Review by Booklist Review
In Winterling (2012), Fer defeated the Mor to become Lady of the Summerlands. In this follow-up, she defends her claim while struggling to determine how to rule and whom she can trust. The story of her puck friend Rook is explored more fully as he wrestles with competing loyalties to his brother pucks and Fer. Summoned by the High Ones, Fer must compete for the title of Lady of the Summerlands. What price is she willing to pay to win? Is it worth going against her convictions or ignoring a chance to heal someone in pain? This solid sequel will please fans of the first and, once again, they'll root for the strong female character.--Harold, Suzanne Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Returning to the Summerlands, the fairy world where she became Lady in Winterling, Fer must defend her title at a contest set by the High Ones. She chooses helping others (including her undependable puck friend Rook) over winning but fears that the unscrupulous fairy Arenthiel might get the crown. Old pagan lore, wild nature, and tests of conscience combine for a well-constructed magical plot. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A middle-grade fantasy sequel strives for lyricism but has to settle for earnestness. After Fer defeated the wicked, usurping Mr, she felt connected to the Summerlands, her mother's magical domain, as Lady. Now she must confirm her claim in a series of contests or risk being barred from the enchanted realms forever. But the High Ones hold the half-human Fer in contempt, and they despise her best friend, the puck Rook, for the treacherous ways of his kind. Fer is determined to prove herself a worthy Lady; Rook, however, is equally set on demonstrating that no puck can be tamed. While this title shows flashes of the same quiet depth and lovely imagery of its predecessor (Winterling, 2012), it mostly adheres to clichd fairy-tale formulas that promote simplistic morality. Fer becomes a less compelling heroine, displaying a navet that turns "compassion" and "trust" into demonstrable irresponsibility and stupidity; moreover, for all her professed acknowledgment of cultural differences between worlds, she not only stubbornly insists on the superiority of her own values, but eventually imposes them on others by force. A disappointment; but the beauty of the Summerlands and the graceful prose that captures it still bring hope for further books in the series. (Fantasy. 10-14)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
