Stravaganza: City of Ships

Oh I’m just so enamored with this book, and the protagonist Isabel especially. The fifth entry in a series can get stale, but Isabel and her travels are such a breath of fresh air!

Love this series! Was sad to see it end

I was anxious to get this book as I had read the first 4 in the series. I hoped it would be in great condition as I was donating it to the High School library...AFTER I read it! It was delivered in a timely manner and in great condition! Thanks

You need to read the entire series(6 books). Once I started I just couldn't put it down. I am a middle school librarian and have recommended it to all my students, but also to adults as well who just enjoy reading.

amazing story! I love the series and was delighted to see that it had been continued! I can only hope that the author continues the series. It is an amazing blend of the modern world and Italy of the Renaissance.

Mary Hoffman never disappoints! Great story, great characters, and a great ending! She brings back plots and characters from previous books without making the story repetitive or boring. HIGHLY recommended.

Love this whole series! Started reading them and just couldn't stop. Wish this series would never end, I need more Stravaganza.

One of my favorite series. Keeps you intrigued the whole time. Great characters and great plot. Hope you enjoy it.

some ot the narrative is intentionally predictable: a troubled youngster from Barnsbury Comprehensive gets drawn into an event in a parallel reality where she or he provides the tipping point, while achieving a greater maturity in the process and participating in a swashbuckling event. Each hero and heroine who is drawn into one of the Talian states experiences a stand-alone adventure, but as we progress, the backstory of the Stravaganti becomes increasingly vivid.Here, the adventure keeps the pace breathless, and I prefer this instalment to its successor.

Good flow and writing, a very interesting story (in the line of its predecessors) but the ending is too rushed.

As a 23 year old I still love this series. I started at just 12 (or thereabouts) and am still enjoying them. Maybe not as much as when I started the series, but they'll always hold a place in my heart.It's an uplifting read about friendship, relationships and finding yourself and creates a world that you can transport yourself away to. Every time I read any of the Stravaganza books I am transported to this world of magic that Mary Hoffman has createdThis book encompasses science fiction, history, magic and Italy. Some of my favourite things, all in one delightful read. If you’re expecting something complex and an antagonist who turns up at every corner, ready to thwart the protagonists plans with well thought out plans that leave you on the edge of your seat, then you will be disappointed, but if you just want a read that’s enjoyable, slightly different than the normal science fiction, and characters that you can really get behind, then this is it! The plot flows nicely, like I say, there is nothing too complex, but maybe that isn’t a bad thing?The story constantly changes perspectives, telling the story from different character’s narratives, and it was great to be able to follow the thoughts and actions of characters who were not the main character but still intrinsic to the plot. It allows the reader to form bonds with characters that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.My main issue is that sometimes the conversation seems a little stilted and forced. This can make it a little bit difficult to relate to the characters, which in turn can make the characters seem a little emotionless with what could have been big moments for character development getting ‘glossed over’. However, don’t get me wrong when I say emotions were glossed over, there were still parts in the book that made even my hard heart shrivel with sadness [and well back up with joy]!The book can be a little messy at times. I know I’ve said that I enjoy the changes in perspective and narrative but there were a few too often at times, for example – there’s three changes in narration within a two page spread. This again means that prime opportunities for character development are missed because before you get too into their thoughts and create a bond with them, you are chucked elsewhere so you don’t have the opportunity to really become involved with certain characters. Sometimes it worked well, sometimes it didn’t, which is why it is both a pro and con! There are way too many characters whose names begin with 'F' and were similar sounding, I actually completely lost track and ended up giving up and just rolling with it

In the fifth installment of the Stravaganza series, we meet Isabel Evans, a young girl with a love of Art in particular mosaics, so it comes as no surprise that her talisman is a small bag of silver tesserae. The journey begins with the quick action expected in Talia, with the usual undertones of aggression from the Di Chimici family, and it is not long before Isabel is a practicing Stravangte with all the complications of her life in Talia, spilling into her life in 21st Century England. Mary has a knack of exploring teenager's dreams and jealousies with ease - the confrontation of a new set of friends for Isabel, and secrets she cannot discuss with her best friend! Talia/Italy is described beautifully once more and Mary's evident love of the country is demonstrated so perfectly I feel I could not bear to visit Italy in case it does not live up to what I have read in her books!There may be a spoiler for a potential next book (I hope so!!!!) somewhere in the pages, but I'll leave you to find that. Everyone you would want is here in the book, the loveable Rodolfo, the handsome Lucien, Georgia, Sky, Matt, but its never complicated, and it is all executed beautifully. There's an amazong revelation about Stravagation in the book and if that is not enough - there's Pirates too! Real ones!There is one thing I would seriously recommend first though. If you are reading these books to your children, read it yourself first because you will soon loose yourself in the book. I devoured it completely in one day!

What can I say, the City of Ships is as amazing as all the Stravaganza books - if you haven't read them yet do - but read them in order if you can, as the same characters keep appearing in each book - which means you get to know and like them even more with each book.The country of Talia is just as, if not more, beautiful as our Italy - I wish I could go there.I knew the cities of the previous books, but have never been to either Ravenna or Classe - now I feel I don't need to, as Mary Hoffman has brought them to life in a quite incredible way. Her ability to merge past and present is quite marvellous, and her understanding of teenagers of today is amazing - wonderful books for all ages.