Thursday, February 7, 2013

The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

When she was just ten, Jenny and her older brother Tom were walking home from music lessons through the woods. Something tragic and unexplainable happened that night. Tom disappeared...never to be seen again. It was like the trees swallowed him. Seven years later, Jenny is determined to bid her brother a proper goodbye. She returns to the place he disappeared only to find herself transported into the faery realm. There she discovers her brother Tom is the faery queen's piper and he's forgotten his former life including Jenny. Resolved to rescue Tom, Jenny relies on the dubious help of Jack, guardian of the edge of the forest. Where does Jack's allegiance lie? With Jenny? With the faery queen? With the faery king? Only time will tell.

What I Thought: A strangely wonderful book. Jenny is a strong character. I suppose she has to be as Jack is so duplicitous. Jenny quickly realizes everything is mixed up in the faery realm. Her determination to save her brother is admirable. She risks everything for Tom. The ending was great. I won't spoil it for you here. Fans of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream will like The Treachery of Beautiful Things.

(Dial, 2012)

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