An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Here are brief reviews of two fantasy books which seem to focus on nature (especially trees and birds) while really delving into ideas about inner strengths and mutual respect. 

 
AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS by Margaret Rogerson is a wonderful debut novel blending romance, adventure and fantasy.  The main human character, 17 year-old Isobel, is a talented artist who paints portraits of Fairy Folk like Gadfly and Rook, Prince of the autumnlands.  Her “craft” helps support and protect her Aunt Emma, and two younger “sisters” (once goats, now girls due to a spell), but that lifestyle all changes when her portrait of Rook is considered too emotionally revealing and he kidnaps her to stand trial. 

As the two travel together through the Fairy Lands, their mutual attraction grows.  So, too, does the danger from a variety of beasts and fairies.  The longer descriptions of the other world of Fairy “glamour” which hides decay and rot are sickening and gruesome -- poor Isobel confronts many challenges, one after another. She is a strong heroine and Rook, too, defies his heritage in caring for her. AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal which calls this book a “Princess Bride-style magical adventure.”

WISHTREE by award-winning author Katherine Applegate is written with late elementary and middle schoolers in mind. The story centers on Red, a wise older oak tree, who relates to both humans and the many animals in the neighborhood. It is a gentle story of friendship and starts out filled with simple scientific facts and background, primarily about Red.  The power of wishes and acceptance is explored, though, when WISHTREE deals creatively with issues of anti-Muslim bigotry due to a new family moving nearby.  The publisher provides an excerpt and online discussion guide with suggested activities for this well-reviewed novel; Applegate's latest title received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal.

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS is a feminist retelling of Snow White. Debut author Melissa Bashardoust does an excellent job of weaving elements of the classic story (the mirror, the huntsman, the poison, and so on) into this new, creative version.  Mina, daughter of a magician, is a lonely girl herself – plagued by self-doubt and fears about her supposed inability to love.  Seeking adoration, she strives to become queen and stepmother to young Lynet. That innocent girl chafes at the pampering and protection insisted upon by her father, King Nicholas. As Lynet grows, she and Mina become close, but they do not share their most significant secrets: both are a result of experiments by Gregory, Mina’s father. Mina’s heart is made of glass and does not beat; Lynet was formed from blood and snow in the image of the dead queen.

Distorted perceptions and reflections of others’ desires abound in this book. There is plenty of adventure, too, when Lynet eventually flees the restrictions placed upon her and the two girls – now women – learn more about their own histories, their own strengths and their own capabilities for independent action. Although it felt a bit slow in parts, I have already been recommending the very unique and original GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS and I look forward to the likely movie. This newly published title received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal.