Under Wildwood (Wildwood Chronicles, 2)

"Under Wildwood" is the second edition to the first book of Wildwood. I personally gave this book a five because it fits perfectly into the sort of stories that I tend to like. It has plenty of magic that can get people enraptured. There is real danger going on in the plot that catches attention and makes a reader want to finish the book as fast as possible to find out what happens. Naturally, I didn't exactly like some parts because it reminded me that this book is aimed more toward teenage readers. There are some parts that are predictable, and some parts that just make a person think, "I highly doubt this would really happen." Despite the reminder, I think this is a great read that ends up entwining Prue and Curtis's stories with whole other subplots that a person can believe will lead to a crazy-awesome third book.

Each chapter brings new characters and new images conjured from a familiar place- Portland -and creating this incredible realm that keeps me hoping maybe I'll happen across it some day. The lyrical style of Colin Meloy is perfection. Using his command of language he can create different places and characters using nuances in vocabulary or grammar. I've also learned many new words from these books so far! Needless to say, it's an wonderful and fun journey from the beginning to the end! I want to start the next book right away!

The second book in Colin Meloy's Wildwood Chronicles has left me looking forward to the next volume. In his first book, Wildwood, Meloy introduced us to a magical world, located in Portland Oregon's Forest Park. We also met characters who lived inside or outside the park, or who in a few cases could move between the two worlds. The Portland setting gives the novel a sense of place which is rare in fantasy. I am not usually a fantasy or youth fiction reader, but was attracted to Wildwood because of its Oregon setting and young Oregon author. Wildwood and its creatures were well drawn, so that I was able to suspend disbelief and become involved in the story. In the first volume I only wished that the book moved a bit more quickly, in order to keep the reader more excited as we explored Meloy's world. Under Wildwood has the episodic urgency I missed in Wildwood. Once again we join Curtis and Prue, children who are so well written that we believe the story, because we believe in them and through them we believe what they see and experience. We also get to know Curtis's sisters, Elsie and Rachel, who are left in a rather ominous orphanage by their parents so that they can travel to Africa. The movement between their story and events in Wildwood keeps the story exciting. Meloy's writing is rich and picturesque. His words are well chosen, elaborate, and surprising yet fulfilling in their perfection. It is easy to imagine this very visual work as a movie. Unlike too many writers of youth fiction, he demonstrates a deep understanding of subjects as diverse as Japanese folklore and Russian literature. I could swear he has gotten into my bookshelves. As an audiobook listener, I was pleased with the narrator change for the second book. The Wildwood audio recording was okay, but Under Wildwood was narrated by the author who has built an international reputation as a performer with his band, The Decemberists. After a sing-songy opening, Meloy presented an exciting narration with subtle, but well-done presentations of the various characters. I would like to hear more book narrations by Meloy, if only he could find time in what must be a very busy schedule. Of course I had to have paper copies of the books too, in order to see the charming illustrations by Meloy's wife and collaborator, Carson Ellis. These are books that I hope to read to a grandchild someday, so that we can enjoy the story, vocabulary and illustrations together. Under Wildwood's only flaw is in intrinsic difficulty inherent in its being a middle novel in a series. The characters hit the ground running, assuming that the reader has already been introduced. The ending is not so much a conclusion as a deep breath before we dive into the rest of the story. As we have seen Meloy hone his skills as a writer between his first and second books, I am looking forward to his next book which I expect to be a solid five-star read.

I love everything about Colin Malloy's story telling. Whether in his music or his books he is a grand storyteller. Wildwood is a wonderful, mystical, magical and scary place all rolled into one. With each page his characters bring something new to their adventures and their personalities. Complex yet easy to read. I loved every page and have started reading it for the second time. Cannot wait for the next book in the series to get here!

What a wonderful adventure for all ages. Pulls us ala Rowling into a youthful commitment to loyalty and morality with Prue...the quintessential heroine of this magical tale. She has the flaws one would expect with no sugar coating for a preteen and they lend themselves to the telling of the tale. With characters larger than life on both sides of the coin of good vs evil it takes your hand and walks you through to an ending that leaves the reader with a smile and an unforgettable journey easily weaving from Book 1, page 1 to Book 3 the last. Loved it.

I absolutely loved this series! It’s well written. Beautiful illustrations. Characters are well thought out. Great storyline. Appropriate for all ages; adults and young adults (12 and up, in my opinion) will be reminded of the magic of childhood. Also appropriate to be read to younger children.

My teens love these books . We bought all three of the series . Love to see they can hardly put them down for long.

My 11 year old son read the first Wildwood and loved it so we grabbed this one and he said it was even better. In fact he asked "when is #3 coming out dad?!" I would hightly recommend this for any kid that loves books and has an imagination -- it's a great adventure!

A well told story that was a joy to read. The kids (10 & 12) both loved this and continue to talk about the characters months later and many books between. Looking forward to the next book from this author/illustrator team.

Love the characters...the many plots...the pacing. I read it all in one day it was so enjoyable. And I'm not a kid.

Llegó muy bien empacada, esta muy linda y perfecta para regalar. Incluye su certificado.

As magical an well written, as creative and extraordinary the first book is, as chaotic, arbitrary and boring is the second one. It is just a string of random plots that do not effect the deus -ex-machina outcome. Our beloved, unusual Herod from book one return shallow, unwitty and- well stupid. The pace of the whole book is that of the first chapters of other books, one can't shake off the feeling that the "real story" has yet to unfold. Until the last page.

Great story, fantastic for girls with strong young girls as the heroines in the story. Lovely fantasy tale with a moral & very well written.