T. M. Wallace

Fifteen-year-old Addyson Marten was absolutely convinced that by winning a game of Fairy Chess, she would win freedom for herself and her friend Connor from the place between her world and the fairy realms known as the Median Realms. Because Addy was protected by the Fairy Queen Adalira, she was returned home safely after she won the game, yet she returned with only partial memories of her time in the Median Realms. Addy was found wandering alone and feverish - stumbling through an area she knows as the Garden - the area that separated her home and the home of her eccentric neighbor, Mrs. Tavish. Her parents found her mumbling incoherently to the giant stone statues in Mrs. Tavish's garden.

Over the intervening months, her parents honestly believed that Addy's strange trip had only been a dream; hallucinations which a feverish brain and an overactive imagination had conjured. And Addy found herself being lulled by her parents explanation...almost believing that what she had experienced had never really happened. However, Addy can't completely quell her doubts: there was supposed to be another person with her - a boy with red hair and moonlike glasses - someone who was very important to her, yet Addy can't quite grasp her fleeting memories of him.

Now with March just beginning, Addy finds herself at a loss. The Garden is different, strange and almost foreboding - but Addy still finds a certain peace and calmness whenever she walks there. On one of her solitary walks, Addy finds a curious looking sundial, lying half-buried in the snow. When she holds it in her hand, she slowly begins to recover some of her lost memories. She slowly begins to remember Connor, along with the vague feeling that he is in horrible danger. Despite her increasing suspicion that Connor needs her help, Addy has absolutely no idea where he is or how she can get back to him.

In order to rescue her kidnapped friend, Addy must find a way to enter the Median Realms once more, traveling to the center of the Garden's magical Labyrinth to free Connor from the influence of the witch-queen Uthrace. And together, Connor and Addy must learn to control their own magical abilities to fight the growing evil threatening the Human and Fairy Realms.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found the plot exciting and well-developed. It was a very quick read for me, and I am delighted to say that I have Ms. Wallace's award-winning Under a Fairy Moon on my TBR pile already. I would give this book a definite A+!… (més)

I received a free copy through Goodreads.
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This was a lovely read. I quite like how the author brought us into a whole new world in such a few short chapters. To go from an ordinary world into a magical realm and right in Addy's neighbour's backyard! The chess game Addy, Entuia and Conner was full of adventure, danger and unexpected turns. Every turn brings about a twist you didn't see or expect. With magic, pixies, elves, witches and a unicorn in the fold you should always expect the unexpected!

While I enjoyed the story, I found the ending a little rushed and abrupt. Also would have liked to see parts of the story expanded, like The Fairy Queen and King's back story and especially more background about Conner. Like where did he come from and why is he so fascinated with the myths and legions about mythological creatures? There's still outstanding questions that need to be answered (like Addy's powers as a moonling), hopefully the next book addresses that.

Overall, a fun and exciting read into a fantasy world. Definitely a nice way to pass time.… (més)

(Review originally posted at my blog: A Word's Worth)
((Book received from publicist for review))

Under a Fairy Moon is a YA fantasy that doesn't quite go where you think it will, but the adventure is all the better for the unexpectedness.

It all starts because Addy has one very active imagination, and she uses it to escape the uncertainty and awkwardness of her 'real world.' Her stand-offish neighbor has a mysterious, and fairly secretive, garden that Addy has claimed as her own wonderland. But it's not just any garden, there's a darker mystery to it - but not wholly dark. Together with Connor - the boy she follows into the garden one morning, trying to keep him from 'stealing' her territory - Addy discovers that there is far more to the garden than even her imagination conjured. The two find themselves embroiled in a game of 'Fairy Chess' - an elaborate and grueling "game" that tests their weaknesses and strengths, forcing them to look deep inside and come to terms with who they really are, in their heart of hearts. Along the way, they meet countless mythic and otherworldly creatures, making friends and enemies, and learning that this is no ordinary game. The stakes are high - for both the Summerland and their world.… (més)

Under A Fairy Moon is a YA fantasy novel.

Addy Marten has just moved in to her new home and is enchanted by her neighbour, Mrs. Tavishs' garden. It is her get away place from the world until the day she sees a boy talking to Mrs. Tavish, she decides to investigate except things aren't what they appear to be any longer.

Addy is positive she is no longer in the garden next door as weird things begin to occur. After meeting Connor, she is relieved that she won't have to traverse the garden alone.

Connor is a wealth of information; he has been "trapped" in the garden for a while and has made some observations, which he shares with Addy. These tips save them on numerous occasions as they now must play the game that has been set before them.

After meeting a sprite name Enitua and a satyr named Braithewaite, they are even more relieved to have allies in the world of Median. However, Enitua doesn't seem to be playing the game in Addy and Connor's advantage and the two begin to wonder whose side she is on.

The Fairy Queen Adalira is worried that the Elf King will find the moonling, Addy, and all of the fairydom will be undone. The Queen entrusts Addy with her pendant and tells Addy that she has her own magic inside and she will find a way to save Median and Earth from being ruled and destroyed by evil.

There are many perilous journey's set before the two and time is running out. Connor feels like he is fading and his memories of home are causing him to have severe headaches. Don't tarry to long in the land of fey, don't eat their food, don't touch the walls and stay away from the trees, these are but a few of the lessons that Connor and Addy learn along the way. But will it be enough to save them and return them to their own time or will they be doomed to become shadows of their former selves and allow the evil Elf King to take over the realms?

I truly enjoyed this book! I loved its pace, the plot and the characters involved. I thought Addy and Connor made a great team and the mysteries surrounding Enitua was perfect, you never knew if you could trust her or not! The wisdom and kindness of Braithewaite was endearing to read and you just knew when he was around things would work out for the best.

I loved the descriptions of the forests and settings that the two found themselves in. The witch, Uthrace, involvement was great in building up suspense within the pages and her minion, Dubhan was creepy and well placed in the plot.

I thought the ending was a bit flat but it doesn't bring the enjoyment of the book down, I had just wished for a more exciting ending than the one given. After all the suspense and the journey to get to that point, it just left me wishing there had been more substance given to the ending. All in all though, a very enjoyable book that would be enjoyed by any who like a good fantasy with fairies and forest fey thrown in.… (més)