When last we heard, the Guardians were resting easy with the knowledge that the children of Santoff Clausen were finally safe from Pitch's dastardly plans.

But is it all a ruse, a scheme, a lull the evil Nightmare King has deviously concocted?

Whatever Pitch's plans, what he doesn't know is that there's a new Guardian in town, and she's not the type to forget old grudges. Actually, she's not the type to forget anything--because this Guardian is none other than Toothiana, the Tooth Fairy herself. She's fierce and fast and crossing her will lead to a multitude of troubles. And, it turns out that, well, all those teeth she has been collecting? They contain memories. The forgotten memories of childhood... including the memories of how to fly. Young Katherine is hopeful that these memories might help her to remember her parents. The Guardians hope they'll offer even further protection from Pitch.

You can see how this information would be invaluable to our heroes. But it could also be invaluable to Pitch...

FINALLY we get the story behind Tooth. Better yet, she's even more badass than the Tooth in the film. I actually came into these books by reading Rufftoon's webcomics for these characters and what fascinated me was the site of Tooth with the swords she carries in the books, but that she did not carry in the film. It always irritated me that all the other characters had some sort of weapon to defend themselves and fight back but Tooth is often highlighted in the film by her powerlessness. She probably lost the swords for some stupid sexist reason. Anyway, she's got them here and she is a force to be reckoned with.

Toothiana's backstory is odd and very depressing. Part of the reason is that I am really irritated that a large population of women is just wiped out. Along with his treatment of women in general, I might say that Joyce really does not like women. He certainly does not seem to like writing them or does not believe they have a place in fantasy by and large.

But wait, we get to see a new magical female! Pitch's daughter also makes her first appearance in this novel, just in time for Katherine to be damseled. Oh joy. I enjoy a lot of Katherine's growth as a character, especially in the way being a writer is so important for her and how strong, brave and smart she is. But this series just gets more ridiculous in regards to treatment of her.

The books continue to be a rather off-balance, repetitive, easy read, but at least we're finally getting to the good stuff: Toothiana's story, Pitch's story and a new powerful female character we didn't get in the film. ( )

Re-reading this series with my 7-year-old son, and I'm pleased as punch that he loves them as much as I do. Wonderful storytelling, beautiful writing and fantastically imaginative. ( )

I love this author & this series. The updated twist on traditional fairy tale folk tale creatures is so creative. So far the author has told the story of Santa, Easter Bunny & now tooth fairy. The magic and mystery & fantasy is perfectly blended in each story. I can't wait for the 4th book in this series which stars Jack Frost! ( )

Joyce continues his Guardians of Childhood series with the third installment. Now, a third installment is always a delicate proposition; there's no longer the "newness" of the first book, or the excitement of "bigger and better" that a second book seems to promise. A third book, especially a third book in a series that is known to be longer, has to keep expanding the fictional world while maintaining the interest of its audience. It's a sort of balance between giving readers what they immediately want and what they, in the long-term, need.

For the most part, Joyce manages the trick, but the result is that Toothiana feels rather like a pot-boiler. We aren't finding out so much about the world of the Guardians, and we aren't really adding to their quest. Instead, this story diverts into the history of (who will be) the next hero to join the Guardians, and much of the action revolves around a conflict that involves her past and continues into the present day. You can also get some sense of where nascent plot strands are starting to tie together, and the result is a shorter book that, in many ways, feels like Joyce pausing to take stock. It's still immensely readable, but it feels less consequential - and more full of exposition - than either of the previous entries in the series.

Hopefully, the series will pick up again in a big way with the next volume, which promises to feature the Sandman - a character Joyce has already introduced in picture book form. With any luck, that will help to avert a lot of the exposition aspects and allow Joyce to charge ahead with the fun adventure. ( )