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Broken Twigs: Farewell to Faerie Forest
Farewell to Faerie Forest introduces a magical world where diligent fairies perform their duties so that the faerie realm has everything it needs each season. Queen Iris rules with kind benevolence over the hard-working fairies, with all doing their fair share of work ‒ all, that is, except Twigs. Stubborn and temperamental, Twigs hates working. As soon as the fairies begin their daily chores, Twigs disappears and spends her days getting into mischief. It’s clear why she has no friends, nor does she want any. Into this world on a summer’s day comes chaos and a disturbing malevolence. Twigs makes a terrible misjudgement and endangers the other fairies and their home. Everything she takes for granted is stripped from her, and she finds herself far from Faerie Forest, alone, and in danger. All she wants is to return home, but evil, a dark secret from her past, and her own mistakes stand in her way.
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Published September 29, 2020
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About the author
Charlotte L. Taylor
9 books22 followersCharlotte is currently a primary teacher, living in the lovely Forest of Dean with her husband, three beautiful daughters, a dog, two cats, many chickens, three noisy geese and two turkeys. Aside from writing and reading, her other main passions are beekeeping and camping with her family.
She has always loved the local woods, as they are so full of places where her imagination can take off, and where she can easily imagine fairies and other magical creatures existing. She loves to write because, even on the coldest, wettest days when no-one wants to venture outside in the real world, she can embark on an adventure in a world of her choosing. One of her favourite quotes she tells the children at school is this: If you don’t read, then you live one lifetime; if you read, you could live thousands.
Twigs developed very organically in her classroom one day, several years ago, when the class were looking for a naughty fairy to blame for all the missing objects. To this day, Twigs still visits the children who are going through tough times at home and leaves a small stick on their seat to show them she is thinking of them. For Charlotte and the children she teaches, Twigs has become a very real entity, one which Charlotte absolutely loves sharing in her writing.
She has always loved the local woods, as they are so full of places where her imagination can take off, and where she can easily imagine fairies and other magical creatures existing. She loves to write because, even on the coldest, wettest days when no-one wants to venture outside in the real world, she can embark on an adventure in a world of her choosing. One of her favourite quotes she tells the children at school is this: If you don’t read, then you live one lifetime; if you read, you could live thousands.
Twigs developed very organically in her classroom one day, several years ago, when the class were looking for a naughty fairy to blame for all the missing objects. To this day, Twigs still visits the children who are going through tough times at home and leaves a small stick on their seat to show them she is thinking of them. For Charlotte and the children she teaches, Twigs has become a very real entity, one which Charlotte absolutely loves sharing in her writing.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 6, 2020
This book is magical! I love how Twigs the fairy is funny and mischievous, but also has a wonderful message to convey. The writing is lyrical, and the story has so many layers! Such a gem of a book.
I loved Twigs the fairy, who is mischievous and has a lot to learn. After being naughty, the fairy queen takes her wings and sends her on a mission to learn important values all fairies (and people!) should learn. This book centers on Twigs learning the value of friendship, and she gets to meet another cute "outcast" - an elf. Twigs learns how being mean to others makes you end up alone, and she also learns that we shouldn't judge others without getting to know them better.
A great book for children but also for grown ups. Very well written, full of adventures but with a wonderful depth in the story.
I loved it! And I can't wait for the next one.
I loved Twigs the fairy, who is mischievous and has a lot to learn. After being naughty, the fairy queen takes her wings and sends her on a mission to learn important values all fairies (and people!) should learn. This book centers on Twigs learning the value of friendship, and she gets to meet another cute "outcast" - an elf. Twigs learns how being mean to others makes you end up alone, and she also learns that we shouldn't judge others without getting to know them better.
A great book for children but also for grown ups. Very well written, full of adventures but with a wonderful depth in the story.
I loved it! And I can't wait for the next one.
November 4, 2020
Finished reading this to my girls today, and my six-year-old is now eagerly awaiting the continuation! She absolutely loved it! Imaginative and exciting, this book is a wonderful addition to our library. I will note that we purposely read it during the day, not at bedtime, as it was *very* exciting at times, as well as mildly scary. The lessons to be learned throughout are well-worth the pounding hearts, however, and we didn't have any trouble sleeping later. I'll definitely be recommending it to all my friends with kids!
November 2, 2020
Embark on a journey with the mischievous fairy Twigs in an action-packed and exciting story, as she learns the hard way that being alone is not as great as she thinks. Follow her as she faces the consequences of her actions, and learns to consider other people. The story is a perfect balance between despair and hope. The story is well-crafted, and complemented with beautiful illustrations.
November 2, 2020
Endearing and an excellent read. You will fall in love with Twigs. Love the illustrations
November 9, 2020
Join Twigs the faerie on an incredible journey far from the safety and comfort of her home. Rich with magic, heartfelt themes, and vivid imagery, Broken Twigs by author Charlotte Taylor is a lovely story that will delight folk of all ages.
Twigs is a mischievous, adorably flawed little faerie who gets into some serious trouble. Clearly headed down the wrong path in life, Twigs is redirected and thrust into a journey of danger, intrigue, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. To survive, Twigs must conjure her inner fortitude, reverence, and humility. Personally, I am just so glad a book like this exists in the world for young people and I can’t wait for my son to be old enough to read it with me.
The characters of this story are so rich. From Twigs to Queen Iris to Narcissa to Thistle and Bumble, I loved each character. They were each so uniquely themselves. In a brief amount of time I felt I understand the characters: where they came from, what they cared about, what motivated them. The concise yet deep character building made the story come alive for me.
Also, the world-building is swoon-worthy. In the opening chapters, we are introduced to Faerie Forest, reminiscent of Tolkien’s introduction to Hobbiton. It was enchanting, and I was instantly transported there. When I took time to reread the scene, as I was too immersed the first time to notice, I realized it is Taylor’s firm command over the English language coupled with what must be a fantastic imagination that takes us there.
Lastly, the themes moved me and I wished this book existed when I was a young girl. It is obvious Taylor, not only has spent much time with children but also cares deeply for them. I highly recommend this book for all readers, but especially for children.
Twigs is a mischievous, adorably flawed little faerie who gets into some serious trouble. Clearly headed down the wrong path in life, Twigs is redirected and thrust into a journey of danger, intrigue, and seemingly insurmountable challenges. To survive, Twigs must conjure her inner fortitude, reverence, and humility. Personally, I am just so glad a book like this exists in the world for young people and I can’t wait for my son to be old enough to read it with me.
The characters of this story are so rich. From Twigs to Queen Iris to Narcissa to Thistle and Bumble, I loved each character. They were each so uniquely themselves. In a brief amount of time I felt I understand the characters: where they came from, what they cared about, what motivated them. The concise yet deep character building made the story come alive for me.
Also, the world-building is swoon-worthy. In the opening chapters, we are introduced to Faerie Forest, reminiscent of Tolkien’s introduction to Hobbiton. It was enchanting, and I was instantly transported there. When I took time to reread the scene, as I was too immersed the first time to notice, I realized it is Taylor’s firm command over the English language coupled with what must be a fantastic imagination that takes us there.
Lastly, the themes moved me and I wished this book existed when I was a young girl. It is obvious Taylor, not only has spent much time with children but also cares deeply for them. I highly recommend this book for all readers, but especially for children.
November 14, 2020
Super fun to read to the kiddos, mine are toddlers so they did not sit through it too well, but I can see this being amazing for grade school or even middle school kids. There are some great vocabulary words in there for them. I probably enjoyed it a bit more than my two and four year old but they loved the illustrations in it, and they really liked the tree monsters for some reason. The book also teaches children about consequences and morals, so it is just top notch children's literature. Thank you for this and looking forward to the next one, and for my kids to be able to read it when they are older.
December 6, 2020
Though it seems like a children's book I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The characters are well written, and relatable, as well a colourful. The accompanying illustrations are masterful and only add fuel to the imagination.
The author has created this fantasy world that with love, and a stellar imagination that takes you into a land like none other.
Object lessons abound in this book that young and old alike would benefit from.
A sequel must be coming soon I hope.
The characters are well written, and relatable, as well a colourful. The accompanying illustrations are masterful and only add fuel to the imagination.
The author has created this fantasy world that with love, and a stellar imagination that takes you into a land like none other.
Object lessons abound in this book that young and old alike would benefit from.
A sequel must be coming soon I hope.
October 25, 2020
Broken Twigs by Charlotte Taylor is an exciting children's story for middle grade readers. It is most definitely not your standard light and twinkly fairy story, instead it touches on some dark elements that unfortunately occur in real life.Twigs is a fairy who lives in the Faerie Forest, she is the type of fairy who gets herself into all sorts of mischief and chaos. She is unlike the other hardworking fairies and spends most of her time alone, doing as she pleases. After making a very poor choice and endangering those around her, she finds that she must now fend for herself. Faced with peril at every turn Twigs reflects on her past behaviour, taking her to a dark place. She must learn whether she can get herself out of danger and as a loner, will she be able to accept help when it is offered to her and when she needs it the most?
I commend the author for creating a story that, to me, is an excellent example of how a fairy tale can mimic the struggles that children can go through in everyday life. Where they can read of the mischief of a fairy, who lost and alone, realises that there is hope and help out there when most needed. I recommend that everyone should read this book.The story is short, fast paced and packs in so much action. The illustrations are beautiful and really bring the characters to life.
I commend the author for creating a story that, to me, is an excellent example of how a fairy tale can mimic the struggles that children can go through in everyday life. Where they can read of the mischief of a fairy, who lost and alone, realises that there is hope and help out there when most needed. I recommend that everyone should read this book.The story is short, fast paced and packs in so much action. The illustrations are beautiful and really bring the characters to life.
November 9, 2020
Broken Twigs: Farewell to Faerie Forest is one book that will always hold a special place in my heart. This was the very first chapter book I read to my six year old son and we both enjoyed it greatly. It held his attention the whole time, which is no easy feat for a child his age, and we even had discussions about the events of each chapter throughout the day. My son especially loved the illustrations and was constantly asking for another chapter. His favorite characters were Bumble, the royal bee, and Twigs, even though she is a bit naughty. We enjoyed this book so much and are eager to read the next book in this fun engaging, series!
Also, right as I was writing this review, he told me he wants to be Twigs next Halloween, so clearly this author has made quite a fan!
Also, right as I was writing this review, he told me he wants to be Twigs next Halloween, so clearly this author has made quite a fan!
March 15, 2021
This book is simply irresistible! Taylor’s phenomenal storytelling abilities communicate important life lessons in the most entertaining and magical way! And Crossley's lovely illustrations complement the narrative beautifully. It’s certainly PERFECT for children, but it also has the fascinating world-building, vibrant characters, and high stakes that I find so enjoyable in any fantasy story. I can’t wait for the next installment!!
June 14, 2021
My niece loved it!
August 9, 2021
Farewell to Faerie Forest is the very beginning in Twigs's, no doubt, long adventure of self-discovery and friendship in her dangerous quest to find a way back to her enchanted home, all the while being nipped at the heels by the forces of nature and a more... shadowy threat.
The eponymous Faerie Forest, for what little we see of it, sets the stage for a very intriguing and magical world to dive into, one that I'm certain will get kids invested in no time. I really liked how the characters were written and how they acted, it really added a sense of depth I hadn't expected from a book like this; bravo, Charlotte! Later scenes in the book also proved to be quite exciting, and even a little scary!
...BUT unfortunately, there are some shortcomings. For one, this story is pretty dang short, even for a kids book in my experience. The characters and story are all laid out, but they aren't explored too much (with one of the chapters even being two pages long!) That, and the darkness of the story can get a bit heavy for a children's book at times; certainly makes it heart-pounding, but yikes!
Regardless of those flaws, the first book in the Broken Twigs series sets the stage for a magical, emotional adventure well, and it leaves me more than pretty excited to dive into the next book!
The eponymous Faerie Forest, for what little we see of it, sets the stage for a very intriguing and magical world to dive into, one that I'm certain will get kids invested in no time. I really liked how the characters were written and how they acted, it really added a sense of depth I hadn't expected from a book like this; bravo, Charlotte! Later scenes in the book also proved to be quite exciting, and even a little scary!
...BUT unfortunately, there are some shortcomings. For one, this story is pretty dang short, even for a kids book in my experience. The characters and story are all laid out, but they aren't explored too much (with one of the chapters even being two pages long!) That, and the darkness of the story can get a bit heavy for a children's book at times; certainly makes it heart-pounding, but yikes!
Regardless of those flaws, the first book in the Broken Twigs series sets the stage for a magical, emotional adventure well, and it leaves me more than pretty excited to dive into the next book!
June 27, 2022
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Broken Twigs: Farewell to Faerie Forest
Author: Charlotte L. Taylor
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 19 readers:
19 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
19 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
19 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I liked Twigs the most. She reminded me of my sister who never listens to anybody! This is an exciting fantasy adventure I think 9 – 12 year olds will enjoy.” Boy reader, aged 12
“Cool book. When I saw the angry looking Twigs on the cover, I wanted to read it. It´s sort of like an Enid Blyton book, but naughty too. There´s a lot happening, and I liked how the hero developed. This is a good novel for children.” Girl, aged 12 – with a little help from mum
“Magical, fun, with a few life lessons thrown in. My class enjoyed this book. They liked the naughty Twigs (who they could all relate to) and they felt it was exciting. They all liked the elf too, and they thought the queen was very wise.” Primary school teacher, aged 55
“A little bit scary, but not too scary. I liked the twisting plot. I was always surprised by what happened next. The ending was good too. I hope there will be another book with Twigs in it.” Girl, aged 10
To Sum It Up:
‘A thrilling fantasy adventure, perfect for 9 – 12 year olds. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Broken Twigs: Farewell to Faerie Forest
Author: Charlotte L. Taylor
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 3/5
Of the 19 readers:
19 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
19 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
17 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
19 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“I liked Twigs the most. She reminded me of my sister who never listens to anybody! This is an exciting fantasy adventure I think 9 – 12 year olds will enjoy.” Boy reader, aged 12
“Cool book. When I saw the angry looking Twigs on the cover, I wanted to read it. It´s sort of like an Enid Blyton book, but naughty too. There´s a lot happening, and I liked how the hero developed. This is a good novel for children.” Girl, aged 12 – with a little help from mum
“Magical, fun, with a few life lessons thrown in. My class enjoyed this book. They liked the naughty Twigs (who they could all relate to) and they felt it was exciting. They all liked the elf too, and they thought the queen was very wise.” Primary school teacher, aged 55
“A little bit scary, but not too scary. I liked the twisting plot. I was always surprised by what happened next. The ending was good too. I hope there will be another book with Twigs in it.” Girl, aged 10
To Sum It Up:
‘A thrilling fantasy adventure, perfect for 9 – 12 year olds. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
June 2, 2023
What a lovely story about Twigs. I rea dthis with my I year old and she loved it. We can't wait to read the other books and see what happens and what life lessons Twigs learns.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews