Eine Messerspitze Voll Magie (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
I would've given it 4 1/2....only because it's not quite on the same level as my all time favs...but this was a really cool book. It was very tough to follow in the beginning, but fun once the "knots became untangled" and you started making connections. It is a very creative and unique story. Challenging and confusing with all of the different narrators and characters....but most of my 4th graders were able to follow along while I read it aloud and they enjoyed it. As she handed this book to me, my daughter said, "You have to read this book. But give it back to me when you're done because I want to read it again.""A Tangle of Knots" is a light, fun book. At the beginning there seem to be too many characters, but various connections are revealed throughout the story. Most people have a Talent. An archaeologist discovers her talent for knitting. The head of the orphanage has such a talent for matching orphans to new families that her orphanage is almost empty. Cady has a talent for baking just the right cake for each person she meets (and her recipes are shared in the book). I appreciated the unusual talents that were described, the idea that you don't have to be an actor, musician, athlete, or academic to be talented, and the fact that people worked to discover their talents. I was glad to read a book for young readers that presented a slightly fantastical and whimsical world without being dark and scary.
What do You think about Eine Messerspitze Voll Magie (2000)?
Interesting story, great characters but almost too many subplots going on that I was a bit confused.
—mickelmansour
A fun book. Lots of characters to juggle, but a fairly easy read.
—aleena
