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Faerie Tales from the White Forest #2
The Ruins of Noe
Brigitta’s adventures continue when the balance of the White Forest is disturbed and the Elders lose contact with the Ethereals. Against their advice, High Priestess Ondelle asks Brigitta to accompany her to the old faerie ruins of Noe to find a way to reconnect with the Ancients.
What they discover when they arrive is something they never learned from any faerie tale. Why had this dark secret been kept from them? Why in the name of Faweh had the Ancients left some faeries behind?
Brigitta and Ondelle are caught in a dangerous feud between two factions of feral faeries whose leaders will stop at nothing to access what little sorcery Noe has left.
What they discover when they arrive is something they never learned from any faerie tale. Why had this dark secret been kept from them? Why in the name of Faweh had the Ancients left some faeries behind?
Brigitta and Ondelle are caught in a dangerous feud between two factions of feral faeries whose leaders will stop at nothing to access what little sorcery Noe has left.
268 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2012
4 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Danika Dinsmore
26 books84 followersSHORTSKY:
Danika Dinsmore is an award-winning writer, spokenword artist, and educator living on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.
LONGSKY:
Danika currently works and plays in literary and speculative fiction with an emphasis on juvenile and young adult literature. She is author of several books of poetry, a spokenword CD, and the Faerie Tales from the White Forest middle grade fantasy series. She also writes short stories that blur the lines between speculative and literary fiction.
A seasoned spokenword artist, Danika has performed at hundreds of events such as Faerieworlds in Eugene, OR and Bumbershoot in Seattle, WA. She lives in British Columbia and teaches creative writing and world-building as a visiting writer in the schools and at festivals and conferences across North America.
Find her at danikadinsmore.com
Danika Dinsmore is an award-winning writer, spokenword artist, and educator living on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.
LONGSKY:
Danika currently works and plays in literary and speculative fiction with an emphasis on juvenile and young adult literature. She is author of several books of poetry, a spokenword CD, and the Faerie Tales from the White Forest middle grade fantasy series. She also writes short stories that blur the lines between speculative and literary fiction.
A seasoned spokenword artist, Danika has performed at hundreds of events such as Faerieworlds in Eugene, OR and Bumbershoot in Seattle, WA. She lives in British Columbia and teaches creative writing and world-building as a visiting writer in the schools and at festivals and conferences across North America.
Find her at danikadinsmore.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 25, 2024
This was another great book in the Faerie Tales From The White Forest series. I loved following Brigitta on this new adventure and it was nice to see how the story developed since the first book. This really is a great middle grade series that seems to grow with its readers.
April 19, 2012
If you read the first book in this series, Brigitta of the White Forest, you know that this story is based on a fairy world where the main character Brigitta is a fairy destined to be a leader among all fairies. Brigitta's first adventure had her saving the lives of all the fairies in The White Forest from a curse of stone. Her adventure took her out of the White Forest (her magically protected home) and into the Dark Forest in search of an exiled fairy Hrathgar. Upon saving the White Forest, Brigitta learns that she has been destiny marked to be an Elder fairy on the fairy council. Her destiny is bound to make her life complicated and either full of adventure or boredom governing her world. She is torn on whether she feels like her destiny marking is appropriate for her of if she will somehow change her destiny in the days to come (having learned that destinies change as parts are fulfilled).
Coming into this second book, you learn that Brigitta is bound to lead a life full of adventures. Since she has left the White Forest and survived, she is now considered to have worldly experience. She is actually better equipped than all the other fairies to travel beyond the White Forest whenever the need arises. As it turns out, this story requires her to travel to the fairies' legendary home of Noe, which is now the Ruins of Noe after the Great World Cry (i.e. terrible cataclysm that drove the fairies from their home into the White Forest). Why on earth would Brigitta need to travel here? It appears that the Ancients (the original fairies who are with them in spirit) have adandoned the White Forest. Without the Ancients, the souls of the dead will not move on and new babies will be born without destinies, if any new babies are born at all. Brigitta must travel to the home of the Ancients to try to reconnect with them in order to gain their favor once again. She travels with her high Priestess Ondelle and quickly discovers that this trip really was something she should have done alone. They are captured the "left behind" fairies and Ondelle is imprisoned. It is up to Brigitta to find a way to save Ondelle, free all the fairies from their oppressive rulers so that they may go to the White Forest with their kin, and reconnect to the Ancients in order to save the White Forest yet again.
Brigitta learns a lot about herself along the way and finds that her destiny may be even more tumultuous than first imagined. Her big heart and compassion will lead her into trouble and help guide her in the right direction for all. While she is not able to save all the fairies in the Ruins Of Noe, she helps them find their true path. It is a great story. If you liked the first one, you will love the second one. I was left feeling like a third book is on the way and can't wait. Neither book ends with a cliffhanger, but I tell you what, the end of this book will give you goosebumps. I loved it.
More reviews at http://identitydiscovery.net
Coming into this second book, you learn that Brigitta is bound to lead a life full of adventures. Since she has left the White Forest and survived, she is now considered to have worldly experience. She is actually better equipped than all the other fairies to travel beyond the White Forest whenever the need arises. As it turns out, this story requires her to travel to the fairies' legendary home of Noe, which is now the Ruins of Noe after the Great World Cry (i.e. terrible cataclysm that drove the fairies from their home into the White Forest). Why on earth would Brigitta need to travel here? It appears that the Ancients (the original fairies who are with them in spirit) have adandoned the White Forest. Without the Ancients, the souls of the dead will not move on and new babies will be born without destinies, if any new babies are born at all. Brigitta must travel to the home of the Ancients to try to reconnect with them in order to gain their favor once again. She travels with her high Priestess Ondelle and quickly discovers that this trip really was something she should have done alone. They are captured the "left behind" fairies and Ondelle is imprisoned. It is up to Brigitta to find a way to save Ondelle, free all the fairies from their oppressive rulers so that they may go to the White Forest with their kin, and reconnect to the Ancients in order to save the White Forest yet again.
Brigitta learns a lot about herself along the way and finds that her destiny may be even more tumultuous than first imagined. Her big heart and compassion will lead her into trouble and help guide her in the right direction for all. While she is not able to save all the fairies in the Ruins Of Noe, she helps them find their true path. It is a great story. If you liked the first one, you will love the second one. I was left feeling like a third book is on the way and can't wait. Neither book ends with a cliffhanger, but I tell you what, the end of this book will give you goosebumps. I loved it.
More reviews at http://identitydiscovery.net
April 27, 2012
Be at Behind A Million And One Pages on 23 April for a exclusive review of Ruins of Noe as well as Brigitta of the White Forest! Join the blog tour!
Such an adventurous little soul Brigitta has. Destined to be an Elder faerie, yet longing for adventure. In the first novel we see that Brigitta is jealous of her friends for having their destiny marking when she doesn't, as well as our spending time with her trying to figure out what she is good at that will spend the rest of her life doing. We hear remarks about her wings often in the first novel about how hers compare to those that are marked, as she longs for her wings to be marked. Yet now, that they are, she is still unsure about it all. It's quite annoying at times. Yes, it is something that you're going to be doing for the rest of your life, but don't complain about your own wings when you don't even know what your own destiny is that you want to fulfil! Ok enough ranting, next!!
We are broguht back from the first novel with the background knowledge of the Great World Cry (in which we hear about the city of Noe and a little on it's background. Brigitta, once again, is the heroine of the novel, in which she personally needs to deal with many challenges as well as adventures in order to save the White Forest once again. And, also again, she get a companion that makes her journey worse and more chaotic then if she would have traveled alone. In the first novel, she had to save Himalette numerous times. Now, in this novel, it is Ondelle that Brigitta needs to save. As a typical heroine, Brigitta saves the day! Although this novel is based for Middle-Graders, the second in the series seems to be matured more than in the first novel, in regards to the meaning behind the story as well as the lessons learnt. We start to move to the YA genre, which can lead to both Brigitta and the reader to a more mature level, like a transitioning novel.
Such an adventurous little soul Brigitta has. Destined to be an Elder faerie, yet longing for adventure. In the first novel we see that Brigitta is jealous of her friends for having their destiny marking when she doesn't, as well as our spending time with her trying to figure out what she is good at that will spend the rest of her life doing. We hear remarks about her wings often in the first novel about how hers compare to those that are marked, as she longs for her wings to be marked. Yet now, that they are, she is still unsure about it all. It's quite annoying at times. Yes, it is something that you're going to be doing for the rest of your life, but don't complain about your own wings when you don't even know what your own destiny is that you want to fulfil! Ok enough ranting, next!!
We are broguht back from the first novel with the background knowledge of the Great World Cry (in which we hear about the city of Noe and a little on it's background. Brigitta, once again, is the heroine of the novel, in which she personally needs to deal with many challenges as well as adventures in order to save the White Forest once again. And, also again, she get a companion that makes her journey worse and more chaotic then if she would have traveled alone. In the first novel, she had to save Himalette numerous times. Now, in this novel, it is Ondelle that Brigitta needs to save. As a typical heroine, Brigitta saves the day! Although this novel is based for Middle-Graders, the second in the series seems to be matured more than in the first novel, in regards to the meaning behind the story as well as the lessons learnt. We start to move to the YA genre, which can lead to both Brigitta and the reader to a more mature level, like a transitioning novel.
April 16, 2012
Second in Danika Dinsmore’s Faerie Tales from the White Forest, The Ruins of Noe extends the world and history of White Forest fairies, sending Brigitta, now an apprentice elder, on a quest to find the Ancients who uphold the forest. Readers who enjoyed the first book will thoroughly enjoy this second. But the story stands alone very comfortably too.
That vexing question of free-will vs destiny rears its head again, with teen fairy Brigitta still unsure why she’s destined to lead, and the Great High Priest Ondelle offering conflicting guidance. When fairy babies are born without receiving destinies, it’s clear some major disaster is on its way. Fairy history and myth interweave as Brigitta and Ondelle meet wild fairies in a cruel and broken land where the one thing everyone can agree on is the guiding Ancients seem to have abandoned them. But maybe that just means Brigitta’s quest really has to succeed.
Nicely drawn rival societies include enough social conscience to appeal to the most discriminating readers, and enough action to keep those readers turning pages. While Brigitta has plenty of soul-searching to do, it all takes place in the context of a swiftly moving tale, well-told and filled with challenges to honor and self-worth. Wise lessons are well learned by fairy and reader, and the ending’s satisfying, completing the story well even if the overarching tale isn’t finished.
In fact, Danika Dinsmore does a particularly good job of setting her individual tales in the context of something larger, making this an enjoyable series to read and to follow.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel through Lightning Book Promotions as part of the virtual book tour for Ruins of Noe.
That vexing question of free-will vs destiny rears its head again, with teen fairy Brigitta still unsure why she’s destined to lead, and the Great High Priest Ondelle offering conflicting guidance. When fairy babies are born without receiving destinies, it’s clear some major disaster is on its way. Fairy history and myth interweave as Brigitta and Ondelle meet wild fairies in a cruel and broken land where the one thing everyone can agree on is the guiding Ancients seem to have abandoned them. But maybe that just means Brigitta’s quest really has to succeed.
Nicely drawn rival societies include enough social conscience to appeal to the most discriminating readers, and enough action to keep those readers turning pages. While Brigitta has plenty of soul-searching to do, it all takes place in the context of a swiftly moving tale, well-told and filled with challenges to honor and self-worth. Wise lessons are well learned by fairy and reader, and the ending’s satisfying, completing the story well even if the overarching tale isn’t finished.
In fact, Danika Dinsmore does a particularly good job of setting her individual tales in the context of something larger, making this an enjoyable series to read and to follow.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novel through Lightning Book Promotions as part of the virtual book tour for Ruins of Noe.
February 10, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange to write an honest review.
Danika Dinsmore has once again written a thrilling middle-grade book. The excitement continues as you follow Brigitta as she trains to become one of the Elders for her village. When she discovers that she may be able to once again save her village she sets out on another journey with the High Priestess Ondelle. Though it sounds slightly similar in tone to the first book, I found the situations slightly more dire and the characters more mature.
Danika’s writing is once again fluid and engaging. Her descriptions are quite vivid and allow you to feel as though you have been sucked right in. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and once again recommend it to anyone that likes fantasies.
Danika Dinsmore has once again written a thrilling middle-grade book. The excitement continues as you follow Brigitta as she trains to become one of the Elders for her village. When she discovers that she may be able to once again save her village she sets out on another journey with the High Priestess Ondelle. Though it sounds slightly similar in tone to the first book, I found the situations slightly more dire and the characters more mature.
Danika’s writing is once again fluid and engaging. Her descriptions are quite vivid and allow you to feel as though you have been sucked right in. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and once again recommend it to anyone that likes fantasies.
August 4, 2016
I won this book in the Good Reads giveaway, and it was signed and hand-delivered by the author. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but look forward to it. Thank you very much.
Update: I really enjoyed this book. It was quite different from what I usually read. I haven't read the previous story, but didn't have any trouble understanding this one. Any references to earlier adventures are explained where necessary, and there are maps and a helpful glossary. The story seemed a little rushed at times, which was a shame as I fell in love with the characters and would like to know more about their world.
Update: I really enjoyed this book. It was quite different from what I usually read. I haven't read the previous story, but didn't have any trouble understanding this one. Any references to earlier adventures are explained where necessary, and there are maps and a helpful glossary. The story seemed a little rushed at times, which was a shame as I fell in love with the characters and would like to know more about their world.
May 8, 2014
I was quite intrigued with the first of this series Brigitta of the White Forest. The Ruins of Noe continues the saga even further when Brigitta travels to the disturbing ruins of Noe where faeries of a very different kind dwell and where no one, not even the high priestess is safe. The wonderful thing about this novel, is that it continues to Ondelle of Grioth. Now I can't tell you why I'm very excited to read this. Only know that something huge happens in the second novel that promises a good read in the next.
May 2, 2012
Okay, giving my own book 5 stars seems kind of self-indulgent. But I truly do love this book, and I didn't for a long time. This was a challenging book to write.
In combination with the great story editing, cover art, and new map art I think it deserves five stars.
I hope you enjoy this new adventure.
In combination with the great story editing, cover art, and new map art I think it deserves five stars.
I hope you enjoy this new adventure.
March 22, 2021
Another great adventure in this fantasy series. The only thing I would have wanted to change, is to have more Minq. He's so cute. Hopefully there's more of him in the other books in the series.
November 19, 2016
...loved this book. I can't wait to find out more...
April 6, 2012
(This review was originally written for Clockwork Reviews. You can read it here or there.)
In The Ruins of Noe, the sequel to her debut novel Brigitta of the White Forest, Danika Dinsmore outdoes herself in the crafting of this new book. All of the elements that made Brigitta wonderful continue on in this book. It is still just as magical and engaging as the first book, exploring the trials and struggles of the now adolescent protagonist. But the book also distinguishes itself from its predecessor with a darker tone and more mature themes that keep pace with Brigitta’s growth into adulthood.
The fairies of the White Forest rely on the intervention of the Ethereals, the invisible Ancients who help keep the elements in balance in the sheltered realm of the forest. But when the spirit of a dead Elder does not move on and a child is born without a destiny, the Elders who rule the forest realize that something has gone wrong. The Ethereals no longer intervene in their lives, and may not be able to protect the Forest.
High Priestess Ondelle decides to return to the ruined city of Noe, which was the home of the fairies until an apocalyptic event forced them to flee and take shelter in the White Forest. With her she takes Brigitta, who some believe to be the prophesied fairy who will help make things right. In Noe, many illusions the fairies had about the past are shattered. Fairies had been left behind in the flight to the White Forest and their survivors had built up two feuding kingdoms ruled by cruel tyrants. Brigitta is soon alone and friendless in a strange world that would rather have her dead, forced to find a way to solve her problems alone.
As mentioned before, this turned out to be a darker tale than the first book in the series. In Brigitta of the White Forest, there were tense moments but Brigitta was able to solve problems in the end, so that life was returned to mostly normal in the White Forest. In The Ruins of Noe, awful things happen to some characters and are not fixed. By the end of the book many problems remain unfixed. While some of this is to leave room for future sequels, the tone of the book at the end is that there may not be solutions. And while the first book was about learning self-reliance and taking a step towards adulthood, the second book was about having to take on tasks before you’re ready and growing up fast.
In that manner this book also approaches an older audience than its predecessor. Brigitta of the White Forest had a very strong Middle Reader energy, where the story depended on making friends and solving problems. The Ruins of Noe begins to push outside of that towards “young adult” or “teen fiction.” The story has less obvious solutions, hints at a world more complex than previously realized, and begins hinting at a romantic storyline that will see more attention in later books.
I loved this book, despite the anxiety it induced as I worried about the fate of the characters. For young readers who have grown older since Dinsmore’s first book came out, this could be an excellent stepping stone as their tastes and maturity grow.
In The Ruins of Noe, the sequel to her debut novel Brigitta of the White Forest, Danika Dinsmore outdoes herself in the crafting of this new book. All of the elements that made Brigitta wonderful continue on in this book. It is still just as magical and engaging as the first book, exploring the trials and struggles of the now adolescent protagonist. But the book also distinguishes itself from its predecessor with a darker tone and more mature themes that keep pace with Brigitta’s growth into adulthood.
The fairies of the White Forest rely on the intervention of the Ethereals, the invisible Ancients who help keep the elements in balance in the sheltered realm of the forest. But when the spirit of a dead Elder does not move on and a child is born without a destiny, the Elders who rule the forest realize that something has gone wrong. The Ethereals no longer intervene in their lives, and may not be able to protect the Forest.
High Priestess Ondelle decides to return to the ruined city of Noe, which was the home of the fairies until an apocalyptic event forced them to flee and take shelter in the White Forest. With her she takes Brigitta, who some believe to be the prophesied fairy who will help make things right. In Noe, many illusions the fairies had about the past are shattered. Fairies had been left behind in the flight to the White Forest and their survivors had built up two feuding kingdoms ruled by cruel tyrants. Brigitta is soon alone and friendless in a strange world that would rather have her dead, forced to find a way to solve her problems alone.
As mentioned before, this turned out to be a darker tale than the first book in the series. In Brigitta of the White Forest, there were tense moments but Brigitta was able to solve problems in the end, so that life was returned to mostly normal in the White Forest. In The Ruins of Noe, awful things happen to some characters and are not fixed. By the end of the book many problems remain unfixed. While some of this is to leave room for future sequels, the tone of the book at the end is that there may not be solutions. And while the first book was about learning self-reliance and taking a step towards adulthood, the second book was about having to take on tasks before you’re ready and growing up fast.
In that manner this book also approaches an older audience than its predecessor. Brigitta of the White Forest had a very strong Middle Reader energy, where the story depended on making friends and solving problems. The Ruins of Noe begins to push outside of that towards “young adult” or “teen fiction.” The story has less obvious solutions, hints at a world more complex than previously realized, and begins hinting at a romantic storyline that will see more attention in later books.
I loved this book, despite the anxiety it induced as I worried about the fate of the characters. For young readers who have grown older since Dinsmore’s first book came out, this could be an excellent stepping stone as their tastes and maturity grow.
March 20, 2012
This was originally written for Yahoo! Voices. You can read it here or there.
Since reading Danika Dinsmore's Brigitta of the White Forest a year ago, I've been looking forward to the sequel. When offered a chance to read and review an eARC for The Ruins of Noe, I jumped on the opportunity. The book did not disappoint. It continued the delightful tone, characters, and setting of the first book while standing apart with its own strengths and perspective.
As Brigitta continues her training to become an Elder for the village, she is drawn into a larger problem facing the White Forest. As the spirits of the dead do not pass on and children are born without destinies, Brigitta is shown a prophecy that foretold this and included her as the one who had to go out and solve it.
With High Priestess Ondelle, Brigitta is transported to the ruins of the fairies' ancestral home, the lost city of Noe. Though both fairies from the White Forest had believed that all of fairy-kind had moved to the White Forest when the world became filled with chaos, they are surprised to find a pair of ragtag settlements. Each fairy stronghold is ruled over by a cruel despot who has no interest in some strange fairies stirring up trouble. As things turn from bad to worse, Brigitta soon finds herself alone in a strange and dangerous world where she must try to save the world without any guidance.
This second installment has a more mature tone than the previous book, aging along with the young adults who may have read the first book. Awful things happen to good people and not everything is fixed by the end. The White Forest fairies quickly learn that the history they believed in was filled with half-truths. Brigitta has to grow up fast over the span of days, facing problems that would be difficult for an adult to deal with. This book also introduces the first signs of a love interest, which also hints at more mature themes to follow.
The Ruins of Noe improves on the previous book in terms of helping readers getting their bearings in the strange and magical world of the White Forest fairies. There are still some rough patches, but overall it does much better in explaining the world. Because I read this version as an ebook on my iPhone, I didn't realize till I finished the book that there was a glossary.
While the first book was a self-contained story, this sequel leaves many plot hooks open as an avenue towards telling a much larger tale. Dinsmore did an excellent job at keeping me hooked, and sometimes even panicked, by the tale she wove. I can hardly wait for book three.
Since reading Danika Dinsmore's Brigitta of the White Forest a year ago, I've been looking forward to the sequel. When offered a chance to read and review an eARC for The Ruins of Noe, I jumped on the opportunity. The book did not disappoint. It continued the delightful tone, characters, and setting of the first book while standing apart with its own strengths and perspective.
As Brigitta continues her training to become an Elder for the village, she is drawn into a larger problem facing the White Forest. As the spirits of the dead do not pass on and children are born without destinies, Brigitta is shown a prophecy that foretold this and included her as the one who had to go out and solve it.
With High Priestess Ondelle, Brigitta is transported to the ruins of the fairies' ancestral home, the lost city of Noe. Though both fairies from the White Forest had believed that all of fairy-kind had moved to the White Forest when the world became filled with chaos, they are surprised to find a pair of ragtag settlements. Each fairy stronghold is ruled over by a cruel despot who has no interest in some strange fairies stirring up trouble. As things turn from bad to worse, Brigitta soon finds herself alone in a strange and dangerous world where she must try to save the world without any guidance.
This second installment has a more mature tone than the previous book, aging along with the young adults who may have read the first book. Awful things happen to good people and not everything is fixed by the end. The White Forest fairies quickly learn that the history they believed in was filled with half-truths. Brigitta has to grow up fast over the span of days, facing problems that would be difficult for an adult to deal with. This book also introduces the first signs of a love interest, which also hints at more mature themes to follow.
The Ruins of Noe improves on the previous book in terms of helping readers getting their bearings in the strange and magical world of the White Forest fairies. There are still some rough patches, but overall it does much better in explaining the world. Because I read this version as an ebook on my iPhone, I didn't realize till I finished the book that there was a glossary.
While the first book was a self-contained story, this sequel leaves many plot hooks open as an avenue towards telling a much larger tale. Dinsmore did an excellent job at keeping me hooked, and sometimes even panicked, by the tale she wove. I can hardly wait for book three.
May 15, 2012
This is the second book in this series, and even though I have not read the first book I had no trouble following along in the story. Even though after reading this book, I must confess I will be. Welcome to the extraordinary world of elemental fairies. It is wonderfully complex and absolutely stunning. Brigitta is a young fairy who is torn in her feelings about her destiny marks. She was thrust into a major event in the first book, that helped prepare her for the trails that lay ahead in this one. She is summoned by her high priestess on the eve of her sisters unveiling. She is lead into the inner sanctum to a become privy to a recent set of concerns that have become a major issue among the elders. It seems that Brigitta is part of a prophecy that must be fulfilled. She is must embark on another quest and bring back that which has been lost to them. The fate of all of the fairies of the realm is tied to the success of her endeavor.
Brigitta sets off once again to save her people from an unknown foe. She has started advanced training with the Elders and sets off to perfect her new-found skills through practice. But things don't go well from the onset of the journey. Noe is a place where everything is the exact opposite of her homeland. The people are constantly at war. The vegetation is carnivorous, the beasts that roam the land and horrid and dangerous, and there are dark forces constantly plotting against everyone. Add that to the many secrets that are guarded and you find yourself in one dark place. Brigitta and Ondelle are soon captured and held at the mercy of the evil queen Mabb.
Brigitta has many decisions she has to make through-out her journey in Noe. It seems almost like this journey is training her to face something worse in the future. Let's hope not. This story was amazing and the world itself was well imagined and incredibly creative. This book will take you on an amazing journey through the growth of a very lovable and unassuming character. Brigitta is more than what she seems and I believe will continue to grow and surprise everyone in her world. Especially with the newest additions that has returned with her. When they are together, flowers seem to brighten in color. It was a fantastic story and I highly recommend it!!!
Brigitta sets off once again to save her people from an unknown foe. She has started advanced training with the Elders and sets off to perfect her new-found skills through practice. But things don't go well from the onset of the journey. Noe is a place where everything is the exact opposite of her homeland. The people are constantly at war. The vegetation is carnivorous, the beasts that roam the land and horrid and dangerous, and there are dark forces constantly plotting against everyone. Add that to the many secrets that are guarded and you find yourself in one dark place. Brigitta and Ondelle are soon captured and held at the mercy of the evil queen Mabb.
Brigitta has many decisions she has to make through-out her journey in Noe. It seems almost like this journey is training her to face something worse in the future. Let's hope not. This story was amazing and the world itself was well imagined and incredibly creative. This book will take you on an amazing journey through the growth of a very lovable and unassuming character. Brigitta is more than what she seems and I believe will continue to grow and surprise everyone in her world. Especially with the newest additions that has returned with her. When they are together, flowers seem to brighten in color. It was a fantastic story and I highly recommend it!!!
February 10, 2019
As the second book in the series continues so does Brigitta's journey to become a more brave and fulfilled fairy. She saves her village from destruction in the first book. Now in the second, she begins a more complex journey, maybe even a slightly more darker journey. She becomes an apprentice Elder, which just means allows her to travel to lands beyond the White Forest and into the Ruins of Noe to right a terrible wrong. Brigitta carries a burden only she alone can carry, a prophecy that says she alone can fix the problem regarding the Ancients and the Ruins of Noe.
While the first book is more of a coming of age book, the second seems to bring into question the readiness of responsibility in life. Whether Brigitta is ready or not, she must embark in the journey that has already been laid out for her. She must ready herself to take on tasks she didn't necessarily saw coming. She has to grow up pretty fast, the lives of everyone depends on it. She has to be able to form connections and solve problems. Brigitta is a complex character, sometimes anxious and sometimes extremely brave. Most of all, she accepts the responsibilities of her life.
The book is not all serious. It's full of adventure, discovery, and learning. It still has a simple tone, and easy flow of writing. The uncertainty and tumultous mix of emotions and feelings are contrasted by heart and compassion that both lead her into dangers but also guide her to the right destination. Best of all, she helps many fairies also find their own true paths.
While the first book is more of a coming of age book, the second seems to bring into question the readiness of responsibility in life. Whether Brigitta is ready or not, she must embark in the journey that has already been laid out for her. She must ready herself to take on tasks she didn't necessarily saw coming. She has to grow up pretty fast, the lives of everyone depends on it. She has to be able to form connections and solve problems. Brigitta is a complex character, sometimes anxious and sometimes extremely brave. Most of all, she accepts the responsibilities of her life.
The book is not all serious. It's full of adventure, discovery, and learning. It still has a simple tone, and easy flow of writing. The uncertainty and tumultous mix of emotions and feelings are contrasted by heart and compassion that both lead her into dangers but also guide her to the right destination. Best of all, she helps many fairies also find their own true paths.
October 12, 2012
The Ruins of Noe is a continuation of Brigitta of the White Forest. While the first book in the series was definitely geared more toward a middle grade audience, this installment seemed more mature than the first book.
In this installment, Brigitta is in training to become one of the Elders for her village. When she happens upon a prophecy that says she is the one who can solve a mystery surrounding her village, she sets out once again to try and set things right. Though it sounds similar in tone to the first book, I found the situations slightly more dire and the characters more mature, moving the series more toward YA than MG. By the end, not everything is tied up in a pretty bow, leaving the door open for future installments in the series.
As in the first book, Ms. Dinsmore’s writing is fluid and engaging. The fantasy genre is definitely her forte. She builds a very vivid world and strong characters — her care for them evident in every word she puts on the page.
I’m not much of a fairytale/fantasy fan, so it’s difficult for me to compare this to other books in this genre. If you are a fan of the first in the series, then I would recommend this to you. I would also encourage fantasy lovers who have not yet been introduced to Ms. Dinsmore’s stories to check them out.
(Review based on an Advanced Reader’s Copy courtesy of the publisher)
May 10, 2014
Danika Dinsmore delivers again with Brigitta's next adventure The Ruins of Noe. I was deeply absorbed and I honestly did not want the book to end.
A couple of season's have passed since Brigitta and Himmy's adventure and Brigitta is learning skills necessary for her destined role in life, but things are out of balance in the White Forest and it is up to Brigitta to seek out the Ancients and find a way to bring balance back.
Along the way she makes more new friends, develops new abilities, discovers new foes and learns more of the secrets of her people. As her adventures unfold, it becomes even more apparent that a great destiny MUST await Brigitta; she is a faerie like no other.
I am eager to start reading the third installation Ondelle of Grioth, and any more that the author has planned. I will be recommending this series to those that I know that write and read for young readers and those that adore fantasy.
A couple of season's have passed since Brigitta and Himmy's adventure and Brigitta is learning skills necessary for her destined role in life, but things are out of balance in the White Forest and it is up to Brigitta to seek out the Ancients and find a way to bring balance back.
Along the way she makes more new friends, develops new abilities, discovers new foes and learns more of the secrets of her people. As her adventures unfold, it becomes even more apparent that a great destiny MUST await Brigitta; she is a faerie like no other.
I am eager to start reading the third installation Ondelle of Grioth, and any more that the author has planned. I will be recommending this series to those that I know that write and read for young readers and those that adore fantasy.
June 26, 2017
A fairytale about faeries, actually fairly original - certainly different then anything I can recall. The worlds were odd but believable. Basically a quest story starring a young female faerie and her elder mentor. A bit uneven but interesting. 3.5 of 5.
October 3, 2014
I received the omnibus edition of the first three books in this series from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. You can see my combined review at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2....
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Want to read
July 7, 2012Free on Amazon 07/06/2012.
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