Title: The Grace of Wild Things
Author: Heather Fawcett
Series: n/a
Thoroughly enchanting!
Much thanks to Heather Fawcett, HarperCollins Children’s Books/Balzer + Bray, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was thoroughly enchanting. And way more cerebral than I would expect of a “children’s” book. The themes are deep and layered. Fawcett has officially found a place on my authors-to-keep-an-eye-on list.
My only complaint is that the ending wasn’t entirely satisfying to me—some matters felt unfinished. Narratively I suppose those threads were tied up enough to be considered concluded, but I’d like something more. I understand it’s, I don’t know, romantic to leave some mysteries, which does suit the tone of this novel, but I’ve never liked books that do that. I want answers, damn it.
Other than that, though, I enjoyed watching Grace overcome the obstacles in her path with mostly a good attitude. And humor! I’m not super familiar with the Anne of Green Gables books, so I can’t do a comparison justice, but I did try to watch the Netflix series a little while ago and couldn’t stand how annoying Anne was and stopped watching. I’m happy to report Grace is nowhere near that grating, and in fact grows less annoying as the book progresses.
I adored all the characters, especially the invisible Daisy Bean and bullied Windweaver. Oh, how I cried at the end. Sareena was great, Poppy redeemed herself, Henry was adorable. I’m totally shipping Rum and Grace. The Witch was a deliciously complicated character with a wonderful arc. Fawcett was able to make every character sympathetic, even the ones the reader wasn’t supposed to like. She was a master of character work in this novel.
I have a question, though. If a witch’s spells break after she dies, why didn’t the cottage disappear? That kind of stipulation of the mythology feels ripe for picking apart.
Overall, I’m ready for the sequel! There’s going to be a sequel, right? Anne got a whole series…..and I need more Rum!
