★★★★☆
Author: R.M. Romero
Genre: Middle Grade
Reps:
Format/Source: Physical
From Goodreads: A spellbinding and lyrical Jewish Narnia for a new age, with lavish illustrations that bring the fairy tale magic to life.After her mother passes away and her father retreats into his grief,11-year-old Anne Applebaum is afraid the only happy endings she’ll ever have are in The World to Come, a collection of fairy tales about the flying forest of Bei Ilai. In its pages, children out smart demons, girls train as knights, and songs come to life. But even these stories can’t stop Anne from feeling alone. So when a raven tells her that she has a long-lost twin brother named Rainer, she sets out to find him. Anne soon learns that Bei Ilai is a real place—and she must step through the door into this magical realm to seek her brother. But the dangers in the flying forest are just as real as its beauty. To overcome the challenges and monsters she faces,Anne must lean into the magic contained within her and her Jewish faith—especially when she discovers Rainer is locked away by a being more frightening than any dragon. Because the most terrifying villain of all is one who used to be a hero.
Content Warning: Child abuse, kidnapping, death of a parent, grief
This novel gives the most whismical vibes. I’m so excited to explore the Flying Forest again!
About the Author:
R. M. Romero(she/they) is a Jewish Latina and international bestselling author of fairy tales for children and adults. She lives in Miami Beach with her cat, Robin Goodfellow, and spends hersummers helping to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Her work has been named an IndieNext Pick, a Jewish National Book Award Finalist, a two time Sydney Taylor Notable Book, aCarnegie Award nominee, a Best YA Book by Kirkus and SLJ, and received multiple starred reviews.
Website: https://www.melanieconklin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanieconklinauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15996026
