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candywalli's review against another edition
5.0
The last sentence of the book still runs in my mind as I wonder if this is the ending I wanted
danyell919's review against another edition
3.0
Our school librarian asked me to read this book. It wasn’t really scary - upper elementary kids would be fine reading it. But I didn’t love it. I’ve read a few other changeling tales and I think the topic itself just isn’t my cup of tea.
ashtheaudiomancer's review against another edition
4.0
ARC received from publisher's booth at ALA Conference.
This is both true to form for Mary Downing Hahn and a departure from her usual voice and style at the same time. It's a great introduction to Irish myths and folktales for young readers, and I could hardly put it down even as an adult.
The main character's stubbornness became grating at times, and the bittersweet ending drags quite a bit but I also don't know how it could have been handled differently. I like the bittersweetness of the ending however, as it pushes the main character forward while reminding her that what she learned on her journey won't necessarily be shared or appreciated by her family when she returns.
If I had read this as a kid, I would have absolutely loved it, and it would have sent me into an obsession with Irish tales and ghost stories. A great addition to an already impressive body of work.
This is both true to form for Mary Downing Hahn and a departure from her usual voice and style at the same time. It's a great introduction to Irish myths and folktales for young readers, and I could hardly put it down even as an adult.
The main character's stubbornness became grating at times, and the bittersweet ending drags quite a bit but I also don't know how it could have been handled differently. I like the bittersweetness of the ending however, as it pushes the main character forward while reminding her that what she learned on her journey won't necessarily be shared or appreciated by her family when she returns.
If I had read this as a kid, I would have absolutely loved it, and it would have sent me into an obsession with Irish tales and ghost stories. A great addition to an already impressive body of work.
mochomito's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 …. I learned a bit about the Fae folk. The characters are quite stubborn.
lynn_k's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book's setting refreshing. I love Mary Downing Hahn, but most of her books are set in rural Virginia and that gets old after a while. This book is set in Ireland and I found it to be her most enjoyable book yet! All the characters felt real and had their own distinct personalities. The main character, Mollie, had a great character arc. I was reluctant to read this because I thought it was going to be a Virginian take on the changeling myth, but I was happily surprised that it was the traditional myth instead.
rachelmaryann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
heyshay07's review against another edition
4.0
Mollie is kind of an idiot main character and the story progresses through all the stupid choices she makes but luckily someone is always there to save her, usually Madog. However, in the end she is brave and saves her brother and comes to love Guest so there is some redemption. Fast paced, fun story with a lot of Irish mythology and folklore so it's a fun read.
needlesnbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I almost did not give this book 4 stars, but the ending the second half of the book made up for the annoyance and anger I felt at Mollie for the first half.
This was an interesting take on Irish folktale of the changeling and I enjoyed it a lot. I thought this was going to be a bit creepier when I read the summary and it's not creepy at all. Certainly not on the same level as her ghost stories.
I will also add that this book does do that middle - grade fiction thing where the author is not explicitly saying here a good moral you should learn, but some of the character antics and changes have that vibe of this person did X therefore Y happened but they changed because they learned, and now they are smarter/kinder/have a whole new POV on their situation. But I didn't mind it. Hopefully, you won't either. :)
Overall, I definitely recommend for a nice fall read.
This was an interesting take on Irish folktale of the changeling and I enjoyed it a lot. I thought this was going to be a bit creepier when I read the summary and it's not creepy at all. Certainly not on the same level as her ghost stories.
I will also add that this book does do that middle - grade fiction thing where the author is not explicitly saying here a good moral you should learn, but some of the character antics and changes have that vibe of this person did X therefore Y happened but they changed because they learned, and now they are smarter/kinder/have a whole new POV on their situation. But I didn't mind it. Hopefully, you won't either. :)
Overall, I definitely recommend for a nice fall read.
aliskalynn's review against another edition
4.0
It tugged on my heartstrings in a way that most books about the kind folk don’t. It's not ground breaking, but it's sweet and short.
alison_elizabeth93's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5