missprint_'s review
3.0
I don't have a lot to say about this one. It seems lovely and evocative and ostensibly like a very me book. But I found that it also read very young. This book is one of those fuzzy ones that is YA because the character is around 15 but really it should be a middle grade novel. Everything about the narrative voice screams MG to me and while that's fine it's just not what I wanted from this one so I decided to set it aside and move on to other books.
taun's review
4.0
A beautifully atmospheric book with a lilting writing style & gorgeous use of prose & poetry. The author’s use of imagery is stunning & effective, pulling you straight into the mind & world of the characters.
I very much loved this story of Clare, who returns at last to her native Ireland with her father, who’s ready to put the beloved ashes on the mantle to their final rest. Their home, a hewn cavern with rock walls, dirt floor, & a yew tree growing up through it, is too old to date, and just the beginning of this magical fairy tale, inspired by Celtic lore.
Clare, remembering her earliest days, creeps into the crevice of the Yew tree and into the in-between of her world & Fairy. Finn, her always companion is there waiting. Together, they fight the corruption of evil Balor, as he tries to destroy the link between their worlds.
Personal note: no offensive language, innuendos, or mature themes. Some dark events that may not be okay for sensitive readers.
I very much loved this story of Clare, who returns at last to her native Ireland with her father, who’s ready to put the beloved ashes on the mantle to their final rest. Their home, a hewn cavern with rock walls, dirt floor, & a yew tree growing up through it, is too old to date, and just the beginning of this magical fairy tale, inspired by Celtic lore.
Clare, remembering her earliest days, creeps into the crevice of the Yew tree and into the in-between of her world & Fairy. Finn, her always companion is there waiting. Together, they fight the corruption of evil Balor, as he tries to destroy the link between their worlds.
Personal note: no offensive language, innuendos, or mature themes. Some dark events that may not be okay for sensitive readers.
raciethereader's review
2.0
I got a free galley if this book through Penguin's First to Read program. I found tge flowery writing and fairy tale 3rd person POV kept me from ever engaging with the characters or finding the story compelling. The writing is reminiscent of Neil Gaiman so if you love his books, you might want to give this a try.
pocketeditionliz's review
So I couldn't bring myself to finish this. I was reading it via audiobook and the narrator was great, but the book itself just wasn't to my liking. The main reason was the because the characters were not created well. And they just seemed aloof, even in stressful situations. The main character (whose name I can't even remember. And I have been listening to it for a few weeks now) is just kinda ... ugh... dumb? And she has literally no backbone but shes "stubborn?" The book has described as stubborn on more than one occasion and I'm just like no. She is not stubborn she's a ditzy teenager doesn't seem to really absorb any information. She's just all feelings. Which is fine, I guess, but it creates a character that seems so aggravating.
The setting is no good either. The author gives enough to build a picture in your mind but it could use more to create the kind of fey magic thing she was going for. Instead she alternates between being super detailed to being vague. Then there is the plot.
I wasn't even half way through book and I got to the part where I was thinking, whelp guess it's almost over. But no! There were still like 5 hrs left in the book! So, in my opinion, with the way the story was moving I thought I was at the climax of the book. That was a kind of a let down and then I really didn't feel like reading it after that.
So, I guess my big issue with this book is it seems incomplete and not connected well enough. The characters need some brains, the setting needs consistency, and the plot needs to slow down and explain itself a little better.
Oh, just cuzzzz, I've tried reading another book by this author (a middle grade novel) and ran into the same problems. So, meh.
The setting is no good either. The author gives enough to build a picture in your mind but it could use more to create the kind of fey magic thing she was going for. Instead she alternates between being super detailed to being vague. Then there is the plot.
I wasn't even half way through book and I got to the part where I was thinking, whelp guess it's almost over. But no! There were still like 5 hrs left in the book! So, in my opinion, with the way the story was moving I thought I was at the climax of the book. That was a kind of a let down and then I really didn't feel like reading it after that.
So, I guess my big issue with this book is it seems incomplete and not connected well enough. The characters need some brains, the setting needs consistency, and the plot needs to slow down and explain itself a little better.
Oh, just cuzzzz, I've tried reading another book by this author (a middle grade novel) and ran into the same problems. So, meh.
kaylee_jenkins's review
5.0
I felt like reading this book was a dream. You just floated along and went with the flow kinda thing. It is not a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat or make you beg to find out what happens next. It is like wading through a dream world, slow and peaceful with the occasional nightmare that startles you. I loved the writing style - it really gave it that dreamy feel.
jmmeyer's review
2.0
Meh. It just didn't work for me. Mostly the writing style, ugh. Didn't work for me at all. There were some awesome concepts and ideas though so I'm bummed.
foreveryoungadult's review
Graded By: Savannah
Cover Story: Dazzling
BFF Charm: Meh
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: The Long and Winding Road
Bonus Factor: Ireland
Relationship Status: Once Upon a Dream
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Dazzling
BFF Charm: Meh
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Talky Talk: The Long and Winding Road
Bonus Factor: Ireland
Relationship Status: Once Upon a Dream
Read the full book report here.
marita379's review
3.0
I expected too much from this book, and it is not to blame for this 3 (well, 3 1/2) rating. I wanted the magic of Summer and Bird, recaptured, but Summer and Bird was only as magic as it is unique and to ask for a copy would be unfair.
This book, on its own merit, is a good faery novel, full of details and little nods and fairy makings and i am glad I read it.
This book, on its own merit, is a good faery novel, full of details and little nods and fairy makings and i am glad I read it.