Diana Wynne Jones' The Islands of Chaldea
This is the book Diana Wynne Jones was working on when she died a couple years ago (which I am still sad about), completed by her sister Ursula. I didn't spend much time trying to play spot-the-differences, because honestly, it's a really good story and feels like a classic Diana Wynne Jones kind of book. It centers on Aileen, a Wise Woman in training (sort of), going off on a quest with her Wise Woman aunt to try and break down a barrier dividing the titular islands, and fulfill a prophecy. And Aileen is GREAT. She's a teeeensy bit boy-crazy, but is much more involved in trying to figure out her powers and keep the quest going. It's a good combination. Things are mildly predictable, but satisfying nonetheless. I mean, it's a middle grade book. At any rate, it's a solid final volume for the author and a nice tribute by her sister. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.
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