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The Mirrorwood
Perfect for fans of the Twisted Tales series and Doll Bones , this thrilling, “cleverly original” ( Kirkus Reviews ) middle grade fantasy follows a girl without a face as she battles a deadly enchanted forest and learns the truth behind her world’s fairy tales.
Appearances are always deceiving…
Fable has been cursed by what the people in her village call the Blight, a twisted enchantment that leaves her without a face of her own. To stay alive, Fable has to steal the faces of others, making her an outcast that no one trusts. When the fierce Blighthunter Vycorax comes to kill Fable to stop her curse from spreading, Fable narrowly escapes by fleeing into the thorny woods surrounding her small village.
The treacherous forest has been ruled by a demon-prince for centuries, a deadly place trapped in time. Fable—and her opinionated feline companion, Moth—is the first to dare enter in a very long time. There, she encounters a tediously chatty skull, dangerously meddlesome deities, and a beast so powerful it tears at the fabric of reality, leaving nothingness in its horrible wake.
Fable will soon discover that, in the Mirrorwood, nothing is quite like the stories say, and the perilous realm may be the only chance she has to break her curse and find her true self.
Appearances are always deceiving…
Fable has been cursed by what the people in her village call the Blight, a twisted enchantment that leaves her without a face of her own. To stay alive, Fable has to steal the faces of others, making her an outcast that no one trusts. When the fierce Blighthunter Vycorax comes to kill Fable to stop her curse from spreading, Fable narrowly escapes by fleeing into the thorny woods surrounding her small village.
The treacherous forest has been ruled by a demon-prince for centuries, a deadly place trapped in time. Fable—and her opinionated feline companion, Moth—is the first to dare enter in a very long time. There, she encounters a tediously chatty skull, dangerously meddlesome deities, and a beast so powerful it tears at the fabric of reality, leaving nothingness in its horrible wake.
Fable will soon discover that, in the Mirrorwood, nothing is quite like the stories say, and the perilous realm may be the only chance she has to break her curse and find her true self.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2022
15 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
About the author
Deva Fagan
10 books208 followersI write fantasy and science fiction for readers of all ages. I live in Maine with my husband and our dog. When I'm not writing I spend my time reading, playing video games, doing geometry, and drinking copious amounts of tea.
NOTE: My comments on books I've read are not meant to be critical reviews, but are just my own reactions. I don't generally use stars, but I do occasionally mark a book with five stars if it's one that feels like it will become a long-term favorite, because it's exactly my sort of book, and caters to my specific tastes as a reader. There are plenty of books I read and really admire that are clearly excellent books, but which are not so exactly "for me" that I give them five stars. I will unabashedly stop reading books I really don't care for, so if a book is on my read list at all it means I liked it enough to finish it.
NOTE: My comments on books I've read are not meant to be critical reviews, but are just my own reactions. I don't generally use stars, but I do occasionally mark a book with five stars if it's one that feels like it will become a long-term favorite, because it's exactly my sort of book, and caters to my specific tastes as a reader. There are plenty of books I read and really admire that are clearly excellent books, but which are not so exactly "for me" that I give them five stars. I will unabashedly stop reading books I really don't care for, so if a book is on my read list at all it means I liked it enough to finish it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
April 10, 2023
I read this because I am judging judged the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction division of the Cybils Awards. Announcement of the winners in all divisions will be was announced on Feb 14 after which I’ll post full reviews.
https://www.cybils.com/
This was my favorite of the short list of 7 middle grade novels and was an overwhelming favorite of all the jury. It took the prize.
In order to lift the curse which has left Fable with no face of her own, always borrowing another’s, she must break the spell on the Prince of The Mirrorwood and kill the Demon Prince. Once inside, everything turns out differently than she expects. There are many twists and turns and ultimately she wins out through her compassion, kindness and ability to see others’ inherent goodness. The writing is beautiful, the characters are nuanced and three-dimensional, defying the standard archetypes they suggest when we first meet them. Plus there’s a talking cat!
https://www.cybils.com/
This was my favorite of the short list of 7 middle grade novels and was an overwhelming favorite of all the jury. It took the prize.
In order to lift the curse which has left Fable with no face of her own, always borrowing another’s, she must break the spell on the Prince of The Mirrorwood and kill the Demon Prince. Once inside, everything turns out differently than she expects. There are many twists and turns and ultimately she wins out through her compassion, kindness and ability to see others’ inherent goodness. The writing is beautiful, the characters are nuanced and three-dimensional, defying the standard archetypes they suggest when we first meet them. Plus there’s a talking cat!
November 30, 2021
This was so good! Each book I’ve read by Deva Fagan, has been even better than the last. This was amazing! This was such a creative, engrossing read. The whole idea of the Blight/Blighted, the Mirrorwood, the Subtle Powers, the curse, the Withering, & so much more were so fascinating! Then you have such great characters. They’re all so amazing & unique & so very interesting! From Fable, our MC who is phenomenal, to Vycorax her partner on this journey(who you learn more about the more time they spend together). It was great seeing the real Vycorax slowly show herself. The character growth/development with both of them was superb.
Then there are all the characters we meet in the Mirrorwood. FASCINATED the whole time. I loved it. I loved how the author brought this cursed world alive, & made you feel like you were there. From the detailing, like how things are affected there down to the sheep, the time spun, etc. Brilliant. Lyrian has a special place in my heart. Such a great character-& the whole backstory with him, what we learn, & the TWISTS(lol you’ll see what I did there when you read the book)at the end & the deeper meaning behind it all?! So good! Moth has my heart though. I love that cat so much. The bond he shares with Fable is so extraordinary & special.
Back to the blighted part-I was extra intrigued by this. How it happens, how it affects each person so differently, & all the characters we see who are blighted-I was so in love with the detailing to get each blighted person unique & so interesting. I was extremely interested in Fable’s Blight, & the feelings it made her feel about her “true self”. I also loved the library shown in here, tickling things to open, & a certain singing skull lol. SO GOOD! It’s hard to know who the villain is in this story. There are so many possibilities, but what is uncovered & the, also, deeper meaning behind it all-wow.
Talk about a Mg with great underlying messages/themes. Like accepting who you are, the cards you’ve been dealt, & loving the person you are. Also, fearing something/someone just because it/they are different, or “appear” a certain way-is just ignorant. Some of the most horrible monsters I’ve seen, have been human beings who didn’t fit any of those assumptions. Hitler comes to mind always as 1 of the biggest monsters I’ve ever seen, for example. Also, we can’t escape or cheat ourselves of our pain. To not feel pain or sorrow of any kind would not be good. We need that pain & those experiences. It’s how we grow & learn along the way. You need the bad to have the good. You need the dark to have the light.
Not sure if there will be more, but I hope so! I would like to see how a couple things turn out. This comes out April ‘22, & I highly recommend! STUNNING cover by Sylvia Bi too!💜
Then there are all the characters we meet in the Mirrorwood. FASCINATED the whole time. I loved it. I loved how the author brought this cursed world alive, & made you feel like you were there. From the detailing, like how things are affected there down to the sheep, the time spun, etc. Brilliant. Lyrian has a special place in my heart. Such a great character-& the whole backstory with him, what we learn, & the TWISTS(lol you’ll see what I did there when you read the book)at the end & the deeper meaning behind it all?! So good! Moth has my heart though. I love that cat so much. The bond he shares with Fable is so extraordinary & special.
Back to the blighted part-I was extra intrigued by this. How it happens, how it affects each person so differently, & all the characters we see who are blighted-I was so in love with the detailing to get each blighted person unique & so interesting. I was extremely interested in Fable’s Blight, & the feelings it made her feel about her “true self”. I also loved the library shown in here, tickling things to open, & a certain singing skull lol. SO GOOD! It’s hard to know who the villain is in this story. There are so many possibilities, but what is uncovered & the, also, deeper meaning behind it all-wow.
Talk about a Mg with great underlying messages/themes. Like accepting who you are, the cards you’ve been dealt, & loving the person you are. Also, fearing something/someone just because it/they are different, or “appear” a certain way-is just ignorant. Some of the most horrible monsters I’ve seen, have been human beings who didn’t fit any of those assumptions. Hitler comes to mind always as 1 of the biggest monsters I’ve ever seen, for example. Also, we can’t escape or cheat ourselves of our pain. To not feel pain or sorrow of any kind would not be good. We need that pain & those experiences. It’s how we grow & learn along the way. You need the bad to have the good. You need the dark to have the light.
Not sure if there will be more, but I hope so! I would like to see how a couple things turn out. This comes out April ‘22, & I highly recommend! STUNNING cover by Sylvia Bi too!💜
April 21, 2022
I'm struggling.
As a 50 something, this book isn't aimed at me.
So I'm comparing it to other books that are aimed at the same group. Jessica Townsend's The Trials of Morrigan Crow and perhaps Karina Yan Glaser's The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.
I don't think this is quite that good, but I'm sure young readers will love it. So 3 Stars with the caveat that I haven't been in this book's demographic for 40+ years.
As a 50 something, this book isn't aimed at me.
So I'm comparing it to other books that are aimed at the same group. Jessica Townsend's The Trials of Morrigan Crow and perhaps Karina Yan Glaser's The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street.
I don't think this is quite that good, but I'm sure young readers will love it. So 3 Stars with the caveat that I haven't been in this book's demographic for 40+ years.
April 20, 2022
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
THE MIRRORWOOD is the best kind of middle grade fantasy, full of unique and whimsical magic, high-stakes adventure, surprising twists, and the blurriest of lines between heroes and villains. Fable has spent her life in hiding because she is Blighted, touched by the twisted magic of the Mirrorwood. No one outside of her family can know or she has no face of her own, that she has “borrow” a face (and a bit of life-force) from others. When the hunters find her out, Fable has no choice but to run – into the Mirrorwood to try to break the curse that has ruined her life. But once she’s there, along with the very hunter who wanted to kill her, she discovers that nothing is as simple as the tales she’s been told.
The magical world of Mirrorworld is fascinating; many people (and objects) have been twisted by the Blight in crazy and sometimes entertaining ways. Fable and Vycorax encounter villagers stuck in a time-loop, dead men who talk, deities who speak in riddles and sometimes do more harm than good, and demons who aren’t what they seem (all while accompanied by a cute talking cat). Kids will be endlessly fascinated by the universe that Fagan has created and by the twists and turns that Fable’s journey takes as she tries to figure out who to trust, how to break her curse, and what solution is really best for everyone.
If you enjoy fantasy, you need to pick up this book! Fagan is fast becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
THE MIRRORWOOD is the best kind of middle grade fantasy, full of unique and whimsical magic, high-stakes adventure, surprising twists, and the blurriest of lines between heroes and villains. Fable has spent her life in hiding because she is Blighted, touched by the twisted magic of the Mirrorwood. No one outside of her family can know or she has no face of her own, that she has “borrow” a face (and a bit of life-force) from others. When the hunters find her out, Fable has no choice but to run – into the Mirrorwood to try to break the curse that has ruined her life. But once she’s there, along with the very hunter who wanted to kill her, she discovers that nothing is as simple as the tales she’s been told.
The magical world of Mirrorworld is fascinating; many people (and objects) have been twisted by the Blight in crazy and sometimes entertaining ways. Fable and Vycorax encounter villagers stuck in a time-loop, dead men who talk, deities who speak in riddles and sometimes do more harm than good, and demons who aren’t what they seem (all while accompanied by a cute talking cat). Kids will be endlessly fascinated by the universe that Fagan has created and by the twists and turns that Fable’s journey takes as she tries to figure out who to trust, how to break her curse, and what solution is really best for everyone.
If you enjoy fantasy, you need to pick up this book! Fagan is fast becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
September 18, 2022
a really delightful story. enjoyable and interesting and fun.
November 16, 2021
This book is full of magic and twists, wonder and whimsy, peril and discovery. I fell into Fable's world, where nothing is as it seems, and didn't want to leave. The characters grab hold (even Moth, the cat), and the plot grows thickly around both the reader and the characters. I highly recommend this book!
April 11, 2022
I read this as an ARC, but my comment is impartial and authentic. The Mirrorwood was such a lovely read. Fagan's word-building is excellent, and I adored the characters and their changing relationships. In her acknowledgments, Fagan wished The Mirrorwood would bring even just a bit of the magic that movies like Labyrinth and The Princess Bride have-- she absolutely achieved that goal. This book was easy to escape into and it was bittersweet for me to finish it.
June 17, 2022
A twisted fairytale you didn’t know you need!! You can definitely see that the plot is inspired from Sleeping Beauty but everything else is original and completely unique!
The magic system captured me from the start, I’m amaze by the “curse” that the MC possessed, and really curious to know how she got it and why the curse exist in the first place. I love the writing and I have no problem with the pace, Deva is really good at revealing the story and twist at the exact moment!
I love the friendship in this book although I personally feel that it’s odd how quickly the enemies become friends but it’s beautiful and heartwarming nonetheless. There’s also a lovable animal side-kick that you will definitely fall in love to!
There are so many lovely messages for young readers, such as self discovery, accepting yourself, and like how appeareance can be deceiving.
The ending leaves an opportunity for a sequel and I really really hope that there will be book two, I need this to be a series please!
The magic system captured me from the start, I’m amaze by the “curse” that the MC possessed, and really curious to know how she got it and why the curse exist in the first place. I love the writing and I have no problem with the pace, Deva is really good at revealing the story and twist at the exact moment!
I love the friendship in this book although I personally feel that it’s odd how quickly the enemies become friends but it’s beautiful and heartwarming nonetheless. There’s also a lovable animal side-kick that you will definitely fall in love to!
There are so many lovely messages for young readers, such as self discovery, accepting yourself, and like how appeareance can be deceiving.
The ending leaves an opportunity for a sequel and I really really hope that there will be book two, I need this to be a series please!
May 31, 2022
What worked:
The premise of the story is ingenious, as the Mirrorwood’s Blight infects twelve-year-old Fable in a strange manner. She takes on the face of whomever she touches, although she’s learning to control it a little better. Most books might see this as an opportunity for a demented character to steal faces for evil purposes, but this author doesn’t go that route. Blighthunters are searching for and executing the blighted, but Fable is distraught over how she’s forced to borrow the faces and energy of her family in order to stay hidden. The story evolves into Fable’s quest to locate the source of the cursed magic in the Mirrorwood and end the Blight forever.
The quest is complicated as the source of the blight is unclear. Stories told by people outside of the Mirrorwood tell of the king’s son being replaced by a demon prince. This prince’s evil magic corrupts the area surrounding the castle until it’s contained by a wall of thorns. Fable meets a god-like character called Mirachne of the Dawn who tells Fable what happened and how Fable can slay the demon prince. However, Fable meets some other characters who cause her to wonder about the truth behind the curse. Surely, she can trust Mirachne, the Subtle Power known as Mistress of Dreams and Delight, because everybody knows the Bannon is the Subtle Power known for deceit and chaos. Then there’s Fable’s cat called Moth who constantly warns her that the Powers play games with humans and don’t care what happens to them. This uncertainty provides conflict and tension for readers to enjoy.
Fable is accompanied by a young blighthunter named Vycorax, and the opposing girls make an unlikely pair. They each spend much of the story seeking to understand who they are and who they want to be. Vycorax has sworn to be her father’s apprentice as a hunter and is motivated to avenge her sister. However, she’s not a cold-blooded murderer and isn’t able to kill Fable when she has the chance. Fable has never had her own face, so she wonders about her true image. Taking on the looks of others muddles her ability to understand herself, and she questions if she’s truly an evil blightborn as everyone believes. Ending the curse may offer her a chance for self-discovery.
The Final Verdict:
There must be a balance between pain and peace. Self-realization is a theme, as several characters are forced to face the truth about themselves. Their true selves are found under their skin, not in their appearances. Fable’s kindness and selflessness make her an admirable character that allows her to connect with readers. The story is creative and engaging, and I highly recommend you give this book a shot.
The premise of the story is ingenious, as the Mirrorwood’s Blight infects twelve-year-old Fable in a strange manner. She takes on the face of whomever she touches, although she’s learning to control it a little better. Most books might see this as an opportunity for a demented character to steal faces for evil purposes, but this author doesn’t go that route. Blighthunters are searching for and executing the blighted, but Fable is distraught over how she’s forced to borrow the faces and energy of her family in order to stay hidden. The story evolves into Fable’s quest to locate the source of the cursed magic in the Mirrorwood and end the Blight forever.
The quest is complicated as the source of the blight is unclear. Stories told by people outside of the Mirrorwood tell of the king’s son being replaced by a demon prince. This prince’s evil magic corrupts the area surrounding the castle until it’s contained by a wall of thorns. Fable meets a god-like character called Mirachne of the Dawn who tells Fable what happened and how Fable can slay the demon prince. However, Fable meets some other characters who cause her to wonder about the truth behind the curse. Surely, she can trust Mirachne, the Subtle Power known as Mistress of Dreams and Delight, because everybody knows the Bannon is the Subtle Power known for deceit and chaos. Then there’s Fable’s cat called Moth who constantly warns her that the Powers play games with humans and don’t care what happens to them. This uncertainty provides conflict and tension for readers to enjoy.
Fable is accompanied by a young blighthunter named Vycorax, and the opposing girls make an unlikely pair. They each spend much of the story seeking to understand who they are and who they want to be. Vycorax has sworn to be her father’s apprentice as a hunter and is motivated to avenge her sister. However, she’s not a cold-blooded murderer and isn’t able to kill Fable when she has the chance. Fable has never had her own face, so she wonders about her true image. Taking on the looks of others muddles her ability to understand herself, and she questions if she’s truly an evil blightborn as everyone believes. Ending the curse may offer her a chance for self-discovery.
The Final Verdict:
There must be a balance between pain and peace. Self-realization is a theme, as several characters are forced to face the truth about themselves. Their true selves are found under their skin, not in their appearances. Fable’s kindness and selflessness make her an admirable character that allows her to connect with readers. The story is creative and engaging, and I highly recommend you give this book a shot.
February 21, 2023
Fable is cursed, or blighted, to have no face of her own. She must touch someone to share their face and their health, and she must do this every few days of fade away. A risk to her family, she and her talking cat, Moth, enter The Mirrorwood to try and break the curse. What starts as a basic fairy tale beccomes a very unique look at the choices one must make to find themselves and to remain true to who they know themselves to be. Though Fable has no face, she has a set belief in what is right and wrong and though she wishes nothing more than to be her true self - have her own face - the dangers she faces and the friends she makes along the cursed path help her discover who she really is. There is warmth underneath the dark fairy tale and friendship and love layered into the non-stop adventures. Well worth the read for fantasy and fairy tale fans and those who might be struggling to learn who they are.
April 4, 2023
I read this as part of my Nebula reading packet. This book is a finalist for the Norton Award.
Fable lives near the Mirrorwood, a wall of thorns that contains a cursed kingdom. Fable has also endured her own curse her entire life--she has no face, and must steal someone else's every few days or she gets weak and begins to waste away. Other people who are "Blighted" might have animal characteristics or magical powers, which is why there are Blight hunters who kill people who are cursed. Fable's large family loves her and has kept her hidden--until now. A Blight hunter with a young apprentice find her, and Fable is stunned when she flees and ends up on the other side of the thorns--right along with the apprentice who was supposed to kill her.
The book is a fun read, though pretty predictable all the way through. Even so, Fable is a great character, and I just adored her loyal talking cat, Moth.
Fable lives near the Mirrorwood, a wall of thorns that contains a cursed kingdom. Fable has also endured her own curse her entire life--she has no face, and must steal someone else's every few days or she gets weak and begins to waste away. Other people who are "Blighted" might have animal characteristics or magical powers, which is why there are Blight hunters who kill people who are cursed. Fable's large family loves her and has kept her hidden--until now. A Blight hunter with a young apprentice find her, and Fable is stunned when she flees and ends up on the other side of the thorns--right along with the apprentice who was supposed to kill her.
The book is a fun read, though pretty predictable all the way through. Even so, Fable is a great character, and I just adored her loyal talking cat, Moth.
September 8, 2024
We're in good hands with these middle years authors.
I LOVED this, more than I expected. It was sweet and genuine and thoughtful and exciting.
The Mirrorwood is accessible to a younger audience without condescending to them. This book includes themes of discrimination, abuse, grief, forgiveness, and finding your true self, and handles them with such grace and emotion I had to put the book down to take a breath a couple of times. It's also whimsical and magical, and I will be recommending my little sister read it as soon as possible.
The characters felt like children, as they should, and the way they navigated the world and their own friendships was inspiring, as was the depth of their struggles to understand and overcome the beliefs they were born into.
Highly, highly recommend.
I LOVED this, more than I expected. It was sweet and genuine and thoughtful and exciting.
The Mirrorwood is accessible to a younger audience without condescending to them. This book includes themes of discrimination, abuse, grief, forgiveness, and finding your true self, and handles them with such grace and emotion I had to put the book down to take a breath a couple of times. It's also whimsical and magical, and I will be recommending my little sister read it as soon as possible.
The characters felt like children, as they should, and the way they navigated the world and their own friendships was inspiring, as was the depth of their struggles to understand and overcome the beliefs they were born into.
Highly, highly recommend.
June 28, 2022
Fable is cursed by the Blight, an enchantment from the surrounding Mirrorwood that caused her to be born without a face. To survive, she reluctantly steals the faces of those around her, which makes her a pariah and a target for fearsome Blighthunters—warriors tasked with eliminating anyone touched by magic.
January 4, 2022
I love Deva Fagan's books, and this may be the best one yet -- so full of unique magic, unlikely friendships, and questions of right and wrong that go far beyond the surface. This could be a new fantasy classic!
June 2, 2022
There were a few things I didn't like, like how Vyx and Fable became friends (it felt very odd and it went quickly from I'm trying to kill you to we cool now) but overall a solid book that I did enjoy a lot.
November 10, 2022
The boys and I listened to this. Fun fantasy read. I'd recommend for ages 8+. My 9 year old enjoyed it, my 7 year old was less into it.
August 20, 2022
Fast-paced, so many twists, leaves you wanting more until the end. The message about identity, facing the pain, and the mistakes you make was incredibly well-done and touching. I do wish we got to know more about the cat, but mostly that this was a series so I get to see more of Fable's adventures!
September 4, 2022
What a fun book! It had hints of Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, and more! I absolutely loved it.
Fable does not have her own face. She can only borrow faces from others. In order to break her faceless curse, she must brave the Mirrorwood and slay the demon prince. But thing in the Mirrorwood are not what she expected.
I definitely need to check out some other books by Fagan, because this is as delightful.
Fable does not have her own face. She can only borrow faces from others. In order to break her faceless curse, she must brave the Mirrorwood and slay the demon prince. But thing in the Mirrorwood are not what she expected.
I definitely need to check out some other books by Fagan, because this is as delightful.
October 3, 2022
I really liked this! I picked it up because of the beautiful cover art, and I was not disappointed. It felt familiar, like the books I loved as a kid, but also very new, which I think is a hard balance. For some reason it dragged a bit for me around the 2/3 mark, but I still really enjoyed it all. And, okay, yes, I wanted Lyrian and Fable to be in love, but is anyone really surprised about that at this point? This is who I am. I don’t see anything about plans for a sequel or a series but it was left open enough that I think there could be one and I’d definitely read it.
December 18, 2023
This was a very cute book. It had a lot of fairytale vibes. Curses, thorned off setting, these higher powers that granted wishes and made bargains, and a person of humble beginnings needing to venture out to save them all.
The book was admittedly pretty predictable and simple, but I still had a lot of fun with it and wouldn't even mind seeing the characters again. It was great seeing Fable learn to accept herself, and although I saw the solution to the book's issue coming, it was still a joy seeing how it played out. Also it was all just magical and whimsical in a way, but also had some of the darkness of Grimm fairytales.
For sure recommend to anyone looking for a fun MG fantasy adventure that's a quick read (300 pages, but it's bigger text and easy to read) and enjoyable characters!
The book was admittedly pretty predictable and simple, but I still had a lot of fun with it and wouldn't even mind seeing the characters again. It was great seeing Fable learn to accept herself, and although I saw the solution to the book's issue coming, it was still a joy seeing how it played out. Also it was all just magical and whimsical in a way, but also had some of the darkness of Grimm fairytales.
For sure recommend to anyone looking for a fun MG fantasy adventure that's a quick read (300 pages, but it's bigger text and easy to read) and enjoyable characters!
May 8, 2022
Entirely unique with excellent world building, character development, and depth. An excellent commentary on how things are not always as they seem and the importance of embracing all of yourself.
June 27, 2022
I absolutely adored every second of this!! It's so clever and well written and it was so magical ☺️ it's also that lovely type of middle grade book where the characters are mostly young and it's written with the same age group in mind...but Fagan never talks down to the reader, if that makes sense. It has the feel of a familiar fairytale that people of any age could easily love throughout their lives. Am i making sense? I hope I am 😅 love love love. Highly recommend this magical story!! 💕
I'm using this for desertathon got a book with nature on the cover! Love me a creepy wood ☺️
I'm using this for desertathon got a book with nature on the cover! Love me a creepy wood ☺️
April 18, 2023
Ohhhh I loved the ending of this book so much! Well, I loved all of it, honestly, but the ending made me give a Good Book Sigh and pet the hardcover I was reading. I'm still feeling giddy from it!
The Mirrorwood is a fabulous twist on Sleeping Beauty (with hints of other fairy tales, too) in which it was a prince who was cursed on his 13th birthday, and two girls venture into the thorny Mirrorwood to try to save him. Fairy bargains both help and hinder them along the way, and there's plenty of danger and adventure, but there's also an enormous amount of humor and fun between wonderful characters (including my favorite cat character in a long time - OH do I love Moth!). There are bits with an enchanted skull that made me laugh out loud, there are fantastic twists and turns, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I read a library copy, but I now need to buy a copy to keep, because I will definitely be re-reading it in the future!
The Mirrorwood is a fabulous twist on Sleeping Beauty (with hints of other fairy tales, too) in which it was a prince who was cursed on his 13th birthday, and two girls venture into the thorny Mirrorwood to try to save him. Fairy bargains both help and hinder them along the way, and there's plenty of danger and adventure, but there's also an enormous amount of humor and fun between wonderful characters (including my favorite cat character in a long time - OH do I love Moth!). There are bits with an enchanted skull that made me laugh out loud, there are fantastic twists and turns, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I read a library copy, but I now need to buy a copy to keep, because I will definitely be re-reading it in the future!
August 16, 2023
I really liked this! It was such an impulse read because of the cover but goddamn isn’t it so beautiful! Look at how well it’s drawn! The colours AHHHHH
The fantasy in here was so creative and cool, I loved the cute village farm and then the wall of thorns keeping in all the crazy magic stuff, then the blight coming through in cool ways and THEN there’s all the freaky stuff inside. It seems to me like a retelling of Sleeping Beauty?
It was bordering on being Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland creepy with the weird flowers and the book written in blood and the Withering (which was actually terrifying, it consumes existence!) but then there was oh look a cute festival yay and a talking cat. What the was Witherings deal again? If the curse wasn’t lifted it would just eat everything? Why did it care so much about Fables sense of self worth at the end?
Did we ever confirm that Moth could talk because of the blight? Or was he in fact a disguised dragon?
I appreciated the queer representation in here. Indigo being non binary was cool and Trudi and Elfaras family was super nice. Then I feel like Vycorax and Fable had a thing? None of this was super in your face or forced which was so nice ❤️
Something I didn’t understand was Fables family. Fable and Allegra are born and realise that Fable steals faces…this harms the person she takes it from and then she becomes all faded, how did they reason keeping her? I’m not saying they shouldn’t have, but it seems like a legitimate threat to everyone if you didn’t have time to get to know her. Despite that I did like how often Fable thought of her siblings, Sonnet is an awesome name. Fable is also an awesome name!
It was so so good how she goes to Mirachne’s wishing well and things are already not quite right, her reveal as the true villain was great. Giving Rylajn the gift of not feeling pain or sadness was such a great lesson in here-you need those. It was also cool how Bannon was the sneaky one yet somehow more moral? So what was his goal was it just to stop Mirachne?
I do feel like Vyx (btw her name is so Doctor Who) went from I Am A BlightHunter to I Will Protect You Fable very quickly. Did it really take some festival bonding time?
At first I didn’t like Dendonderous, I thought it was a bit cliche but then I was like but stuff that, a dramatic talking skull is awesome!
I immediately knew the boy at the festival would be the prince! Glimmer dark is a cool name as well 👌 I liked Phoula and Odessa’s relationship ❤️ Queerness everywhere mayhaps?
I liked how Lyrian and Rylain (clever anagram) were the same person, it shows how everyone has those sides and they may not be all they appear. Lyrian was a very interesting character, I liked his warmth.
As soon as we knew the book of powers could fly I was like Odessa is going to go get it! The pool creatures were so scary! Omg I actually was so sad when Moth got got.
It seems a bit poop that all of the villagers they blighted have to stay that way! What about poor celery head?
I did not see Fable being the mirror they needed, that was very clever.
The thing I really appreciated in this book was identity. Fable just wants to know what her true fave looks like, who she is. But her actions throughout the adventure tell her and in the end she can decide what she looks like because it doesn’t matter. “I knew who I was. I knew who I loved. That was my life. That was my truth.”
She’s a shapeshifter now which is a lot less scary for me than a face stealer. The whole thing seemed to be about the way things should be (Mirachne, perfect, no Blight), and the way they are.
I really liked the ending of Vyx and Fable visiting each other and then going to university together. Bannon got Moth back, so now she owes him a favour. I smell book two and give it to me already!
Everyone had such tragic backstories (Odessa’s family Ossining away during the blight of a hundred years and Vyxs dad killing her blighted sister)!
The writing throughout all of this was so so nice, the settings were so vivid and I really felt a part of the world. I flew through it, I wanted to find out what happened!
Overall I thought this was a really unique but also timeless fantasy, with great characters and a really cool way of expressing themes through the plot 😊 It was written really well and I was surprised at times, would definitely read more Fagan.
The fantasy in here was so creative and cool, I loved the cute village farm and then the wall of thorns keeping in all the crazy magic stuff, then the blight coming through in cool ways and THEN there’s all the freaky stuff inside. It seems to me like a retelling of Sleeping Beauty?
It was bordering on being Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland creepy with the weird flowers and the book written in blood and the Withering (which was actually terrifying, it consumes existence!) but then there was oh look a cute festival yay and a talking cat. What the was Witherings deal again? If the curse wasn’t lifted it would just eat everything? Why did it care so much about Fables sense of self worth at the end?
Did we ever confirm that Moth could talk because of the blight? Or was he in fact a disguised dragon?
I appreciated the queer representation in here. Indigo being non binary was cool and Trudi and Elfaras family was super nice. Then I feel like Vycorax and Fable had a thing? None of this was super in your face or forced which was so nice ❤️
Something I didn’t understand was Fables family. Fable and Allegra are born and realise that Fable steals faces…this harms the person she takes it from and then she becomes all faded, how did they reason keeping her? I’m not saying they shouldn’t have, but it seems like a legitimate threat to everyone if you didn’t have time to get to know her. Despite that I did like how often Fable thought of her siblings, Sonnet is an awesome name. Fable is also an awesome name!
It was so so good how she goes to Mirachne’s wishing well and things are already not quite right, her reveal as the true villain was great. Giving Rylajn the gift of not feeling pain or sadness was such a great lesson in here-you need those. It was also cool how Bannon was the sneaky one yet somehow more moral? So what was his goal was it just to stop Mirachne?
I do feel like Vyx (btw her name is so Doctor Who) went from I Am A BlightHunter to I Will Protect You Fable very quickly. Did it really take some festival bonding time?
At first I didn’t like Dendonderous, I thought it was a bit cliche but then I was like but stuff that, a dramatic talking skull is awesome!
I immediately knew the boy at the festival would be the prince! Glimmer dark is a cool name as well 👌 I liked Phoula and Odessa’s relationship ❤️ Queerness everywhere mayhaps?
I liked how Lyrian and Rylain (clever anagram) were the same person, it shows how everyone has those sides and they may not be all they appear. Lyrian was a very interesting character, I liked his warmth.
As soon as we knew the book of powers could fly I was like Odessa is going to go get it! The pool creatures were so scary! Omg I actually was so sad when Moth got got.
It seems a bit poop that all of the villagers they blighted have to stay that way! What about poor celery head?
I did not see Fable being the mirror they needed, that was very clever.
The thing I really appreciated in this book was identity. Fable just wants to know what her true fave looks like, who she is. But her actions throughout the adventure tell her and in the end she can decide what she looks like because it doesn’t matter. “I knew who I was. I knew who I loved. That was my life. That was my truth.”
She’s a shapeshifter now which is a lot less scary for me than a face stealer. The whole thing seemed to be about the way things should be (Mirachne, perfect, no Blight), and the way they are.
I really liked the ending of Vyx and Fable visiting each other and then going to university together. Bannon got Moth back, so now she owes him a favour. I smell book two and give it to me already!
Everyone had such tragic backstories (Odessa’s family Ossining away during the blight of a hundred years and Vyxs dad killing her blighted sister)!
The writing throughout all of this was so so nice, the settings were so vivid and I really felt a part of the world. I flew through it, I wanted to find out what happened!
Overall I thought this was a really unique but also timeless fantasy, with great characters and a really cool way of expressing themes through the plot 😊 It was written really well and I was surprised at times, would definitely read more Fagan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2022
🪞🎋☁️The Mirrorwood☁️🎋🪞
3.5 Stars
Ever since Bannon cursed Prince Rylain, blights have been spreading all over the realm of Thessequa. Prince Rylain and the people around the palace have been in permanent sleep. The Blight causes the person who is cursed to develop magical abilities and gives fantasy creatures facial features. Fable has been cursed; she can not live unless she takes someone's face. Her ability allows her to take other people's appearances like a mask. When blighthunters find out about her ability and go after her, Fable runs into Mirrorwood. She is determined to awake Rylain from the curse and destroy the Withering. Fable meets Vycorax, who is determined to kill her. Instead, they become friends and search for the answer of why the Blighted started. Along the way Fable meets Prince Lyrian the demon prince. Fable feels conflicted: Appearances are deceiving, what happens if the answer isn't as clear as good and evil?
Appearances are deceiving, finding one's identity, self-discovery, acceptance, diversity, are all dealt with in a book that expertly weaves fantastical elements, whimsical wonder, and fairy tales. Mirrorwood was a book I had high hopes for. Instantly seeing the word {Prince. The name Vycorax, Lyrian, Fable, and Fables blight}, which were major bookish buzzwords.
I sat down at night and opened this book. And wow, did I speed through it. It was easy to get invested in, cheerful, innovative, and magical. It was very interesting to see how this was influenced by Sleeping Beauty. I really loved the "don't judge someone based on their appearence" lesson. Although it is one repeated time and time again, this book did a pretty good job at doing it in a unique way that was vital to the plot.
The whole Mirrorwood. Bewildering, & astounding. This was a timely tale that I could read several times. I liked Fables character, her desperation of wanting to have her own appearance and face was a viable fear. It didn't feel over-dramatic out of character, or lame. It made sense, and it helped make me feel for her character. Her journey was a great one, although she did do a really big speech at the end that felt too much. Fable was adventurous, but also curious and yearning for friends.
Deva manages to successfully have a protagonist that is likable. She also spends enough time nurturing the side characters and giving them their own path rather then existing only for the protagonist. Vycorax was a interesting character. She wants her father's affection, but not at the cost of going against her morals. Then there was Lyrian. He was a really good character. He would bury all his fears and doubt them until he believed them not to be true. I thought that Lyrian's character growth was written very well. The Bannon was cool at the same time as strange. I liked that there was no one specific antagonist, but a lot of people who made choices to lead to the Blight. Although the ending was not the most conclusive, I still enjoyed this book.
✅PLOT
✅PLOT TWIST
✅CHARACTERS
3.5 Stars
Ever since Bannon cursed Prince Rylain, blights have been spreading all over the realm of Thessequa. Prince Rylain and the people around the palace have been in permanent sleep. The Blight causes the person who is cursed to develop magical abilities and gives fantasy creatures facial features. Fable has been cursed; she can not live unless she takes someone's face. Her ability allows her to take other people's appearances like a mask. When blighthunters find out about her ability and go after her, Fable runs into Mirrorwood. She is determined to awake Rylain from the curse and destroy the Withering. Fable meets Vycorax, who is determined to kill her. Instead, they become friends and search for the answer of why the Blighted started. Along the way Fable meets Prince Lyrian the demon prince. Fable feels conflicted: Appearances are deceiving, what happens if the answer isn't as clear as good and evil?
Appearances are deceiving, finding one's identity, self-discovery, acceptance, diversity, are all dealt with in a book that expertly weaves fantastical elements, whimsical wonder, and fairy tales. Mirrorwood was a book I had high hopes for. Instantly seeing the word {Prince. The name Vycorax, Lyrian, Fable, and Fables blight}, which were major bookish buzzwords.
I sat down at night and opened this book. And wow, did I speed through it. It was easy to get invested in, cheerful, innovative, and magical. It was very interesting to see how this was influenced by Sleeping Beauty. I really loved the "don't judge someone based on their appearence" lesson. Although it is one repeated time and time again, this book did a pretty good job at doing it in a unique way that was vital to the plot.
The whole Mirrorwood. Bewildering, & astounding. This was a timely tale that I could read several times. I liked Fables character, her desperation of wanting to have her own appearance and face was a viable fear. It didn't feel over-dramatic out of character, or lame. It made sense, and it helped make me feel for her character. Her journey was a great one, although she did do a really big speech at the end that felt too much. Fable was adventurous, but also curious and yearning for friends.
Deva manages to successfully have a protagonist that is likable. She also spends enough time nurturing the side characters and giving them their own path rather then existing only for the protagonist. Vycorax was a interesting character. She wants her father's affection, but not at the cost of going against her morals. Then there was Lyrian. He was a really good character. He would bury all his fears and doubt them until he believed them not to be true. I thought that Lyrian's character growth was written very well. The Bannon was cool at the same time as strange. I liked that there was no one specific antagonist, but a lot of people who made choices to lead to the Blight. Although the ending was not the most conclusive, I still enjoyed this book.
✅PLOT
✅PLOT TWIST
✅CHARACTERS
July 5, 2022
Mirrorwood by Deva Fagan is an amazing mashup of fairy tale tropes and concepts. Recognizable, but twisted around in a way that made them feel brand new. From Wonderland to Beauty and the Beast, so many seemed to be represented. And it all starts when Fable is blighted (cursed) to always wear another’s face. While this may not sound too bad, the author did an amazing job of showing how mentally devastating this was to her and her family.
Fable’s only real solace is her cat, Moth. Moth couldn’t have been more perfect. He was Fable’s Jiminy Cricket with words of wisdom paired with some general cat aloofness. He was her constant companion and best friend – and I really wish I could know this little furry ball of love.
Vycorax, Fable’s unexpected companion who tried to kill her at first, is a Blighthunter. Sworn to protect the realm and remove all the blighted people. Vycorax begins by blindly following her duty, but when she finds herself stuck in the Mirrorwood with Fable, forced to work together, she has to re-examine her thoughts. Vycorax was another great character that could have easily been the lead character if she had wanted to. She was tough, determined, and utterly loyal once you earned her trust.
The Mirrorwood was almost a character itself. A vast realm cursed by the Blight and slowly disappearing (hello Neverending Story!) The land itself came alive with amazing creatures and a Sleeping Beauty-esque curse that only gets worse as the girls get closer to the castle. I wish the land had felt more vast. It was supposed to be a large area, but the travels made it seem rather small at times.
I really want more Mirrorwood, but if that doesn’t happen, this book does come to a very nice conclusion.
Fable’s only real solace is her cat, Moth. Moth couldn’t have been more perfect. He was Fable’s Jiminy Cricket with words of wisdom paired with some general cat aloofness. He was her constant companion and best friend – and I really wish I could know this little furry ball of love.
Vycorax, Fable’s unexpected companion who tried to kill her at first, is a Blighthunter. Sworn to protect the realm and remove all the blighted people. Vycorax begins by blindly following her duty, but when she finds herself stuck in the Mirrorwood with Fable, forced to work together, she has to re-examine her thoughts. Vycorax was another great character that could have easily been the lead character if she had wanted to. She was tough, determined, and utterly loyal once you earned her trust.
The Mirrorwood was almost a character itself. A vast realm cursed by the Blight and slowly disappearing (hello Neverending Story!) The land itself came alive with amazing creatures and a Sleeping Beauty-esque curse that only gets worse as the girls get closer to the castle. I wish the land had felt more vast. It was supposed to be a large area, but the travels made it seem rather small at times.
I really want more Mirrorwood, but if that doesn’t happen, this book does come to a very nice conclusion.
July 24, 2022
What I liked: the premise, Lyrian, Moth.
What I didn't: basically everything else.
Why oh why do books insist on talking down to children? This book is basically nothing but telegraphing. "Oh no, this boy who looks exactly like the evil prince couldn't possibly be the evil prince, could he? (insert surprised Pikachu face when he is, in fact, the evil prince)." Any reasonably intelligent eight-year-old will know exactly how the story is going to play out by the end of about the third chapter because Eagan seems to believe children are stupid.
Children are not stupid. They are quite possibly the harshest critics any storyteller will ever meet. They appreciate good storytelling as much as adults do. Will most kids probably still find this a moderately enjoyable read? Probably. It's not completely unreadable. But it is not good either. It will not become a favourite. Most kids will probably get bored somewhere around the middle when little happens and it becomes clear that Fagan has never heard of dramatic tension. Kids deserve better than that.
It's especially frustrating because the premise is interesting. In the hands of a skilled storyteller, this could have been a classic. Protagonist who doesn't have her own face and so never knows who she really is? That's quite possibly the most perfect children's fantasy idea since whoever was the first to give a little girl a unicorn. It falls flat though because the sense of adventure is never there. There's no build, no emotional pull. Fagan may as well have written a book about watching paint dry.
I wish I could rate this higher. I really did enjoy the idea of it. As it stands, it's only getting two stars instead of one because of the premise.
What I didn't: basically everything else.
Why oh why do books insist on talking down to children? This book is basically nothing but telegraphing. "Oh no, this boy who looks exactly like the evil prince couldn't possibly be the evil prince, could he? (insert surprised Pikachu face when he is, in fact, the evil prince)." Any reasonably intelligent eight-year-old will know exactly how the story is going to play out by the end of about the third chapter because Eagan seems to believe children are stupid.
Children are not stupid. They are quite possibly the harshest critics any storyteller will ever meet. They appreciate good storytelling as much as adults do. Will most kids probably still find this a moderately enjoyable read? Probably. It's not completely unreadable. But it is not good either. It will not become a favourite. Most kids will probably get bored somewhere around the middle when little happens and it becomes clear that Fagan has never heard of dramatic tension. Kids deserve better than that.
It's especially frustrating because the premise is interesting. In the hands of a skilled storyteller, this could have been a classic. Protagonist who doesn't have her own face and so never knows who she really is? That's quite possibly the most perfect children's fantasy idea since whoever was the first to give a little girl a unicorn. It falls flat though because the sense of adventure is never there. There's no build, no emotional pull. Fagan may as well have written a book about watching paint dry.
I wish I could rate this higher. I really did enjoy the idea of it. As it stands, it's only getting two stars instead of one because of the premise.
May 15, 2023
Very cute very readable middle grade fantasy. My child self would've LOVED this. It felt reminiscent of my favorite Zelda manga, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, in places, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass in others. The whimsical setting, themes, and characters are a lot of fun. While I could see the signposts for the twists a good long ways away, I feel like that mostly has to do with my age and familiarity with the genre. I have to imagine that the intended audience would have more tension around those moments. I admit, even though I anticipated it, I got choked up at one particularly emotional point in the story.
I have one hang-up: I mildly question having it marked as LGBTQ here on GR because, while there were queer side characters present, they were far and few between. I got the impression that the main characters had some underlying romance building, but it never amounted to anything beyond blushes and declarations of friendship. The version of the book that I read was an ARC, so there's a chance there was something more in the finalized version, but I somehow doubt it. For what it was, however, their relationship was very sweet.
I have one hang-up: I mildly question having it marked as LGBTQ here on GR because, while there were queer side characters present, they were far and few between. I got the impression that the main characters had some underlying romance building, but it never amounted to anything beyond blushes and declarations of friendship. The version of the book that I read was an ARC, so there's a chance there was something more in the finalized version, but I somehow doubt it. For what it was, however, their relationship was very sweet.
June 22, 2022
4.5 stars
😭😭😭
The exploration of identity and self was so beautifully done here and I LOVED Fable and Lyrian. Vycorax's journey was interesting and I did definitely like her growth, but there were a couple things that happened late in the book with her which I think would have been much less frustrating if they had happened earlier!
I also really enjoyed the writing, and besides the themes of identity I really loved the way perspective, right and wrong, and the idea and use of pain were explored here.
I loved Fable's character arc, and I'm especially impressed with how some of her journey was resolved. I also really liked the inclusion of the Subtle Powers, specifically the Bannon!
And unsurprisingly, Moth was one of my favorite characters!!
*This is a review of an ARC edition.
CW: Grief, attempted murder, references to: abuse, animal cruelty, murder of child
😭😭😭
The exploration of identity and self was so beautifully done here and I LOVED Fable and Lyrian. Vycorax's journey was interesting and I did definitely like her growth, but there were a couple things that happened late in the book with her which I think would have been much less frustrating if they had happened earlier!
I also really enjoyed the writing, and besides the themes of identity I really loved the way perspective, right and wrong, and the idea and use of pain were explored here.
I loved Fable's character arc, and I'm especially impressed with how some of her journey was resolved. I also really liked the inclusion of the Subtle Powers, specifically the Bannon!
And unsurprisingly, Moth was one of my favorite characters!!
*This is a review of an ARC edition.
CW: Grief, attempted murder, references to: abuse, animal cruelty, murder of child
June 16, 2024
A long time ago, the fae prince was imprisoned and a Shadow Prince took over his identity. Since then, some villagers in the nearby human world have become cursed with the Blight. Fable, cursed with the Blight since birth, has no face of her own. To be able to survive and live among other humans, she has to “borrow” people’s looks. When Vycorax, a hunter’s apprentice, comes after Fable, Fable accidentally opens up the Mirrorwood. As she enters the Mirrorwood, Vycorax follows her. Now to get home and stop the blight, the two must work together to save the missing prince. Will they succeed?
The plot is well-written, engaging, and full of actions and adventure. The characters are likable, easy to relate to, and draw the reader into Fable’s world. The world building is well done, authentic feeling and easy to get sucked in to. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and magic will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
The plot is well-written, engaging, and full of actions and adventure. The characters are likable, easy to relate to, and draw the reader into Fable’s world. The world building is well done, authentic feeling and easy to get sucked in to. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and magic will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
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