Thickety: The Whispering Trees book 2

Reviewed by: Christine Bulsa-O'Meara - Buxton Center Elementary School, Buxton, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 28, 2015

Review

Starred Booklist Review February 15, 2015.

Fans of Neil Gaiman will love this latest book in the Thickety Series. While the author does recap enough of the previous adventures from book one for this second book in the series to stand alone, readers will appreciate reading them in order. The menacing Thickety is forbidden, but it’s safer for Kara and her little brother, Taff, than staying in the village, now that it’s being controlled by a vicious witch. As soon as Kara and Taff step inside, however, they face the terrifying presence of Sordyr, the forest demon who controls the Thickety and is infecting its denizens with a mysterious plague, which transforms peaceable creatures into malignant jumbles of branches, thorns, and clods of dirt. The only person who comes to Kara and Taff’s rescue is the infamous Mary Kettle, a witch banished to the Thickety for killing dozens of children to enchant magical toys. Mary seems to have redeemed herself and helps Kara shape her unique power to communicate with animals. Crosses and double-crosses abound in this second volume, and the twisted plot is perfectly matched by the twisted atmosphere. It is a captivating place with characters so well developed the reader won't want to put the book down.

Overall Book Score: excellent