After seeing
that cover—and that title—I knew I needed this novel in my life. I mean, with a
character named Ophelia, what could go wrong, right?
I am glad I
read this. I devoured the story.
Title:
‘Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy’
Author: Karen Foxlee
Pages: 240
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Available: January 28, 2014
Source: requested from Netgalley
A
modern-day fairy tale set in a mysterious museum that is perfect for readers of
Roald Dahl and Blue Balliett.
Unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen. And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.
As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.
A story within a story, this a modern day fairytale is about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.
Unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen. And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.
As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.
A story within a story, this a modern day fairytale is about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.
My
Thoughts:
The plot of this novel is simple, and
yet not so simple at all. Ophelia spends time with her father at his new job,
working in a strange museum. As young children are apt to do, Ophelia feels
this place is one worthy of exploration.
This is how she encounters The
Marvelous Boy. Except, what is so marvelous about him?
This is what the reader discovers as
he/she devours this exciting tale. There is much to discover about The
Marvelous Boy, the predicament he is in, and the time that is ticking away.
Can Ophelia save him? Or will she find
herself another victim of The Snow Queen?
Oh sweet Ophelia, how do I love thee?
No really, I absolutely adored her character. This was her story to tell, but
Foxlee did a terrific job of balancing the development of Ophelia and her cause
with the past of The Marvelous Boy and how he came to be in the clutches of The
Snow Queen.
The story of the Marvelous Boy is what
readers will devour as they race to the finish line of the novel with
expectations of discovery of the true identity of The Snow Queen.
After all, throughout the reading I was
questioning whether the Marvelous Boy was a real person or just a figment
Ophelia dreamt up to pass the time.
And the Snow Queen? There is nothing I can say about her character
without a revealing any kind of plot line. I will say this—it’s good.
As a whole, I enjoyed taking the
journey with Ophelia. It was fun to run throughout the museum, searching for
the best time to rescue the Marvelous Boy, hiding from the Snow Queen, and
delving into a magical world that is nothing like my own. I felt like I was
Ophelia, experiencing all the magical wonder that was that magical museum.
Goodreads says this novel will appeal
to fans of Dahl, and I completely agree. I also believe this novel will appeal
to those who enjoyed ‘The Apothecary’ by Meloy. It has the same feel for world-building.
I definitely recommend this novel to
all readers/enjoyers of children’s lit, but most especially those aged nineish
and above.
Have
you read anything magical lately? If so, comment below and let’s talk about
books.
Happy
Reading!
- The Hodgenator