zilm00's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
hue's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Slavery
yarnbandit's review against another edition
4.0
I would rate this more as 3.5 stars but I’m inclined to round up. I did enjoy this book and I was already familiar with the story of the green children of Woolpit, so this was an interesting take on the tale. I think this would be a good story for middle school aged girls in particular as there are strong themes of girls helping each other, and as one of the Agnes’ says, “There should be more stories where girls help one another.”
eruanna317's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
careinthelibrary's review
3.0
A charming and dark story for fans of fae mischief and historical fiction. A really seamless blend of twelfth century Britain and the timeless magic of a Fairyland. Amd it had some epic moments of creepy and dark fantasy with really dire consequences for our intrepid heroine. The story was a bit convoluted and confusing at times (two characters with the same name and alternating chapters from their PoV). Enjoyed this. Would read another from this author.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
I personally love stories set in the Middle Ages, and have read countless fairy tales — that this one is based on medieval accounts? Adds a fascination I can’t deny. I also have enjoyed Coats’ previous work.
This story is an almost for me — I love one character, but not the other. I love the history woven through. I love the trickery by girls and fae alike, but it’s quite a harsh story, and the sacrifices are intense. It’s a strange tale, and I enjoyed it, but I’m not sure who I would recommend it to.
Advanced Readers Copy provided by Edelweiss.
This story is an almost for me — I love one character, but not the other. I love the history woven through. I love the trickery by girls and fae alike, but it’s quite a harsh story, and the sacrifices are intense. It’s a strange tale, and I enjoyed it, but I’m not sure who I would recommend it to.
Advanced Readers Copy provided by Edelweiss.
kimmiefmrcn's review against another edition
3.0
I read this in one sitting. I got confused halfway through (although that's probably because I was half awake) The writing style took me a bit to get used to, but it was overall a great take on the legend.
I will definitely reread this again
I will definitely reread this again
kimmiefmrcn's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shethewriter's review
4.0
This book had an excellent sense of atmosphere and made a rich world from a real legend, which is hard to do in any stand-alone novel. I also liked the story, and in middle grade I look for nuanced endings that are maybe not perfect, but uplifting. I found that here. The world building was actually complex and almost confusing at times--author did a good job of making things clear, but I think third person might have helped a little bit because the plot was far beyond the mental capacity of the lead character. I expected that, since she's a young child, but it might have helped to have a narrator with a bit more of a bird's eye view.
All in all, it was great. Had an edge of whimsical darkness that I absolutely love. Might make a great family film soon. As middle-grade fiction goes, this is a solid four stars.
All in all, it was great. Had an edge of whimsical darkness that I absolutely love. Might make a great family film soon. As middle-grade fiction goes, this is a solid four stars.
intotheheartwyld's review
5.0
I completely fell in love with this dark fae inspired story that was pulled from the Middle Ages.
You follow two point of views, one is Agnes, and the other is the Green Girl.
Agnes is this sweet 12 year old child who loves telling stories and has a terrible time making friends with the other kids in the village. So naturally when she hears the cries of a child in the nearby forest, no one believes her.
The Green girl just wants to get out of a bargain her people made with the Those Good People [the fae] And she will stop at nothing to get out of it, including lying and backstabbing.
The whole idea of the fae people loving bargains and trickery is used in this tale and it makes for some pretty dark bargains with these childrean. I loved the continuing theme that Agnes loved stories and wanted to be that girl in that story. She was always formulating tales in her head as the book went on, and it proved to be a big part of her resolve to keep going even though it all looked so bleak.
I believe the story does a good job telling how desperate anyone can become when trying to escape a situation they don't want to be apart of anymore, but how simply asking for help could get one to the same conclusion without hurting so many others in the process.
So many innocent people where used and hurt in this tale by the choices certain characters made, and while some could have been avoided others proved to not be so, dealing with the fae are always tricky.
Its a sweet, dark and compelling tale, that kept me turning pages right from the start.
You follow two point of views, one is Agnes, and the other is the Green Girl.
Agnes is this sweet 12 year old child who loves telling stories and has a terrible time making friends with the other kids in the village. So naturally when she hears the cries of a child in the nearby forest, no one believes her.
The Green girl just wants to get out of a bargain her people made with the Those Good People [the fae] And she will stop at nothing to get out of it, including lying and backstabbing.
The whole idea of the fae people loving bargains and trickery is used in this tale and it makes for some pretty dark bargains with these childrean. I loved the continuing theme that Agnes loved stories and wanted to be that girl in that story. She was always formulating tales in her head as the book went on, and it proved to be a big part of her resolve to keep going even though it all looked so bleak.
I believe the story does a good job telling how desperate anyone can become when trying to escape a situation they don't want to be apart of anymore, but how simply asking for help could get one to the same conclusion without hurting so many others in the process.
So many innocent people where used and hurt in this tale by the choices certain characters made, and while some could have been avoided others proved to not be so, dealing with the fae are always tricky.
Its a sweet, dark and compelling tale, that kept me turning pages right from the start.