Monthly buddyread with my good friend Melissa.

This was my companion for a "Holy Crap! It's friggin cold!" day. (Anyone else want to hibernate till Spring?)

I liked it alright, but didn't "LOVE it." The ideas were nice and the characters were interesting, yet it just didn't fully capture my attention.

Yes, this is a ya/middle grade book, but it felt like some things happened too quickly. A couple of times I had to go back and check a passage because the passage of time wasn't very well marked.

Maybe it was because of the fast pace that I didn't get as invested in the story as I would have liked. However, I still think it had its merits. The author did a good job of creating a unique world and interesting characters.

Overall, while I won't be continuing with the series, I don't regret reading it. It was a decent read that passed the time on a cold day.

I truly wish that I had come across this remarkable piece of literature during my childhood or teenage years. It is astonishing to think that I managed to miss it for such a long period of decades.

Now that I have discovered it, I find myself eagerly anticipating delving into the rest of the series. The anticipation is palpable, as I am excited to explore the further adventures and stories that lie within the pages.

However, there is also a tinge of sadness within me. I deeply regret missing out on the book club discussion that was held about this very book. It would have been an amazing opportunity to engage in lively conversations with fellow enthusiasts, sharing our thoughts, interpretations, and perspectives.

Nonetheless, I am determined to make the most of this newfound discovery and immerse myself fully in the world of this captivating series.

From the age of 12, I read it two or three more times. How much I always wanted to read the rest of its volumes, but I couldn't get my hands on them:(((

I vividly remember those days when I was completely engrossed in that particular book. Each time I picked it up, it was like embarking on a new adventure. The storylines and characters seemed to come alive in my mind. But unfortunately, despite my strong desire to continue the journey and explore the remaining volumes, I faced numerous difficulties in obtaining them. It was truly a frustrating experience, as I was constantly left hanging, eager to know what would happen next. However, this longing only made me appreciate the parts I had read even more, and it has remained a cherished memory in my literary journey.

I truly wish that I had come across this book during my preteen and early teen years. Had that been the case, it would most certainly have become one of my absolute favorites. As I am now getting older, I still discovered this Fantasy fairy tale to be extremely pleasant and captivating. The story of tweens swapping places is a rather common trope, as is the one about the girl desiring to be respected in the same way as the boys. However, the author has done an outstanding job of keeping these themes fresh. By creating likable characters, the author manages to maintain the reader's interest in the story from beginning to end.

*** 4.44 ***


I would highly recommend this book to all the young Fantasy enthusiasts out there. It is a short and effortlessly flowing read that will have you cheering for the forces of good against evil. If I were to have children, I would undoubtedly read this book to them.