What do you think?
Rate this book
Those Dreadful Fairy Books #1
A Dreadful Fairy Book
Winner: 2019 Best Middle Reader Book and First Horizon Award for Debut Books, Eric Hoffer Book Awards
Readers, beware: what you hold in your hands is a dreadful fairy book.
I wish I were narrating almost any other fairy story, but alas, this is my lot. Whatever expectations you have of delightful and whimsical fairies are sure to be disappointed. There are certainly fairies, but most are not proper fairies. Some who are supposed to be nasty are disappointingly nice, while some who should be kind and helpful are disconcertingly surly, dishonest, and generally unpleasant company.
Our heroine is, perhaps, the worst offender—a sprite more interested in books than carefree games, who insists on being called Shade even though she has the perfectly lovely fairy name of Lillyshadow Glitterdemalion. She is on a quest, albeit with rather questionable companions, to find a place she can call home. A place of companionship, comfort, and, most importantly, positively filled with books.
Readers, beware: what you hold in your hands is a dreadful fairy book.
I wish I were narrating almost any other fairy story, but alas, this is my lot. Whatever expectations you have of delightful and whimsical fairies are sure to be disappointed. There are certainly fairies, but most are not proper fairies. Some who are supposed to be nasty are disappointingly nice, while some who should be kind and helpful are disconcertingly surly, dishonest, and generally unpleasant company.
Our heroine is, perhaps, the worst offender—a sprite more interested in books than carefree games, who insists on being called Shade even though she has the perfectly lovely fairy name of Lillyshadow Glitterdemalion. She is on a quest, albeit with rather questionable companions, to find a place she can call home. A place of companionship, comfort, and, most importantly, positively filled with books.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2018
7 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Jon Etter
8 books25 followersJon Etter is a Milwaukee-area high school English teacher and the author of the all-ages comedy/fantasy series "Those Dreadful Fairy Book" from Amberjack Publishing/Chicago Review Press. Feel free to visit his website to see a full list of his publications, more biographical information, contact info, and free downloadable study guides and projects for his work for children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 28, 2019
Around 3.5 stars. I’m rounding up as I believe the children this is written for will love it.
This is Lemony Snicket but with a quest and fairies instead of children and a scheming Count. Not that the style of writing isn't super fun, because it is, but it is predictable when any book starts off by telling you that awful things happen. Of course it's in a children's tongue and cheek way; and this is middle grade level literature after all.
Perhaps worth noting is The Dreadful Fairy Tale does put our characters in peril and discusses death. So be prepared for possible questions from your young one. It's all done in a tasteful and easy to consume way, in my opinion.
Characters
There are some really fun characters that our lead fairy meets along her journey. They include a dainty troll who prefers to dress up nice and have tea than to scare others off his bridge, a bored billy goat, a perfect chivalrous knight, and a good ole dragon. Plus we encounter some other pixies, fairies, gnomes, etc.
The characters and their bickering, joking and (mostly harmless) picking on one another are easily the highlight of the book for me. Additionally Jon Etter has left a lot of references that a child may not pick-up on but an adult is sure to. These might include defunct technology (see example below), old-school words, or even cultural norms.
Write About Books and They Will Come
There is a secret to the book industry, in case you were not aware. If you write about books or a bookworm you have a guaranteed audience! Everyone who loves to read wants to read about characters like them, book lovers! Our fairy is unhappy with her lot in life and goes on a quest to find... a library! Who doesn't want to find an awesome library?
On the topic of libraries, this quote really amuses me and shows some of the cleverness that Etter has put into his story;
"...Dewey, the fairy who organizes the library. Hes done it by colour, weight, first letter on 89th page (don't ask what about books with less pages)...".
Super cute! Who hasn't struggled with how to organize their bookshelves. And the name is (of course) a throw-back to the Dewey Decimal system. A perfect opportunity for a parent (if reading aloud to a child) to explain to a little one how we used to find books and topics before the internet and computers. Etter does do some of that explaining for you as well.
Overall
While I didn't adore this book it was definitely cute enough to warrant a read. I would recommend it for adults (even though it's a middle grade) or if you need something more interesting than Captain Underpants for an adult to read aloud it's the perfect selection.
If nothing else this one is worth a library check-out.
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
This is Lemony Snicket but with a quest and fairies instead of children and a scheming Count. Not that the style of writing isn't super fun, because it is, but it is predictable when any book starts off by telling you that awful things happen. Of course it's in a children's tongue and cheek way; and this is middle grade level literature after all.
Perhaps worth noting is The Dreadful Fairy Tale does put our characters in peril and discusses death. So be prepared for possible questions from your young one. It's all done in a tasteful and easy to consume way, in my opinion.
Characters
There are some really fun characters that our lead fairy meets along her journey. They include a dainty troll who prefers to dress up nice and have tea than to scare others off his bridge, a bored billy goat, a perfect chivalrous knight, and a good ole dragon. Plus we encounter some other pixies, fairies, gnomes, etc.
The characters and their bickering, joking and (mostly harmless) picking on one another are easily the highlight of the book for me. Additionally Jon Etter has left a lot of references that a child may not pick-up on but an adult is sure to. These might include defunct technology (see example below), old-school words, or even cultural norms.
Write About Books and They Will Come
There is a secret to the book industry, in case you were not aware. If you write about books or a bookworm you have a guaranteed audience! Everyone who loves to read wants to read about characters like them, book lovers! Our fairy is unhappy with her lot in life and goes on a quest to find... a library! Who doesn't want to find an awesome library?
On the topic of libraries, this quote really amuses me and shows some of the cleverness that Etter has put into his story;
"...Dewey, the fairy who organizes the library. Hes done it by colour, weight, first letter on 89th page (don't ask what about books with less pages)...".
Super cute! Who hasn't struggled with how to organize their bookshelves. And the name is (of course) a throw-back to the Dewey Decimal system. A perfect opportunity for a parent (if reading aloud to a child) to explain to a little one how we used to find books and topics before the internet and computers. Etter does do some of that explaining for you as well.
Overall
While I didn't adore this book it was definitely cute enough to warrant a read. I would recommend it for adults (even though it's a middle grade) or if you need something more interesting than Captain Underpants for an adult to read aloud it's the perfect selection.
If nothing else this one is worth a library check-out.
To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
October 12, 2018
Disclaimer: Digital ARC via Netgalley. It did not have many of the illustrations, but if the frontispiece is anything to go by, the illustrations should be good.
Me, handing in the review to the Review God: Here you go.
Review God: Wait, wait. You can’t give it five stars and then simply say because of Saint Eeyore.
Me: Why not?
Review God shakes bookshelves.
Me: But it mentions Saint Eeyore. That should be enough to make anyone read it. But okay fine. Give it here, I’ll add something.
Review God takes back the review: What’s this say? Your handwriting is horrible.
Me: Saint Eeyore, Stinkletoe Radishbottom, Lee the Harper, and William Shudderpike are all mentioned. Plus, there is a really funny hobbit title. Read this book now.
Review God delivers that stare with the glasses.
Me: Okay, fine, give it. Look, I can’t add more, if you don’t give it here.
Review God: You dictate, I’ll write.
Me: But if you’re a god, why do you need a pencil.
Review God shakes the bookshelves again.
Me: Alright, just wondering. Hamm. Let’s see. A Dreadful Fairy Book is a fairy tale that will charm readers of all ages. In theory a children’s book, the novel is a love parody . . .
Review God: that’s not a thing.
Me: It is now. Funk and Wagnalls said I could. So there. The novel is love parody poem to the joys and wonders of reading. It will make any long-time reader weep tears of passion. The story, supposedly related by Quentin Q Quacksworth Esq, who is a bit miffed at having to tell it, is about the heroine we have all been waiting for – Shade. A young sprite who goes on an epic quest to find another copy of her first book love, after her book and library were savagely destroyed. Along the way, she encounters various people and other characters, including a Professor who may actually be a professor, a troll who likes tea, and the “nephew of the second most prosperous cheesemaker in Bilgewater”.
The story includes fantasy titles of famous real-world works, such as Lee the Harper’s to Murder an Insulting Finch. There are fights, lost parents, owl wings, and changelings. Long the way, the reader will have to duel with Quacksworth who has gotten it into his head that this story should not be told. This is because he does not understand the wonder that is Shade, a beautifully flawed, book loving, sprite of color. She also has really cool wings, though flying makes her tummy feel funny. She can curse! The book even passes the Bechdel test.
There are a couple wonderful send ups of Tolkien as well as knightly fighting. There is a squire who knows his weaponry. A kick ass mother. There are references to family members’ body parts.
Review God: That’s disgusting.
Me: No, it’s not. You haven’t read the book. Look, if you are a reader, this is a book about reading. About how reading can bind a family together. How reading makes outcasts feel less outcastery. YES, I KNOW. How dangerous a lack of reading can be. If you read, you will love this book. Is that what you want Review God?
Review God: Yes.
Me: Okay, but we all know that everyone is really reading it for Saints Eeyore and Figgymigg. And the scene with the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Me, handing in the review to the Review God: Here you go.
Review God: Wait, wait. You can’t give it five stars and then simply say because of Saint Eeyore.
Me: Why not?
Review God shakes bookshelves.
Me: But it mentions Saint Eeyore. That should be enough to make anyone read it. But okay fine. Give it here, I’ll add something.
Review God takes back the review: What’s this say? Your handwriting is horrible.
Me: Saint Eeyore, Stinkletoe Radishbottom, Lee the Harper, and William Shudderpike are all mentioned. Plus, there is a really funny hobbit title. Read this book now.
Review God delivers that stare with the glasses.
Me: Okay, fine, give it. Look, I can’t add more, if you don’t give it here.
Review God: You dictate, I’ll write.
Me: But if you’re a god, why do you need a pencil.
Review God shakes the bookshelves again.
Me: Alright, just wondering. Hamm. Let’s see. A Dreadful Fairy Book is a fairy tale that will charm readers of all ages. In theory a children’s book, the novel is a love parody . . .
Review God: that’s not a thing.
Me: It is now. Funk and Wagnalls said I could. So there. The novel is love parody poem to the joys and wonders of reading. It will make any long-time reader weep tears of passion. The story, supposedly related by Quentin Q Quacksworth Esq, who is a bit miffed at having to tell it, is about the heroine we have all been waiting for – Shade. A young sprite who goes on an epic quest to find another copy of her first book love, after her book and library were savagely destroyed. Along the way, she encounters various people and other characters, including a Professor who may actually be a professor, a troll who likes tea, and the “nephew of the second most prosperous cheesemaker in Bilgewater”.
The story includes fantasy titles of famous real-world works, such as Lee the Harper’s to Murder an Insulting Finch. There are fights, lost parents, owl wings, and changelings. Long the way, the reader will have to duel with Quacksworth who has gotten it into his head that this story should not be told. This is because he does not understand the wonder that is Shade, a beautifully flawed, book loving, sprite of color. She also has really cool wings, though flying makes her tummy feel funny. She can curse! The book even passes the Bechdel test.
There are a couple wonderful send ups of Tolkien as well as knightly fighting. There is a squire who knows his weaponry. A kick ass mother. There are references to family members’ body parts.
Review God: That’s disgusting.
Me: No, it’s not. You haven’t read the book. Look, if you are a reader, this is a book about reading. About how reading can bind a family together. How reading makes outcasts feel less outcastery. YES, I KNOW. How dangerous a lack of reading can be. If you read, you will love this book. Is that what you want Review God?
Review God: Yes.
Me: Okay, but we all know that everyone is really reading it for Saints Eeyore and Figgymigg. And the scene with the Three Billy Goats Gruff.
November 11, 2018
A place with books and people who read them - that’s where I need to be.Shade is a sprite who doesn’t fit in. Her home in Pleasant Hollow is a constant reminder of the bullying she endured when she was younger for being different and all that she has lost: her mother who went to fight in a war and never returned, and her father who died. Now her home and more importantly her precious 74 books have been lost to a fire after some “grub-sucking, slime-licking mudbrains” set off fireworks in the middle of the forest.
Shade is “dingle-dangle” furious and storms off (she doesn’t like flying) into the Merry Forest, after making sure she tells the other sprites to “Get donkled!” I don’t mind fake swearing generally because it’s usually humourous but, with the spite that came with a lot of the swearing in this book, the chuckles weren’t there for me.
Shade has never ventured outside of her village before so she isn’t quite sure where she’s going but, armed with the knowledge she’s gained by reading and fuelled by rage and determination, she begins a quest to find more books; hopefully enough to last her a lifetime.
Books that we love truly are our friends, always there to comfort us in times of trouble, revel with us in times of joy, and inspire countless acts of kindness, nobility, and goodwill every day of our lives.It’s difficult to believe that a character who spends the entire book on the hunt for a library could be as obnoxious and surly as Shade, the main character. Although there are glimpses of something softer beneath the surface (deep, deep down), Shade is mostly acerbic and downright rude to practically everyone who is unfortunate enough to cross her path. Even those who help her along the way are not immune to her venom.
Because the narrator overslept they wound up stuck narrating this story and all they do is whinge about it; what a terrible story this is, how you should skip to the end of the chapter, blah blah blah. If you enjoy reading commentary from someone who consistently tells you how “dreadful” what you’re reading is you may like the narrator. I absolutely hated the narrator and wish that they’d kept sleeping so they never made it into this story at all.
Each time the narrator intruded on the story I wanted to stop reading altogether and almost gave up entirely several times. Rather than adding any depth or another point of view to the story I felt they detracted from it. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the narrator’s lines magically disappeared. Every so often they’d add something that didn’t make me want to slap them, but it was rare.
And we all know, no matter how many books we come to read and love in life, how special that first beloved book is, don’t we, my friend?My favourite characters were Chauncey the Gentletroll (it made my blood boil when he was called a “ponce”) and the Professor, who was blissfully silent for the majority of the book. I really enjoyed discovering how the card catalogue in the library worked; it was imaginative, magical and I need this system for my own personal library. I would also like to visit some of Chauncey’s uncle’s vacations.
My moral of the story: A bookworm without books is pretty insufferable. Make sure books are always available to them and you’ll be okay.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
October 8, 2018
This is narrated, similarly to A Series of Unfortunate Events. Narrator is used to interject humor and/or to explain the various creatures through delightful rambles. For example:
“In the unlikely event that you’ve ever seen a fly cry, you’ll know that when they do all the little mirrored squares that make up their eyes steam up until beads of water form and run down in streaks, just like the mirror in your bathroom when you are forced (and I agree with you, most unfairly) to take a long, hot bath after a good play.” (Loc. 179)
or
“(but then since I’m sure you know that hobgobins look just like goblins but shorter and hairless, the ‘hairless’ part doesn’t deserve any mention, does it?)”
It's truly a rollicking, entertaining fantasy and the characters are delightfully deplorable. (Fairy war ponies— “come near one of them with sticky fingers and it might well bite them off before stomping you to death.”)
One criticism I have is that the imaginative swearing, which was super fun at first, got a bit repetitive after a while.
I enjoyed the creativity of it:
“get donkled”
“bucket o’ snots”
“dingle-dangle dungballs”
But not all parents are going to love the constant barrage.
I did love how Etter incorporated a love of books into the core of the story. There are funny little riffs on “Pride & Prejudice” and references to “Midsummer Night’s Dream” “Moby Dick,” “The Hobbit” and a bunch more that adults will enjoy, though kids might not understand.
The characters have fun and imaginative names I think kids will love:
Stinkletoe Radishbottom
Chauncey X. Troggswollop
St. Figgymigg
Liam O’Buggery
The book has a wide audience age range. I’d feel comfortable giving it to my 10 year old or my 13 year old and I quite enjoyed it at age 45
Some moments of truth:
“No place is safe as long as there are stupid, selfish people doing stupid, selfish things.” (loc. 401)
“None who go to war come back unscarred.” loc 1145
“I chose this one because even though it is dreadful, a dreadful story is usually preferable to a mediocre one because it is at the very least memorable.” loc. 1133
Shy kids might relate the Professor, who does’t speak, yet is an invaluable member of the team. “Ginch is the best friend I’ve ever had. I don’t need words, written or spoken, for him to understand me.” ( loc.1610)
“The person with the biggest chair is usually the person to talk-a to.” (1701)
Themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the value of books.
Illustrations weren't available in the kindle version, so I have no comment on them, other then I hope they hold up to the quality of the story!
Thanks to Net Galley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
“In the unlikely event that you’ve ever seen a fly cry, you’ll know that when they do all the little mirrored squares that make up their eyes steam up until beads of water form and run down in streaks, just like the mirror in your bathroom when you are forced (and I agree with you, most unfairly) to take a long, hot bath after a good play.” (Loc. 179)
or
“(but then since I’m sure you know that hobgobins look just like goblins but shorter and hairless, the ‘hairless’ part doesn’t deserve any mention, does it?)”
It's truly a rollicking, entertaining fantasy and the characters are delightfully deplorable. (Fairy war ponies— “come near one of them with sticky fingers and it might well bite them off before stomping you to death.”)
One criticism I have is that the imaginative swearing, which was super fun at first, got a bit repetitive after a while.
I enjoyed the creativity of it:
“get donkled”
“bucket o’ snots”
“dingle-dangle dungballs”
But not all parents are going to love the constant barrage.
I did love how Etter incorporated a love of books into the core of the story. There are funny little riffs on “Pride & Prejudice” and references to “Midsummer Night’s Dream” “Moby Dick,” “The Hobbit” and a bunch more that adults will enjoy, though kids might not understand.
The characters have fun and imaginative names I think kids will love:
Stinkletoe Radishbottom
Chauncey X. Troggswollop
St. Figgymigg
Liam O’Buggery
The book has a wide audience age range. I’d feel comfortable giving it to my 10 year old or my 13 year old and I quite enjoyed it at age 45
Some moments of truth:
“No place is safe as long as there are stupid, selfish people doing stupid, selfish things.” (loc. 401)
“None who go to war come back unscarred.” loc 1145
“I chose this one because even though it is dreadful, a dreadful story is usually preferable to a mediocre one because it is at the very least memorable.” loc. 1133
Shy kids might relate the Professor, who does’t speak, yet is an invaluable member of the team. “Ginch is the best friend I’ve ever had. I don’t need words, written or spoken, for him to understand me.” ( loc.1610)
“The person with the biggest chair is usually the person to talk-a to.” (1701)
Themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the value of books.
Illustrations weren't available in the kindle version, so I have no comment on them, other then I hope they hold up to the quality of the story!
Thanks to Net Galley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2018
*** I received an advanced e-copy from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
I laughed all the way through this book. Even though it is technically a children's book I loved it. It was fun trying to catch what well-known fairytale they were doing a parody of, or what book title they were making a play on. I highly suggest this book for pretty much all ages, and for anyone needing a good laugh, or even just a little cheering up.
I laughed all the way through this book. Even though it is technically a children's book I loved it. It was fun trying to catch what well-known fairytale they were doing a parody of, or what book title they were making a play on. I highly suggest this book for pretty much all ages, and for anyone needing a good laugh, or even just a little cheering up.
November 5, 2018
What a charming, unexpected book! Who wouldn't love a grumpy, foul mouthed book loving sprite? Shade, as she demands to be called, lost her home and her books to an ill advised fireworks incident. Although this is certainly a tragedy (those books!), the loss spurs Shade to leave her comfortable life and hit the road. Once she leaves her sheltered village and the annoyingly cheerful and dim witted inhabitants, Shade really comes into her own.
Setting off to find someplace she can read to her hearts content, Shade meets and somehow befriends a motley group of misfits. Although she really would rather not, Shade comes to need, and ultimately love, these fellow exiles. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time I was reading this book, and would recommend it to pretty much everyone, no matter what age!
Setting off to find someplace she can read to her hearts content, Shade meets and somehow befriends a motley group of misfits. Although she really would rather not, Shade comes to need, and ultimately love, these fellow exiles. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time I was reading this book, and would recommend it to pretty much everyone, no matter what age!
October 5, 2018
Thank you to Amberjack Publishing for the Arc of this book.
I really enjoyed this book, made me laugh and it was a nice pleasant read, very whimsical, and I loved that it was narrated, gave it some extra whimsy.
I really enjoyed this book, made me laugh and it was a nice pleasant read, very whimsical, and I loved that it was narrated, gave it some extra whimsy.
October 22, 2018
A Dreadful Fairy Book is entertaining and creative. This is kind of book I would have loved as a young reader...and one I still enjoyed as an adult. Nicely done fiction that captures the imagination.
October 16, 2018
I enjoyed this book! Fun and silly story that I think fans of Series of Unfortunate Events will enjoy! Shade loved to read, unlike her neighbors who pretty much drive her away after setting her house on fire with fireworks...! Readers will love this story. So will fairy fans young and old. I'm guessing 5th grade up and I mean even YA's and adults! It's that fun!
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
November 3, 2018
A children’s story that is somehow equal parts Lemony Snicket, the Marx Brothers, Monty Python, the Hobbit, and imaginative whimsy and insanity that could only have been concocted in this author’s brain. A Dreadful Fairy Book is a fun and engaging read that will appeal to readers of all ages and leave them much more cheerful than they’ll ever find their main character.
September 9, 2018
A dreadful fairy 🧚♀️ book by author Jon Etter is a lovely dreadful dark fairy tale! Not all fairies are nice and sweet. This book proves that! Loved it, so much!! So much fun!
November 2, 2018
The Dreadful Fairy Book by Jon Etter, I found to be a highly enjoyable read. In the vein of Lemony Snicket and the like, the author does tend to make asides to the reader throughout the novel, mostly in an effort to advise the reader to set the book aside and pick up a more pleasant, normal fairy tale, or just to take a break.
The characters were highly diverse and I found that refreshing, since most fairy tales tend to stick to a particular geographical location and culture. This one is pretty much a smorgasbord of cultures - descriptions and dialects that help the reader flesh out the characters in their mind.
The main character Shade is such a precious smol bean and so strong and clever that I hope Pleasant Hollow becomes a better place for all future sprites born there. Those she meets on her journey help shape her into becoming more self-assured; her enlightenment is also seen through her kindness, which grows subtly, but is a vast improvement from when we first saw her (unless she's talking to same people from the beginning haha).
The end of the novel was very touching, as it's often the youngest of us who make us see the errors in our judgment. I really don't want to review too much, because spoilers, but every character shines through in uniqueness and quirks. I found myself smiling often at all the ridiculous shenanigans happening in the chapters.
The characters were highly diverse and I found that refreshing, since most fairy tales tend to stick to a particular geographical location and culture. This one is pretty much a smorgasbord of cultures - descriptions and dialects that help the reader flesh out the characters in their mind.
The main character Shade is such a precious smol bean and so strong and clever that I hope Pleasant Hollow becomes a better place for all future sprites born there. Those she meets on her journey help shape her into becoming more self-assured; her enlightenment is also seen through her kindness, which grows subtly, but is a vast improvement from when we first saw her (unless she's talking to same people from the beginning haha).
The end of the novel was very touching, as it's often the youngest of us who make us see the errors in our judgment. I really don't want to review too much, because spoilers, but every character shines through in uniqueness and quirks. I found myself smiling often at all the ridiculous shenanigans happening in the chapters.
December 2, 2018
Free digital ARC via netgalley, which does not influence my review.
4.5 stars. This book was fantastic, it was hilarious, beautiful and smart. The characters were endearing and I loved everyone I got to meet. Shade is AMAZING and I am just very happy I got a chance to read this book. The only thing costing it the .5 stars is the accent of the characters, which drove me quite mad a some points.
This story follows Shade a wood sprite in her quest to find a library to replace the home full of books she lost. She encounters many stereotypes of villains, who may or may not turn out for the better and finds many friends on her journey. This story is filled with friendship and wit and forgiveness and I recommend it for every book nerd with an inner child as it's a children's/middle grade book narrated similar to a series of unfortunate events. The "references" to great works of literature such as Moby Dick and Rome and Juliet also make it interesting to "older" readers.
Big reading recommendation
4.5 stars. This book was fantastic, it was hilarious, beautiful and smart. The characters were endearing and I loved everyone I got to meet. Shade is AMAZING and I am just very happy I got a chance to read this book. The only thing costing it the .5 stars is the accent of the characters, which drove me quite mad a some points.
This story follows Shade a wood sprite in her quest to find a library to replace the home full of books she lost. She encounters many stereotypes of villains, who may or may not turn out for the better and finds many friends on her journey. This story is filled with friendship and wit and forgiveness and I recommend it for every book nerd with an inner child as it's a children's/middle grade book narrated similar to a series of unfortunate events. The "references" to great works of literature such as Moby Dick and Rome and Juliet also make it interesting to "older" readers.
Big reading recommendation
November 13, 2018
Finally a fairy book I can get behind. I remember lamenting with classmates in graduate school about the dreadfulness of many fairy tales - too many distressed damsels and daring dudes. Armed with that knowledge, I often cringed my way through overly syrupy and stereotypical fairy books when my kids were younger.
Enter Shade, protagonist of A Dreadful Fairy Book, who provides evidence that fairies can be complex, flawed, and relatable creatures who struggle to find a sense of belonging. From Etter's writing, it is clear that he respects the intelligence of his readers - the humor is witty and smart, and the story is complex. A whimsical read for children and adults alike!
Enter Shade, protagonist of A Dreadful Fairy Book, who provides evidence that fairies can be complex, flawed, and relatable creatures who struggle to find a sense of belonging. From Etter's writing, it is clear that he respects the intelligence of his readers - the humor is witty and smart, and the story is complex. A whimsical read for children and adults alike!
November 5, 2018
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing.
I am a big fan of the Lemony Snicker books and I love to listen to them. That said this book would be great to listen to with a great narrator. Although this story is quite amusing and well thought out. I feel that most kids would love the audiobook. I laughed and was impressed with the story and the characters. I would recommend this book to parents who love to read to their children in different voices as I am sure it would add more enjoyment the story.
I am a big fan of the Lemony Snicker books and I love to listen to them. That said this book would be great to listen to with a great narrator. Although this story is quite amusing and well thought out. I feel that most kids would love the audiobook. I laughed and was impressed with the story and the characters. I would recommend this book to parents who love to read to their children in different voices as I am sure it would add more enjoyment the story.
October 29, 2018
Fun read. I would definitely read to future children. Something a little different it felt like a mix of old fairy tales feeling with new. The fairies in this book represent the gray area and I enjoyed it.
October 24, 2018
The author obviously took inspiration from A Series of Unfortunate Events when choosing his narrative style. Unfortunately, he's not as skilled or polished as Snicket/Handler, so the narration is inconsistent and often falls flat. There are also a number of culturally-insensitive accents, one of which is given to a prominent supporting character. (The author tries to wiggle out of any potential offensiveness by pointing out that it's an accent the character is putting on, but that doesn't actually make it better.) The worst thing, though, is that there's a main character who doesn't experience any growth. She's actually more sympathetic at the start of the book than at the end. It's like having friends has made her a worse person/fairy. Maybe that was the author's intent, but even Lemony Snicket made the Baudelaire siblings good people thrust into bad circumstances. Without the reader empathizing with the protagonist, they aren't going to want to spend 300-ish pages with them.
There was a good idea at the heart of the book and some clever moments, but it needed more work and editorial guidance.
There was a good idea at the heart of the book and some clever moments, but it needed more work and editorial guidance.
August 27, 2019
Fairy tales crossed with a less dreary Lemony Snicket.
The preface warns readers that not only is the tale within going to be a dreadful one, so are all of the fairies--meaning they are dreadful at being the types of fairies they're meant to be. Instead of a Will o' the Wisp that tricks travelers into losing their way, often to a bloody demise, we get an Anthony o' the Wisp who wants to help lost travelers find their way safely. In a cottage beside the troll bridge lives a gentletroll of refinement who wants to invite travelers to discuss books over tea. And the like, with all manner of fairy types, though the majority are far more than simple reversals. And there is still conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts, which Shade finds herself stumbling into the middle of. That's only a small part of the adventure she encounters in her quest to find someplace she can live a quiet life surrounded by books after her house burns down. Luckily, instead of a cheerful and flighty sprite, Shade is a spunky, temperamental, foul-mouthed one ready to face any challenge head on. Because she's still kind and considerate underneath, she makes for an excellent protagonist.
Add the droll, sarcastic narrator and this makes for most delightful fun.
The preface warns readers that not only is the tale within going to be a dreadful one, so are all of the fairies--meaning they are dreadful at being the types of fairies they're meant to be. Instead of a Will o' the Wisp that tricks travelers into losing their way, often to a bloody demise, we get an Anthony o' the Wisp who wants to help lost travelers find their way safely. In a cottage beside the troll bridge lives a gentletroll of refinement who wants to invite travelers to discuss books over tea. And the like, with all manner of fairy types, though the majority are far more than simple reversals. And there is still conflict between the Seelie and Unseelie courts, which Shade finds herself stumbling into the middle of. That's only a small part of the adventure she encounters in her quest to find someplace she can live a quiet life surrounded by books after her house burns down. Luckily, instead of a cheerful and flighty sprite, Shade is a spunky, temperamental, foul-mouthed one ready to face any challenge head on. Because she's still kind and considerate underneath, she makes for an excellent protagonist.
Add the droll, sarcastic narrator and this makes for most delightful fun.
November 13, 2018
This is a book about fairies who are dreadful at being fairies as our narrator informs us. I adore the idea of an unwilling narrator who keeps telling us to put the book down. Such an original way for the author to present this story.
Our protagonist Shade is a book loving, but not very pleasant in fairy terms or liked sprite. But you will still fall for her. She loses her home to a fire which was her fellow sprites fault and leaves her village in a rage. And that is when her adventure begins. And adventure in search of books.
This is a fun story full of amazing names for people, things etch like Lillyshadow Glitterdemalion (Shade's full name) or slime-licking mudbrains. Also delightful characters, incredible things like packed vacations and endless pockets, plus witty humor that will have you smiling, chuckling or outright laughing.
Dealing with misconceptions we may have of others, we must not judge someone for what he or she is, but what he or she might do. The author has us thinking about this using trolls that are gentle and other unexpected things. The importance and beauty of friendship. Also never giving up.
If I enjoyed it this much, children are going to fall in love with Shade and her adventures. I strongly recommend A Dreadful Fairy Book to children of all ages. Oh and "Fatcha-coota-matchca" is my favorite new expression.
Our protagonist Shade is a book loving, but not very pleasant in fairy terms or liked sprite. But you will still fall for her. She loses her home to a fire which was her fellow sprites fault and leaves her village in a rage. And that is when her adventure begins. And adventure in search of books.
This is a fun story full of amazing names for people, things etch like Lillyshadow Glitterdemalion (Shade's full name) or slime-licking mudbrains. Also delightful characters, incredible things like packed vacations and endless pockets, plus witty humor that will have you smiling, chuckling or outright laughing.
Dealing with misconceptions we may have of others, we must not judge someone for what he or she is, but what he or she might do. The author has us thinking about this using trolls that are gentle and other unexpected things. The importance and beauty of friendship. Also never giving up.
If I enjoyed it this much, children are going to fall in love with Shade and her adventures. I strongly recommend A Dreadful Fairy Book to children of all ages. Oh and "Fatcha-coota-matchca" is my favorite new expression.
February 14, 2019
A delightful read! They are not kidding when they say this is a fairy tale for readers of all ages. I laughed out loud many many times - which is rare for a college student to do with most readings! This is going to be a cherished addition to my library from now on. I recommend this book a thousand times over. Keeping my fingers crossed for a second one down the line!
August 19, 2021
This is a fantasy novel as delightful and funny as anything by Terry Pratchett. It is a sendup of all fairy tale conventions. The young heroine is surly and foul-mouthed, and despite being a sprite just wants to stay home and read. Unfortunately the empty headed sprites in her village set off fireworks that inadvertently burn down her house, and she loses all her books. She sets off on a quest to find the one remaining library not destroyed in the war, and meets various trolls, brownies, pixies, elves, human heroes, and changelings. She encounters the Goblin Market and the Wild Hunt, but all of it upends our expectations. The funniest part of the book for me was the titles of all her favorite books, ranging from “A Pixie in King Pendragon’s Court” to “The Bobcat, the Prestidigitator, and the Armoire”. The author does hilarious things to Tolkien and Melville. The Questing Beast makes surprise appearances. This was wonderful to read. I highly recommend it.
November 16, 2018
My 8-year-old son and I loved loved loved this book! We are typically not terribly impressed with modern children's books because they're so dumbed down and twaddly. This book is a gem. It kept both of our attention, had us rolling in laughter and lost in wonder. I highly suggest this one!
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read a digital Advanced Reader Copy to share my honest opinions with you.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read a digital Advanced Reader Copy to share my honest opinions with you.
February 3, 2019
I read this book with my six year old son and we absolutely loved it! He has a wealth of new, silly words that he’s added to his vocabulary. I loved that the heroine, Shade, was not your typical, girly fairy. She’s determined, strong, and appealing to both girls and boys. Plus, there are lots of funny twists on titles of real books for parents to pick up on throughout the story. At its heart, this is a love story about a girl and her books. ❤️
November 10, 2018
In the details of the book I could picture everything come alive like I was adventuring along with the heroine Shade. No one is who you would expect them to be, and that was a fun thing to see play out in the story. I loved the humor, the narrator, and the book titles that seemed to reference popular books. The illustrations are also awesome.
December 1, 2018
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My oldest daughter, Elanor, is in fifth grade and loves fantasy, so I read A Dreadful Fairy Book with her in mind. Is this something she would like? Is this something I would like her to read/would like to read aloud with her? Is it something I would recommend my school library stock? The answer to all of these questions is complex and why I had to drop my rating from a 4/5 to a 3/5.
A Dreadful Fairy Book uses the same sort of overarching theme of ominous narration employed in the Series of Unfortunate Events books, wherein a narrator pops up throughout the story to add commentary and to caution you to turn back because it’s not a happy story. It opens with a forward from Quentin Q. Quacksworth, our narrator, telling you that this will be a dreadful fairy book, and that the reader should turn back just as Lemony Snicket does. This is used throughout the book, and if your child likes that sort of device, they will enjoy that.
Shade, the main character of the book is one most children will relate to–she feels too different from everyone else in her village. In this story it’s because she’s a reader like her parents, and the village looks down on this literacy, even though it’s saved them many times (no you can’t turn the water pink which will kill all the fishes and make the water poison because it would look pretty). In fact, the book opens with Shade in a fury because the village had bought some “harmless” fireworks and accidentally burned down Shade’s house. So Shade tells them she’s leaving, and she takes the only book to survive the conflagration to go seek a new home with as many books as possible.
Along her way, Shade encounters all sorts of fairy creatures–a bridge troll who doesn’t like to get dirty, an Anthony of the Wisp who doesn’t want to lead people to their doom, as well as some with more menacing creatures. Shade acquires some allies–Ginch, a talkative Brownie who cheats at cards, and The Professor, a silent pixie whose pockets carry an improbable number of items. A witch gives them directions to a library on the Marble Cliffs, which becomes a quest for Shade. Ginch and The Professor end up joining her on the quest after some villagers with torches start to chase them.
The issues that parents may have with the book are the faux swearing that happens with high frequency and the verbal dialects given to the characters lean heavily on ethnic stereotypes. I don’t particularly care about the former, but the latter is a big problem for me.
What do I mean by the ethnic stereotype dialects?
“It’s-a the sad story, mine: the woeful tale of the Rigolleto Ginch, the devoted servant in-a the big, big manse of Fuseli Cavatappi, the Basta of Pasta, who was-a brought-a low…” and “Ey, paisan! You know-a the moth girl” among thousands of others from Ginch.
“Vy boss vant kinders?”
“‘Course it’s good youse mooks!” the little man replied in a deep raspy voice.
“‘Course oi can see ye,” she snorted. “Drank a glass o’ milk backwards after refusin’ to do me chore first thing on Sain Bartleby the Unwillin’s Day when oi were ten.”
“Oui, mon petit chou,” the gargoyle said as they entered, pointing at the map with his free hand, “but ze middle of ze land–“
Ginch is the only main character with a dialect (the Professor is either silent or stutters when speaking), but it’s a near constant stream. He doesn’t speak without word-a-ing something. It gets grating fast. As does the fact that Shade is almost the only person who speaks properly–it feels like Etter was throwing pins at a map of Europe and then assigning stereotypes. How will an Italian/Italian American child feel reading a book where their ethnicity is used as a punchline?
This bothered me enough that I took the rating from 4 stars to 3. Dialects aren’t bad (although using ones with blinding red flags are), but they need only be used sparingly because otherwise they become irritating.
So how do I feel about those questions I kept in mind while reading this. I don’t think it’s surprising that “No, I don’t really want my daughter reading this,” and “No, I won’t be recommending this book to my school library,” and “No, I won’t recommend this book to parents of other similarly aged children,” are where I come down.
My oldest daughter, Elanor, is in fifth grade and loves fantasy, so I read A Dreadful Fairy Book with her in mind. Is this something she would like? Is this something I would like her to read/would like to read aloud with her? Is it something I would recommend my school library stock? The answer to all of these questions is complex and why I had to drop my rating from a 4/5 to a 3/5.
A Dreadful Fairy Book uses the same sort of overarching theme of ominous narration employed in the Series of Unfortunate Events books, wherein a narrator pops up throughout the story to add commentary and to caution you to turn back because it’s not a happy story. It opens with a forward from Quentin Q. Quacksworth, our narrator, telling you that this will be a dreadful fairy book, and that the reader should turn back just as Lemony Snicket does. This is used throughout the book, and if your child likes that sort of device, they will enjoy that.
Shade, the main character of the book is one most children will relate to–she feels too different from everyone else in her village. In this story it’s because she’s a reader like her parents, and the village looks down on this literacy, even though it’s saved them many times (no you can’t turn the water pink which will kill all the fishes and make the water poison because it would look pretty). In fact, the book opens with Shade in a fury because the village had bought some “harmless” fireworks and accidentally burned down Shade’s house. So Shade tells them she’s leaving, and she takes the only book to survive the conflagration to go seek a new home with as many books as possible.
Along her way, Shade encounters all sorts of fairy creatures–a bridge troll who doesn’t like to get dirty, an Anthony of the Wisp who doesn’t want to lead people to their doom, as well as some with more menacing creatures. Shade acquires some allies–Ginch, a talkative Brownie who cheats at cards, and The Professor, a silent pixie whose pockets carry an improbable number of items. A witch gives them directions to a library on the Marble Cliffs, which becomes a quest for Shade. Ginch and The Professor end up joining her on the quest after some villagers with torches start to chase them.
The issues that parents may have with the book are the faux swearing that happens with high frequency and the verbal dialects given to the characters lean heavily on ethnic stereotypes. I don’t particularly care about the former, but the latter is a big problem for me.
What do I mean by the ethnic stereotype dialects?
“It’s-a the sad story, mine: the woeful tale of the Rigolleto Ginch, the devoted servant in-a the big, big manse of Fuseli Cavatappi, the Basta of Pasta, who was-a brought-a low…” and “Ey, paisan! You know-a the moth girl” among thousands of others from Ginch.
“Vy boss vant kinders?”
“‘Course it’s good youse mooks!” the little man replied in a deep raspy voice.
“‘Course oi can see ye,” she snorted. “Drank a glass o’ milk backwards after refusin’ to do me chore first thing on Sain Bartleby the Unwillin’s Day when oi were ten.”
“Oui, mon petit chou,” the gargoyle said as they entered, pointing at the map with his free hand, “but ze middle of ze land–“
Ginch is the only main character with a dialect (the Professor is either silent or stutters when speaking), but it’s a near constant stream. He doesn’t speak without word-a-ing something. It gets grating fast. As does the fact that Shade is almost the only person who speaks properly–it feels like Etter was throwing pins at a map of Europe and then assigning stereotypes. How will an Italian/Italian American child feel reading a book where their ethnicity is used as a punchline?
This bothered me enough that I took the rating from 4 stars to 3. Dialects aren’t bad (although using ones with blinding red flags are), but they need only be used sparingly because otherwise they become irritating.
So how do I feel about those questions I kept in mind while reading this. I don’t think it’s surprising that “No, I don’t really want my daughter reading this,” and “No, I won’t be recommending this book to my school library,” and “No, I won’t recommend this book to parents of other similarly aged children,” are where I come down.
March 16, 2020
This book was SO worth getting in trouble over.
I saw it in a booth at my local Renaissance Festival, and the sign was quite clear, "No taking pictures of the books." Ha! I thought to myself. Before you think ill of such a stringent sort of place, you should know that the booth is very wonderful! It's full of beautiful books, the kind that tempt you to stop and read more than just a few pages. The covers are displayed in an alluring fashion, and there are fun bibliophile bits of fashion and art as well. I'm lost every time I wander through the high-priced merchandise. But...no pictures?! I can't buy all the books that I want there. I can't remember them. I can't scribble down all the names and authors in a subtle fashion. I settled on taking pictures of the covers in a sneaky way.
I am not good at being sneaky. I got caught 3 books into my endeavor. She was firm and firmly polite, "No pictures," while pointing at the sign. I explained that I work in a library and wanted to order them for the children. It was a Noble Cause. Not since Inigo and Fezzig has there been such a noble cause. Nope. Miracle Max didn't buy it, and she didn't buy it either. She informed me that I could buy the books from her or I could leave, "milady."
Okie-dokie. I left.
But I got my library to order this book! Ha.
READ IT. It's brilliant, and funny, and all about the love of books, and being true to yourself in your own way, and being kind! There's also two con-fairies in it who remind me of two of the Marx Brothers, and for all the people out there who don't know whom the Marx Brothers are, check 'em out! So many times while reading this book, I laughed out loud, and possibly disturbed people in the break room. I am slightly sorry for the disturbance but not for the laughing.
Thank goodness for a book about being different and finding those who understand and celebrate those differences.
I saw it in a booth at my local Renaissance Festival, and the sign was quite clear, "No taking pictures of the books." Ha! I thought to myself. Before you think ill of such a stringent sort of place, you should know that the booth is very wonderful! It's full of beautiful books, the kind that tempt you to stop and read more than just a few pages. The covers are displayed in an alluring fashion, and there are fun bibliophile bits of fashion and art as well. I'm lost every time I wander through the high-priced merchandise. But...no pictures?! I can't buy all the books that I want there. I can't remember them. I can't scribble down all the names and authors in a subtle fashion. I settled on taking pictures of the covers in a sneaky way.
I am not good at being sneaky. I got caught 3 books into my endeavor. She was firm and firmly polite, "No pictures," while pointing at the sign. I explained that I work in a library and wanted to order them for the children. It was a Noble Cause. Not since Inigo and Fezzig has there been such a noble cause. Nope. Miracle Max didn't buy it, and she didn't buy it either. She informed me that I could buy the books from her or I could leave, "milady."
Okie-dokie. I left.
But I got my library to order this book! Ha.
READ IT. It's brilliant, and funny, and all about the love of books, and being true to yourself in your own way, and being kind! There's also two con-fairies in it who remind me of two of the Marx Brothers, and for all the people out there who don't know whom the Marx Brothers are, check 'em out! So many times while reading this book, I laughed out loud, and possibly disturbed people in the break room. I am slightly sorry for the disturbance but not for the laughing.
Thank goodness for a book about being different and finding those who understand and celebrate those differences.
December 12, 2018
After her treehouse burns to the ground, Shade the sprite goes off to search for a replacement of her most treasured item: a book that her parents used to read to her. Not to mention she's donezo with the rest of the sprites, mostly because they were responsible for the destruction of her house and her library. I did not blame her one bit for being angry.
Shade's never quite fit in with the rest of the sprites. They made fun of her size, her flying abilities, and her love of reading. Once she leaves, she vows never to return. She ventures her way into the unknown, befriending a ragtag motley crew. She meets some interesting and some dreadful characters in the search of the book she lost.
And if this doesn't have you hooked, let me tell you about the narrator of the story, Quentin Q. Quacksworth. Quacksworth is a reluctant narrator at best. He'd prefer to tell a story in which characters and plots behaved the way they should. I couldn't help feel as if Quentin Quacksworth and Lemony Snicket might have attended the same school for narrators.
I love that Shade wasn't your average fairy. She's sassy, independent, and fierce. The only complaint I have is that she was a little heavy on the name calling. Other than that, this book was a joy to read. I hope we might even see more of Shade's adventures in the future. Also, as any bibliophile would, I loved all the bookish references. If you get the chance, then pick up A Dreadful Fairy Book for the fairy enthusiast in your life. It's not your grandma's fairy book.
Read more at https://www.toreadornottoread.net/201...
Shade's never quite fit in with the rest of the sprites. They made fun of her size, her flying abilities, and her love of reading. Once she leaves, she vows never to return. She ventures her way into the unknown, befriending a ragtag motley crew. She meets some interesting and some dreadful characters in the search of the book she lost.
And if this doesn't have you hooked, let me tell you about the narrator of the story, Quentin Q. Quacksworth. Quacksworth is a reluctant narrator at best. He'd prefer to tell a story in which characters and plots behaved the way they should. I couldn't help feel as if Quentin Quacksworth and Lemony Snicket might have attended the same school for narrators.
I love that Shade wasn't your average fairy. She's sassy, independent, and fierce. The only complaint I have is that she was a little heavy on the name calling. Other than that, this book was a joy to read. I hope we might even see more of Shade's adventures in the future. Also, as any bibliophile would, I loved all the bookish references. If you get the chance, then pick up A Dreadful Fairy Book for the fairy enthusiast in your life. It's not your grandma's fairy book.
Read more at https://www.toreadornottoread.net/201...
November 9, 2018
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
A Dreadful Fairy Book is far from dreadful! It is an adventure, a quest, a story filled with whimsy and the occasionally surely tempered fairy creature.
Shade, the heroine if the story, is on a marvelous quest, she wishes to live surrounded by books. So, she embarks on an arduous journey to find a library she can live in. On the way she meets a ragtag bunch of characters, who help her on her journey.
Shade's adventures are exciting and silly and very appropriate for a younger audience. There are enough sky winks toward the adults, that they will enjoy the story too.
A Dreadful Fairy Book is especially appealing to book lovers - afterall, haven't we all dreamed of living on a giant library?
A Dreadful Fairy Book is far from dreadful! It is an adventure, a quest, a story filled with whimsy and the occasionally surely tempered fairy creature.
Shade, the heroine if the story, is on a marvelous quest, she wishes to live surrounded by books. So, she embarks on an arduous journey to find a library she can live in. On the way she meets a ragtag bunch of characters, who help her on her journey.
Shade's adventures are exciting and silly and very appropriate for a younger audience. There are enough sky winks toward the adults, that they will enjoy the story too.
A Dreadful Fairy Book is especially appealing to book lovers - afterall, haven't we all dreamed of living on a giant library?
March 1, 2019
I am trying to imagine what a 10-year old me would have thought of this book, because this rather older version enjoyed it. The pace was great and it always felt like something was happening or about to happen. I was invested and amused by the main characters. I enjoyed the book-related humor and loved that this was a quest about books. I didn't really enjoy the narrator that we're not supposed to enjoy except in the acknowledgements, but surprisingly I found that fairly easy to downplay.
My Goodreads network may already know that I know the author, but I feel that it should be mentioned. From that perspective, I found this book to be interesting and at times thrilling.
My Goodreads network may already know that I know the author, but I feel that it should be mentioned. From that perspective, I found this book to be interesting and at times thrilling.
April 30, 2019
Middle-grade fantasy isn't normally my jam (I may be the last known person on Earth over the age of 10 not to have read Harry Potter), but when your friend writes a middle-grade fantasy book, you tend to make an exception. I quite enjoyed Shade as a character and was particularly charmed by her "cursing." (Again, perhaps this is just because I know the author and his provenance, but some of her bad words had a distinctly Upper Midwestern flair.) Anyway, I'm not sure if it was because of the snappy dialogue, the literary in-jokes or just the action and pacing of the story, but many times I could almost see the scenes playing out in my mind as a Pixar movie. I can't wait to read the sequel!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews