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9 days and 17:34:08
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Falling to Fairyland
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Win a free print copy of this book!
9 days and 17:34:08
20 copies available
U.S. only
In this middle grade adventure both sinister and whimsical, a changeling boy embarks on a quest of magic and self-discovery through a Grimm-inspired Fairyland, perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Aubrey Hartman.
Cricket has lived with the Fairy Witch for as long as he can remember. She may be moody and cold, and sure, maybe even a little bit evil, but she raised him as her own—even though he’s a human changeling with a rare and dangerous magic. But as his thirteenth Change Day approaches, Cricket worries she may kick him out of her tower if he can’t prove his worth soon.
When a knight from the human world falls (literally) into Fairyland, Cricket sees his chance. He knows the knight can lead him to a coveted missing piece of the Night Sky sure to impress Cricket’s fickle guardian. But after chasing him out of the tower, Cricket learns the knight has been cursed and will die soon without help. Embarking now on a quest to break the curse and steal the piece of the Night Sky, the two are thrust into a Fairyland wider, weirder, and more beautiful than they expected. As they encounter delightful characters, eerie magic, and a mischievous narrator, Cricket and the knight may discover more than they bargained for—about who they are, who they can be, and who really has their best interests at heart.
In this wildly imaginative, episodic fairy tale for the modern reader, acclaimed author Sarah Jean Horwitz delivers a powerful message of identity, independence, and self-love.
Cricket has lived with the Fairy Witch for as long as he can remember. She may be moody and cold, and sure, maybe even a little bit evil, but she raised him as her own—even though he’s a human changeling with a rare and dangerous magic. But as his thirteenth Change Day approaches, Cricket worries she may kick him out of her tower if he can’t prove his worth soon.
When a knight from the human world falls (literally) into Fairyland, Cricket sees his chance. He knows the knight can lead him to a coveted missing piece of the Night Sky sure to impress Cricket’s fickle guardian. But after chasing him out of the tower, Cricket learns the knight has been cursed and will die soon without help. Embarking now on a quest to break the curse and steal the piece of the Night Sky, the two are thrust into a Fairyland wider, weirder, and more beautiful than they expected. As they encounter delightful characters, eerie magic, and a mischievous narrator, Cricket and the knight may discover more than they bargained for—about who they are, who they can be, and who really has their best interests at heart.
In this wildly imaginative, episodic fairy tale for the modern reader, acclaimed author Sarah Jean Horwitz delivers a powerful message of identity, independence, and self-love.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 31, 2026
2441 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Jean Horwitz
6 books176 followersSarah Jean Horwitz grew up next door to a cemetery and down the street from an abandoned fairy-tale theme park, which probably explains a lot. Her middle grade fantasy novel THE DARK LORD CLEMENTINE was an Amazon.com Best Book of the Month and received favorable reviews from the New York Times Book Review, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and more. Sarah Jean's most recent book for young readers is THE DEMON SWORD ASPERIDES. She currently lives near Boston. Find Sarah Jean online at sarahjeanhorwitz.com.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 11, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
I love fairytales, and this book was delightfully fairytale-ish, with unique world-building ranging from a pumpkin boat with shadowy occupants all named Jack to wild bicycles.
With vivid storytelling and a sibling-like bond between the characters, this was a moving tale about identity and love. Our main characters each have their own struggles with who they are and the shame and self-loathing they feel for being ‘wrong’.
Together, as they journey to break a curse and find a fallen piece of the Night Sky, they learn more about themselves, each other, and how to be who they are without shame or fear holding them back. Cricket and the young knight’s journeys are compelling and emotion-filled as they learn that there is more than one way to love and there is more than one way to be yourself and neither of those is a bad thing.
It is a beautiful fairytale with a satisfying ending.
I love fairytales, and this book was delightfully fairytale-ish, with unique world-building ranging from a pumpkin boat with shadowy occupants all named Jack to wild bicycles.
With vivid storytelling and a sibling-like bond between the characters, this was a moving tale about identity and love. Our main characters each have their own struggles with who they are and the shame and self-loathing they feel for being ‘wrong’.
Together, as they journey to break a curse and find a fallen piece of the Night Sky, they learn more about themselves, each other, and how to be who they are without shame or fear holding them back. Cricket and the young knight’s journeys are compelling and emotion-filled as they learn that there is more than one way to love and there is more than one way to be yourself and neither of those is a bad thing.
It is a beautiful fairytale with a satisfying ending.
August 30, 2025
A slippery young changeling's attempted theft from a very powerful fairy begins this captivating fable of identity and truth. The charming adventure is so filled with delightful secrets that it feels like striding down an atmospheric, twisted hallway. Except to be caught up in the unexpected—from a pumpkin ship to sentient bicycles—while a boy of fairyland and a "knight" from the future attempt to find an escape, as well as a cloak that will change a life forever.
Or so Cricket, the changeling in question, has been told by the Fairy Witch. He's her spy, her ward, and her means for entering enchanted worlds and seeing the truth. Ah, truth. That's not reliable currency in Cricket's world, though he holds some beliefs firmly, one being that the Cloak of Darkest Corners and the Cloak of Swiftest Winds (which he wears as one garment, relying on it to hide in shadows and escape on a gust) are absolutely essential for controlling an affliction known to only him and the Fairy Witch. And to maintain her favor (and her love? maybe), but certainly his place at her court, he needs to do the extraordinary—and secure the Cloak of the Night Sky. And so Cricket enters a quest through an unfamiliar world beyond the Fairy Witch's realm in search of that cloak, meeting up with Isaac, a young solider from the future who has a secret and a mystery of his own.
The sweet fraternal relationship between Cricket and Isaac is a highlight of this story, as each one strengthens the other. Their secrets build the plot, as well as their bond. Isaac has a pure heart and a solid backbone, a young man who has struggled deeply, wondering if what people have always told him is true, even though in his heart he knows they're wrong. (Truth isn't a reliable currency in his world, either.) As in the best quests, as Cricket and Isaac endure dangers and meet up with new friends, they help each other find courage to speak the truth.
This is a story of many threads, which come together at the end, often in ways that the reader will not expect, but which will make perfect sense (and tempt you to glance back and read passages again). This is also a powerful story, thanks to the moral questions that weave throughout the entire tale.
Falling to Fairyland is a modern classic, and a perfect book for fostering powerful discussions that students will carry with them for many years to come.
Or so Cricket, the changeling in question, has been told by the Fairy Witch. He's her spy, her ward, and her means for entering enchanted worlds and seeing the truth. Ah, truth. That's not reliable currency in Cricket's world, though he holds some beliefs firmly, one being that the Cloak of Darkest Corners and the Cloak of Swiftest Winds (which he wears as one garment, relying on it to hide in shadows and escape on a gust) are absolutely essential for controlling an affliction known to only him and the Fairy Witch. And to maintain her favor (and her love? maybe), but certainly his place at her court, he needs to do the extraordinary—and secure the Cloak of the Night Sky. And so Cricket enters a quest through an unfamiliar world beyond the Fairy Witch's realm in search of that cloak, meeting up with Isaac, a young solider from the future who has a secret and a mystery of his own.
The sweet fraternal relationship between Cricket and Isaac is a highlight of this story, as each one strengthens the other. Their secrets build the plot, as well as their bond. Isaac has a pure heart and a solid backbone, a young man who has struggled deeply, wondering if what people have always told him is true, even though in his heart he knows they're wrong. (Truth isn't a reliable currency in his world, either.) As in the best quests, as Cricket and Isaac endure dangers and meet up with new friends, they help each other find courage to speak the truth.
This is a story of many threads, which come together at the end, often in ways that the reader will not expect, but which will make perfect sense (and tempt you to glance back and read passages again). This is also a powerful story, thanks to the moral questions that weave throughout the entire tale.
Falling to Fairyland is a modern classic, and a perfect book for fostering powerful discussions that students will carry with them for many years to come.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a joy to read! I've read many different books set in the Fairy World and this one felt completely unique to me. I loved the characters and the themes are handled in a way that speaks to both children and adults. I really felt attached to this story and couldn't stop reading. This was a perfect start to a new reading year!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews