Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Under the Green Hill by Laura L. Sullivan

Sullivan, Laura L. Under the Green Hill, 308 pgs. Henry Holt & Co., 2010. $16.99. Sexual Content-G; Language-G; Violence-PG. Four American siblings and two acquaintances are sent to stay with distant relatives in England because of an epidemic fever. They arrive at a great house called the Rookery. Great-great-aunt Phyllida gives them a few rules, some normal, some odd about places to avoid. She specifically asks them to stay in the house the first night. The children of course disobey and go out to the forest and see the Green Hill and the entire fairy court. Rowan is mesmerized by the Fairy Queen and promises to be her champion—fight to the death in the Midsummer war against the other fairy faction’s champion. Meg is horrified and does everything she can to stop her brother, especially when she learns who the other champion is. The basic premise of four siblings sent to a magical English country estate is reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia; however, author Sullivan creates a new spin on English fairies and fantasy that is sure to find fans. Also recommend this title (and the sure to be sequels) to fans of Brandon Mull’s Fablehaven series. EL/MS– ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.

No comments: