My favorite part of this book was the three perspectives on the death of Faerry and Whimsy‘s siblings. Not only was this a crucial turning point in the narrative, but an important statement in guilt, forgiveness, and atonement. I was left wondering if their parents felt the same guilt Faerry and Whimsy did, and if they were able to finally forgive themselves (or at least remember) when the younger children returned home.
I was very impressed by the writing in this book, and the creativity the author brought to symbolizing the character‘s depression. However, I think it was a little too abstract for me to truly enjoy reading it. After finishing the book, I had to look up multiple summaries and analyses to make sense of it. I also just didn‘t connect with the characters at all, and I think I could have if there was more intentional character development.
With recommending any book, it‘s important for us to know our students so that we suggest the right book for them. Personally, I don‘t think I would ever recommend this book to a student. This is not because it isn‘t a beautifully written book, but because it addresses topics that can be very triggering for students. For some students, this could be just the book they need to feel understood. For others, it could be just a little too real.
so-soI can see the appeal of this set of interconnected stories. Some say it‘s even cozy. I just found it sad and just ok. 3⭐️
This may be the literature nerd in me, but I was so excited to see Dante's “Inferno“ playing a prominent role throughout this piece. The narrative of the novel mirrors Dante's in several ways. For instance, they must traverse multiple environments where their wills are tested to escape “hell,“ which in Whimsy's case, is the forest. Furthermore, they have guides that assist them through this process, such as Beatrice for Dante, and Cole for Whimsy.
“The only way out is through.“ (McBride 134)
In my review post, I mentioned how I appreciated the metaphor of prevailing over depression and its association with magical realism. In this book, Whimsy and Faerry, depression becomes tangible in the form of Sorrow and her garden, where they must communicate with and support each other to survive. For students, this aspect can demonstrate how to help others in their mental health struggles.
so-soI will admit that I initially attempted to read this book in audio format, but upon realizing it was in verse, I picked up the hard copy so I could focus on the text more. I initially found the verse intertwined with magical realism to be a little confusing, but I appreciate the metaphor that the book provides regarding Whimsy and Faerry's experience with depression.
I‘m not sure how I feel about this one. I was really intrigued, but it‘s slow going with not much about the shop halfway through. I also struggle with the DV subplot. Thoughts? Worth sticking out? I only see good reviews on here.
so-soWhere to begin? This is a time-travel, murder-mystery romance. There were some things I liked, mostly in the second half when the plot picked up and I wanted to know what was going to happen. But overall, this is just not my style and I felt like it had flaws. The writing is way too descriptive for me. I don‘t need to know every little action, it clogs up my reading. The lack of communication between characters to make the plot work annoyed me.
pickWhile I enjoyed this book and feel like it would be an amazing anime, I think it just didn‘t go deep enough. I should‘ve been terrified by the Shiikuin, but I just wasn‘t. I should‘ve been awed by the Night Market, but it was just meh. So while it was a fantastical and beautiful story, it didn‘t garner the emotional reaction it should‘ve.
This is a hard rating. It‘s in between a pick and a so-so, so I‘m rounding up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
