Starred Review ALA Booklist

Starred Review Lark is used to magic. After all, she's spent her whole life near the border between her mortal human realm and that of the otherworldly fae. The two worlds have managed to coexist through negotiation and accommodation, though the humans have grown used to the occasional magic and mischief seeping into their midst. One communal tradition, the dangerous Wild Hunt, is open to both fae and human riders, and Lark's older siblings eagerly join the fray. The hunt, ostensibly established to keep the magic in its place, usually goes smoothly, but when Lark's brother fails to return, the human community is thrown into a panic. It becomes clear that there is something terribly wrong in the magical realm, too, and with the help of a seemingly friendly fae boy and his raven, a dismayed but determined Lark slowly realizes that she may hold the key to returning both kingdoms to right. The story is gripping from the start, with stunning descriptions, exquisite world building, and loads of historical details seamlessly woven in, bringing an air of authenticity to the extraordinary world. The suspenseful proceedings are occasionally downright terrifying, though affectionate familial jests and burgeoning friendships lighten the atmosphere while giving Lark a reason to press on. Fantasy fans will do well to immerse themselves in this marvelous, magical world.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

A young hero is unexpectedly called to help defeat a wicked, usurping king.Twelve-year-old Lark is the last one to see her older brother, Galin, riding to the rescue of the Harvest King during the semiannual Wild Hunt, before he disappears. Lark's home is close to the border separating the realms of humans and the immortal Fae. During the hunt, skilled riders, both human and Fae, clear the borderlands of rogue magical creatures known as wildkin. Long-held Accords between the realms offer time-something mortals possess and that offers the possibility of change-in exchange for magically enhanced tools from the Fae. Lark's Ma breeds the part-Fae shadowbred horses ridden in the hunt; her Da is a tailor and dressmaker. Lark, who enjoys fixing things, begins to secretly reassemble the moonclock, a mysterious artifact that may have the power to help Galin return from the Fae realm. Ultimately, Lark's courage and problem-solving skills help her to triumph in a final confrontation with the Briar King. Adam's fantasy world is deftly constructed, and her use of language-which includes lots of compound nouns-convincingly suggests another time and place. The measured pace keeps pages turning yet offers readers time to understand Lark's world and the way that magic operates within it. The explanations of magical mischief, charms, and rules for interacting with the Fae are marvelous. Human characters read as White.Immersive, splendid, delightful. (Fantasy. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A young hero is unexpectedly called to help defeat a wicked, usurping king.Twelve-year-old Lark is the last one to see her older brother, Galin, riding to the rescue of the Harvest King during the semiannual Wild Hunt, before he disappears. Lark's home is close to the border separating the realms of humans and the immortal Fae. During the hunt, skilled riders, both human and Fae, clear the borderlands of rogue magical creatures known as wildkin. Long-held Accords between the realms offer time-something mortals possess and that offers the possibility of change-in exchange for magically enhanced tools from the Fae. Lark's Ma breeds the part-Fae shadowbred horses ridden in the hunt; her Da is a tailor and dressmaker. Lark, who enjoys fixing things, begins to secretly reassemble the moonclock, a mysterious artifact that may have the power to help Galin return from the Fae realm. Ultimately, Lark's courage and problem-solving skills help her to triumph in a final confrontation with the Briar King. Adam's fantasy world is deftly constructed, and her use of language-which includes lots of compound nouns-convincingly suggests another time and place. The measured pace keeps pages turning yet offers readers time to understand Lark's world and the way that magic operates within it. The explanations of magical mischief, charms, and rules for interacting with the Fae are marvelous. Human characters read as White.Immersive, splendid, delightful. (Fantasy. 10-14)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Several times a year, human and Fae warriors ride in the Wild Hunt to protect their Borderlands home from terrifying wildkin. A centuries-old tradition, the hunt promotes peace between the coexisting realms, which are separated by a thin magical barrier, in exchange for gifts, such as enchanted tools, that the Fae court bestow upon their human neighbors. After 12-year-old Lark Mairen’s older brother Galin doesn’t return from the hunt, she resolves to uncover his fate. When enigmatic Fae Rook promises information about Galin’s whereabouts should Lark fix the mysterious and magical moonclock, Lark breaks the Borderlands’ number one rule: “Never trust the Fae.” With Rook’s help, she discovers that her brother’s disappearance into the Fae realm is linked to other anomalies, including a power shift among the Fae leadership that could lead to war, and what begins as a search for answers becomes a quest to stabilize the balance between the realms before it tips into chaos. Adam’s (The Last Windwitch) leisurely and intricate adventure weaves in Fae folklore and classic fairy tale themes to create a world in which magic and the everyday precariously exist side by side, brimming with intrigue and danger. Its resourceful heroine, ethereal Fae, strong setting, and perilous atmosphere make for a revitalizing fantasy adventure. Ages 8–12. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic. (July)