12 year old September is an only child whose father has gone off to war and her mother off to work, leaving her alone with nothing but her thoughts for company. Wishing to be away from her boring life and off on an adventure, the Green Wind hears said wish and spirits her off to Fairyland.
Having recently come under new management, September finds Fairyland in turmoil. The beloved Queen Mallow has disappeared having been usurped by a new and far less lovable ruler, the Marquess, who seems intent on making it a far more miserable place. Those who can fly have had their wings chained down, while certain races of fae now have to wear identifying footwear that proclaims their status and anyone who displeases is locked away in the Lonely Gaol at the bottom of the world. At first setting off on what seems like a simple adventure, September’s burgeoning friendships with a charming Wyverary (a Wyvern whose father was a library) and a marid named Saturday soon lead her on a far more dangerous quest to free Fairyland from the Marquess’s tyrannical rule.
Chock full of whimsy and imagination, this book absolutely charmed the pants off me. If I’d read this when I was younger, it’s the kind of book I’d have found myself obsessing over, re-reading constantly and making up my own stories within its universe to tide me over til the next was published. As it is I’m around thirty years older than its target audience, but there was enough insight and humour to keep me happily following along on September’s journey, and my young niece will definitely be getting a copy for her next birthday.