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Faire Folk Trilogy #1
The Tree Shepherd's Daughter
When her mother dies, fifteen-year-old Keelie Heartwood is forced to leave her beloved California to live with her nomadic father at a renaissance festival in Colorado. After arriving, Keelie finds men in tights and women in trailer trash-tight bodices roaming half-drunk, calling each other lady and lord even after closing time! Playacting the Dark Ages is an L.A. girl’s worst nightmare. Keelie has a plan to ditch this medieval geekland ASAP, but while she plots, strange things start happening―eerie, yet familiar. When Keelie starts seeing fairies and communicating with trees, she uncovers a secret that links her to a community of elves. As Keelie tries to come to grips with her elfin roots, disaster strikes, and Keelie’s identity isn’t the only thing that’s threatened. One part human determination and one part elfin magic, Keelie Heartwood is a witty new heroine in a world where fantasy and reality mix with extraordinary results.
331 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2007
34 people are currently reading
2416 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Summers
17 books108 followersA forest dweller, Gillian was raised by gypsies at a Renaissance Faire. She likes knitting, hot soup, costumes and adores oatmeal, especially in the form of cookies. She loathes concrete, but tolerates it if it means attending a science fiction convention. She's an obsessive collector of beads, recipes, knitting needles and tarot cards, and admits to reading InStyle Magazine. You can find her in her north Georgia cabin, where she lives with her large, friendly dogs, obnoxious cats, and an occasional fairy.
(Gillian Summers (Georgia) is the pseudonym for co-authors Berta Platas and Michelle Roper. Both are ardent renaissance faire groupies.)
(Gillian Summers (Georgia) is the pseudonym for co-authors Berta Platas and Michelle Roper. Both are ardent renaissance faire groupies.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
March 10, 2009
I liked this very much--the girl with "tree" allergies is sent to her father on her mother's death, only to learn that her allergies are the proof that she is a tree shepherd, that her father is an elf who never divorced her mother, and that he lives from Renaissance Faire to Renaissance Faire.
I literally read this in one day. I'm looking for the next book even as I type, and I understand the final book is scheduled for publication in the spring!
I literally read this in one day. I'm looking for the next book even as I type, and I understand the final book is scheduled for publication in the spring!
March 16, 2010
I'd actually give it a star and a half if I could.
On the plus side, it has her dealing with the grief of losing a mother. And since the action takes place over the time of a week, I am glad that she isn't 'over' it by the end of the book. It also has her and her dad developing a relationship which has been next to non-existent for the past 14 years. OK, good so far.
I also liked the idea of her ability to touch a tree and know everything about it. That was an interesting take on the whole half-elf thing.
Now, throw in a pot party and underage drinking without any real consequences. Add pedophilia to the mix. (Don't give me any grief about the guy being an elf. 87 is still a ton more life experience than 15. (Oh, and did I mention the 28 yr old human who french-kisses her?))
Hit frappe and I get a whole big thing of ick.
On the plus side, it has her dealing with the grief of losing a mother. And since the action takes place over the time of a week, I am glad that she isn't 'over' it by the end of the book. It also has her and her dad developing a relationship which has been next to non-existent for the past 14 years. OK, good so far.
I also liked the idea of her ability to touch a tree and know everything about it. That was an interesting take on the whole half-elf thing.
Now, throw in a pot party and underage drinking without any real consequences. Add pedophilia to the mix. (Don't give me any grief about the guy being an elf. 87 is still a ton more life experience than 15. (Oh, and did I mention the 28 yr old human who french-kisses her?))
Hit frappe and I get a whole big thing of ick.
August 29, 2012
I did enjoy reading this book, but I was torn between enjoyment and often being utterly annoyed by the continous whinging of the main character.
The premise is fun, Keelie grew up in California with her mother, but after her mother's death, she is sent to live with her father, a woodworker at a Renaissance Fair. I loved the faire setting, which seemed really fun, I would love to visit a place like that. I also liked the idea of Keelie's 'allergy'. The part about the elves and the relationship with the trees were not new to me, but still felt fun and orginal.
For me, the issues was, as I said before, the amount of snarky comments and whining Keelie did. The girl was really hard to like at times. It was frustrating how one moment she would be discovering something wonderful about her identity, and the next she would be yelling at her dad about how she hated him and didn't belong there.
Also there were moments when things felt a little overexplained. I really didn't need to know that Keelie had to take a shower, change her clothes and dry her hair every time she got wet, which seemed to happen a lot. Then at the very climax there was some important imformation which really wasn't explained although maybe that will be explained in a later book.
In the end, I think I would give it about 3.5 stars. It was a fun premise, but I really kept wishing the main character would get over herself and have some fun!
The premise is fun, Keelie grew up in California with her mother, but after her mother's death, she is sent to live with her father, a woodworker at a Renaissance Fair. I loved the faire setting, which seemed really fun, I would love to visit a place like that. I also liked the idea of Keelie's 'allergy'. The part about the elves and the relationship with the trees were not new to me, but still felt fun and orginal.
For me, the issues was, as I said before, the amount of snarky comments and whining Keelie did. The girl was really hard to like at times. It was frustrating how one moment she would be discovering something wonderful about her identity, and the next she would be yelling at her dad about how she hated him and didn't belong there.
Also there were moments when things felt a little overexplained. I really didn't need to know that Keelie had to take a shower, change her clothes and dry her hair every time she got wet, which seemed to happen a lot. Then at the very climax there was some important imformation which really wasn't explained although maybe that will be explained in a later book.
In the end, I think I would give it about 3.5 stars. It was a fun premise, but I really kept wishing the main character would get over herself and have some fun!
August 18, 2009
I bought the book without reading the premise and just off of the cover. From what it says, it sounds like a pretty shallow story doesn’t it? But actually it wasn’t.
I loved the whole renaissance festival atmosphere of the story and all the different intriguing characters that make up it. I was totally expecting this to be about fairies but it wasn’t. The book was pretty linear with a few twists but it was a nice, happy novel that won’t leave you in fits. I thought it was interesting that for her, being half-mythical creature (I’m not sure if saying it would be a spoiler so I’ll refrain from doing so), you can actually outwardly see it by way of one pointed ear and one not. That was neat. I loved the whole tree magic connection and healing bits though.
Can you actually smell ozone though? I clearly remember two or three instances where the author says Keelie smelled the ozone in the air or what not. Is that even possible? Another thing is the super juvenile reactions/thoughts/responses the main character has but I guess that can be forgiven since she is fifteen. There was one part where she goes to party with people older than her and she gets felt up and she likes it? Even if the guy was joking and that's when your hormornes all crazy, I totally don't want some random guy feeling me up.
Nothing especially groundbreaking but good enough.
I loved the whole renaissance festival atmosphere of the story and all the different intriguing characters that make up it. I was totally expecting this to be about fairies but it wasn’t. The book was pretty linear with a few twists but it was a nice, happy novel that won’t leave you in fits. I thought it was interesting that for her, being half-mythical creature (I’m not sure if saying it would be a spoiler so I’ll refrain from doing so), you can actually outwardly see it by way of one pointed ear and one not. That was neat. I loved the whole tree magic connection and healing bits though.
Can you actually smell ozone though? I clearly remember two or three instances where the author says Keelie smelled the ozone in the air or what not. Is that even possible? Another thing is the super juvenile reactions/thoughts/responses the main character has but I guess that can be forgiven since she is fifteen. There was one part where she goes to party with people older than her and she gets felt up and she likes it? Even if the guy was joking and that's when your hormornes all crazy, I totally don't want some random guy feeling me up.
Nothing especially groundbreaking but good enough.
March 23, 2013
This book starts with Keelie trampsing through the mud and pretty much continues the same way throughout the book. But don't let that put you off. This is a coming-of-age story set within a Renaissance faire with a whole bunch of magic thrown in there for good measure.
I wasn't too sure if I would enjoy this book as I had read a couple of negative reviews but I am very happy that I decided to give it a go and read it for myself. Keelie starts off as a miserable little girl who has had the rug pulled out from under her because her mother has died and she has to go and live with her dad. It is during this time that she has to deal with her grief, find a way of living with her dad, as well as coping with all the weirdness that comes her way. As well, she finds out that her mother has lied to her so it really shakes her world. I thought the book was well written in this aspect as Keelie does come across as being very whiney at the beginning but as she grows, she changes. There is even a line in the book where she asks herself when she stopped being miserable.
Definitely one to enjoy.
I wasn't too sure if I would enjoy this book as I had read a couple of negative reviews but I am very happy that I decided to give it a go and read it for myself. Keelie starts off as a miserable little girl who has had the rug pulled out from under her because her mother has died and she has to go and live with her dad. It is during this time that she has to deal with her grief, find a way of living with her dad, as well as coping with all the weirdness that comes her way. As well, she finds out that her mother has lied to her so it really shakes her world. I thought the book was well written in this aspect as Keelie does come across as being very whiney at the beginning but as she grows, she changes. There is even a line in the book where she asks herself when she stopped being miserable.
Definitely one to enjoy.
July 24, 2012
Keelie's mother is killed in a plane crash, so she must go and live with her father at a ren faire. I thought this was interesting! Really! In fact, the other characters were interesting, and the plot had me somewhat curious, but you know. Keelie. She's 15, and acts more like she's 12.
Her grief is written realistically, but that's about the only thing I can give this book. She's such a horrible brat and has no depth. She's basically your stereotypical teenager you see all the time in fiction that doesn't actually exist in real life. Oh, and one guy she meets (Who is 28 and !) of course lives in his mother's basement and plays video games all the time. Are we not done with that cliche yet?
One thing I did like:
Her grief is written realistically, but that's about the only thing I can give this book. She's such a horrible brat and has no depth. She's basically your stereotypical teenager you see all the time in fiction that doesn't actually exist in real life. Oh, and one guy she meets (Who is 28 and !) of course lives in his mother's basement and plays video games all the time. Are we not done with that cliche yet?
One thing I did like:
March 11, 2011
I loved the Renaissance Faire setting, which I found quite original, and the premise of this book, but was a bit let down by the execution, both in writing style and development of themes and characters. The author takes on some big issues--loss of a parent, developing individuality and self-esteem--but overall the effect is not well-developed and for me at least comes across as a bit shallow, with some characters (like the resident mean girl and romantic rival, Elia) broad cliches. I enjoyed the touches of celtic fairy lore, like the redcap, but again I felt some explanation or development of these elements would have made them so much more interesting. A lightly entertaining escapist read, but nothing I'll think about for long... it just could have been so much more.
August 12, 2009
Great premise. Interesting characters. Cool story. I am immediately starting the next book in high hopes of great improvement. Kept me up late at night reading in spite of some major flaws. This rating is more of a minus two stars for the flaws, rather than only three stars for the book. Writing lesson: Transitions are good. Abrupt changes in direction or scene are not. Jumping and skittering about instead of writing smoothly is annoying, although it may be a consequence of text messaging. A lot needs fleshing out, as I would tell my students. Stupid protagonist syndrome keeps readers from liking or identifying with the protagonist.
January 13, 2018
I loved the story. I also liked that it is set a renaissance fair. Very cool. Not cool was the some of the writing in my opinion. So many times there wasn't information from one sentence/scene to the next scene. I feel it was very disjointed. But I slog through that to enjoy a very nice book. I can't read the others in the series and I hope that the writing gets better.
January 8, 2021
DNF- No Pickup
I enjoyed the premise and loved the atmosphere of her father’s Renaissance Faire which Keelie was flipping between love and hate. I would have Ben enjoying it and trying to make more friends than enemies.
The adult scene with that pot smoking and drinking tent wasn’t right to include. That’s more Holly Black’s lane.
I was waiting for the turning point or the scrimmage scene but it wasn’t happening as I was progressing with less and less of my interest. It’s one thing to exclude the main character from the big secret staring in their faces and no gumption to go after it and it’s another when no questions are answered for the reader.
Definitely meant for younger younger audience - maybe pre-teen and maybe a teenager.
I enjoyed the premise and loved the atmosphere of her father’s Renaissance Faire which Keelie was flipping between love and hate. I would have Ben enjoying it and trying to make more friends than enemies.
The adult scene with that pot smoking and drinking tent wasn’t right to include. That’s more Holly Black’s lane.
I was waiting for the turning point or the scrimmage scene but it wasn’t happening as I was progressing with less and less of my interest. It’s one thing to exclude the main character from the big secret staring in their faces and no gumption to go after it and it’s another when no questions are answered for the reader.
Definitely meant for younger younger audience - maybe pre-teen and maybe a teenager.
August 7, 2017
Notikumi ir diezgan aizmirstami, bet galvenās varones kaitinošumu neaizmirst nekad.
July 6, 2013
Tree Shepherd's Daughter (Faire Folk, Book 1) The Tree Shepherd's Daughter is set at a renaissance fair in Colorado where the MC Keelie Heartwood finds herself being shipped to live with her father after her mother's unexpected death. Shortly after arriving at the Fair, Keelie, resentful of what she believed was her father's neglect over the past 15 years of her life, finds herself drawn to the people, the environment, and even, grudgingly, her father and his psycho cat Knot. She soon finds out that the folk at the Renn Fair are more than what they appear to be and so is she. She has some weird affinity to wood and some strange abilities as well. Keelie struggles with accepting who and what she is while at the same time dealing with a murderous red-capped gnome that seems to be cause no end of havoc. She wonders if she will be willing or able to give up the world of malls and makeup for this strange new life among trees and people who seem to forget what century it is. I can't stress enough how much I loved the atmosphere of this book. The descriptions of the setting, the merchants and their wares, the trees, the people, and the creatures both magical and mundane at the renaissance fair took up a large part of the book but I wasn't bored by it at all. Those descriptions are what drew me into the story and made me actually want to be there, to live among all of those eccentric people, to watch the Muck and Mire show with Tarl, to munch on Fairy Winkberry muffins at Mrs. Butters shop, and to walk among the trees hoping to catch a glimpse of a fairy, sylph, or sprite. Where this book fell short was in the plot. The maniacal little red-cap guy that was causing all the chaos seemed to be doing so for no apparent reason and the whole thing was disconnected and kind of silly. I still have no idea what happened to him or if the issues are resolved but some things happened with a necklace and some lightning and something about a book and singed eyebrows. There were some other shady characters introduced that pop up in the story intermittently but their place in the story was kind of mysterious as well. Ultimately the plot was so disjointed and confusing that I'm not really sure where the author was trying to go with it. I think I would have liked the story better if it would have just been about Keelie coming to grips with her mother's death and reconnecting with her father in this magical setting. The plot seemed to take away from the parts of the story that I enjoyed. I hate when a story goes in a direction other than where I want it to take me. I will definitely continue with this series though because I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and most of the characters, especially Knot the wicked cat and Ariel, the half blind hawk. I'm hoping the rest of the series will improve and I'll be able to continue enjoying this wonderful cast of characters.
November 18, 2008
The Tree Shepherd's Daughter by Gillian Summer is a delightful Renaissance Faire tale abound with magic and mayhem that grabs the reader from page one and bewitches you right through to the last page. A young adult novel to devour no matter what age you are.
Keelie Heartwood is the typical California girl in every way until the loss of her mother due to an accident. Confused, angry, resentful, determined, Keelie is not about to give up her California girl ways without a fight.
A few weeks following her mothers death, Keelie is uprooted from her California life to go live with her father at a Renaissance Faire in Colorado. Upon arrival she is not only stunned by the fairy tale image of the place but of the people who actually think they are a part of this period lifestyle. What could only be worse is the giving up of the concrete life for the world of woodlands, mud and the uneasy buzzing that seems to have taken hold of Keelie since she walked through the gates of the Faire.
It doesn't take long before what seems to be fantasy turns into a stunning reality when Keelie is confronted by water sprites, tree spirits, a nasty dastardly evil troll, elves, dwarves, and all kinds of other fairytale characters that a normal person would see in a totally different light.
This author has given us a truly wonderful tale that would be every girl's dream given the chance. Add a little magic and mayhem, good magic and dark magic, magical beings and mundanes (humans), throw in a normal looking kitty with an infinity for out drinking almost everyone when the mead starts to flow and you have a page turner that will make you laugh, cry, astonish you and make you wish for more when the story finally comes to the very last page. I can't wait to get my greedy little hands on book two of this deliciously delightful trilogy.
Keelie Heartwood is the typical California girl in every way until the loss of her mother due to an accident. Confused, angry, resentful, determined, Keelie is not about to give up her California girl ways without a fight.
A few weeks following her mothers death, Keelie is uprooted from her California life to go live with her father at a Renaissance Faire in Colorado. Upon arrival she is not only stunned by the fairy tale image of the place but of the people who actually think they are a part of this period lifestyle. What could only be worse is the giving up of the concrete life for the world of woodlands, mud and the uneasy buzzing that seems to have taken hold of Keelie since she walked through the gates of the Faire.
It doesn't take long before what seems to be fantasy turns into a stunning reality when Keelie is confronted by water sprites, tree spirits, a nasty dastardly evil troll, elves, dwarves, and all kinds of other fairytale characters that a normal person would see in a totally different light.
This author has given us a truly wonderful tale that would be every girl's dream given the chance. Add a little magic and mayhem, good magic and dark magic, magical beings and mundanes (humans), throw in a normal looking kitty with an infinity for out drinking almost everyone when the mead starts to flow and you have a page turner that will make you laugh, cry, astonish you and make you wish for more when the story finally comes to the very last page. I can't wait to get my greedy little hands on book two of this deliciously delightful trilogy.
March 8, 2017
i really liked this book. i liked it enough that i'm planning to get books 2 and 3 soon.
Keelie, while a little whiny, is a good kid who's been thrown into a weird situation, totally unprepared. she's just lost her mom and been sent to live with the father she was told abandoned her as a toddler, who lives as a Renaissance Faire gypsy woodcarver. (not a spoiler, this is first chapter stuff.) i don't know about you, but i'd be a little whiny and moody, too! she pulls herself together and deals with the weirdness pretty well, i thought.
i love the detail about the Faire (i used to work at one and i still go at least once a year) and the Shire and all the crazy folks that work there (who remind me of the people i worked with!) that one, big, not-always-happy, family feeling is pretty true to life for a Faire. most people there are kind and caring and will watch your back, but there are jerks everywhere. it's just that with something like this, they tend to travel with you and you either have to sort out the problem or ignore them. so that all rang true for me.
Knot cracks me up. i'm dying to find out more about his "true self", so i hope there's more in the next book!
also, i didn't see anything terribly inappropriate going on in this book. yes, Keelie is 15 and she flirts with and *gasp* kisses people. i seem to recall doing things like that at that age... Dandy Randy is a touch sleezy (and seems to be a stock character, because i knew guys just like him at Faire!) but once he gets the message, he backs off fast.
overall, i was impressed with this book. i was expecting a bit of fluff and got something that's a bit more. i think it's great as a young adult read, or for anyone who's interested in Renaissance Faires and "greenwitchery".
Keelie, while a little whiny, is a good kid who's been thrown into a weird situation, totally unprepared. she's just lost her mom and been sent to live with the father she was told abandoned her as a toddler, who lives as a Renaissance Faire gypsy woodcarver. (not a spoiler, this is first chapter stuff.) i don't know about you, but i'd be a little whiny and moody, too! she pulls herself together and deals with the weirdness pretty well, i thought.
i love the detail about the Faire (i used to work at one and i still go at least once a year) and the Shire and all the crazy folks that work there (who remind me of the people i worked with!) that one, big, not-always-happy, family feeling is pretty true to life for a Faire. most people there are kind and caring and will watch your back, but there are jerks everywhere. it's just that with something like this, they tend to travel with you and you either have to sort out the problem or ignore them. so that all rang true for me.
Knot cracks me up. i'm dying to find out more about his "true self", so i hope there's more in the next book!
also, i didn't see anything terribly inappropriate going on in this book. yes, Keelie is 15 and she flirts with and *gasp* kisses people. i seem to recall doing things like that at that age... Dandy Randy is a touch sleezy (and seems to be a stock character, because i knew guys just like him at Faire!) but once he gets the message, he backs off fast.
overall, i was impressed with this book. i was expecting a bit of fluff and got something that's a bit more. i think it's great as a young adult read, or for anyone who's interested in Renaissance Faires and "greenwitchery".
May 16, 2020
I liked this but didn't absolutely love it. I think it's probably more appealing to teens. I really enjoyed the story of a girl discovering her power and dealing with her grief at the death of her mother. I think the side stories with the pot parties with college-aged (and older) kids playacting as pirates...just didn't seem necessary. I was less squicked out by the 85 year old suitor...if you can deal with a 80-something sparkly vampire, well this is not so different.
The story of Keelie - a California girl whose life is suddenly thrown into chaos by the death of her mother - was good when read for the basic story. She goes to live with her father who travels from renaissance fair to renaissance fair and sells his woodworking. He seems to have a connection to trees and the forest that has been passed down to Keelie and as she lives with him, she discovers this power, indeed uses it for the benefit of this community. She also comes to grips with her grief and tries to forge a relationship with her father that she had last seen as a small child. It is a rocky start as they are both trying to find their way.
While this story arc does clearly end, there is more to learn as it concludes. There are a bunch of unanswered questions to be resolved (and as this is a trilogy, I expect it to take 2 books). I will probably read on, but perhaps not right away, so many other books call me.
Quote to remember:
When you face the challenges of this world, be they real or what you claim to be imaginary, then face them with your heart. For everyone who loves you is in your heart. From within your heart comes the magic that makes you who you are.
The story of Keelie - a California girl whose life is suddenly thrown into chaos by the death of her mother - was good when read for the basic story. She goes to live with her father who travels from renaissance fair to renaissance fair and sells his woodworking. He seems to have a connection to trees and the forest that has been passed down to Keelie and as she lives with him, she discovers this power, indeed uses it for the benefit of this community. She also comes to grips with her grief and tries to forge a relationship with her father that she had last seen as a small child. It is a rocky start as they are both trying to find their way.
While this story arc does clearly end, there is more to learn as it concludes. There are a bunch of unanswered questions to be resolved (and as this is a trilogy, I expect it to take 2 books). I will probably read on, but perhaps not right away, so many other books call me.
Quote to remember:
When you face the challenges of this world, be they real or what you claim to be imaginary, then face them with your heart. For everyone who loves you is in your heart. From within your heart comes the magic that makes you who you are.
January 27, 2014
I read this "with" my granddaughter who lives about 300 miles away, and we really enjoyed this book. Yes, the main character is pretty whiney at times, but we both thought it was a great story. My granddaughter is already half through the second book! As a side thought: I work with lots of teenagers, and being mixed up and unhappy is pretty realistic. (I wonder if a drama-filled life is preferable to hormonally imbalanced bodies to that of being happy and boring?)Add the pressures of losing a parent and a whole total change of lifestyle, no contact with the old lifestyle, adjusting to lies she's grown up with as truths and new powers and responsibilities, entitles one to some whining! We'll see if Keelie's demeanor improves as the books progress.
October 8, 2012
Overall I enjoyed this book enough to buy the rest of the series, and the second series. I thought that the emotions of Keelie, while 'whiney' were realistic for a mid teen who has gone through what Keelie has. The world building worked fairly well and was consistent for the most part. There were some editorial problems with the books for the ereader, which seems to be common fare for the YA kindle books, unfortunately. The depth is lacking at times, and the stories wrap up a little to well, with just barely enough to get you interested in the sequel.I didn't find too much inappropriate for a 12+ Ya reader, kissing, mead and a little leering. Keelie is young and shallow to start, but over the course of the series she matures nicely.
March 12, 2012
Having a bit of a thing for elves it's no surprise that I'd pick up a book like this. Undemanding fare, it's got some nice ideas but definitely splashes too long in the shallow end of the pool.
After her mother's death, Keelie is sent to her father who lives and works at a Renaissance Faire along with his odd cat, Knot. As Keelie discovers that her 'wood allergy' is no such thing at all, she finds that she fits in amongst the drunken pirates, hunky jousters and bitchy elven mean-girls more than she thought possible.
If I'd have been 12 still I would have loved this YA slice of wish-fulfilment far more, but at 32 there wasn't enough to make me come back for the rest of the series.
After her mother's death, Keelie is sent to her father who lives and works at a Renaissance Faire along with his odd cat, Knot. As Keelie discovers that her 'wood allergy' is no such thing at all, she finds that she fits in amongst the drunken pirates, hunky jousters and bitchy elven mean-girls more than she thought possible.
If I'd have been 12 still I would have loved this YA slice of wish-fulfilment far more, but at 32 there wasn't enough to make me come back for the rest of the series.
June 11, 2010
Excellent series. I was desperate to find a fantasy trilogy that wasn't deadly dark with way-too serious characters and story line. (I get enough horrid stories with my life work.) HUMOR! That was the missing element - liberally sprinkled through Gillian Summers work.
These may be "California teen" books and I maybe 60 yrs old, but I couldn't put them down. All my favorite elements were there - great story lines, wonderful character development (and lots of great characters), a vivid sense of setting. Too fun!
These may be "California teen" books and I maybe 60 yrs old, but I couldn't put them down. All my favorite elements were there - great story lines, wonderful character development (and lots of great characters), a vivid sense of setting. Too fun!
February 6, 2009
I have been freinds with more SCA folk than I realised, until I read this book. I saw my freinds in her descriptions and I loved the veiws of an outsider among people I consider my own. This book is enchanting and yet has the depth of sorrow that makes you empathetic towards the main character. She's quirky and quick. Read it for yourself and read it to your children. It will help everyone find a little magic in the mundane and the extraodinary.
February 8, 2011
This is really good YA fiction. The main character is very believable as a teenage girl, ping-ponging between being sweet, snarky, cool, dorky, smart and clueless. I liked her. This is the kind of book I loved as teenager, about finding out that you're not just a boring suburban kid, but something really cool, in this case, an elf with magical powers. I'd still like to find that out about myself! I'm already reading the second book in this series.
October 19, 2016
Prva u nizu Trlogije o Renesansnim vašarima, prevodila sam je 2008...moja ideja je bila da je naslovim kao ‚‚Kći čuvara šume‚‚‚...promeniše joj naslov, ali svakako je privlačna za uzrast 13+... Iskustva devojčice koja sa ocem obilazi i prebiva na pomenutim vašarima, simpatičan i ne prenapadan vilovnjačko-čarobnjački svet...može biti lepo čitalačko iskustvo i devojčicama i dečacima koji tek uče da sanjaju.
September 10, 2008
I too liked the idea behind these books more than the books. They were poorly developed overall. I love the premise behind the books (and there are some really imaginative scenes) but after reading the two of them I was left feeling that they could have been so much better! I am not sure what to rate them - PG-13 - there are just a couple of needless sentences that take these beyond PG.
September 21, 2009
I guess this could have been an interesting story, if it wasn't so poorly written. I found all the characters very underdeveloped and the main character was frustratingly stupid at times. This was another book that felt like it was written in a high school creative writing class. I'm not even a little bit interested in reading more of this series.
August 3, 2012
This was just okay, for me. I found the writing juvenile and repetitive at times. Interesting story, but I'm not planning to read any farther in the series.
August 5, 2019
It was actually a nice surprise, I would say. I was about Keelie's age age when I read this book for a first time and I loved it. As I teenager, that was all that mattered to me.
So, I thought I was going to be disappointed when I read it now, but that wasn't the case. I didn't really like the main character, she seems shallow and whiny, but in this case it's not a bad thing because she seems real, and acts like herself thru out the whole book, even after she grows a little and figures out some things. Character development and relationships seem genuine, which isn't that common in YA novels of this type, so it's big plus.
I gave it only three stars because it lacks a real world building and nothing about magic or creatures that appear is explained. I get mystery, like Knot, but if someone starts to learn about magic of any type, it needs to do it at least a bit systemical, from basics, and learn some limitations and rules, what can be done and what can't. I didn't get any of it from this book, which is really important to me. Although characters and relationships seem real enough, the rest isn't that logical and believable. Maybe it will get better in other books of series, so they can get better review.
There are some questionable relationships between main character and much older guys, which is disgusting, but the whole book is from her view, and her thoughts about subject seem genuine, and no one elderly approves of this, so I can give it a pass. I remember that as a teenager I didn't mind young girls with much older guys, so I can understand Keelie's view, even tho my thoughts on subject much differ as I got older.
All in all, it was a good read, and I would recommend it to everyone who like good YA reads.
So, I thought I was going to be disappointed when I read it now, but that wasn't the case. I didn't really like the main character, she seems shallow and whiny, but in this case it's not a bad thing because she seems real, and acts like herself thru out the whole book, even after she grows a little and figures out some things. Character development and relationships seem genuine, which isn't that common in YA novels of this type, so it's big plus.
I gave it only three stars because it lacks a real world building and nothing about magic or creatures that appear is explained. I get mystery, like Knot, but if someone starts to learn about magic of any type, it needs to do it at least a bit systemical, from basics, and learn some limitations and rules, what can be done and what can't. I didn't get any of it from this book, which is really important to me. Although characters and relationships seem real enough, the rest isn't that logical and believable. Maybe it will get better in other books of series, so they can get better review.
There are some questionable relationships between main character and much older guys, which is disgusting, but the whole book is from her view, and her thoughts about subject seem genuine, and no one elderly approves of this, so I can give it a pass. I remember that as a teenager I didn't mind young girls with much older guys, so I can understand Keelie's view, even tho my thoughts on subject much differ as I got older.
All in all, it was a good read, and I would recommend it to everyone who like good YA reads.
November 19, 2018
Wat een ontzettende grote hoop stront xD
Begrijp me niet verkeerd, de wereldbuilding is echt wel tof en ik had het eerste deel van het boek het gevoel dat ik op castlefest liep. En dat was echt heerlijk!
Maar mijn god wat is Keelie een onuitstaanbaar kreng! You ruined the book for me love.
En de laatste 40 pagina's hebben er nog een ster meer vanaf getrokken. Ik was van plan een drie te geven, tot het afschuwelijk slechte plot. Ze weet magisch ineens een red cap te verslaan met behulp van de bomen om haar heen. Begrijp me niet verkeerd, dat mocht van mij prima. Maar dat dat haar lukt, een stom trutje dat een week weet dat ze een half-elf is die magie kan beheersen, en de andere elven daar konden dat niet?
Pleur op.
En natuurlijk besluit ze dan ineens dat ze toch maar wel in het wereldje van haar vader wil leven, omdat de knappe elfenprins in haar geïnteresseerd is.
Please go die, Keelie. Really
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Het verhaal gaat over Keelie Heartwood, die bij haar vader komt wonen op een Renaissance fair nadat haar moeder omkwam in een vliegtuig ongeval.
Ze vind dit allemaal maar niks, en probeert eerst nog te regelen dat ze bij een vriendin van haar kan komen wonen, maar ziet hier toch vanaf (zie mijn rant hierboven)
Verder valt er weinig toe te voegen. Het verhaal is soms vaag en lastig te volgen, maar we weten gelukkig wel van elk voorwerp van hout dat Keelie aanraakt waar het vandaan kwam en wat het levensverhaal van die boom was.
Oh, en ze haat katten.
Het verhaal had potentie, echt. Maar ik ben hier denk ik te oud voor geworden of zo. Ik zal deel twee en drie helaas ongelezen wegdoen. Daaaag Keelie
Begrijp me niet verkeerd, de wereldbuilding is echt wel tof en ik had het eerste deel van het boek het gevoel dat ik op castlefest liep. En dat was echt heerlijk!
Maar mijn god wat is Keelie een onuitstaanbaar kreng! You ruined the book for me love.
En de laatste 40 pagina's hebben er nog een ster meer vanaf getrokken. Ik was van plan een drie te geven, tot het afschuwelijk slechte plot. Ze weet magisch ineens een red cap te verslaan met behulp van de bomen om haar heen. Begrijp me niet verkeerd, dat mocht van mij prima. Maar dat dat haar lukt, een stom trutje dat een week weet dat ze een half-elf is die magie kan beheersen, en de andere elven daar konden dat niet?
Pleur op.
En natuurlijk besluit ze dan ineens dat ze toch maar wel in het wereldje van haar vader wil leven, omdat de knappe elfenprins in haar geïnteresseerd is.
Please go die, Keelie. Really
-------------
Het verhaal gaat over Keelie Heartwood, die bij haar vader komt wonen op een Renaissance fair nadat haar moeder omkwam in een vliegtuig ongeval.
Ze vind dit allemaal maar niks, en probeert eerst nog te regelen dat ze bij een vriendin van haar kan komen wonen, maar ziet hier toch vanaf (zie mijn rant hierboven)
Verder valt er weinig toe te voegen. Het verhaal is soms vaag en lastig te volgen, maar we weten gelukkig wel van elk voorwerp van hout dat Keelie aanraakt waar het vandaan kwam en wat het levensverhaal van die boom was.
Oh, en ze haat katten.
Het verhaal had potentie, echt. Maar ik ben hier denk ik te oud voor geworden of zo. Ik zal deel twee en drie helaas ongelezen wegdoen. Daaaag Keelie
April 4, 2018
Eu fiquei animada com a capa, o titulo e a sinopse, mas foi só isso. Que livrinho fraco. A começar pelos personagens que não tem carisma algum, na verdade a personagem principal, a filha do pastor de arvores é chata, mimada e "mal-ajambrada" (risos!) Se a intenção da autora era angariar simpatia para a personagem, passando a ideia de uma menina simples e sofredora o tiro saiu pela culatra. Além de tudo a narrativa é fraca, eu fiquei com a impressão que a autora escreveu aos pedaços e depois tentou amarrar tudo e não conseguiu, há passagens que não fazem sentido algum com a próxima. Eu só não larguei porque eu queria ver onde isso iria dar e porque uma colega que gostou do livro, me pediu para lê-lo (desculpa colega, mas não gostei!!) Eu vou fazer um esforço e ler o próximo, porque ela diz que melhora muito, mas não estou com muitas esperanças, vamos ver. Esse ai leva 2 estrelas e olhe lá.
February 10, 2021
Livro #7 de 2021: Eu não sei se parte da classificação se deve a ser uma tradução em português do Brasil, que além de "estragar" um pouco o ambiente da história, apresenta erros fatais que dificultam a compreensão do texto. A história tem uma permissa interessante e original, mas penso que não ficou bem conseguida e se por um lado umas coisas só se resolveram nas ultimas páginas, outras foram "tocadas pela rama" e não tiveram resolução. Deu para ser uma leitura rápida por ter apenas 218 páginas, mas não criei empatia com as personagens e não recomendo a sua leitura a não ser a quem valorize acima de tudo uma história original sobre magia, natureza e lendas.
July 23, 2019
Potential
I enjoyed this book... but I felt it stopped short in a few places. Maybe a little rushed in others. There is great potential here. Obviously, it has been about a decade since it was written. I will find and read the next book in the series. I enjoyed the characters immensely. The descriptive narrative and the underlying story were amazing. Looking forward to reading the next book.
I enjoyed this book... but I felt it stopped short in a few places. Maybe a little rushed in others. There is great potential here. Obviously, it has been about a decade since it was written. I will find and read the next book in the series. I enjoyed the characters immensely. The descriptive narrative and the underlying story were amazing. Looking forward to reading the next book.
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