The Whispering Trees: 2 (The Thickety, 2) - Softcover

White, J. A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062257285 ISBN 13: 9780062257284

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 2016

Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, book two in the acclaimed Thickety series is the story of a good witch, a bad witch, and a forest demon, trapped together in a world that is both enchanting and dangerous.

After Kara Westfall's village turns on her for practicing witchcraft, she and her brother, Taff, flee to the one place they know they won't be followed: the Thickety. Only this time Kara is magicless without her grimoire and Sordyr, the forest demon, is intent on keeping them there. Kara and Taff will meet other inhabitants of the Thickety in their search for a safe way out, including the infamous witch, Mary Kettle. But can they trust anyone—plant, creature, witch, book, or magic—to help them escape, to undo Grace's final terrible spell, and to stop Sordyr's horrible reach from spreading across the rest of the world?

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts

About this title

Review:

“The Thickety: The Whispering Trees is a thrilling sequel: a whirlwind of suspense and twists. J.A. White isn’t just a fantastic writer and storyteller - he spins myths that feel as old as the Thickety itself. A must-read series for every age.” (Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil)

“With a plot that coils like a tangle of brambles and an ending no less twisty than that of its predecessor, this sequel will keep readers invested in Kara and Taff’s adventures in this dangerous and imaginative world.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“The twisted plot is perfectly matched by the twisted atmosphere. . . . Spine-tingling.” (Booklist (starred review))

“An exceptionally well-written and compelling sequel.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review))

“This title has all the ingredients-a doughty heroine and her admirable younger brother, an unreliable guide who can’t stay the same age for long, and a heavy “ick” factor-to keep readers glued to it.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“The nail-biting suspense will keep readers turning the pages late into the night, and in Kara, readers will find a protagonist to root for. Readers who enjoyed the spine-chilling first installment will be eager to get their hands on this sequel.” (School Library Journal)

Praise for THE THICKETY: A PATH BEGINS: “The spellbinding story, lashings of suspense and stalwart heroine will draw in fantasy fans and keep them reading until the bitter ending.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))

“White creates a fantasy world with creatures that are anything but sweet and his prose is evocative without being dense. Absolutely thrilling.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“White’s debut novel is darkly bewitching. The well-crafted characters operate beautifully within the fantastical world he has created. Readers will devour each twist and turn of the plot, right up to the startling conclusion.” (School Library Journal)

“The Thickety is a sinister, magical debut with a marvelous and shocking heroine. J.A. White’s elegant writing and masterful plot kept me turning pages late into the night.” (Lisa McMann, author of the New York Times bestselling The Unwanteds series)

From the Back Cover:

The Thickety is no place to be alone.

The branches closed behind Kara and Taff when they rode Shadowdancer into the dark forest. But there is no returning to the village, and Sordyr chases close behind. The forest demon has a terrible plan—one that requires Kara's magic to succeed.

The dangers of the Thickety are many. Its plants are often deadly, strange animals whisper among the trees, and unknown magic lurks behind every twist and shadow of the path. But more dangerous still are the other inhabitants of the Thickety: Sordyr and his snapping branchwolves; the shadowy residents of an abandoned village; and Imogen, a creature with an unspeakable hunger.

They would do anything she asked.
All she had to do was use her magic.

And then there's Mary Kettle, a strange witch seeking redemption from a horrifying past. She offers to lead them out of the Thickety while teaching Kara how to cast spells without a grimoire. The children are hesitant to trust her . . . but this could be their only chance to escape.

Or the first step down a dark and wicked path.

About this edition

• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0062257285
• ISBN 13: 9780062257284
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 544
• Illustrator: Offermann Andrea