The Boy Who Lost Fairyland

What a pleasant surprise! My initial outrage over the interruption of our story turned quickly into delight. Admittedly, I'd grown a bit tired, by the last book, of the same old, same old. This book approaches things from a different angle. That in itself ends up being a wonderful thing, but even more wonderful is the return of the imaginative storytelling—and creative and whimsical prose—that captivated me in the first place.

My terrible internet ate my review of this book (thanks, Comcast. I hope Catherynne Valente reinvents you as a horrible, inept beast-thing.)

Valente takes this moment to take a hiatus from the plot and September. It's an odd choice in the penultimate book of a five book series. It works in that by backing off to a new character, she recaptures some of the wonder and joy that makes the Fairyland series so special. And by sticking her Changelings into the Real World, Valente gets a chance to play with a different kind of fantasy, which is a great deal of fun. But I must admit I was less invested for the absence of September. Also, great swathes of this book feel quite rushed; it reads more like a novella than anything else.

The summation of my opinion is of course heavily swayed by Valente's bottomless imagination, which is still on full display here, with a post office staffed by Benjamin Franklins, delivering changelings; every type of tree imaginable, a knitted combat wombat and much more. Valente is a true master...but, as much as it pains me to say it, the early parts of the series were better.

My personal favorite along with the first book.

Brilliantly written, with many nostalgic parallels between Hawthorn and September. As someone who didn't really like the third book, I think taking a momentary respite from Fairyland and September is a wise move. Following Hawthorn's adventures in the human world not only gave me time to recharge, but also brought back the magic and whimsical delight when he eventually found his way back to Fairyland. It revives so many memories of September's first visit.

Also, Combat Wombat. I want one for myself.