
Reach for this book when your child feels limited by their surroundings or expresses big dreams that others dismiss as unrealistic. It is a perfect choice for the young explorer who feels a 'calling' to do something different than the status quo, even if they cannot yet explain why. Dakin is a determined nearly 15-year-old who ignores the skepticism of her village to pursue three specific goals: visiting a mysterious mountain, meeting a gargoyle, and marrying a prince. As she journeys toward the Farthest-Away Mountain, she encounters magical obstacles that test her ingenuity and kindness. This story subtly shifts the traditional fairy tale narrative, focusing on personal agency and the discovery that our initial desires often transform into deeper, more meaningful purposes. It is a gentle yet empowering read for the 8 to 12 age group.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe Master of Magic and some of his illusions may be slightly spooky for younger readers.
The book handles conflict through a secular, metaphorical lens. Obstacles are magical in nature, representing internal hurdles like fear or vanity. The resolution is highly hopeful and emphasizes self-actualization over traditional romantic endings.
A child who feels like an outsider in their peer group or family, particularly one who possesses a strong sense of 'inner knowing' and needs to see that intuition rewarded.
The book can be read cold. There are moments of mild peril involving the Master of Magic that might feel tense for very sensitive 8-year-olds, but Dakin's competence keeps the tone secure. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'Everyone thinks I'm weird for liking this,' or when a child expresses a desire to try a difficult new hobby that seems 'out of reach.'
Younger readers will focus on the magic and the gargoyle, while older readers (11-12) will appreciate the subversion of the 'marry a prince' trope and Dakin's growing independence.
Unlike many 1970s fantasies, this features a female protagonist who is neither a 'tomboy' nor a 'damsel.' She is simply a person with a goal, and the book treats her ambition with total seriousness while keeping the prose light and accessible.
Dakin lives in a valley where no one ever leaves. On her fifteenth birthday, she follows a literal 'call' from the Farthest-Away Mountain. Along the way, she outwits a Master of Magic, befriends a giant gargoyle named Garglow, and discovers that the 'prince' she intended to marry isn't exactly what she expected. The story is a quest narrative that deconstructs classic fairy tale tropes.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.