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The author's worldbuilding extravaganza is on full display right from the get-go as she expertly brings the Faery Realm to life from the lens of one Tansy WaterSprite, an aspiring faery (known as a "little") whose meager existence is turned upside down when she gets the opportunity of a lifetime. In the vein of Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey, the call-to-action that transports Tansy from the human world to the Faery Academy is a small but resounding one: Lady Beetle, Bertie.
In this stirring fantasy tale, Reinig's character building is done with equally pinpoint precision as her worldbuilding. From the outset, it is intriguing to see Merkel, the antagonist who has been banished from the Faery Academy and into the human world, so integrally connected to Tansy. In many ways, the initial parts of the narrative are strongly reminiscent of Cinderella, where Merkel is undoubtedly the evil stepmother. Merkel's manipulative and acrimonious behavior toward Tansy, combined with her mother's sudden disappearance, leads Tansy to an unexpected crossroads that sets off a chain reaction directly affecting the Faery Academy.
Nestled within the depths of the forests in Quillsnap (the Faery world), the Faery Academy is transcendent and luminous, with places like the Sea Glass Castle, Panache Pond, and the Spellatorium epitomizing a land that is imbued with magic. At the same time, the backstory is a potent one that adds multiple layers of intrigue: faeries banished for foraying into the world of dark magic, and heightened tensions and security for the new semester at Faery Academy after nearly being destroyed in the prior term. Heroes like Vivi emerge from the depths of turmoil to lead the academy, while a former friend turned archrival, Merkel, seethes with vengeance and utter destruction in her mind.
The author does an exceptional job of lending credence to each and every character. Whether the book is read by a child or an adult, the reader is certain to experience the humanness and motives behind the actions of each character. From Tansy's epic adventure into the Enchanted Forest with nearly everything at stake to the bitterness and perhaps regret felt by Celice, cursed to be a tick for being a co-conspirator in Merkel's original plan, the idea that every choice has a consequence is in full bloom.
A frenetic storyline filled with magic potions, sinister look-alike plots, and all sorts of magical "plot-goodies" is bound to give all audiences something to relish as they peel back the curtains on a faery world where light and dark clash with the Night of the Purple Moon looming on the horizon. Furthermore, the author is adept at endowing names with greater significance. For instance, Merkel is the human name given to the banished faery, Tempest ShadowMoss. The grace of her faery name is in direct juxtaposition with the cacophony of her human name, a subtle yet clear and clever design by the author to help readers understand Tempest's fall from grace. Ultimately, Reinig's knack for building a faery world that feels intensely human within the constructs of a fantasy novel, all while preserving the energy of an action-packed storyline, creates a memorable and entertaining read for all fantasy aficionados.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
A 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award Nominee