Title: Under the Willow
Author: Kari Jo Spear
Cover Artist: n/a
Publisher: Torquere Press/Prizm
Amazon: Buy Link Under the Willow
Genre: YA/Urban Fantasy
Length: 194 pages/50000 words
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
A guest review by Sirius
Summary: This sweet coming of age fantasy was ultimately a forgettable read for me
Blurb:
Shane and Cody — two high school seniors, one growing up lonely and abused on a struggling horse farm, the other a privileged sports star. Each carefully hides a secret truth about himself. Both are unaware of the undercurrents beneath the surface of their quiet Vermont town, currents from the society hidden in the woods, by the streams, in the mountains, and even in the air around them.
Shane and Cody — both chosen to become part of the culture hidden nearby, but chosen by opposite sides in an elemental struggle that has been underway since the beginning of time. It’s up to them to forge a bond between the two groups despite the danger, not just to unite them, but to save them all from the dangers posed by humans who are destroying the world that keeps everyone alive.
Shane and Cody — who must find their own peace with each other in a world more complicated than they’ve ever dreamed. A world which is also more wonderful than they’ve ever imagined.
Review:
It is probably a dream of every teenager who felt that they did not belong at some point of their lives for whatever reason to turn into something different, beautiful, otherworldly and still retain their humanity enough to feel that they do belong. At least I thought this was the metaphor the author was going for with her story. Cody and Shane are likable teenagers and both feel like they do not belong, even if Cody seemingly is one of the popular crowd and Shane is not. They have known each other for years, but really did not communicate much, until they are forced by “accident” to do so. I liked them both, however I wished that they were portrayed in more depth. I thought they had a sweet chemistry between them going on, but I really did not feel that I got to know them enough by the time I was finished with the story, which was two days ago, and they are already fading in my memory.
While I felt that the plot started out pleasantly enough, I had issues with it when the story was progressing. I had a feeling of “been there done that many times.” Of course most fantasy tropes are done many times, but I feel like in the books I enjoyed the author still managed to give them a fresh twist, something I did not feel was happening in this story.
I also was not impressed with the language, which I thought was too simple. The book is listed for ages 16 and up, and if when I was sixteen and picked up the book like this written in my native language, I would have been a little annoyed. Disclaimer: while I love YA literature — especially the YA literature which transcends the ages so to speak — I certainly have not read that many YA American books to determine whether it is a norm to talk to teenagers like this. It is nothing bad of course, just way too simplistic for my taste.
“You know grandmothers,” Cody said, unbrilliantly.
Shane flashed another smile. “I never had one, but that’s okay. Does it hurt much?”
Cody felt himself grin. “Don’t even know I have an ankle.”
Lastly, I felt that the world-building was not convincing enough for me. It is hard to explain without spoilers, but story tries to give the fantasy element a broader scope as the story moves along and I just did not feel it was successful.
Recommended with reservations.
