Beryl W. reviewed on 5/29/2010 + 44 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

I was enchanted with this story. It's hard to believe that this is the author's first book! To truly appreciate the beauty of this book, you must be willing to accept the idea of magic and unexplainable events. If you can do that, you will experience a story that is utterly unforgetable!! Seven year old Henry Day in a fit of temper runs to the woods and hides. While he is gone, he is exchanged by hobgob I lins for another stolen child who has been waiting a century in the forest for his chance to grow up in the world. The changelings have been studying Henry for over a year to make sure his replacement can fool his new family. Now it will be Henry's turn to spend a century or so in the woods as a permanant "child" with the other changlings, a dozen or so in all until it is his turn to replace a "real" child and grow up. The story is told from the point of view of both "Henry's" the origional and the new one. There are many, many layers to discover and embrace as their lives unfold in alternate chapters until the stories intersect. The enchantment of being forever a child, versus the very real need to grow up, experiencing the belonging of family while being true to yourself, the unique gifts that make us who we are yet push us onward to discover who we can become are only a few of questions that are suggested by the authors wonderful prose and lyrical style. Certainly a book that will leave you thinking long after the last page. I did not want it to end, and strongly recommend as one of the BEST BOOKS I have ever read!!!

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