Brad About Books: The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente

Read on April 28, 2013

THE GIRL WHO FELL BENEATH FAIRYLAND AND LED THE REVELS THERE
Published: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 258 pages
Source: RAK
Series: Fairyland, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There is a highly addictive and brilliant sequel that builds upon the magical world masterfully created by Valente. I can't express how much I adored this novel!

World-building is the biggest part of a story for me. I love everything of how an author can weave together an eccentric, lush, and rich world, then play upon it in a sequel. I thought that the world was already amazing in book one, but woah, it got ten times better in The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There! We get to see the mirror, sinister underworld of Fairyland, and I loved getting to see and explore the differences and contrasts between both Fairylands. Catherynne M. Valente did an exceptional job with expanding upon the epic world of Fairyland, and it was definitely my favorite part of the whole book. A new favorite book of mine! Love this series!

"Shadows are the other side of yourself." In The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There, we explore Fairyland Below, the place which shadows (mirrors, basically, of Fairyland residents) live. And the ruthless Hollow Queen, Halloween, just happens to be our protagonist's shadow. Any adventure with September is grand and fantastic, but seeing the depths of Fairyland Below with her was awesome. And I hate to say, but I loved Halloween! Wicked and lost, Halloween definitely left a mark on me after finishing this phenomenal sequel. The characters are truly stunning. They're all unique and wonderful, with a dash of snark and adventure. Valente has created a masterpiece of a series that shouldn't be missed; readers of any age will devour this series whole.

Adventure! Fast-paced scenes! Tension-filled moments! What more can you ask of in a middle grade? We all know of the dreaded Sequel Syndrome - in which a sequel doesn't live up to book one's epic-ness - but The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There most definitely veered away from the SS. Everything about this second novel was compelling, captivating, and always kept my eyes on the page, turning pages as fast as I could. A marvelous gem amongst middle grade.

Overall, The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There is a brilliant and incredible addition to a fantastic series. Rich, compelling, and deeply enticing, I couldn't put this book down!

M Y    R A T I N G

Fantastic Five {APRIL}

Welcome to my Fantastic Five for April, in which I tell you my top five books I read in April 2013!

Read from April 29 to 30, 2013

5. Emerald Green (Ruby Red, #3) - Kerstin Gier

I adore this trilogy so much - time travel! Yes please! And Emerald Green was a fantastic and brilliant conclusion. I am so sad to see this series go, but it couldn't have ended any better!

Read on April 21, 2013

4. Crewel (Crewel World, #1) - Gennifer Albin

Talk about an original and awesome novel! I can't believe it took me so long to read Crewel, but oh man, I'm so happy I did! This novel is stunning and unique - I can't even begin to fathom how incredible this book was. I am dying for Altered! What an amazing, amazing book.

Read on April 28, 2013

3. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There (Fairyland, #2) - Catherynne M. Valente

This series has rapidly become my favorite middle grade series! They're just so quirky, magical and whimsical - and this sequel was no exception. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There was a phenomenal book - even better than the first! I absolutely adore September and the entire world of Fairyland (including Fairyland Below!). I can't wait to see what happens in the third book!

Read from April 22 to 23, 2013

2. Eleanor & Park - Rainbow Rowell

You know how some books get loads of attention and hype? And then they don't live up to your expectations. I can officially say that Eleanor & Park deserves every single bit of hype surrounding it AND more! This has easily became the best contemporary novel I've ever read, and I can see me re-reading this book very soon. Words cannot even begin to tell you how amazing this book was! Please, please read it if you haven't read it already. It's truly fantastic.

AND MY #1 BOOK OF APRIL IS...

Read from April 2 to 3, 2013

1. Light (Gone, #6) - Michael Grant

If you know me, then you know that the Gone series is my absolute favorite series of all-time. I love the world-building, the characters... honestly, I love everything about these books. And I'm so sad it's over. When I finished this book, I was seriously emotionally drained and sad. I can't believe it's all over! But I couldn't have asked for a better ending. That ending was so clever and smart, and I totally didn't see that coming. Love. Thank you so much, Michael Grant, for this journey. It was amazing, and I'll never forget it.

What were your favorite books of April 2013?