Review: Philippa Fisher and the Fairy's Promise

Title:  Philippa Fisher and the Fairy’s Promise (Philippa Fisher #3)
Author:  Liz Kessler
Rating:  5/5

Summary:  Philippa is excited to spend her vacation with her friend Robyn, but she has no idea just how much excitement awaits. When a magic spell carved on a mysterious circle of rocks transports Philippa to fairy godmother headquarters, she learns that her own mother is in danger. To protect her mom from a serious accident, Philippa must pretend to be a fairy, while Daisy, her fairy godsister, returns to Earth as Philippa! And that’s just the beginning of their adventure. After passing a harrowing test of their loyalty to each other, Philippa and Daisy undergo a fantastic journey to rescue a lost fairy who has devoted her powers to maintaining the portal of the stone circle. With time running out, and the worlds of humans and fairies at risk of being severed, Daisy finds herself facing an extraordinary choice that has the power to change her life forever. (taken from Goodreads.com)

Review:  Okay, so I had my usual final book in a series anxiety with this one, because it is just that, the final book in the Philippa Fisher series, and I have to say it is my favorite book of the series.  Things get way more complicated than they have been in the books prior to this and there are more mysteries than ever before! The trio of friends in this book is something else, and I love them to pieces: Philippa, Robyn and Daisy. 

There is suspense in this book, something that isn’t so much in the others.  It isn’t a good or bad feeling, just the addition of a little drama that makes things a bit more interesting as the story progresses.  I also do like the way that this is written, much like the rest of the series there isn’t so much “chapters” but noticeable shifts from person to person, so we actually get to experience the thoughts and feelings of each character individually throughout the book.  Also, we meet some new faces, and the ending does leave the hope that there may be a fourth installment to the Philippa Fisher series.

The setting is the same as in the previous book, Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter, but the season is different.  This time the Fishers are visiting Robyn and her Dad over the winter holidays, and are going to be spending New Years with them.  Robyn’s dad doesn’t make much of an appearance in this one, and isn’t really a major player in the story, however we do get to see another side to the eccentric and artsy Mrs. Fisher in this story. 

The stone circle, Tidehill Rocks, is the scene of the event, which I am certain you can guess, if you know some of the mythology and magical history surrounding stone circles, and brings about the start of another adventure for this trio of best friends.  It is easy to read, and darn it I want more Philippa Fisher!

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations you can contact me at simplicity.kindreth@gmail.com
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Review: Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker's Daughter

Title:  Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter (Philippa Fisher #2)
Author:  Liz Kessler
Rating:  4/5

Summary:  Philippa Fisher is trying to have a good time on vacation with her parents, but she’s feeling lonely. When she meets Robyn, a girl with sad eyes and a strict father, she enjoys the company, but can’t help wondering what Robyn and her dad might be hiding. Meanwhile, Daisy, Philippa’s best friend (and fairy godsister), sneaks into her former charge’s room for a visit, but now has a furtive new mission and must dash away. Philippa longs to uncover the reasons behind her friends’ odd behavior, but friendships can be tricky when there are secrets — and unexpected danger — involved! Best-selling author Liz Kessler is back with a sympathetic story about navigating between old friends and new, a tale full of mystery, whimsy, and all the magic tween readers could wish for. (Taken from Goodreads.com)

Review:  I liked this book better than the first book in the series.  This one has a bit more action and reveals a bit more of the mystery that surrounds the fairies and we meet a Dream-Maker.  One of my favorite scenes is how the selection of the vacation spot is made, they are looking at a map, trying to figure out where to go for the tickets that Philippa won.  The decision is ultimately made when a butterfly (or a fairy disguised as a butterfly) lands on a particular spot on the map.  The Fisher’s see this as an omen and head out for this location for their vacation.

While in this fantastically wonderful spot, Philippa meets Robyn Fairweather, the daughter of the owner of the used book store in the town where they are staying.  Philippa and Robyn meet in the local ceramics shop run by Annie (the mastermind of the beginnings of the Philippa and Robyn friendship) who is also Robyn’s best friend, and has been since Robyn’s mother died.  However, Robyn’s father doesn’t want her around Annie at all and summons her home when he catches her at the ceramics shop.

There are too many secrets that are tearing apart a friendship and tearing apart a family.  Can Daisy help bring them all together? Some of the secrets nearly made me cry when they were revealed.  Overall a good read.

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations you can contact me at simplicity.kindreth@gmail.com
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Review: Philippa Fisher's Fairy Godsister

Title:  Philippa Fisher’s Fairy Godsister (Philipa Fisher #1)
Author:  Liz Kessler
Rating:  3/5

Summary: Philippa Fisher is just your average eleven-and-a-half-year-old girl. She's a bit shy and not the most popular girl at school. But all that changes one day when a new girl named Daisy arrives at school and reluctantly confesses that she is Philippa's very own fairy godsister.
Unfortunately for Philippa, Daisy is a fairy who is not too fond of humans, and so she is not pleased about having to help Philippa. In fact, she wants nothing more than to grant Philippa her three wishes quickly so that she can move on to a new assignment.
However, things are not that simple. Philippa and Daisy just cannot seem to get along, and Philippa's wishes keep making her life worse rather that better. Will Philippa and Daisy be able to come together to solve the mess they have created before it is too late?  (Taken from goodreads.com)

Review:  A couple of things irked me about this book, but not so much to put me off reading it or recommending it if the need arose.  The title comes from one line in the book, and it is the only time any reference to it is made, otherwise it is the standard cookie-cutter reference of “fairy godmother” when speaking of Daisy (our Fairy God-mother or –sister).  Daisy is only referenced as a fairy godsister simply because of her closeness in age to eleven year old Phillipa Fisher, daughter of scatterbrained, artsy parents. 

The story is cute, but tends to rely a bit too much on message, and cramming as many life lessons as possible into the book.  This, unfortunately reduces the plot to little more than a checklist of things that need to be done.  It is not a book that I probably would have remembered if I’d read as a kid, even now, having read it 4 months ago, some of the details are sketchy at best.  If there had not been the reduction into the former formalities of “fairy godmotherdom” and it had remained light-hearted and stayed in the realm of “fairy godsisterdom” it would have been much, much more entertaining and would have left me with a more lasting impression.

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations you can contact me at simplicity.kindreth@gmail.com
My reviews can be found here:
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