A Dreadful Fairy Book

It's comforting to know that fairies are like humans in that they aren't always whimsical and carefree and happy. This tale opens with Shade, a decidedly NOT whimsical sprite, having lost her home and (worse) her *library* in a fire started by some ill-used fireworks. Shade is not impressed with the "Hey, gang let's build her a new house!" reaction from the sprites who burned her out, so she leaves. As she moves through the forest, she has doubts about having left the safety and relative comfort of her home, despite the annoyingly whimsical populace. She's never been on her own and doesn't know what she'll find. All she wants is a quiet place to read, and really wishes she could find a nice library. What she finds, instead, are friends in the lest likely places.

This is a welcome relief from the sugar-sweet stories about fairies that are so popular right now. It reminded me a little of the first time I read the Artemis Fowl books, and how I loved the unconventional approach taken by the author. Kids who are just a bit different will eat this up and will find a friend in Shade. Well done.

A Dreadful Fairy Book was a fun, quick read; if Neil Gaiman and Lemony Snickett were to collaborate on a fairy story with Disney, you might end up with something like this. A fun book for early readers who are new to chapter books, and fans of some irreverence; I will warn you, however, they might pick up some odd and innocuous curses.

Fun read. I would definitely read to future children. Something a little different it felt like a mix of old fairy tales feeling with new. The fairies in this book represent the gray area and I enjoyed it.

I laughed all the way through this book. Even though it is technically a children's book I loved it. It was fun trying to catch what well-known fairytale they were doing a parody of, or what book title they were making a play on. I highly suggest this book for pretty much all ages, and for anyone needing a good laugh, or even just a little cheering up.

A Dreadful Fairy Book is entertaining and creative. This is kind of book I would have loved as a young reader...and one I still enjoyed as an adult. Nicely done fiction that captures the imagination.

I enjoyed this book! Fun and silly story that I think fans of Series of Unfortunate Events will enjoy! Shade loved to read, unlike her neighbors who pretty much drive her away after setting her house on fire with fireworks...! Readers will love this story. So will fairy fans young and old. I'm guessing 5th grade up and I mean even YA's and adults! It's that fun!

Disclaimer: Digital ARC via Netgalley. It did not have many of the illustrations, but if the frontispiece is anything to go by, the illustrations should be good.

Me, handing in the review to the Review God: Here you go.
Review God: Wait, wait. You can’t give it five stars and then simply say because of Saint Eeyore.
Me: Why not?
Review God shakes bookshelves.
Me: But it mentions Saint Eeyore. That should be enough to make anyone read it. But okay fine. Give it here, I’ll add something.
Review God takes back the review: What’s this say? Your handwriting is horrible.
Me: Saint Eeyore, Stinkletoe Radishbottom, Lee the Harper, and William Shudderpike are all mentioned. Plus, there is a really funny hobbit title. Read this book now.
Review God delivers that stare with the glasses.
Me: Okay, fine, give it. Look, I can’t add more, if you don’t give it here.
Review God: You dictate, I’ll write.
Me: But if you’re a god, why do you need a pencil.
Review God shakes the bookshelves again.
Me: Alright, just wondering. Hamm. Let’s see. A Dreadful Fairy Book is a fairy tale that will charm readers of all ages. In theory a children’s book, the novel is a love parody . . .
Review God: that’s not a thing.
Me: It is now. Funk and Wagnalls said I could. So there. The novel is love parody poem to the joys and wonders of reading. It will make any long-time reader weep tears of passion. The story, supposedly related by Quentin Q Quacksworth Esq, who is a bit miffed at having to tell it, is about the heroine we have all been waiting for – Shade. A young sprite who goes on an epic quest to find another copy of her first book love, after her book and library were savagely destroyed. Along the way, she encounters various people and other characters, including a Professor who may actually be a professor, a troll who likes tea, and the “nephew of the second most prosperous cheesemaker in Bilgewater”.
The story includes fantasy titles of famous real-world works, such as Lee the Harper’s to Murder an Insulting Finch. There are fights, lost parents, owl wings, and changelings. Long the way, the reader will have to duel with Quacksworth who has gotten it into his head that this story should not be told. This is because he does not understand the wonder that is Shade, a beautifully flawed, book loving, sprite of color. She also has really cool wings, though flying makes her tummy feel funny. She can curse! The book even passes the Bechdel test.
There are a couple wonderful send ups of Tolkien as well as knightly fighting. There is a squire who knows his weaponry. A kick ass mother. There are references to family members’ body parts.
Review God: That’s disgusting.
Me: No, it’s not. You haven’t read the book. Look, if you are a reader, this is a book about reading. About how reading can bind a family together. How reading makes outcasts feel less outcastery. YES, I KNOW. How dangerous a lack of reading can be. If you read, you will love this book. Is that what you want Review God?
Review God: Yes.
Me: Okay, but we all know that everyone is really reading it for Saints Eeyore and Figgymigg. And the scene with the Three Billy Goats Gruff.

This is narrated, similarly to A Series of Unfortunate Events. Narrator is used to interject humor and/or to explain the various creatures through delightful rambles. For example:
“In the unlikely event that you’ve ever seen a fly cry, you’ll know that when they do all the little mirrored squares that make up their eyes steam up until beads of water form and run down in streaks, just like the mirror in your bathroom when you are forced (and I agree with you, most unfairly) to take a long, hot bath after a good play.” (Loc. 179)

or
“(but then since I’m sure you know that hobgobins look just like goblins but shorter and hairless, the ‘hairless’ part doesn’t deserve any mention, does it?)”

It's truly a rollicking, entertaining fantasy and the characters are delightfully deplorable. (Fairy war ponies— “come near one of them with sticky fingers and it might well bite them off before stomping you to death.”)

One criticism I have is that the imaginative swearing, which was super fun at first, got a bit repetitive after a while.
I enjoyed the creativity of it:
“get donkled”
“bucket o’ snots”
“dingle-dangle dungballs”

But not all parents are going to love the constant barrage.

I did love how Etter incorporated a love of books into the core of the story. There are funny little riffs on “Pride & Prejudice” and references to “Midsummer Night’s Dream” “Moby Dick,” “The Hobbit” and a bunch more that adults will enjoy, though kids might not understand.

The characters have fun and imaginative names I think kids will love:
Stinkletoe Radishbottom
Chauncey X. Troggswollop
St. Figgymigg
Liam O’Buggery

The book has a wide audience age range. I’d feel comfortable giving it to my 10 year old or my 13 year old and I quite enjoyed it at age 45


Some moments of truth:
“No place is safe as long as there are stupid, selfish people doing stupid, selfish things.” (loc. 401)
“None who go to war come back unscarred.” loc 1145

“I chose this one because even though it is dreadful, a dreadful story is usually preferable to a mediocre one because it is at the very least memorable.” loc. 1133

Shy kids might relate the Professor, who does’t speak, yet is an invaluable member of the team. “Ginch is the best friend I’ve ever had. I don’t need words, written or spoken, for him to understand me.” ( loc.1610)

“The person with the biggest chair is usually the person to talk-a to.” (1701)

Themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the value of books.

Illustrations weren't available in the kindle version, so I have no comment on them, other then I hope they hold up to the quality of the story!

Thank you to Amberjack Publishing for the Arc of this book.
I really enjoyed this book, made me laugh and it was a nice pleasant read, very whimsical, and I loved that it was narrated, gave it some extra whimsy.