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Stravaganza #5
Stad van schepen
Isabel was rushing to her next lesson when she nearly tripped over the little ped pouch. She picked it up, fascinated; it looked like a prop from a school play. It definitely did have something inside and she couldn't resist opening the string to see what it was.
Until she finds the mysterious little bag that seems to be from another time and place, Isabel is anything but extraordinary. Then she falls asleep with the bag in her hand and wakes up in another world altogether - a world where she is badly needed.
Isabel is a Stravagante, a person who can travel through time and space to a country called Talia, which is much like Italy. There she meet Flavia, a wealthy merchant whose ships have been attacked by pirates. And piracy isn't the only danger the Stravaganti face. The fierce Gate people are planning an attack by sea, while enemies of the Stravaganti are plotting to learn their secrets. Isabel will have an important role to play - she just doesn't know what it is yet.
A high-seas, high-stakes adventure awaits in this thrilling new novel by Mary Hoffman.
Until she finds the mysterious little bag that seems to be from another time and place, Isabel is anything but extraordinary. Then she falls asleep with the bag in her hand and wakes up in another world altogether - a world where she is badly needed.
Isabel is a Stravagante, a person who can travel through time and space to a country called Talia, which is much like Italy. There she meet Flavia, a wealthy merchant whose ships have been attacked by pirates. And piracy isn't the only danger the Stravaganti face. The fierce Gate people are planning an attack by sea, while enemies of the Stravaganti are plotting to learn their secrets. Isabel will have an important role to play - she just doesn't know what it is yet.
A high-seas, high-stakes adventure awaits in this thrilling new novel by Mary Hoffman.
362 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2010
33 people are currently reading
2695 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hoffman
272 books592 followersSee also works published under Mary Lassiter
Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.
Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel
Mary Hoffman is a bestselling British author and reviewer, born in 1945. She is a true enthusiast of Italy and spends a lot of her time there, which shows in her Stravaganza novels: a series currently in publication. In total, she has written over 80 books, including the aforementioned Stravaganza series and the bestselling picture book, Amazing Grace. Mary is also the editor of a review magazine Armadillo for kids.
Watch the book trailer for David, Mary Hoffman's most recent novel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
December 20, 2020
Έντονη δράση, καλή αφηγηματική ροή, περιπετειώδης αφήγηση και ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες, με αρκετές δόσεις έξυπνου χιούμορ, που ταιριάζει πολύ στα γούστα μου, και σίγουρα μια ιστορία που απόλαυσα κάθε της λεπτό και που με πήγε πίσω, στις εποχές που πρωτοξεκίνησα να διαβάζω τη σειρά αυτή.
July 5, 2012
After finding a velvet pouch in her school, Isabel travels to sixteenth century Italy, only she soon fond out it's not really Italy, but Talia, a country in another world. She is not the only one that had traveled from present London to Talia, the other Stravaganti, as they are called find her and explain that she is to play a certain role in her visits to Talia, but no one knows yet what it is. With an upcoming war at their doorstep, the people of Talia gather their warships and Isabel will find herself in the middle of it.
Let me first say that my rating is biased. There is no way I would ever give a Stravaganze book any other rating than 5 big stars. I am so much in love with the world of Talia, and the traveling from our world there, every time seeing another city, that I can't help myself. Mary Hoffman did for me in YA what Raymond E. Feist did in Epic Fantasy, I fell in love with the wolrd and the characters. Before I even pick up the book I know I will love it.
I don't want to give away anything, cause all the characters from the old books came back to the next ones, but in this one there were many things done differently which made it even more special. Like trips to Elizabethan England and of course there was the battle in the middle of the sea.
The main character, Isabel, is like the the previous characters. In order for someone to be chosen for Talia they have to be miserable at their own life and Isabel is just that. Jealous of her totally perfect twin brother, trying her hardest to go by life unnoticed. But naturally, just like in the previous books, with every trip in Talia she changes. By the end of the book she was a more confident person.
In this book the old Stravaganti show up as they did before and help Isabel, but this time there are more trips to Talia than usual. It's really good to see them all back in Talia. But I was expecting them to show up for the final battle which didn't happen.
All in all, I loved this book and the whole Stravaganza series. The next book, City of Swords, was just published and I already got it and it's waiting to be read. I think this might be the last book of the series and I can't wait to see how everyone will end up.
Let me first say that my rating is biased. There is no way I would ever give a Stravaganze book any other rating than 5 big stars. I am so much in love with the world of Talia, and the traveling from our world there, every time seeing another city, that I can't help myself. Mary Hoffman did for me in YA what Raymond E. Feist did in Epic Fantasy, I fell in love with the wolrd and the characters. Before I even pick up the book I know I will love it.
I don't want to give away anything, cause all the characters from the old books came back to the next ones, but in this one there were many things done differently which made it even more special. Like trips to Elizabethan England and of course there was the battle in the middle of the sea.
The main character, Isabel, is like the the previous characters. In order for someone to be chosen for Talia they have to be miserable at their own life and Isabel is just that. Jealous of her totally perfect twin brother, trying her hardest to go by life unnoticed. But naturally, just like in the previous books, with every trip in Talia she changes. By the end of the book she was a more confident person.
In this book the old Stravaganti show up as they did before and help Isabel, but this time there are more trips to Talia than usual. It's really good to see them all back in Talia. But I was expecting them to show up for the final battle which didn't happen.
All in all, I loved this book and the whole Stravaganza series. The next book, City of Swords, was just published and I already got it and it's waiting to be read. I think this might be the last book of the series and I can't wait to see how everyone will end up.
April 16, 2010
I loved the first few books of this series, but every time a new book comes out, I FORGET EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED BEFORE. So I spend about two-thirds of the book completely confused, trying to figure out what happened before.
The token Muslim-named character DOING HARAM THINGS really annoyed me. I know authors try to include 'ethnic' characters for the sake of inclusiveness and representativeness, but it's indiscriminate and without an understanding of or sensitivity to the group they're plucking their character from.
Also, hello, 'Yesh'?? From 'Ayesha'? Are you kidding? Harry Potter did this right. Rowling left Muslims alone. It would've been objectionable because, you know, magic is haram. A 'Muslim Harry Potter' would be Bad.
The token Muslim-named character DOING HARAM THINGS really annoyed me. I know authors try to include 'ethnic' characters for the sake of inclusiveness and representativeness, but it's indiscriminate and without an understanding of or sensitivity to the group they're plucking their character from.
Also, hello, 'Yesh'?? From 'Ayesha'? Are you kidding? Harry Potter did this right. Rowling left Muslims alone. It would've been objectionable because, you know, magic is haram. A 'Muslim Harry Potter' would be Bad.
June 20, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Oo, ik wilde dat ik een Stravagante was. Zou het niet fantastisch zijn om overdag je eigen leven te leiden in het heden, en ’s nachts af te reizen naar een stad in Italië, waar mensen op je wachten en de stad je nodig heeft…
Isabel Evans heeft net een verrassende ontdekking gedaan: ze is een stravagante, iemand die tussen twee werelden kan reizen.
Wanneer ze geconfronteerd wordt met de gevaren in Talia, het middeleeuwse equivalent van het huidige Italië, is de verlegen en stille Isabel gedwongen om de kracht in haarzelf te vinden, een kracht waarvan ze niet wist dat ze die had. Ze komt terecht in een wereld vol piraten, meedogenloze zeegevechten en dodelijke vijanden.
Het boek volgt uitstekend op de vorige vier boeken; en ook alle personages komen terug, Luciano, Georgia, Nick, Sky, Alice en Matt…).
Ik denk dat iedereen wel een favoriete personageof koppel heeft. De verhoudingen tussen deze jongeren worden door de komst van Isabel wel weer helemaal door elkaar gegooid!
Bij hen is tijdens het lezen goed te volgen wie bij wie hoort, dit in tegenstelling tot de twee families Nucci en Di Chimici! Gelukkig staat er achterin het boek een familieboom, die families lopen zo door elkaar dat je die er wel bij wilt houden.
Oo, ik wilde dat ik een Stravagante was. Zou het niet fantastisch zijn om overdag je eigen leven te leiden in het heden, en ’s nachts af te reizen naar een stad in Italië, waar mensen op je wachten en de stad je nodig heeft…
Isabel Evans heeft net een verrassende ontdekking gedaan: ze is een stravagante, iemand die tussen twee werelden kan reizen.
Wanneer ze geconfronteerd wordt met de gevaren in Talia, het middeleeuwse equivalent van het huidige Italië, is de verlegen en stille Isabel gedwongen om de kracht in haarzelf te vinden, een kracht waarvan ze niet wist dat ze die had. Ze komt terecht in een wereld vol piraten, meedogenloze zeegevechten en dodelijke vijanden.
Het boek volgt uitstekend op de vorige vier boeken; en ook alle personages komen terug, Luciano, Georgia, Nick, Sky, Alice en Matt…).
Ik denk dat iedereen wel een favoriete personageof koppel heeft. De verhoudingen tussen deze jongeren worden door de komst van Isabel wel weer helemaal door elkaar gegooid!
Bij hen is tijdens het lezen goed te volgen wie bij wie hoort, dit in tegenstelling tot de twee families Nucci en Di Chimici! Gelukkig staat er achterin het boek een familieboom, die families lopen zo door elkaar dat je die er wel bij wilt houden.
April 2, 2017
Na wat meer tegenvallende eerdere delen, was dit boek weer heerlijk. Het was fijn om terug te zijn in Talia en dit verhaal was door nieuwe ontdekkingen op het gebied van Stravageren ook een stuk leuker om weer te lezen ☺️
Een volledige recensie volgt binnenkort op www.thebookdiaries.nl.
Een volledige recensie volgt binnenkort op www.thebookdiaries.nl.
October 3, 2018
I really liked Isabella! Such a relatable character (for me)
October 29, 2017
I first devoured the first four books in the Stravanganza series - a time/space-travelling epic featuring British youths 'stravagating' to an alternate version of Italy (known as Talia) - many years ago. The first three books were very good, mixing romance and political intrigue to surprisingly good effect. The fourth book was a disappointment, however, which probably explains why I didn't pick up Book 5 until I spotted it in the library the other day.
It's a shame that this fifth installment isn't quite as good as the initial trilogy, either. It kind of feels like Mary Hoffman's world has gotten away from her - it's convoluted, now, as she tries to keep every single character from modern-day Barnsbury and Renaissance Talia in the mix. As a result, the book and its new central character, Isabel Evans - not to mention the new Talian city she takes us to - feel less real and lived-in, and more perfunctory.
It doesn't help matters that Hoffman writes in choppy bursts that don't lend themselves too well to emotional continuity or depth. Storylines and characters that once worked very well now feel tired - you can't help wondering if the series would have benefited from a soft reboot, with the original characters referred to but not forced to keep carrying narrative weight.
On the plus side, City Of Ships actually handles its final naval battle quite well - there's a real (and realistic) sense of loss and devastation to the events of the book. It's a reminder of the best parts of the earlier books: when Hoffman finds more layers and complexity than you'd expect from a swashbuckling young-adult series.
2.5 stars
It's a shame that this fifth installment isn't quite as good as the initial trilogy, either. It kind of feels like Mary Hoffman's world has gotten away from her - it's convoluted, now, as she tries to keep every single character from modern-day Barnsbury and Renaissance Talia in the mix. As a result, the book and its new central character, Isabel Evans - not to mention the new Talian city she takes us to - feel less real and lived-in, and more perfunctory.
It doesn't help matters that Hoffman writes in choppy bursts that don't lend themselves too well to emotional continuity or depth. Storylines and characters that once worked very well now feel tired - you can't help wondering if the series would have benefited from a soft reboot, with the original characters referred to but not forced to keep carrying narrative weight.
On the plus side, City Of Ships actually handles its final naval battle quite well - there's a real (and realistic) sense of loss and devastation to the events of the book. It's a reminder of the best parts of the earlier books: when Hoffman finds more layers and complexity than you'd expect from a swashbuckling young-adult series.
2.5 stars
November 6, 2011
Like the others, the fifth book takes several chapters to acquaint the new character to the world of Talia, as well as introducing said character to the Stravaganti in our world, and like the others, there comes a time when the other Stravaganti have to cover for the new Stravagante while they stay in Talia overnight.
Unlike the others, Isabel has a twin to deal with, which throws in some later complications that do a lot to further the story's interest, but get wrapped up and glossed over way too quickly, leaving the Reader feeling more than a little disappointed. What few loose ends City of Secrets had are tied off in this one, and like the others, the fifth installment ends with even fewer questions than previous ones. There is a big battle, some more di Chimici die, there is another wedding, and everything is sorted out in our world for Isabel.
As much as I like this series, it seems I have more complaints than praises, and it is because it seems like no matter how many things happen, the plotline as a whole is never added on to. Each installment feels like a nicely wrapped package that could very easily stand on its own. Please, Mary Hoffman - have some questions and plot development in Book Six!!
Unlike the others, Isabel has a twin to deal with, which throws in some later complications that do a lot to further the story's interest, but get wrapped up and glossed over way too quickly, leaving the Reader feeling more than a little disappointed. What few loose ends City of Secrets had are tied off in this one, and like the others, the fifth installment ends with even fewer questions than previous ones. There is a big battle, some more di Chimici die, there is another wedding, and everything is sorted out in our world for Isabel.
As much as I like this series, it seems I have more complaints than praises, and it is because it seems like no matter how many things happen, the plotline as a whole is never added on to. Each installment feels like a nicely wrapped package that could very easily stand on its own. Please, Mary Hoffman - have some questions and plot development in Book Six!!
December 5, 2017
I have loved the entire series but I felt that this book was rushed. Isabel's character felt very flat and was just used as a vehicle for the reader to see what was happening with the rest of the characters that we've already gotten familiar with. With the influx of so many old reoccuring characters, this felt like a rerun, or recap book. The big moments in this book felt so glossed over, with the interesting twist that happened with Stravagation, and the big finale that the book was building up towards. The relationship developments just felt so hollow and I found myself not caring for anyone in the story whereas in books like City of Masks and City of Stars I was so heavily invested in the outcomes of the situations and those characters.
June 20, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Isabel Evans heeft net een verrassende ontdekking gedaan: ze is een stravagante, iemand die tussen twee werelden kan reizen.
Wanneer ze geconfronteerd wordt met de gevaren in Talia, het middeleeuwse equivalent van het huidige Italië, is de verlegen en stille Isabel gedwongen om de kracht in haarzelf te vinden, een kracht waarvan ze niet wist dat ze die had.
Ze komt terecht in een wereld vol piraten, meedogenloze zeegevechten en dodelijke vijanden.
Oo, ik wilde dat ik een Stravagante was. Zou het niet fantastisch zijn om overdag je eigen leven te leiden in het heden, en ’s nachts af te reizen naar een stad in Italië, waar mensen op je wachten en de stad je nodig heeft…
Als Isabel dan een talisman vindt, verandert dat haar leven drastisch! Ze komt midden in een familievete terecht, met charmante Italiaanse prinsen, piraten, de Duchessa Arianne van Belezza… maar ook jongeren van haar eigen school, die elk een stad in Talia ‘vertegenwoordigen’ en zich afvragen waarom juist Isabel is uitgekozen om te stravageren naar Classe…
Isabel Evans heeft net een verrassende ontdekking gedaan: ze is een stravagante, iemand die tussen twee werelden kan reizen.
Wanneer ze geconfronteerd wordt met de gevaren in Talia, het middeleeuwse equivalent van het huidige Italië, is de verlegen en stille Isabel gedwongen om de kracht in haarzelf te vinden, een kracht waarvan ze niet wist dat ze die had.
Ze komt terecht in een wereld vol piraten, meedogenloze zeegevechten en dodelijke vijanden.
Oo, ik wilde dat ik een Stravagante was. Zou het niet fantastisch zijn om overdag je eigen leven te leiden in het heden, en ’s nachts af te reizen naar een stad in Italië, waar mensen op je wachten en de stad je nodig heeft…
Als Isabel dan een talisman vindt, verandert dat haar leven drastisch! Ze komt midden in een familievete terecht, met charmante Italiaanse prinsen, piraten, de Duchessa Arianne van Belezza… maar ook jongeren van haar eigen school, die elk een stad in Talia ‘vertegenwoordigen’ en zich afvragen waarom juist Isabel is uitgekozen om te stravageren naar Classe…
September 15, 2024
Update 1: 15/09/2024
'Ik heb niet gezegd welke Filippo.'
In het Nederlands zijn ze gelukkig zo slim geweest om de oude kaften te behouden. In het Engels zijn ze in het midden van de reeks namelijk overgeschakeld van dat pauwenverenpatroon (zo heet die paarse achtergrond) naar andere covers. Die zouden later in het Nederlands voor de paperbacks gebruikt worden, maar de hardcovers kregen eerst nieuwe covers die aansloten bij de oorspronkelijke uitgaves. Daar ben ik Van Goor altijd heel erg dankbaar voor geweest! En vooral de cover van Stad van Schepen is buitengewoon prachtig, echt een meesterwerk met die tekening en de kleuren. Oogverblindend!
De kwaliteit van het verhaal bereikt ook hoogten die we niet meer gezien hebben sinds Boek 1. Isabel is naast Luciano en Arianna absoluut het aangenaamste (jonge) personage in de reeks. Ze maakt een ontzettend goede ontwikkeling door, je merkt hoe ze dankzij Talia helemaal opbloeit, ze voelt zich er helemaal thuis, heb ik de indruk, en ze loopt over van enthousiasme, meer nog dan de meeste andere stravaganti - ze heeft Classe in haar hart gesloten. Ook (haar relatie met) Sky wordt hier knap vormgegeven. En de toevoeging van Charlie als haar broer is nog een extra positief punt. Spijtig dat Georgia en Nicholas zoals gewoonlijk de boel weer wat komen vergallen, maar gelukkig zijn hun kuren deze keer van minder lange duur. Maar ja, ze zijn er gewoon, da's op zich al erg genoeg.
Het is duidelijk dat er een evolutie in de reeks zit. De oudere personages zijn heel erg bekend met de werelden, hoe stravagatie werkt, en ze durven meer. Ervaring alom, dus, en het is plezant om die wisselwerking tussen oud en nieuw te zien - in beide werelden. Ook de effecten die de gebeurtenissen hebben op andere mensen worden goed weergegeven. Ondertussen zijn er al heel wat meer mensen bij stravagatie betrokken dan alleen de stravaganti zelf. Bij de Di Chimici's is het dan weer akelig duidelijk aan het worden dat Fabrizio stilaan zichzelf en de rest van zijn familie niet meer in de hand kan houden. Zijn ondoordachte, nogal waanzinnige plannen, hebben verregaande negatieve consequenties, onder andere met Beatrice. Uiteindelijk kun je moeilijk beweren dat ze een sleutelrol in het verhaal speelt, maar ze krijgt voor een deel wel de focus, en ze legt een hele weg af (letterlijk en figuurlijk). Ook de link met Stad van Bloemen door de terugkeer van de Nucci's is heel tof.
Update 1: Ook het concept van stravagantie verandert helemaal in Boek 5. Dethridge vindt eindelijk een manier waarop de stravaganti ook , en dat zet de boel eigenlijk wel tamelijk op z'n kop. Je merkt dat het voor de auteur veel complexer wordt om alles binnen te perken te houden, zeker ook omdat er steeds meer mensen betrokken geraken bij, of op z'n minst op de hoogte zijn van, de stravaganti. Op alle treden van de sociale ladder. Die evolutie gaat in Boek 6 nog (veel) verder. 16e-eeuws Talia en 21e-eeuws Londen worden steeds inniger met elkaar verwikkeld.
En zoals gewoonlijk is het natuurlijk machtig spannend. Een zeeslag, verdorie! Dat zie je toch niet meteen aankomen. Maar het is prachtig gedaan. Wat een climax toch - en met een paar verrassingen ertussen, zoals dat moet. Ja, Stravaganza leeft weer helemaal op!
8,9/10
'Ik heb niet gezegd welke Filippo.'
In het Nederlands zijn ze gelukkig zo slim geweest om de oude kaften te behouden. In het Engels zijn ze in het midden van de reeks namelijk overgeschakeld van dat pauwenverenpatroon (zo heet die paarse achtergrond) naar andere covers. Die zouden later in het Nederlands voor de paperbacks gebruikt worden, maar de hardcovers kregen eerst nieuwe covers die aansloten bij de oorspronkelijke uitgaves. Daar ben ik Van Goor altijd heel erg dankbaar voor geweest! En vooral de cover van Stad van Schepen is buitengewoon prachtig, echt een meesterwerk met die tekening en de kleuren. Oogverblindend!
De kwaliteit van het verhaal bereikt ook hoogten die we niet meer gezien hebben sinds Boek 1. Isabel is naast Luciano en Arianna absoluut het aangenaamste (jonge) personage in de reeks. Ze maakt een ontzettend goede ontwikkeling door, je merkt hoe ze dankzij Talia helemaal opbloeit, ze voelt zich er helemaal thuis, heb ik de indruk, en ze loopt over van enthousiasme, meer nog dan de meeste andere stravaganti - ze heeft Classe in haar hart gesloten. Ook (haar relatie met) Sky wordt hier knap vormgegeven. En de toevoeging van Charlie als haar broer is nog een extra positief punt. Spijtig dat Georgia en Nicholas zoals gewoonlijk de boel weer wat komen vergallen, maar gelukkig zijn hun kuren deze keer van minder lange duur. Maar ja, ze zijn er gewoon, da's op zich al erg genoeg.
Het is duidelijk dat er een evolutie in de reeks zit. De oudere personages zijn heel erg bekend met de werelden, hoe stravagatie werkt, en ze durven meer. Ervaring alom, dus, en het is plezant om die wisselwerking tussen oud en nieuw te zien - in beide werelden. Ook de effecten die de gebeurtenissen hebben op andere mensen worden goed weergegeven. Ondertussen zijn er al heel wat meer mensen bij stravagatie betrokken dan alleen de stravaganti zelf. Bij de Di Chimici's is het dan weer akelig duidelijk aan het worden dat Fabrizio stilaan zichzelf en de rest van zijn familie niet meer in de hand kan houden. Zijn ondoordachte, nogal waanzinnige plannen, hebben verregaande negatieve consequenties, onder andere met Beatrice. Uiteindelijk kun je moeilijk beweren dat ze een sleutelrol in het verhaal speelt, maar ze krijgt voor een deel wel de focus, en ze legt een hele weg af (letterlijk en figuurlijk). Ook de link met Stad van Bloemen door de terugkeer van de Nucci's is heel tof.
Update 1: Ook het concept van stravagantie verandert helemaal in Boek 5. Dethridge vindt eindelijk een manier waarop de stravaganti ook , en dat zet de boel eigenlijk wel tamelijk op z'n kop. Je merkt dat het voor de auteur veel complexer wordt om alles binnen te perken te houden, zeker ook omdat er steeds meer mensen betrokken geraken bij, of op z'n minst op de hoogte zijn van, de stravaganti. Op alle treden van de sociale ladder. Die evolutie gaat in Boek 6 nog (veel) verder. 16e-eeuws Talia en 21e-eeuws Londen worden steeds inniger met elkaar verwikkeld.
En zoals gewoonlijk is het natuurlijk machtig spannend. Een zeeslag, verdorie! Dat zie je toch niet meteen aankomen. Maar het is prachtig gedaan. Wat een climax toch - en met een paar verrassingen ertussen, zoals dat moet. Ja, Stravaganza leeft weer helemaal op!
8,9/10
March 28, 2013
Isabel is an English teenage girl who lacks confidence. No matter how well she does at school, sports or social life, she always feels she is behind her twin brother, Charlie. However, she is the one chosen to travel to sixteenth century Talia, a country similar to Italy, but in another world, where she has a mission to accomplish. She learns that she is a Stravagante and that her task is to help the brotherhood, but she does not know how.
The pattern of this fifth book is the same again, only with a different protagonist. This time, we are nevertheless transported to Classe, a city which was only just mentioned in the previous stories. The universe is completely different from that of Belleza, Giglia, Remora or Padavia: situated by the sea, its community is composed by artists and traders... But there are also pirates who threaten their peaceful life and another people, the Gate people, who might be preparing an attack.
I enjoyed the fact that, although the story followed the same guidelines as the previous ones, there are many new elements brought to it, which made the reading extremely interesting. The Chimici are present, but in the background and we get to know other interesting characters such as the Nucci – which we had briefly met before – and pirates. As I had read the four other books shortly before, I still remember precisely what happened, which was probably a great advantage in City of ships, because many people have similar names and it might get a little confusing for someone who does not know Stravaganza at all.
Mary Hoffman nevertheless sums up the main events at the beginning, and everything we might have forgotten comes back to us as we meet old characters: Rodolfo, Luciano, Arianna and Professor Dethirdge in Talia; Georgia, Nick and Sky in England. All of them have evolved and it is a pleasure to see them again.
One of the main interests, no doubt about it, is a discovery made by Professor Dethridge, which changes Stravagation. As this science progresses, the author takes more liberty and the plot becomes much more interesting. Although the real action only starts in the second part of the story, I never got bored with details at the beginning. The balance between England and Talia, new and old characters and places, descriptions and action, was really perfect. The climax towards the end was told with undeniable talent and we could easily picture the ships, the harbour, the army and the city.
I particularly liked Isabel’s character, which I found was better developed and more realistic than most of the protagonists we had met before – apart from Luciano, perhaps. Seeing her in Talia as well as in England gave us a more complete idea of her personality and I really feared and hoped with her.
City of Ships is once again a very successful story, maybe even more powerful than the previous ones. The author realised it was necessary to bring new elements in the series and does it with verve, offering us a wonderful landscape of a traders’ city threatened by pirates.
The pattern of this fifth book is the same again, only with a different protagonist. This time, we are nevertheless transported to Classe, a city which was only just mentioned in the previous stories. The universe is completely different from that of Belleza, Giglia, Remora or Padavia: situated by the sea, its community is composed by artists and traders... But there are also pirates who threaten their peaceful life and another people, the Gate people, who might be preparing an attack.
I enjoyed the fact that, although the story followed the same guidelines as the previous ones, there are many new elements brought to it, which made the reading extremely interesting. The Chimici are present, but in the background and we get to know other interesting characters such as the Nucci – which we had briefly met before – and pirates. As I had read the four other books shortly before, I still remember precisely what happened, which was probably a great advantage in City of ships, because many people have similar names and it might get a little confusing for someone who does not know Stravaganza at all.
Mary Hoffman nevertheless sums up the main events at the beginning, and everything we might have forgotten comes back to us as we meet old characters: Rodolfo, Luciano, Arianna and Professor Dethirdge in Talia; Georgia, Nick and Sky in England. All of them have evolved and it is a pleasure to see them again.
One of the main interests, no doubt about it, is a discovery made by Professor Dethridge, which changes Stravagation. As this science progresses, the author takes more liberty and the plot becomes much more interesting. Although the real action only starts in the second part of the story, I never got bored with details at the beginning. The balance between England and Talia, new and old characters and places, descriptions and action, was really perfect. The climax towards the end was told with undeniable talent and we could easily picture the ships, the harbour, the army and the city.
I particularly liked Isabel’s character, which I found was better developed and more realistic than most of the protagonists we had met before – apart from Luciano, perhaps. Seeing her in Talia as well as in England gave us a more complete idea of her personality and I really feared and hoped with her.
City of Ships is once again a very successful story, maybe even more powerful than the previous ones. The author realised it was necessary to bring new elements in the series and does it with verve, offering us a wonderful landscape of a traders’ city threatened by pirates.
November 8, 2011
Stravaganza is a tale of an alternate universe. It is both time travel, and space travel. Set in London, City of Ships begins with Isabel. Isabel was chosen to travel to the land of Talia. She is taught to take confidence in herself, to take pride in her art and imagination. Isabel has a twin. She was born ten minutes after her brother, and was always "behind" him in some way, grades, sports, or popularity. In Talia, she is more accepted. It is a new world, and she has strange powers and different knowledge, for Talia takes place nearly four centuries behind the present time. Isabel has the power to save all of Talia.
Stravaganza is a series. I have read all that have been published. They are extremely creative, have a certain aspect of mystery, and draw me in completely. Talia seems like a real world, and is an escape. It is an escape for the ones who were chosen to travel to Talia, and it is an escape for those who read it to enter a world of imagination and fantasy. I can't wait for the continuation of the series.
Stravaganza is a series. I have read all that have been published. They are extremely creative, have a certain aspect of mystery, and draw me in completely. Talia seems like a real world, and is an escape. It is an escape for the ones who were chosen to travel to Talia, and it is an escape for those who read it to enter a world of imagination and fantasy. I can't wait for the continuation of the series.
August 18, 2010
Let's just say I was really skeptical to read this book at first. After a completely lakcluster and somewhat silly City of Secrets (I mean 'oh, let us lift the lake with our minds and then dunk the Manoush with it!'?? Please.), I thought Mary Hoffman's talent had been depleted.
Boy, I was wrong.
City of Ships is a great addition to the series. The main character, Isabel, is incredibly more charismatic than Matt. That in itself is a plus.
Also, the story seems to be much more mature than that presented to us in Book 4.
The highlight of the book, is of course, the final battle with the Gate people. I must say that just like Hoffman did in the Stellata and in the di Chimici massacre, she conducted the scene with dexterity, leaving the reader simply entranced.
It is, overall, an amazingly good book. I will be surely looking forward to the next installment in the series, the City of Swords.
PS.: Beatrice RULES. :)
Boy, I was wrong.
City of Ships is a great addition to the series. The main character, Isabel, is incredibly more charismatic than Matt. That in itself is a plus.
Also, the story seems to be much more mature than that presented to us in Book 4.
The highlight of the book, is of course, the final battle with the Gate people. I must say that just like Hoffman did in the Stellata and in the di Chimici massacre, she conducted the scene with dexterity, leaving the reader simply entranced.
It is, overall, an amazingly good book. I will be surely looking forward to the next installment in the series, the City of Swords.
PS.: Beatrice RULES. :)
March 9, 2011
I think I can recommend this one with a few minor reservations... it was an interesting story, a modern girl goes back to 16th Century Italy and gains confidence and friends and saves a lost battle in the process. I just got lost quite a few times with all the names and places and times and didn't feel that everything matched up quite correctly, but the overall effect was interesting and entertaining. A few modern day teen relationship references prevent it being suitable for a younger audience, even though they all resolved to good effect.
October 23, 2011
Lacking a little in the trueness of the first three in the story. Isabel supposedly did lots in Talia this time around but the descriptions were lacking and there were a lot of gaps and her character development was kinda glazed over. Strangly enough I also found some spelling errors and grammatical errors in the final copy that I'm surprised were missed by the publishers at Bloomingdale. However I'm still a fan of that world, I just hope that volume 6 will be a little more true to the original style of writing as city of masks was.
February 11, 2014
This was exciting, featuring pirates and battles. The new Stravagante is a great character, and I think we might have met the next (and last) one. I was especially pleased that the author didn't go down a cliched route with a certain relationship and misunderstandings weren't drawn out.
January 10, 2012
I'll know one I've finished!
July 14, 2017
Forgot how charming this series is. Forgot about it entirely, in fact. Happy to have rediscovered it.
January 9, 2021
I don't remember reading this book when I was younger because I don't think that the last three in the series were ever translated.
But this was the book that made me fall in love with Talia all over again. And this was the book that made me fall back into the world and that made me love reading all over again - truly reading. Just sitting and falling into the book for a few hours and just forgetting everything around me.
I loved the story, it was intense, the stakes were high, the final battle was interesting and intense and the fact that anyone could die at any moment- even the characters we've been following for 5 books at this point was good.
The protagonist was finally interesting again - she didn't have as intense of a backstory as Georgia and Luciano had but it was still better than both Sky's and Matt's story.
I didn't really like Alice in this story though. She acted like a brat and a garbage person for no real reason other than being jealous of Sky for spending so much time with his other friends and making a new friend in the protagonist, Isabel.
All the new characters in this book were likeable and I loved learning more about Filippo Nucci as he was a really interesting character in the third book but then didn't appear in the fourth book. I like seeing princess Beatrice being good too. And the side characters were interesting as always.
I also loved that compared to the last book a lot of this book is happening in Talia and not focusing on present day as much as the previous one did. And I love that the other Stravaganti play a much bigger role in this one instead of just being there to support and encourage the new Stravagante but not really doing much beyond that. Seeing them also stravagate back into Talia alongside Isabel and visiting the other cities with her made me smile and it was refreshing to read.
The book does start a little bit slowly like all of them do- we are introduced to Isabel and it takes a while to get going but once it does start and gets going the story is intense, the setting is intense, you find yourself cheering for the protagonist and the final battle feels much better than all the other final tasks Stravaganti are sent to Talia to do - in this one it actually felt like Isabel could die whilst in other books you somehow know that the protagonist will make it out alive or translate to the other world safely like in the first book.
So all in all - this is my favourite book in the series, it reignited my passion for this series and I can't wait to read the last one. I just wish that it wasn't the last one because there are so many interesting side characters in these books and I wish we could see their stories as well.
But this was the book that made me fall in love with Talia all over again. And this was the book that made me fall back into the world and that made me love reading all over again - truly reading. Just sitting and falling into the book for a few hours and just forgetting everything around me.
I loved the story, it was intense, the stakes were high, the final battle was interesting and intense and the fact that anyone could die at any moment- even the characters we've been following for 5 books at this point was good.
The protagonist was finally interesting again - she didn't have as intense of a backstory as Georgia and Luciano had but it was still better than both Sky's and Matt's story.
I didn't really like Alice in this story though. She acted like a brat and a garbage person for no real reason other than being jealous of Sky for spending so much time with his other friends and making a new friend in the protagonist, Isabel.
All the new characters in this book were likeable and I loved learning more about Filippo Nucci as he was a really interesting character in the third book but then didn't appear in the fourth book. I like seeing princess Beatrice being good too. And the side characters were interesting as always.
I also loved that compared to the last book a lot of this book is happening in Talia and not focusing on present day as much as the previous one did. And I love that the other Stravaganti play a much bigger role in this one instead of just being there to support and encourage the new Stravagante but not really doing much beyond that. Seeing them also stravagate back into Talia alongside Isabel and visiting the other cities with her made me smile and it was refreshing to read.
The book does start a little bit slowly like all of them do- we are introduced to Isabel and it takes a while to get going but once it does start and gets going the story is intense, the setting is intense, you find yourself cheering for the protagonist and the final battle feels much better than all the other final tasks Stravaganti are sent to Talia to do - in this one it actually felt like Isabel could die whilst in other books you somehow know that the protagonist will make it out alive or translate to the other world safely like in the first book.
So all in all - this is my favourite book in the series, it reignited my passion for this series and I can't wait to read the last one. I just wish that it wasn't the last one because there are so many interesting side characters in these books and I wish we could see their stories as well.
March 5, 2020
This book was much better than the last two (Sky and Matt feel like strangers when they appear in this one). It was nice to get back to a female character (and Stravagante!), and even Georgia started to seem more endearing again as this one progressed (they always mention how "hostile" she seems). Alice seems to have been only a foil to make life difficult for Sky, who can be overthrown now that he's got himself a better girlfriend. I quite liked the pirate too! And was looking forward to Fillipo and Beatrice's story. It's nice to have some new characters (though Bice had cameos in some of the previous volumes) and actually get to know them a little instead of feeling like they're just being thrown in to keep the story going.
I was also quite pleased that Arianna threw herself into the sea battle (though I would have preferred if her motivations involved defending her city a little more). That's the adventuring "island girl" Arianna I liked from the first book and would like to see more of, instead of her being paraded around in pretty dresses or sighing over Luciano every five minutes. I was wondering if they were going to mention how few women were at sea, but the author did throw in a comment about how Isabel and Arianna were the only two to go into battle. That's a damn shame. They'd have had a lot stronger numbers if the women had fought also. And Isabel was in a freaking dress! Up on the crow's nest and swimming though the carnage in a dress! Whose bright idea was that? What nonsense.
On the whole though this book was a vast improvement and it felt like it was bringing the series back to the quality one would expect based on the earlier books (it's nice that Isabel has some sense and raises questions about the inconsistencies of the earlier books - was that bookmark thrown in there in hindsight?). I'm looking forward to finishing the series now instead of feeling like I'm being dragged through it.
I was also quite pleased that Arianna threw herself into the sea battle (though I would have preferred if her motivations involved defending her city a little more). That's the adventuring "island girl" Arianna I liked from the first book and would like to see more of, instead of her being paraded around in pretty dresses or sighing over Luciano every five minutes. I was wondering if they were going to mention how few women were at sea, but the author did throw in a comment about how Isabel and Arianna were the only two to go into battle. That's a damn shame. They'd have had a lot stronger numbers if the women had fought also. And Isabel was in a freaking dress! Up on the crow's nest and swimming though the carnage in a dress! Whose bright idea was that? What nonsense.
On the whole though this book was a vast improvement and it felt like it was bringing the series back to the quality one would expect based on the earlier books (it's nice that Isabel has some sense and raises questions about the inconsistencies of the earlier books - was that bookmark thrown in there in hindsight?). I'm looking forward to finishing the series now instead of feeling like I'm being dragged through it.
February 6, 2017
3.5 stars.
Another re-entry into one of my favourite series from my early high school days.
I really enjoyed Hoffman's Stravangaza series in Yr 7 and 8, although my school library only had books 1-4 and I never actually finished reading the series. Because I had read the other books so long ago, it took me a little while to get my head around the mention of previous events that had taken place in Talia in the other novels, and sometimes I was a little confused as to which di Chimici character fit into books 1-4. But I really enjoyed City of Ships - I love the whole idea of Talia and stravagating, etc. My only problem was that because the series is directed at a younger age audience, the romantic elements and relationships (some of the things they'd say about each other, for example), felt a little too naive and sugary for my liking. But realistically, apart from Luciano and Arianna, romance isn't too much at the forefront of Hoffman's series, so I guess I can make some concessions for an overall enjoyable read.
Another re-entry into one of my favourite series from my early high school days.
I really enjoyed Hoffman's Stravangaza series in Yr 7 and 8, although my school library only had books 1-4 and I never actually finished reading the series. Because I had read the other books so long ago, it took me a little while to get my head around the mention of previous events that had taken place in Talia in the other novels, and sometimes I was a little confused as to which di Chimici character fit into books 1-4. But I really enjoyed City of Ships - I love the whole idea of Talia and stravagating, etc. My only problem was that because the series is directed at a younger age audience, the romantic elements and relationships (some of the things they'd say about each other, for example), felt a little too naive and sugary for my liking. But realistically, apart from Luciano and Arianna, romance isn't too much at the forefront of Hoffman's series, so I guess I can make some concessions for an overall enjoyable read.
March 30, 2018
The next Stravagante is Isabelle Evans and her jealousy of her twin brother is eating her away. Isabelle stravagates to Classe during the times of a pending war between the Gate people and Cities Bellezza and Classe. Her mentor is Flavia and this book seems like a reunion of all the characters as we discover new Talisman rules. She meets a pirate named Andrea who is Flavia's son his backstory was excellent as it provided more gruesome accounts in the beloved Talia. Our number one evil doers are back ; the Di-Chimici. This time however I feel that Hoffman didn't put as much effort into this book as it seems quite repetitive of the previous 4 books in the series, which is quite disappointing as her writing is usually captivating.
August 8, 2023
Deze was een stuk beter dan deel 4.
Met oorlogsvoering heb ik niet zoveel, zeker niet met zeeslagen, maar toch.
Ik blijf het stravageren een leuk idee vinden en best goed uitgewerkt. Al verbaast het me wel dat de Talianen blijkbaar niet zo vaak naar de 20/21e eeuw gaan als andersom. Blijkbaar waren ze er al wel, z hebben immers de talismannen achter gelaten, maar daar hoor je verder weinig over.
Een aantal hoofdpersonen (Sky / Matt) kwamen beter naar voren dan in vorige delen.
Nog een deel en dan is de serie afgelopen, wel jammer.
Met oorlogsvoering heb ik niet zoveel, zeker niet met zeeslagen, maar toch.
Ik blijf het stravageren een leuk idee vinden en best goed uitgewerkt. Al verbaast het me wel dat de Talianen blijkbaar niet zo vaak naar de 20/21e eeuw gaan als andersom. Blijkbaar waren ze er al wel, z hebben immers de talismannen achter gelaten, maar daar hoor je verder weinig over.
Een aantal hoofdpersonen (Sky / Matt) kwamen beter naar voren dan in vorige delen.
Nog een deel en dan is de serie afgelopen, wel jammer.
May 1, 2018
Like a few other reviews I read, I started reading this series as a child, lost touch with it, and then reconnected to finish it. It is a quick read, but entertaining. I liked the angle of this one -- it gave all the characters a chance to stretch their wings. I guess what I really like about these books is that it shows that sometimes all you need is a change of scenery to help give you a new perspective, or a new hope. I will be reading the last one in the series at some point soon.
December 26, 2018
I want to finish the series, but the plot is now getting a little boring and predictable. Someone gets chosen to travel to Talia, they have an important task to fulfill, then that chapter always comes neatly to a close in some way at the end of each book. I hope the final book in the series has something new in it.
July 22, 2020
Loved Is, wish we could have gotten a full book with the twins traveling together. That would have been cool but I can understand why it didn’t happen.
But Alice took a complete 180 and that confused me, because she was so kind and understanding when Georgia first met her. All this because of a boy and she didn’t like a trip she went on? I guess the excuse is just “teenage girls.”
But Alice took a complete 180 and that confused me, because she was so kind and understanding when Georgia first met her. All this because of a boy and she didn’t like a trip she went on? I guess the excuse is just “teenage girls.”
April 28, 2022
This book took much longer than anticipated purely because of the intensity of my university work …
This book was much more intense as it described ( in detail ) a bloody but successful war between Classe , Bellezza & the Gate People.
I was sad to see that Isabella chose Sky ( I understand Andrea is in Talia but still? She flirted with him & he really liked her !!)
5 / 5 ⭐️
This book was much more intense as it described ( in detail ) a bloody but successful war between Classe , Bellezza & the Gate People.
I was sad to see that Isabella chose Sky ( I understand Andrea is in Talia but still? She flirted with him & he really liked her !!)
5 / 5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2024
This was another delightful tale from this author! It was a bit confusing: going back and forth with people, in and out of current time, is a bit hard to fallow, especially if you just want to stay on one person's story. Still, it was engaging and I look forward to reading the final book in this 6-volume set soon.
April 16, 2024
4.5 stars
Cannot believe I'm saying this but the book I had the least interest in turned out to be my favorite so far, perhaps the best one in the series. It had the best of EVERYTHING I love about this series from the modern day antics to the Talian events. The characters were all at their best too and I LOVED Isabel so much. Definitely my favorite Stravagante by far.
Cannot believe I'm saying this but the book I had the least interest in turned out to be my favorite so far, perhaps the best one in the series. It had the best of EVERYTHING I love about this series from the modern day antics to the Talian events. The characters were all at their best too and I LOVED Isabel so much. Definitely my favorite Stravagante by far.
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