Quick read, good plot idea, lacking some explanations
I see this book marketed as middle grade, which I don't generally read, but I think that the overall storyline fits the 10 year old-ish age group well. However, I do question the heavy use of Italian and mythological/religious terms. This was an interest of mine as a kid, but I wonder if some may benefit from a glossary of terms, to reach a wider audience.
I wasn't the biggest fan of Giada but the cat lover in me liked Sinistro a lot. The gryphon family was cute as well though not as much part of the story as I would have thought from the title. It's a fast read though I would have liked some more explanation about why healing animals is supposed to be wrong. And why seemingly Italian characters are practicing Christianity with the sign of the cross, but following Greek god Apollo and Roman goddess Diana. More about the actual magic and how it works.
Maybe because it's a kids' book and I'm an adult I look for more detail than I should.
The general plot idea was an interesting one and I think enjoyable for child fans of fantasy and adventure.
I wasn't the biggest fan of Giada but the cat lover in me liked Sinistro a lot. The gryphon family was cute as well though not as much part of the story as I would have thought from the title. It's a fast read though I would have liked some more explanation about why healing animals is supposed to be wrong. And why seemingly Italian characters are practicing Christianity with the sign of the cross, but following Greek god Apollo and Roman goddess Diana. More about the actual magic and how it works.
Maybe because it's a kids' book and I'm an adult I look for more detail than I should.
The general plot idea was an interesting one and I think enjoyable for child fans of fantasy and adventure.