42 pages • 1 hour read
400
Novel • Fiction
Sanlagita • Fantasy World
2019
Middle grade
8-12 years
600L
In Lalani of the Distant Sea, a 12-year-old girl named Lalani Sarita embarks on a perilous journey across the Veiled Sea to find a mythical flower on Mount Isa to cure her mother and bring prosperity to her oppressed island of Sanlagita. Along the way, she faces monsters, encounters deceptive characters, and ultimately discovers her own strength and courage. The narrative explores themes of bravery, compassion, and the significance found in the smallest of individuals or actions.
Adventurous
Mysterious
Fantastical
Emotional
Nostalgic
3,803 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Erin Entrada Kelly's Lalani of the Distant Sea has been praised for its lush, poetic prose and rich, imaginative world-building reminiscent of folklore. Reviewers appreciate its strong, determined heroine and depth of cultural inspiration. However, some find the pacing uneven and certain plot elements predictable. Overall, it's a captivating, heartfelt story suitable for middle-grade readers.
Readers who enjoy Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly are typically fans of rich, culturally-inspired fantasy. Similar to those who love Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon, they appreciate strong heroines, mythology, and enchanting adventures.
3,803 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Novel • Fiction
Sanlagita • Fantasy World
2019
Middle grade
8-12 years
600L
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