Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi is the sequel to a fantasy book Furthermore, which I reviewed earlier. To recap, Furthermore is a fantasy book for ages 9-12. Set in a magical place called Ferenwood, Furthermore follows 12-year-old Alice Alexis Queensmeadow a girl deprived of love, care, and color. It is Ferenwood tradition for all 12-year-olds to “surrender” their magical talent. Based on their magical talent, they will be assigned a task.
Whichwood does involve Alice and Oliver, the main characters from Furthermore, but the main character of Whichwood is Laylee, the modeshoor in the town of Whichwood. A modeshoor is a career by blood, it is a genetic trait that is passed along. Since her mother died and her father left driven by grief, Laylee is now the sole remaining modeshoor in Whichwood. The job of a modeshoor is to wash the bodies of the dead and prepare their souls for the afterlife.
Laylee’s small world is interrupted when two mysterious strangers come into her life, trying to help her. But, will they end up harming or helping Laylee and the village of Whichwood?
This book is a good sequel to the book Furthermore, especially since it didn’t necessarily need a sequel. Of course, I would never object to a sequel to one of my favorite books of all time but I also obviously much prefer a good sequel. Whichwood checked all the boxes. I would give it 4.5 stars because it is an amazing book and a great sequel but in my opinion, it doesn’t rise to the standards that Furthermore set.