Review of The White Harlequin
- Esther Godwin Ogechi
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Review of The White Harlequin
“Every night at midnight, the old grandfather's clock strikes twelve, signaling the hour of miracles and magic. At this moment, the eternal candle's flame appears bright and warm atop the harlequin's hat, and an array of mysterious, strange, and wonderful things begin to manifest themselves within the harlequin's magical chambers. Everything in the room comes to life and moves hectically, in a fantastic frenzy that lasts until the crack of dawn.”
However, fate had different plans on this particular night. Spot, Sugarcandy's friend, brought marvelous news of a spectacle like no other – a grand beauty in the skies to be seen. Unfortunately, the event was cut short by the theft of the sibyl's starlight ring, which plunged the stars into darkness.
The White Harlequin by Daphne Tzamali- Yakinthou is a 75-page children's book that tells the story of two friends who embark on a thrilling, but perilous adventure to a dreamy, magical land. Throughout their journey, they face various challenges, including angry snowmen guards, dark shadows seeking to possess them, and various nightmarish creatures in the kingdom of dreams.
Yakinthou's writing style is captivating and engaging, packing a powerful and humorous punch as it explores themes of magic, friendship, longing, and silly little fairy tales. The world-building is detailed and immersive, drawing readers into the plot and leaving them eager to discover what happens next. The author uses descriptive language and bright, colorful illustrations to create a vivid world that is easy to imagine. The fast-paced plot offers a thrilling and enjoyable ride for young readers.
The book is not without its downsides, however. While the illustrations are charming and colorful, they can feel impulsive and overly bright. The world-building can, at times, feel complex, making it difficult for younger readers to fully understand and appreciate the story's intricacies. Additionally, the author subtly introduces murder into the book; it might have been better if the author had found another way around the snowmen, and more subtle hints could have sufficed. Furthermore, the book is too fast-paced, particularly the ending, which feels rushed.
Overall, The White Harlequin is a well-written and entertaining book that is sure to capture the attention of young readers. The book deserves a full rating, but its negative aspects detracted a star from its rating. Therefore, I rate it 4 stars out of 5 stars; nevertheless, it is exceptionally well edited and free of any grammatical errors. The storyline, its fairy tales, and poems are beautifully written.
The White Harlequin is an enchanting book that will appeal to children who want to explore a world of imagination, wonder, and whimsy. It is a perfect addition to any family's collection of bedtime stories.
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The White Harlequin
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