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aelius_'s review
4.0
Really well done ending to the series. Shows the impact of the character's emotional thoughts and versed through actions. Good read to an escape of reality!
brandypainter's review
5.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Last year I completely fell for a surly, mischievous, puck named Rook and a strong, kind-hearted, girl named Fer when I read Winterling by Sarah Prineas (my thoughts). When my copy of Summerkin, the sequel, arrived it was no surprise that I lost interest in everything else in my TBR pile and had to read it right away. I am happy to say that I adored it and am more in love with the characters than ever.
Fer, who defeated the evil usurper who had murdered her parents and taken over the Summerland, now must come to terms with what it means to be the ruler. She is fiercely determined not to take oaths from her people knowing how they were abused when they did that before. Her refusal to do this has put her right to rule in question. The High Ones have requested that she come to compete in a competition. The winner will win the right to rule the Summerlands. Rook, now freed from his oaths to the evil Mor, has returned to his Puck brothers. They are determined to create mischief and what better place to create mischief than at a competition the High Ones have organized at the nave? And what better puck to send than Rook, who the Lady Gwynnefar foolishly trusts and calls friend? But there is a sinister presence at the nave ready to challenge Geynnefar and Rook finds himself torn between his duty as a puck and the strange bond that keeps forming between him and Fer.
Fer's journey to learn what sort of leader she wants to be and how to implement that proves how perfect she is for the job. Her strength under pressure, her compassion for all, and her ability to empathize make her a great leader. She wants to see the good in every one, but isn't afraid of standing up to those she sees as threatening her people. Yet she is so lonely because she is seen as the Lady by her people and as a half-human usurper by most of her peers. It is heart wrenching the ways she wants to trust Rook, but can't help doubting. Particularly when he keeps telling her not to trust him. At the same time it is heart wrenching to see Rook wanting to be what she needs but fighting it at the same time. He doesn't know how, it's against his nature. As much as I want to smack him sometimes I can't help but love him. He is obnoxious but endearing, because he is also noble and upstanding in his own way. I really love how the books in this trilogy are focusing on both of their character arcs and their relationship. It was lovely to see Fer's relationship with Fray and Twig growing as well.
There are some great new characters added to the story this time too. Two of Fer's competitors, Gnar and Lich, are fascinating and I would love to see more of them. Arenthiel makes the perfect villain, smarmy and insidious in all the right ways. All the other pucks in the story are a marvelous additon as well.
The competition aspect of the story kept the pacing moving quickly and makes for a riveting read. There is always something going on, something to discover, something to think about. All this builds up to intense moments. I continue to appreciate what Prineas is doing with faerie-lore in these books.
I'm ecstatic that we only have months to wait for Moonkind, which will release in January.
Last year I completely fell for a surly, mischievous, puck named Rook and a strong, kind-hearted, girl named Fer when I read Winterling by Sarah Prineas (my thoughts). When my copy of Summerkin, the sequel, arrived it was no surprise that I lost interest in everything else in my TBR pile and had to read it right away. I am happy to say that I adored it and am more in love with the characters than ever.
Fer, who defeated the evil usurper who had murdered her parents and taken over the Summerland, now must come to terms with what it means to be the ruler. She is fiercely determined not to take oaths from her people knowing how they were abused when they did that before. Her refusal to do this has put her right to rule in question. The High Ones have requested that she come to compete in a competition. The winner will win the right to rule the Summerlands. Rook, now freed from his oaths to the evil Mor, has returned to his Puck brothers. They are determined to create mischief and what better place to create mischief than at a competition the High Ones have organized at the nave? And what better puck to send than Rook, who the Lady Gwynnefar foolishly trusts and calls friend? But there is a sinister presence at the nave ready to challenge Geynnefar and Rook finds himself torn between his duty as a puck and the strange bond that keeps forming between him and Fer.
Fer's journey to learn what sort of leader she wants to be and how to implement that proves how perfect she is for the job. Her strength under pressure, her compassion for all, and her ability to empathize make her a great leader. She wants to see the good in every one, but isn't afraid of standing up to those she sees as threatening her people. Yet she is so lonely because she is seen as the Lady by her people and as a half-human usurper by most of her peers. It is heart wrenching the ways she wants to trust Rook, but can't help doubting. Particularly when he keeps telling her not to trust him. At the same time it is heart wrenching to see Rook wanting to be what she needs but fighting it at the same time. He doesn't know how, it's against his nature. As much as I want to smack him sometimes I can't help but love him. He is obnoxious but endearing, because he is also noble and upstanding in his own way. I really love how the books in this trilogy are focusing on both of their character arcs and their relationship. It was lovely to see Fer's relationship with Fray and Twig growing as well.
There are some great new characters added to the story this time too. Two of Fer's competitors, Gnar and Lich, are fascinating and I would love to see more of them. Arenthiel makes the perfect villain, smarmy and insidious in all the right ways. All the other pucks in the story are a marvelous additon as well.
The competition aspect of the story kept the pacing moving quickly and makes for a riveting read. There is always something going on, something to discover, something to think about. All this builds up to intense moments. I continue to appreciate what Prineas is doing with faerie-lore in these books.
I'm ecstatic that we only have months to wait for Moonkind, which will release in January.
djinnia's review
5.0
In the continuing adventures of Fer, she is summoned to the nathe of the High Ones where she is put under the test to prove she can rule the Summerlands. Only there is more to the tests and the contests that meet the eye.
Rook makes an appearance again. Now he is free to make mischief for Fer, but somehow his heart isn't always in it. He is reunited with his puck-brothers and they plan to use Fer.
Something goes wrong and Rook and Fer find themselves neck deep in trouble.
I really love this series. It's fun to read.
The storyline is fast paced. It has intrigue, adventure, betrayal, sacrifice, friendship, and so many other qualities that make it special.
Want Moonkind now! Publish faster!!
Rook makes an appearance again. Now he is free to make mischief for Fer, but somehow his heart isn't always in it. He is reunited with his puck-brothers and they plan to use Fer.
Something goes wrong and Rook and Fer find themselves neck deep in trouble.
I really love this series. It's fun to read.
The storyline is fast paced. It has intrigue, adventure, betrayal, sacrifice, friendship, and so many other qualities that make it special.
Want Moonkind now! Publish faster!!
snazel's review
4.0
A really interesting arc for this fae series. The first book was about non-violence, with medicine as resistance, and this one is about non-hierarchical servant leadership. I'm really interested to see where book three goes.
I mean it's technically about a competition to see who gets to be the Lady of the Summerlands, with archery contests and a magical fashion show. And trickster babies who are sometimes puppies. And government-led extermination campaigns against said tricksters.
MIDDLE GRADE IS FOR KIDS THEY SAID. KIDS READ EASY BOOKS I THOUGHT. SOMETHING LIGHT AND FLUFFY.
I mean it's technically about a competition to see who gets to be the Lady of the Summerlands, with archery contests and a magical fashion show. And trickster babies who are sometimes puppies. And government-led extermination campaigns against said tricksters.
MIDDLE GRADE IS FOR KIDS THEY SAID. KIDS READ EASY BOOKS I THOUGHT. SOMETHING LIGHT AND FLUFFY.
boyanna's review
4.0
From an Interview with Sarah Prineas on the blog "The Enchanted Inkpott"
There are two big plot/character arcs in SUMMERKIN. One is that Fer has to prove herself as the true Lady of her land, which involves some rigorous testing and some revolutionary moves on her part. The other big arc is that of Fer and Rook's friendship. Fer also makes some new friends. One of them is named Gnar and is a fire-girl who rides a dragon and is ridiculously fun to write.
There are two big plot/character arcs in SUMMERKIN. One is that Fer has to prove herself as the true Lady of her land, which involves some rigorous testing and some revolutionary moves on her part. The other big arc is that of Fer and Rook's friendship.
Spoiler
Rook is a much bigger character in this book--more of a co-protagonist--and he's pulled one way by his loyalty to his brother-pucks, and the other by his ties to Fer. His capacity for true friendship is really tested.mackle13's review
3.0
My review of the first book in the series was a bit middling - 2.5 bumped to 3 - and for the first part of this book I feared the second would be the same.
But at some point it started to click for me, and I didn't want to put the book down - so this is more a solid 3, maybe a 3.5.
The biggest plus is the characters. I had mentioned that the characters were a bit of a weakness and rather thin in the first book, but they felt more flushed out in this one - at least Fer and Rook did. And I was glad that some of the other competitors - Gnar and Lich - also ended up having a bit more depth to them that I suspected they would at first blush.
The story, itself, is a bit predictable, but I think it would be a lot less so for kids. And, even so, not everything went quite the way I expected it would, though most of the main parts did.
Overall, though, I liked the world and the story and characters more for this second installment, and I'm keen to read the last book and see how it all pans out.
But at some point it started to click for me, and I didn't want to put the book down - so this is more a solid 3, maybe a 3.5.
The biggest plus is the characters. I had mentioned that the characters were a bit of a weakness and rather thin in the first book, but they felt more flushed out in this one - at least Fer and Rook did. And I was glad that some of the other competitors - Gnar and Lich - also ended up having a bit more depth to them that I suspected they would at first blush.
The story, itself, is a bit predictable, but I think it would be a lot less so for kids. And, even so, not everything went quite the way I expected it would, though most of the main parts did.
Overall, though, I liked the world and the story and characters more for this second installment, and I'm keen to read the last book and see how it all pans out.