Foxheart
Author: Claire Legrand
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (October 4, 2016)
Courtesy of our local library
I'm excited to offer a lovely new book by Claire Legrand for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.
Twelve-year-old Quicksilver is not an orphan, but her parents left her in a convent orphanage anyway. Never fitting in, or wanting to, Quicksilver learns to fend for herself... and take what she wants. With aspirations of being the greatest thief in the Star Lands, and when she finds a stray dog she names Fox, she even has a companion.
But everything changes in a flash when a strange group of seven visit the convent late at night, and wreak havoc in a search for witches (of which very few are left in the world). Quicksilver escapes with Fox, and they head out to perfect her thieving ways, but before long they run into an old woman who changes everything. Soon, Quicksilver and Fox are embarked on a quest they don't much want to help people they don't much like while fighting an ancient king who may not be quite what he seems.
Themes of love and loss, loyalty and sacrifice, and the importance of deciding your own fate are woven into a tapestry that is a delight to watch, and even more fun to live through. I particularly liked that Quicksilver's early dream of being a great thief never fade and are integrated into her new life. Richly imagined with great characters and a very clever fantasy world, this is a delight for middle grade kids, and anybody else who loves a good story.
I strongly recommend this to all who love fantasy, magic and wonderful worlds.
Four and a half stars out of five.
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Very unusual and intriguing story line. Thanks for sharing. I'll be on the look out for this one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had as many readers asking for fantasy, and as much as I adore time travel, my students don't. I may have to pass on this one.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that your students don't like time travel. I thought it was fun having that sci fi touch added to the fantasy world, but kids know what they like and don't like.
DeleteOoh, good pick. I love the cover and I'm adding this to my list. Thanks for reviewing something I hadn't seen yet.
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