Wildwood
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4.3 • 267 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
For fans of the Chronicles of Narnia comes the first book in the Wildwood Chronicles, the New York Times bestselling fantasy adventure series by Colin Meloy, lead singer of the Decemberists, and Carson Ellis, acclaimed illustrator of The Mysterious Benedict Society.
Wildwood captivates readers with the wonder and thrill of a secret world within the landscape of a modern city. It feels at once firmly steeped in the classics of children's literature and completely fresh. The story is told from multiple points of view, and the book features more than eighty illustrations, including six full-color plates, making this an absolutely gorgeous object.
In Wildwood, Prue and her friend Curtis uncover a secret world in the midst of violent upheaval—a world full of warring creatures, peaceable mystics, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. And what begins as a rescue mission becomes something much greater as the two friends find themselves entwined in a struggle for the very freedom of this wilderness. A wilderness the locals call Wildwood.
The bestselling trilogy from Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis consists of Wildwood, Under Wildwood, and Wildwood Imperium.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Meloy, the lead singer of the band the Decemberists, delves into middle-grade fiction with a story that pairs classic adventure novel tropes with cool, disaffected prose. The book opens as 12-year-old Prue McKeel loses her baby brother to a murder of crows, and sets off to rescue him from the Impassable Wilderness, a strange country alongside Portland, Ore., (where the actual Forest Park lies). Her classmate Curtis tags along, and the two are soon separated. Prue takes refuge with the postmaster in his delivery van, while Curtis is captured, then suddenly made an officer in an army of talking coyotes led by the beautiful and intimidating Dowager Governess. It becomes apparent that Prue and Curtis have landed on opposite sides in a war and neither side may be right. Without a good side to cheer for (disappointments and betrayals abound), the story lacks a strong emotional center, and its preoccupations with bureaucracy, protocol, and gray-shaded moral dilemmas, coupled with the book's length, make this slow going. Ellis's spot art, not all seen by PW, is characteristically crisp and formal, further lending the story a detached quality. Ages 8 12.
Customer Reviews
Really great read!
Read this to my 8 year old. He really liked the avians and the coyote soldiers! Very imaginative and a full throttle adventure. We are a little disappointed by one thing. Not all the questions are answered. How did Curtis become a half breed? More clarification on the evil queen's son and how the mystic knows her would have been nice. Hence the 4 stars. Also, it gets a little slow in a few spots, but it's easy to get past them. All in all a great read!
Wow.....
This is one of the best books I have ever read. As a huge fan of the Deceberists and a huge fan of the stories conveyed in their songs, I was expecting a lot from this book, and it did NOT disappoint! I absolutely loved it!
Wildwood
Got this book as a crate and barrel download. I usually never read virtual books, but I couldn't put my phone down for this one! I will definitely be picking up physical copies of this series. A great read for all ages, and a refreshing break from all of the tired vampire themed series.