August 29, 2022
Azad (The Wild Ones) elevates a traditional quest narrative with a vividly imagined fantasy setting in this sweeping adventure. Sixteen-year-old Croi is a brownie, a being invisible to humans who lives in the fae-populated Wilde Forest and was raised by the Hag, Croi’s forbidding “part stone, part memory, and part tree” guardian. Croi has always been fascinated by humans, often venturing into the neighboring village to observe them, until suddenly, her invisibility fails her. Upon returning to the Wilde Forest, the Hag reveals a startling truth: Croi is not actually a brownie, but something else entirely, and her memories of her past and heritage are locked away beneath layers of magic. After the Hag gives her a book of advanced spells, Croi feels an instinctual magical pull summoning her to the Higher Fae realm— the Otherworld. As Croi ventures further into the Otherworld, she encounters traps, beguilements, and other dangers she must survive if she hopes to strip away the layered enchantments and unearth her memories. Though abstract prose occasionally stalls narrative flow, the keenly developed and complex cast deftly propel the fast-paced plot. Ages 14–up. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
November 1, 2022
Gr 9 Up-Charmed to be invisible to humans, Croi is a mischievous, curious brownie who delights in life's simple delicious pleasures. She wishes for a family since she lives alone with the Hag, her stoic caretaker of 17 years, in the Wilde Forest. A seemingly simple question sets off a series of events, launching Croi toward her true self and into a potentially dangerous quest. Along her journey she meets an interesting cast of characters who either hinder or help her, presenting obstacles and betraying much of what she believed of her world. Ultimately, Croi must solve the mystery of her identity and do her best to save everyone. This delightful book finds unique ways to tell a quintessential fairy tale, covering many tropes without stumbling into clich�. Azad is clearly a master of her craft, telling her story in the present tense with a lyrical and poetic style. The book includes a full cast of characters and intricate artwork on most pages that provide additional ambiance to the story. VERDICT A definite purchase for YA collections.-Kristen Rademacher
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from August 15, 2022
A girl discovers her true identity and where she belongs in Azad's latest fantasy. Croi is a brownie, a being invisible to humans, who has lived in the Wilde Forest with the Hag, her guardian who is made of stone, memory, and tree--and the only family she's ever known. Much to the Hag's displeasure, Croi frequently ventures into the human city, visiting her only friend, a maid who has been turned to stone. When she overhears that the stone maid is to be moved from her current location, Croi begs her friend to consider trying to become invisible too. Upon touching the maid's hand, Croi succeeds in making her disappear, but Croi's own veil of invisibility drops, and she's seen by nearby humans. When Croi reveals to the Hag what happened, she learns that she is not actually a brownie but has been glamoured to appear as one. The Hag gives Croi two books with useful information: A Compendium of the Peoples and the Magicks of the Otherworld and The Talamh Crown. The following day Croi is compelled to leave the forest by a summoning spell, embarking on a dangerous journey to explore the world of the high fae and discover her true origins. Divided into three acts, the lush narrative demonstrates an exceptional balance between being plot- and character-driven and also offers a light dose of romance. The mostly magical cast is colorful in every way. An intricate and enchanting origin story. (Fantasy. 13-18)
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