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theangrystackrat's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
typographic_whimsy's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shanellewrites's review
4.0
I think, if it's possible, that BENEATH FAIRYLAND is even better than CIRCUMNAVIGATED. I absolutely loved it. The whole concept of the shadows in Fairyland-Below sort of as a reflection of Fairyland was fascinating. It played off the concept of good and evil in each of us - yin and yang type of thing. Very interesting. September was just as fabulous a character, only more mature. The writing is distinctive and eloquent. Basically I can't really think of a single miss in this book. Fun, thought-provoking, adventurous, magical, and just incredibly well done. It teaches a lot of well-spoken life principles and I feel just constantly gives the reader food for thought. My favorite part was at the very end when one character (who shall remain nameless for the sake of avoiding spoilers) basically talks about in war/conflict, you're never the same after. You can never forget what you've done. Obviously this applies to soldiers and such, but I think it applies to many other things, as well. When we go through something very difficult or traumatic, we never really forget and in some ways we may never really "get over it". But we can live with it, and we can heal.
I'm not sure if many people would agree with me, but I think this is a really good bridge book between YA (even adult) books and middle grade. It has many classical elements of middle grade, but in a lot of ways I think the way the story is told can be tremendously appreciated by adults.
I'm not sure if many people would agree with me, but I think this is a really good bridge book between YA (even adult) books and middle grade. It has many classical elements of middle grade, but in a lot of ways I think the way the story is told can be tremendously appreciated by adults.
bookjockeybeth's review
4.0
Even better than the first book in the series. There are so many ways for this series to continue... can't wait.
jevans's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This series is incredible. I’m constantly blown away by the creativity and novelty. Rich descriptions, interesting characters, meaningful character development and insights. Can’t wait to keep reading!
cimorene1558's review
5.0
This one seems less trying to be adorable and like Oz or somewhere grown up, and more like a book of its own, and I love it for that. One of my favourite things about this series is how September is very real and not always attractive, and this one does a fine job of showing her in all her aspects.
kaypat23's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So whimsical, magical and comforting. Read this while I was sick and anxious to calm me down.
bmg20's review
4.0
4.5 stars
A review copy of The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There was kindly provided to me by Macmillan.
'Shadows are the other side of yourself'
Hardly a day has passed since September hasn't thought about Fairyland and Ell and Saturday and the Green Wind. Sometimes she even wonders whether she imagined the whole thing, but it was all so very real because September's shadow is gone; she left it behind in Fairyland. But she's thirteen now, and so much time has passed and she begins to think she'll never make her way back, until one day she sees a rowboat floating across the fields behind her house. She knew this was her opportunity and hastened to follow them to wherever they were going. Upon her return, she realizes that Fairyland is quite different from when she left it several months ago and that September is not the only one missing her shadow now.
"...your light side isn't a perfectly pretty picture, either, I promise you. You couldn't dream without the dark. You couldn't rest... You need your dark side, because without it, you're half gone."
September was once again an incredible character: full of heart, strength, and loyalty. Realizing that the problems in Fairyland stemmed from her actions from her previous visit, she didn't hesitate for a second before starting her adventure to make things right. I loved the implications of the purpose of shadows and how their importance reaches far beyond their physical presence. Very mature topics that I see as being a fantastic 'learning opportunity' for children during a potential read-along with their parents. The writing is not just full of beautiful prose but manages to also have substantial meaning behind every word.
'She did not know yet how sometimes people keep parts of themselves hidden and secret, sometimes wicked and unkind parts, but often brave or wild or colorful parts, cunning or powerful or even marvelous, beautiful parts, just locked up away at the bottom of their hearts... all of those brave and wild and cunning and marvelous and beautiful parts they hid away and left in the dark to grow strange mushrooms--and yes, sometimes those wicked and unkind parts, too--end up in their shadow.'
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland was wonderful, original, and full of incredible prose and The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland doesn't disappoint. If anything, the second installment is even more brilliant. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland will be well received by children but I so love that it's equally (if not more so) able to be enjoyed by adults. Catherynne M. Valente has definitely done it again; full of adventure mixed with a new take on old-world fairytales.
A review copy of The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There was kindly provided to me by Macmillan.
'Shadows are the other side of yourself'
Hardly a day has passed since September hasn't thought about Fairyland and Ell and Saturday and the Green Wind. Sometimes she even wonders whether she imagined the whole thing, but it was all so very real because September's shadow is gone; she left it behind in Fairyland. But she's thirteen now, and so much time has passed and she begins to think she'll never make her way back, until one day she sees a rowboat floating across the fields behind her house. She knew this was her opportunity and hastened to follow them to wherever they were going. Upon her return, she realizes that Fairyland is quite different from when she left it several months ago and that September is not the only one missing her shadow now.
"...your light side isn't a perfectly pretty picture, either, I promise you. You couldn't dream without the dark. You couldn't rest... You need your dark side, because without it, you're half gone."
September was once again an incredible character: full of heart, strength, and loyalty. Realizing that the problems in Fairyland stemmed from her actions from her previous visit, she didn't hesitate for a second before starting her adventure to make things right. I loved the implications of the purpose of shadows and how their importance reaches far beyond their physical presence. Very mature topics that I see as being a fantastic 'learning opportunity' for children during a potential read-along with their parents. The writing is not just full of beautiful prose but manages to also have substantial meaning behind every word.
'She did not know yet how sometimes people keep parts of themselves hidden and secret, sometimes wicked and unkind parts, but often brave or wild or colorful parts, cunning or powerful or even marvelous, beautiful parts, just locked up away at the bottom of their hearts... all of those brave and wild and cunning and marvelous and beautiful parts they hid away and left in the dark to grow strange mushrooms--and yes, sometimes those wicked and unkind parts, too--end up in their shadow.'
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland was wonderful, original, and full of incredible prose and The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland doesn't disappoint. If anything, the second installment is even more brilliant. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland will be well received by children but I so love that it's equally (if not more so) able to be enjoyed by adults. Catherynne M. Valente has definitely done it again; full of adventure mixed with a new take on old-world fairytales.
brandypainter's review
4.0
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Last year I was delighted by The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Makin by Catherynne Valente and have been eagerly anticipating the sequel, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There. The sequel is different, but marvelous in its own way.
If you have not read the first Fairyland book you need to in order to completely understand this one. You will be confused in many places otherwise. In the second part of her story September must come to terms with the consequences of some of her choices during her first journey. Her decision to sever herself from her shadow was not a bad one at the time, but it had far reaching consequences that are pretty bad. And it is in this that the book is quite different from its predecessor. In the first book September was on a quest as a hero to topple an evil queen. Every child's Fairyland fantasy. Now she is a year older and wiser and faces an entirely different challenge. She still has a quest, but can't trust her companions this time around. And how do you go about defeating a foe when it isn't some far removed evil Marquess, but a part of yourself? Yes this is deep stuff indeed. And everything for September is different. She must rely mostly on herself and is often at a loss experiencing this shadow version of the place she loves and the people she loves. The author sympathizes with this but is remorseless in making the young heroine suffer through it:
Oh, September! It is soon for you to lose your friends to good work and strange loves and high ambitions. The sadness of that is too grown-up for you. Like whiskey and voting, it is a dangerous and heady business, as heavy as years. If I could keep your little tribe together forever, I would. I do so want to be generous. But some stories sprout bright vines that tendril off beyond our sight, carrying the folk we love best with them, and if I knew how to accept that with grace, I would share the secret. Perhaps this will help, if we whisper it to our September, as she watches her friend dwindle in the gloomy lilac breeze, borne away on a track of quicksilver tear: "So much light, sweet girl, begins in the dark."
As you can see Valente's signature beautiful prose are still present and she grew her story and world wonderfully. This is a bittersweet tale full of different creatures and new emotions for September. Tied into it are her feelings for her parents and the war that has taken her father so far away. It is a story of a girl coming to face her fears and hopes for the future, one foot in childhood and one on its way to adulthood.
As with its predecessor this is not going to find a home in the hands of just any child reader. But it's a special book and deserves a special reader.
I read a copy made available via NetGalley. The book will be released on October 2, 2012.
Last year I was delighted by The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Makin by Catherynne Valente and have been eagerly anticipating the sequel, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There. The sequel is different, but marvelous in its own way.
If you have not read the first Fairyland book you need to in order to completely understand this one. You will be confused in many places otherwise. In the second part of her story September must come to terms with the consequences of some of her choices during her first journey. Her decision to sever herself from her shadow was not a bad one at the time, but it had far reaching consequences that are pretty bad. And it is in this that the book is quite different from its predecessor. In the first book September was on a quest as a hero to topple an evil queen. Every child's Fairyland fantasy. Now she is a year older and wiser and faces an entirely different challenge. She still has a quest, but can't trust her companions this time around. And how do you go about defeating a foe when it isn't some far removed evil Marquess, but a part of yourself? Yes this is deep stuff indeed. And everything for September is different. She must rely mostly on herself and is often at a loss experiencing this shadow version of the place she loves and the people she loves. The author sympathizes with this but is remorseless in making the young heroine suffer through it:
Oh, September! It is soon for you to lose your friends to good work and strange loves and high ambitions. The sadness of that is too grown-up for you. Like whiskey and voting, it is a dangerous and heady business, as heavy as years. If I could keep your little tribe together forever, I would. I do so want to be generous. But some stories sprout bright vines that tendril off beyond our sight, carrying the folk we love best with them, and if I knew how to accept that with grace, I would share the secret. Perhaps this will help, if we whisper it to our September, as she watches her friend dwindle in the gloomy lilac breeze, borne away on a track of quicksilver tear: "So much light, sweet girl, begins in the dark."
As you can see Valente's signature beautiful prose are still present and she grew her story and world wonderfully. This is a bittersweet tale full of different creatures and new emotions for September. Tied into it are her feelings for her parents and the war that has taken her father so far away. It is a story of a girl coming to face her fears and hopes for the future, one foot in childhood and one on its way to adulthood.
As with its predecessor this is not going to find a home in the hands of just any child reader. But it's a special book and deserves a special reader.
I read a copy made available via NetGalley. The book will be released on October 2, 2012.