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Faerie Woods #1
The Crosswood
Fourteen-year-old Blue Jasper takes his younger siblings, twins Indigo and Violet, out for a hike to give their mother a break. One moment the twins are scampering in the trees right ahead of him, and the next moment they are gone. As Blue frantically searches for them, a strange woman appears in the forest claiming to be the Faerie Queen Olea of Nearwood and the twins' real mother. Now because of a magical pact, Blue's mother's life will be in danger if he can't find the twins before the next sunset. Blue must find his way into the magical forest known as the Crosswood and through the dangerous Faerie lands beyond it. Will he be able to find the twins in time? And will they be able to find their way out again? This is the first book in the Faerie Woods series.
120 pages, Paperback
Published January 19, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 25, 2021
Short and packed with fantasy, magic and adventure, this is a read which lets the secrets of the forest take flight.
Blue is fourteen and sick of helping his mother constantly take care of his very unruly, sibling twins. At ten, one would think they had some sense, but they are always getting into the most ridiculous trouble. When a chance to hide for a breather leaves Blue's mom with a broken ankle...thanks to the twin's antics...he's had enough and breaks the rule of keeping a constant eye on them. The result has them kidnapped by a fairy king and him faced with a fairy queen, who wants to have his life for a contract he never knew even existed.
Young fantasy friends...especially those who don't want to dive into a 200+ page novel...are going to enjoy this one. It starts with a normal boy, who has sibling troubles and can't wait not to help out with them. Anyone who has younger siblings will already identify with him, and those without, will sympathize with his problems. He comes across like any normal kid from school, and, actually is. That's one thing I do love about this tale because his 'usualness' definitely doesn't hinder his ability to experience amazing things and head into a huge adventure.
The author allows hints at something more magical to immediately start weaving into Blue's world without giving away exactly what's going on. The magical world hits with full force and draws the reader in with a bit of curiosity and excitement. It's well done without being overly descriptive. Even the other characters gain wonderful personality without ever slowing down the fast-paced plot. Every character is intriguing and has a hint of exciting magic. It's impossible to say what will come next, making the twists and turns come with delicious surprise. Of course, some of the smoothness of a longer novel is missing, letting the events jump from one right to the next, since this is a short but packed adventure. And still, it flows well enough not to let that hurt the read.
With all of it's richness, the read is still short and easy. At around only 100 pages, it invites even more reluctant readers to take a glance, and the pacing keeps a reader in the pages until the very end. There are hints at more adventures to come, and I'm more than curios to see what Blue will experience next.
I won a complimentary copy through Library Thing and was surprised how grabbing this read is.
Blue is fourteen and sick of helping his mother constantly take care of his very unruly, sibling twins. At ten, one would think they had some sense, but they are always getting into the most ridiculous trouble. When a chance to hide for a breather leaves Blue's mom with a broken ankle...thanks to the twin's antics...he's had enough and breaks the rule of keeping a constant eye on them. The result has them kidnapped by a fairy king and him faced with a fairy queen, who wants to have his life for a contract he never knew even existed.
Young fantasy friends...especially those who don't want to dive into a 200+ page novel...are going to enjoy this one. It starts with a normal boy, who has sibling troubles and can't wait not to help out with them. Anyone who has younger siblings will already identify with him, and those without, will sympathize with his problems. He comes across like any normal kid from school, and, actually is. That's one thing I do love about this tale because his 'usualness' definitely doesn't hinder his ability to experience amazing things and head into a huge adventure.
The author allows hints at something more magical to immediately start weaving into Blue's world without giving away exactly what's going on. The magical world hits with full force and draws the reader in with a bit of curiosity and excitement. It's well done without being overly descriptive. Even the other characters gain wonderful personality without ever slowing down the fast-paced plot. Every character is intriguing and has a hint of exciting magic. It's impossible to say what will come next, making the twists and turns come with delicious surprise. Of course, some of the smoothness of a longer novel is missing, letting the events jump from one right to the next, since this is a short but packed adventure. And still, it flows well enough not to let that hurt the read.
With all of it's richness, the read is still short and easy. At around only 100 pages, it invites even more reluctant readers to take a glance, and the pacing keeps a reader in the pages until the very end. There are hints at more adventures to come, and I'm more than curios to see what Blue will experience next.
I won a complimentary copy through Library Thing and was surprised how grabbing this read is.
December 3, 2021
Although the main character is 14, the stated reading age of this book is nine to 12, which makes it a great book for less-than-keen readers, whether they’re preteen or teen. (Orca Books’ clever new moniker for hi-lo/reluctant-reader books is “ultra-readable page turner.”)
Hi-lo novels (high interest, low vocabulary level) with male main characters are much needed, and this one delivers. It’s a fun fantasy, with a more straightforward plot than its sequel, The Wherewood, but no less satisfying for that. Do read this one first to get the most benefit of the series.
Blue, the main character, has a strong voice, and the action clips along, heavy on well-written dialogue. Though the rules of the faerie world are complicated, this novel makes them easy to understand. It’s a fun read, not so outrageously fantastical that one can’t immerse themselves in this world and, well, believe in it!
This review also appears at www.YAdudebooks.ca
September 28, 2022
The Crosswood is an extremely fast paced short story that focuses on Blue and his very quick journey to the fairy realm to save his twin siblings.
While the foundation of this story is very easy to follow along with, it does suffer from the length. This is a novella sized middle grade story so everything happens back to back to back. There is no lull in the story so it makes it very easy to quickly digest. The problem for me was that because it was so fast and so short it gave no time to really enjoy your time with Blue and the many people he meets. All the lore that is built is extremely minimal and nothing goes into detail, its hard to feel the love between Blue and his siblings, the journey is extremely short, the friendships Blue makes feel hollow. Its a cute story, but I would have loved to have seen this fleshed out to a longer length, I feel it would have really made the story better.
While the foundation of this story is very easy to follow along with, it does suffer from the length. This is a novella sized middle grade story so everything happens back to back to back. There is no lull in the story so it makes it very easy to quickly digest. The problem for me was that because it was so fast and so short it gave no time to really enjoy your time with Blue and the many people he meets. All the lore that is built is extremely minimal and nothing goes into detail, its hard to feel the love between Blue and his siblings, the journey is extremely short, the friendships Blue makes feel hollow. Its a cute story, but I would have loved to have seen this fleshed out to a longer length, I feel it would have really made the story better.
February 2, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the digital advance reading copy of this book.
This book was incredible! It is targets at middle grade students, but it was amazing. I devoured this book in one sitting (an easy feat at 120 pages).
The characters, story, and dialogue had me hooked from the beginning. The world building was unique and well described. I could see the forest developing in my mind as I read.
The Crosswood is a story of a family caught in a faerie dispute. Blue Jasper, our protagonist, has set out to save his foster siblings from a Faerie King. Blue is smart, snarky, and brave; he is the perfect protagonist for young readers.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
This book was incredible! It is targets at middle grade students, but it was amazing. I devoured this book in one sitting (an easy feat at 120 pages).
The characters, story, and dialogue had me hooked from the beginning. The world building was unique and well described. I could see the forest developing in my mind as I read.
The Crosswood is a story of a family caught in a faerie dispute. Blue Jasper, our protagonist, has set out to save his foster siblings from a Faerie King. Blue is smart, snarky, and brave; he is the perfect protagonist for young readers.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!
October 9, 2021
Thank you to Library Thing and Orca Currents for the chance to review this as an early reader. I really enjoyed it. It had that atmosphere that really good fairy tales have, and I loved the whimsical names of the kids. It was a very fast read. I flew through it in one sitting, but it kept me turning the pages to see what would happen. The author's descriptions really paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind. I would highly recommend it.
My only criticism is that I loved the world that the author created and wish she could have expanded on it into a longer and more in-depth book. I hope to read a sequel, as it seems like it was set up for Blue to go on a new adventure. I also enjoyed the writing enough that I plan to look for more books by this author.
My only criticism is that I loved the world that the author created and wish she could have expanded on it into a longer and more in-depth book. I hope to read a sequel, as it seems like it was set up for Blue to go on a new adventure. I also enjoyed the writing enough that I plan to look for more books by this author.
January 26, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the digital advance reading copy of this book.
This high-lo book from Gabrielle Prendergast was fantastic! It kept me interested from the minute I started reading the first word until the very last word. This book is short, and fast paced, and is designed for readers below grade level, but I would also recommend it for anyone just looking for an enjoyable, quick read.
Can't wait to read The Wherewood so I can see what adventures Blue Jasper gets up to next.
This high-lo book from Gabrielle Prendergast was fantastic! It kept me interested from the minute I started reading the first word until the very last word. This book is short, and fast paced, and is designed for readers below grade level, but I would also recommend it for anyone just looking for an enjoyable, quick read.
Can't wait to read The Wherewood so I can see what adventures Blue Jasper gets up to next.
October 25, 2021
A quick and delightful read, one perfect for drawing in tweens just getting into chapter books with a fantasy theme. I'm giving my copy to the eleven year old boy I mentor and hope he enjoys it as much as I did.
February 7, 2022
This book is a short middle grade fantasy. At only 106 pages, readers who are searching for a quick read will be willing to give it a try. It is full of action adventure and magic as the 14 year old Blue travels around Fairyland.
Book 3 of the series, The Overwood, comes out Feb. 15th.
Book 3 of the series, The Overwood, comes out Feb. 15th.
November 19, 2020
The Crosswood was a very good high interest fantasy. Concise and clean writing that told a well developed story in 100 pages.
May 19, 2021
This page-turner of a fairy story will have reluctant readers eagerly awaiting the second book in the series.
November 5, 2021
Great quick read for anyone who loves faerie lore!
February 12, 2022
Double spaced dyslexia friendly print, with short yet captivating chapters. High interest subject, and fast paced plot which keeps reluctant readers engaged. Canadian author. JLG gold standard.
July 24, 2022
This is from the Orca Currents collection. These books are "are short, high-interest novels with contemporary themes written specifically for middle-school students reading below grade level. Reading levels from grade 2.0 to 5.0. Interest level ages 9-12"
Blue Jasper loves his twin siblings, but they are a handful to look after. One day when he is trying to give his mother a break, he takes them for a hike in the forest. Just like that, they disappear. It turns out they have been kidnapped by the Fairy King. Blue discovers that they are actually the children of the Fairy Queen. In exchange for her saving Blue's life, his mother made a bargain to look after the twins. Now the queen wants to take his mother's life for failing to take proper care of them. Blue makes a bargain with the queen and sets off into the dangerous fairie realms to rescue his foster siblings. Along the way he makes all kinds of new friends.
As is common with these books, the plot zips right along. I was enthralled enough to keep turning page after page. What really impressed me was how much character development Prendergast managed to fit into this novel. I finished up wanting to read the sequels, The Wherewood & The Overwood.
As a fan of Holly Black's fairie books, I wondered if this book would work for me. It turns out to be like a stripped down version of one of hers. It might not have the rich complexity of Black's books, but I was still pleasantly surprised.
Blue Jasper loves his twin siblings, but they are a handful to look after. One day when he is trying to give his mother a break, he takes them for a hike in the forest. Just like that, they disappear. It turns out they have been kidnapped by the Fairy King. Blue discovers that they are actually the children of the Fairy Queen. In exchange for her saving Blue's life, his mother made a bargain to look after the twins. Now the queen wants to take his mother's life for failing to take proper care of them. Blue makes a bargain with the queen and sets off into the dangerous fairie realms to rescue his foster siblings. Along the way he makes all kinds of new friends.
As is common with these books, the plot zips right along. I was enthralled enough to keep turning page after page. What really impressed me was how much character development Prendergast managed to fit into this novel. I finished up wanting to read the sequels, The Wherewood & The Overwood.
As a fan of Holly Black's fairie books, I wondered if this book would work for me. It turns out to be like a stripped down version of one of hers. It might not have the rich complexity of Black's books, but I was still pleasantly surprised.
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August 2, 2022cute
January 10, 2023
It was short but pretty good
November 29, 2023
Fun, quick YA read with good characters and a taste of fairy magic.
May 17, 2024
Quick read, but intriguing. Definitely hooks you in to read the next one.
February 23, 2021
This adorable MG novel is all about finding yourself and realizing what is important in your world. It’s great for that beginning reader as it tells a great life story and teaches a lesson. The characters are so adorable and fit well into the story. Let your youngster read this one. It’s great!
September 11, 2023
A delightful hi lo fantasy book for the middle grader who might not yet be ready for Holly Black length books but is interested in reading books about the fae.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews