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A review by sparklingreader
Winterling by Sarah Prineas
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.