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57th out of 328 books
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496 voters
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The Tree Shepherd's Daughter (Faire Folk #1)
When her mother dies, fifteen-year-old Keelie Heartwood is forced to leave her beloved California to live with her nomadic father at a renaissance festival in Colorado. After arriving, Keelie finds men in tights and women in trailer trash-tight bodices roaming half-drunk, calling each other lady and lord even after closing time Playacting the Dark Ages is an L.A. girl's w
...morePaperback, 331 pages
Published
September 8th 2007
by Flux
(first published September 1st 2007)
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I liked this very much--the girl with "tree" allergies is sent to her father on her mother's death, only to learn that her allergies are the proof that she is a tree shepherd, that her father is an elf who never divorced her mother, and that he lives from Renaissance Faire to Renaissance Faire.
I literally read this in one day. I'm looking for the next book even as I type, and I understand the final book is scheduled for publication in the spring!
I literally read this in one day. I'm looking for the next book even as I type, and I understand the final book is scheduled for publication in the spring!
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I'm undecided on reading this or not. Even Vivian Vande Velde's Heir Apparent got annoying after a while (and I adore her).
I've been hearing great stories about the renaissance faire/role playing/laire (like in the film Role Models) subculture in town lately and it kinda amuses me. They eat at a chinese food place called "Chop sticks" before every battle, just like "The King" from Role Models in the "Burger Hut". The best part is that there is this creep...more
I've been hearing great stories about the renaissance faire/role playing/laire (like in the film Role Models) subculture in town lately and it kinda amuses me. They eat at a chinese food place called "Chop sticks" before every battle, just like "The King" from Role Models in the "Burger Hut". The best part is that there is this creep...more
I bought the book without reading the premise and just off of the cover. From what it says, it sounds like a pretty shallow story doesn’t it? But actually it wasn’t.
I loved the whole renaissance festival atmosphere of the story and all the different intriguing characters that make up it. I was totally expecting this to be about fairies but it wasn’t. The book was pretty linear with a few twists but it was a nice, happy novel that won’t leave you in fits. I thought it was interesting ...more
I loved the whole renaissance festival atmosphere of the story and all the different intriguing characters that make up it. I was totally expecting this to be about fairies but it wasn’t. The book was pretty linear with a few twists but it was a nice, happy novel that won’t leave you in fits. I thought it was interesting ...more
I too liked the idea behind these books more than the books. They were poorly developed overall. I love the premise behind the books (and there are some really imaginative scenes) but after reading the two of them I was left feeling that they could have been so much better! I am not sure what to rate them - PG-13 - there are just a couple of needless sentences that take these beyond PG.
I'd actually give it a star and a half if I could.
On the plus side, it has her dealing with the grief of losing a mother. And since the action takes place over the time of a week, I am glad that she isn't 'over' it by the end of the book. It also has her and her dad developing a relationship which has been next to non-existent for the past 14 years. OK, good so far.
I also liked the idea of her ability to touch a tree and know everything about it. That was an inter...more
On the plus side, it has her dealing with the grief of losing a mother. And since the action takes place over the time of a week, I am glad that she isn't 'over' it by the end of the book. It also has her and her dad developing a relationship which has been next to non-existent for the past 14 years. OK, good so far.
I also liked the idea of her ability to touch a tree and know everything about it. That was an inter...more
The book reveals the magic beneath the surface of ordinary life, teaches us bravery, devotion, how to fight for higher goals, with pure heart, without sparing ourselves for the sake of other people.
Keeliel teaches us how to find in ourselves a strength we never even knew we had, a strength that will help us survive, standing firmly and proudly on our feet, to respect ourselves, but to remember not to ignore other peoples needs and feelings.
Most importantly, Gillian’s book reminds ...more
I loved the Renaissance Faire setting, which I found quite original, and the premise of this book, but was a bit let down by the execution, both in writing style and development of themes and characters. The author takes on some big issues--loss of a parent, developing individuality and self-esteem--but overall the effect is not well-developed and for me at least comes across as a bit shallow, with some characters (like the resident mean girl and romantic rival, Elia) broad cliches. I enjoyed th...more
This book was very interesting for me because it was about how a 15 year old girl called Keelie had to move to Colorado because her mom had died in California and she didn't want to leave California.She did not want to live with her nomadic father in Colorado.She plans on leaving Colorado but very strange things start to happen like fairies attacking her,she starts to communicate with trees and other things,she has a ear that is growing more bigger than her other ear.I think that i liked reading...more
Great premise. Interesting characters. Cool story. I am immediately starting the next book in high hopes of great improvement. Kept me up late at night reading in spite of some major flaws. This rating is more of a minus two stars for the flaws, rather than only three stars for the book. Writing lesson: Transitions are good. Abrupt changes in direction or scene are not. Jumping and skittering about instead of writing smoothly is annoying, although it may be a consequence of text messaging. A lot...more
After reading this book I felt really frustrated! It could have been a fabulous book, the author has great ideas but forgets about half of them as he writes. Also had issue with the fact that the book takes place over the time span of a week. Felt the book was a little slow and left a lot of things without the slightest explanation. (i.e. - while attending a Faire meeting, the floorboards of the building start growing mysteriously and Keelie just decides to leave the meeting with Raven and g...more
Excellent series. I was desperate to find a fantasy trilogy that wasn't deadly dark with way-too serious characters and story line. (I get enough horrid stories with my life work.) HUMOR! That was the missing element - liberally sprinkled through Gillian Summers work.
These may be "California teen" books and I maybe 60 yrs old, but I couldn't put them down. All my favorite elements were there - great story lines, wonderful character development (and lots of great characters)...more
These may be "California teen" books and I maybe 60 yrs old, but I couldn't put them down. All my favorite elements were there - great story lines, wonderful character development (and lots of great characters)...more
The reason I give it a C+ is because Keelie's attitude started to strain my nerves very quickly. She whined a lot and it started to get redundant. She kept up her plans to leave practically right to the very end. The plot seemed shaky and the romance was very much lacking. So the final scenes flopped.
The great thing about this book though is the humor. I found myself laughing constantly. Keelie may not have a backbone more than half the time, but she sure does have a strong wit...more
The great thing about this book though is the humor. I found myself laughing constantly. Keelie may not have a backbone more than half the time, but she sure does have a strong wit...more
The Tree Shepherd's Daughter by Gillian Summer is a delightful Renaissance Faire tale abound with magic and mayhem that grabs the reader from page one and bewitches you right through to the last page. A young adult novel to devour no matter what age you are.
Keelie Heartwood is the typical California girl in every way until the loss of her mother due to an accident. Confused, angry, resentful, determined, Keelie is not about to give up her California girl ways without a fight.
...more
Keelie Heartwood is the typical California girl in every way until the loss of her mother due to an accident. Confused, angry, resentful, determined, Keelie is not about to give up her California girl ways without a fight.
...more
Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com
Keelie Hartwood has always been used to the life of luxury, especially since she is always pampered, living in Los Angeles. Then the unthinkable happens: her mom passes away, and she finds herself on a plane to Colorado with her mother's attorney as an escort.
On her way to the High Mountain Renaissance Festival, Keelie is sent to live with her father, who works at the festival and who she has ...more
Keelie Hartwood has always been used to the life of luxury, especially since she is always pampered, living in Los Angeles. Then the unthinkable happens: her mom passes away, and she finds herself on a plane to Colorado with her mother's attorney as an escort.
On her way to the High Mountain Renaissance Festival, Keelie is sent to live with her father, who works at the festival and who she has ...more
Interesting book with a story line that could be really great; I enjoyed it, but feel no need to add it to my personal collection. Fun story but the writing is a bit choppy and irrational at times...of course it's about a 15 year old girl who's mom just died in a plane crash and she's now going to live with the father she doesn't know but always wanted to be close to- at a renaissance faire...where all sorts of odd things happen. It just doesn't stand up to Tamora or Terry or Sharon or Gail...
This is one of those books where the cover caught my eye, I scanned over the synopsis and thought, hey I'll give it a try. It is a story of a girl whose mother was killed in an airplane crash and she is sent to live with her biological father who is a Renaissance faire worker.
It was definitely what I would call a "fluff" read. Easy reading, but kind of a choppy story line in places. I enjoyed the whole Renaissance atmosphere. It was cute, I'll read the rest of the trilogy,...more
It was definitely what I would call a "fluff" read. Easy reading, but kind of a choppy story line in places. I enjoyed the whole Renaissance atmosphere. It was cute, I'll read the rest of the trilogy,...more
I am a HUGE Renaissance Festival fan and this year at the CRF, there was a tent set up outside the entrance. The author of this series was there selling books and signing autographs. I am THRILLED that I stopped in to browse. What a fun adventure I've had reading the first two books in the series. I'm a child at heart and want desperately to believe in elves/fairies/etc...and this book brings them alive in a wonderful way. Have fun with it and let yourself believe.
I used to go to the Faires, which is part of the reason I picked up this trilogy at the library. In all honesty, it was a little on the "granola" side with lots of cheap shots taken at modern day conveniences.
Once I saw past these things, I made it through, which says a lot because if I dont like a book, I dont waste my time finishing it. Not quickly, as it was not a "page-turner" but I enjoyed it.
But I want to smack Keelie, she's a brat. Normally I would s...more
Once I saw past these things, I made it through, which says a lot because if I dont like a book, I dont waste my time finishing it. Not quickly, as it was not a "page-turner" but I enjoyed it.
But I want to smack Keelie, she's a brat. Normally I would s...more
Donna
rated it
This is really good YA fiction. The main character is very believable as a teenage girl, ping-ponging between being sweet, snarky, cool, dorky, smart and clueless. I liked her. This is the kind of book I loved as teenager, about finding out that you're not just a boring suburban kid, but something really cool, in this case, an elf with magical powers. I'd still like to find that out about myself! I'm already reading the second book in this series.
Keelie's mom has just died, forcing her to move in with her dad. Now, this would be normal, except.....
Her dad is Zekeliel Heartwood, and he works at Renaissance Faires. Not only does her dad work with wood, but he is the tree shepard...
Keelie has one pointed ear. Trees talk to her. This LA girl just wants to return to her old life.
And then the evil guy who shares his name with a mushroom turns up.
Her dad is Zekeliel Heartwood, and he works at Renaissance Faires. Not only does her dad work with wood, but he is the tree shepard...
Keelie has one pointed ear. Trees talk to her. This LA girl just wants to return to her old life.
And then the evil guy who shares his name with a mushroom turns up.
I haven't been able to really sit down lately and read a good book. This one had me from the start. It's about a girl that has lost her mother and has to go and live with her Father, who is in the Renaissance Faire circuit. I don't want to spoil anything, because I know there's people that I know who want to read it now. It's definitely a page turner, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
I picked this because it had a "chosen by the teen advisory board" sticker on it. I don't agree with the teen advisory board. The idea behind the plot was interesting, but the story was disjointed and the characters weren't as deep as they could have been. I won't be reading the rest of the trilogy, but I don't entirely regret reading this.
Grumpy LA teenager sent to live with her father who is a woodworking Renaissance faire vendor/follower. If that isn't tragic enough in the life of a teen, there is something not altogether . . . human . . . about her dad. Along with a menacing presence, herbalist, native American, and faire groupies, this is a great novel.
I guess this could have been an interesting story, if it wasn't so poorly written. I found all the characters very underdeveloped and the main character was frustratingly stupid at times. This was another book that felt like it was written in a high school creative writing class. I'm not even a little bit interested in reading more of this series.
I have been freinds with more SCA folk than I realised, until I read this book. I saw my freinds in her descriptions and I loved the veiws of an outsider among people I consider my own. This book is enchanting and yet has the depth of sorrow that makes you empathetic towards the main character. She's quirky and quick. Read it for yourself and read it to your children. It will help everyone find a little magic in the mundane and the extraodinary.
Suzanne Schack
added it
I have read and re-read this book-I love it! I can't wait to see what I didn't see the other times I read about Keelie and her adventures. With each book that comes out, I read again to remind myself how wonderful it is! To all those who feel like they're stuck in two worlds, read this book! :)
I picked this up after reading a review from Tamora Pierce. I really liked this. The characters are well written, the plot-line clean and tight. I wish there wasn't the very obvious "good guy/bad guy" delineation, but it wasn't enough to put me off. Here's hoping that the "bad guys" are allowed some form of redemption at some point since no one is all bad.
Indira
added it
Recommends it for:
young adults and lovers of fairies and magic
Recommended to Indira by:
the cover
I saw the cover of this book and I was sold, so I plunked down my pennies, and here I am in bed with this book. I will add to this review as I complete it.
Okay, so I finished it. Who said the cover was ugly? That's the best part of the book!
It is probably a pretty good book for teens, though I am not sure about the grappling parts; I didn't do that when I was 15.
The book has some implausible parts, even for fairies. Kinda skips to the evil thing in the fores...more
Okay, so I finished it. Who said the cover was ugly? That's the best part of the book!
It is probably a pretty good book for teens, though I am not sure about the grappling parts; I didn't do that when I was 15.
The book has some implausible parts, even for fairies. Kinda skips to the evil thing in the fores...more
One of the most amazing books I've read in a long time! In the middle of the second book to the series and its just as good. I definitely recommend this book to anybody who likes books with an earthy theme and of course fairies make anything better!
Keelie Heartwood’s mother has died and she’s got to live with her father who travels around the Renaissance fair circuit. This is not what a sophisticated girl from LA wants. Good story and I look forward to the next installment!
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A forest dweller, Gillian was raised by gypsies at a Renaissance Faire. She likes knitting, hot soup, costumes and adores oatmeal, especially in the form of cookies. She loathes concrete, but tolerates it if it means attending a science fiction convention. She's an obsessive collector of beads, recipes, knitting needles and tarot cards, and admits to reading InStyle Magazine. You can find her in h...more
More about Gillian Summers...
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