Reviews

A Green and Ancient Light by Frederic S. Durbin

nicolemhill's review against another edition

3.0

There is something timeless about this one. There's a sweetness of the fantasy that seems old-fashioned, though welcome. It gives me the same feeling as Ocean at the End of the Lane.

skylar2's review against another edition

5.0

A Green and Ancient Light is a book about a nine-year-old boy away from his city home, experiencing a strange new world. The narration is from the perspective of the boy, and does an excellent job of putting the reader into the mind of the boy. While the plot itself is compelling, the best part for me was the extremely vivid portrayal of the setting, which made it easy to imagine what the boy was experiencing as he explored.

aishoka's review against another edition

Lovely writing but just not right for my current mood.

bookwyrm_kate's review against another edition

5.0

I loved it. It was enchanting, nostalgic, romantic, mysterious, and wonderful. It felt like C.S. Lewis, or the Secret Garden, or a gentler Pan’s Labyrinth. I don’t suppose it would feel the same for everyone, but I felt it struck all the right notes, tugged my heart in all the right places, and was a gift to read. Not the type of gift you’re given, wrapped, with fanfare... the type you find hidden, covered in dust, in a long-forgotten chest, or attic, or garden.

overlookingcovers's review against another edition

2.0

I like to give books the benefit of the doubt. I bought this book off Book Outlet, and it was about $2.70 for this hardcover book that I had never seen before.

Good deal? Correct.

Good book? Debatable.

This book is supposed to be an historical fiction fantasy. Now, when I think that, I think of a book on the lines of Outlander or Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor (Into the Dim #1) . Books like that. Instead, the only thing in the fantasy genre I could find was a bloody faun

Full Review: https://overlookingcovers.wordpress.com/2017/10/28/a-green-and-ancient-light-by-frederic-s-durbin/

roseyt's review against another edition

Beautiful writing but I was just not captured by the story or characters. 

isabelrs's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

roseparis's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bennysbooks's review against another edition

2.5

Totally fine, nothing remarkable. I would have enjoyed it in elementary school, likely. I have no complaints about the writing; it was lush and easily consumable. But Durbin tells a familiar story in a predictable way, adding nothing new to the tropes or in the telling - which is why I find the Gaiman comparisons baffling. At the most basic level... perhaps? But what Gaiman does best is tilt familiar stories on their head, and this book didn't even attempt that. I would compare it to Pan's Labyrinth (but cozy), or Narnia (but less sweepingly mythical), before I would Gaiman. Regardless, it's not the sort of thing that speaks to me presently, though I can understand the appeal to those looking for an unchallenging, atmospheric, and cozy read. 

erj_t's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0