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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
What starts off appearing to be a collection of unrelated spooky tales turns into an episodic horror novel, with breaks between each part allowing the young fox listeners in the book and readers themselves to catch their breaths, needed because it is not imagined supernatural terrors but the truly harsh and disturbing torments of real life that provide the scares. This perfectly balances suspense, heartbreak, relief, and hope. It draws readers in, makes them care, and doesn't let go until the bittersweet end. It's perfect for Halloween, of course, but even more for anytime, as the wisdom at its heart is timeless.
"All scary stories have two sides," the storyteller said. "Like the bright and dark of the moon. If you're brave enough to listen and wise enough to stay to the end, the stories can shine a light on the good in the world. They can guide your muzzles. They can help you survive." . . .
"But," the storyteller said, "if you don't listen closely . . . if you turn tail from the horror and don't stay till the end, then the darkness of the story can swallow all hope. It can frighten you so deeply you'll never want to leave your den again. You'll waste away the days with your mother, forever smelling like her milk." . . .
"So. Do you still want to hear a scary story?" . . .
"Come closer, then," the storyteller said. "And we'll see which of you makes it to the end."
Dark yet hopeful. It's targeted towards kids but it works great for adults. Reminds me of the old animal tales that told a lesson but also made you appreciate life and the fickleness of the universe.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is....unsettling. Yes, it's meant for middle-grade children. Yes, there are meaningful life lessons. Yes, it is scary. Maybe not killer in your closet or ghost in the mirror scary, but more like tragedy can befall anyone, especially younglings, scary.
So whether you've got spooky kiddos or you just need a reminder at how brutal and unforgiving nature can be, this one's for you.
Sleep tight, little foxes 🦊
Also, f*** Beatrix Potter
So whether you've got spooky kiddos or you just need a reminder at how brutal and unforgiving nature can be, this one's for you.
Sleep tight, little foxes 🦊
Excellent stories about young foxes surviving in a scary world. I love how all the stories tied together. Not too scary for the audience, but all teaching lessons to the next generation of foxes.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
I absolutely loved reading this together with my 7 yo son. There was just enough peril to keep things exciting, but nothing too scary for my kid (he is not a sensitive reader though). I loved the way the story unfolded and came together. It was such a delight to see my kid’s jaw drop with surprise at the ending. I think the author handles disability well and in an age-appropriate manner, and I think reading this together would spark some great discussions surrounding disability and ableism. Also, if you are a die-hard Beatrix Potter fan, you may want to skip this one…she has a very unexpected part in this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I struggle to review this because I think I would have ate this up if I had read it in elementary school, but it just didn't hit me the way it should have reading it as an adult. I can say it's very well-written, and is a really unique story. And the author narrating the audiobook was great.
I liked this. Which is saying A LOT because I generally detest talking animal stories. This was well written, creepy with scattered asides of humor. And gory. Definitely some gore, and while realistic and not glorified I'd be hesitant to give it to kids who are sensitive animal lovers.
Which brings me to my other issue...this managed to read both young and old at the same time; sort of shoehorned into a specific niche of 5th and 6th grade readers who love both the Warriors and the dark strangeness of Coraline, or perhaps Adam Gidwitz's Tale Dark and Grimm (this is darker than that though).
The right reader will love this.
Which brings me to my other issue...this managed to read both young and old at the same time; sort of shoehorned into a specific niche of 5th and 6th grade readers who love both the Warriors and the dark strangeness of Coraline, or perhaps Adam Gidwitz's Tale Dark and Grimm (this is darker than that though).
The right reader will love this.
Surprising, frightening, sad, and heartwarming. This book has it all. The audiobook is read by the author and is very well-done.
Me, a week ago, thinking I'm gonna have a nice, spooky child-like romp through this audiobook. Unknowingly peaceful, blissfully unaware of what I've done . . .
Me, today, finishing it and feeling such a flurry of emotions - sadness, existential dread, relief, joy, tenderness, and heartbreak. UGH. I loved it. This book relentless ravages forward. As soon as you think you're adjusting to the new story-line and maybe things are going to be okay - BAM. Hit with another intense tragedy or adventure. A touching and creative way to share the harshness of being alive, both for foxes and for people. BRB recommending it to every person I know, young and old alike.
Me, today, finishing it and feeling such a flurry of emotions - sadness, existential dread, relief, joy, tenderness, and heartbreak. UGH. I loved it. This book relentless ravages forward. As soon as you think you're adjusting to the new story-line and maybe things are going to be okay - BAM. Hit with another intense tragedy or adventure. A touching and creative way to share the harshness of being alive, both for foxes and for people. BRB recommending it to every person I know, young and old alike.