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Overview
Once upon a time, three children and a little river dragon were the best of friends—until a promise was broken. Now they are almost grown up and barely speaking to one another. With her country in turmoil, Aurelie is sent on a peacekeeping mission. But how can she prevent a war when she can’t even make her friends get along? Heartsick at losing her dearest companions, especially the handsome Garin, Aurelie finds comfort in her secret, late-night trips to fairyland. But a princess can’t hide from her duties forever. Her country needs her, and so do her friends—whether they know it or not.
Aurelie is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Editorials
KLIATT -
As children, they were inseparable: Aurelie, the princess-heir of Jocondagne; Netta, her companion; Garin, a fosterling from the nearby island nation of Skoe; and Loic, a river drac of the mystical fae. A touch of Loic's magic ointment on each of their left eyes allowed the three humans to see the other fae—from the graceful tree spirits to fearful dragons—under the condition that they must never reveal their ability. When Netta accidentally betrays her sight while saving a child's life, the fae's revenge breaks the fellowship and casts Netta, Garin, and Loic far from Jocondagne. Now, with war brewing between Aurelie's home and Skoe, she must find a way to reunite her friends before Skoe's ruthless new ruler takes down Jocondagne and Fairyland itself. Aurelie is a wonderful introduction to the world of Faerie, one which is consistent with traditional myths—such as sighting ointment and faerie revels—yet keeps the lore from becoming overwhelming by limiting its scope. While Tomlinson's fae are on par with those in any adult fantasy novel, her human characters are noticeably one-dimensional, making the book most suitable for younger teens or those just beginning to explore the genre. Reviewer: Cara ChancellorChildren's Literature -
A colorful assortment of lutins, farfadets, gargouilles, and river dracs—denizens of the world of Fae—propel the action in this charmingly romantic tale. Princess Aurelia, Heir to the Jocondagnan throne, has grown up playing with Loic, a young river drac, and her human friends Netta and Garin. Loic's fondness for his human friends has allowed them to experience the faerie world as other humans cannot, but now Garin has returned to his home in Skoe, Jocondagne's enemy, and Netta has been blinded by Loic's powerful drac father as punishment for recognizing his identity. Aurelia must try and prevent war with the Skoerans by undertaking a dangerous diplomatic mission. All goes wrong as the evil Captain Inglis, chief of Skoe's governing council, sabotages the mission. Inglis has also seen to it that Garin is accused of treason. Garin escapes to Jocondagne and, as the Skoerans are attacking, Aurelia and Garin find each other and declare their love. All ends happily as Loic finds his true love, Netta, and Inglis and her minions are destroyed. The fantasy is cleverly crafted, and there is plenty of danger and excitement to keep the pages turning. Aurelia is a strong character with believable self-doubts, and the villains are without redeeming qualities and are punished accordingly. A satisfying fairy tale. Reviewer: Quinby FrankSchool Library Journal
Gr 7-9
In an old world where the lives of humans and Fae often intersect, the coming-of-age tale of Princess Aurelie and her friends of both species unfolds. Gifted as children by their young river drac friend, Loic, humans Aurelie, Garin, and Netta have grown up and gone their separate ways, no longer engaging with the Fae. As often happens in the move beyond childhood, the world becomes more complicated and difficult choices must be made. Aurelie is to inherit her father's kingdom and, as the heir apparent, must travel to a rival country-Skoe-in order to prevent war. Netta, cruelly blinded for revealing the sight, hides herself from her old friends. Garin is deeply enmeshed in a struggle for power in his own country of Skoe. Loic has also grown and realizes that the time has come to take a bride. He longs for the hidden Netta, but will settle for Aurelie. With little help from the adults in their lives, these fascinating young people (and one river drac) must find ways to overcome not only their own problems, but also the troubles brought about by greed and distrust. Political intrigue, star-crossed lovers, and the intermingling of two distinct worlds make for an exciting and intricate tale. The many characters and situations are fully realized and spellbound readers will be hoping for a sequel.-Sharon Grover, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville, WI
Kirkus Reviews
Princess Aurelie and her two closest friends, Garin and Netta, grew up playing with Loic, a river drac, and have the gift of being able to see the Fae, on the condition that no one should ever know. Netta's inadvertent slip has resulted in their blindness, and with Garin returned to his original kingdom-now at odds with Aurelie's Lumielle-royal diplomatic duties bring Aurelie little joy. Tomlinson immerses readers in a world of intrigue and magic with surprisingly clarity. As the possibility of war looms and her hand in marriage seems to be the only value she possesses for achieving peace, Aurelie's difficulties multiply with Loic's wooing, Netta's subservience and Garin's Jocandagnian heritage. Sharply realized characters abound in both magical and human form; the narration shifts focus from character to character, Netta, Garin and Loic voicing their own accounts in the third person while Aurelie's takes a third-person limited form. Vivid descriptions and intricate plot twists convey that most traditional element of all faerie stories-the misunderstandings between humans and the Fae despite the best intentions. (Fantasy. YA)From the Publisher
“Intriguing fantasy . . . a Shakespearean tangle of love stories.”—Booklist, Starred Review “Political intrigue, star-crossed lovers, and the intermingling of two distinct worlds make for an exciting and intricate tale. The many characters and situations are fully realized and spellbound readers will be hoping for a sequel.”—School Library Journal
“Sharply realized characters abound in both magical and human form. . . . Vivid descriptions and intricate plot twists convey that most traditional element of all faerie stories—the misunderstandings between humans and the Fae despite the best intentions.”—Kirkus Reviews “Aurelie is a wonderful introduction to the world of Faerie, one which is consistent with traditional myths—such as sighting ointment and faerie revels—yet keeps the lore from becoming overwhelming by limiting its scope.”—KLIATT