Falling to Fairyland - by Sarah Jean Horwitz (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this sinister and whimsical adventure, a changeling boy embarks on a magic quest of self-discovery through a Grimm-inspired Fairyland, perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Aubrey Hartman.

Cricket has lived with the Fairy Witch for as long as he can remember. She may be moody and cold, and sure, maybe even a little bit evil, but she raised him as her own--even though he's a human changeling with a rare and dangerous magic. But as his thirteenth Change Day approaches, Cricket worries she may kick him out of her tower if he can't prove his worth soon.

When a knight from the human world falls (literally) into Fairyland, Cricket sees his chance. He knows the knight can lead him to a coveted missing piece of the Night Sky sure to impress Cricket's fickle guardian. But after chasing him out of the tower, Cricket learns the knight has been cursed and will die soon without help. Embarking now on a quest to break the curse and steal the piece of the Night Sky, the two are thrust into a Fairyland wider, weirder, and more beautiful than they expected. As they encounter delightful characters, eerie magic, and a mischievous narrator, Cricket and the knight may discover more than they bargained for--about who they are, who they can be, and who really has their best interests at heart.

In this wildly imaginative, episodic fairy tale for the modern reader, acclaimed author Sarah Jean Horwitz delivers a powerful message of identity, independence, and self-love.

Review Quotes

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A CYBILS Award Finalist

* "The rollicking story is endlessly inventive and terrifically funny, and the chatty text is suffused with sarcasm and silliness, though kindness beats at the heart of it all.... Fantasy fans will adore the hilarious but incredibly heartfelt adventure." ―Booklist, starred review

* "Horwitz's middle-grade fantasy is quirky and fun but also nuanced and complex. Chapters shift in point of view as the narrative threads are woven together with masterful dexterity. Readers are clued in before the characters, and the journeys to their various places of self-discovery are wholly enjoyable. Asperides is delightful, imbued with hilarious snark and a gray moral compass.... An exciting and well-wrought romp."―KirkusReviews, starred review

"Employing thoughtful subversions of classic fantasy tropes to explore themes of good vs. evil and the power of change, Horwitz (The Dark Lord Clementine) crafts a clever adventure that is at once humorous, thrilling, and touching."―Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Sarah Jean Horwitz grew up next door to a cemetery and down the street from an abandoned fairy-tale theme park, which probably explains a lot. Her love of storytelling came from listening to her mother's original "fractured" fairy tales, a childhood spent in community theater, and far too many rereads of her favorite fantasy books. She now lives with her spouse near Boston, Massachusetts, in a neighborhood sadly lacking in witches' towers. Find Sarah Jean online at sarahjeanhorwitz.com.