Winkle and Aster - by Derek Corsaro

Book Synopsis

Periwinkle and Aster Dalisay are lost to a world in peril.

The pathway out is to survive among lurking spirits bound in folklore, myth, and magic.

Fourteen-year-old Periwinkle Dalisay is the youngest sophomore in the third highest performing high school in her state. Being moderately exceptional while attending classes with the other students feels joyless, but she is more interested in learning the joys of painting than trying to fit in.

When she returns home, Periwinkle is caught in a fire along with her precocious sister, Aster, and neither is sure that they survived. Amidst their confusion, the two sisters embark on a journey in a black and white world where monsters search for rebirth and immortality. They hear the calls from an Abyssal Vine and its promised gift of rebirth which might offer a way home.

The girls struggle to compete with the monsters as they try to find the Vine first. Hopefully the Filipino water spirit that Periwinkle thinks lives inside of her could conjure some hope as they try to survive.

Review Quotes

Winkle and Aster is an urban fantasy novel like no other I have ever read. The author built a surreal world inhabited by unusual dwellers.

"But I suppose people should try to understand those who are a little unique," says Deborah, one of the unforgettable secondary characters in Winkle and Aster. It's the main message of the book. We should be kinder and more understanding to those who differ from us. It is a touching story of true friendship and self-sacrifice which should be on the shelf of every young adult reader.

-Readers' Favorite

Winkle and Aster is a captivating tale that connects to Filipino and Mexican folklore and mythology. This book is a mesmerizing journey through a mystical world, seen through the eyes of Periwinkle and Aster Dalisay.

The narrative brilliantly captures the essence of being lost in a world brimming with spirits, folklore, and magic. As the youngest sophomore in a high-performing high school, Periwinkle's character resonates with anyone who has felt the pressure of expectations and the desire to find one's own path.

The quest for the Abyssal Vine and the challenges they face in this spectral world is a gripping metaphor for the journey towards self-discovery and resilience.

-JoelsBooks Book Club

A fantastical tale of courage, sisterly love, and adventure, Winkle and Aster pushes the boundaries of your imagination and leaves you wanting more. Derek Corsaro's novel has its share of heartbreak, humor, mystery, and action to woo fantasy readers of all ages. Corsaro has crafted a spectacular and imaginative world in which you find yourself immersed from the get-go.

The ending is somewhat bittersweet, yet nonetheless satisfying. This is the kind of fantasy I will recommend to teenagers and young adults alike.

-Reader's Favorite 5-Stars