T. Kingfisher

"Summer is a perfectly ordinary 11 year old girl with a perfectly ordinary, needy, over protective single mother. Summer loves her mother and would never dream of running away, but wonders deep down if it wouldn't be nice to escape for a little while and do something adventurous...maybe? Baba Yaga comes along in her magical walking house and offers Summer her heart's desire. Summer has no idea what this might be, but with the lighting of a frog-shaped beeswax candle she finds herself transported to the strange would of Orcus with nothing but a weasel in her pocket. She's read a lot of fantasy books about people thrust into strange lands; but they usually seemed to have has some idea what they were supposed to do there." -- back cover

Summer in Orcus

Janice Hopper

Another lovely story from T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon). Any story that starts with seeing a house walk down your alley on bird legs, and doesn't end with a huge battle or the heroine falling in love with someone works quite well for me. 

Summer in Orcus sounds like a season spent somewhere else. It's not. Summer is the heroine's name. She's a fine character. She doesn't have all the answers for what needs to be done, but she's determined and plucky. 

I gave it four stars because the story has a slightly unfinished feel to me. Lots of lovely ideas, like the trees whose dropped leaves become ... something else. And the little valet-birds in bowler hats, and a wolf, a weasel, and a hoopoe for traveling companions. But the end happens a little quickly and seems a little unsatisfying for that quickness, as well as for the final plot resolution. 

The story was originally serialized online. I read a few episodes there, but finally opted to binge-read the story by purchasing it on Amazon when it was complete. I really get a lot of pleasure out of this author's writing, so I was happy to throw some $$ her way too. 

Good stuff.

Magnus Dahl

Terry Pratchett’s and China Mieville’s love child.

Ben Nathan

Great all ages book. Summer is a very full character where every decision she makes you understand. She has fears and flaws and when she faces them she is better for it. Well written, exciting, fun. I think I may suggest it to my niece.

Summer in Orcus

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