono affrontati soprattutto i temi del desiderio e della fiducia, dato che l’amicizia tra i due protagonisti inizia a sperimentare alti e bassi.
Quasi subito si ritrovano i vecchi personaggi e man mano se ne incontrano di nuovi, la cui caratterizzazione però non è granché sviluppata; anzi, spesso vengono tralasciati per numerosi capitoli prima di rispuntare solo per risolvere un problema.
Anche in questo secondo volume, il world building è un po’ sconnesso e, nello sforzo di creare elementi fantasmagorici, sembra che gli autori abbiano perso varie volte il filo della narrazione: includono troppi tratti in un solo ambiente, si soffermano eccessivamente su certi fatti, rallentano o accelerano senza motivo lo sviluppo di qualche situazione o la comprensione di un fenomeno,... Insomma, a mio avviso si sono concentrati troppo sulle informazioni di contorno e troppo poco sulla trama, il che è deleterio per chi vuole manipolare certi aspetti delicati («Cose terribili accadono ai maghi che si intromettono nel tempo!»).
Le buone aspettative che mi ero fatta all’inizio, sono state un po’ deluse perché più procedevo più vedevo che il senso veniva a mancare. Se dovessi attribuire un aggettivo a questo libro sarebbe “sconclusionato”. Tuttavia, anche se in generale non mi ha soddisfatta appieno, racchiude buoni spunti e alcuni elementi interessanti (es. gli Ottenebranti).
Temo che la saga non spiccherà mai il volo, ma tutto sommato è suggestiva, soprattutto per giovani lettori ricchi di fantasia (e non troppo critici).
In questo secondo racconto vengono affrontati soprattutto i temi del desiderio e della fiducia, dato che l’amicizia tra i due protagonisti inizia a sperimentare alti e bassi.
Quasi subito si ritrovano i vecchi personaggi e man mano se ne incontrano di nuovi, la cui caratterizzazione però non è granché sviluppata; anzi, spesso vengono tralasciati per numerosi capitoli prima di rispuntare solo per risolvere un problema.
Anche in questo secondo volume, il world building è un po’ sconnesso e, nello sforzo di creare elementi fantasmagorici, sembra che gli autori abbiano perso varie volte il filo della narrazione: includono troppi tratti in un solo ambiente, si soffermano eccessivamente su certi fatti, rallentano o accelerano senza motivo lo sviluppo di qualche situazione o la comprensione di un fenomeno,... Insomma, a mio avviso si sono concentrati troppo sulle informazioni di contorno e troppo poco sulla trama, il che è deleterio per chi vuole manipolare certi aspetti delicati («Cose terribili accadono ai maghi che si intromettono nel tempo!»).
Le buone aspettative che mi ero fatta all’inizio, sono state un po’ deluse perché più procedevo più vedevo che il senso veniva a mancare. Se dovessi attribuire un aggettivo a questo libro sarebbe “sconclusionato”. Tuttavia, anche se in generale non mi ha soddisfatta appieno, racchiude buoni spunti e alcuni elementi interessanti (es. gli Ottenebranti).
Temo che la saga non spiccherà mai il volo, ma tutto sommato è suggestiva, soprattutto per giovani lettori ricchi di fantasia (e non troppo critici).
February 1, 2018
*SPOILER ALERT*
The Monerva setting was difficult to mentally grasp: a city stuck out of time where continuity doesn't exist and the city is constantly sinking until enough Pirate Stream is sucked into the gears to permit a single unstoppable wish.
It was extremely challenging to comprehend what was going on even while the "surprise" twists were amusing and predictable.
I enjoyed the deeper character development and watching the cast interact. My heart broke for Finn as Marell finally, and somewhat inexplicably, forgot him and then remembered him with permanence on the basis of trust.
I thought the metaphorical discussion on wants and expectations as a force powerful enough to destroy without being labeled greed, lust or covetness was fascinating in its depth.
I felt that relationally, many issues and hopes were resolved. But the plot was less engaging and adventuresome though I found the overall conclusion more satisfactory than the first tale.
Finn is one of my favorite characters and I hated his loss of place, his perpetual state of hopelessness and his resolve to be self reliant because literally no one cares about or trusts him. Marrell didn't deserve his friendship, though they shared some of the sweetest platonic moments of the fiction world. The mass coupling in this tale was almost too sweet but I'll admit I loved every sentence.
I'm debating if I'll continue the series because I can't handle Finn's heartbreak much longer.
The Monerva setting was difficult to mentally grasp: a city stuck out of time where continuity doesn't exist and the city is constantly sinking until enough Pirate Stream is sucked into the gears to permit a single unstoppable wish.
It was extremely challenging to comprehend what was going on even while the "surprise" twists were amusing and predictable.
I enjoyed the deeper character development and watching the cast interact. My heart broke for Finn as Marell finally, and somewhat inexplicably, forgot him and then remembered him with permanence on the basis of trust.
I thought the metaphorical discussion on wants and expectations as a force powerful enough to destroy without being labeled greed, lust or covetness was fascinating in its depth.
I felt that relationally, many issues and hopes were resolved. But the plot was less engaging and adventuresome though I found the overall conclusion more satisfactory than the first tale.
Finn is one of my favorite characters and I hated his loss of place, his perpetual state of hopelessness and his resolve to be self reliant because literally no one cares about or trusts him. Marrell didn't deserve his friendship, though they shared some of the sweetest platonic moments of the fiction world. The mass coupling in this tale was almost too sweet but I'll admit I loved every sentence.
I'm debating if I'll continue the series because I can't handle Finn's heartbreak much longer.
December 31, 2024
Our plucky young Marrill gets a message on a stop sign that she needs to save the worlds. She returns to the Pirate Stream with her trusty cat, a frog, and a babysitter. She suborns a pirate to deliver her to her former home, The Enterprising Kraken, where her friend the forgettable Fin still makes his way through the magical world, hoping to find his mother and become memorable.
Together, the find an ancient wish-granting machine that's just about to power up and cause mischief. It's light and breezy with a little bit of a deeper level about capitalism, the emptiness of constructed desire, and the easy cruelty of blaming people for where they were born.
I kept getting distracted, though, by wondering why a 12 year old girl from America is the one tasked with this big quest. In the first book, it felt like a happy accident that she ended up on the adventure and she stepped up. Here she is called to adventure. The story has a facile answer for why someone wrote the call to adventure on a stop sign for her.
I suspect that was deliberate, one of those "anyone can be a hero" things. But it kept distracting me. The wizard Ardent is trying to prevent Baddy McBadWizard from destroying all the worlds. Why is this a member of his team?
But aside from that, it was a lot of fun and had things to say about these systems that make us want things burning through the land.
Together, the find an ancient wish-granting machine that's just about to power up and cause mischief. It's light and breezy with a little bit of a deeper level about capitalism, the emptiness of constructed desire, and the easy cruelty of blaming people for where they were born.
I kept getting distracted, though, by wondering why a 12 year old girl from America is the one tasked with this big quest. In the first book, it felt like a happy accident that she ended up on the adventure and she stepped up. Here she is called to adventure. The story has a facile answer for why someone wrote the call to adventure on a stop sign for her.
I suspect that was deliberate, one of those "anyone can be a hero" things. But it kept distracting me. The wizard Ardent is trying to prevent Baddy McBadWizard from destroying all the worlds. Why is this a member of his team?
But aside from that, it was a lot of fun and had things to say about these systems that make us want things burning through the land.
September 2, 2018
Ich mag die "Map-of-Magic"-Reihe inzwischen unheimlich gern.
Das ist vor allem den Figuren geschuldet: Marrill und Fin sind ein tolles Team!
Ich lese ihre Abenteuer auf dem Piratenstrom sehr gern und auch die Welten, die einen entlang des Piratenstroms erwarten, habe ich sehr gern erkundet!
Die sinkende Stadt Monerva ist eine tolle Erfindung, auch deshalb, weil ihr Hintergrund erklärt wird.
In einigen Jugendbüchern ist es oft so, dass es zwar originelle Ideen gibt, diese aber oft nicht weiter ausgeführt oder erklärt werden - was mich immer sehr stört, weil ich gern etwas mehr über Hintergründe zu bestimmten Dingen erfahre.
So lernt man nicht nur die sinkende Stadt kennen, sondern man erfährt auch, wie ihre Bewohner damit umgehen und warum sie überhaupt sinkt!
Und natürlich geben sich Marrill und Fin damit nicht zufrieden sondern forschen weiter, was ihre Freundschaft mitunter stark herausfordert.
Diese Belastung der Freundschaft zwischen Marrill und Fin hat mich übrigens ziemlich in Atem gehalten, schockiert und teilweise auch traurig zurückgelassen.
Ich bin sehr gespannt auf Band 3 und auf weitere Erkenntnisse über Fin und seine magische Vorbelastung und natürlich auch darauf etwas mehr über Coll herauszufinden - wir wissen zwar schon ein winziges bisschen mehr über ihn, aber noch lange nicht genug!!!
Das ist vor allem den Figuren geschuldet: Marrill und Fin sind ein tolles Team!
Ich lese ihre Abenteuer auf dem Piratenstrom sehr gern und auch die Welten, die einen entlang des Piratenstroms erwarten, habe ich sehr gern erkundet!
Die sinkende Stadt Monerva ist eine tolle Erfindung, auch deshalb, weil ihr Hintergrund erklärt wird.
In einigen Jugendbüchern ist es oft so, dass es zwar originelle Ideen gibt, diese aber oft nicht weiter ausgeführt oder erklärt werden - was mich immer sehr stört, weil ich gern etwas mehr über Hintergründe zu bestimmten Dingen erfahre.
So lernt man nicht nur die sinkende Stadt kennen, sondern man erfährt auch, wie ihre Bewohner damit umgehen und warum sie überhaupt sinkt!
Und natürlich geben sich Marrill und Fin damit nicht zufrieden sondern forschen weiter, was ihre Freundschaft mitunter stark herausfordert.
Diese Belastung der Freundschaft zwischen Marrill und Fin hat mich übrigens ziemlich in Atem gehalten, schockiert und teilweise auch traurig zurückgelassen.
Ich bin sehr gespannt auf Band 3 und auf weitere Erkenntnisse über Fin und seine magische Vorbelastung und natürlich auch darauf etwas mehr über Coll herauszufinden - wir wissen zwar schon ein winziges bisschen mehr über ihn, aber noch lange nicht genug!!!
January 29, 2024
City of Thirst is a super cool adventure book written by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis. It's the second book after The Map to Everywhere. The story is about Marrill and her friend Fin, and they have to go on an exciting journey to save their world.
So, there's this magical place called the Pirate Stream, and it's causing a lot of trouble by flooding Marrill's world. To stop this, Marrill and Fin need to go back to the Pirate Stream and figure out why it's happening. But here's the twist - Fin has been forgotten by everyone again, and Marrill, along with her babysitter and the Enterprising Kraken crew, needs to go on this tough journey to fix things.
The adventure takes them to a crazy world called Monerva, where there's a secret wish machine. Marrill and Fin really want to use it to make things right. But, here's the tricky part - to get what they want, they might have to give up something really important: their friendship.
The book is a mix of funny, exciting, and heartwarming moments. You'll laugh and feel all warm inside while reading it. I loved how Marrill and Fin try to save their world, and it's awesome that they care so much about each other.
City of Thirst is perfect for anyone who likes adventures, magic, and friends helping each other out. I give it a big thumbs up!
So, there's this magical place called the Pirate Stream, and it's causing a lot of trouble by flooding Marrill's world. To stop this, Marrill and Fin need to go back to the Pirate Stream and figure out why it's happening. But here's the twist - Fin has been forgotten by everyone again, and Marrill, along with her babysitter and the Enterprising Kraken crew, needs to go on this tough journey to fix things.
The adventure takes them to a crazy world called Monerva, where there's a secret wish machine. Marrill and Fin really want to use it to make things right. But, here's the tricky part - to get what they want, they might have to give up something really important: their friendship.
The book is a mix of funny, exciting, and heartwarming moments. You'll laugh and feel all warm inside while reading it. I loved how Marrill and Fin try to save their world, and it's awesome that they care so much about each other.
City of Thirst is perfect for anyone who likes adventures, magic, and friends helping each other out. I give it a big thumbs up!
October 9, 2019
This series is great, but I feel really bad for Fin at this point. It's a good thing the babysitter is there and remembers Marrill plus one. I keep hoping something will happen so he will no longer have the problem, but that hasn't happened yet. He's getting closer though, and I am rooting for him. He seemed to be the main focus of this book. Yes, there was a lot of other stuff going on, but there were so many clues about Fin's life that I could really feel how deeply he wants answers.
The City of Thirst and the burning desert were great new locations and the addition of things like the wishing machine powered by the Pirate Stream and Merrill's new accidental pet gave the characters more depth and helped to round out their personalities.
I'm hoping some of my questions are answered in the next book. There were so many hints at what could be happening, and Fin's past, that I really want answers to.
Author: Carrie Ryan
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 13th 2015
The City of Thirst and the burning desert were great new locations and the addition of things like the wishing machine powered by the Pirate Stream and Merrill's new accidental pet gave the characters more depth and helped to round out their personalities.
I'm hoping some of my questions are answered in the next book. There were so many hints at what could be happening, and Fin's past, that I really want answers to.
Author: Carrie Ryan
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 13th 2015
October 7, 2019
Alas, just as I feared. Not as good as the first book. Still imaginative in its setting, but the plot this time was too redundant to the first. It felt rote. As I think it over, it's not that the plot is the same, so much as that the characters seem to cover the same emotional ground as before. There isn't as much exploration in their personal revelations, nor adventure in their aims. They don't grow like they did in the first book, and this one ends in much the same vein as the first did. So, it just felt a bit flat. As a standalone book, it probably wouldn't have bothered me too much (hence, still 4 stars--will definitely recommend this series to a few kids), but after the sparkle of the first, it isn't as spectacular as I wanted it to be. The unique setting is pretty fantastic, though. It reminds me of "The Never Ending Story" or other classic children's fantasy in that it is dizzyingly strange and feels almost allegorical.
November 30, 2017
Interesting, kooky...
But somehow not entirely hooking. I loved the central ...uh 'boss'...of the book, and thought that part was well done. The baby sitter was fun. Actually, a lot of things were fun.
Somehow I felt like we were all so busy exploring this creative, interesting world with these creative, colorful characters and these creative, exciting plot hooks that we had no time to experience an actual story, and it all sort of washed over me. It's like watching a movie where the camera never holds still, there's never a pause in the dialogue, and you change scenes every minute. That sort of a feeling.
Ah, well. Someday on a slow book week I'll check out the third in the series.
But somehow not entirely hooking. I loved the central ...uh 'boss'...of the book, and thought that part was well done. The baby sitter was fun. Actually, a lot of things were fun.
Somehow I felt like we were all so busy exploring this creative, interesting world with these creative, colorful characters and these creative, exciting plot hooks that we had no time to experience an actual story, and it all sort of washed over me. It's like watching a movie where the camera never holds still, there's never a pause in the dialogue, and you change scenes every minute. That sort of a feeling.
Ah, well. Someday on a slow book week I'll check out the third in the series.
December 28, 2017
I know that if the Pirate Stream touches our world then something has gone terribly wrong--so it is horribly selfish of me--yet I want to visit this world! (As long as nothing happens to our world, of course, and my family stays copacetic, natch.) Someone bring me my cake so I can have it and eat it too!
This series just gets better and better (or in Madam's words "more better and more better"), and I'm currently devouring the third book. The complexities of the characters, what drives them, literally in this book with their wants/needs, and how we learn more about backgrounds is fascinating. The world-building is very believable, and I love the new addition of Remy. Bring on more!
This series just gets better and better (or in Madam's words "more better and more better"), and I'm currently devouring the third book. The complexities of the characters, what drives them, literally in this book with their wants/needs, and how we learn more about backgrounds is fascinating. The world-building is very believable, and I love the new addition of Remy. Bring on more!
June 2, 2025
This is the second time I read this book and just like the reread of the first book it was just as good as I remember!
Marrill makes her way back onto the Pirate Stream in order to save all the worlds from the Iron Tide. The crew must find the Salt Sand King in order to find out where the Wish Machine and the Master of the Iron Ship is. They must race against time in order to prevent the Master from making his wish for the Iron Tide. During all this Marrill forgets Fin and leaves him heart broken, but determined to figure out why he is forgettable.
An epic adventure for any Fantasy lovers!!!
Marrill makes her way back onto the Pirate Stream in order to save all the worlds from the Iron Tide. The crew must find the Salt Sand King in order to find out where the Wish Machine and the Master of the Iron Ship is. They must race against time in order to prevent the Master from making his wish for the Iron Tide. During all this Marrill forgets Fin and leaves him heart broken, but determined to figure out why he is forgettable.
An epic adventure for any Fantasy lovers!!!
March 30, 2021
Sequel to The Map to Everywhere // fun/unique opener/refresher to what happened in book 1 // took a bit longer to get sucked into this one // got very exciting at the end // some intriguing reveals about Fin! // I have THEORIES about the villains! // felt like some of the character interactions back-tracked a bit, but then grew more at the end, so it was okay
May 9, 2020
"En résumé, un tome 2 que j'ai apprécié autant que le premier, malgré les moments un peu longs parfois. Les personnages sont toujours aussi attachants et l'intrigue se poursuit avec toujours plus de surprises au rendez-vous. Le tome 3 m'attend sagement dans ma PAL et je ne pense pas qu'il y restera très longtemps. En croisant les doigts pour le quatrième et dernier tome soit édité en France !"
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