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Which Way to Anywhere #1
Which Way to Anywhere
K2 O'Hero is a seemingly ordinary boy - after all, he and his twin sister Izzabird have been sworn to keep their family's magical history a secret. Not even their infuriating stepsiblings, Theo and Mabel, know that magic exists. They believe K2 to be the most hopeless person they have ever known.But K2 has a secret he draws maps of worlds that are beyond the wildest of imaginations. Worlds with six hundred moons, burning rivers and dark, twisty jungles alive with plants that hunt by the smell of fear. But what K2 doesn't know, is that the maps he draws are real.When their baby sister Annipeck is kidnapped, the warring stepsiblings will have to use K2's gift to find a crossing point into one of those worlds and embark on a daring rescue mission. With a terrible beast and a petrifying robot assassin in their way, they must learn to work together quickly - because the future of their family is at stake ...
Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
80 people are currently reading
3000 people want to read
About the author
Cressida Cowell
203 books2,425 followersCressida Cowell grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. She was convinced that there were dragons living on this island, and has been fascinated by dragons ever since. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon is now published in over 30 languages. A DreamWorks Animation feature film is out in March 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband and three children.
Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)
Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
May 12, 2024
From the author of How to Train Your Dragon, here is a tale of lost magic, family, talking toothbrushes, far away galaxies and some very determined children. It is filled with wit, twists and turns, creative ingenuity, and of course some important lessons along the way.
Something exciting in regards to this series will be happening on the YouTube channel I run with my brother later this week. Check out The Brothers Gwynne if you want to find out :).
Something exciting in regards to this series will be happening on the YouTube channel I run with my brother later this week. Check out The Brothers Gwynne if you want to find out :).
December 18, 2022
Despite the evil plans of distraction from my two kittens, even they couldn't stop me from devouring the newest book from the queen of children's literature. Cressida Cowell is the only author who can transport me back to my own childhood wonder through ingenious, imaginative storytelling.
I have missed 'The Wizards of Once' so much since the series ended, and 'Which Way to Anywhere' fills that black hole inside of me where 'Wizards' once occupied. The hallmark Cowellisms are present, with enough creativity to carve its own path in children's literature and make me excited to read more in this world. This is the perfect balance of silly and sentimental, with scenes in the third act worthy of tissues. Characters are alive and imperfect, providing a truly fantastic trajectory of growth and learning that readers will learn and grow from themselves. I can always rely on Cowell's characters to do the impossible, all the while reminding us that we can do the impossible ourselves if we only try.
A truly exciting and fast-paced plot that not even my two kittens could distract me from, the illustrations also fed my imagination. Cressida Cowell's stories are my comfort reads, and 'Which Way to Anywhere' deserves its place in Cowell's iconic bibliography, as it soars just as high as 'How to Train Your Dragon' and enchants us just as much as 'The Wizards of Once'. A huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this book before its highly-anticipated release in September, of which I urge everyone with a longing to escape this world, to leap into this one.
I have missed 'The Wizards of Once' so much since the series ended, and 'Which Way to Anywhere' fills that black hole inside of me where 'Wizards' once occupied. The hallmark Cowellisms are present, with enough creativity to carve its own path in children's literature and make me excited to read more in this world. This is the perfect balance of silly and sentimental, with scenes in the third act worthy of tissues. Characters are alive and imperfect, providing a truly fantastic trajectory of growth and learning that readers will learn and grow from themselves. I can always rely on Cowell's characters to do the impossible, all the while reminding us that we can do the impossible ourselves if we only try.
A truly exciting and fast-paced plot that not even my two kittens could distract me from, the illustrations also fed my imagination. Cressida Cowell's stories are my comfort reads, and 'Which Way to Anywhere' deserves its place in Cowell's iconic bibliography, as it soars just as high as 'How to Train Your Dragon' and enchants us just as much as 'The Wizards of Once'. A huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this book before its highly-anticipated release in September, of which I urge everyone with a longing to escape this world, to leap into this one.
February 8, 2024
Written, illustrated, and narrated by Cressida Cowell, Which Way to Anywhere is a magical, adventurous read for the kid in us all.
My children are huge fans of Cowell’s books. We’ve been reading them forever it seems. So many wonderful memories and dynamic conversations regarding the stories over the years. Gathering around with this one was a no-brainer.
“So….come with me if you dare and take the Which Way to ANYWHERE”
There’s interesting family dynamics in the novel as the children are a part of a blended family. The children want to know more about their own magic and the magical system in general. The characters show some struggles on both fronts.
K2 and Izzabird are twins, they keep their family’s magic a secret from their step siblings, Theo and Mabel, but when their baby sister Annipeck is kidnapped all bets are off.
“What if the fantasy worlds you imagine the maps you draw and redraw the land that you shape with forests and hills, the islands the seas, what if they are REAL?”
The narrative is well balanced with more intense moments interspersed with lighter elements for younger readers. There’s plenty of wit, imagination, and whimsical illustrations.
I wish I could’ve gotten to know the characters better. I throughly enjoyed the book, but still felt like I didn’t know them all that well. There’s a sequel..so maybe next time?
This was the first time I had ever heard Cowell narrate and she did a fabulous job. The entire family loved this one.
4.25 ⭐️
My children are huge fans of Cowell’s books. We’ve been reading them forever it seems. So many wonderful memories and dynamic conversations regarding the stories over the years. Gathering around with this one was a no-brainer.
“So….come with me if you dare and take the Which Way to ANYWHERE”
There’s interesting family dynamics in the novel as the children are a part of a blended family. The children want to know more about their own magic and the magical system in general. The characters show some struggles on both fronts.
K2 and Izzabird are twins, they keep their family’s magic a secret from their step siblings, Theo and Mabel, but when their baby sister Annipeck is kidnapped all bets are off.
“What if the fantasy worlds you imagine the maps you draw and redraw the land that you shape with forests and hills, the islands the seas, what if they are REAL?”
The narrative is well balanced with more intense moments interspersed with lighter elements for younger readers. There’s plenty of wit, imagination, and whimsical illustrations.
I wish I could’ve gotten to know the characters better. I throughly enjoyed the book, but still felt like I didn’t know them all that well. There’s a sequel..so maybe next time?
This was the first time I had ever heard Cowell narrate and she did a fabulous job. The entire family loved this one.
4.25 ⭐️
December 7, 2022
Clueless the dog yawned. She had seen plenty of stuff like this before in this house. It would take more than an animated hairdryer to impress her.
This book felt… cluttered? Chaotic? I felt like there were too many characters, magical objects and otherworldly beings to get to know the main characters.
There were Cyril and Horizabel and THE EXCORIATOR and Vorcxix, two aunts and two speaking robots, there was family history, a possibly planet destroying government, auras, a tree cure, pirates and bounty hunters and it felt like too much for one book.
Secondly, I have no idea who K2, Izzabird, Theo and Mabel are as characters? What are they like?
We know K2 feels insecure about not being ‘heroic’, but we never find out what that means. Hiccup accepted that he was not a Viking Hero and withdrew to study Dragonese. Wish became anxious and fearful of her mother while Xar became rebellious and self centered.
Izzabird and Theo are fighting because they do not like their combined family, but we never find out why beyond that Izzabird thinks the Smiths are boring and Theo things the O’Hero’s are witches.
Mabel truly got the short end of the stick. Horizabel and Cyril had more to do than her.
Thirdly, the repetition.
When starting Wizards of Once I noticed plenty of similarities with How to train your dragon. The disapproving parents, the tiny creature that speaks in a funny way and the older family member that hates one of the main characters. Wish, Xar and the parents turned out unique because they reacted to the same things wildly differently. Xar shared Hiccup’s talent of talking himself out of trouble but used it as defense mechanism to hide his insecurities. Wish had Hiccup’s good heart but suffered from parent-induced emotional trauma. Bodkin’s fearfulness led him to be manipulated as opposed to Fishlegs’ unwavering loyalty.
I hope something similar happens because this book sometimes felt like Cressida playing the same cards for the third time.
Lastly, I felt like all the loose ends were not wrapped up in a nice way. This was very much a first-in-the-series book. Even more so than Wizards of once.
The book opens in a tight spot, before the ominous narrator winds the story back. There is once again a small robot that speaks in a funny way. There is magic-that-works-on-plastic. We barely find out what the coloured aura’s mean, or why Annipeck’s magic is so special. Or what THE EXCORIATOR and Vorcxix have to do with the governent. And how Horizabel plays into all of this. Plenty of stuff for a sequel, but not a particularly rounded ending on its own.
Lots of time is spent on the fantastical other worldly parts of the story, and while Cressida excels at writing the fantastical, I feel like a lot of the emotional character-driven aspect was lost.
This book felt… cluttered? Chaotic? I felt like there were too many characters, magical objects and otherworldly beings to get to know the main characters.
There were Cyril and Horizabel and THE EXCORIATOR and Vorcxix, two aunts and two speaking robots, there was family history, a possibly planet destroying government, auras, a tree cure, pirates and bounty hunters and it felt like too much for one book.
Secondly, I have no idea who K2, Izzabird, Theo and Mabel are as characters? What are they like?
We know K2 feels insecure about not being ‘heroic’, but we never find out what that means. Hiccup accepted that he was not a Viking Hero and withdrew to study Dragonese. Wish became anxious and fearful of her mother while Xar became rebellious and self centered.
Izzabird and Theo are fighting because they do not like their combined family, but we never find out why beyond that Izzabird thinks the Smiths are boring and Theo things the O’Hero’s are witches.
Mabel truly got the short end of the stick. Horizabel and Cyril had more to do than her.
Thirdly, the repetition.
When starting Wizards of Once I noticed plenty of similarities with How to train your dragon. The disapproving parents, the tiny creature that speaks in a funny way and the older family member that hates one of the main characters. Wish, Xar and the parents turned out unique because they reacted to the same things wildly differently. Xar shared Hiccup’s talent of talking himself out of trouble but used it as defense mechanism to hide his insecurities. Wish had Hiccup’s good heart but suffered from parent-induced emotional trauma. Bodkin’s fearfulness led him to be manipulated as opposed to Fishlegs’ unwavering loyalty.
I hope something similar happens because this book sometimes felt like Cressida playing the same cards for the third time.
Lastly, I felt like all the loose ends were not wrapped up in a nice way. This was very much a first-in-the-series book. Even more so than Wizards of once.
The book opens in a tight spot, before the ominous narrator winds the story back. There is once again a small robot that speaks in a funny way. There is magic-that-works-on-plastic. We barely find out what the coloured aura’s mean, or why Annipeck’s magic is so special. Or what THE EXCORIATOR and Vorcxix have to do with the governent. And how Horizabel plays into all of this. Plenty of stuff for a sequel, but not a particularly rounded ending on its own.
Lots of time is spent on the fantastical other worldly parts of the story, and while Cressida excels at writing the fantastical, I feel like a lot of the emotional character-driven aspect was lost.
November 10, 2022
A fantastical story of adventures through alternative worlds and brimming with characters to cheer on - and some to boo! Gloriously illustrated throughout with plenty of humour and craziness to keep everyone happy. A pure joy of a book.
May 17, 2023
4.5*stars
l loved reading Which Way to Anywhere, which is the first book in a new series by Cressida Cowell. I enjoyed her How to Train Your Dragon and Wizards of Once series. All of them are fantastic worlds with great and interesting characters. She is one of my favourite authors.
This book starts strong and has a nice adventure journey feeling to it, which is a plus on my side. I enjoyed all of the characters and the idea of alternative atlases, the magic and other worlds. It's a great start to a new series and I'm already looking forward to the second book that is coming out this year in September!
l loved reading Which Way to Anywhere, which is the first book in a new series by Cressida Cowell. I enjoyed her How to Train Your Dragon and Wizards of Once series. All of them are fantastic worlds with great and interesting characters. She is one of my favourite authors.
This book starts strong and has a nice adventure journey feeling to it, which is a plus on my side. I enjoyed all of the characters and the idea of alternative atlases, the magic and other worlds. It's a great start to a new series and I'm already looking forward to the second book that is coming out this year in September!
November 22, 2022
Cressida Cowell has the craziest ideas and the wildest stories. When previously we travelled to fantastical historicalish settings, then this time we get a bit more sci-fi'ish vibes. Whimsical, out-of-this-world adventure and cute characters delivered by the written and drawn story-telling! 😊
Read
August 17, 2023For fans who love magic and adventures.
When their little sister is kidnapped, siblings K2 O'Hero and his twin sister Izzabird go on a rescue mission. They need to cross to other worlds. But guess what? K2 is no ordinary boy. He can draw maps of fantastical other worlds and using this power, the siblings can look for their sister. The stakes are high, their family's secrets depend on them. Oh, small problem, there's a robot assassin to look out for.
When their little sister is kidnapped, siblings K2 O'Hero and his twin sister Izzabird go on a rescue mission. They need to cross to other worlds. But guess what? K2 is no ordinary boy. He can draw maps of fantastical other worlds and using this power, the siblings can look for their sister. The stakes are high, their family's secrets depend on them. Oh, small problem, there's a robot assassin to look out for.
February 22, 2023
Perfect for fans of magic, and alternative worlds. 10/10
October 12, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
3/5 STARS
Genre: Middle Grade Science Fiction
Synopsis:
In a quest to protect a magical atlas, a group of 4 kids find themselves in other worlds.
The premise was very intriguing, but it was a little too chaotic for me. There was a lot going on without any character development. I never connected with any of the characters(maybe the baby). The book also has a lot of illustrations that help understand what is going on. I liked those! If you are a science fiction fan, give it a try!
3/5 STARS
Genre: Middle Grade Science Fiction
Synopsis:
In a quest to protect a magical atlas, a group of 4 kids find themselves in other worlds.
The premise was very intriguing, but it was a little too chaotic for me. There was a lot going on without any character development. I never connected with any of the characters(maybe the baby). The book also has a lot of illustrations that help understand what is going on. I liked those! If you are a science fiction fan, give it a try!
June 11, 2025
I loved this story. It was full of some of the craziest ideas that I have ever read. The magic was insane. The characters were brilliant. It explored modern and hybrid families in a great way, and there was real drama and tension.
The problem was that the book is waaay too long. It has too many crazy ideas, too many characters and themes. This ended up taking 2 months to read to my son because it was just so long.
The problem was that the book is waaay too long. It has too many crazy ideas, too many characters and themes. This ended up taking 2 months to read to my son because it was just so long.
January 31, 2023
I love Cressida’s books. They’re so adventourus and wonderful and I love the messages of friendship, family and taking care of eachother.
December 8, 2023
Like every series Cressida Cowell has written, this one is packed with fun , excitement , and adventure!
August 8, 2024
با هم بریم یه دنیای دیگه
https://youtu.be/JaISJTY64pI?si=uzwqB...
https://youtu.be/JaISJTY64pI?si=uzwqB...
December 16, 2024
Ikke lige så god som Magikernes tid
May 21, 2024
Fun and sweet
May 13, 2024
Cressida Cowell can always be relied on for children’s books adults want to read too, and this is no exception. This is the first audio book I have heard her read (David Tennant reading “How to Train Your Dragon” is the pinnacle all audio books should aspire to) and she doesn’t disappoint. The book is thrilling, whimsical and fun so definitely a Cressida Cowell novel.
August 4, 2025
Cressida Cowell is one of the author for middle grade who I will buy any book that she wrote. So far she hasn't disappoint. Just like her other books, this book is ridiculous and silly yet still filled with heartfelt, warmth and joy.
Which Way to Anywhere is another series by Cressida, about 5 kids: K2, Izza, Theo, Mabel and Annapeck who travel across galaxies to rescue the adults in their family.
Theo and Mabel came into the O'Hero family through marriage of their father and K2 and Izza's mother. Theo and Izza do not see eye to eye and want their parent to be separated so they can back to their old life. NOT GONNA HAPPEN, especially since it turned out K2 has the Atlas Gift, where he can draw the maps of the universe and created an alternate door to those galaxies.
This time, they went to Excelsiar where everything is alive and apparently they hate humans because of what their ancestor had done hundred years ago: accidentally created a plague that killed the golden plants on the planet, which in turned exposed to diamont, which brought in warlocks to mine them and thus destroying the planet in the process. This made The Beast (and it's followers) rage war against humans and warlocks. But it was instigated by the Rider, the Vorxzicks, who the true villain in this story.
Btw, all of this was told by the third person, the Story Maker or also known as the Horrizable the Grimm, who played a part in the story as well. And then there's Annipeck who no one paid attention to until she showed them what she can do.
What I thought:
× I am always in awe with Cressida ability to imagine and create a whole new world with her stories. Plus her own illustrations of the characters and places made it even more exhilarating.
× the (not so) hidden message of this story is about climate change and humans plundered the earth effecting the balance of the planet. The message was beautifully weaved into the story so that the mid-grader can grasp the importance of preserving mother earth.
× the other message is about the importance of family, regardless of all the possible misunderstanding. At the end of the day, they are the one who got your back.
× didn't get the usual 5 star because I felt like it kind of lost a bit of its sparkles in the middle part where I struggle to focus.
Story 5/5
Characters 5/5
Development 4/5
Style of writing 5/5
Enjoyment 4/5
Overall 4.6/5
Which Way to Anywhere is another series by Cressida, about 5 kids: K2, Izza, Theo, Mabel and Annapeck who travel across galaxies to rescue the adults in their family.
Theo and Mabel came into the O'Hero family through marriage of their father and K2 and Izza's mother. Theo and Izza do not see eye to eye and want their parent to be separated so they can back to their old life. NOT GONNA HAPPEN, especially since it turned out K2 has the Atlas Gift, where he can draw the maps of the universe and created an alternate door to those galaxies.
This time, they went to Excelsiar where everything is alive and apparently they hate humans because of what their ancestor had done hundred years ago: accidentally created a plague that killed the golden plants on the planet, which in turned exposed to diamont, which brought in warlocks to mine them and thus destroying the planet in the process. This made The Beast (and it's followers) rage war against humans and warlocks. But it was instigated by the Rider, the Vorxzicks, who the true villain in this story.
Btw, all of this was told by the third person, the Story Maker or also known as the Horrizable the Grimm, who played a part in the story as well. And then there's Annipeck who no one paid attention to until she showed them what she can do.
What I thought:
× I am always in awe with Cressida ability to imagine and create a whole new world with her stories. Plus her own illustrations of the characters and places made it even more exhilarating.
× the (not so) hidden message of this story is about climate change and humans plundered the earth effecting the balance of the planet. The message was beautifully weaved into the story so that the mid-grader can grasp the importance of preserving mother earth.
× the other message is about the importance of family, regardless of all the possible misunderstanding. At the end of the day, they are the one who got your back.
× didn't get the usual 5 star because I felt like it kind of lost a bit of its sparkles in the middle part where I struggle to focus.
Story 5/5
Characters 5/5
Development 4/5
Style of writing 5/5
Enjoyment 4/5
Overall 4.6/5
December 9, 2023
Hi my name is Priyanshi and I have read this book. Note: this review contains some spoilers.
Which way to anywhere by Cressida Cowell is a delightful and imaginative book that takes readers on a captivating journey through a world of endless possibilities. As a reader, I had the pleasure of exploring the pages of this book and immersing myself in the enchanting storytelling and vivid characters created by Cressida Cowell.
One of the standout aspects of “Which way to Anywhere” is Cowell’s exceptional ability to ignite the reader’s imagination. The book is filled with whimsical settings, from magical forests to bustling cities, each described in such detail that it feels like you are right there alongside the characters.
Moreover, Cowell’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for readers of ages.
The only thing I didn’t really like was that the writing was a little bit childish and also the story is a little childish.
So I would say that this book is a good book and I would recommend reading it. It is a fiction book so if you love or like fiction then this would be the perfect book for you.
Which way to anywhere by Cressida Cowell is a delightful and imaginative book that takes readers on a captivating journey through a world of endless possibilities. As a reader, I had the pleasure of exploring the pages of this book and immersing myself in the enchanting storytelling and vivid characters created by Cressida Cowell.
One of the standout aspects of “Which way to Anywhere” is Cowell’s exceptional ability to ignite the reader’s imagination. The book is filled with whimsical settings, from magical forests to bustling cities, each described in such detail that it feels like you are right there alongside the characters.
Moreover, Cowell’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making it suitable for readers of ages.
The only thing I didn’t really like was that the writing was a little bit childish and also the story is a little childish.
So I would say that this book is a good book and I would recommend reading it. It is a fiction book so if you love or like fiction then this would be the perfect book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
Which Way to Anywhere was a very fun middle grade fantasy novel that I enjoyed immensely! I loved the characters, which all grow a bit over the course of the book. I also saw two families that refused to join become one in a beautiful way. Through danger! As is the way all great heroes are formed. I was a little confused by a couple of small things while reading the book but overall it was creative and the science and physics don’t have to matter in this kind of lit, so the story had space to play around with things like sticking a log to lava so that it wouldn’t tip over. You know, kid logic! And I loved it because it’s silly to adults. The story also reminds us the weakest among us might have something amazing hiding inside just waiting to shine and to save the day. I also adored all the illustrations :) And of course the page in the middle about taking a break. A great reminder for readers of all ages!
July 17, 2025
3 ⭐️ made a bet with some of my year 3 students that they’d have to give me $1 million each if i finished this book before them. ofc they spent every waking second reading (maybe making bets with children is the way to make them read more? have i just cracked the code?) & i actually NEARLY lost…
i enjoyed this more than i expected to & my students loved it too! it was a fun read and the character growth was great.
i enjoyed this more than i expected to & my students loved it too! it was a fun read and the character growth was great.
May 26, 2024
Πρώτη δημοσίευση εδώ: https://www.dominicamat.gr/2024/05/bl...
Από τη συγγραφέα της σειράς ''Πώς να εκπαιδεύσετε τον δράκο σας'', Κρεσίντα Κάουελ (Cressida Cowell), κυκλοφορεί πλέον καί στη χώρα μας από τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο, το νέο της βιβλίο, με τίτλο ''Το Σταυροδρόμι του Οπουδήποτε'' (Which Way to Anywhere), το οποίο ''ανοίγει'' την ομώνυμη σειρά βιβλίων καί απευθύνεται σε παιδιά ηλικίας 10 ετών καί άνω, σε μετάφραση της κυρίας Βούλας Αυγουστίνου καί εικονογράφηση από την ίδια τη συγγραφέα. Ένα βιβλίο που συνδυάζει την ψυχαγωγία με τo διδακτικό κομμάτι γύρω από ζητήματα που μας απασχολούν στην καθημερινότητά μας.
Απέχω αρκετά χρόνια από την παιδική ηλικία καί προσπαθώ να προσεγγίζω βιβλία ανάλογης ηλικιακής κατηγορίας, τόσο σκεπτόμενη το τί θα μου άρεσε αν ήμουν ξανά παιδί, όσο καί από τις απόψεις που αναπτύσσει ο ανιψιός μου. Ναι, για μένα αυτά είναι μερικά από τα βασικά κριτήρια. Όπως καί τα ακόλουθα ερωτήματα, που λειτουργούν ως κατευθυντήριες γραμμές που πρέπει να ακολουθήσω.
- Τί θέλει να βρει μέσα σε ένα βιβλίο που διαβάζει;
- Τί του κεντρίζει το ενδιαφέρον καί τί μπορεί να μην τον ικανοποιεί τόσο;
Για παράδειγμα, από μικρός ήθελε να του διαβάζω -καί τώρα το κάνει μόνος του- βιβλία μεγαλύτερα σε έκταση. Έδειχνε την προτίμησή του -όπως καί άλλα παιδιά- σε βιβλία που υπάρχει άπλετη δόση φαντασίας, μυστηρίου, έντονη παρουσία εξωπραγματικών πλασμάτων, ήρωες καί ηρωϊδες κοντά στην δική του ηλικία με τους/τις οποίους/ες μπορεί να ταυτιστεί καί να ζήσει μοναδικές αναγνωστικές εμπειρίες.
Περιγραφή:
Ο Κ2 Ο’Χίροου μοιάζει με συνηθισμένο αγόρι – άλλωστε, αυτός και η δίδυμη αδελφή του Ίζαμπερντ έχουν ορκιστεί να μη φανερώσουν το μαγικό παρελθόν της οικογένειάς τους. Ούτε καν τα εκνευριστικά ετεροθαλή αδέλφια τους Τεό και Μέιμπελ δεν έχουν ιδέα ότι υπάρχει στ’ αλήθεια μαγεία. Πιστεύουν ότι ο Κ2 είναι το πιο άχρηστο άτομο που έχουν γνωρίσει στη ζωή τους. Ωστόσο, ο Κ2 έχει ένα κρυφό χάρισμα: σχεδιάζει χάρτες κόσμων που ξεπερνούν και την πιο τρελή φαντασία. Κόσμους με εξακόσια φεγγάρια, φλεγόμενους ποταμούς και σκοτεινές, δαιδαλώδεις ζούγκλες με αρπακτικά φυτά που μυρίζουν τον φόβο. Αυτό που δεν γνωρίζει ο Κ2, όμως, είναι ότι οι χάρτες που σχεδιάζει είναι πραγματικοί. Όταν η μικρή αδελφούλα τους Άνιπεκ πέφτει θύμα απαγωγής, τα ετεροθαλή αδέλφια θα πρέπει να παραμερίσουν τις διαφορές τους και να χρησιμοποιήσουν το χάρισμα του Κ2 ώστε να βρουν τον δρόμο για έναν από εκείνους τους κόσμους και να ξεκινήσουν μια τολμηρή αποστολή διάσωσης. Μ’ ένα φοβερό τέρας κι ένα τρομαχτικό δολοφονικό ρομπότ στον δρόμο τους, θα πρέπει να μάθουν γρήγορα να συνεργάζονται – γιατί το μέλλον της οικογένειάς τους απειλείται...
Έχοντας παρακολουθήσει τις ταινίες που βασίζονται στη σειρά βιβλίων ''Πώς να εκπαιδεύσετε τον δράκο σας'', είναι αλήθεια ότι ένιωθα εξοικειωμένη με τον αλλόκοτο, μα ταυτόχρονα ευφυή καί ενδιαφέροντα τρόπο σκέψης της συγγραφέως. Με ικανοποιεί πολύ το γεγονός ότι γνωρίζει το πώς να παντρέψει την ψυχαγωγία καί την φαντασία με ουσιαστικά μηνύματα προς τους μικρούς καί τις μικρές αναγνώστες/στριες. Έτσι κι εδώ, ''χτίζει'' μία μεστή ιστορία με αρκετή δόση χιούμορ καί περιπέτειας, ενώ παράλληλα, μιλάει για τις οικογένειες καί τους δεσμούς μεταξύ των μελών αυτών -με τα όποια καλά, ή, αρνητικά, την προσφορά, την ελπίδα, τη συγχώρεση, τις δεύτερες ευκαιρίες, την πίστη στον εαυτό, καθώς καί την ανάγκη για φροντίδα καί προστασία του περιβάλλοντος.
Λοιπά θετικά στοιχεία βιβλίου:
- Γεμάτο λεξιλόγιο,
- Σύγχρονος, οικείος λόγος συγγραφέως,
- Απτά παραδείγματα,
- Περιεκτικές προτάσεις,
-Τέλος, εξαιρετική ασπρόμαυρη εικονογράφηση.
Αναζητήστε το! Καλή ανάγνωση.
Από τη συγγραφέα της σειράς ''Πώς να εκπαιδεύσετε τον δράκο σας'', Κρεσίντα Κάουελ (Cressida Cowell), κυκλοφορεί πλέον καί στη χώρα μας από τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο, το νέο της βιβλίο, με τίτλο ''Το Σταυροδρόμι του Οπουδήποτε'' (Which Way to Anywhere), το οποίο ''ανοίγει'' την ομώνυμη σειρά βιβλίων καί απευθύνεται σε παιδιά ηλικίας 10 ετών καί άνω, σε μετάφραση της κυρίας Βούλας Αυγουστίνου καί εικονογράφηση από την ίδια τη συγγραφέα. Ένα βιβλίο που συνδυάζει την ψυχαγωγία με τo διδακτικό κομμάτι γύρω από ζητήματα που μας απασχολούν στην καθημερινότητά μας.
Απέχω αρκετά χρόνια από την παιδική ηλικία καί προσπαθώ να προσεγγίζω βιβλία ανάλογης ηλικιακής κατηγορίας, τόσο σκεπτόμενη το τί θα μου άρεσε αν ήμουν ξανά παιδί, όσο καί από τις απόψεις που αναπτύσσει ο ανιψιός μου. Ναι, για μένα αυτά είναι μερικά από τα βασικά κριτήρια. Όπως καί τα ακόλουθα ερωτήματα, που λειτουργούν ως κατευθυντήριες γραμμές που πρέπει να ακολουθήσω.
- Τί θέλει να βρει μέσα σε ένα βιβλίο που διαβάζει;
- Τί του κεντρίζει το ενδιαφέρον καί τί μπορεί να μην τον ικανοποιεί τόσο;
Για παράδειγμα, από μικρός ήθελε να του διαβάζω -καί τώρα το κάνει μόνος του- βιβλία μεγαλύτερα σε έκταση. Έδειχνε την προτίμησή του -όπως καί άλλα παιδιά- σε βιβλία που υπάρχει άπλετη δόση φαντασίας, μυστηρίου, έντονη παρουσία εξωπραγματικών πλασμάτων, ήρωες καί ηρωϊδες κοντά στην δική του ηλικία με τους/τις οποίους/ες μπορεί να ταυτιστεί καί να ζήσει μοναδικές αναγνωστικές εμπειρίες.
Περιγραφή:
Ο Κ2 Ο’Χίροου μοιάζει με συνηθισμένο αγόρι – άλλωστε, αυτός και η δίδυμη αδελφή του Ίζαμπερντ έχουν ορκιστεί να μη φανερώσουν το μαγικό παρελθόν της οικογένειάς τους. Ούτε καν τα εκνευριστικά ετεροθαλή αδέλφια τους Τεό και Μέιμπελ δεν έχουν ιδέα ότι υπάρχει στ’ αλήθεια μαγεία. Πιστεύουν ότι ο Κ2 είναι το πιο άχρηστο άτομο που έχουν γνωρίσει στη ζωή τους. Ωστόσο, ο Κ2 έχει ένα κρυφό χάρισμα: σχεδιάζει χάρτες κόσμων που ξεπερνούν και την πιο τρελή φαντασία. Κόσμους με εξακόσια φεγγάρια, φλεγόμενους ποταμούς και σκοτεινές, δαιδαλώδεις ζούγκλες με αρπακτικά φυτά που μυρίζουν τον φόβο. Αυτό που δεν γνωρίζει ο Κ2, όμως, είναι ότι οι χάρτες που σχεδιάζει είναι πραγματικοί. Όταν η μικρή αδελφούλα τους Άνιπεκ πέφτει θύμα απαγωγής, τα ετεροθαλή αδέλφια θα πρέπει να παραμερίσουν τις διαφορές τους και να χρησιμοποιήσουν το χάρισμα του Κ2 ώστε να βρουν τον δρόμο για έναν από εκείνους τους κόσμους και να ξεκινήσουν μια τολμηρή αποστολή διάσωσης. Μ’ ένα φοβερό τέρας κι ένα τρομαχτικό δολοφονικό ρομπότ στον δρόμο τους, θα πρέπει να μάθουν γρήγορα να συνεργάζονται – γιατί το μέλλον της οικογένειάς τους απειλείται...
Έχοντας παρακολουθήσει τις ταινίες που βασίζονται στη σειρά βιβλίων ''Πώς να εκπαιδεύσετε τον δράκο σας'', είναι αλήθεια ότι ένιωθα εξοικειωμένη με τον αλλόκοτο, μα ταυτόχρονα ευφυή καί ενδιαφέροντα τρόπο σκέψης της συγγραφέως. Με ικανοποιεί πολύ το γεγονός ότι γνωρίζει το πώς να παντρέψει την ψυχαγωγία καί την φαντασία με ουσιαστικά μηνύματα προς τους μικρούς καί τις μικρές αναγνώστες/στριες. Έτσι κι εδώ, ''χτίζει'' μία μεστή ιστορία με αρκετή δόση χιούμορ καί περιπέτειας, ενώ παράλληλα, μιλάει για τις οικογένειες καί τους δεσμούς μεταξύ των μελών αυτών -με τα όποια καλά, ή, αρνητικά, την προσφορά, την ελπίδα, τη συγχώρεση, τις δεύτερες ευκαιρίες, την πίστη στον εαυτό, καθώς καί την ανάγκη για φροντίδα καί προστασία του περιβάλλοντος.
Λοιπά θετικά στοιχεία βιβλίου:
- Γεμάτο λεξιλόγιο,
- Σύγχρονος, οικείος λόγος συγγραφέως,
- Απτά παραδείγματα,
- Περιεκτικές προτάσεις,
-Τέλος, εξαιρετική ασπρόμαυρη εικονογράφηση.
Αναζητήστε το! Καλή ανάγνωση.
September 20, 2022
Which Way to Anywhere is such a fun novel!
It has a fairly familiar concept at its heart. Magic is real and can be used to open doorways between different worlds. This is a longstanding fantasy trope, that's played with very effectively here by Cressida Cowell. These doorways are opened by drawings of maps, as long as they are done by someone with the right magical gift. The only problem is there hasn't been anyone with that gift for centuries, so someone born with the gift of creating an atlas like that would be both incredibly dangerous and incredibly valuable.
And would you believe there's a young child here on Earth with that very planet?
That's the cue for a thrilling adventure for five young children from the same family, though two of them have a mother and a missing father, another two have a father and no mother, and baby Annipeck shares one parent with all of them, as they are variously assisted and chased across different worlds by a robot assassin, a Grimm bounty hunter, a substitute geography teacher who might be a pirate, various robot assistants and a great and terrible beast!
It's non-stop thrilling action, told with wit and charm. I loved the way Pinch the robot mangles all of his words up. The jungle world felt very scary and dangerous, and the ambiguous nature of many of the supporting characters was fun and kept me guessing. There's a very strong narrative voice throughout, giving little insights into the worlds and what's going on that I really enjoyed a lot, and Cressida clearly had fun playing with the narrative structure of the book, opening on a dramatic and terrifying sequence and then returning us to a safer time (for now). The magic use was exciting and fascinating, a blend of magic and technology that I found really intriguing, and there's a moral issue at the heart of the novel that really makes the reader question their assumptions.
This is a book about magic and amazing technology and different worlds and the impacts our careless actions can have. But it is more than that. It is a book about family.
The O'Heros and the Smiths are two families that have suddenly found themselves as one family. There's a lot of hurt and animosity there and it really shows. But through the course of this lovely book we see them grow and change and it really is heart-warming to see. There's a lot of emotional depth in there, and I'm sure there'll be many children out there like Izzy, planning on getting rid of a stepfather and stepbrother, or like Mable, who secretly like their new family but have to hide it from an older brother who doesn't, or like Annipeck who is part of both sides of this new family. It's cleverly and beautifully done.
Which Way to Anywhere is a fun, thrilling many-worlds fantasy with magic and technology and a whole lot of heart.
It has a fairly familiar concept at its heart. Magic is real and can be used to open doorways between different worlds. This is a longstanding fantasy trope, that's played with very effectively here by Cressida Cowell. These doorways are opened by drawings of maps, as long as they are done by someone with the right magical gift. The only problem is there hasn't been anyone with that gift for centuries, so someone born with the gift of creating an atlas like that would be both incredibly dangerous and incredibly valuable.
And would you believe there's a young child here on Earth with that very planet?
That's the cue for a thrilling adventure for five young children from the same family, though two of them have a mother and a missing father, another two have a father and no mother, and baby Annipeck shares one parent with all of them, as they are variously assisted and chased across different worlds by a robot assassin, a Grimm bounty hunter, a substitute geography teacher who might be a pirate, various robot assistants and a great and terrible beast!
It's non-stop thrilling action, told with wit and charm. I loved the way Pinch the robot mangles all of his words up. The jungle world felt very scary and dangerous, and the ambiguous nature of many of the supporting characters was fun and kept me guessing. There's a very strong narrative voice throughout, giving little insights into the worlds and what's going on that I really enjoyed a lot, and Cressida clearly had fun playing with the narrative structure of the book, opening on a dramatic and terrifying sequence and then returning us to a safer time (for now). The magic use was exciting and fascinating, a blend of magic and technology that I found really intriguing, and there's a moral issue at the heart of the novel that really makes the reader question their assumptions.
This is a book about magic and amazing technology and different worlds and the impacts our careless actions can have. But it is more than that. It is a book about family.
The O'Heros and the Smiths are two families that have suddenly found themselves as one family. There's a lot of hurt and animosity there and it really shows. But through the course of this lovely book we see them grow and change and it really is heart-warming to see. There's a lot of emotional depth in there, and I'm sure there'll be many children out there like Izzy, planning on getting rid of a stepfather and stepbrother, or like Mable, who secretly like their new family but have to hide it from an older brother who doesn't, or like Annipeck who is part of both sides of this new family. It's cleverly and beautifully done.
Which Way to Anywhere is a fun, thrilling many-worlds fantasy with magic and technology and a whole lot of heart.
November 19, 2023
It's clear after reading Cressida Cowell's latest book, Which Way to Anywhere, that the limits of her imagination know no bounds. It's a zany, action packed, humorous adventure that will entertain readers of all ages.
The characters are quirky and lovable. Similar to her other books, they all have very unique names that only add to the story. The names are a bit childish, like K2 or Izzabird (which is reminiscent of the names of characters in her other books, like Hiccup and Gobber). However, that was more a benefit rather than a distraction from the overall story as I felt it added a more whimsical air to the story. In addition to the whimsical elements, there are also more commonplace real life elements with K2 having dyslexia and amblyopia (lazy eye). I really appreciate authors who celebrate differences and neurodivergence in their characters, rather than making them out to be something bad. It's always exciting to me to see authors celebrating differences rather than making them out to be something bad.
The world-building, or should I say building multiple worlds is cool too. The idea of an alternative atlas was incredibly unique, and it was fun to get to learn about the different worlds the alternative atlases created paths to. It was also fun to get to envision the various looks of each alternative atlas in my mind. On another note, the O’Hero family’s history plays a large role in the story and the world, so it was interesting to learn about that over the course of the book.
The audiobook version of this title is an experience. The author narrates the book herself, and it's a fully produced recording complete with sound effects. I loved it! There are some twists related to the author narrating the book that I wasn’t expecting as well. This is definitely one of those instances where listening to the audiobook elevates the reading experience. I think it's also worth checking out the print version as well, given the illustrations interspersed throughout the story.
Which Way to Anywhere is an amazing book, and I’m so excited to check out more titles from the author in the future. If you enjoy humorous fantasy tales that celebrate differences and the meaning of family, you should definitely check out this book.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Which Way to Anywhere. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
The characters are quirky and lovable. Similar to her other books, they all have very unique names that only add to the story. The names are a bit childish, like K2 or Izzabird (which is reminiscent of the names of characters in her other books, like Hiccup and Gobber). However, that was more a benefit rather than a distraction from the overall story as I felt it added a more whimsical air to the story. In addition to the whimsical elements, there are also more commonplace real life elements with K2 having dyslexia and amblyopia (lazy eye). I really appreciate authors who celebrate differences and neurodivergence in their characters, rather than making them out to be something bad. It's always exciting to me to see authors celebrating differences rather than making them out to be something bad.
The world-building, or should I say building multiple worlds is cool too. The idea of an alternative atlas was incredibly unique, and it was fun to get to learn about the different worlds the alternative atlases created paths to. It was also fun to get to envision the various looks of each alternative atlas in my mind. On another note, the O’Hero family’s history plays a large role in the story and the world, so it was interesting to learn about that over the course of the book.
The audiobook version of this title is an experience. The author narrates the book herself, and it's a fully produced recording complete with sound effects. I loved it! There are some twists related to the author narrating the book that I wasn’t expecting as well. This is definitely one of those instances where listening to the audiobook elevates the reading experience. I think it's also worth checking out the print version as well, given the illustrations interspersed throughout the story.
Which Way to Anywhere is an amazing book, and I’m so excited to check out more titles from the author in the future. If you enjoy humorous fantasy tales that celebrate differences and the meaning of family, you should definitely check out this book.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Which Way to Anywhere. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
September 11, 2022
K2 is a seemingly unremarkable boy who does his best not to stand out. Izzabird, his twin, is smart, funny and chatty. Their family has a strange Magical history -
The stepfather doesn’t suspect he married into such an interesting family. Neither does Theo, his intelligent and sporty son, or Mabel, his quiet and kind daughter.
The magical secrets are bound to get out, though, because the four older children are about to go on a rip-roaring adventure twenty gazillion miles away. Annipeck, their baby sister, has been kidnapped and they’re getting some family bonding time, whether they want it or not.
The narrator addresses the reader but not often enough that it becomes annoying. I had some trouble deciphering a few of the words that accompanied the illustrations during the early chapters but didn’t have any problems with this once I got used to the handwriting.
There’s an environmental message and I witnessed some pretty impressive courageous acts. A number of characters were vying for the coveted title of Big Bad.
Amongst all of the arguments and chaos there was a surprise misty eyed moment that had me trying to figure out how to get myself grafted into the O’Hero-Smith family.
I have so many questions, including those raised by the story’s narrator. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Aunts better; they have the potential to be fabulously fun to follow around. I definitely need to borrow one of their vacuum cleaners.
The sky’s the limit here, with as many worlds to explore as the author can imagine. This book has given me a taste for what magic is possible but it’s clear we’ve only just scratched the surface.
Make sure to put your thinking cap on and spritz some Steri-gas on yourself before you step into this Otherworld.
Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
‘There’s nothing strange about US!’but the twins are under strict instructions not to tell anyone.
The stepfather doesn’t suspect he married into such an interesting family. Neither does Theo, his intelligent and sporty son, or Mabel, his quiet and kind daughter.
The magical secrets are bound to get out, though, because the four older children are about to go on a rip-roaring adventure twenty gazillion miles away. Annipeck, their baby sister, has been kidnapped and they’re getting some family bonding time, whether they want it or not.
There’s nothing like an adventure to find out whether you are a Hero or not.This book is chock full of illustrations that bring the human earflings and their out of this world adventure to life. There are some great chapter titles, like A Stranger Enters the Story and the Story Gets Stranger Still, that really drew me in.
The narrator addresses the reader but not often enough that it becomes annoying. I had some trouble deciphering a few of the words that accompanied the illustrations during the early chapters but didn’t have any problems with this once I got used to the handwriting.
There’s an environmental message and I witnessed some pretty impressive courageous acts. A number of characters were vying for the coveted title of Big Bad.
Amongst all of the arguments and chaos there was a surprise misty eyed moment that had me trying to figure out how to get myself grafted into the O’Hero-Smith family.
‘This is what being a family means.’Thankfully this is the first in a new series. I absquo-lootely adore books where someone can say, ‘Something’s spooked the toothbrushes …’ and it makes perfect sense.
I have so many questions, including those raised by the story’s narrator. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Aunts better; they have the potential to be fabulously fun to follow around. I definitely need to borrow one of their vacuum cleaners.
The sky’s the limit here, with as many worlds to explore as the author can imagine. This book has given me a taste for what magic is possible but it’s clear we’ve only just scratched the surface.
Make sure to put your thinking cap on and spritz some Steri-gas on yourself before you step into this Otherworld.
Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
January 24, 2024
New Words Learnt - 0
Cressida Cowell proves once again why she's my favourite author.
WWTA feels like an unofficial sequel series to The Wizards of Once with all the magic and easter eggs included.
The story follows the O'Hero-Smith family as they are forced to flee Earth to save their half-sister from a crooked pirate, whom in turn has not only been captured by the most ferocious beat this side of galaxy cluster X, but also whom is being pursued by not one but two space bounty hunters, one resembling the Terminator.
From page 1 I loved this book. The first few pages alone are everything I love about CC. Imaginative and evocative writing like no-one else. Put aside the nostalgia for her writing, illustrations, humour, and storytelling, I fell in love it all again. I loved the Storymaker. I loved Horizabel (poor Theo, that's a crush that won't leave easily). I loved reading all the new places CC takes us. Her descriptions are just a treat to read. In the end I had to pace myself and limit my reading time to just one chapter a day so I could savour it longer. I missed her chapter titles, the handwritten style of so many of her words. The notebook/diary pages she includes, the creature info posters she provides, the unexpected but very welcoming songs in the middle; all enrich the reading experience. I think one of my more minor nitpicks of Never and Forever was the sudden introduction to 'an Otherworld' which had no previous mention in the series. Maybe it was meant to be a setup to this series, a sort of early easter egg of some sort. So I'll cut it some slack (not for the other things I mentioned in that review!).
Overall, it's back to business as normal as far as Cressida Cowell is concerned.
P.S. Soggy-Bottom--Marsh-Place (while very clearly a funny name for the UK) is something I could see being said in the Ryan-George universe.
Cressida Cowell proves once again why she's my favourite author.
WWTA feels like an unofficial sequel series to The Wizards of Once with all the magic and easter eggs included.
The story follows the O'Hero-Smith family as they are forced to flee Earth to save their half-sister from a crooked pirate, whom in turn has not only been captured by the most ferocious beat this side of galaxy cluster X, but also whom is being pursued by not one but two space bounty hunters, one resembling the Terminator.
From page 1 I loved this book. The first few pages alone are everything I love about CC. Imaginative and evocative writing like no-one else. Put aside the nostalgia for her writing, illustrations, humour, and storytelling, I fell in love it all again. I loved the Storymaker. I loved Horizabel (poor Theo, that's a crush that won't leave easily). I loved reading all the new places CC takes us. Her descriptions are just a treat to read. In the end I had to pace myself and limit my reading time to just one chapter a day so I could savour it longer. I missed her chapter titles, the handwritten style of so many of her words. The notebook/diary pages she includes, the creature info posters she provides, the unexpected but very welcoming songs in the middle; all enrich the reading experience. I think one of my more minor nitpicks of Never and Forever was the sudden introduction to 'an Otherworld' which had no previous mention in the series. Maybe it was meant to be a setup to this series, a sort of early easter egg of some sort. So I'll cut it some slack (not for the other things I mentioned in that review!).
Overall, it's back to business as normal as far as Cressida Cowell is concerned.
P.S. Soggy-Bottom--Marsh-Place (while very clearly a funny name for the UK) is something I could see being said in the Ryan-George universe.
July 27, 2023
Cressida Cowell really is the queen of world building, and with this marvellous book kicking off her newest series, she has done it again!
Introducing us to a blended family of warring step-siblings - some of whom have magic, while others have no idea that it exists - the funny and fast-paced adventure begins when the youngest, baby Annipeck, is taken. It is at this point that her half brothers and sisters finally realise they must come together in order to figure out how to save her.
Prior to this, the four older children had consisted of two bitterly divided factions.
Theo despises K2, whom he considers to be hopeless at everything. His younger sister Mabel is kinder, but she is firmly allied with her brother. What they don't know is that the detailed maps of fantastical worlds, with wild, smoky rivers and ferocious plants that K2 creates are in fact real places.
But K2 and his sister Izzabird have been sworn to silence about their family's magical legacy - and they themselves are not aware of the value of the drawings. Still, they resent Theo and fear his suspicions and his allegation that their mother is a witch will lead to trouble.
It is when they need to rescue Annipeck that the real significance of K2's gifts will become apparent. But can they get past their sibling enmity to work together this one time?
This is a wonderful read, and a book that effortlessly holds the reader's attention, while transporting them to other worlds for a hilarious, eventful and occasionally quite scary journey.
The growth arc for the characters is authentic and absorbing, and Cowell effortlessly brings them alive on the page. I have no doubt that this series is going to join her other writings as an instant classic. So I am happy to give it five stars and I highly recommend it as an imaginative, escapist, rollicking adventure not to be missed.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Introducing us to a blended family of warring step-siblings - some of whom have magic, while others have no idea that it exists - the funny and fast-paced adventure begins when the youngest, baby Annipeck, is taken. It is at this point that her half brothers and sisters finally realise they must come together in order to figure out how to save her.
Prior to this, the four older children had consisted of two bitterly divided factions.
Theo despises K2, whom he considers to be hopeless at everything. His younger sister Mabel is kinder, but she is firmly allied with her brother. What they don't know is that the detailed maps of fantastical worlds, with wild, smoky rivers and ferocious plants that K2 creates are in fact real places.
But K2 and his sister Izzabird have been sworn to silence about their family's magical legacy - and they themselves are not aware of the value of the drawings. Still, they resent Theo and fear his suspicions and his allegation that their mother is a witch will lead to trouble.
It is when they need to rescue Annipeck that the real significance of K2's gifts will become apparent. But can they get past their sibling enmity to work together this one time?
This is a wonderful read, and a book that effortlessly holds the reader's attention, while transporting them to other worlds for a hilarious, eventful and occasionally quite scary journey.
The growth arc for the characters is authentic and absorbing, and Cowell effortlessly brings them alive on the page. I have no doubt that this series is going to join her other writings as an instant classic. So I am happy to give it five stars and I highly recommend it as an imaginative, escapist, rollicking adventure not to be missed.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
September 4, 2022
Once again Cressida Cowell shows why she's such a popular writer for children.
Which way to Anywhere is new story. It centres around the rather mixed up O'Hero/Smith blended family. K2 and his sister, Izzabird are the descendants of the magical O'Hero family, who have been joined in their rather unique and strange home by Theo and Mabel Smith. The two sets of children are struggling to get along and adjust to being a family when a substitute geography teacher/intergalactic pirate suddenly gives the children a strange map drawing task. This sets off a bizarre chain of events that sets the children on an adventure to a planet millions of miles away from Earth.
The story is fun, at times insane and full of heart. There were many characters, both good and bad, in this novel. My personal favourite was baby Annipeck and her special brand of magic. Children will enjoy this book, but as an adult I felt the characters weren't as developed as they could have been, mainly due to the huge cast of characters in a short novel. There are several villains, pirates, beasts, a missing father, a dog, a bounty hunter and aunts and mums to be saved. All in all, a massive assortment of characters with the Cowell trademark strange names to recall throughout.
The novel deals with themes of adjusting to a new blended family and also touches upon ecological and environmental issues. It does give you a warm and fuzzy feeling towards the end. I'm hoping that the adventures of the family continue, but perhaps the focus should be on one child per book in order for their character to really develop. It's a book I'll certainly purchase to read with my own children.
Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
Which way to Anywhere is new story. It centres around the rather mixed up O'Hero/Smith blended family. K2 and his sister, Izzabird are the descendants of the magical O'Hero family, who have been joined in their rather unique and strange home by Theo and Mabel Smith. The two sets of children are struggling to get along and adjust to being a family when a substitute geography teacher/intergalactic pirate suddenly gives the children a strange map drawing task. This sets off a bizarre chain of events that sets the children on an adventure to a planet millions of miles away from Earth.
The story is fun, at times insane and full of heart. There were many characters, both good and bad, in this novel. My personal favourite was baby Annipeck and her special brand of magic. Children will enjoy this book, but as an adult I felt the characters weren't as developed as they could have been, mainly due to the huge cast of characters in a short novel. There are several villains, pirates, beasts, a missing father, a dog, a bounty hunter and aunts and mums to be saved. All in all, a massive assortment of characters with the Cowell trademark strange names to recall throughout.
The novel deals with themes of adjusting to a new blended family and also touches upon ecological and environmental issues. It does give you a warm and fuzzy feeling towards the end. I'm hoping that the adventures of the family continue, but perhaps the focus should be on one child per book in order for their character to really develop. It's a book I'll certainly purchase to read with my own children.
Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.
August 13, 2022
2/5 ⭐️ Which Way To Anywhere
Sometimes a book is quite simply ink on a dead tree.
I hate to say, but really when all this book has is 4 kids, an evil force that they only encounter once and an illegal piece of paper; it's just a pile of words.
4 kids of the names of K2 and Izzabird o'hero, and Mable and Theo smith, are the main characters. Nothing special, they have your typical shy and quite-soon to be powerful boy with a optimistic and brave sister. Then they have two lesser main characters that are either, organised and protective or a kind and caring young girl. Cressida Cowell almost always follows the same character structure.
The book starts, and the imaginary curtains in my brain are drawn and I sit down and read for as long as I can. It starts of with a strong first chapter. Then (picturing this in theatre) the entire cast hurts themselves back stage and then random people from the street take there roles. The director goes bankrupt and sells half the stage set for money leaving an almost empty stage and all the scripts where lost, so no one knows what to do.
So that leaves us with this:
The O'heros kid's family leaves them mysteriously.
There baby sister gets kidnaped.
A bounty hunter knocks on there washing machine door.
Izzabird is determined to find her family in a galaxy far away.
They leave to this place.
They try to find there sister.
A robot tries to track them down (brought up once).
Then I wont say the rest because thats for you to read (or hate).
There is so much unnecessary world building. All world building should fit into each other like an ecosystem, or the ecosystem crumples. And get this, this book is dead.
Sometimes a book is quite simply ink on a dead tree.
I hate to say, but really when all this book has is 4 kids, an evil force that they only encounter once and an illegal piece of paper; it's just a pile of words.
4 kids of the names of K2 and Izzabird o'hero, and Mable and Theo smith, are the main characters. Nothing special, they have your typical shy and quite-soon to be powerful boy with a optimistic and brave sister. Then they have two lesser main characters that are either, organised and protective or a kind and caring young girl. Cressida Cowell almost always follows the same character structure.
The book starts, and the imaginary curtains in my brain are drawn and I sit down and read for as long as I can. It starts of with a strong first chapter. Then (picturing this in theatre) the entire cast hurts themselves back stage and then random people from the street take there roles. The director goes bankrupt and sells half the stage set for money leaving an almost empty stage and all the scripts where lost, so no one knows what to do.
So that leaves us with this:
The O'heros kid's family leaves them mysteriously.
There baby sister gets kidnaped.
A bounty hunter knocks on there washing machine door.
Izzabird is determined to find her family in a galaxy far away.
They leave to this place.
They try to find there sister.
A robot tries to track them down (brought up once).
Then I wont say the rest because thats for you to read (or hate).
There is so much unnecessary world building. All world building should fit into each other like an ecosystem, or the ecosystem crumples. And get this, this book is dead.
September 15, 2022
Which Way to Anywhere is an inventive midgrade portal fantasy featuring maps, robots and latent superpowers.
K2, Izzabird, Mabel and Theo are a modern blended family that aren’t blending too well. When their baby sister Annipeck is stolen by a strange man claiming to be a geography teacher, they have to journey to a strange desert world to rescue her, at the same time as through their own differences.
Cowell makes inventive choices at every turn, blending elements of SF and fantasy. It’s great to find a fantastical realm where plastic, rather than gold or silver, is an important material.
The playful use of first-person narration allows Cowell to reflect on the nature of storytelling. This is done sparingly, and doesn’t intrude on the narrative too much, and it will be interesting to see what bearing will have on other books in the series.
The book is stuffed with eccentric characters, some of whom pass through briefly, but may have a larger role to play in the future.
An anarchic, breathless adventure that establishes a fictional world you’ll want to return to.
K2, Izzabird, Mabel and Theo are a modern blended family that aren’t blending too well. When their baby sister Annipeck is stolen by a strange man claiming to be a geography teacher, they have to journey to a strange desert world to rescue her, at the same time as through their own differences.
Cowell makes inventive choices at every turn, blending elements of SF and fantasy. It’s great to find a fantastical realm where plastic, rather than gold or silver, is an important material.
The playful use of first-person narration allows Cowell to reflect on the nature of storytelling. This is done sparingly, and doesn’t intrude on the narrative too much, and it will be interesting to see what bearing will have on other books in the series.
The book is stuffed with eccentric characters, some of whom pass through briefly, but may have a larger role to play in the future.
An anarchic, breathless adventure that establishes a fictional world you’ll want to return to.
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