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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
As someone who’s recently begun reading more middle grade fiction I found this novel to have a few similarities to the Spiderwick Chronicles, which makes sense since both series are about fae and things of the like and people generally enjoy reading about fae, especially children. That’s really were the similarities end though.
Moving on to this novel, I found myself really enjoying the characters, especially the fairies themselves. You can’t mistake one for the other and Tanya was done very well in my opinion. She’s very believable as a 13 year old girl who’s been tortured by fairies and sent to live with her grandmother. Speaking of which, the world that Tanya finds herself in once she gets to her grandmother’s house was an interesting one to explore, and provided a great background to all the weirdness going on.
I will say that some parts of the novel were slightly predictable, at least they were to me, as far as some of the reveals about the 13 Treasures went. I do have to say that I enjoyed the inclusion of both Seelie and Unseelie courts, and how each rules for part of the year and thus we have the seasons. Not a lot of people include that in their novels and I appreciate that Michelle did.
Honestly, I just enjoy reading about fairies and other fae creatures, and it seems to me that Michelle did her research on their folklore and included a lot of interesting things into her narrative. There are so many different legends and things of the like about the fae, that it’s just so much fun to play around with.
I do have to say that I wish I’d done a little research into the series when I picked up the first book because I would have liked to read the prequel first, obviously because it would’ve given more backstory into how Tanya got on the fairies radar and things like that.
Moving on to this novel, I found myself really enjoying the characters, especially the fairies themselves. You can’t mistake one for the other and Tanya was done very well in my opinion. She’s very believable as a 13 year old girl who’s been tortured by fairies and sent to live with her grandmother. Speaking of which, the world that Tanya finds herself in once she gets to her grandmother’s house was an interesting one to explore, and provided a great background to all the weirdness going on.
I will say that some parts of the novel were slightly predictable, at least they were to me, as far as some of the reveals about the 13 Treasures went. I do have to say that I enjoyed the inclusion of both Seelie and Unseelie courts, and how each rules for part of the year and thus we have the seasons. Not a lot of people include that in their novels and I appreciate that Michelle did.
Honestly, I just enjoy reading about fairies and other fae creatures, and it seems to me that Michelle did her research on their folklore and included a lot of interesting things into her narrative. There are so many different legends and things of the like about the fae, that it’s just so much fun to play around with.
I do have to say that I wish I’d done a little research into the series when I picked up the first book because I would have liked to read the prequel first, obviously because it would’ve given more backstory into how Tanya got on the fairies radar and things like that.
An enjoyable listen with a good audiobook narrator. My biggest issue was that it had too many similarities to The Spiderwick Chronicles. This book was longer and for slightly older readers, but there were way too many similarities that it felt copied: old house in the woods, an elderly person who knows about fairies, goblins near the edge of the woods, libraries and secret passages, etc.
Obwohl ich um einiges älter bin als beim Erstlensen, finde ich es immer noch gut. Freue mich auf den zweiten Teil.
This book has an AMAZING plot. It is so interesting that I couldn't put it down for 5 minuits! the plot moved quick enough to keep the story interesting, but not too quick so that I couldn't follow, the pace was perfect, which is usually the main complaint from me about books, but this was great. I really enjoyed the character development, and the main characters so in depth.
After being tormented by fairies and waking her mother in the middle of the night, Tanya is sent to stay with her grandmother in her dilapidated manor house. Tanya sees fairies at her grandmother’s house too: they fill the grandfather clock and make mischief in the kitchen. But fairies are nothing compared to the dangers of the woods that surround her grandmother’s house. As Tanya struggles to come to terms with her second sight, she is helped by several unlikely allies, including the local witch woman, the annoying son of the manor’s caretaker, and a girl has had far worse luck with the fairies. Will Tanya be able to solve the mystery that surrounds her with their help?
Harrison excels at creating an immersive world that truly is brought to life through her writing. Her attention to small details and willingness to truly describe settings have helped make a world that is tangible. Exploring the manor house, one can almost smell the dust of neglect, see the encroaching ivy. The fairies are offered with just enough detail to make sure readers remember that they are not friendly, sweet butterfly-like creatures.
Harrison also has a good ear for dialogue, which helps complete her world building. Tanya is a tough but also friendly girl who is trapped in a nightmare no one else can see. The tense relationship between her and her grandmother is written in actions rather than explanations. There are plenty of tense moments, strange events, and bizarre happenings to keep the pages moving briskly. For me though it was a book to savor, a world I longed to linger a bit more in.
There is plenty to love here. It is a book of evil fairies that works for children who are not ready for Holly Black and Melissa Marr yet. Beautiful writing and incredible world building. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Harrison excels at creating an immersive world that truly is brought to life through her writing. Her attention to small details and willingness to truly describe settings have helped make a world that is tangible. Exploring the manor house, one can almost smell the dust of neglect, see the encroaching ivy. The fairies are offered with just enough detail to make sure readers remember that they are not friendly, sweet butterfly-like creatures.
Harrison also has a good ear for dialogue, which helps complete her world building. Tanya is a tough but also friendly girl who is trapped in a nightmare no one else can see. The tense relationship between her and her grandmother is written in actions rather than explanations. There are plenty of tense moments, strange events, and bizarre happenings to keep the pages moving briskly. For me though it was a book to savor, a world I longed to linger a bit more in.
There is plenty to love here. It is a book of evil fairies that works for children who are not ready for Holly Black and Melissa Marr yet. Beautiful writing and incredible world building. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
a wonderfully solid and imaginative story to be shared with your middle grade reader. would recommend ... 3.5 stars
Really enjoyed this read about fairies. Well told story and can't wait for the next installment.
An easy YA read along the lines of Fablehaven. It seemed rushed and not very fleshed out--there was a lot going on, especially towards the end. Still, it was a quick imaginative read that kept my attention.
I thought this would be a good book, but the story just seemed too familiar for me. I could usually tell what was going to happen, so it wasn't that interesting either. The writing was good though, and that is the only reason I gave it two stars.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated