The Girl of Ink & Stars

really enjoyed The Girl of Ink & Stars because it was full of adventure and mystery! The main character, Isabella, lives on an island where everything is written in maps and stories. She’s brave, clever, and loves exploring. The story begins with her best friend, Lupe, going missing, and Isabella decides to go on a dangerous journey to find her.

What I thought was brilliant was how the maps weren’t just normal maps — they were magical! They could lead to secret places and even change over time. I also loved how the island had a mix of nature and fantasy, like talking to the stars and following ancient legends.

The author made me really feel like I was on the island with Isabella, especially when she was exploring the jungle or trying to figure out clues. It made me want to be brave like her and never give up, even when things got tough.

I also liked how it wasn’t just about adventure, but also about friendship, family, and the power of stories. The ending was a bit sad, but also hopeful, and I think it teaches you to believe in yourself and your dreams.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves magical worlds, mysteries, and strong characters. It’s like a mix of adventure and magic, with a little bit of sadness, too.

It was AMAZING and I was addicted from the first words. I loved the character Isabella and Lupe and I almost cried at the ending and multiple parts in the book. I have read this multiple times and recommend it to every over 9 but be warned it is quite sad.

Looking for a book full of myths, stories, and quests? This is the book to read! Kiran Millwood Hargrave is a fantastic author who is the winner of multiple book awards. This book is exactly as a book should be. I would recommend this book to people who think that this is a great book!

This was a really good book that has great attention to detail, describing everything well. It is quite a sophisticated book in the way it was written. I really enjoyed it although it started off quite boring.

I really enjoyed this book because it has an amazing storyline and strong female characters who lead it. I think it could have more of an exiting ending (though the ending was still really good) .

I think that the Girl of Ink and Stars is THE BEST BOOK ON EARTH!! I read it almost a month ago and whenever I think of it, it makes me cry! This heartfelt yet adventurous book can lighten your world. It's the best book I've ever read. This has no age limit and that is why I am recommending it to everyone. "Each of us carries the map of our lives on our skin, in the way we walk, even in the way we grow."

Absolutely brilliant book I was hooked from the beginning

I enjoyed the book because it is very adventurous book. I would definitely recommend this book to someone.

I absolutely love this book ! It's great because it's an adventurous and mysterious book. For me when reading that book I felt like I was apart of the book in it because it felt like I was in the adventure I was with the characters every step.It's such a great book.I recommend it to EVERYONE !

This was an exciting story mixed with myths and legends. It created great images of the places in my head.

This was a fantastic book! At the start I didn't really enjoy it so I didn't read it but afterwards, I tried again and I loved it! My favourite characters were Isabella and Lupe. I really liked the part were Isabella and Lupe were in the cave. It was an awesome book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes mystery storys.

A fantastic read- I couldn’t put it down once I started… very well written and the characters come alive. I would say for 11+ - some dark and sad scenes within it.

I love this book. It was so good. It is non-fiction. I think Isabella is the best character in the book. I would recommend this book to everybody.

I didn't like this book all too much, dare I say it, I was a little disappointed which all the good reviews. I found it very difficult to get into the world Hargrave had created. The world didn't feel too real to me, I think, in part, because there seemed to be more telling than showing. I also found the writing style a bit too formulaic and stilted. On the positive side, it was very easy to read and I think it would introduce younger readers to key themes like friendship and autonomy. But I wouldn't read it again.

In my opinion, I found this book an exciting and thrilling read! My favourite character was Pablo, as he had a major part in saving everyone. He also tried very hard not I keep going even when he was badly injured. I would recommend this book for people aged 8 and above - mainly because of the short descriptions of blood and gore - who love adventure and fantasy!

I found the constant introduction of new characters confusing and the plot felt rushed as it was a shorter 200 paged book rather than 300-400 which I am normally used to reading. The plot is hard to follow due to a constant change of scenery and surroundings not being described very well. I felt slightly apathetic towards what happened to each character due to not being able to get a deep sense of them or their personality. And I feel the details of the “Map of Joya” and the revealed version at the end of the book completey irrelevant and it didn’t really make sense. Would not read again.

Exciting and adventurous, I liked the epilogue, quite scary and dark in places. Would appeal to fans of dystopia (e.gm hunger games, divergent)

The Girl of Ink & Stars is a book I have wanted to read for a REALLY LONGGGG time! I’m soo happy to have finally read it as it was absolutely incredible! It’s about a 13 year old girl called Isabella Riosse who is the daughter of a cartographer (map maker). One day everything starts going really strange and before she knows it the governor’s men are storming into her house and taking her father to the dungeon! A girl called Cata that Isabella knows from school is also very unexpectedly murdered in the Governor’s orchard. Soon the Governor’s daughter (and Isabella’s best friend) Lupe sets off into the Forgotten territories to look for Cata’s killer. The governor sets off after her and Isabella goes too disguised as a boy (like mulan!). Soon, things start to get very, very dangerous. Will Isabella and Lupe survive this incredibly dangerous adventure? Read the book to find out!

I LOVED this book! And I definitely recommend it but it did have some scary things, murder, descriptions of blood, and dangerous beasts so if you don’t like that stuff stay away! I would probably recommend it to children 11+. If anyone’s wondering, the book has 228 pages and took me a day to read.

~ Safe travels adventurers! ~

Probably wouldn't recommend for younger readers as pretty dark in places. Also, I would have preferred to get to know the characters more first before all of the action and adventure because if I have bought into the character then I get more invested in the book. It was a good book but for me not a great one.

I thought this book was really similar to another book I read called “The Island at the end of everything” by the same author.The person I liked best was Lune because she sacrificed herself for Isabella.

I thought the story was gripping from beginning to end. I liked the references to map making and how the writer takes on an exciting and mystery filled journey through the story. I enjoyed getting to know Isabella and Lupe and their contrasting characters.

This was a very gripping book and I found it a quick read. The main character is really well-written and the fantasy world created was easy to settle into. I found the resolution to be a bit unsatisfying so I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars. It is definitely worth reading though.

Phew,quite a tough read.Definately a book for older teens or more confident readers.The book looks like it would be only for girls but I feel it is suitable for both boys and girls.Takes you on a mystical trip with Isabella on a fictional island she calls home with her Pa who is a cartographer.

I like this book. It's a very adventurous story!

I enjoyed this book, it reminded me of the Percy Jackson and heroes of Olympus books. A mixture of myths and legends with magic and adventure.

Good book about adventures.

Great

A great book. I read it myself as an adult and then again with my year 6 class - we all enjoyed it. A book of adventure, kindness, sadness and imagination all rolled into one lovely story. Isabella’s determination to find her friend and follow in her father’s footsteps, takes you on a story where you need to know what happens next; any book that makes my class gasp or sigh is a good one!
Beautifully designed maps and pages draw you into every moment. A definite recommendation for anyone who enjoys a book which you can’t put down.

Exciting and action packed. Would be good to use to explore ideas of oppression and ownership of a place.
Good female characters.

I loved this book, it was a bit scary at times but once you got into it, it got incredible