Reviews

Guest: A Changeling Tale by Mary Downing Hahn

lindsay1212's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

briannearnl's review

Go to review page

3.0

This is definitely a younger middle adult novel. But I enjoyed the influence and use of Irish culture and folklore. I feel like more background was needed for me to fully be immersed in the story, but that’s on me, not on the author. The story of bravery and love of a family was well done.

library_brandy's review

Go to review page

4.0

Mollie knew she shouldn't say anything positive about her baby brother, lest the Kinde Folk hear and swap him for one of theirs. She knows that the locket around his neck is meant to protect him. But it won't hurt to wear the pretty necklace herself, just for a few minutes? He's such a good baby!

The changeling child--whom they call Guest, since he's NOT staying--is a hellion. Mollie's dad left and her mom is a mess, trying to care for this hated creature and distraught over her own boy. It's up to Mollie to go to the Kinde Folk and retrieve her real brother, but the queen won't give him up easily.

This is a different kind of story from what Hahn usually writes, and I think the story is stronger for it--the ideas and the writing sound fresher than they have in her other recent books.

ARC from publisher at ALA. Thanks!

martinhope19's review

Go to review page

4.0

Audio. An author I can’t recommend enough to my kiddos who love mystery/scary style middle school reads. Another fun gem! :)

marsenault13's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

deliciously creepy tale of the changeling story, when the Fae bring a child they do not want, and trade it for a lovely little human baby. Molly isn't happy about this, AMD wants her baby brother back. this is her story.

quirkybibliophile's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I really enjoyed that the main character was naive and acted her age. I read too many books that are meant for a younger audience in which the protagonist seems like they are an adult and it throws me off. It was refreshing to read something different as Mollie gets into a whole lot of trouble for being a child.

Something else that I liked was the way that the twists unfolded, it seemed like there was no substance to them but as I kept reading I thought differently. I thought it was great that there was an element of surprise but it didn't throw off the main course of the book. I also liked that the twists were simple enough for 5-7 graders to understand and still want to read more.

cervinlibrarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

capeltheartist's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This is all you could ask for in a fantasy involving the fae. It's got people who aren't what they seem, beautiful yet brutal fae, lost years, paths that go in circles, deception, invisibility cloaks. All my fav things, really. All this and a narrator you want to root for. The only thi ng that bothered me, and by bothered, I mean, quite a lot, was the father character... he leaves mam for about a year with a screaming baby and then just comes home??? No thanks! He could have stayed in that other village for all I cared.

cascadesofbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Guest is a quick read, primarily because Hahn does an excellent job of pulling you into the story and making it difficult to put down. Though a little different than her typical ghost story, there is still the "just right" amount of creepy and spooky factor for your middle grades reader. I also appreciate that she stuck closer to the original tales of the Fae, rather than creating a feel good "fairy" tale. I would definitely recommend to any young reader who is beginning to dive into the genre of fantasy, as well as anyone who loves a good creepy mystery.

quirkybibliophile's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I really enjoyed that the main character was naive and acted her age. I read too many books that are meant for a younger audience in which the protagonist seems like they are an adult and it throws me off. It was refreshing to read something different as Mollie gets into a whole lot of trouble for being a child.

Something else that I liked was the way that the twists unfolded, it seemed like there was no substance to them but as I kept reading I thought differently. I thought it was great that there was an element of surprise but it didn't throw off the main course of the book. I also liked that the twists were simple enough for 5-7 graders to understand and still want to read more.
More...