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Neenah Fynn and the Dawn of Summer
A school for faeries... An evil queen... And a fight to the death.
"Life as a faerie is supposed to be simple. You go to Endeavour Academy, learn to harness your powers, and gain your wings so you can become an active member in society. Unfortunately, that is not reality for my friends and me."
Neenah Fynn is a new full-fledged faerie at Endeavour Academy, but learning to harness her powers isn't as simple as it seems. With rumors that the next-in-line Faerie Queen has come to Endeavour, dark faeries begin hunting students and threats abound from all corners of her world.
When her best friends are thrust into the dark faeries' path, she must find the strength to fight back. Will she have what it takes to defeat the forces that are trying to destroy her?
"Life as a faerie is supposed to be simple. You go to Endeavour Academy, learn to harness your powers, and gain your wings so you can become an active member in society. Unfortunately, that is not reality for my friends and me."
Neenah Fynn is a new full-fledged faerie at Endeavour Academy, but learning to harness her powers isn't as simple as it seems. With rumors that the next-in-line Faerie Queen has come to Endeavour, dark faeries begin hunting students and threats abound from all corners of her world.
When her best friends are thrust into the dark faeries' path, she must find the strength to fight back. Will she have what it takes to defeat the forces that are trying to destroy her?
284 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2018
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 13, 2018
So first of all, thank you very much for the free Arc. It was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Which is why it hurts even more that I can only give this book 3 Stars. What I really liked about this book - which is also what I discovered to be more important with every book I read - is the writing style. It is clear that the author knows how to use words. Also the overall telling of the story was pretty decent. However, I really couldn't get into the story like I would have wanted to. I'm not sure whether the dramatic irony was intended but the big reveal that is supposed to turn the story line was obvious from me pretty much within the first 30% of the mystery that unravelled. I couldn't quite connect to a few of the characters so overall, I didn't really feel it. A very big plus, however is the fairy theme. I feel like between all the tributes, witches and vampires we don't get enough sparkly creatures on our bookshelf.
Neenah is finally an adult fairy that is allowed to go to school. Endeavour is supposed to teach her everything she needs to know about being a fully capable fairy within the world of humans in just four short years. Having been isolated most of her pre-school life she soon finds out that making friends isn't actually quite that hard. Neither is making enemies. But before she can actually find out, what exactly that cute thing with that cute guy Silas is all about, darkness enters Endeavour and the adventure begins.
Looking back I really don't think the story is all that bad, it just didn't quite did for me what I hoped it would. But please, C. N. Thornton, don't let that stop you. Keep on writing and practicing and dreaming because, after all, you did, what only a few people manage: getting a grip, finishing a story, giving it a personal note and putting it out there.
Neenah is finally an adult fairy that is allowed to go to school. Endeavour is supposed to teach her everything she needs to know about being a fully capable fairy within the world of humans in just four short years. Having been isolated most of her pre-school life she soon finds out that making friends isn't actually quite that hard. Neither is making enemies. But before she can actually find out, what exactly that cute thing with that cute guy Silas is all about, darkness enters Endeavour and the adventure begins.
Looking back I really don't think the story is all that bad, it just didn't quite did for me what I hoped it would. But please, C. N. Thornton, don't let that stop you. Keep on writing and practicing and dreaming because, after all, you did, what only a few people manage: getting a grip, finishing a story, giving it a personal note and putting it out there.
November 13, 2018
Neenah Fynn: and the Dawn of Summer weaves a beautiful world of faeries, sumptuous foods, and magical locations. One of the things I most respect about this author, is the care she has obviously taken in introducing a vast character list in an engaging way. I found nothing to dislike about any of the characters - whether main, or supporting.
The story begins with a great pace, and takes the reader on a journey that climaxes with thrills, excitement, and more than a little emotion. A great start to Neenah Fynn's story, and I can't wait for the Autum Soul Tie.
The story begins with a great pace, and takes the reader on a journey that climaxes with thrills, excitement, and more than a little emotion. A great start to Neenah Fynn's story, and I can't wait for the Autum Soul Tie.
November 13, 2018
So, I got an ARC copy of the book. I liked the beginning of the book, but as i read on. It got better and better! Then, of course, i couldn’t put the dang thing down. I’ve been somewhat busy these past couple weeks and so i was dying to get my things done to come back to the book! I got super excited about it, and now i can’t even wait for the second book. I need to know!
November 9, 2018
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS AUTHOR!!!
10/10 always read again. The book was AMAZING!!! Deep well thought out plot with some surprises. -No spoilers lol- I'm going to reread it again!!!! Yay faery books!!!
10/10 always read again. The book was AMAZING!!! Deep well thought out plot with some surprises. -No spoilers lol- I'm going to reread it again!!!! Yay faery books!!!
August 11, 2021
THE WRITING
This was a fun read I would classify as middle-grade. The main character is 13. From the back cover blurb, I was expecting older for some reason, but I always enjoy a good middle grade book so I didn’t mind at all. The writing style was conversational and easy to get into. Neenah’s voice felt fresh and unique. It felt nice to read from a younger perspective for a change. It’s been a few years since I was 13, so I can’t really speak to how accurate it was, but she seemed to be realistic.
THE PLOT
I got strong Harry Potter vibes from this. Neenah goes to a faerie school where she’s sorted into one of four houses. However, this wasn’t an original idea for J. K. Rowling either – what I learned in my Children’s Literature course is that the “school story” is quite a popular genre in British fiction. And there are common tropes within the school story – namely, British schools have “houses” within them – so the Hogwarts houses are just playing off that trope. I didn’t know this before taking that college class, but that information definitely helped going into this book. So while there are similarities to Harry Potter, it’s perfectly fair use because it’s drawing from the school story trope. That being said, the “sorting” did seem a little too similar (I got some Divergent vibes from it as well). The plot is pretty fast-moving and well thought out. I called the plot twist from 30% in, and was just waiting for the characters to catch up. Since it’s a middle grade novel, though, maybe the target audience won’t catch on as quickly. Overall the plot was well done and drew me in. It ended tidily while still leaving room for future books (much like the Harry Potter series does).
EDITORIAL NOTES
A clean read, both in content and in editing, for the most part. A few swear words, but the characters are young, so nothing intense. The occasional typo, but not enough to distract from the reading. Also, I read an ARC, so I’m guessing it will be cleaned up in the final version. Quite well-edited.
THE CHARACTERS
Neenah was a great main character. She was sweet, smart, and cared about her friends. One thing I really appreciated was when she decided she wasn’t ready to date, even though she and another character liked each other. I was flipping out at the mere thought of 13-year-olds dating, because that’s way too young in my opinion. *head explodes* But Neenah was sensible about it. There are some pretty wild names in this book, like Savaraeh, but I always enjoy a fancy fantasy name. (Neenah is a really cute name, and I like this spelling.) There are a variety of diverse characters. There was one scene where a girl is shocked at the thought of another girl being a lesbian, and I didn’t like how it was just a throwaway line (even though the idea is accepted). Maybe future books will see some LGBTQ+ characters. It’s not “mature content” to have a gay character in a children’s book. I hold out hope for future books!
POINT OF VIEW
Written in first person from Neenah’s perspective, which I think was the right choice for this book. I really liked reading her point of view.
WILL I CONTINUE READING?
I’m satisfied by the conclusion to this book, but I could see reading future ones if given the opportunity. It’s not my preferred genre, so that’s the only reason why I wouldn’t continue. I think my younger self would have adored this book. I wish I could send it back in time to young!Claire. Definitely recommend for readers of middle grade fantasy!
Rating: 4/5 stars = really liked it
*I was given an advance reader copy and chose to write a review. All opinions are my own.*
This was a fun read I would classify as middle-grade. The main character is 13. From the back cover blurb, I was expecting older for some reason, but I always enjoy a good middle grade book so I didn’t mind at all. The writing style was conversational and easy to get into. Neenah’s voice felt fresh and unique. It felt nice to read from a younger perspective for a change. It’s been a few years since I was 13, so I can’t really speak to how accurate it was, but she seemed to be realistic.
THE PLOT
I got strong Harry Potter vibes from this. Neenah goes to a faerie school where she’s sorted into one of four houses. However, this wasn’t an original idea for J. K. Rowling either – what I learned in my Children’s Literature course is that the “school story” is quite a popular genre in British fiction. And there are common tropes within the school story – namely, British schools have “houses” within them – so the Hogwarts houses are just playing off that trope. I didn’t know this before taking that college class, but that information definitely helped going into this book. So while there are similarities to Harry Potter, it’s perfectly fair use because it’s drawing from the school story trope. That being said, the “sorting” did seem a little too similar (I got some Divergent vibes from it as well). The plot is pretty fast-moving and well thought out. I called the plot twist from 30% in, and was just waiting for the characters to catch up. Since it’s a middle grade novel, though, maybe the target audience won’t catch on as quickly. Overall the plot was well done and drew me in. It ended tidily while still leaving room for future books (much like the Harry Potter series does).
EDITORIAL NOTES
A clean read, both in content and in editing, for the most part. A few swear words, but the characters are young, so nothing intense. The occasional typo, but not enough to distract from the reading. Also, I read an ARC, so I’m guessing it will be cleaned up in the final version. Quite well-edited.
THE CHARACTERS
Neenah was a great main character. She was sweet, smart, and cared about her friends. One thing I really appreciated was when she decided she wasn’t ready to date, even though she and another character liked each other. I was flipping out at the mere thought of 13-year-olds dating, because that’s way too young in my opinion. *head explodes* But Neenah was sensible about it. There are some pretty wild names in this book, like Savaraeh, but I always enjoy a fancy fantasy name. (Neenah is a really cute name, and I like this spelling.) There are a variety of diverse characters. There was one scene where a girl is shocked at the thought of another girl being a lesbian, and I didn’t like how it was just a throwaway line (even though the idea is accepted). Maybe future books will see some LGBTQ+ characters. It’s not “mature content” to have a gay character in a children’s book. I hold out hope for future books!
POINT OF VIEW
Written in first person from Neenah’s perspective, which I think was the right choice for this book. I really liked reading her point of view.
WILL I CONTINUE READING?
I’m satisfied by the conclusion to this book, but I could see reading future ones if given the opportunity. It’s not my preferred genre, so that’s the only reason why I wouldn’t continue. I think my younger self would have adored this book. I wish I could send it back in time to young!Claire. Definitely recommend for readers of middle grade fantasy!
Rating: 4/5 stars = really liked it
*I was given an advance reader copy and chose to write a review. All opinions are my own.*
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews