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daffz's review
3.0
I think what most spoke to me about this book was the cover. The story sounded fairly interesting too, but unfortunately, the book was a bit of a disappointment to me. I always find it a bit uneasy to say that about middle-grade books because they are not meant for my age group at all, but the story didn't connect for me. It felt too simplistic, and I didn't understand why the reader learns about everything before the main character does. It makes it more frustrating when it takes her a while to figure things out.
I won't be continuing this series. It was fine, but it didn't really speak to me.
I won't be continuing this series. It was fine, but it didn't really speak to me.
onelemonylime's review
4.0
Overall, a solid read. I sat down and finished it in maybe 5 hours, and it was just what I needed to suit my mood. I'm sure you've all heard variations of the story before: ordinary, if not somewhat odd, girl discovers a portal leading to a magical world that needs her help. Still, it was well-written with an interesting idea or two that I haven't seen before.
I agree with criticisms that the heroine is really slow on the uptake, especially since the author reveals certain important truths to the readers beforehand, but I rolled with it. I also would have liked the author to better develop the world outside the Way; I had to remind myself several times that it was a modern world and not purely a medieval fantasy.
Still, might read again? Definitely going to check out the sequels!
I agree with criticisms that the heroine is really slow on the uptake, especially since the author reveals certain important truths to the readers beforehand, but I rolled with it. I also would have liked the author to better develop the world outside the Way; I had to remind myself several times that it was a modern world and not purely a medieval fantasy.
Still, might read again? Definitely going to check out the sequels!
celandine's review
1.0
Boring. Characters fell flat and I couldn't get into it. Not much to say because I was so bored by the whole book.
bak8382's review
4.0
Fer has lived with her Grandmother her entire life, but she's never felt that she belonged in her life. Then she rescues a strange boy who seems to know who she is. Soon she is traveling through "The Way" to a strange land where Fer can tell something is terribly wrong.
I loved Sarah Prineas's series [b:The Magic Thief|1809175|The Magic Thief (Magic Thief, #1)|Sarah Prineas|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266900723s/1809175.jpg|1808499] so I was excited to try her newest title. It's definitely different from the Magic Thief in setting and tone, but still an interesting and entertaining read.
I loved Sarah Prineas's series [b:The Magic Thief|1809175|The Magic Thief (Magic Thief, #1)|Sarah Prineas|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266900723s/1809175.jpg|1808499] so I was excited to try her newest title. It's definitely different from the Magic Thief in setting and tone, but still an interesting and entertaining read.
callieash_ro's review
2.0
I was really excited to read this one--what a premise! But to me it unfortunately fell a bit short. I think the story would have been much more effective if we didn't have Rook's POV--it often gave insight to things that Fer was trying to figure out, which killed the suspense. I think it's a neat world and concept (good enough to finish the book) but not my favorite in the end.
sandraagee's review
3.0
This was a quieter fantasy than Prineas' [b:The Magic Thief|1809175|The Magic Thief (Magic Thief, #1)|Sarah Prineas|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266900723s/1809175.jpg|1808499], and it didn't draw me in quite as much. I think I'm just more drawn to other writing styles. Part of me also wanted to see more cohesive world building. We got details but, to my mind, not enough explanation. Again, this might be a style thing.
djinnia's review
5.0
LOVED IT!
It's an interesting tale of a girl who learns about another world and tries to fix the wrongness seeping into the land.
Fer finds Rook by a pool of water. He's injured, and she wants to help him. This is the start of her adventure in a world ruled by magic.
I loved the simplicity of the story. The world had specific rules and to break them brings consequences on the person. Oath are powerful. The story uses fairy folklore tradition.
The fey characters are complex, Rook especially.
I'm an so going to read the second one.
It's an interesting tale of a girl who learns about another world and tries to fix the wrongness seeping into the land.
Fer finds Rook by a pool of water. He's injured, and she wants to help him. This is the start of her adventure in a world ruled by magic.
I loved the simplicity of the story. The world had specific rules and to break them brings consequences on the person. Oath are powerful. The story uses fairy folklore tradition.
The fey characters are complex, Rook especially.
I'm an so going to read the second one.
shelvesofstarlight's review
5.0
A really great and magical Middle Grade story!
I loved reading all about Fer's adventures through the way as she unravelled the mystery surrounding her parents and The Lady that governs the land she discovered full of magic. The story was wonderful and I really liked how it all developed throughout the book, especially with the ending leaving enough open for the sequel.
The characters were wonderful also, I loved Fer and Grand-Jane so much, and Rook will hopefully develop more too as I think the idea of having a puck is very cool! The Mor was a great villain too as she was just the right mix of charming and evil.
The writing style was also just perfect, it really helps to bring the story to life with the descriptions of the people and the landscapes. I cant wait to read the second time in the future.
A really great book that I really enjoyed reading.
I loved reading all about Fer's adventures through the way as she unravelled the mystery surrounding her parents and The Lady that governs the land she discovered full of magic. The story was wonderful and I really liked how it all developed throughout the book, especially with the ending leaving enough open for the sequel.
The characters were wonderful also, I loved Fer and Grand-Jane so much, and Rook will hopefully develop more too as I think the idea of having a puck is very cool! The Mor was a great villain too as she was just the right mix of charming and evil.
The writing style was also just perfect, it really helps to bring the story to life with the descriptions of the people and the landscapes. I cant wait to read the second time in the future.
A really great book that I really enjoyed reading.
punandprose's review
3.0
A pretty okay book that's definitely meant for readers who are younger than I am. But I've come away loving some juvenile fiction, so I'm always willing to give it a try.
Winterling gave me some Chronicles of Narnia vibes at times, but lacked the same depth. There's the run-of-the-mill, orphaned main character who never knew her parents, is a misfit in the non-magical world, and has some connection to a magical world that she knows nothing about.
It would be a good enough book for children, but there's not much substance for older readers. There's not much to the story, and everything felt glazed over. You never really get to know and like the characters. And it also kinda felt as if the author was writing it simply because she had to get a book written.
Despite the discrepancies, I would probably still recommend to elementary or early middle school kids.
Winterling gave me some Chronicles of Narnia vibes at times, but lacked the same depth. There's the run-of-the-mill, orphaned main character who never knew her parents, is a misfit in the non-magical world, and has some connection to a magical world that she knows nothing about.
It would be a good enough book for children, but there's not much substance for older readers. There's not much to the story, and everything felt glazed over. You never really get to know and like the characters. And it also kinda felt as if the author was writing it simply because she had to get a book written.
Despite the discrepancies, I would probably still recommend to elementary or early middle school kids.