The School Between Winter and Fairyland

By: Heather Fawcett

Narrated by: Gail Shalan

A fresh and exciting twist on magical boarding schools, the well-loved Chosen One trope, and the nature of true heroism—from the author of The Language of Ghosts and Ember and the Ice Dragons. Perfect for fans of middle grade fantasies including the Serafina series by Robert Beatty and Neil Gaiman's Coraline.

Twelve-year-old Autumn Malog is a servant at the enchanting Inglenook School, where young magicians study to become the king’s future monster-hunters. Along with her Gran and three too many older brothers, she works as a beastkeeper, tending to Inglenook’s menagerie of terrifying monsters.

But when she isn’t mucking out the wyvern stalls or coaxing the resident boggart to behave, Autumn searches for clues about her twin brother’s mysterious disappearance. Everyone else thinks he was devoured by the feared Hollow Dragon, but Autumn is convinced she’s heard—and glimpsed—him calling to her from within the castle walls. But who will believe a lowly servant?

So when Cai Morrigan, the “Chosen One” prophesied to one day destroy the Hollow Dragon, comes to her for help, Autumn agrees on one condition: Together, they’ll search for her brother and uncover the dark truth at the heart of enchanting Inglenook School once and for all.

Heather strikes again!

Heather Fawcett weaves words as skillfully in The School Between Winter and Fairyland as she did in Ember and the Ice Dragons, captivating my attention and delight as few other authors have. Her brilliant imagination produces feasible fantasy that delves into themes of friendship, heroism, class structure, and everyday magical life.
If you read or listen to this book, you’ll never forget these characters: Autumn, Winter, Cai, Gran and the Boggart.

Did not see the plot twists coming

A little slow getting started but full of action as the tale progresses. And two strong female protagonists. Very satisfying!

OK story; don’t like narrator

I really enjoyed this author’s adult fantasy, the Emily Wilde series, and have been very disappointed in her young adult fiction.

A lot of it has to do with the narrator. I dislike it when American actors try to fake British accents; just hire a real British person. This narrator put on an accent for the characters and then lapsed back into her own native accent for the narration. It was jarring. I also really dislike adult women who affect a high, childish voice. Just use your own natural voice.

Finally, one of my pet peeves is the mispronunciation of words, especially proper names. I winced every time the narrator said the name “Gawaine.” It would have taken less than 30 seconds to look up the correct pronunciation.