The Quicksilver Faire

Gr 6—9—Goblins, unicorns, fairies, elves, dwarves, dragons, and a magic cat are just a few of the creatures that make up the cast in this sequel to Shadows of the Redwood (Flux, 2010). Keelie, part human, part elf, part fairy, is charged with helping the elves and the fairies resolve their differences in the Fairy High Court. She journeys into a Canadian forest with her boyfriend, Sean, and her frenemy, Elia, a pregnant elf. There she encounters Herne, the ruler of the dark fae, who has just lost his love of more than 500 years and is determined to win Keelie's affections. This is one of the multiple plotlines that cloud the story, none of which come to any real resolution. Modern colloquialisms, seemingly meant to cement characters in the present, are awkwardly placed. Readers looking for a fantasy set in today's world will be better served by Nancy Werlin's Impossible (Dial, 2008) or Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely (HarperTeen, 2007). Little explanation exists to introduce new readers to the series, so buy only where the first installment is popular.—Mandy Lawrence, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX