I actually purchased Wonder Light, after realizing that I had the second book in the series to review. The fact that this is a Middle Grade book about unicorns called to me. They are such magical beings! So majestic. I was excited to see where R.R. Russell would go with this topic. An island filled with wild unicorns? Yes please, and thank you very much.

The story started out okay. Twig, our main character, was travelling to a mysterious island for unwanted girls by boat. I was sure that her story would be explained, and I'd find out everything there was to know about Twig. Surprisingly, that didn't happen. This book has an odd organization and pacing that just never seemed to even out. I had no idea why Twig was on this island. No clue why the other girls were there, other than that they were "unwanted" and it frustrated me. It is my belief that the author was holding this just out of reach to reveal later, but when it finally came to that reveal? It was just thrown in haphazardly. This entire read just felt, well, off.

My other issue is that I never really liked Twig after the first few chapters. I'm guessing it's because I still had no idea why she was so closed off, but her personality was too prickly for my taste. By the time she finally started to open up, the story surrounding the unicorns was in full swing. You would think I would have been swept up by all of this, no? The truth is, that the story never enchanted me. The reasoning behind why the unicorns existed, the story behind why Twig was so important to the island, it just all ended up feeling flat. I never fell in love with this book, and that made me so sad.

I reached the ending, and I had to wait a few days to type up this review so I could let my feelings even themselves out. After much thought, I settled on two stars for Wonder Light. While the premise is absolutely enchanting, I feel like it never really delivered on what it promised to give me as a reader. I'm disappointed, and still debating whether I'll give the second book a slot on my reading list. ( )

I loved Twig as a character. When she arrived at the island she felt empty and numb, it wasn't until she moved out of her comfort zone and risked following her instincts that she began to grow. Everyone can relate to that kind of struggle and Russell does a good job of conveying Twig's fears and doubts. The chapters are short and always ended with a question about what was going to happen. This fantasy will keep a middle grader wanting more, but not overwhelmed. ( )

WONDER LIGHT: UNICORNS OF THE MIST by R.R. Russell is the first book in an exciting new middle grade series. Discovering a ghostly boy who is all too real and brings unicorns in his wake at the school for troubled girls that Twig is sent to starts Twig on a path she never could have imagined.

Despite being sent to a school on a pony ranch that has five other girls at it, this story is really all about Twig, Ben (the ghost boy) and Wonder Light, the unicorn that is born in front of Twig. We get to see a bit of the youngest girl, Casey, but barely anything of the others. I’m hoping we’ll get a bit more of them in the sequel(s). Over the course of the book, Twig goes from a near-silent, worried, upset and unsure twelve-year-old to a confident, happy and protective thirteen-year-old. Not to say she still doesn’t have worries and concerns about her life before coming to the Murley’s ranch/school/home, but she’s learning to accept and cope with those problems. Ben helps a lot in that, the mysterious boy who cares for the unicorns on the island and has his own mystery about him that I am crazy curious about. He’s patient with, and kind to, Twig – and the unicorns. He helps show her what she’s capable of when she begins to doubt herself.

It is a bit curious that Twig is able to so easily sneak out of the house at night (for a year) without anyone taking much notice (especially after she did get caught once. You’d think that would make it harder in the future). I also found it strange that these girls are at the ranch for a year, with little mention of going home for visits or family coming to see them. The year does move very quickly in the smaller book (220ish pages) so I’m just assuming there are many moments we don’t get to see.

The unicorn lore in the book is quite interesting and the dark, angry herd leader Dagger a stark contrast to the light and joyous Wonder Light – the unicorn that Twig raises from its birth. Unlike the pure and good unicorns you usually see in stories or mythology (though not all!) Dagger is vicious, attacking other unicorns, the horses and ponies at the ranch and even people. Twig, Ben, Wonder Light, Ben’s unicorn Indy and others are out to stop Dagger and help save the herd.

WONDER LIGHT: UNICORNS OF THE MIST by R.R. Russell brought me back to childhood. I loved unicorns when I was younger, and this is a book that I would have happily devoured and re-read many times. R.R. Russell mixes the fantasy of the unicorns and a parallel world wonderfully with that of Twig’s new home on the ranch, and her journey to finding her own true self, and her courage. I can easily see this book, and series, being a popular one in grades three through six classrooms – with a relatable character, a good mystery and the fun fantasy elements, WONDER LIGHT: UNICORNS OF THE MIST will definitely keep you reading. ( )

This middle grade is one for the upper level MG readers. It features a very cool unicorn tale and a thrilling ghost story. Now that doesn't mean that it will be too scary, its still a very cute read.
In the story, Twig is sent to an all girls camp on an island run by a Mr. and Mrs. Murley. They help the girls looks after ponies to help them learn responsibility and to stay out of trouble. One day a mysterious horse shows up and with it comes yet another mystery. It ends up being a unicorn and not a horse! Twig is told by a ghostly boy that dangerous things are happening to the unicorn herd and she is the only one that can help them. This new responsibility scares her, but she knows she must do what she can to help them.
What I loved most about this book was the emotion in it. Twig was going through a rough time and I was able to feel everything she went through. From the happiness she felt when she first discovered the unicorns, to how scared she was when she first arrived at the island.
This book of adventure sets the perfect stage for the next installment in the series. I can't wait to see what will happen next in Twig's world. ( )

Twig has stolen my heart. I knew this book might have me reaching for the tissue box after I read the summary, but I could not stay away. If you're thinking about getting this book for your child, I would recommend reading this book along with them. The girls in this story have a troubled past. Russell hints at their troubles without going into too much detail. However some children might have questions, and this book might help to talk about tough issues. But this book is more than that. It's about magic. It's about unicorns. It's about courage and not giving up.
Twig is taken to a horse ranch on an island she believes is haunted. She doesn't trust anyone at first. The ranch is a home for troubled girls, who all have the responsibility of taking care of horses. Twig is afraid at first, but she slowly comes out of her shell. Everything changes when one night she witnesses the birth of a baby unicorn. She's entrusted with keeping the baby unicorn safe as well as keeping its existence a secret. The mysterious boy who lives on the island is the only other that knows of the unicorns. Together they must protect them from the terror that lives on the island.
I was sucked into this book from the get-go. I have never wanted a character to succeed more than I do Twig. She is a well-written character that has many layers. Some still to be uncovered. I loved how her character opened up and changed throughout this book. Not only with Twig, but with the other characters, as well. This is a book I highly recommend!
Read more at http://www.2readornot2read.com/2013/05/review-wonder-light.html#DvPvUByCQLOQPhPI... ( )