For Readers » The Books of the Keepers

"The many stories meet, separate, and join to form new stories, by turns menacing, poignant, funny, familiar, and strange. Downer's skill in building a wholly believable world that she unveils bit by bit is undiminished. There's not the dominant major plot found in the earlier books, but that hardly lessens the pleasure of exploring a world where the suspension of disbelief comes so easily."
—Kirkus Reviews

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"This fantasy traces the adventures of a large cast of intriguing characters in a medieval world complete with fairies, goblins, and an old magic awaiting rediscovery. The abrupt scene shifting will at times bewilder readers who jump in without reading the preceding books, and may occasionally jolt loyal followers as well. But there's something so believable about Downer's alternate world and so lovable about her characters that most will persevere for the fundamental pleasures of finding out what happens next. The plot twists and turns with convoluted subplots and surprising interconnections, and time passes in rushes, but overall Downer seems to know where she's going. Fans of the series, happy to follow, will be comforted by the hint of more to come."
—Carolyn Phelan, Booklist

"The final volume of the trilogy about Caitlin and the Badger....finds them living quietly in the Weirdwood with their changeling son, Grimald. Their own son, Bram, has been stolen by the elf queen, Ylfcwen, and lives Under in the elf court. The many tangled tales brought to the conclusion include the touching love of Galt, the King's huntsman, for Ulfra, who was the foster child of wolves; the recovery of the magic Books of the Keepers; and the return of Bram to his parents. Extraordinary and surprising partnerships spring up everywhere--the unusual but fulfilling marriage of Iona, an unappreciated stepdaughter, to one who sought her for her dowry; the grudging affection of the disgraced elf queen for Nix, a former circus performer. The intricacy and subtlety of the plot is reinforced by fascinating details about the characters and their lives. The lyrical style is particularly expressed in a liberal use of color and texture in the descriptions of clothes and fabrics, flowers, and fireworks. Sophisticated in design and outlook, the book is a remarkable fantasy achievement."
—A. A. F., The Horn Book