Young Adult Book Reviews

Genre: Fantasy

Eighteen-year-old Ellerie has lived her entire life in the small town of Amity Falls, which is protected from monsters by a rudimentary alarm system that was installed around the border by the original town settlers. No one has seen or heard of a monster in many years and many believe it was just an old legend, but when a routine supply run ends in disaster the town is left scrambling as to how to proceed. If they stay within the confines of the town they will run out of supplies and medicine, but if they wander out they run the risk of facing a terrible fate. Meanwhile, a mysterious new young man has begun hanging around the town and has taken an interest in Ellerie. As things begin to fall apart, Ellerie is left to take on more responsibility for her younger sisters and her twin brother proves to be less than trustworthy to help out. Can she trust this new stranger? Is he somehow involved in the town’s new found bad luck? When she has the opportunity to make her wish come true does it come with unacceptable strings?

This engaging story is based on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, but the characters and setting really add a lot to that original story. Plus, even if you are familiar with Rumpelstiltskin this story is modern enough that you don’t necessarily expect what is going to happen. The motivations of the townspeople are easily explained as resources get more scarce and people become more scared and desperate. The plot takes many unexpected turns as well and not all is explained, which seems to be on purpose as the author wants to leave some things open ended. This open endedness works in this story as it makes it feel more believable and realistic that not all would be perfectly explained or solved by the story’s end. Recommended for anyone looking for something bold and unique.