Winterling (review)

Living on the wooded outskirts of a small town and learning herblore from her strict grandmother, young Fer has always felt more connected to the land than its people. After stumbling across an injured puck (a type of fairy) and saving him from a pack of wolves, Fer learns that her parents—the ones that GrandJane refuses to discuss—were actually residents of another, more magical world and that their deaths brought an eternal winter to that land, one that now threatens all adjoining realms. It is up to Fer to help spring reappear, but first she must overcome the beguiling enchantment of the land's reigning Lady, an imposter, and find her way as a healer and the rightful heir of the true Lady. Quiet, wintry magic pairs with rich pagan lore to create a stunning backdrop to what is otherwise a traditional coming-of-age tale featuring a plucky protagonist. Prineas establishes Fer's tenacity within the first few pages by having the girl recklessly take on three menacing wolves with great success, so that her unflappability when charged with the rescue of not one but multiple worlds feels entirely natural. The false Lady is a villain to be feared, as are the savage creatures that serve her, but perhaps the most compelling character is the puck, whose tendencies towards both trickery and true goodwill make him a fascinatingly nuanced counterpart to the earnest Fer. An eco-friendly message is subtly woven into the story's resolution, making this an appealing choice for tree huggers and fantasy lovers alike.