The Way Past Winter: Book Review!
I finished reading this beautiful book just the other day. I love Kiran Millwood Hargrave (she is one of my favorite authors) and think she is a compelling writer. Her stories are moving and so strong in their plotlines.
I read this story many years ago when I got it out of the library. However, reading it for the second time it was like coming to it anew and I was blown away by it all over again.
Mila lives with her sister and brother in the forest. The forest is frozen in winter, as is everything else. When her brother disappears along with all the other local boys Mila knows that he has been taken by a stranger who visited them the night before.
She embarks on a journey to save her brother with her younger sister Pípa and the only boy who hasn’t left — the mage Rune. As they travel through the forest and over the snow, Mila finds that maybe by confronting the stranger who stole her brother they might be able to bring back Spring…
I loved this story so much. I was utterly enthralled by its tale of adventure and family, and was completely engrossed by page one. I was captivated by the mysterious ominous stranger who is takes the boys and he strangely reminded me of the Pied Piper. The story is so moving, a fast-paced plotline with vivid characters who grab your attention and such a spellbinding setting too. I could almost feel the forest for myself. Plus a gorgeous new cover! Kiran’s writing is like powerful poetry that sings to my heart and evokes so many deep feelings inside me. I just want to read this book over and over again, to be gripped by its delightful imagination.
Thanks for reading,
Hetty Monksea
