Aislin is a true princess and putting her people first is her priority. With a childlike love and faith in the people surrounding her, she also has a clear sense of right and wrong, justice, and what’s worth fighting for. When she has the opportunity to choose her team, she doesn’t just choose the prettiest or the best connected. Believing teamwork is important, she chooses wisely. The author, E.D. Baker, has done a good job portraying Aislin and her all girl team in a delightful, strong, and respectful light.
The story is lively and full of lovely imagery. They inhabit an enchanting world filled with beautiful color and imaginative creatures. With everything from fairies to trolls, there’s never a dull moment. From the first page to the last, this was an enjoyable read. This book may also be a hit for fans of Stephanie Burgis. The one downside is that Aislin’s immediate world is pretty perfect. Even though she faces challenges and has to use her brain to get through them and around them, it’s a bit like she goes through a battle and doesn’t ever tear her dress or break a fingernail. Nevertheless, she remains a good role model.
It was also enjoyable to see how the author doesn’t use language that could be considered watered down. The author’s use of language and vocabulary, while making it understandable for younger readers, is beautifully balanced. Magic is used throughout the book but not in an overwhelming way and the characters are expected to use it responsibly and for the good of others. It’s not a hocus-pocus kind of magic but rather a natural ability that some of the characters are born with. This is book two and there could easily be a third that would make a great addition to the story line. There’s enough back story in the book that it’s not completely necessary to read book one first.
Review of an Advance Reading Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: None
Violence/Gore: A scary creature tried to grab a young teen girl; trolls are gathering eggs in order to eat them; multiple creatures eat multiple trolls and a spriggan (a child sized mythical human type creature), multiple mentions, not descriptive or gory; an old story of people who came to the mountain, got lost in caves, and died, mention of bones, no gross descriptions; mention of a young woman who let herself be abducted in book 1 for the sake of the people in the castle; a young man traps fairies; a young teen girl was abducted by a young man, the young man gets a bloody nose as a result; someone is shooting at the Fairies and trying to deliberately hurt them; a young teen girl was dragged underwater and almost drowned, mention of some blood; a battle between fairies and trolls; during a long battle, several trolls fall in a lake and are eaten by a creature.
Sex/Nudity: A kiss without permission.
Mature Subject Matter:
Abduction, trapping creatures, “people” eaten, “people” intent on evil.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
A young man drugged a young teen girl before abducting her.
