I'm always thrilled to discover well-written reads from self-publishers or smaller presses, and today's read fits that category. I'll admit that the cover didn't quite ring with me, but the author was so sweet and the blurb so grabbing that I decided to give it a go. And I'm glad I did.
THE EVERLASTING SEASONS
Little Wanderers #1
by I.K. Silver
Middle Grade Fantasy
240 pages
ages 8 to 12
Snowy is a tiny dwarf leading an almost normal life in the village of never-ending winter. Aside from the ever-dreary sky, living next to rowdy neighbors, and being treated like a child, nothing seems to pose a challenge.
All that changes when rumors about Snowy breaking a taboo spread. Disheartened at what he deemed betrayal and feeling stuck in his village, Snowy sneaks out to look for Originem, a village where misfortune befalls no one. However, the aftermath exceeds his wildest expectations.
Snowy finds himself in a magical world, suddenly dealing with the quaintest of things, from singing fruits and a wizard cat to dark woods (brimming with vicious beasts) and other villages locked in one season. But to reach his destination, Snowy, and his new friend, Kokoro, must first solve the mysteries surrounding the villages of everlasting seasons, as the secret that connects them may threaten their very existence
All that changes when rumors about Snowy breaking a taboo spread. Disheartened at what he deemed betrayal and feeling stuck in his village, Snowy sneaks out to look for Originem, a village where misfortune befalls no one. However, the aftermath exceeds his wildest expectations.
Snowy finds himself in a magical world, suddenly dealing with the quaintest of things, from singing fruits and a wizard cat to dark woods (brimming with vicious beasts) and other villages locked in one season. But to reach his destination, Snowy, and his new friend, Kokoro, must first solve the mysteries surrounding the villages of everlasting seasons, as the secret that connects them may threaten their very existence
MY TIDBITS
Snowy is a dwarf, living in a village of endless snow, but there has always been endless snow. No one leaves the village, and those who did long ago never returned. But Snowy wants to know what's beyond the village and sneaks out to discover the world. What he discovers is more than just a little adventure.
This is a richly written fantasy with many engaging characters, wonderful dialogue, and an adventure to get lost in. The writing flows very well, dancing between a pinch of humor, emotions, action, and imagination in just the right way to keep readers in the pages. It is interesting and fun to meet each character as Snowy comes up against the most amazing creatures and situations. Of course, there are lessons to be learned, but these flow right with the tale.
I enjoyed the writing quite a bit and easily was caught up in Snowy's adventures. The author does a good job at making the characters really come to life, and their decisions sit. I was missing a bit more details in the world building end, but it was already a rich, character driven world. So, I'm being nit-picky on that end. The only true 'wondering' thoughts I have go along with the intended reading level and audience. This story is very adventurous and does speak to the middle grade audience, but the vocabulary is a little high for the lower end of this age group, while some parts of the story and its playfulness fit more snuggly with the younger end. I do see this one as a great read-aloud and believe it's the perfect read for those bedtime or rainy-day stories, since the reader could really make this one come to life. It's definitely a wonderful world, and I do hope to see Snowy again in the future.
And here she is...
I.K. Silver is the author of Little Wanderers middle-grade fantasy series. The first book in the series, Little Wanderers: The Everlasting Seasons, was released in 2021. I.K. Silver is currently working on the second book in the series (Little Wanderers: The Rose of Many Colours). As I.K. Silver is fond of nature, cats, and magic, you’ll find that reflected in her writing.
Website: https://www.littlewanderersbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlewanderersbookseries
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IKSilver7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i.k.silver
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