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kim_j_dare's review
5.0
Grades 4-7
This hauntingly written story is reminiscent of [a:Kathi Appelt|29011|Kathi Appelt|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1213387640p2/29011.jpg]'s novels, not so much in subject matter, but in the beautiful use of language and the easy melding of fantasy and realism. Molly and Hannah have been sent from Newcastle to the English countryside to live with their grandparents, following the unexpected death of their mother, and their father's emotional withdrawal as he tries to deal with his grief. Molly is lonely and withdraws into her books and her imagination, while the older Hannah tries to cope by striking out at the people around her. When Molly makes a mysterious friend in the forest-- a man who can make flowers grow from his palm and trees grow where he touches the earth-- her family members think this is more of her imagining. But the man is real, and he is in real danger from the Holly King, who is on the hunt. As Molly tries to figure out how best to help her friend, she learns that much of life is cyclical, and that good and bad are not as absolute as she had once thought. Molly is a fresh and engaging character, and the secondary characters are fully drawn. In spite of the serious themes, the over-riding message is one of hope. My one issue with this book is in the title: Molly is very forthcoming with her family about "her man," so there is really not a secretive element involved.
This hauntingly written story is reminiscent of [a:Kathi Appelt|29011|Kathi Appelt|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1213387640p2/29011.jpg]'s novels, not so much in subject matter, but in the beautiful use of language and the easy melding of fantasy and realism. Molly and Hannah have been sent from Newcastle to the English countryside to live with their grandparents, following the unexpected death of their mother, and their father's emotional withdrawal as he tries to deal with his grief. Molly is lonely and withdraws into her books and her imagination, while the older Hannah tries to cope by striking out at the people around her. When Molly makes a mysterious friend in the forest-- a man who can make flowers grow from his palm and trees grow where he touches the earth-- her family members think this is more of her imagining. But the man is real, and he is in real danger from the Holly King, who is on the hunt. As Molly tries to figure out how best to help her friend, she learns that much of life is cyclical, and that good and bad are not as absolute as she had once thought. Molly is a fresh and engaging character, and the secondary characters are fully drawn. In spite of the serious themes, the over-riding message is one of hope. My one issue with this book is in the title: Molly is very forthcoming with her family about "her man," so there is really not a secretive element involved.
nicoleetang's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
3 hour read
corporal_bookish's review
3.0
This book is very similar to Nicholls' Ways To Live Forever. Though, the Oak God is seen very little towards the end of the book and the time skips have a very wide gap. Overall a very good book (because I finished it in barely a day - and books I finish quickly are the ones which are often my favourite) and a quick read.
pearl_library's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bertiethefern's review
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
frankie89's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
glrreid's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
poppingparry's review
4.0
I just grabbed this book off the shelf as soon I saw it in the store because of two reasons: The cover
And the author.
Previously read Ways To Live Forever, and fallen in love with it, I was sure I'd fall in love with this too. And I did.
There's just something about the book that drew it to me. It could be the parallels she drew between Molly's feeling and the weather change. I couldn't help noticing how I could almost taste the rain whenever she mentioned it.
It is the second most amazing smelling book that I have.
The drawings around the chapter numbers were ingenious.
owls_rainbow's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A reasonably charming story based on the story of pagan figure The Green Man.
The dad was an asshole who was clearly having a breakdown but didn't care enough to get any help, just ships his kids off to the country.
The kids ages were ambiguous, without knowing I'd guess at 10-ish and 12-ish but the older one has to only be about 10/11 as it ends with her starting secondary school soon which in England is 11, if that's the case no-one talks their age.
Also a couple of touches of casual racism "I crept, Indian-style" - I don't even know what that means - and "pumpkins with Chinese eyes".
The dad was an asshole who was clearly having a breakdown but didn't care enough to get any help, just ships his kids off to the country.
The kids ages were ambiguous, without knowing I'd guess at 10-ish and 12-ish but the older one has to only be about 10/11 as it ends with her starting secondary school soon which in England is 11, if that's the case no-one talks their age.
Also a couple of touches of casual racism "I crept, Indian-style" - I don't even know what that means - and "pumpkins with Chinese eyes".
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment