I found this book's setting refreshing. I love Mary Downing Hahn, but most of her books are set in rural Virginia and that gets old after a while. This book is set in Ireland and I found it to be her most enjoyable book yet! All the characters felt real and had their own distinct personalities. The main character, Mollie, had a great character arc. I was reluctant to read this because I thought it was going to be a Virginian take on the changeling myth, but I was happily surprised that it was the traditional myth instead. ( )

"Oh, Mollie," Madog said, "when will you learn?" (page 134)

Never. Mollie never learns. She is repeatedly fooled and tricked and swayed by the Kinde Folk more times than is necessary to move the plot of the story forward. Maybe if she were less of a brat and used her brain (and listened to Guest's instincts), she'd be more likeable. Instead, I kept rolling my eyes every time she did something stupid. Has she never learned anything about the fey folk that live so near to her home?! (Apparently not.)

I usually enjoy changeling-stories, and I love the tale of Tam Lin, but this one wasn't enjoyable for me. I'll still keep this book in my library for students to read, because it is a decent introduction to Celtic folklore, but as for me, give me Juliet Marillier's [b:Heir to Sevenwaters|2917816|Heir to Sevenwaters (Sevenwaters, #4)|Juliet Marillier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442540610l/2917816._SY75_.jpg|2945043] any day instead. Now THAT is a changeling story done right. ( )

children's middlegrade fiction (changeling/dangerous fairy world)
a pretty good adventure story--lots of danger and good character development. Mollie's Dadoe is pretty shitty to walk out on the family like that though, I feel like he should've been replaced with a better father, but I guess if ungrateful Thomas and imposter Guest are allowed to stay..? it's not the worst family to choose I guess. ( )

I found this book's setting refreshing. I love Mary Downing Hahn, but most of her books are set in rural Virginia and that gets old after a while. This book is set in Ireland and I found it to be her most enjoyable book yet! All the characters felt real and had their own distinct personalities. The main character, Mollie, had a great character arc. I was reluctant to read this because I thought it was going to be a Virginian take on the changeling myth, but I was happily surprised that it was the traditional myth instead. ( )

Another fabulous offering from my personal queen of children's ghost stories! As always, a quick read with lots of twists and turns. I was invested from page one, but the third act twist had me racing to the end to see what happens. Highly recommend this one! ( )