I don't know if everyone will like this book. I like it from a writerly standpoint and knowing that it is written for the Independent Reader level (about 8 to 12 years old).

There are passages I want to read over and over because they are beautifully written--poetic prose, if you will. Basil is a lovable little character, and I also love the World Tree element that keep cropping up in children's literature nowadays (for example, in [author: Michael Scott]'s [book: The Alchemyst] and [author: Joanne Harris]'s [book: Runemarks]). All in all I would describe this book as very pensive, and quotable. There's something I want to quote in just about every chapter.

However, readers expecting some sort of quickly plotted narrative, or a boy-girl romance, will be disappointed. There are barely even humaoid characters in here!

The plot/theme ranges from the very basic (Who am I? What am I? Where am I now?!? Ack, get away from me, predator!) to the nebulous and philosophical (Why am I so small? I want to be big!! Wait, is it ok to be small? Am I supposed to be something someday that I am not now, or do I need to become content with myself as I am?) and I know a lot of readers who will be looking only for movie-like action-adventure big explosions, etc. To those people I say, go read the Inheritance series, much good may it do you.

I loved this book. I'm going to read it again.