Summerkin

August 1, 2013

Gr 4-6-In this sequel to Winterling (HarperCollins, 2012), Fer discovers that being the daughter of the deceased Lady of the Summerlands and vanquishing an evil usurper isn't enough to live happily ever after. Called back from the human world where she lives with her grandmother to the world beyond the Way, the girl discovers that her half-human heritage means that she must prove to the High Ones that she is worthy of being Lady of the Summerlands. She travels to the court of the High Ones with a small retinue that includes her possibly untrustworthy puck friend, Rook. There, she learns that she must compete against three other candidates for the right to be ruler. As Fer tries to win over the disdainful High Ones while remaining true to her convictions, Rook makes things worse by behaving suspiciously. Is he truly a trickster with no loyalty, as Fer's disturbingly beautiful opponent Aren insists? Deciding whom to trust becomes a life or death decision for Fer. This is a solid fantasy with enough suspense, action, magic, and warmth to keep readers happily entertained from the first page to the last. Both Rook and Fer stand out as interesting, well-drawn characters. A must for fans of the first title, the story also stands on its own and will be appreciated where high fantasy is in demand.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2013
A middle-grade fantasy sequel strives for lyricism but has to settle for earnestness. After Fer defeated the wicked, usurping Mor, she felt connected to the Summerlands, her mother's magical domain, as Lady. Now she must confirm her claim in a series of contests or risk being barred from the enchanted realms forever. But the High Ones hold the half-human Fer in contempt, and they despise her best friend, the puck Rook, for the treacherous ways of his kind. Fer is determined to prove herself a worthy Lady; Rook, however, is equally set on demonstrating that no puck can be tamed. While this title shows flashes of the same quiet depth and lovely imagery of its predecessor (Winterling, 2012), it mostly adheres to cliched fairy-tale formulas that promote simplistic morality. Fer becomes a less compelling heroine, displaying a naivete that turns "compassion" and "trust" into demonstrable irresponsibility and stupidity; moreover, for all her professed acknowledgment of cultural differences between worlds, she not only stubbornly insists on the superiority of her own values, but eventually imposes them on others by force. A disappointment; but the beauty of the Summerlands and the graceful prose that captures it still bring hope for further books in the series. (Fantasy. 10-14)

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May 15, 2013
Grades 5-8 In Winterling (2012), Fer defeated the Mor to become Lady of the Summerlands. In this follow-up, she defends her claim while struggling to determine how to rule and whom she can trust. The story of her puck friend Rook is explored more fully as he wrestles with competing loyalties to his brother pucks and Fer. Summoned by the High Ones, Fer must compete for the title of Lady of the Summerlands. What price is she willing to pay to win? Is it worth going against her convictions or ignoring a chance to heal someone in pain? This solid sequel will please fans of the first and, once again, they'll root for the strong female character.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)