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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Wildwood is a fantastical story blending modern-day with vintage fun.
Prue is a thirteen year old girl living in the St. Johns neighborhood in Portland. One day, while minding her toddler brother Mac, a murder of crows suddenly appears and spirits away Mac to the impassable wilderness (Forest Park) across the river. And so begins Prue's effort to get her brother back. Along the way she'll be joined by Curtis, a neighbor and schoolmate. Prue will meet animals that talk, good guys and bad guys, mystics, magic and danger.
The writing is smart. The description of the forest is evocative, effectively showing it as a part of something more, how all the creatures are connected to the woods. The vocabulary shows great breadth, often reading above the grade level of 6.3 I found for the book. The story blends elements of fables and fairy tales while maintaining its originality.
Just the look of the book alone recalls children's books from the 1960-1970s. Crisply detailed illustrations appear throughout - sometimes just a sketch in the corner of a page and othertimes a full-color glossy page that stands out from the written pages. These are wonderful. I expect a full marketing campaign for Wildwood posters alone.
At 540+ pages, Wildwood is a meaty read. However, the action and story will keep readers flipping those pages. Highly recommended.
Lisa Ard, Author of Fright Flight, Dream Seekers Book One
Prue is a thirteen year old girl living in the St. Johns neighborhood in Portland. One day, while minding her toddler brother Mac, a murder of crows suddenly appears and spirits away Mac to the impassable wilderness (Forest Park) across the river. And so begins Prue's effort to get her brother back. Along the way she'll be joined by Curtis, a neighbor and schoolmate. Prue will meet animals that talk, good guys and bad guys, mystics, magic and danger.
The writing is smart. The description of the forest is evocative, effectively showing it as a part of something more, how all the creatures are connected to the woods. The vocabulary shows great breadth, often reading above the grade level of 6.3 I found for the book. The story blends elements of fables and fairy tales while maintaining its originality.
Just the look of the book alone recalls children's books from the 1960-1970s. Crisply detailed illustrations appear throughout - sometimes just a sketch in the corner of a page and othertimes a full-color glossy page that stands out from the written pages. These are wonderful. I expect a full marketing campaign for Wildwood posters alone.
At 540+ pages, Wildwood is a meaty read. However, the action and story will keep readers flipping those pages. Highly recommended.
Lisa Ard, Author of Fright Flight, Dream Seekers Book One
There were points where the writing seemed to go on forever and then bits where I felt like there was nowhere near enough detail. Oddly paced story but overall not terrible.
I may be biased because to me anything Colin Meloy does is brilliant.
Wildwood, written by The Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy (and illustrated by his wife, Carson Ellis), reads like a dream combination of a Wes Anderson film and a C.S. Lewis novel (read: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). Prue's baby brother Mac is stolen away by a murder of crows, and she must rescue him from the depths of Wildwood.
Talking animals, high stakes adventures, beardy bandits fighting a band of foxes, magical spells, a little girl off to save the day: a recipe for success that absolutely tickled me. While the themes here feel possibly too adult at times, I highly recommend this one, especially if you can find an edition with the full color plates.
Talking animals, high stakes adventures, beardy bandits fighting a band of foxes, magical spells, a little girl off to save the day: a recipe for success that absolutely tickled me. While the themes here feel possibly too adult at times, I highly recommend this one, especially if you can find an edition with the full color plates.
I couldn't get into this book. And I was getting really upset with all the big words...this book was written in an adult voice with adult vocabulary for kids.
This was so whimsical! Very modern day Narnia vibes. The start was a little bit slow but I devoured it after hitting about the 200 page mark, after some of the world building settled in. The illustrations were a very fun element as well, I was always so excited when I flipped to a page with a cute little character!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The idea of a non religious American Narnia appeals, but this was so slow moving.
I've seen this rated middle grade, I'm inclined more to younger YA between the length, violence and vocabulary.
I've seen this rated middle grade, I'm inclined more to younger YA between the length, violence and vocabulary.