Ellyn Oaksmith's Reviews > Dreamwood

From the first scene on a train when we meet Lucy Darrington, we can tell she's made of stern stuff, determined to find her missing father in the deeps woods of Sadaarthe. At every step of the way Lucy encounters great obstacles -- giant sea snakes, native people who zealously guard the land, animals with dangerous magical powers. The closer Lucy gets to her goal the more dangerous and complicated her world gets. Will she find her father? Will she survive even as grown men are dying on this expedition? What exactly happened to the settlement of people on Devil's Thumb, the haunted outcropping of land where Lucy seeks her father? As the story expands, so do the plot twists and mysteries.

This is a rollicking adventure with a lovable heroine who is both prickly and serious, not afraid to push for what she wants.

Both boys and girls will enjoy this adventure story as will the parents lucky enough to spend their time reading this story aloud. I loved it and recommend it for all ages.