Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand

The audiobook version is spectacular. The "voice" of the audiobook is one of the most talented women I have ever listened to. I highly recommend the CD version if your child is having trouble with the words. This is by far the best of the Fairy Haven stories. Apparently Disney has come to trust Levine because all of her characters are now allowed to have clearly defined "edges" and imperfections. The fairies are much more "distinct" from each other, which is a good thing. The world of the fairies is expanded in this book to include some pretty weird stuff, but thats OK because this is fantasy. The Beck character is greatly improved from previous books, thank you. The two mermaids are hilarious. Even the male fairy (I forget his name) is starting to be almost believable. (He could still stand some improvement. He seems kind of like a "paper doll". I think he needs a back-story or something. It's hard to explain what he's lacking....) Levine's portrayal of Vidia as a speed addict is inspired! The "flying-talent fairy" is usually portrayed as a generic spiteful bully (yawn) but here she is almost numinous in her obsession. There is something awesome in her complete disregard for her own body when it comes to filling her "need for speed". There is always a danger with using a well-known character in a new story, but Levine manages it with grace: Tinkerbell is handled quite nicely and never seems like a "guest star" in her Fairy Haven books. Great Job!

While fairies are common fodder for girl's entertainment, the Disney Fairies series is something that stands out. Starring Tinkerbell and a host of individual characters, these books do not employ the trite character formula of "Brainy Girl", "Fashion Girl", "Sporty Girl" and "Shy Girl" that so many books and movies fall back on. There are real, personal issues addressed within these fantasy adventures and pixie dust or not, there are no easy fixes or straw men challenges here. The characterization is solid throughout and while the characters do grow and discover things about themselves, there are no pat changes of heart; no last-chapter redemptions from evil to sweetness and light. I highly recommend these books to any parent who wants a little bit more from their daughter's entertainment.

I'll admit, I'm not one to want to give my kids a lot of stuff branded by Gigantic Entertainment Corporations, but Ms. Levine takes the original and more, erm, *contemporary* Pan Legends, along with some sly & subtle asides that reference a mermaid movie your kids may know, and works all of that together in a way that respects her young audience and will charm their parents as well. This is a seriously literate book with a lot of what I call "$10 words" for young readers. My own little fairy/neverland fanatic is at the lower end of the recommended age range, with some reading/speech disabilities, and slogged through the tough bits of vocabulary - much of it flowery and anachronistic - without complaint. Don't know if I can credit that the amazing watercolor illustrations (some fold out of the book) or just getting hooked and having to know what happens next, but I know we'll be looking for "Ella" & other books from this author.

This second Disney Fairies hardback novel by Ella Enchanted-author Gail Carson Levine is even better than the first. Full of charm and wit, it tells a terrific story that teaches some good moral values -- mainly concerning the evils that can come with greed and power. Also better than ever are the illustrations. About every fourth page has a large watercolor; one is a four-page fold-out. Underneath the dust jacket, the book cover has a watercolor on its front and back. Ella Enchanted (Trophy Newbery) is still a cut above, but if you're looking for a Disney novel you can't do much better that this one.

Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand is an excellent book! I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It is an excellent tale of how you have to be careful what you wish for. I loved the plot twists as well. If you have a young daughter who loves Disney Fairies, this book is well worth your money. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous as well! I hope that Ms. Levine writes a third book about Fairy Haven!