Scan barcode
jmronbeck's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
dahlias_and_pyrotechnics's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wish more YA fantasy could be this atmospheric and beautifully written. The one thing that did make me deeply uncomfortable was the age gap romance, but it was a small enough part of the book that I was mostly able to ignore it.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally posted here.
Corinna is a fascinating heroine. She has disguised herself as a boy so she might be a Folk Keeper. Everyone knows only boys can be successful Folk Keepers. It is her job to keep the mysterious Folk fed and content, to draw their anger so that they do not sour the milk, ruin the crops, or plague the livestock. It is a job she covets and protects for Corinna is hungry for power and has learned ways to gain it, to ensure it, and to make the most of it. "Here in the cellar I control the folk. Here, I 'm queen of the world." Corinna has the convictions and tendencies of a despot so it is a good thing there are no small countries in her path. They wouldn't stand a chance. It is also a good thing that she makes a friend, Finian, who forces her to take herself a bit less seriously and makes her see that it is possible to bend and compromise a bit. Corinna is certainly not always likeable but she is easy to sympathize with and root for.
The setting in this is not all that easy to pin down. Like Chime it contains elements of our own world and elements of a world that does not exist. The descriptions are vivid and the world really does come to life. I was a bit perplexed as to the nature and drive of the Folk and that was never really explained, but it matters little as that is not what the story is about.
Ultimately it is a story about finding your place in the world and owning it. It is also about the power of words, a power Billingsley wields with great effect. In this way it is very much like Chime, but is not as complex. The Folk Keeper is a book that I can see appealing to a younger audience than would be ready for Chime.
Corinna is a fascinating heroine. She has disguised herself as a boy so she might be a Folk Keeper. Everyone knows only boys can be successful Folk Keepers. It is her job to keep the mysterious Folk fed and content, to draw their anger so that they do not sour the milk, ruin the crops, or plague the livestock. It is a job she covets and protects for Corinna is hungry for power and has learned ways to gain it, to ensure it, and to make the most of it. "Here in the cellar I control the folk. Here, I 'm queen of the world." Corinna has the convictions and tendencies of a despot so it is a good thing there are no small countries in her path. They wouldn't stand a chance. It is also a good thing that she makes a friend, Finian, who forces her to take herself a bit less seriously and makes her see that it is possible to bend and compromise a bit. Corinna is certainly not always likeable but she is easy to sympathize with and root for.
The setting in this is not all that easy to pin down. Like Chime it contains elements of our own world and elements of a world that does not exist. The descriptions are vivid and the world really does come to life. I was a bit perplexed as to the nature and drive of the Folk and that was never really explained, but it matters little as that is not what the story is about.
Ultimately it is a story about finding your place in the world and owning it. It is also about the power of words, a power Billingsley wields with great effect. In this way it is very much like Chime, but is not as complex. The Folk Keeper is a book that I can see appealing to a younger audience than would be ready for Chime.
julianna_schock's review against another edition
1.0
i didn't like this book. it was confusing to begin with and i wish the author had established if this place was a made up land or reality. very confusing
angeltrinidad's review against another edition
5.0
My favourite book of all time. It is such a moody, atmospheric and poetic book that I keep on going back to it to capture that particular feeling again... Did it happen? Was I really there? Or was it all just a dream (book)?
piendorabox's review against another edition
3.0
i always adore female characters with strong convictions, and corinna stonewall is one with the strongest convictions of them all.
krep___'s review against another edition
5.0
You'll see a lot of comparisons to Chime in other reviews. Don't fall victim. Read them both but spaced out, so you can fully enjoy them without comparing. They're both great. In addition to the inventive story and a totally engaging main character, I'm intrigued by the setting that seems familiar (England-ish? 1700's?) without needing to be pinned down.
marpesea's review against another edition
5.0
I read this ages ago and forgot the title. It is a dark, dreamy story with unique mythology and a sharp-edged heroine.