5/5 Stars
RECOMENDED FOR: 8+
SIMILAR BOOKS/STORIES: Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon, The Tale of Despereaux
My Thoughts
Some books have this odd quality about them. They seem to call to you, beckon you. As though they know you already and own a part of you in some future self.
This book was like that.
From the very beginning, this story captivated my heart. It’s at once funny and poetic, deep and light. The sort of book you can curl up with before bed and beg to read just one more page of (as indeed, I totally did!). But also the book, that, even as an adult, turned a mirror to my gaze so I could see myself in a hundred new ways.
The Foxling characters are an absolute joy. I found in Dreamer a delightful kindred spirit. Her energy and vivacity light up the page and it was so lovely to see someone portrayed with such depths of kindness. And yet she never feels like a goody-two-shoes. She’s an authentic, girlish character with flaws and doubts and quirks.
Stargazer, too, is just incredible. He’s fun and hilarious, and sparkling with wit. He felt incredibly real. Like the sort of person you could actually imagine living next door or sending a wacky meme over text. And his glorious banter with Skyblade, the Shield/husband of the Foxling Princess, always had me grinning ear to ear. And speaking of Skyblade and the Foxling Princess Moonfrost (what an absolutely delightful name!), these characters brought so much maturity and nobility and wisdom to the table. So many of Moonfrost and Skyblade’s lines are quote-worthy!
I also love the respect that this story inspires. True, it pays tribute to the whimsical fun of being a kid. But there’s also a reverence for all things good and noble and true that I adore. A love for respect, tradition, wisdom, and honor that imbues every chapter.
The human children were so delightfully realistic, too! In Valerie, I often saw the shades of grey within my own heart I sometimes hide away from – the envy, the fear, the shame — and but also the innocence and purity. Leo was adorable and real. Sweet, and brave and boyish as your heart could wish.
Something else I love is how the author doesn’t disparage all the things that make up childhood. The silliness, the innocence. The toys you sleep with at night. The toy swords and the little dolls. In fact, I think he celebrates it. And in a world that tells us all to grow up, I love the books that remind us that some doors can only be unlocked by the heart of a child.
Yet, don’t get me wrong. This book is deep. I would even dare say that it’s deeper than most of the books I’ve read this year.
You see, no matter how old you are –whether five or fifteen or a hundred and five — we all fight the battle of the mind. But few know how to win it. Few understand that the battles we face outside are only the reflection of the world within. And stories like this help us picture it better. To see the fight a little clearer, a little sharper, so that we know how to win.
I could say so, so much more about this book. I could tell you about the symbolism which is impeccable, or the prose which is in itself a delight, or the gorgeous illustrations that Lorraine Luby so lovingly and tastefully and artfully sketched (you’re so talented, Lorraine!! Thank you for those beautiful illustrations!), but I’d rather you tasted The Different World for yourself. Stepped into it with all its glorious magic.
I promise you, you won’t leave the same.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
“What if the darkness takes your nightlight and your candle? What would you do then?”Dreamer spoke softly. “I would fight even harder, Valerie. I would march right up to the darkness, whispering a prayer for the Man in the Sky to make me brave, even without my nightlight or candle, and I would wag my finger under its nose and shout, ‘You don’t scare me! I’m not afraid of you! I am brave and you are nothing! You have no power over me and I have all power over you.’ That’s what I would do Valerie. I would defy it. I would do everything I can to fix the problem, and I would face everything it throws at me, fighting it until it was no more. Until everything was alright. If you don’t give up, you can’t lose. Don’t give up. That’s the key. Do not give up. Keep on fighting.”
——Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author for sending me this ARC of The Different World! I was not required e to write a positive review and all thoughts expressed above are my own.
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