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Wildworld #1
The Night of the Solstice
Four children--Claudia, Alys, Charles, and Jamie--join forces with a talking vixen to rescue the vixen's mistress, the sorceress Morgana Shee, and stop the evil sorcerer Cadal Forge before he can pass through a gate to Earth during the Winter Solstice
231 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 1987
58 people are currently reading
1859 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Smith
333 books112k followersSmith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.
Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”
She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
April 14, 2010
Maybe I'm old (I'm not really old) but I already feel this horrible disconnect between my generation and the generations after me. Its like how you wonder about your parent's musical tastes. I'm nor sure if young adults would like this book. I think that culture has moved on. I think now things are more polished, or flashier, more complicated, or more SOMETHING that I cannot put my finger on because I am 30 (see, not really old). Besides, they have Twilight for their generation. A poor substitute, but I'm not the intended audience anymore so what do I know?
But when I was eleven....oh my did I LOVE this book. I loved everything L.J. Smith wrote. But this one seemed different. Her writing voice seemed clearer, and I related to the characters. They were siblings, after all, and most people know how they deal with siblings. Later on her books became about forbidden and tragic romance and when you are that young you can IMAGINE being in love but not in a realistic way.
My copy of this book is DESTROYED with re-readings through the years and maybe I'm holding onto it out of nostalgia instead of its inherent literary value but I stand by the idea that it is a gem in the genre even today.
But when I was eleven....oh my did I LOVE this book. I loved everything L.J. Smith wrote. But this one seemed different. Her writing voice seemed clearer, and I related to the characters. They were siblings, after all, and most people know how they deal with siblings. Later on her books became about forbidden and tragic romance and when you are that young you can IMAGINE being in love but not in a realistic way.
My copy of this book is DESTROYED with re-readings through the years and maybe I'm holding onto it out of nostalgia instead of its inherent literary value but I stand by the idea that it is a gem in the genre even today.
November 13, 2013
When I first picked up this book I thought the author L.J. Smith was 'Little John Smith', the former tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles and that he had just branched into writing young-reader fantasy novels, but part of the way in I realized he wasn't capable of writing something this bad and that I was actually reading this chick. Once I got over my initial shock and disappointment I really tried to force myself to enjoy this book, kind of like when your wife forces you to see Twilight for the 7th time, but deep down you know you'd rather let steroid raging boxers use your nut sack as a speed bag than sit through this again.
To briefly summarize, this book is about 4 siblings, Alys, Janie, Charles and Claudia, who meet some talking badger, or something, who tells them they have to jump into a mirror to save a smoking hot sorceress from some evil guy before the winter solstice.
The characters are so poorly developed I found myself frequently wishing for their capture and torture just to spice it up a bit. I'd actually forget their names in between readings. And the word choice was a bad case of someone falling in love with their thesaurus a little too much. Look, I've read worse, like The Rogue's Hour, but is that really the endorsement you want for a book you're considering reading?
To briefly summarize, this book is about 4 siblings, Alys, Janie, Charles and Claudia, who meet some talking badger, or something, who tells them they have to jump into a mirror to save a smoking hot sorceress from some evil guy before the winter solstice.
The characters are so poorly developed I found myself frequently wishing for their capture and torture just to spice it up a bit. I'd actually forget their names in between readings. And the word choice was a bad case of someone falling in love with their thesaurus a little too much. Look, I've read worse, like The Rogue's Hour, but is that really the endorsement you want for a book you're considering reading?
July 5, 2011
A nice, solid, traditional kids-save-the-world adventure fantasy, featuring four diverse siblings who are randomly asked for help by a familiar when her sorceress is taken prisoner by old enemies in an alternate dimension.
There are definite weaknesses, but a good, fun first novel showing touches of imagination and humor. My favorite scene was where, instead of the traditional riddle contest, the girls have to win a game of Question against a subterranean monster.
I'm glad to have finally gotten a copy of this, even if it is many years after reading the stronger sequel, Heart Of Valor.
There are definite weaknesses, but a good, fun first novel showing touches of imagination and humor. My favorite scene was where, instead of the traditional riddle contest, the girls have to win a game of Question against a subterranean monster.
I'm glad to have finally gotten a copy of this, even if it is many years after reading the stronger sequel, Heart Of Valor.
January 29, 2020
I loved Heart of Valour when I first found it 24 years ago, and I didn't find NoS until about 10 years ago. So i enjoyed the beginning of the Wildworld series very, very much.
I prefer this series to LJ Smith's NightWorld series. This series is my favourite, then the Secret Circle, and then the Night World series.
I prefer this series to LJ Smith's NightWorld series. This series is my favourite, then the Secret Circle, and then the Night World series.
June 12, 2019
The Night of the Solstice is book 1 in the Wildworld series.
I'm pretty sure I've read this book before, but I think that may have been before I created my Goodreads account.
This was a good little grade book, with some adventure and fantasy and loads of witchcraft.
I'm pretty sure I've read this book before, but I think that may have been before I created my Goodreads account.
This was a good little grade book, with some adventure and fantasy and loads of witchcraft.
June 17, 2008
I first started reading L.J. Smith almost a decade ago. I finished all the books of the Nightworld series, The Vampire Diaries series and the trilogies: The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Dark Visions. While impatient for the final Nightworld book to come out, I drifted to read other authors and series.
Recently I got re-interested in LJ Smith and was surprised to find out from her Wikipedia page she had two "companion novels" out. The Night of the Solstice being the first and The Heart of Valor being its concluding book. And these two books before all the others I've read. So I dithered and waited a few days after I found out the existence of this book before I crumpled and bought it.
The four Hodges-Bradley children - little Claudia, the twins Charles and Janie and the eldest sister Alys - are summoned to help find the witch Morgana trapped in the Wildworld in order to prevent an evil sorcerer from coming in our world (the Stillworld) on the solstice and wreaking havoc. Her house has mirrors used as Passages between the worlds.
I found this book rather different from Smith's other books, or perhaps the years have blurred my memory. The children seem more believable with their selfish motives, acts, and hurtful, sarcastic words. Some of the witches are believable with their haughty behavior, whereas others get too little time in the book to be nothing more than the typical villain/antagonist who has not a bit of good left in themselves. A bit more detail into the male villain's torture at the hands of the Inquisition would have made the story a little more fleshed out. However, as her first book written in the late 1980's and geared towards children/young teens (heehee) it isn't all that bad.
Recently I got re-interested in LJ Smith and was surprised to find out from her Wikipedia page she had two "companion novels" out. The Night of the Solstice being the first and The Heart of Valor being its concluding book. And these two books before all the others I've read. So I dithered and waited a few days after I found out the existence of this book before I crumpled and bought it.
The four Hodges-Bradley children - little Claudia, the twins Charles and Janie and the eldest sister Alys - are summoned to help find the witch Morgana trapped in the Wildworld in order to prevent an evil sorcerer from coming in our world (the Stillworld) on the solstice and wreaking havoc. Her house has mirrors used as Passages between the worlds.
I found this book rather different from Smith's other books, or perhaps the years have blurred my memory. The children seem more believable with their selfish motives, acts, and hurtful, sarcastic words. Some of the witches are believable with their haughty behavior, whereas others get too little time in the book to be nothing more than the typical villain/antagonist who has not a bit of good left in themselves. A bit more detail into the male villain's torture at the hands of the Inquisition would have made the story a little more fleshed out. However, as her first book written in the late 1980's and geared towards children/young teens (heehee) it isn't all that bad.
September 11, 2015
The Night of the solstice is one of my favorite children books.
February 6, 2018
When I found a copy if this book in a charity shop last weekend and read the back, I knew it seemed familiar. As if I had read it before but I couldn't remember when or how.
This morning I decided to give it a go and I read the entire book in one day.
The first few chapters of the book I had certainly read before, the rest I could not remember. But now I am very glad I didn't stop reading :)
This is not one of these flashy, crazy fantasy stories. No, this story is more...intense? Calm? Captivating?
The characters are amazingly different from each other and yet they all seem to get along well enough. Real magic only happens in the five last chapters of the book and before that, the magic is more subtle and passive.
This was certainly one of the best books I have read in a while!
This morning I decided to give it a go and I read the entire book in one day.
The first few chapters of the book I had certainly read before, the rest I could not remember. But now I am very glad I didn't stop reading :)
This is not one of these flashy, crazy fantasy stories. No, this story is more...intense? Calm? Captivating?
The characters are amazingly different from each other and yet they all seem to get along well enough. Real magic only happens in the five last chapters of the book and before that, the magic is more subtle and passive.
This was certainly one of the best books I have read in a while!
July 21, 2019
I have to admit I'm rather surprised I enjoyed this book. I didn't expect to enjoy a teenage cliche kids save the world, but I did. I didn't find it cringe which was a wow. The writing was decent and readable.
What I didn't like is the poor world building and characters had minimum development. We found out almost nothing about the world and how their magic works, I would like to know waaay more. Some parts were naive and most was predictable, but I still enjoyed it.
What I didn't like is the poor world building and characters had minimum development. We found out almost nothing about the world and how their magic works, I would like to know waaay more. Some parts were naive and most was predictable, but I still enjoyed it.
June 22, 2020
This was really good! Not that I'd expect anything else for L.J. Smith, but even so - really good, really held my attention, not too slow, quite impressed ☺
June 16, 2019
It is quite fast paced, everything happens in 4-5 days within 2 weeks.
June 21, 2020
The problem with reading books intended for younger audiences is that it can be very hard to put ones mind back to the age group the book is intended for. As such, my adult mind was saying things like, “They actually expect the ‘doll under the bedcovers’ trick to actual fool parents?” and, “Does anyone not know how to solve that trick/riddle/game?” at regular intervals while reading Night of the Solstice.
The writing style was nothing special. It didn’t stand out as particularly amazing or particularly bad. However, that wasn’t necessarily a drawback, as sometimes with books the writing style can actually detract from enjoyment of the story being told, whether the style is good or bad, and in this case I could just move with the words and see the story unfold instead of being wowed or disgusting with phrasing or horrible copyediting. Not sure if that’s a bonus. Let’s call it a neutral point, but still one worth commenting on.
The story itself was quite interesting. A group of siblings discover that magic is real and that they need to save a sorceress in order to stop a bunch of people from another world punching through the fabric between worlds and causing all kinds of chaos. Not sparkling original, I’ll grant you, but still fun, and there are a thousand and one ways that story can be told in an entertaining fashion. Mixing some Celtic mythology, the hidden history of this world, and playing around with some fantasy elements to make a creative and interesting setting was pretty well done here, and I like the effect. The world the children end up in isn’t overly analyzed or picked apart, it isn’t glorified or put down. It just is. And so much was glossed over because of the pressing needs of the questing kids, but that in itself lends a bit more magic to the Wildworld. You can’t help but wonder what you’re not seeing.
For those who enjoy a good mid-grade fantasy, or for those who have or who know children who’d enjoy a good epic fantasy quest, I do recommend this book. For most, though, this book is a take-it-or-leave-it kind of book. It kills some time on the bus, but ultimately my life wasn’t changed by reading it.
Won’t stop me from reading the sequel, though!
The writing style was nothing special. It didn’t stand out as particularly amazing or particularly bad. However, that wasn’t necessarily a drawback, as sometimes with books the writing style can actually detract from enjoyment of the story being told, whether the style is good or bad, and in this case I could just move with the words and see the story unfold instead of being wowed or disgusting with phrasing or horrible copyediting. Not sure if that’s a bonus. Let’s call it a neutral point, but still one worth commenting on.
The story itself was quite interesting. A group of siblings discover that magic is real and that they need to save a sorceress in order to stop a bunch of people from another world punching through the fabric between worlds and causing all kinds of chaos. Not sparkling original, I’ll grant you, but still fun, and there are a thousand and one ways that story can be told in an entertaining fashion. Mixing some Celtic mythology, the hidden history of this world, and playing around with some fantasy elements to make a creative and interesting setting was pretty well done here, and I like the effect. The world the children end up in isn’t overly analyzed or picked apart, it isn’t glorified or put down. It just is. And so much was glossed over because of the pressing needs of the questing kids, but that in itself lends a bit more magic to the Wildworld. You can’t help but wonder what you’re not seeing.
For those who enjoy a good mid-grade fantasy, or for those who have or who know children who’d enjoy a good epic fantasy quest, I do recommend this book. For most, though, this book is a take-it-or-leave-it kind of book. It kills some time on the bus, but ultimately my life wasn’t changed by reading it.
Won’t stop me from reading the sequel, though!
August 13, 2010
The Good Stuff
* Magic, sorcerers, flying serpents, talking foxes and lots of adventure!
* Intriguing bad guys/gals
* Wonderfully real and interesting characters
* You won't want to put it down
* Reminded me a little of Lion Witch and Wardrobe without the religious imagery. Not really the story but the way the children worked together. Very real sibling relationships.
* Fantastic opening that really grabs your attention and draws you into the story
* Looking forward to the next book in the series "Heart of Valor"
* Great epic fantasy quest for the younger set
The Not so Good Stuff
* A wee bit predictable, but just a wee bit
* Again irritated by the fact that the parents are useless and out of touch
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Yes, you! Why do you think I have wasted all this time recounting the history of Wildfolk? For my own amusement? I need help, and you four have able bodies and fair to middling minds. Or so I thought."
"You are responsible for what will happen to you next, you are the creator of your own future."
"Do you think Morgana would let me trade in my Kryptonite for a dirt bike?"
What I Learned
* That I would love the ability to talk to animals
* I much prefer YA fantasy novels to those written for adults
Who should/shouldn't read
* Pretty much anyone who likes to lose themselves in a story
* The darkness/violence may be a little much for younger readers
* Thinking my neighbors daughter is going to love this
4 Dewey's
* Magic, sorcerers, flying serpents, talking foxes and lots of adventure!
* Intriguing bad guys/gals
* Wonderfully real and interesting characters
* You won't want to put it down
* Reminded me a little of Lion Witch and Wardrobe without the religious imagery. Not really the story but the way the children worked together. Very real sibling relationships.
* Fantastic opening that really grabs your attention and draws you into the story
* Looking forward to the next book in the series "Heart of Valor"
* Great epic fantasy quest for the younger set
The Not so Good Stuff
* A wee bit predictable, but just a wee bit
* Again irritated by the fact that the parents are useless and out of touch
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"Yes, you! Why do you think I have wasted all this time recounting the history of Wildfolk? For my own amusement? I need help, and you four have able bodies and fair to middling minds. Or so I thought."
"You are responsible for what will happen to you next, you are the creator of your own future."
"Do you think Morgana would let me trade in my Kryptonite for a dirt bike?"
What I Learned
* That I would love the ability to talk to animals
* I much prefer YA fantasy novels to those written for adults
Who should/shouldn't read
* Pretty much anyone who likes to lose themselves in a story
* The darkness/violence may be a little much for younger readers
* Thinking my neighbors daughter is going to love this
4 Dewey's
January 19, 2011
The story itself was quite interesting. A group of siblings discover that magic is real and that they need to save a sorceress in order to stop a bunch of people from another world punching through the fabric between worlds and causing all kinds of chaos. Not sparkling original, I'll grant you, but still fun, and there are a thousand and one ways that story can be told in an entertaining fashion. Mixing some Celtic mythology, the hidden history of this world, and playing around with some fantasy elements to make a creative and interesting setting was pretty well done here, and I like the effect. The world the children end up in isn't overly analyzed or picked apart, it isn't glorified or put down. It just is. And so much was glossed over because of the pressing needs of the questing kids, but that in itself lends a bit more magic to the Wildworld. You can't help but wonder what you're not seeing.
For those who enjoy a good mid-grade fantasy, or for those who have or who know children who'd enjoy a good epic fantasy quest, I do recommend this book. For most, though, this book is a take-it-or-leave-it kind of book. It kills some time, but ultimately my life wasn't changed by reading it.
Won't stop me from reading the sequel, though!
For those who enjoy a good mid-grade fantasy, or for those who have or who know children who'd enjoy a good epic fantasy quest, I do recommend this book. For most, though, this book is a take-it-or-leave-it kind of book. It kills some time, but ultimately my life wasn't changed by reading it.
Won't stop me from reading the sequel, though!
June 13, 2010
36 books/2010
My relationship with L.J. Smith started while I was in middle school, about 1997. I devoured her books. She was my favorite author and first fandom. At the time, several of her novels were already out of print, including this one and its sequel. It was quite a feat trying to find an affordable copy. I never did. So, I was filled with childish delight when I learned that this book was back in print.
Beyond that, I was weary because I was disappointed by Nightfall. However, I was absolutely pleased by Night of the Solstice. Intended for younger readers than her Night World series, I thought it was original and unpredictable.
My relationship with L.J. Smith started while I was in middle school, about 1997. I devoured her books. She was my favorite author and first fandom. At the time, several of her novels were already out of print, including this one and its sequel. It was quite a feat trying to find an affordable copy. I never did. So, I was filled with childish delight when I learned that this book was back in print.
Beyond that, I was weary because I was disappointed by Nightfall. However, I was absolutely pleased by Night of the Solstice. Intended for younger readers than her Night World series, I thought it was original and unpredictable.
Read
April 20, 2015I think Alys must be related to Rosalind Penderwick or Kendra Sorenson? It seems like they have the same sort of responsible personalities. Now I know that doesn't just come from being the oldest, because my oldest brother is definitely nothing like this. There must be something to it that I'm not completely understanding. I really suspect they were all relatives, hence all of them knowing about magic (except Rosalind. But someone still wrote a book about her, so maybe someone was recording their family history).
That was a good trick they played during the question game, and it does work in real life, for the record. Used it on my brother.
That was a good trick they played during the question game, and it does work in real life, for the record. Used it on my brother.
July 22, 2025
I read this to my 9 year old and she was hooked! reading this again as an adult was fun, but i can definitely tell this was L.J. Smith's first book. it's overwritten, and many of the descriptions she uses make no sense. but it's fast, lush, overdescriptive, and fun. We are gonna read Heart of Valor next
September 16, 2020
I loved this book, and its sequel, so much when I was about 12. I decided to reread it. Of course it's a bit different to an adult's eyes, but it's still a fun, magical, coming of age book. If you have an early teen, this is a nice one.
April 2, 2022
I honestly didn't find the book bad it was nice its definitely for people under tge age of 12 cs its a bid childesh vut i liked it. It talks about 4 kids go to save there world from the villans who want to destroy it and like majic and stuff it was interesting
June 27, 2022
⭐⭐
Fantasy carino, ma troppo per bambini
Opera prima dell'autrice di "The Vampire Diaries" - che avevo provato a leggere ma ho smollato sdegnatissima perché nun se po' fa'! Pure al trash c'è un limite e la protagonista la vorresti prendere a sberle sulle pupille! - è un fantasy carino che tira in ballo le streghe e un sistema magico in parte originale, peccato che non lo spieghi fino in fondo.
La Smith ci porta in California e ci presenta 4 ragazzini di età compresa tra i 7 e i 16 anni, tutti fratelli/sorelle.
La più piccola, Claudia, si imbatte in una volpe parlante che si scopre essere il famiglio di Morgana Shee, una delle più potenti streghe di WildWorld, Mondo Parallelo abitato da streghe e creature magiche separato dal Mondo Immobile degli Umani. A causa di problemi molto gravi relativi all'epoca della Caccia alle Streghe, alle creature magiche è fatto divieto di viaggiare tra i due mondi. Pena, la perdita completa dei poteri. Può farlo solo Morgana perché in parte Quislai, essere fatato che ha per natura la capacità di viaggiare tra i mondi.
Morgana costruisce una Casa nel Mondo Umano ed ogni stanza è collegata alla rispettiva stanza del WildWolrld per mezzo di specchi, che ne diventano i portali.
E visto che La Notte del Solstizio d'Inverno è la sola notte dell'anno in cui è possibile a tutti gli esseri magici di utilizzare liberamente i passaggi, Cadal Forge - terribile stregone con una bella sacchettata di motivi di vendetta nei confronti degli umani - attua un piano diabolico per sterminare la razza umana. E visto che Morgana decide di fermarlo, se la rifà con lei.
La volpe decide di intervenire e salvare la sua padrona, chiedendo l'aiuto di Claudia e dei suoi fratelli e sorelle. Non ci è dato sapere perché.
Sorvolando sull'insensatezza di chiedere aiuto a una nidiata di bimbetti senza alcuna capacità magica, devo dire che il libro non è malaccio.
Per me 2 stelline su 5 in genere significano: si fa leggere. Mi addentro per spiegare il mio voto.
Il libro è parecchio per bambini, almeno secondo un mio registro personale - e, di conseguenza, sindacabile. Ho fatto fatica a entrare nella storia, e di base la noia mi è sempre rimasta un pochino appiccicata addosso.
Lo stile della Smith non è male, e neppure la caratterizzazione dei personaggi. Però è come se la storia fosse indirizzata a un pubblico di ragazzini e/o bambini quindi, nonostante le trovate siano plausibili e originali non sono mai riuscita davvero né a empatizzare con nessuno e neppure a sentire mai la voglia di prendere in mano il libro per proseguire con la storia.
Il vero e proprio difetto del libro è forse la spiegazione del sistema magico, che risulta un pochino carente. Le streghe e gli stregoni presentati sono abbastanza "classici" e ci propongono incantesimi, strumenti e formule tipici. Però la Smith introduce come strumenti degli evocatori delle verghe, ognuna contraddistinta da un diverso colore e ci fa capire - in alcuni casi più o meno distintamente - che esiste una gerarchia di queste verghe, e di conseguenza una differenza di prestigio e potere nel possederle. Però non ci spiega mai quale sia questa gerarchia, quali i poteri associati e neppure le motivazioni che hanno portato a possederle.
Trattandosi del primo libro di una saga, può darsi che questa lacuna abbastanza importante sia stata successivamente colmata, ma siccome io leggo esclusivamente in lingua italiana e i libri successivi a questo non sono mai stati tradotti nella nostra lingua, dubito che lo scoprirò.
Non che la cosa mi levi il sonno.
Invece un bel world building che non mi è dispiaciuto. Forse avrei preferito che mi mostrasse di più del Wild Wolrld. Ma ci può stare.
Insomma, un libro non male ma forse per me è passata la data di scadenza per la lettura.
Fantasy carino, ma troppo per bambini
Opera prima dell'autrice di "The Vampire Diaries" - che avevo provato a leggere ma ho smollato sdegnatissima perché nun se po' fa'! Pure al trash c'è un limite e la protagonista la vorresti prendere a sberle sulle pupille! - è un fantasy carino che tira in ballo le streghe e un sistema magico in parte originale, peccato che non lo spieghi fino in fondo.
La Smith ci porta in California e ci presenta 4 ragazzini di età compresa tra i 7 e i 16 anni, tutti fratelli/sorelle.
La più piccola, Claudia, si imbatte in una volpe parlante che si scopre essere il famiglio di Morgana Shee, una delle più potenti streghe di WildWorld, Mondo Parallelo abitato da streghe e creature magiche separato dal Mondo Immobile degli Umani. A causa di problemi molto gravi relativi all'epoca della Caccia alle Streghe, alle creature magiche è fatto divieto di viaggiare tra i due mondi. Pena, la perdita completa dei poteri. Può farlo solo Morgana perché in parte Quislai, essere fatato che ha per natura la capacità di viaggiare tra i mondi.
Morgana costruisce una Casa nel Mondo Umano ed ogni stanza è collegata alla rispettiva stanza del WildWolrld per mezzo di specchi, che ne diventano i portali.
E visto che La Notte del Solstizio d'Inverno è la sola notte dell'anno in cui è possibile a tutti gli esseri magici di utilizzare liberamente i passaggi, Cadal Forge - terribile stregone con una bella sacchettata di motivi di vendetta nei confronti degli umani - attua un piano diabolico per sterminare la razza umana. E visto che Morgana decide di fermarlo, se la rifà con lei.
La volpe decide di intervenire e salvare la sua padrona, chiedendo l'aiuto di Claudia e dei suoi fratelli e sorelle. Non ci è dato sapere perché.
Sorvolando sull'insensatezza di chiedere aiuto a una nidiata di bimbetti senza alcuna capacità magica, devo dire che il libro non è malaccio.
Per me 2 stelline su 5 in genere significano: si fa leggere. Mi addentro per spiegare il mio voto.
Il libro è parecchio per bambini, almeno secondo un mio registro personale - e, di conseguenza, sindacabile. Ho fatto fatica a entrare nella storia, e di base la noia mi è sempre rimasta un pochino appiccicata addosso.
Lo stile della Smith non è male, e neppure la caratterizzazione dei personaggi. Però è come se la storia fosse indirizzata a un pubblico di ragazzini e/o bambini quindi, nonostante le trovate siano plausibili e originali non sono mai riuscita davvero né a empatizzare con nessuno e neppure a sentire mai la voglia di prendere in mano il libro per proseguire con la storia.
Il vero e proprio difetto del libro è forse la spiegazione del sistema magico, che risulta un pochino carente. Le streghe e gli stregoni presentati sono abbastanza "classici" e ci propongono incantesimi, strumenti e formule tipici. Però la Smith introduce come strumenti degli evocatori delle verghe, ognuna contraddistinta da un diverso colore e ci fa capire - in alcuni casi più o meno distintamente - che esiste una gerarchia di queste verghe, e di conseguenza una differenza di prestigio e potere nel possederle. Però non ci spiega mai quale sia questa gerarchia, quali i poteri associati e neppure le motivazioni che hanno portato a possederle.
Trattandosi del primo libro di una saga, può darsi che questa lacuna abbastanza importante sia stata successivamente colmata, ma siccome io leggo esclusivamente in lingua italiana e i libri successivi a questo non sono mai stati tradotti nella nostra lingua, dubito che lo scoprirò.
Non che la cosa mi levi il sonno.
Invece un bel world building che non mi è dispiaciuto. Forse avrei preferito che mi mostrasse di più del Wild Wolrld. Ma ci può stare.
Insomma, un libro non male ma forse per me è passata la data di scadenza per la lettura.
January 13, 2024
I found this book which I bought for my daughter years ago and thought this looked really cool - I mean it starts with a talking vixen, Then there was too much of an info dump early on and I almost abandoned it. I've just been reading Robert Louis Stevenson and the prose naturally wasn't of that caliber (though at least it was all in standard English). But I decided to persevere a bit longer and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it so much I whizzed through it.
It features four siblings of diverse ages (the eldest in high school) who have disappointed their parents by never spending time together, but the world-threatening emergency they've been asked to help with changes that. Each of them learns and grows in different ways.
The Wildworld they enter is fascinating and beautiful and sometimes horrible, as are the varied creatures they meet there. I especially enjoyed Elwyn, a lovely child-like immortal, who seems incapable of being serious or responsible. But one of the children manages to frighten her, an unprecedented feat which induces her to do more good than anyone would have thought possible.
I've read a lot of kids' fantasies and it's interesting how different ones handle the issue of adults in their lives. Do their parents or guardians have a clue about what's happening? If so, how do they handle it? And what about the police? There are so many different ways of handling this. I like the way this author did it - it seemed like a disaster at first, but worked out quite well in the end.
She did make a factual error - apparently a certain terrible event could only happen "when the full moon rises at midnight" on the night of the winter solstice. The full moon, as my husband has been telling me for years (ever since he took Astronomy for an easy A) can never rise at midnight - it rises around the time of sunset, though of course this varies with the time of year. So we can be assured that the world would have been safe even if the children and their allies had not succeeded at their arduous tasks.
I may or may not read any of the sequels (we have the next one around here somewhere), but one thing I appreciate is that you don't have to - it ends well, though there are definitely things for a new book to jump off from.
You might want to keep this away from very sensitive kids till they're ten or twelve, as there are vague allusions to torture, but some might enjoy it at seven or eight, the age of the youngest heroine. I believe it is aimed at middle-grade readers. There is some disobedience to parents, but I think your kids are capable of understanding that nothing in their lives is likely to rise to the level of needing to save the world, so unlike these kids they need to do as they're told. The parents agree at the end that the children did well. The language is fine.
It features four siblings of diverse ages (the eldest in high school) who have disappointed their parents by never spending time together, but the world-threatening emergency they've been asked to help with changes that. Each of them learns and grows in different ways.
The Wildworld they enter is fascinating and beautiful and sometimes horrible, as are the varied creatures they meet there. I especially enjoyed Elwyn, a lovely child-like immortal, who seems incapable of being serious or responsible. But one of the children manages to frighten her, an unprecedented feat which induces her to do more good than anyone would have thought possible.
I've read a lot of kids' fantasies and it's interesting how different ones handle the issue of adults in their lives. Do their parents or guardians have a clue about what's happening? If so, how do they handle it? And what about the police? There are so many different ways of handling this. I like the way this author did it - it seemed like a disaster at first, but worked out quite well in the end.
She did make a factual error - apparently a certain terrible event could only happen "when the full moon rises at midnight" on the night of the winter solstice. The full moon, as my husband has been telling me for years (ever since he took Astronomy for an easy A) can never rise at midnight - it rises around the time of sunset, though of course this varies with the time of year. So we can be assured that the world would have been safe even if the children and their allies had not succeeded at their arduous tasks.
I may or may not read any of the sequels (we have the next one around here somewhere), but one thing I appreciate is that you don't have to - it ends well, though there are definitely things for a new book to jump off from.
You might want to keep this away from very sensitive kids till they're ten or twelve, as there are vague allusions to torture, but some might enjoy it at seven or eight, the age of the youngest heroine. I believe it is aimed at middle-grade readers. There is some disobedience to parents, but I think your kids are capable of understanding that nothing in their lives is likely to rise to the level of needing to save the world, so unlike these kids they need to do as they're told. The parents agree at the end that the children did well. The language is fine.
September 26, 2021
Pour sauver sa maîtresse, la renarde est prête à tout. Claudia, la plus jeune enfant dès la famille Hodges-Bradley ne peux s’empêcher de suivre ce curieux renard qui lui à voler son courrier. Lorsqu’elle entre dans le manoir où on raconte qu'y vit une sorcière, elle découvre un nouveau monde mystérieux mais aussi dangereux. En effet, Morgane protectrices des portails séparant la dimension des humains de celui des fées a été arrêté par un être maléfique qui compte envahir la terre lors de samhain. La renarde a besoin de Claudia et de ses frères et sœur pour l’aider à sauver Morgane mais aussi le monde des humains. Malheureusement la renarde disparaît et les adultes de croisent pas un traître mots de cette histoire. Les quatre enfants doivent se débrouiller seule pour trouver un moyen d’ouvrir les portails du manoir et de trouver Morgane tout en évitant les ennemis de les capturer, en seulement deux semaines.
J’ai moyennement aimé ce premier tome. Je m’attendais à un young adulte mais c’est plus jeunesse.
Il y a pas mal de raccourcis où les enfants arrivent à sortir de situation difficile un peu facilement à mon goût. Le développement des personnages est simple et peu creusé. Je m’attendais à plus d’action mais au final j’ai trouver le tout très plat. Je ne pense pas lire le second tome dommage vu que j’ai l’intégral.
J’ai moyennement aimé ce premier tome. Je m’attendais à un young adulte mais c’est plus jeunesse.
Il y a pas mal de raccourcis où les enfants arrivent à sortir de situation difficile un peu facilement à mon goût. Le développement des personnages est simple et peu creusé. Je m’attendais à plus d’action mais au final j’ai trouver le tout très plat. Je ne pense pas lire le second tome dommage vu que j’ai l’intégral.
December 21, 2025
This book has a lovely idea at its core; a sealed passage between Earth and the Wildworld, guarded by a powerful sorceress and hidden behind enchanted mirrors, but the execution didn't quite live up to the promise. The writing itself is smooth and readable, and I never found it cringe worthy, but the story leans hard into familiar 'kids save the world' territory. The world building felt thin, with very little explanation of how the magic actually works or what makes this universe tick, and the characters didn't get enough development to truly stand out. A lot of the plot beats were easy to predict, and some moments came across as a bit naïve.
That said, I think this book will land much better with a younger audience than the blurb suggests. After reading it before gifting, I'd say it’s best suited to pre-teens, perhaps a couple of years younger than advertised. It's perfectly fine, enjoyable in the moment, and easy to follow, just not especially memorable or awe inspiring. For younger readers, I'd give it a solid 4 stars, but for older teens or adults, it may feel a little slight and quickly forgotten.
That said, I think this book will land much better with a younger audience than the blurb suggests. After reading it before gifting, I'd say it’s best suited to pre-teens, perhaps a couple of years younger than advertised. It's perfectly fine, enjoyable in the moment, and easy to follow, just not especially memorable or awe inspiring. For younger readers, I'd give it a solid 4 stars, but for older teens or adults, it may feel a little slight and quickly forgotten.
October 21, 2017
Smith spins a tale through hilarious and crisp dialogue about the four Hodges-Bradley children. The brave, oldest child, armed with a baseball bat, throws herself into danger to protect the world from annihilation. The middle twins are as different as day and night. The brainy and recalcitrant girl solves life-or-death puzzles like a Sherlock Holmes but only when she feels like it, while the adventure-loving boy loyally joins his sisters on any quest no matter the consequences. The youngest is the first to sense something is wrong and the last to run from it. It is youngest child that doggedly drags her siblings into adventures. Four non-magic children, battle sorcerers and wild magic with nothing but their wits to save Earth from destruction. With the four of them working other, there is nothing they cannot do!
December 22, 2020
Not a classic or a great work of literature, by any means, but Smith's foray into fantasy will always have a special place in my heart--and it's a mile better than much of the kid-lit that's popular these days. Yes, I sound like a crusty old geezer, but here we have magic, talking animals, wicked sorcerers (all very standard stuff so far), and brave kids who do what they must, and who succeed not because they are the super most special-est ever and have a ton of spiffy magic gear (I'm looking at you, Percy Jackson et al), but because they are intelligent and clever and brave and do what is right. I wish there were about a dozen of these books, honestly.
December 23, 2024
Honestly, this was quite a fun read and not as trashy and terrible as Vampire Diaries was which, for the record, I was kinda hoping for. But what it lacked in trashy goodness, it more than made up for with Narnia like fantasy, amazing world building, and wonderful character dynamics between the siblings. My only gripes are a few spots towards the end seemed rushed or left unexplained really and the introduction of Morgana finally coming in, her rudeness seemed almost forced and used as tool to try and add urgency to a situation I myself already felt was urgent enough. Those two little things aside, it was a fun day after the Winter Solstice read.
March 24, 2021
After loving The Secret Circle series by L. J. Smith, and somewhat enjoying The Vampire Diaries, I was intrigued to figure out whether I would like one of the author's oldest series. While fun, its definitely easy to see where the author has improved over the years. A tad too predictable, this book seems to target a much younger audience than the rest of her series. That being said, I am intrigued to see where the story may lead so I definitely plan on picking up the sequel.
June 10, 2025
Every so often, I enjoy picking up a children's book filled with magic to take a bit of a break from more serious adult texts. Sometimes, I choose books from my own childhood or those I have read with my children previously, but this one was new to me. I would describe it as a solid read that kept me interested in what was going to happen next. I look forward to continuing reading about the adventures of these characters in the second book.
August 4, 2018
dnf.
i got really bored and i don't care about any of the characters. this read like middle grade but with the story building and development of a coloring book. I can't complain about the dated-ness of the book ; this book was released in the 80s and I don't really mind the "chosen ones", "magical doorways" and other tropes within the genre.
i got really bored and i don't care about any of the characters. this read like middle grade but with the story building and development of a coloring book. I can't complain about the dated-ness of the book ; this book was released in the 80s and I don't really mind the "chosen ones", "magical doorways" and other tropes within the genre.
February 14, 2022
Very YA or younger than YA but it was cheap at a book sale and an easy read while waiting during the kids extra curriculars. Honestly, it would make a good kids movie as it's about 4 siblings who end up helping save the world from another dimension invading. Plus it has cute animals and all different types of kid personalities.
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