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The Curse of the Silvan Oaks
May the moon light your way...
All is not well in the kingdom of Silvanland. The ancient feud between Queen Titania and King Oberon has turned into a merciless war, and a deadly curse festers in the sacred woods.
When young Prince Cory is kidnapped by Oberon's ruthless soldiers, the Silvan forces think all hope is lost. But fate has other plans. In the mortal world, hidden away in an old oak tree, there lies a portal. And through this portal a girl called Oli will soon fall. Her arrival in the magical land will change everything...
'A magical adventure' Katherine Woodfine
'Makes you long to be a child again, to discover this wonderful story for the first time' Richard E. Grant
All is not well in the kingdom of Silvanland. The ancient feud between Queen Titania and King Oberon has turned into a merciless war, and a deadly curse festers in the sacred woods.
When young Prince Cory is kidnapped by Oberon's ruthless soldiers, the Silvan forces think all hope is lost. But fate has other plans. In the mortal world, hidden away in an old oak tree, there lies a portal. And through this portal a girl called Oli will soon fall. Her arrival in the magical land will change everything...
'A magical adventure' Katherine Woodfine
'Makes you long to be a child again, to discover this wonderful story for the first time' Richard E. Grant
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 15, 2025
What a spellbinding read. The Curse of the Silvan Oaks is gorgeously written – an imaginative gateway into a brand new fantasy world, brilliantly rooted in Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream – what a genius idea.
It opens in my absolute favourite way: with a prophecy. Beautifully immersive, rich in magic, mystery and with a gorgeous spotlight on nature. The world-building is exceptional – ancient and full of secrets – how I'd love to wander through a forest of ringing bluebells. A love for nature and the natural world shines through in every page... it's the kind of setting you want to get lost in and one that is so, so important for young readers to be engaged with and inspired by.
And what a world of characters —Queen Hellebore, King Rowan, Hecate, Stella with butterflies in her hair—each steeped in myth and meaning, adding so much depth and beauty to the story. They're introduced with care and clarity, laying the foundation for a magical realm full of enchanting kingdoms, quests and lore.
I already can’t wait to see where the story goes next. If I had kids, I’d be handing this to them in a heartbeat but for now I'd recommend it to anyone who wishes to be transported into a world of childlike wonder.
It opens in my absolute favourite way: with a prophecy. Beautifully immersive, rich in magic, mystery and with a gorgeous spotlight on nature. The world-building is exceptional – ancient and full of secrets – how I'd love to wander through a forest of ringing bluebells. A love for nature and the natural world shines through in every page... it's the kind of setting you want to get lost in and one that is so, so important for young readers to be engaged with and inspired by.
And what a world of characters —Queen Hellebore, King Rowan, Hecate, Stella with butterflies in her hair—each steeped in myth and meaning, adding so much depth and beauty to the story. They're introduced with care and clarity, laying the foundation for a magical realm full of enchanting kingdoms, quests and lore.
I already can’t wait to see where the story goes next. If I had kids, I’d be handing this to them in a heartbeat but for now I'd recommend it to anyone who wishes to be transported into a world of childlike wonder.
April 6, 2025
Best book I’ve ever read - highly recommended. An unbelievable story that has me totally immersed!
April 6, 2025
Amazing book - the storyline was so engaging and I loved getting to know the characters throughout. Highly recommend!
August 26, 2026
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Steerforth & Pushkin for providing an ARC of The Curse of the Silvan Oaks. This does not in any way, shape, or form impact this review, my rating, or any of the opinions expressed below.
The Curse of the Silvan Oaks follows several people who are or become involved in a conflict between two lands, Silvanland and Penumbra, in a magical world called Sacromund that is equivalent to the land of the fae or fairies. In this magical world, the Silvans have been cursed by the queen of their enemies, Queen Hellebore of the Penumbrans, which is killing the oak trees that they treasure and has struck down their king. Two things trigger the main plot. First, Prince Cory of the Silvans is kidnapped. Second, the human girl Oli literally falls into Penumbra, and she has something valuable to both sides with her. What follows is a wild dash around Penumbra, culminating in a major choice by Oli.
So I want to start by saying there are many things to like in The Curse of the Silvan Oaks. I am a big fan of stories that feature humans from the normal world somehow entering a whole new magical one, think Spirited Away and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, and this book fits into a similar category. The lore behind the world was unique and interesting. It caught my attention because it was a new spin on the traditional fairy tale characters of Titania and Oberon. However, there were a few things that made me rate this book lower than I might otherwise have.
Beyond the fascinating backstory, there was not much development of the world . The magic was not explained at all, just kind of popped up randomly and without expansion. There were also inconsistencies that bothered me. I obviously don't want to put spoilers in here, but the least spoilery example I can think of right now is that Oli had to carry Cory for some distance, but they're about the same age. Could she? At this point, she is tired, and there is an explanation given for how she gets past that but not one given for how she gets past the strength issue, and she does carry him for a long time. And again, I don't want to spoil anything because there's a lot good in this book that I'm sure many people would like to enjoy seeing themselves without me ruining it for them, but there's a lot of these really small inconsistencies with characters and the plot. Kind of minor, so maybe they won't bother others as much as me, but they did stick out to me.
Something else that bothered me was the many points of view. Based on the synopsis, I expected to see a lot more of Oli and Cory than there was. I especially wanted more from Oli's point of view. I felt like all the extra points of view thrown in were unnecessary and took time from them. I'm not against multiple points of view, especially in fantasy, but it didn't feel like these scenes added enough to justify their presence, and I wanted them to end so I could get back to Oli and Cory. They also bogged down the plot.
There were characters introduced that I wish I could have seen more of. I liked the idea of the cat man, but we never really got to deep dive into his head (this is one of the first characters that pop up, so I don't think it spoils anything for me to bring him up). I just felt like we could spend more time with all of the characters, learning more about them over all. A lot of them behaved illogically, and not as a character trait. I really didn't like anyone except Cory and Oli. Even them, they could have used more in=depth development.
I also thought the end was kind of rushed, and I hope there's a second book because I would like to see what happened after the climax. I won't ruin the end, but there are some threads I would like to see revisited and expanded for certain characters if the author chooses to continue.
All these things said, I did like Cory and Oli. I liked the lore. I liked the idea. I liked the overall story. There were moments that were like gold, shining in this book that I wish I could put here, but again, spoilers. This is a fine debut novel. I went back and forth on the rating a lot. I actually give this book a 3.5 star rating. I think it deserves higher than a 3, but because I can't do 1/2 here, and I don't want to give it a 4 because of the things that bothered me, I am giving it 3 stars on the platform, but the real rating is higher.
I think adults and children who love fairy tales, other worlds, and a magical feel would enjoy reading this book, maybe children more so since it is geared towards younger readers, so I recommend it to people who want to feel drawn into something fantastical.
The Curse of the Silvan Oaks follows several people who are or become involved in a conflict between two lands, Silvanland and Penumbra, in a magical world called Sacromund that is equivalent to the land of the fae or fairies. In this magical world, the Silvans have been cursed by the queen of their enemies, Queen Hellebore of the Penumbrans, which is killing the oak trees that they treasure and has struck down their king. Two things trigger the main plot. First, Prince Cory of the Silvans is kidnapped. Second, the human girl Oli literally falls into Penumbra, and she has something valuable to both sides with her. What follows is a wild dash around Penumbra, culminating in a major choice by Oli.
So I want to start by saying there are many things to like in The Curse of the Silvan Oaks. I am a big fan of stories that feature humans from the normal world somehow entering a whole new magical one, think Spirited Away and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, and this book fits into a similar category. The lore behind the world was unique and interesting. It caught my attention because it was a new spin on the traditional fairy tale characters of Titania and Oberon. However, there were a few things that made me rate this book lower than I might otherwise have.
Beyond the fascinating backstory, there was not much development of the world . The magic was not explained at all, just kind of popped up randomly and without expansion. There were also inconsistencies that bothered me. I obviously don't want to put spoilers in here, but the least spoilery example I can think of right now is that Oli had to carry Cory for some distance, but they're about the same age. Could she? At this point, she is tired, and there is an explanation given for how she gets past that but not one given for how she gets past the strength issue, and she does carry him for a long time. And again, I don't want to spoil anything because there's a lot good in this book that I'm sure many people would like to enjoy seeing themselves without me ruining it for them, but there's a lot of these really small inconsistencies with characters and the plot. Kind of minor, so maybe they won't bother others as much as me, but they did stick out to me.
Something else that bothered me was the many points of view. Based on the synopsis, I expected to see a lot more of Oli and Cory than there was. I especially wanted more from Oli's point of view. I felt like all the extra points of view thrown in were unnecessary and took time from them. I'm not against multiple points of view, especially in fantasy, but it didn't feel like these scenes added enough to justify their presence, and I wanted them to end so I could get back to Oli and Cory. They also bogged down the plot.
There were characters introduced that I wish I could have seen more of. I liked the idea of the cat man, but we never really got to deep dive into his head (this is one of the first characters that pop up, so I don't think it spoils anything for me to bring him up). I just felt like we could spend more time with all of the characters, learning more about them over all. A lot of them behaved illogically, and not as a character trait. I really didn't like anyone except Cory and Oli. Even them, they could have used more in=depth development.
I also thought the end was kind of rushed, and I hope there's a second book because I would like to see what happened after the climax. I won't ruin the end, but there are some threads I would like to see revisited and expanded for certain characters if the author chooses to continue.
All these things said, I did like Cory and Oli. I liked the lore. I liked the idea. I liked the overall story. There were moments that were like gold, shining in this book that I wish I could put here, but again, spoilers. This is a fine debut novel. I went back and forth on the rating a lot. I actually give this book a 3.5 star rating. I think it deserves higher than a 3, but because I can't do 1/2 here, and I don't want to give it a 4 because of the things that bothered me, I am giving it 3 stars on the platform, but the real rating is higher.
I think adults and children who love fairy tales, other worlds, and a magical feel would enjoy reading this book, maybe children more so since it is geared towards younger readers, so I recommend it to people who want to feel drawn into something fantastical.
August 27, 2026
With the atmosphere of epic fantasy, this tale dives into danger and magic with two characters to root for.
Oli is as normal as normal can be, so when she falls through a portal in a tree to find herself in a magical land, it's the last thing she expected to have happen to her. Then, there's Prince Cory who has been kidnapped by enemy forces as his kingdom faces the wrath of an evil queen. Together, the two set out on a quest to save Prince Cory's kingdom. But with dangerous monsters, evil intentions, and magic involved this is going to be more than just a difficult task.
If I had to compare this to a tale, I'd say it carries whispers of Narnia...but I say this with a broad reach. The world building in this book is rich. Very rich. The author adds details to bring the scenes and characters to visual life. This isn't done in a information drop, either, but rather filters in as necessary to create a smooth connection with the story flow. There are also quite a few characters and aspects involved. While Oli and Cory are the main characters and heroes of the tale, they are by no means alone. There's a huge wealth of personalities, creatures, and individuals, who play a role in the adventure and quest. From this side, the book leans toward the higher end of the intended age group and will delight fantasy fans with the imagination, intrigue, and world details. At the same time, other aspects run lighter. The magic and other rules aren't well laid out in comparison, and the vast amount of characters in less than 300 pages means that there is less development on that end. This side snuggles in nicely to the middle grade audience and leaves space for the adventure to unfold.
Oli and Cory draw in with their determination, forming friendship, and heart. Both are easy to root for as they try their best to overcome the impossible task. Readers get to know both as the chapters flip between their points of view. Other characters, however, aren't forgotten as the chapters switch to other perspectives as well. This helps the tale gain needed insight and stay compact, but also takes away from needed time with Oli and Cory, leaving them feeling a bit light, at times. The tale moves along quickly to keep readers in the pages and speeds toward the end. It will be interesting to see if a book two since there are enough open strings to latch onto, but this ending satisfies as well.
Fans of rich world building are sure to enjoy this one.
Oli is as normal as normal can be, so when she falls through a portal in a tree to find herself in a magical land, it's the last thing she expected to have happen to her. Then, there's Prince Cory who has been kidnapped by enemy forces as his kingdom faces the wrath of an evil queen. Together, the two set out on a quest to save Prince Cory's kingdom. But with dangerous monsters, evil intentions, and magic involved this is going to be more than just a difficult task.
If I had to compare this to a tale, I'd say it carries whispers of Narnia...but I say this with a broad reach. The world building in this book is rich. Very rich. The author adds details to bring the scenes and characters to visual life. This isn't done in a information drop, either, but rather filters in as necessary to create a smooth connection with the story flow. There are also quite a few characters and aspects involved. While Oli and Cory are the main characters and heroes of the tale, they are by no means alone. There's a huge wealth of personalities, creatures, and individuals, who play a role in the adventure and quest. From this side, the book leans toward the higher end of the intended age group and will delight fantasy fans with the imagination, intrigue, and world details. At the same time, other aspects run lighter. The magic and other rules aren't well laid out in comparison, and the vast amount of characters in less than 300 pages means that there is less development on that end. This side snuggles in nicely to the middle grade audience and leaves space for the adventure to unfold.
Oli and Cory draw in with their determination, forming friendship, and heart. Both are easy to root for as they try their best to overcome the impossible task. Readers get to know both as the chapters flip between their points of view. Other characters, however, aren't forgotten as the chapters switch to other perspectives as well. This helps the tale gain needed insight and stay compact, but also takes away from needed time with Oli and Cory, leaving them feeling a bit light, at times. The tale moves along quickly to keep readers in the pages and speeds toward the end. It will be interesting to see if a book two since there are enough open strings to latch onto, but this ending satisfies as well.
Fans of rich world building are sure to enjoy this one.
March 1, 2026
In two different worlds, two different children are going to discover a secret passage in a building. In ours, Oli will discover that the library of the mansion her mother cooks in has more than just books about it, and in another, royal prince Cory will be gifted information about the mahoosive 'toy' castle he grew up with. Cory is in a kingdom with a problem, and clearly both children are going to meet up, and clearly both are destined to work on that problem. But it's going to take a lot of hard work, risk and faith to do so successfully…
Yes, there is a case for putting this fantasy into the category of 'books that do a lot that is common and routine, and if not guessable, but still does it well enough to be forgiven'. There are definitely surprising elements here, and the plot is convoluted, rich and absorbing, helped by few of the characters being stereotypical ones. The animal life factors in, the woodland is definitely supposed to have some strong bearing on the adventure, and the world is big enough to need a map, which my files didn't provide, unfortunately.
The size of the place is one aspect of the flaws here – and many of them, while small, combine to prove that scale is an issue. One room contains a pirate ship, but it's only five metres long – but then it's still big enough to have a galley and bunk down below deck? There's a cat/man, and a mouse, that seem to be able to travel miles and miles much more quickly than any humans, and we're never allowed to know how. Elsewhere, the fact some good soldiers can't realise they have a princely addition to the number is glossed over for being contrived.
But this is a strong debut story, and for all the many, many 'children must realise their destiny is to save the kingdom' plots that are available, this remains one with distinction. It's only the author's bio that suggests we're definitely getting a sequel, but I would not be at all surprised, especially with a chimera on the loose. And while this didn't excite me quite enough to earn more than four stars, I can see many reasons why people could be eager for more. The assured voice of the author certainly deserves its place in the market.
Yes, there is a case for putting this fantasy into the category of 'books that do a lot that is common and routine, and if not guessable, but still does it well enough to be forgiven'. There are definitely surprising elements here, and the plot is convoluted, rich and absorbing, helped by few of the characters being stereotypical ones. The animal life factors in, the woodland is definitely supposed to have some strong bearing on the adventure, and the world is big enough to need a map, which my files didn't provide, unfortunately.
The size of the place is one aspect of the flaws here – and many of them, while small, combine to prove that scale is an issue. One room contains a pirate ship, but it's only five metres long – but then it's still big enough to have a galley and bunk down below deck? There's a cat/man, and a mouse, that seem to be able to travel miles and miles much more quickly than any humans, and we're never allowed to know how. Elsewhere, the fact some good soldiers can't realise they have a princely addition to the number is glossed over for being contrived.
But this is a strong debut story, and for all the many, many 'children must realise their destiny is to save the kingdom' plots that are available, this remains one with distinction. It's only the author's bio that suggests we're definitely getting a sequel, but I would not be at all surprised, especially with a chimera on the loose. And while this didn't excite me quite enough to earn more than four stars, I can see many reasons why people could be eager for more. The assured voice of the author certainly deserves its place in the market.
August 19, 2026
This story reads as middle-grade high-fantasy*. I didn't realize those two things could go together, but here we are. What elevates this story to high-fantasy* and sets it apart from other middle-grade books I've read this year is the attention given to what I would consider minutiae for this age range. There's a focus on details, not just the players and scenery, but the geography, politics, treaties, military factions, etc. I read aloud to a 5 and 9 year old, and it felt a bit tedious, but they never complained.
* High-fantasy has several definitions/connotations at this point, and I specifically mean the epic, alt-world, detail-heavy, mildly tedious version.
The age range for middle-grade encompasses such a wide range of maturity. While most of the books I choose have the potential to appeal to both ends of the spectrum, this book is securely at the older end. For older readers, the world building is done really well. It's not a deluge of information, more of a steady stream placed within the context of an actual scene - not just a random paragraph. The author clearly respects the intelligence of her audience, and avoids simplicity in favor of more dramatic prose. Had I not been reading aloud to young people, this story would have been thoroughly engaging. Personally, I want to know EVERYTHING about the realms a story takes place in, I just don't want to feel like I'm delivering a history lecture to an unwilling audience.
This was an enjoyable fantasy for older kids and adults alike, and I greatly appreciate the effort put into the world building, though I do wish there was a larger focus on character development.
Thank you to the publisher for an opportunity to read a copy through NetGalley.
* High-fantasy has several definitions/connotations at this point, and I specifically mean the epic, alt-world, detail-heavy, mildly tedious version.
The age range for middle-grade encompasses such a wide range of maturity. While most of the books I choose have the potential to appeal to both ends of the spectrum, this book is securely at the older end. For older readers, the world building is done really well. It's not a deluge of information, more of a steady stream placed within the context of an actual scene - not just a random paragraph. The author clearly respects the intelligence of her audience, and avoids simplicity in favor of more dramatic prose. Had I not been reading aloud to young people, this story would have been thoroughly engaging. Personally, I want to know EVERYTHING about the realms a story takes place in, I just don't want to feel like I'm delivering a history lecture to an unwilling audience.
This was an enjoyable fantasy for older kids and adults alike, and I greatly appreciate the effort put into the world building, though I do wish there was a larger focus on character development.
Thank you to the publisher for an opportunity to read a copy through NetGalley.
July 9, 2026
The Curse of the Silvan Oaks is a fantasy adventure that follows Oli, who unexpectedly finds herself in Silvanland and is tasked with restoring a magical stone.
I enjoyed reading this book, and the author described everything so vividly. I especially loved the description of the Queen in her battle armour - I was half tempted to draw a portrait of her! I really liked the characters, and I look forward to reading more adventures featuring Oli and Cory. Moreover, I found myself relating to Oli, and her mother is an exact copy-paste of my own mother. :D
The world-building is well done, but I didn't fully understand who or what the denizens of Silvanland actually are, as Oli is frequently referred to as a "mortal" girl.
The book reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland, and I hope it turns into a series. I also hope we get some backstory about the Queen and what made her so... cruel.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and easy read with lush world-building. Totally recommend it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
I enjoyed reading this book, and the author described everything so vividly. I especially loved the description of the Queen in her battle armour - I was half tempted to draw a portrait of her! I really liked the characters, and I look forward to reading more adventures featuring Oli and Cory. Moreover, I found myself relating to Oli, and her mother is an exact copy-paste of my own mother. :D
The world-building is well done, but I didn't fully understand who or what the denizens of Silvanland actually are, as Oli is frequently referred to as a "mortal" girl.
The book reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland, and I hope it turns into a series. I also hope we get some backstory about the Queen and what made her so... cruel.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and easy read with lush world-building. Totally recommend it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
March 8, 2025
I struggled to make my way through this one, nearly giving up several times. I felt no connection to the main character, Oli, perhaps because this book was packed with more characters than an epic fantasy. It was hard to keep track of who was who, and what side of the war they were on. It just felt like a bit of a mess of characters, people who seemed important at one point were never heard from again, then someone else became a huge character. It just seemed like endless character introductions, introductions to different factions of the war, and I wasn't always clear what side they were on.
It was just too much crammed into not a very long book.
It was just too much crammed into not a very long book.
June 19, 2025
A wonderful book— deserving of all its praise and more. The world of Sacromund is rich and expansive. As we discover it through the eyes of Oli, it is clear that this land has even more to offer and ‘The Curse of the Silvan Oaks’ is only the beginning…
The story stands firmly on the shoulders of the great past works of children’s literature as well as emerging from the iridescent world of ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’. Moreover, the characters that populate its pages add to the literary friends we can make whilst exploring fantastical lands: the fiercely brave Cory being my favourite!
I’d recommend this to anyone young or old with a taste for a new world opening up before their eyes
The story stands firmly on the shoulders of the great past works of children’s literature as well as emerging from the iridescent world of ‘A Midsummer’s Night Dream’. Moreover, the characters that populate its pages add to the literary friends we can make whilst exploring fantastical lands: the fiercely brave Cory being my favourite!
I’d recommend this to anyone young or old with a taste for a new world opening up before their eyes
August 9, 2026
A DRC was provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and slightly enchanted review.
A solid, well built 'verse, appealing protagonists and a whiff of Narnia makes this an appealing choice for those who like their fantasy full of adventure and derring-do. It lacks the haunting tone of Ruth Nichols or Eleanor Cameron but if Oli's character is developed a bit more that would help. It's out in paperback only and is the first in a series so will need some vigorous hand selling but for the right child, this will be a joy.
A solid, well built 'verse, appealing protagonists and a whiff of Narnia makes this an appealing choice for those who like their fantasy full of adventure and derring-do. It lacks the haunting tone of Ruth Nichols or Eleanor Cameron but if Oli's character is developed a bit more that would help. It's out in paperback only and is the first in a series so will need some vigorous hand selling but for the right child, this will be a joy.
April 6, 2025
What an amazing and fantastic read! So enthralling and magical and crucially vivid, the characters are loveable, especially sweet Corylus. I love the mystical world and the connection with the trees and nature but especially the references of historical sites like the Avebury stones, and the books link with A Midsummers Nights Dream. A great way to gently introduce kids to some higher literature and plot lines, but most importantly an utterly thrilling and magical read!!!!!
April 28, 2025
A book of wonder and adventure and glorious imaginings.
I should declare an interest: the writer is my friend. But I find I judge my friends' books more fiercely than I do the work of strangers. I love this book. I've read it many times. I am never bored of it. The most beautiful thing is that it is full of magic. (And if you love trees as much as I do, you will find so much to make your heart sing.) I hope that many people read it and get as much pleasure from it as I did.
I should declare an interest: the writer is my friend. But I find I judge my friends' books more fiercely than I do the work of strangers. I love this book. I've read it many times. I am never bored of it. The most beautiful thing is that it is full of magic. (And if you love trees as much as I do, you will find so much to make your heart sing.) I hope that many people read it and get as much pleasure from it as I did.
April 28, 2025
A thoughtful, engaging, and imaginative read that had me feeling VERY nostalgic. Cannot believe this is a debut.
My gripe - our main character, Oli, is too unknown for my liking and I failed to really connect with her. I know fantasy is generally lighter on the character/character-development side, but I wanted more.
My gripe - our main character, Oli, is too unknown for my liking and I failed to really connect with her. I know fantasy is generally lighter on the character/character-development side, but I wanted more.
July 7, 2025
I was absolutely transported by this book. It took me to magical and mundane places, both brilliantly described; whether amongst the woods or in suburban Swindon. At the end of the adventure, the conclusion is so moving and satisfying.
April 6, 2025
Amazing read. I was gripped from the get go and completely immersed into the magic of the book.
November 16, 2025
This is a good read for a young adult who is still happy to venture into a world which has portals.
In this case, the portal leads into Silvanland, and Oli, a girl on the turn into teenage rebelliousness and who is cross that she has had to move house to a place where she knows no one, goes through it. There she discovers a world in which the dissension between Queen Titania and King Oberon has not, as in Shakespeare, been resolved. But, through her father, Oli has Titania’s Black Stone, and its powers are what the wicked Queen Hellebore Penumbra wants as she seeks to extend her power in a divided Silvanland. This leads her into desperate circumstances in which she and Prince Cory face pretty fearful adventures.
Read on to enjoy excursions with magical creatures of the woodland and the humans that dwell beside them!
The novel felt a little too constructed, a little too worked to me, but this is a first novel, and the ending suggests there may be sequels. I hope there may be. It’s a promising world, and it may be that Georgia Channon intends to find her own way of resolving the misery unleashed upon the land by Oberon and Titania’s longstanding disagreement, and that, as she warms to her world and the storyteller’s art, her books will be more at home with themselves.
In this case, the portal leads into Silvanland, and Oli, a girl on the turn into teenage rebelliousness and who is cross that she has had to move house to a place where she knows no one, goes through it. There she discovers a world in which the dissension between Queen Titania and King Oberon has not, as in Shakespeare, been resolved. But, through her father, Oli has Titania’s Black Stone, and its powers are what the wicked Queen Hellebore Penumbra wants as she seeks to extend her power in a divided Silvanland. This leads her into desperate circumstances in which she and Prince Cory face pretty fearful adventures.
Read on to enjoy excursions with magical creatures of the woodland and the humans that dwell beside them!
The novel felt a little too constructed, a little too worked to me, but this is a first novel, and the ending suggests there may be sequels. I hope there may be. It’s a promising world, and it may be that Georgia Channon intends to find her own way of resolving the misery unleashed upon the land by Oberon and Titania’s longstanding disagreement, and that, as she warms to her world and the storyteller’s art, her books will be more at home with themselves.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews