  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 03/15/2016 Where Aon lives, everyone is happy. Always. Aon must be broken, though, because she often feels sad and is drawn to Dreadwillow Carse, a forest full of shadow and despair that everyone else avoids. When her father leaves to serve the queen, only Aon seems to remember him or grieve. Meanwhile, Princess Jeniah does not feel happy either. Her mother is dying, leaving young Jeniah ill-equipped to take over the kingdom. The queen’s warning to avoid Dreadwillow Carse drives Jeniah to uncover the forest’s secret. A chance meeting pairs the two, and Aon volunteers to explore the carse instead, in exchange for her father’s return. What she discovers forces Jeniah to decide whether the happiness of many outweighs the suffering of a few. Perspective alternates between the two girls, and the magical land is thoroughly formed by the rich language and emotional resonance. Part fairy tale, part seemingly utopian society with a dark underbelly, this is a gripping, compelling story that will leave readers mulling over the ethical questions raised. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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