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sparklingreader's review against another edition
4.0
This is a new fantasy story from veteran writer, Sarah Prineas – author of the “Magic Thief” series.
In this one, we are introduced to Fer (short for Jennifer – which I love! What a different twist on the nickname). She is a middle school girl who is always in trouble at school, something her grandmother is constantly on her case about. She lives with her Grand-Jane who makes her wear an herb pouch for safety and uses herbs and poultices for healing. According to Grand-Jane, Fer’s parents “had gone from this world” which Fer took to mean they were dead.
The tale starts with Fer being in trouble again and taking off into the night where she rescues what she thinks is a dog from three wolves. When he turns out to be a boy, she knows something is up.
There are all sorts of fantastical creatures, magic, secrets, and more going on in the story. It’s a quick read with very well done world building and characters you are sure to love. This will be a good story for the 4th-5th grade age levels.
Things I liked:
• The characters, especially Fer and Puck
• The way the author blended nature into the magic
• The world building
• The message shown through the characters standing against what they believe to be wrong
• The quick, satisfying read
Things I didn’t like:
• Grandma silent all these years, but suddenly, she lets Fer go to a new, dangerous world without a quibble
• POV switches – hard to know who was whom sometimes
• Fer beats off slavering wolves with just a stick (though I eventually realized it wasn’t so much her attack on the wolves as it was the magic she wielded without knowing it)
Recommendation: Definitely recommended for middle schoolers who enjoy fantasy stories and especially fans of Sarah Prineas.
In this one, we are introduced to Fer (short for Jennifer – which I love! What a different twist on the nickname). She is a middle school girl who is always in trouble at school, something her grandmother is constantly on her case about. She lives with her Grand-Jane who makes her wear an herb pouch for safety and uses herbs and poultices for healing. According to Grand-Jane, Fer’s parents “had gone from this world” which Fer took to mean they were dead.
The tale starts with Fer being in trouble again and taking off into the night where she rescues what she thinks is a dog from three wolves. When he turns out to be a boy, she knows something is up.
There are all sorts of fantastical creatures, magic, secrets, and more going on in the story. It’s a quick read with very well done world building and characters you are sure to love. This will be a good story for the 4th-5th grade age levels.
Things I liked:
• The characters, especially Fer and Puck
• The way the author blended nature into the magic
• The world building
• The message shown through the characters standing against what they believe to be wrong
• The quick, satisfying read
Things I didn’t like:
• Grandma silent all these years, but suddenly, she lets Fer go to a new, dangerous world without a quibble
• POV switches – hard to know who was whom sometimes
• Fer beats off slavering wolves with just a stick (though I eventually realized it wasn’t so much her attack on the wolves as it was the magic she wielded without knowing it)
Recommendation: Definitely recommended for middle schoolers who enjoy fantasy stories and especially fans of Sarah Prineas.
misswitch's review against another edition
It took me longer than I expected to get into, but once I did,I really enjoyed it
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars really (because Rook is awesome)
Originally posted here.
Here it is, the first of my Most Anticipated Reads of 2012. Winterling by Sarah Prineas was well worth the anticipation. This is one of the books that just fit me and my mood perfectly.
Yay for heroines who ask questions! Again. And again. And again. Until they finally get the answers they need. Also, yay for heroines who persist in what they know is right even when others say it is a lost cause. Fer had me smiling through the entire book, mostly because she is a bit different as a heroine. She is a thinker, compassionate, and true to her word. She meets what must be done head on and pours love and mercy on the people she meets. (I was also happy that not all of those she bestowed these traits on were very thankful for them. It gave the book a realistic quality that I appreciated.) At the same time she is scared of the unknown and not absolutely sure of herself. Rook was another favorite (the book focuses on him almost as much as it does on Fer) as I have a much acknowledged weakness for trickster characters with attitude. Especially when they are truly heroic and angry about it. That's always good reading.
There are many elements of the plot and world that will be familiar to most readers. The idea of a changeling, the Other world running not quite in tandem with but crossing over ours, the concept of a Green Man (or Woman), an evil one who must be defeated to restore balance and what is proper. Prineas took all of these and really made them her own though. She has created a world that is beautiful and mysterious and conveys those things without being overly descriptive. She says much with few words, a trait I always appreciate in a writer. I actually had dreams about the story each night I was reading it and that doesn't happen to me often. Only when a writer has really been able to etch their world into my mind.
Happily there will be a sequel coming out in 2013 titled Summerkin so there is more from this world to look forward too. (Most Anticipated of 2013 list already in the making.)
Kate at Book Aunt posted a review for this where she talks about the Irish myths used in the story. Very interesting.
And tomorrow The Enchanted Inkpot will post an interview with Sarah Prineas about the book.
Originally posted here.
Here it is, the first of my Most Anticipated Reads of 2012. Winterling by Sarah Prineas was well worth the anticipation. This is one of the books that just fit me and my mood perfectly.
Yay for heroines who ask questions! Again. And again. And again. Until they finally get the answers they need. Also, yay for heroines who persist in what they know is right even when others say it is a lost cause. Fer had me smiling through the entire book, mostly because she is a bit different as a heroine. She is a thinker, compassionate, and true to her word. She meets what must be done head on and pours love and mercy on the people she meets. (I was also happy that not all of those she bestowed these traits on were very thankful for them. It gave the book a realistic quality that I appreciated.) At the same time she is scared of the unknown and not absolutely sure of herself. Rook was another favorite (the book focuses on him almost as much as it does on Fer) as I have a much acknowledged weakness for trickster characters with attitude. Especially when they are truly heroic and angry about it. That's always good reading.
There are many elements of the plot and world that will be familiar to most readers. The idea of a changeling, the Other world running not quite in tandem with but crossing over ours, the concept of a Green Man (or Woman), an evil one who must be defeated to restore balance and what is proper. Prineas took all of these and really made them her own though. She has created a world that is beautiful and mysterious and conveys those things without being overly descriptive. She says much with few words, a trait I always appreciate in a writer. I actually had dreams about the story each night I was reading it and that doesn't happen to me often. Only when a writer has really been able to etch their world into my mind.
Happily there will be a sequel coming out in 2013 titled Summerkin so there is more from this world to look forward too. (Most Anticipated of 2013 list already in the making.)
Kate at Book Aunt posted a review for this where she talks about the Irish myths used in the story. Very interesting.
And tomorrow The Enchanted Inkpot will post an interview with Sarah Prineas about the book.
risamyers3's review against another edition
4.0
Reminiscent of Narnia, without the religious overtones. Seemed targeted at a slightly older audience than the magic thief books. Enjoyable, quick read.
daffz's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.