Superlatives need not apply

When Phoebe first meets Mallory, their lives couldn’t be more different. Phoebe belongs to a rich and influential family and hangs out with the popular girls, while Mallory is the oddly-dressed, stony new girl at school. But then Phoebe makes a snap decision to befriend Mallory and help her adjust—including getting the girl’s mentally ill mother some medical assistance. For the next four years, Phoebe and Mallory are inseparable best friends … until Mallory’s estranged brother comes to visit. Ryland is beautiful, older, and surprisingly only has eyes for Phoebe. Hiding the affair from Mallory slowly begins to take its toll on Phoebe, who is suddenly full of self-doubt and insecurity. Little does she know that both Mallory and Ryland are hiding something from her as well: they are on a mission to retrieve Phoebe in the hopes that she will give the faerie kingdom a future … at the cost of Phoebe’s own.

I’ve turned away from this book before, underwhelmed by its vague promise of a love triangle. As it turns out, the story focuses less on romantic feelings than it does on the main character’s deepening, fitful examination of what it means to be special. Werlin tries to put emphasis on Phoebe’s friendship with Mallory (who is much more than she seems, speaking of special), but ultimately this is Phoebe’s story. Despite a shaky, frustrating second act, I liked who she eventually became. The romance feels fake and, well, underwhelming, since the reader is told over and over again that Ryland is straight-up manipulating Phoebe. Their subplot comes off as unneccesary padding. It’s not often I can say this about a book, but this is one example where I was won over by the climax, which is thoughtfully written and holds one or two surprises. There are some satisfying paralells to draw between Phoebe and Mallory.

Werlin writes with a soft poetic lilt that sometimes comes off as ponderous and zaps the book of much of its energy, at least until the finale. I wish I knew who made the decision that young adult fantasy books shouldn’t be funny any more. Howl’s Moving Castle and Princess Ben are two titles that prove humor, teen protagonists, and fantasy can mesh seamlessly.

Rating: 3 secret garden rooms out of 5.