Beyond Mulberry Glen

Age recommendations: 8-13 (Girls will probably enjoy this quite a bit more than boys)

Summary:

Lydia is an adventurous eleven year old who has spent all her life in her home in Mulberry Glen with a mismatched family of a fairy, philosopher, and two troublemaking twins known as the Zs. And she is perfectly happy with her life. However when a visit to the town brings news of a spreading darkness her happy life is clouded with shadow. And when a foolish choice made by the Zs puts her family in danger, she knows that nothing can go back to the way it was until the darkness is destroyed. Aided by her newfound friends Lydia embarks on a daring quest to stop the Zs.

My Review:

This book is fantastic! It starts off slow, and honestly doesn't really pick up until the end, so slower readers may get bored, but hang in there! In illustrations, dust jacket, and design the book lacks nothing at all! It is beautiful! Also all the chapter titles are in Latin, which adds an extra bit of fairy tale feal, and is just fun for nerdy people like me. This story is a book of triumph over darkness, and we need more of those kinds of books. It is a heart felt tail of love, sacrifice and the pains and joys of growing up, which are a key theme. The one low point I had was the climax was slightly anticlimactic, but the writing style was beautiful and made it worth it!

Good quote:

“You say you do not want anything to change, Lydia, but you are changing even as we speak. If you stay here, you will grow up, as you ought to. Change is not a gate we pass through; it is the definition of life.” -Pit

Concerns:

None, but it does have a slightly magical feel.

Overall rating: 3 out of 5