How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
Kids Fiction
603
simply stunning
Overall rating
5.0
Plot/Characters/Writing Style
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON is a simply stunning and magically lyrical story. The book follows many points-of-view in fairytale-like prose with memorable and beautifully crafted characters. The people of the Protectorate live under a smog of sorrow, generated in no small part by the annual sacrifice they must make to the Witch who lives in the dangerous forest. The youngest child must be left in a circle of trees for the witch to do with as she wishes- or else she will destroy the town. This is what the people know and what they must do.
What they do not know is that Xan is the witch who gathers these infants who seem to be abandoned. She feeds them starlight and takes them to the Free People where they are adopted and loved. Xan certainly would not demand they leave them there, and she does not wish to do harm to anyone. One year, a child with a birthmark like a moon on her forehead is left. Xan feeds the baby starlight, but the moon is full, and she accidently feeds the baby from the moon and enmagics the girl. She adopts her and names her Luna.
Luna’s mother had fought the Elders when they took her baby, and she lives in the tower of the Sisters. Antain, the boy who was training to be one of the Elders, had his life forever altered when he took the infant Luna from her mother. We follow his story as he questions and ages and eventually wants to hunt the witch to stop the sacrifices.
With elegant prose and poetic style, this book is hauntingly beautiful. Adding to that the characters, the effect is simply enchanting. Luna grows up with Xan, Glerk the Bog Monster, and Fyrian, the perfectly tiny dragon who believes himself to be Simply Enormous after his mother had said he would be. Each character could have their own story, and together, the pages are filled to the brim with fascinating stories.
The overarching messages include those about authority, love, sorrow, and hope, resulting in a fantastic middle grade novel that can appeal to all ages. Although dark at times, it is also funny and charming. I highly recommend for anyone who loves fairytales, magical realism, and beautiful stories of any age.
What they do not know is that Xan is the witch who gathers these infants who seem to be abandoned. She feeds them starlight and takes them to the Free People where they are adopted and loved. Xan certainly would not demand they leave them there, and she does not wish to do harm to anyone. One year, a child with a birthmark like a moon on her forehead is left. Xan feeds the baby starlight, but the moon is full, and she accidently feeds the baby from the moon and enmagics the girl. She adopts her and names her Luna.
Luna’s mother had fought the Elders when they took her baby, and she lives in the tower of the Sisters. Antain, the boy who was training to be one of the Elders, had his life forever altered when he took the infant Luna from her mother. We follow his story as he questions and ages and eventually wants to hunt the witch to stop the sacrifices.
With elegant prose and poetic style, this book is hauntingly beautiful. Adding to that the characters, the effect is simply enchanting. Luna grows up with Xan, Glerk the Bog Monster, and Fyrian, the perfectly tiny dragon who believes himself to be Simply Enormous after his mother had said he would be. Each character could have their own story, and together, the pages are filled to the brim with fascinating stories.
The overarching messages include those about authority, love, sorrow, and hope, resulting in a fantastic middle grade novel that can appeal to all ages. Although dark at times, it is also funny and charming. I highly recommend for anyone who loves fairytales, magical realism, and beautiful stories of any age.
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
It’s Live! Cover Reveal: Off Trail by Rick Polito + Giveaway (US Only)
We're so excited to celebrate the cover reveal for Off Trail by Rick Polito, releasing 06/03/2021 from Wise Wolf Books! Writing OFF TRAIL, it sometimes felt like the story was telling itself. I ...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Stars Belong To Us (Annabeth Chatwin), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US/Can Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Stars Belong To Us by Annabeth Chatwin. Read on for more about Annabeth and her book, an excerpt, plus an giveaway! Meet Annabet...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Horse Girl (Carrie Seim), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Horse Girl by Carrie Seim. Read on for more about Carrie and her book, an excerpt, plus an giveaway! Meet Carrie Seim ! &...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Kathryn Purdie (Bone Crier's Dawn), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Five Tough Tactics for Protesting at School + Win A Copy of Kids On The March: 15 Stories of Speaking Out, Protesting, and Fighting for Justice (Michael Long) ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Kids On The March: 15 Stories of Speaking Out, Protesting, and Fighting for Justice by Michael Long. Read on for more about Michael and his book, an guest...
Posted in News & Updates
Five Books With Magic Users That Will Charm You + Win a Copy of Blood Like Magic (Liselle Sambury) ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury Read on for more about Liselle and her book, an guest post, plus an giveaway! Meet Liselle S...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister get initiated...
Bite-sized facts about forests from around the globe, pointing out...
In this tender, nuanced coming-of-age love story, two boys—one who...
When twin heirs are born in Tourin, their fates...
Bite-sized facts about bodies of water from around the globe,...
Magnificent, hand-painted illustrations by a rising star of Czech watercolor...
It's Mouse's first day of school. It's Dinosaur's first day...
I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter meets Emergency Contact...
In this sparkling and romantic YA debut, a reserved Bangladeshi...
Latest Member Reviews
"HOMER ON THE CASE is a delightful middle grade mystery, featuring unlikely detectives. Homer, a homing pigeon, and Lulu, a..."
"SHOE WARS is a silly fun middle grade read that is somewhere between a graphic novel and chapter book. The..."
"SPIN WITH ME is a heartfelt middle grade contemporary about labels and love. Essie has been moved across the country..."
"Alma and her family have moved to Four Points for her parents' work as real estate lawyers. She has always..."
"Mimi and her mother like in Houston, Texas, but things have not been going well lately. Her father, a US..."
"A THOUSAND QUESTIONS is a heartfelt contemporary middle grade that transports the reader to Pakistan. Mimi is 11 years old..."
"STOLEN FROM THE STUDIO is a fun middle grade mystery with a choose-your-own-adventure plot. Carlos travels with his mother, a..."
"THE PLACES WE SLEEP is a moving middle grade historical that takes place around 9/11. The book is written entirely..."
"HARVEY HOLDS HIS OWN is a contemporary middle grade told from three perspectives: Maggie, Harvey, and Austin. Maggie is starting..."
"AND THEN I TURNED INTO A MERMAID is a cute and funny middle grade fantasy that follows Molly. Molly is..."
"'TBH: Too Much Drama' by Lisa Greenwald is another one of her creative stories told in text messages, emails, and..."
"QUINTESSENCE is a charming and enchanting middle grade fantasy. Alma moved to Four Points, and she has felt a little..."
"MUSE SQUAD: THE CASSANDRA CURSE is a fun middle grade fantasy that brings Greek mythology into the present. Callie is..."
"IN THE ROLE OF BRIE HUTCHENS... is an engaging middle grade contemporary novel about coming out. Brie dreams of being..."
"HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY is a beautiful story about grief and self-confidence. Emma was very close to her grandmother, who..."
"STARFELL is a charming and magic-filled middle grade fantasy that sweeps young readers away into another world. Willow Moss seemed..."
"THE PEACOCK DETECTIVES is a story told by a young narrator, who is in Grade 6 but reads at a..."
"THE MONSTER HYPOTHESIS is a really fun middle grade investigative mystery. Kick is living with her grandmother, a fake psychic..."
"THE EDGE OF THE WORD is another absolutely delightful interactive story, where you are the main character in the book...."
"RAT RULE 79 is charming, ridiculous, and completely engaging. Fred is about to turn thirteen in a new place, as..."