I also love how it’s narrated by an older Aileen looking back on this journey and how it ends with her reflecting on the vision of what’s to come. The magic is in the crafting of the story-how it keeps the plot moving and how it tells us what we need to know with such authority and ‘matter of factness’ that we take it as it is. It pretty much adopts the standard MG fantasy formula. Along the way, they run into various misadventures, and Aileen learns that she has more strength and power than she thought. Within this fantastical world, a dark plot is brewing, and a prophecy requires Aileen and her companions to lend their aid in righting the wrongs that have been committed. Aileen lives in a world with magic, princes, and Guardian creatures. The premise behind the story is simple and enchanting. The Islands of Chaldea is cute, magical, and all that I want in an MG fantasy!
If it wasn’t late and I wasn’t sleep deprived, I would have finished this in one go. I’ve been in love with Diana Wynne Jones’s writing since picking up Howl’s Moving Castle after watching the animated film adaptation by Miyazaki, and I’ve been looking forward to reading this since learning of its existence. ◆ A copy was provided by Harper Collins for review ◆
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