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first line: "It was on a winter afternoon, just before Christmas, that Nuria finally gave up the idea of making a wish."

I enjoyed many aspects of this book -- certain scenes and images, the way the two little girls interact, &c. And the idea of a magical wishing well that warps people's wishes is an excellent, eerie basis for a book. (It's also a strong element in another children's novel, Verdigris Deep, which I loved.)

However, I felt that the book could have been fleshed out more, particularly with regard to the setting. According to the FAQ on Billingsley's website, the vagueness is intentional; unfortunately, I found it distracting. (To be fair, as a kid I don't think I'd've minded.)

Still, I'd be open to reading the author's second book, The Folk Keeper. ( )