This beautiful heartbreaking novel inspired by Narnia ripped my heart out and then put it back again. Its the after story, of what happened after Narnia! I loved not only the atmospheric descriptions but the complex relationship between the siblings.

Evelyn’s longing to go back to what she views as her true world of The Woodlands is put at odds with her sister Phillipa’s and brother Jamie’s desire to stay in the world they were returned to and build a life there. Evelyn’s longing, borders on, not only depression, but severe PTSD style depression. While I have never been depressed to the point of suicide and found this hard to get through and in some ways relate to. I so do identify with her need to return to the place her heart and soul feel safe and loved, her deep rooted sense of place, and her understanding that their is something more than this world.

Phillipa’s desire of wanting to put everything behind her yet having to protect and care for her sister who is so devestated by their current situation, is something that I don’t relate to as closely. But I too, know that their is something more and desire it to come, yet I to am also swayed by and attached to this world and all it offers both good and bad. Its the ultimate story of home, and belonging and it’s beautiful, poignant, heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time and I can’t recommend it more!