A parent might reach for this book when their imaginative, perhaps lonely, child is facing a difficult family situation, like the illness of a loved one. It offers a magical escape that validates a child's desire to be heroic and make things right. The story follows Lottie Fiske, an orphan who feels like she doesn't belong. When her beloved foster father falls gravely ill with a mysterious sickness, Lottie discovers a door in an apple tree leading to a magical world called Limn. This whimsical land, the source of all stories, is also dying. Lottie must find her courage and team up with new friends to find a cure, battling strange monsters and a corrupt leader along the way. Perfect for readers aged 9 to 12, it's a heartfelt adventure about finding your place, the power of friendship, and holding onto hope.
Characters are frequently chased, captured, and in danger from magical creatures and villains.
Scary ScenesMild
Shadowy monsters called Grum-gathers are menacing and hunt the characters.
Sensitive Topics
The central sensitive topic is the serious illness of a parental figure. The approach is metaphorical, as the illness is magical (he is literally fading), which can soften the reality for some readers while still allowing for emotional processing. The resolution is hopeful. Lottie's status as an orphan is a core part of her identity and loneliness, but the specific trauma of her parents' deaths is not a focus of the plot.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is an imaginative, bookish 9-11 year old who loves classic portal fantasies like Narnia. This child might feel a little out of step with their peers and is perhaps coping with feelings of powerlessness, especially if there is a stressful situation at home like a family member's illness. They are looking for a story where a kid like them can be the hero.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. Parents may want to be aware of the creatures called Grum-gathers, which are shadowy and menacing, and some scenes of peril are tense. The concept of a loved one 'fading away' could be a conversation starter if a child is sensitive to themes of illness and potential loss, but it's handled gently within the fantasy context. A parent has noticed their child seems worried about a sick grandparent or other relative, and the child expresses a wish that they could just 'do something' to fix it. Or, the parent hears their child say, 'I feel like nobody really gets me,' and wants to provide a story about finding one's people and one's courage.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will be captivated by the magical world-building, the talking animals, and the straightforward adventure. They will connect to Lottie's bravery. An older reader (11-12) will better appreciate the subtext about storytelling, the political intrigue within Limn's court, and the deeper themes of finding your identity when you feel like you don't have roots.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many portal fantasies that simply present a magical world, this book's world, Limn, is explicitly the source of all stories and creativity on Earth. This meta-narrative layer is its unique strength, making it a particularly resonant story for avid readers and creative children. It validates imagination as a powerful, world-saving force.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old orphan Lottie Fiske lives with her foster father, a famous author. When he contracts a mysterious illness that makes him fade away, Lottie discovers a portal to Limn, a magical world from which all of Earth's stories originate. Limn is also in peril: its magic is failing and its inhabitants are cursed. With a finch and a boy named Oliver, Lottie embarks on a quest to find the magical water that can save both her father and Limn, all while evading a tyrannical leader and shadowy monsters called Grum-gathers.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The book says that Limn is the source of all stories on Earth. If you could visit Limn, what kind of story or idea would you try to bring back with you?
2
Lottie has to decide whether or not to trust Oliver, even when she has reasons to doubt him. Why do you think she chose to trust him? Was there a time you had to trust someone new?
3
The High Minister believes he is doing the right thing for Limn by hoarding the magic. Do you think a character can do bad things for what they believe are good reasons? Does that make them less of a villain?
4
Lottie often feels like she doesn't belong anywhere. By the end of the book, what do you think 'home' means to her? Is it a place or is it people?
