stacers1973's review against another edition
5.0
I am loving this series. I can't wait for the next one. September finds her way back into Fairyland, to find things aren't exactly as she was expecting. I love how clever she is and how the unexpected happens.
For there are two kinds of forgiveness in the world: the one you practice because everything really is alright, and what went before is mended. The other kind of forgiveness you practice because someone needs desperately to be forgiven, or because you need just as badly to forgive them, for a heart can grab hold of old wounds and go sour as milk over them. You, being sharp and clever will have noticed that I said "practice." Forgiveness always takes practice to get right, and September was very new at it. (p. 200)
Everything truly had turned upside down and slant-wise. 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. They do this because they are afraid of the world and of being stared at or relied upon to do feats of bravery or boldness. And 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. (p 77-78)
For there are two kinds of forgiveness in the world: the one you practice because everything really is alright, and what went before is mended. The other kind of forgiveness you practice because someone needs desperately to be forgiven, or because you need just as badly to forgive them, for a heart can grab hold of old wounds and go sour as milk over them. You, being sharp and clever will have noticed that I said "practice." Forgiveness always takes practice to get right, and September was very new at it. (p. 200)
Everything truly had turned upside down and slant-wise. 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. They do this because they are afraid of the world and of being stared at or relied upon to do feats of bravery or boldness. And 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. (p 77-78)
kiramke's review against another edition
I really just read the first one to vet these, but I want to know where the story goes! Delightful children's series and nothing in them to give me pause.
be_like_the_squirrel_girl's review against another edition
4.0
The Fairyland books are this generation's Alice and Wonderland, only more delightful and accessible. September is clever and brave as she descends into Fairyland-Below. There is some lengthy exposition for the new characters in the story, which slows the pace a bit. But the writing is still extraordinary.
pickett22's review against another edition
4.0
These books are amazing.
But this one was not as good as the first.
But it was amazing.
I said that the first book was potentially flawless, and this one is too.
The people September met didn't QUITE strike me as much this time around. In the first book those she met were full of quiet wisdom, or a deep feeling of life, or wildness, or a sadness that was alien and yet recognizable. The first book was truth, captured and bound.
How do you blame a book for lacking a certain feeling? How do you put it into words? This book was a wonderful story and deserves five stars, except that it follows the first one. This book had beautiful moments of truth (when she leaves Gleam, moments with her father, moments with Maud, and so on,) and some wonderful narrative moments. But it didn't feel the same as the first one.
I spend so much time trying to explain this emotion (loss? maybe a little... but loss of what? wildness, I think?) that I neglect to do the book justice. It was fantastic. Beautiful and compelling. Elegant, thoughtful, and deep. So very, very good.
But this one was not as good as the first.
But it was amazing.
I said that the first book was potentially flawless, and this one is too.
The people September met didn't QUITE strike me as much this time around. In the first book those she met were full of quiet wisdom, or a deep feeling of life, or wildness, or a sadness that was alien and yet recognizable. The first book was truth, captured and bound.
How do you blame a book for lacking a certain feeling? How do you put it into words? This book was a wonderful story and deserves five stars, except that it follows the first one. This book had beautiful moments of truth (when she leaves Gleam, moments with her father, moments with Maud, and so on,) and some wonderful narrative moments. But it didn't feel the same as the first one.
I spend so much time trying to explain this emotion (loss? maybe a little... but loss of what? wildness, I think?) that I neglect to do the book justice. It was fantastic. Beautiful and compelling. Elegant, thoughtful, and deep. So very, very good.
iamshadow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
futurememory's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a bit more disjointed than its predecessor, I still enjoyed the second Fairyland book. It's a bit more meandering and abstract than the first book, but still plush with some of the most gorgeous, luscious prose. The word I use to describe these books is "delicious" and I find myself reading slower to savor all the little intricacies of language that Valente throws in here. She really is a master of prose. There are few fantasy books that are as atmospheric as these.
thesarahsilvester's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow. Wow, wow, wow. This book is just everything wonderful and magical and heartbreaking and fascinating. Loved this way more than the first. An outstanding work of imagination. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
gabieowleyess's review against another edition
I'm really just not in the mood for this particular story at the moment.
aprilthelibrarian's review
5.0
Can I talk about how much I love this series, and how beautiful the writing is? I love September and her friends in Fairyland. I have a certain fondness for Ell and now Aubergine.