The Volume of Possible Endings (Tales of Fontania, #3) by Barbara Else

The Volume of Possible Endings (Tales of Fontania, #3) Reviews

• 
  Karen

  There is a lot to like about this book, such as the originality of the tale and the likability of the main character, but the writing of this book also is quite headache-inducing. The writing doesn't quite have the humor or the elegance of a Dahl book, which it seems to want to be.
  
• 
  Andréa

  Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
• 
  Sophie

  I decided to read The Volume Of Possible Endings because I had read number 1,2, and 4 but missed this one. In this book I liked the way the author kept you guessing, for example she kept hinting the bear and the goat were Dorrity's brothers but she never straight out told you, keeping you guessing. What I didn't like was the way it ended, with metal boy sort of dying. I had hoped he would survive the story, and it was depressing to find he didn't. A character I found interesting was actually all three of Dorrity's brothers. I thought it was interesting that they first wanted to sell her, but instead risked their lives to save her. The text made me think deeply about how people's experiences affect them. Dorrity's brothers were at first mean and just out to earn money (this is revealed at the end of the book) but overtime grew to love Dorrity and looked after her like real brothers. If they hadn't had to look after Dorrity for so long they probably would never have grew as kind and brave as they became. An interesting quote from the text was; "Where's his second chance?" She whispered. "The dragon-eagle said bad magic would be reversed. He should still be alive. Metalboy was good magic." I think this quote shows that even though some people/things are like ' good magic ' they can't always be saved. Sometimes life is hard and very very unfair, but you just have to push through.
  By sophie
• 
  Ruth

  A great, fast-paced, enjoyable tale set in the fantasy land of Fontania.
  Else's writing is extremely accessible and relatable, while keeping some lovely lyrical descriptions in to give the reader the perfect understanding of what's happening and who these characters are, without any need to over-describe.
  The main character, Dorrity, is likeable and smart, and the world - and other characters, and the dilemma facing Dorrity -:were great.
  Towards the end of the book, in a scene of high adventure, the writing slowed down and got a bit too complicated for impatient me; I admit I did skim it a bit. Still wholly understandable, though.
  And my final niggling annoyance is that the doll, after all, was not important.
  Other than that, though - and hopefully I'll come back later and write a more coherent review - other than that, this book was great.
  My first introduction to Fontania - although you can tell there's unspoken history there from previous books - and I've already got out another Fontania book from the library.
  Looking forward to revisiting this world!
• 
  Angela Oliver

  Another enjoyable romp through Fontania, this time with a different twelve year old child (a girl) and a man made of metal.
  
  Not really sure I understood the purpose of the actual Volume of Possible Endings - aside from offering spoilers for the lass's life, it didn't really contribute much to the plot.
• 
  Tiffany

  Unfortunately we didn't enjoy this third instalment as much as we did the first two.