The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Publisher: Chicken House Books
I wandered past and stared at this book at Hatchards about four times before finally buying it. Recent winner of the Waterstones Children’s Prize for 2017, The Girl of Ink and Stars is an incredible read. I didn’t know much about it going in — except that it’s a gorgeous book inside and out. The following is the Goodreads copy, because I couldn’t seem to do the book justice:Forbidden to leave her island, Isabella Riosse dreams of the faraway lands her father once mapped.
When her closest friend disappears into the island’s Forgotten Territories, she volunteers to guide the search. As a cartographer’s daughter, she’s equipped with elaborate ink maps and knowledge of the stars, and is eager to navigate the island’s forgotten heart.
But the world beyond the walls is a monster-filled wasteland – and beneath the dry rivers and smoking mountains, a legendary fire demon is stirring from its sleep. Soon, following her map, her heart and an ancient myth, Isabella discovers the true end of her journey: to save the island itself.
The Girl of Ink and Stars is like looking into someone else’s daydream. It wraps you in a tropical summer with the beautiful descriptions of Isabella’s world. The mythology feels like it could have been plucked from any culture in the existing world and put on the page. Isabella is a brave and admirable character who learns about bravery, love, and sacrifice.
This is a very short review because I do think that one should just dive right in instead of reading too much about it. The magic of the world grips you best when your mind is open to an adventure. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to slip away for the day. I think it will be a favorite for me when I need to escape for a few hours.
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