The Silver Gate (Untitled, #1)
Kristin Bailey
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication date: January 10, 2017
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: Received for review from publisher
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Description: In shepherd boy Elric’s tiny village, people think children like his younger sister, Wynn, are changelings-left by fairies and doomed to curse all around them. As a baby, Wynn was born with developmental delays, and according to the rules, she was supposed to be abandoned in the woods.
Instead Elric’s mother saved his sister and hid her away for eleven years. They live in secret and fear of being discovered, yet their home is full of love, laughter, and singing. Wynn and Elric’s favorite song is about the Silver Gate, a beautiful fairy realm where all children are welcome.
But when their long-absent father returns to sell Wynn to the Lord’s castle as a maid, Elric realizes that folk songs and fantasies can’t protect them from the outside world. They have to run away. Still Wynn believes there’s only one place they’ll ever be safe, and it lies beyond the Silver Gate.
The road to freedom is long and treacherous. If they have any hope for survival, Elric and Wynn must learn to depend on each other above everything else-and discover the magic that always reveals itself when it seems like all is lost.
THOUGHTS:
I don’t know what to think about Elric. He seems like a good brother, but sometimes he acts like a jerk and he annoys me a lot. He tries his best to protect his little sister but when impatience, dissatisfaction and irritation get the best of him, he starts to act like he doesn’t want to give any sh*t about Wynn, or just anything. But Elric is still a kid himself… so… I think… it’s acceptable for him to act a little bit immature.
Wynn, on the other hand, is a total sweetheart. Sweet like honey and her heart is soft like cake but she’s stubborn and hard headed like candy when she truly wants something. The author’s note at the beginning of the book says that Wynn has Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome; she has developmental delays and learning difficulties. People in the village despise children like her because of their distinctive facial features.
I don’t know about you but I cried multiple times reading this book. I just want to hug Wynn all the time and shower her with love and happiness and tell her that everything’s going to be okay no matter how uncertain life may seem at that moment. My poor Wynn.
“Not all wounds bleed.”
While Elric tries his best to find a place for Wynn to stay and live, Wynn thought that they’re set off on an adventure. She truly believes that they will find The Silver Gate, leading to the kind Fairy Queen from mysterious song they learned from their mother. A Fairy Queen who will protect and take care of them.
Their journey is fraught with terrible danger and obstacles, and they argue as many siblings do along the way, they make mistakes and mistreat each other but at the end of the day, they realize that they only have each other to survive.
What I like about this book:
- The adventure
- Character development
- Wynn
- Mildred
