Under Wildwood

Under Wildwood continues the story of Prue McKeel and her adventures in the Impassable Wilderness, a magical realm hidden within Portland's Forest Park. The second installment of the Wildwood Chronicles features 80 illustrations by Carson Ellis, bringing the world's distinctive characters and landscapes to life. After her previous quest, Prue attempts to return to normal life but finds herself drawn back to the mysterious world of Wildwood. The realm faces mounting threats from multiple directions, including assassins in the shadows and an industrialist who seeks to exploit the land's resources. The story moves between Portland and the magical wilderness as Prue, Curtis, and their allies work to protect both worlds from destruction. Their quest involves shapeshifting creatures, ancient mysteries, and the complex political landscape of Wildwood's various factions. This middle-grade fantasy explores themes of environmental preservation, the tension between progress and tradition, and the ways in which children navigate adult responsibilities while holding onto their sense of wonder.

Readers note this sequel moves at a slower pace than The Wildwood Chronicles' first book, with more detailed world-building and political elements. Readers appreciated: - The expanded cast of characters, particularly Joffrey Unthank - Rachel Dougall's intricate illustrations - The deeper exploration of the Wildwood universe - The balance of whimsy and darkness Common criticisms: - Length (559 pages) feels excessive for middle-grade fiction - Multiple plotlines make the story hard to follow - Less action than the first book - Some found the pacing too slow in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (9,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (180+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Beautiful writing but needed editing" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes too long to get going" - Amazon reviewer "The illustrations alone are worth it" - Barnes & Noble review Several readers mentioned they enjoyed it more on a second reading when they could better follow the various storylines.

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🌲 Carson Ellis, the book's illustrator, is married to author Colin Meloy and has collaborated with him on multiple projects, including album artwork for his band The Decemberists. 🌿 Portland's Forest Park, where the story is set, is one of the largest urban forests in the United States, spanning over 5,200 acres with more than 80 miles of hiking trails. 🍂 Author Colin Meloy is primarily known as the lead singer and songwriter of the indie rock band The Decemberists, making Wildwood his debut series as a novelist. 🌳 The book's setting draws inspiration from the real-life folklore and rumors of children who supposedly lived in Forest Park during the Great Depression. 🌿 The illustrations in Under Wildwood were created using pen and ink techniques combined with gouache paint, maintaining a consistent artistic style throughout the series.