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Cary Simms: The Fairy Mushroom Forest
From a young age, Cary Simms knew that she wasn't like the other boys her age. She didn't know why or how that was, but it seemed apparent to the bullies of her school. They would often call her names, chase after her after school, and beat her up when they could catch her. Her only protection, besides escape, was in the words of the Good Book.
But that was before she stumbled into the supposedly haunted house at the end of her street. When a mysterious ring and a drawing on the back wall of the post office opened up a whole new world for her, things quickly went from weird to scary. At a new school, in a new world, surrounded by people who had access to magic, all Cary could think of was how to escape the witches that had her trapped there. It was only having her best friend by her side that gave her any comfort at all.
But that was before she stumbled into the supposedly haunted house at the end of her street. When a mysterious ring and a drawing on the back wall of the post office opened up a whole new world for her, things quickly went from weird to scary. At a new school, in a new world, surrounded by people who had access to magic, all Cary could think of was how to escape the witches that had her trapped there. It was only having her best friend by her side that gave her any comfort at all.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2022
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 29, 2024
Not a bad book overall. I really enjoyed the world building and the characters were fun to read. The overall pacing felt off and a little exposition heavy at times. It felt very much like a setup for a series and I felt that took away from the strength telling this part of the story. One of the highlights was seeing Cary grow through her crisis of faith.
I was very confused to find that they did not have any gender identity crisis. It felt unresolved to have her referred by she/her in the narrative prose but he/him in world. We start the book with the information she is trans, but it's never acknowledged outside of a roommate saying an offhand comment. I would have loved to go on the gender identity discovery journey with Cary instead of being told and wondering when she'll catch up to what we know as readers.
I was very confused to find that they did not have any gender identity crisis. It felt unresolved to have her referred by she/her in the narrative prose but he/him in world. We start the book with the information she is trans, but it's never acknowledged outside of a roommate saying an offhand comment. I would have loved to go on the gender identity discovery journey with Cary instead of being told and wondering when she'll catch up to what we know as readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
Okay so: bad things out of the way first.
The incorrect formatting is a bit distracting. I think the author also could have done another line edit, since there’s a lot of words - “that” and “over there” and such - that could have been nixed.
Onto the good stuff: this book is fun. It reminds me a lot of Harry Potter but without all the meanness and transphobia (sorry Ms. Morphy if that’s not a good comparison, I know I don’t like being compared to that series). It captures a lot of the wonder and awe with which I saw the world when I was Cary when I was her age. I would have adored this as a kid, and I kinda wish there were kids in my life I could share this with. Nicely done, I think I’ll need to check out the next one!
The incorrect formatting is a bit distracting. I think the author also could have done another line edit, since there’s a lot of words - “that” and “over there” and such - that could have been nixed.
Onto the good stuff: this book is fun. It reminds me a lot of Harry Potter but without all the meanness and transphobia (sorry Ms. Morphy if that’s not a good comparison, I know I don’t like being compared to that series). It captures a lot of the wonder and awe with which I saw the world when I was Cary when I was her age. I would have adored this as a kid, and I kinda wish there were kids in my life I could share this with. Nicely done, I think I’ll need to check out the next one!
January 2, 2023
I really enjoyed the story and the development of the main character! I was a bit worried when she had a crisis of faith when it came to magic, but I loved the realization and the relationships she builds at the school. I cannot wait for more of the story!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews