Wildwood Dancing (Wildwood, #1) in Challenge: 50 Books

Feb 18, 2011 Christine rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It always feels strange to me when a book that so many others enjoy is just a mismatch for me. I tend to feel like I have to justify my lukewarm feelings, especially when a book is written with obvious competence, like this one was.

But despite the competent writing style, both the story and the narrative voice were difficult for me to get into. I found the beginning of this book to be slow, boring, and info dumpy. It took me a long time to care about anything that was going on, or any of the ch It always feels strange to me when a book that so many others enjoy is just a mismatch for me. I tend to feel like I have to justify my lukewarm feelings, especially when a book is written with obvious competence, like this one was.

But despite the competent writing style, both the story and the narrative voice were difficult for me to get into. I found the beginning of this book to be slow, boring, and info dumpy. It took me a long time to care about anything that was going on, or any of the characters, and by the time I did, I didn't care enough to really get that connection I like to feel.

I didn't remember the fairy tale this was based on, although I looked it up and refreshed my memory after beginning. It was kind of a boring fairy tale, which is probably why I forgot it. And it also may explain why a book based on it didn't work for me.

But on the plus side, this book had a unique moral that I did find compelling -- basically, the idea that sometimes, you need to let other people make their own decisions and live their own lives. Not a popular one, when the hero or heroine is supposed to save the day all around, but it really was wonderful, and IMO, the best part of the book.

***MASSIVE SPOILERS***

Plus, I thought the ending was painfully obvious from the start, and when the frog turned into the drowned cousin, I felt nothing but annoyance with Jena for trusting an evil woman's vision over her best friend for the past 9 years. I thought the ending dragged out a bit, too, as she sat idly by for far too long before begging his forgiveness. I am glad he forgave her -- her stupidity and resulting betrayal weren't unforgivable -- but it was stupid, and it was a betrayal.

I also didn't like Jena's sister's romance at all. Starving herself for months because she's so upset over her possibly lost love? I mean, I could understand a mild depression, but she almost kills herself over the guy before she even knows if he's going to return or not! And even if he didn't return, killing herself over it is extreme. Which I guess is the problem with the idea of true love, versus regular love. Because if you get so caught up in the idea of true love that no one else will do, I suppose there's nothing left but death? Eek, I hope not.

***END MASSIVE SPOILERS***

Anyway, I can see why others liked the story, especially if you don't try to overthink it like I'm prone to doing. :=) ...more

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Dec 02, 2009 Robin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars

This book was really enjoyable. I listened to it instead of reading it in print, and at times, I think this affected the pace of the story. I can read faster than it was spoken, so during the climax, I really wished I was reading it! A few parts felt a little too leisurely to me, but again, this might be partly because of hearing it. I could have breezed over those parts quicker on my own.

I liked the sweetness of the sisters, the strong weaving of subplots with main arc, and the Easter ...more

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Sep 03, 2009 Kate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Being such a fan of Marillier's adult works, I was quite excited to get my hands on a library copy of "Wildwood Dancing," her first book intended for the YA audience. It did not disappoint, with an intriguing story about familial duty and love, and of course, danger! ...more

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Jan 09, 2010 Jen rated it liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book. The plot was pretty predictable if you know anything about fairy tales, but I really enjoyed the characters and the writing. I am excited to read more books written by this author.

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Jul 18, 2011 Amber rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, ya, fantasy, beautiful-illustrations-and-cover, retellings, books-i-own

This is the kind of literature I live for! Fairy tales twisted to fit an entirely new story, in a new place and culture that has been heavily researched. Beautiful writing. Fanciful narrative, so full of magic I longed to sink into the pages.

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