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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I accidentally bought the second book in this trilogy at a book sale, thinking Colin Meloy's inaugural jaunt into formal literature to be worth at least $1. Correcting my error, I checked out this volume from the library...and over a year later, my wife and I finally finished it. Not for lack of interest, though the story doesn't move all that swiftly and the world is not nearly as compellingly original as that of similar adventure fare for mature children. Narnia, anyone?
The characters in Meloy's songs are far more mesmerizing in their relatively brief format, and I think I'd have been way more into Wildwood if it were about half as long. Though the book has some dark moments and the body count is high, the sparse macabre in Meloy's lyrics serves the appeal of the narrative. The most common thread between the prose and the albums Meloy has released may be the illustrations. Carson Ellis, Meloy's wife, has created album art for nearly all Decemberists records and her drawings in Wildwood drive home it's cutesy kitsch in an endearing way. I think eventually we will read the follow up, and if we do the illustrations will be a big contributing factor. And, for that matter, they a worthy reason to explore the series at all if you've not yet done so.
The characters in Meloy's songs are far more mesmerizing in their relatively brief format, and I think I'd have been way more into Wildwood if it were about half as long. Though the book has some dark moments and the body count is high, the sparse macabre in Meloy's lyrics serves the appeal of the narrative. The most common thread between the prose and the albums Meloy has released may be the illustrations. Carson Ellis, Meloy's wife, has created album art for nearly all Decemberists records and her drawings in Wildwood drive home it's cutesy kitsch in an endearing way. I think eventually we will read the follow up, and if we do the illustrations will be a big contributing factor. And, for that matter, they a worthy reason to explore the series at all if you've not yet done so.
Yay, Portland! What a splendid and adventurous story -- set in Forest Park & environs. Very fun book. I look forward to the next one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was cute. A lot of the themes loosely reminded me of other Children’s books- like Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, and some fair tales even. But, it is a good story, and especially for someone who lives in Portland near Forest Park and the Wildwood Trail this book is really special!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Prue McKeel is an ordinary twelve year old. That is until her baby brother Mac is abducted by a flock of crows. Determined to get him back, Prue pursues him into the Impassable Wilderness, a fabled wood by her hometown that no one dare ever enter. What follows is a fun and imaginative adventure through Wildwood, as Prue uses all her whiles to navigate this fantastical world and save her brother from the evil Queen ready to sacrifice him for her own means.
I enjoyed Wildwood... The kind of deep and imaginative fantasy that I haven't read in a long while. Meloy's hero's are resilient and self-relying, and I loved how Prue was never a damsel-in-distress (yet able to recognize her own shortcomings and get help when needed).
While fun, I just didn't *love* it. I can't quite put my finger on what kept me so distant from the text (the writing and illustrations were beautiful), though I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good fantasy. Pre-teens especially!
I enjoyed Wildwood... The kind of deep and imaginative fantasy that I haven't read in a long while. Meloy's hero's are resilient and self-relying, and I loved how Prue was never a damsel-in-distress (yet able to recognize her own shortcomings and get help when needed).
While fun, I just didn't *love* it. I can't quite put my finger on what kept me so distant from the text (the writing and illustrations were beautiful), though I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good fantasy. Pre-teens especially!