The Battle for WondLa

The Search for WondLa #3

by Tony DiTerlizzi

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tony DiTerlizzi’s New York Times bestselling, richly illustrated The Search for Wondla series with this third installment of the modern classic space-age adventure featuring an all-new look.

All hope for a peaceful coexistence between humankind and aliens seems lost, and Eva Nine has gone into hiding for fear of luring the wicked Loroc to her companions. However, news of the city Solas being captured by the human leader, Cadmus Pryde, forces Eva into action once again. With help from an unlikely ally, Eva tries to thwart Loroc’s ultimate plan for both mankind and the alien life on Orbona.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult, Dystopia

496 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2014

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi, has been creating children’s books for twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Broken Ornament and The Spider & The Fly (a Caldecott Honor book), to chapter books like Kenny and The Dragon and The Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle-grade series, The Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold over 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and translated in over thirty countries. He teamed up with Lucasfilm to retell the original Star Wars trilogy as a picture book and his collaboration with celebrated author Mo Willems created the bestseller The Story of Diva & Flea. The Norman Rockwell museum’s retrospective, “Never Abandon Imagination”, featured artwork from the beginning of DiTerlizzi’s career as a contributing artist for Dungeons & Dragons and broke attendance records. He has been featured in Time magazine, USA Today, CNN, PBS, NPR the BBC and The Today Show.

Reviews

[Melanie (TBR and Beyond) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and very underrated series. I'm sad to see it come to an end but I'm glad I got to go on a great journey with these characters.

Review to come.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Battle for WondLa is the final book in the trilogy, and it tells the story of the ultimate battle. The tenuous peace between humans and aliens has been broken, and Solace has fallen to Cadmus Pryde. Eva embarks on a journey to gain some unlikely allies and set all right again. It's a pretty exciting journey for middle grades; adults may see the ending coming. Still, it's a pretty pleasant ride to get there.

I feel a little "meh" about The Battle for WondLa. Maybe I could name this disease of mine: trilogy fatigue. I notice that I tend to lose a little interest in the third book of trilogies. Maybe it's all the pressure on the author to bring two books' worth of plot to a thrilling conclusion. I felt that the book was a little too long. I felt like there was more talk, especially talk about emotions, than there was action to balance it out. I also felt like the pacing of the narration was a little slow.

That's not to say that there weren't redeeming factors. Eva Nine has really grown into her own person quite well. I enjoyed seeing her continue to grow even more still in this third book. She has gone from a sweet, if naive, girl just finding her feet in the wider world to a lovely young lady who fearlessly leads her group. Eva is compassionate and cares greatly for her "herd." She always seeks the path of least violence. And how cool would it be to be able to communicate with all animals, some plants, and all aliens? Speaking of, it's always fun in these books to meet the different types of aliens.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say I loved how this story ended, but overall these books were just okay. I found “The Wizard of Oz” references to be my favorite parts because deep down there was so much meaning behind those references. I did think the main characters were fun and unique. I’m glad I stuck with reading them all!

[Sandy Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book in the WondLa Trilogy was simply amazing. Tony DiTerlizzi's imagination brings this world to life both with his writing and his exquisite illustrations. This story is richly detailed, and grabs your attention. It is truly satisfying when all three books in a trilogy are written well, carefully thought out, and, in the end, satisfying. Well done!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva Nine and the others are trying to stop the war from happening on Orbona, but will they succeed? Read on and find out for yourself.

This was an amazing Finale to the Wondla Trilogy. If you enjoy sci-fi fantasy action-adventure stories, then be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books and eBooks are sold.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since the publication date is so far out I don't want to give a full review and spoil the surprises. What I can say is that this is the conclusion to the series and I absolutely loved book 3. Each book is amazing in it's own way and Tony ended the series exactly how I wanted it to end. :)

[Dodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dudé en clasificar el libro porque lo leí en inglés y se que hay cosas que no entendí, pero en su mayoría lo llevé bien y estoy re feliz por eso :3
Me re gustó esta saga, es re tierna, aunque no me parece wow y algunos personajes y situaciones son medio infantiles (lo que tiene sentido pq es para niñes daha).
Los dibujos 😵😵😵

[Rowie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some books are like hidden gems. They're stories that should be on the shelves of every bookstore, but somehow they're not. The Search for WondLa is one of those series. The trilogy by Tony DiTerlizzi will give you a reading experience unlike anything you've had before. That's because the author drew some wonderful illustrations at the front of every chapter. These drawings are so detailed it will make you want to stare at them for five minutes. Or frame them on your walls.

Having said that, without the illustrations the book would have been average. The story itsself is interesting and original, but this last book isn't always that exciting. I need the conclusion of a story to make my heart race and have me feeling like I've been running for hours without end. I want the book to guide me through with enormous speed and have nothing but surprises along the way. Unfortunately for a book that has 'Battle' in its title this is strangly timid. Sure, there's some conflict and some fighting but at no point does it feel like they're in the heat of the moment. It's never truly frightening. It's not even really scary.

That doesn't mean The Battle for WondLa doesn't have its good moments. There's many heartfelt moments, usually involving some kind of reunion. The aliens and humans all have some sort of human quality to them. I do like the message of this book. It very much has to do with karma and 'what goes around comes around'. That's always a good note to end a story on. Yet at times it feels too preachy. Things are really too easily resolved. Eva does run into problems that seem very real, but all of the solutions seem handed to her. She does come across as a strong and good character, but I just wanted more to be at stake.

The Battle of WondLa might not be everything it could have been, but you can't deny the potential. I do recommend picking up this series if you'd like to read a scifi story that's unlike any other in the genre. Especially if you're into illustrations/graphic design and/or unique childrens literature.

[P. Zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm well aware that a lot of people really like this book. I read the trilogy, and I have to say, the ending was... anticlimactic. I just don't know how the author expected us to accept the "bad guy destroys himself" thing. Another note: It's very odd how most of the characters we care about were just fine, even though there was plenty of time for them to be killed while the villain was in control. My low rating is a combination of my disappointment with the ending and my reluctance to give a high rating to something unless is is really, really exceptional. Overall, the trilogy was not that bad, and I have the feeling that the idea could have gone places that the books didn't. I just can't get over the weird ending, as well as the lack of any explanation concerning the protagonist's abilities.

[Michelle Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW (5/14/2014): This was an epic conclusion to an awesome trilogy, so bittersweet. I don't know what to say. I'm just so overcome with emotion.


**********************

10/4/13: Words can't begin to describe how badly I want to read this book! I've taken to re-reading the other 2 books; regardless, Summer 2014 can't come soon enough!

11/1/13: A cover!

4/28/14: Coming out in a week!!! ME WANT!!! But...I can't buy it until May 8!!!!!!!!!!!! :'('''''''

5/8/14: Ordered this on Amazon yesterday!!! Can't wait!!!!!

5/12/14: Got this in the mail today!!!!

[Veronica Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final chapter. I admit I cried a bit.

As an adult I wish I had gotten to know more about what happened to Eva 9 in the end.....

[Jasmine Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic ending to a wonderful series.

[evelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the message about family and home in this one. Overall a good ending to an okay series!

[Spens (Sphynx Reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a sputtering end to what was initially a promising series. Perhaps it's not the book's fault at all but I just found myself less and less interested the longer the series went. The characters I grew to care about are barely in the picture, the writing has gone quite dry, and there is nothing else holding this series up than the exceptional world-building and thoughtful messages. I'm sure at another point in my life I would have loved this series a lot more, but alas, I was bored to death reading this one.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series sooo much! I absolutely loved the world building and the characters. Eva is one of my favorite book characters now, and so is Rovee!! I thought this had a bit of a slow start but once it got going I was hooked. So sad that this is the last book, but it was such a great time reading it.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting. I liked the ending.

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. That's it, then.

The WondLa series ends with cataclysmic events that see heroine Eva Nine saving the world and ensuring the downfall of her enemies, human and otherwise.

WondLa has some lofty goals. It's a YA series but that doesn't let it off the hook for being relatively simplistic. Eva Nine is set up to be a unifying force but ultimately, you know, punches problems and shoots things. It doesn't really fit. The plot never really rises above its most basic hero's journey trappings and Eva is still ultimately solving her problems with violence of one sort or another just as she did in the first book. But moreso.

I don't regret reading it and the interactions between Rovender and Eva are genuinely heartwarming. Eva is an adoptive daughter to Rovender who has lost his family. Though, regrettably, Rovender spends most of the book absent. It's really the core relationship of the novels and he seems pushed aside to lay the groundwork for the ultimate implied romance between Hailey and Eva.

Which is one of the other observations I have: The book is *aggressively* heteronormative. It's something I notice more as I get older but every alien species still have two genders with expected sexual dimorphism and every romantic relationship shown or implied is heteroromantic. Families are organized into heteronormative structures with Eva's caretaker being a female-coded MUTHR robot. As a piece of science fiction that otherwise makes sure to include really weird aliens it's kind of.. odd. We have aliens with inverted faces, their mouths on top. We have giant tardigrades that propel themselves through the air through spring action of their tails. Why not an alien species with 5 sexes? Perhaps a minor gripe and Tony DiTerlizzi is a straight CIS man himself and so maybe doesn't have the lived experience to write other experiences or try to put himself in the queer YA space, but he also chose to make his protagonist a pre-teen girl so... It just adds a noticeably unimaginative element to an otherwise very imaginative work. Eva Nine's maybe-romance is pretty unobtrusive in any case and is ultimately left implied. And maybe I protest too much but I think science fiction should show worlds that reflect our own worlds and I'm not sure WondLa does.

[jess (bibliophilicjester) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I completely forgot to rate/review this yesterday 🤦🏻‍♀️ I think I decided 4.5? The second book was definitely still my favorite. I loved how everything (and everyone) came together at the end in the final battle of sorts. Some potential threats were eliminated quickly or ahead of time, which was rather convenient, but it wasn't in an unsatisfactory sort of way.

I have mixed feelings about the sort of epilogues(?) at the end... In theory, I like seeing how the world progresses/evolves after (presumably) Eva nine is gone. But checking in for a few pages 100, 200, and 300 years later just made me want to know more about those times. It almost felt like a teaser for a spinoff series that didn't happen.

Overall, I adored this series, and I can't believe people aren't yelling about it still! I'll definitely reread this series in the future and see what I can do about shoving it in people's faces via social media 😂

[Mary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tabbed a few pages for the next reader to find :-)

"...our knowledge, the things we learn, can carry on in others after we are gone," Eva said. "The toil of this journey, our journey, is the map for those who will follow."

"I don't understand completely...but I now understand that een seemingly inconsequential participants can take simple actions that expand to affect the masses. Like ripples caused by a pebble tossed into the water."

"I now understand that of all the wondrous occurrences in the universe, nothing compares to the bond of a family and a home. The feeling of being wanted, appreciated, and forgiven."

Satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy. I love the message of peace and collaboration amongst all species in this final book.

[Madeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the closing of a trilogy, I found The Battle for WondLa very anticlimactic.

I'm not saying that I wanted a big, all-out war. It wouldn't fit the story and I appreciate that this novel didn't take that route. That said, I would have liked a little more oomf from the story, some more emotional weight behind it; a sense of urgency or a feeling that there are real stakes. I didn't get that here. The story felt like it was dragged out to reach a certain length and as a result the general plot was fairly disjointed and the resolution felt too easy. Altogether, very unmemorable.

Also, epilogues are very rarely something that I like. And I definitely never like epilogues that skip this far ahead (hello Harry Potter).

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty decent ending to the trilogy, but would probably be my least favourite of the series.

The plot was kind of meh and actually felt like it was dragging a little bit, only for the ending to be kind of anticlimactic.

I wasn't particularly thrilled to see Eva and Hailey together in the end. Hailey was just one of those characters whom I disliked from the beginning and never managed to grow on me.

Overall it was a good middle grade fantasy adventure trilogy and I'm glad I read it, despite liking the start of the series more than the ending.

[Kelly Buxman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tony DiTerlizzi did it again, he captivated me with his words and his illustrations. The Battle for WondLa was a great ending to the series. There is so much wisdom in this book. My only negative comment is that I did not the feel the ending. Although it was a good ending I felt like he left me hanging. I just wanted to know more about Eva.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a habit of reading juvenile literature for work, just so I have some readers advisory experience. I thoroughly enjoy the artwork in these books, DiTerlizzi is very creative. I read the first of the series by accident, but couldn't put it down. I've been awaiting this final book for years.

[Purlewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY! A delightful series. I strong female heroine. A great cast of characters. Perhaps a touch too happy of an ending, but it is a children's book and sometimes we need happy endings.

[Derrick Brousseau · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Battle for WondLa had my toes curling and sweat beading down my forehead for the entire second half of the book, wondering how it would end. It stands as an amazing conclusion to an amazing trilogy, with no loose ends and no major disappointments.

As someone who loves history, sociology, and strategy games, the politics of this book drew me in the most. Hearing the master plans of the feuding factions composed of humans and aliens alike kept me engrossed. The grand scale of WondLa’s universe manages to be immersive, while not abandoning its main plot. This scale also turns this children’s series into a surprisingly deep and powerful book.

The book is also just really cute. Like, all the little animals and characters are so interesting, and Eva’s goal to bring them all together in harmony, holding hands and singing kumbaya is both appropriate for a children’s series and relieving for any sort of book, especially after I just finished reading Frankenstein and Six of Crows. There was way too much misery.

This book once again suffers from its targeted audience, but I already talked about that. Also the first half of the book is sort of slow, and picks up badly from A Hero for WondLa’s momentum. It recovers well though and finished nicely.

Another reviewer stated that this book gave them “trilogy fatigue” and that they felt it was too long and tiring. I disagree heavily, and thought the pace was just fine.

Overall, 8/10, I loved this book. The series as a whole is also an 8/10.

I recommend The Battle for WondLa to Stellaris players, depressed people, and Mao Zedong.

[Kluxorious Kluxces · Rating 5 out of 5]

It didn't take me long to finish the third book of the Wondla series because it was packed with actions and was quite intense.

It continued from where it left of with Eva and Hailey traveling together and meeting new aliens on their journey to save Orbona from Loroc

Loroc was manipulative and managed to convinced both Cadmus and Queen Ojo to attack each other. He ate his sisters (and at the end, his brother too)and thus absorbed their powers. He was powerful and if it wasn't for Eva's clever trick, he would have won.

I really do enjoyed the series. I didn't expect it to be quite a fun and intense ride. It started off slow in book one but the pace picked up halfway through book two and continued till the end of book three.

I'm also happy to report that my OTP of Eva and Hailey did end up together 😁

Story 4/5
Character 5/5
Development 5/5
Enjoyment 5/5
Style of writing 4/5
Overall 4.6/5

[Maja Söderberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Äntligen fick man möjlighet att läsa hela triologin då jag bara hade läst första boken som yngre. Mycket imponerad av storyn! Diskuteras om många tänkvärda ämnen, även för vuxna, och skulle säga att den är väldigt relevant i dagens samhälle. Tror även storyn hade gjort sig bra som film/serie. Om man är nyfiken rekommenderar jag starkt att läsa böckerna för att inte gå miste om dem fantastiska illustrationerna! +poäng till sista boken då jag lyckades få tag på den i färg. Tråkigt att det är över men bra att författaren höll sig till tre böcker, blir lätt uttjatat annars.

[allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I have a lot to say. Starting off the ending was great. Of the series. If I was just reading this book and really wouldn’t have liked it. I love the story but I scanned most to all of this book. It would a recommend the series? Yes. (Also literally the title made no sense until the last sentence?!? Really?!?)

[Eliza Homer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The trilogy’s conclusion delivers an action-packed and emotional finale, as Eva Nine fights to protect her world and the people she loves. Balancing thrilling battles with heartfelt moments, the story ties together its themes of growth, unity, and hope in a satisfying and thought-provoking way.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

8 year old's review: Omg read the series it was AWESOME 5 stars but I think the timeline of like where it was in time did not make ANY sense.plz read!!!!