Celandine

Celandine, set in 1914-1915 England, chronicles the journey of a young girl who flees her harsh boarding school at the onset of World War I. Rather than face being sent back, she seeks refuge in the Wild Wood near her childhood home. The story connects to The Various, the first book in Augarde's Touchstone Trilogy, but takes place 90 years earlier. In this rural setting, Celandine discovers hidden tribes of small people living secretly in the woods - beings that she alone seems to know exist. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of wartime England, following Celandine as she navigates between two worlds: the human society she's trying to escape and the mysterious realm of these hidden beings. Her encounters with soldiers, family conflicts, and the mysterious woodland inhabitants shape her path forward. The book explores themes of belonging, belief in the unseen, and the search for acceptance in a world that often demands conformity. Through Celandine's experiences, the story examines the contrast between societal expectations and personal truth.

Readers describe Celandine as slower-paced and more introspective than its predecessor, The Various. Many found the WWI-era boarding school setting and protagonist's personal struggles compelling. Readers appreciated: - Rich historical details and atmosphere - Complex character development of Celandine - Integration of fantasy elements with realistic wartime themes - Strong emotional depth Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Less action than Book 1 - Some found the boarding school sequences too long - Fantasy elements take time to appear Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (40+ reviews) Several readers noted the book works better for patient readers who enjoy character studies. One reviewer stated: "The slow build pays off, but younger readers might struggle with the first half." Another mentioned: "More mature themes than typical YA fantasy - deals with isolation and identity in meaningful ways."

Greenwitch by Susan Cooper A young girl discovers her connection to ancient magic and folklore while living in a small Cornwall village, blending real-world settings with British mythology.

The Various by Steve Augarde A girl moves to her uncle's Somerset farm and encounters a hidden realm of fairy folk living in the neighboring woods.

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi Three siblings discover a world of faeries existing alongside their own after moving to their great-aunt's Victorian mansion.

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve A teenage girl in a post-apocalyptic England uncovers dark secrets about her world while navigating a landscape of moving cities and ancient technology.

The Book of Story Beginnings by Kristin Kladstrup A girl finds her missing father through a mysterious book that bridges the gap between reality and a magical realm.

🌟 The Various (first book in the trilogy) won the Nestlé Children's Book Prize Silver Award in 2004 🌟 Steve Augarde worked as an illustrator and paper engineer for BBC Children's TV before becoming an author 🌟 World War I saw over 80,000 cases of "shell shock" (PTSD) in British troops, reflecting the era's harsh realities that serve as the book's backdrop 🌟 The word "Celandine" refers to a yellow wildflower that blooms in early spring and was traditionally used in folk medicine 🌟 The novel's magical "Various" beings are inspired by British folklore, which has over 400 years of documented fairy and little folk traditions