3.5 stars
It's a solid middle-grade read.
But speaking personally, I would have enjoyed it more without the POV switches.

Also. Apparently my mind decided that Neil Gaiman is the perfect narrator for the story, except for the character bits. (It's awesome. And puzzling. I don't even know.)

The story itself feels very traditional. Which can be both good and bad.
Good - It feels familiar and comfortable. Everyone likes a good classic.
Bad - It's rather predictable. There are no surprises or unexpected twists.

There are many good lessons here for children and adults alike.
Overall, this was a rewarding read, falling just a little short of my expectations. Even so, I think many people will truly enjoy it.

FINAL VERDICT : GIVE IT A TRY! ( )

An interesting and original world, with a plot that hinges on depression, oddly enough, as a kind of superpower. In some ways, the rules of the world and the direction of the plot seemed a little too arbitrary for me at times, but it does tie up neatly in the end. I also really like a story where the main character makes a good choice even when it is the hardest thing to do.

Advanced Reader's copy provided by Edelweiss ( )

Princess Jeniah is only 12 years old. Because her mother is dying she will soon become Queen. Jeniah does not feel like she is prepared to be Queen, it is too soon!
Aon Greenlaw is a villager only a few months younger than Jeniah. Everyone in the Monarchy is happy, they never feel sadness. Except Aon.
Jeniah wants to know the secret of the Dreadwill Carse, but she has been warned - If any monarch enters Dreadwillow Carse, then the Monarchy will fall.
Aon & Jeniah hatch a plan, Aon can enter the Carse (she has gone in before) and report back to Jeniah.
Jeniah & Aon write to each other, they each find in the other girl the only other person who can understand their feelings of lose and sorrow.
Together they have to face the terrible secret of the Carse and the fate of the Monarchy will be decided.
Very well done and exciting. With the question - what price are you willing to pay? Especially when it other people's lives. ( )

This was not nearly as fluffy as I was expecting, and I loved that about it.

It seemed like the sort of thing that would be a light, frothy children's adventure story, and I was up for that. The premise of a strange wood and a princess and peasant girl who are interested in the mysteries behind it was probably going to end up with them learning the value of friendship or something.

Well, they probably did learn that, in the end, but wow, getting there was an entirely different story than the one I thought I was setting out to read.

This was dark.

I mean that in the best possible way. In fact, I'm rather awed by the ability to handle darkness and human nature and the idea of control and healthy emotions without it ever seeming to be too adult. These are absolutely adult ideas, and they don't feel dumbed down at all, but they also manage to be appropriately handled for children. This is a children's book--the protagonists are 12--but it's one of those children's books that transcends age in a way you don't see often in modern books. It is unapologetically dark and thoughtful, the sort of book I would have loved as a child and the sort of book I would love a child of mine to read.

The revelations genuinely surprised me a few times, though I had some pretty good guesses. Weaving my way through the mysteries was enjoyable enough that I followed the time-honored tradition of not putting the book down until I was done, to the detriment of my sleep. I don't regret it a bit.

This book was provided to me for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )