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I picked up 'Juniper' in my local used bookstore a few years back, in the mood for a simplistic YA fantasy. I had never heard of Furlong, nor had I read 'Wise Child'. I just thought it looked interesting.. and it was!
While in some ways this book is rather formulaic, (girl apprenticed to priestess type, has to save various people or things), in others it is extremely unique. I love the Zen feeling-- half of the time Furlong is not concerned with adventures, but rather simple, engaging illustrations of Juniper's day-to-day life. The feeling is mostly restful and peaceful, with an edge of excitement that shows through now and again. A very good read for people of all ages who are looking for a simplistic, beautifully-drawn, more-to-it-than-meets-the-eye book.
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What would you do if you, the princess of Cornwall were tolld to live with your disgusting, peasant of a godmother in a tiny shack on the outside of town? this is what happened to Juniper. She had always known there was something special about her since the day she picked up a stick and it wiggled about like a snake. She had a great life with her cousin, Gamal,her parents, and her friends. When she moved in with Euny everything changed. She was underfed, dirty, tired, and had to sleep on the floor. And when the year was over, she found out her wicked aunt Meroot had put a curse on her country, her unborn brother is going to rule the county in her place, and Gamal has been frozen in a trance by Meroot, too.
Monica Furlong writes with so much detail, and everything is full of so much color and can be pictured in your mind. It is almost as if you're in the book, living in Euny's house, walking the long tiring journies, and learning the ways of the Doran yourself.
If you like enchanting stories about magic and the struggles between good and evil you will like this book. I did, and I couldn't stop reading until it was over. I went on the read the sequels Wise Child and Colman, and I hope you will too and like then all as much as I do.
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When I was in elementary school I read Wisechild and loved every word in it. Then when I was in my 20's I discovered Juniper the pre-quel. Juniper took me back to those magical days when reading a book makes you feel like you are actually the characters in the book. I think reading them as an adult now keeps my inner child thriving. These books have great lessons in them about good and bad. I highly recommend it to people that want their children to be open minded and free thinkers or are that way themselves. Just beautiful and inspiring.
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I absolutely love Juniper and Wise Child. These two books are not just for young readers. Its for anyone who has a good imagination and likes some fantasy. My copies are so worn out and their bindings are broken down from my reading and re-reading them. I know these books almost by heart and they have become close friends. I know that if I ever want to read a good book I could always go back to them. The characters that Monica Furlong has created are so easy to relate to that anyone that reads them can't help but become interested. I have been hoping and waiting for Furlong to come out with another book, and I am so excited to read Colman. Trust me its a book worth reading.
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I loved these books. They are sweet, empowering and enlightening. I read them well into my adulthood, but found them to be wonderfully inspiring.
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