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100 Cupboards #3
The Chestnut King
Henry's final battle has arrived in the third book of the bestselling 100 Cupboard series, about 100 cupboard doors leading to 100 worlds of adventure!
Hidden cupboards behind Henry's bedroom wall unlocked portals to other worlds that Henry and his cousin Henrietta couldn't resist exploring. But they made one terrible mistake-- they released the undying witch Nimiane. Her goal? To drain all life from every world connected to the cupboards. Henry must seek out the Chestnut King to defeat her, but doing so comes at a price--one that will force Henry to make a terrible, irreversible choice. With the fate of the worlds and everyone Henry loves hanging in the balance, will he have the courage to do what is needed to destroy the witch once and for all?
Want to know where the cupboards came from? Don't miss the latest book in the series, The Door Before!
Praise for the 100 Cupboards series:
"A must-read series!" --The Washington Post
"This is my favorite kind of fantasy." --Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Hidden cupboards behind Henry's bedroom wall unlocked portals to other worlds that Henry and his cousin Henrietta couldn't resist exploring. But they made one terrible mistake-- they released the undying witch Nimiane. Her goal? To drain all life from every world connected to the cupboards. Henry must seek out the Chestnut King to defeat her, but doing so comes at a price--one that will force Henry to make a terrible, irreversible choice. With the fate of the worlds and everyone Henry loves hanging in the balance, will he have the courage to do what is needed to destroy the witch once and for all?
Want to know where the cupboards came from? Don't miss the latest book in the series, The Door Before!
Praise for the 100 Cupboards series:
"A must-read series!" --The Washington Post
"This is my favorite kind of fantasy." --Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times bestselling author
482 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
180 people are currently reading
3454 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 546 reviews
December 20, 2018
This is my second read-through of the 100 Cupboards series, and I just want to take a minute to call attention to something. I noticed it the first go-around, but it stuck out even more this time. I am referring to N.D. Wilson's rare and remarkable ability to write children's fantasy stories with compelling roles for parents/adults.
Why is this so rare, so difficult to achieve? My guess is because in real life situations, it is the grown-ups who are generally in control. Kids in trouble and danger are going to head to Mom and Dad for help. In a fictional story, however, young characters will not hold much interest to readers if they are not forced to face challenges on their own, to change and grow.
This is probably why fiction breeds so many orphans, why parental figures so rarely play a major part in children's books. It's a tricky game, keeping the focus on a young character if they have that safety net of trustworthy adults beneath them. There's not a lot of drama in that.
But Wilson somehow escapes all the pitfalls, incorporating great adult characters into his books, while at the same time never letting them detract from his younger heroes and heroines.
Anyway. Brilliant characters. Brilliant book. Brilliant series.
Why is this so rare, so difficult to achieve? My guess is because in real life situations, it is the grown-ups who are generally in control. Kids in trouble and danger are going to head to Mom and Dad for help. In a fictional story, however, young characters will not hold much interest to readers if they are not forced to face challenges on their own, to change and grow.
This is probably why fiction breeds so many orphans, why parental figures so rarely play a major part in children's books. It's a tricky game, keeping the focus on a young character if they have that safety net of trustworthy adults beneath them. There's not a lot of drama in that.
But Wilson somehow escapes all the pitfalls, incorporating great adult characters into his books, while at the same time never letting them detract from his younger heroes and heroines.
Anyway. Brilliant characters. Brilliant book. Brilliant series.
June 3, 2017
Read this before, maybe it was in manuscript. Listened to it again on Audible. Still marvelous.
February 4, 2010
Simply gorgeous. C. S. Lewis once said that Lord of the Rings burned like cold iron, but, you know, in a good way. Wilson's Chestnut King sears like ice-fire, a glorious euchatastrophe, a beautiful and at times terrifying story that caps off the trilogy very well. In fact, in reading the book I found myself doing something I have't done since I was young. I stayed up late reading, desperately devouring every page. The metaphors are well done, the allusions to classical literature all in place, and the triumph of creation over darkness. I think he really accomplished what he wanted with the story, that of making an American-flavored fantasy. There is a magic door in Kansas that opens into the air, like an American Narnia.
And the book also features the best scene I have seen N.D. write yet, a scene between Frank and a sea captain who knew him long ago. The scene built perfectly, shifted mood and peaked, and ended wonderfully. There are a few nitpicky points where the story seemed to need expanding (like, for instance, why didn't we learn about the Emperor in book two?). There is an undeveloped subplot between the Emperor's sons, jealousy, envy, and so forth that was just lost in the mix that would have, I think, really added to the story. But oh well. As I said, nitpicky. Get. Read. Enjoy. And the next time the world is birthed again into spring, don't step on the dandelions. They have a magic, and it is a blazing fire.
And the book also features the best scene I have seen N.D. write yet, a scene between Frank and a sea captain who knew him long ago. The scene built perfectly, shifted mood and peaked, and ended wonderfully. There are a few nitpicky points where the story seemed to need expanding (like, for instance, why didn't we learn about the Emperor in book two?). There is an undeveloped subplot between the Emperor's sons, jealousy, envy, and so forth that was just lost in the mix that would have, I think, really added to the story. But oh well. As I said, nitpicky. Get. Read. Enjoy. And the next time the world is birthed again into spring, don't step on the dandelions. They have a magic, and it is a blazing fire.
October 26, 2012
I loved this book. It was my favorite out of the whole trilogy.
I laughed (out loud.)
I cried (like a small child.)
I smiled (like a loon.)
At times I was reminded of Tolkien and C. S Lewis in the writing and story plot. Not in a bad way. In a nostalgic way. The symbolism is what reminded me of C.S Lewis and also the wars. When reading one passage in particular I was reminded of the battle of Christianity against the fallen world and the meaning of salvation:
"Silence! Jacques is in the right. Her evil cannot reach us here. Let us burn the ancient three-mace trees and close off the ancient ways. Tear down the tower, the crown of our barrow, and let us hide ourselves from evil. Let no one leave the mound, and if evil grows, we shall flee farther."
"No!" Nudd roared. "Let evil hear the pounding of our feet! Let evil hear out drumming and our chanting songs of war. Let evil fear us! Let evil flee! In any world, may dark things know our names and fear. May their vile skins creep and shiver at every mention of the faeren. Let the night flee before the dawn and darkness crowd into the shadows. We march to war!"
I richness of the characters is one thing that sets this book apart. The characters all play a role, have their own courage, have their own personality, and all fight for what they believe in.
Update: A few days later I was reading. book on mythology and came across a passage talking about the god, Dionysus. He was captured by pirates and magically made vines sprout from the ship and the pirates jumped off the ship. That reminds me of Monmouth's story of changing the ships' planks to trees.
I laughed (out loud.)
I cried (like a small child.)
I smiled (like a loon.)
At times I was reminded of Tolkien and C. S Lewis in the writing and story plot. Not in a bad way. In a nostalgic way. The symbolism is what reminded me of C.S Lewis and also the wars. When reading one passage in particular I was reminded of the battle of Christianity against the fallen world and the meaning of salvation:
"Silence! Jacques is in the right. Her evil cannot reach us here. Let us burn the ancient three-mace trees and close off the ancient ways. Tear down the tower, the crown of our barrow, and let us hide ourselves from evil. Let no one leave the mound, and if evil grows, we shall flee farther."
"No!" Nudd roared. "Let evil hear the pounding of our feet! Let evil hear out drumming and our chanting songs of war. Let evil fear us! Let evil flee! In any world, may dark things know our names and fear. May their vile skins creep and shiver at every mention of the faeren. Let the night flee before the dawn and darkness crowd into the shadows. We march to war!"
I richness of the characters is one thing that sets this book apart. The characters all play a role, have their own courage, have their own personality, and all fight for what they believe in.
Update: A few days later I was reading. book on mythology and came across a passage talking about the god, Dionysus. He was captured by pirates and magically made vines sprout from the ship and the pirates jumped off the ship. That reminds me of Monmouth's story of changing the ships' planks to trees.
September 27, 2022
Great ending to a great series. While I don't always enjoy omniscient voice as much as 3rd person, N. D. Wilson does it well. He also does a great job of crafting realistic characters, abilities, and accomplishments that work with their age yet deal in high stakes.
November 21, 2012
The 5-star rating is for the series as a whole. There is such a joy in falling into a fantasy world crafted by a person whose worldview I agree with, and whose writing I already respect. I got to experience that joy with this series. I have read N.D. Wilson's "Notes from a Tilt-a-Whirl" and grown in my grasp of how incredible God is, and how truly "magical" this world is in which we live. Examples: Magnetism is an invisible force. Our earth spins around the sun. Muskrats build really thick huts when they sense a hard winter is coming. Those simple things are amazing, and we ought to marvel, while worshipping the Creator who made them. Elements of that mentality pervade this series, and more than once we see that what is ordinary is actually incredible. That humility and self-sacrifice are the greatest mark of true power and virtue. That there IS such thing as virtue.
I loved that the story arc didn't just include "stuff happening" but characters growing in self-control and love. And I certainly loved the way the story reflects the Great Story.
Get lost in this world. You won't regret it.
I loved that the story arc didn't just include "stuff happening" but characters growing in self-control and love. And I certainly loved the way the story reflects the Great Story.
Get lost in this world. You won't regret it.
March 16, 2021
Creative genius.
Eucastrophe.
Eucastrophe.
January 21, 2025
1/20/25: guys my internship apps are NOT getting written i finished this while ostensibly locking in w nora and hannah… yeah um
7th reread?? why 7 for this one but 6 for the others? did i mess up somewhere?
okay ummm thoughts perchance…
- DF is a fever dream this is a waking dream. literally what there were like 293857 plotlines occurring at the same time
- tbh. Never really registered how large scale this entire thing is. the emperor vs tiny little hylfing. so much war and henry casually bargaining with the chestnut king
- i was like wilson you arent slick with your biblical references and then remembered it took me until 2022 to realize where Endor comes from LOLKLAJKFJAKFJS (anyway i read a wilson book and im like okay man classical homeschooling moment)
- yeah fine this book lowkey makes me want to cry sometimes
- one of the things i think about when i read these is the timeline bc franks older than the twins but pen is only 14 so frank and dotty had kids later than the books tend to imply i think idk the timelines are a little fudged bc henrys the youngest of 9 and now im curious how old grandmother anastasia really was by the end. also i want to know about frank and dottys endor moment yeeoiwwww
- okaayyy back into my dms... tis funny it takes a moment for henry to be like oh y'all are TWINS
- THE FACT THAT HES ALIVE BC DANDELIONS ARE A FAST GROWING WEED YEEHEEEEE it's neat all the brands of greenery have different potencies and abilities
- everybody trying to keep henry alive yet again and hes like actually i should die everything would be better lol @ 2018 me down there
- my favorite: monmouth turning the galley into a floating forest
- the first time I read this book I remember skipping the galley sequence which is an INSANE thing to do. it's actually so good and painful, frank and the captain squaring off about the westmores' existence in hylfing and then the slaves and the revolts and allat happening. idk tis crazy. they went through hell dear lord
- fat frank through this book goes CRAZYYYY YEEHEEEEEE okay half suicidal faerie who's stopped only by having three kids in his care now
- idc what anyone says frank willis is the most romantic character in these books
- the h/h/z endor sequence is awesome. i enjoyed that. lots happening. henry lighting up his fathers old vines is epic. the kids are all insane and the jerky... lmao...
- oh yeah lol the fingerlings are like.... girl???? scawy... funny that coradin rebelled though. lets go
- love the chestnut king thing. trees moment. hi jacques hi thorn
- sometimes i wonder whats going through the twins' heads half the time especially when henry shows up in endor and is like YEAH THEY TOOK EVERYBODY BTW!!!! they are not different from their younger selves in door before would rather sacrifice themselves for everybody else (henry)
- YOU ARE OLD
- NO ONE HITS THE MACCABABY
- grandmother anastasia's dreams... me when sobbbb. the field was all dandelions but henry didnt care
- so so so so so many banger lines in this book bruh
- okay blackstar epic awesome this world is so bewildering in so many ways the good old nonexistent magic system keeps striking lmao what is happening
- it would have been so freaking hilarious if it turned out henry was a right handed pitcher bc the brands on his right hand and his pitches go crooked at his strongest
- kinda truly insane he only has a fraction of mordecai's strength but bc he's dandelions he wins (and blackstar lol kiddo is getting involved in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE)
- i loooooove the ending chapters idc idc idc they're great and i love them
- this is really disjointed and makes no sense and also doesn't even hit the big things i was thinking about because this book is all over the place in so many ways and i love it okay whatever goofy AHHHH jshfjkshdfsgaskljdgjlkadflj hello strength and life and laughter. so many characters going everywhere at all times but henry at the dead center of it all. Obviously.
- hi mrs. johnson the GOAT
- wonder which school they went to in the end. university of kansas lmfao. hi mary youve gotten yourself involved in insanity
- (kind of think it would be really funny if the seventh son line ended w henry)
--
11/07/22: hi does someone wanna tell me why it took me until TODAY at SEVEN in the MORNING to realize that Endor is quite literally just from 1 Samuel 28. Literally What
10/27/22: I did the thing where I have a million and two thoughts while I read a book, finish it, and promptly forget ALL of them. the only thought that stuck with me is that literally everyone and their mothers have grey eyes waddaheck. ZEKE has grey eyes???? TIL I guess. apparently it's my SIXTH TIME reading this ???? WHAT lmao
you know what's really funny? the note i left here in 2019 - i was right, all along, and i didn't even know it because i was a fool who didn't understand half of the stuff i was reading. good JOB!!!
anyway yeahhh i had thoughts. where are they?? i just ate three cookies in a row which was an AWFUL idea for multiple reasons. uhhhh oh right! dandelions are cool. I think it's funny that Coradin shows up to replace Darius as Nimiane's Big Bad except he actually deserves pity. suddenly very very curious about Amram and Anastasia's stories. there are so many GORGEOUS quotes in this book i like Wilson's writing style quite a lot in these. and again there is no SHOT henry is 12-13. Insanity, through and through. Beo and the raggant <33 FAT FRANK AND THE FAEREN. the scene where Monmouth calls Frank old is hysterical. baseball baseball baseball fun fact i am horrific at baseball (and most other sports) i discovered this when i was 9 and i have never tried to properly play it ever again. how do you HIT THE BALL. < girl who isn't sporty in the slightest horses are the extent of my "sports." Monmouth and his aspens are super cool. I apparently wrote with pencil in my book bc I found a couple places where I'd left random comments like bro I thought I left that habit back with my 11 year old self. this also definitely doesn't deserve 5 stars but i am not touching it, yet again, same with Dandelion Fire. i should REALLY be doing homework right now!!! it is funny bc I've historically read these books in Jan-March of each year but this year I waited until October. i think it's time to go reread Mapmakers again actually yeah I've got a few series I've just accidentally made into a yearly reread thing. sigh MG moment. The whole slave galley plot line was just a massive oof idk as i get older and continually reread middle grade books i read as a kid i'm always caught off guard by certain things that happen in them that are just absolutely jarring if you think too hard about them. Love middle grade. I have felt like i'm going to black out all day NICE. awesome.
"May your life be a truth, and your death a glory."
later: editing this to be serious for like two seconds. Spoilering because uhhh what am I even going on about tbh lmao I am EXHAUSTED. Not quite a spoiler for 100C, but spoils Ashtown and Outlaws of Time.
2/15/21 - apparently I actually read this once a year which is mildly impressive given that I was sort of joking about this being my yearly reread
(Also sometimes I just see the things I wrote on goodreads when I was 12 and die inwardly WHO let me on the INTERNET)
p.370 (paperback):
"Do not forget who you are."
"Who am I?" Henry asked. "I'm a boy with nightmares, a burned hand, a witch's blood in my face, and her voice in my head."
Henry's grandmother tipped up his chin and stared into his eyes. "You are Henry York Maccabee, seventh son of Mordecai Westmore, seventh son of Amram Iothric, in the line long faithful to the Old King, bone from my own bone, blood from my own blood. You are the pride of your father and the glory of your mother, a fire green and gold and a curse to darkness." She dropped her hand. "May you never need to be told again."
--
2017 - I love this book. It's such a perfect ending to the Cupboards trilogy! If I had time I would srsly write a rave review...but I don't, so I'll just say it is def. on my favorite books list.
[Thanks, Colson, for recommending Wilson]
~ ~ ~
2.10.19 - was having an absolute brainstorm, talking to a friend - and I'm still laughing at the ideas I came up with. My greatest one yet is the idea that the cupboards are each connected to a different parallel universe in the great big -coughs- MULTIVERSE considering all the different timelines they seem to be in, according to the front cupboard map.
(that was a reference -eyes a certain person- #42+)
Somehow they're scaring me with one word - "lost" "damage" "sealed" "vary delay" "varies" "shifting"
what
also goOd joB thE enDinG shIps
--
henry: can i die
zeke & henrietta:
henry: wouldn't it be a lot better if i were dead tho
henrietta:
henrietta: idiot
zeke: what why nO
1/26/20: I don't remember what I was on when I wrote the above but I MEAN IT PRETTY ACCURATELY SUMS UP THE ENTIRE BOOK
I friking love this book all of a sudden. Who knows why.
(Oh, and the amusing part is, it really is technically the multiverse.)
7th reread?? why 7 for this one but 6 for the others? did i mess up somewhere?
okay ummm thoughts perchance…
- DF is a fever dream this is a waking dream. literally what there were like 293857 plotlines occurring at the same time
- tbh. Never really registered how large scale this entire thing is. the emperor vs tiny little hylfing. so much war and henry casually bargaining with the chestnut king
- i was like wilson you arent slick with your biblical references and then remembered it took me until 2022 to realize where Endor comes from LOLKLAJKFJAKFJS (anyway i read a wilson book and im like okay man classical homeschooling moment)
- yeah fine this book lowkey makes me want to cry sometimes
- one of the things i think about when i read these is the timeline bc franks older than the twins but pen is only 14 so frank and dotty had kids later than the books tend to imply i think idk the timelines are a little fudged bc henrys the youngest of 9 and now im curious how old grandmother anastasia really was by the end. also i want to know about frank and dottys endor moment yeeoiwwww
- okaayyy back into my dms... tis funny it takes a moment for henry to be like oh y'all are TWINS
- THE FACT THAT HES ALIVE BC DANDELIONS ARE A FAST GROWING WEED YEEHEEEEE it's neat all the brands of greenery have different potencies and abilities
- everybody trying to keep henry alive yet again and hes like actually i should die everything would be better lol @ 2018 me down there
- my favorite: monmouth turning the galley into a floating forest
- the first time I read this book I remember skipping the galley sequence which is an INSANE thing to do. it's actually so good and painful, frank and the captain squaring off about the westmores' existence in hylfing and then the slaves and the revolts and allat happening. idk tis crazy. they went through hell dear lord
- fat frank through this book goes CRAZYYYY YEEHEEEEEE okay half suicidal faerie who's stopped only by having three kids in his care now
- idc what anyone says frank willis is the most romantic character in these books
- the h/h/z endor sequence is awesome. i enjoyed that. lots happening. henry lighting up his fathers old vines is epic. the kids are all insane and the jerky... lmao...
- oh yeah lol the fingerlings are like.... girl???? scawy... funny that coradin rebelled though. lets go
- love the chestnut king thing. trees moment. hi jacques hi thorn
- sometimes i wonder whats going through the twins' heads half the time especially when henry shows up in endor and is like YEAH THEY TOOK EVERYBODY BTW!!!! they are not different from their younger selves in door before would rather sacrifice themselves for everybody else (henry)
- YOU ARE OLD
- NO ONE HITS THE MACCABABY
- grandmother anastasia's dreams... me when sobbbb. the field was all dandelions but henry didnt care
- so so so so so many banger lines in this book bruh
- okay blackstar epic awesome this world is so bewildering in so many ways the good old nonexistent magic system keeps striking lmao what is happening
- it would have been so freaking hilarious if it turned out henry was a right handed pitcher bc the brands on his right hand and his pitches go crooked at his strongest
- kinda truly insane he only has a fraction of mordecai's strength but bc he's dandelions he wins (and blackstar lol kiddo is getting involved in EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE)
- i loooooove the ending chapters idc idc idc they're great and i love them
- this is really disjointed and makes no sense and also doesn't even hit the big things i was thinking about because this book is all over the place in so many ways and i love it okay whatever goofy AHHHH jshfjkshdfsgaskljdgjlkadflj hello strength and life and laughter. so many characters going everywhere at all times but henry at the dead center of it all. Obviously.
- hi mrs. johnson the GOAT
- wonder which school they went to in the end. university of kansas lmfao. hi mary youve gotten yourself involved in insanity
- (kind of think it would be really funny if the seventh son line ended w henry)
--
11/07/22: hi does someone wanna tell me why it took me until TODAY at SEVEN in the MORNING to realize that Endor is quite literally just from 1 Samuel 28. Literally What
10/27/22: I did the thing where I have a million and two thoughts while I read a book, finish it, and promptly forget ALL of them. the only thought that stuck with me is that literally everyone and their mothers have grey eyes waddaheck. ZEKE has grey eyes???? TIL I guess. apparently it's my SIXTH TIME reading this ???? WHAT lmao
you know what's really funny? the note i left here in 2019 - i was right, all along, and i didn't even know it because i was a fool who didn't understand half of the stuff i was reading. good JOB!!!
anyway yeahhh i had thoughts. where are they?? i just ate three cookies in a row which was an AWFUL idea for multiple reasons. uhhhh oh right! dandelions are cool. I think it's funny that Coradin shows up to replace Darius as Nimiane's Big Bad except he actually deserves pity. suddenly very very curious about Amram and Anastasia's stories. there are so many GORGEOUS quotes in this book i like Wilson's writing style quite a lot in these. and again there is no SHOT henry is 12-13. Insanity, through and through. Beo and the raggant <33 FAT FRANK AND THE FAEREN. the scene where Monmouth calls Frank old is hysterical. baseball baseball baseball fun fact i am horrific at baseball (and most other sports) i discovered this when i was 9 and i have never tried to properly play it ever again. how do you HIT THE BALL. < girl who isn't sporty in the slightest horses are the extent of my "sports." Monmouth and his aspens are super cool. I apparently wrote with pencil in my book bc I found a couple places where I'd left random comments like bro I thought I left that habit back with my 11 year old self. this also definitely doesn't deserve 5 stars but i am not touching it, yet again, same with Dandelion Fire. i should REALLY be doing homework right now!!! it is funny bc I've historically read these books in Jan-March of each year but this year I waited until October. i think it's time to go reread Mapmakers again actually yeah I've got a few series I've just accidentally made into a yearly reread thing. sigh MG moment. The whole slave galley plot line was just a massive oof idk as i get older and continually reread middle grade books i read as a kid i'm always caught off guard by certain things that happen in them that are just absolutely jarring if you think too hard about them. Love middle grade. I have felt like i'm going to black out all day NICE. awesome.
"May your life be a truth, and your death a glory."
later: editing this to be serious for like two seconds. Spoilering because uhhh what am I even going on about tbh lmao I am EXHAUSTED. Not quite a spoiler for 100C, but spoils Ashtown and Outlaws of Time.
2/15/21 - apparently I actually read this once a year which is mildly impressive given that I was sort of joking about this being my yearly reread
(Also sometimes I just see the things I wrote on goodreads when I was 12 and die inwardly WHO let me on the INTERNET)
p.370 (paperback):
"Do not forget who you are."
"Who am I?" Henry asked. "I'm a boy with nightmares, a burned hand, a witch's blood in my face, and her voice in my head."
Henry's grandmother tipped up his chin and stared into his eyes. "You are Henry York Maccabee, seventh son of Mordecai Westmore, seventh son of Amram Iothric, in the line long faithful to the Old King, bone from my own bone, blood from my own blood. You are the pride of your father and the glory of your mother, a fire green and gold and a curse to darkness." She dropped her hand. "May you never need to be told again."
--
2017 - I love this book. It's such a perfect ending to the Cupboards trilogy! If I had time I would srsly write a rave review...but I don't, so I'll just say it is def. on my favorite books list.
[Thanks, Colson, for recommending Wilson]
~ ~ ~
2.10.19 - was having an absolute brainstorm, talking to a friend - and I'm still laughing at the ideas I came up with. My greatest one yet is the idea that the cupboards are each connected to a different parallel universe in the great big -coughs- MULTIVERSE considering all the different timelines they seem to be in, according to the front cupboard map.
(that was a reference -eyes a certain person- #42+)
Somehow they're scaring me with one word - "lost" "damage" "sealed" "vary delay" "varies" "shifting"
what
also goOd joB thE enDinG shIps
--
henry: can i die
zeke & henrietta:
henry: wouldn't it be a lot better if i were dead tho
henrietta:
henrietta: idiot
zeke: what why nO
1/26/20: I don't remember what I was on when I wrote the above but I MEAN IT PRETTY ACCURATELY SUMS UP THE ENTIRE BOOK
(Oh, and the amusing part is, it really is technically the multiverse.)
June 14, 2025
Classic N.D. Wilson. A brilliant, wildly good story with impeccable worldbuilding, dandelion magic, and family relationships unbroken by fear or death. The ending fills my heart every time I read it. (And in my personal headcanon, Penelope and Monmouth get married someday, as well as Richard and Anastasia. ;) )
I can’t wait to return to this world (rather, these worlds) again.
🌰 content: violence, intense creepiness 🌰
I can’t wait to return to this world (rather, these worlds) again.
🌰 content: violence, intense creepiness 🌰
February 16, 2019
Being a new series is hard work. Readers finish the first installment, eager to jump into the next, but it doesn't release for another twelve months and memory dims. Interest fades. When book two is finally delivered, the process begins all over again.
Well, N.D. Wilson's 100 Cupboards trilogy is officially sealed and seasoned: you no longer have any excuse.
Once more I find myself protesting in a review: complex worlds with mazy customs and tongue-twisting names are not my cup of tea. But Wilson writes more than that. He combines, to quote Tamora Pierce, "the secret and the ordinary." Kansas and Hylfing. Black blades and baseball. Dream-walking and fathers and cousins and dandelions. And then slowly, you realize that the lines between "the secret and the ordinary" are blurred. Not just in other worlds. In ours.
People gush all the time about writers who weave words. Whose prose sings. Friend, countryman, show me the writers. I will show you N.D. Wilson.
When the faeren speak... Wilson has created his own delicious, lilting language of colloquialisms which, despite its beauty, you can actually hear someone speaking. Your eyes follow the words and you cannot help the desire to laugh out loud and repeat them out loud. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can only compare it to the words that flow from Lord Peter Whimsey's mouth. And you know Harriet married him just to hear him talk piddle. So this faeren-speak is good.
However, The Chestnut King is not all about pretty prattle. There is plot, and there is character, pressed down and shaken together and running over.
If you've never tried N.D. Wilson, I suggest acclimating yourself with Leepike Ridge , a fantastic stand-alone. Then, after your toes are wet and warm, scoop all three novels in the 100 Cupboards trilogy. You'll want to chain-read them. You'll get to chain-read them. Lucky you.
Well, N.D. Wilson's 100 Cupboards trilogy is officially sealed and seasoned: you no longer have any excuse.
Once more I find myself protesting in a review: complex worlds with mazy customs and tongue-twisting names are not my cup of tea. But Wilson writes more than that. He combines, to quote Tamora Pierce, "the secret and the ordinary." Kansas and Hylfing. Black blades and baseball. Dream-walking and fathers and cousins and dandelions. And then slowly, you realize that the lines between "the secret and the ordinary" are blurred. Not just in other worlds. In ours.
People gush all the time about writers who weave words. Whose prose sings. Friend, countryman, show me the writers. I will show you N.D. Wilson.
When the faeren speak... Wilson has created his own delicious, lilting language of colloquialisms which, despite its beauty, you can actually hear someone speaking. Your eyes follow the words and you cannot help the desire to laugh out loud and repeat them out loud. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can only compare it to the words that flow from Lord Peter Whimsey's mouth. And you know Harriet married him just to hear him talk piddle. So this faeren-speak is good.
However, The Chestnut King is not all about pretty prattle. There is plot, and there is character, pressed down and shaken together and running over.
If you've never tried N.D. Wilson, I suggest acclimating yourself with Leepike Ridge , a fantastic stand-alone. Then, after your toes are wet and warm, scoop all three novels in the 100 Cupboards trilogy. You'll want to chain-read them. You'll get to chain-read them. Lucky you.
November 4, 2023
Very vivid writing, it is easy to see in full detail the scenes he creates in these books. He also builds tension really well, and then the last 100 pages are just non-stop high-stakes action. Faeren magic and contracts were a little confusing. Satisfying ending to the trilogy
January 31, 2025
At first it was only gonna be fourish stars, maybe because the guy who reads it was gasping and panting the first half, maybe because it got disturbing and gory in places. (Probably) but it changes in the end and I really like it. The fact that all these events happen in the span of a few weeks it crazy, and the only thing wrong with it is that it's really not about the 100 Cupboards once you're like, ⅔ into the second. But overall this series was really good.
May 31, 2021
This is just a really good one. I echo everything in my Dandelion Fire review. I love the imagery of the dandelion. I love the variety of characters and how they get grafted into Henry's family. I love Nudd and the high and low faeren. I have a few quibbles—sometimes it feels like just a few too many characters (but then also, that feels realistic), and there are a lot of story threads to keep track of. But each of them ends so satisfyingly that I can't bear to knock any points off.
I love the baseball.
It's a wonderful fantasy because as much as it makes me long to have portals to other worlds and live in Hylfing, it also makes me love this world a lot.
“Your family draws death and evil like a tower draws lightning!” the captain yelled. “I'm not bringing you anything you didn't ask for!”
Frank twisted around in the soldiers’ grip. “Tall trees get struck. Ditch weeds got no cause for fear. They can watch out the window. Maybe later, they can blame the tree.”
~
Henry struggled, but he had no arms to flail. A flash of gold spun in front of him, a living word, a defiant war cry, a weed. It twisted with green.
I can see, Henry thought. And then he heard, not the witch’s voice, not her anger or her deathly bitterness, he heard the dandelion’s burning song—a song of life, of laughter and death and life again, of wind and rain and sun, of ash and birth, of triumph and tragedy in every defeat. He watched and he heard and he ached, not with the physical pain but with desire, with a yearning for everything the dandelion was, for everything it promised.
I love the baseball.
It's a wonderful fantasy because as much as it makes me long to have portals to other worlds and live in Hylfing, it also makes me love this world a lot.
“Your family draws death and evil like a tower draws lightning!” the captain yelled. “I'm not bringing you anything you didn't ask for!”
Frank twisted around in the soldiers’ grip. “Tall trees get struck. Ditch weeds got no cause for fear. They can watch out the window. Maybe later, they can blame the tree.”
~
Henry struggled, but he had no arms to flail. A flash of gold spun in front of him, a living word, a defiant war cry, a weed. It twisted with green.
I can see, Henry thought. And then he heard, not the witch’s voice, not her anger or her deathly bitterness, he heard the dandelion’s burning song—a song of life, of laughter and death and life again, of wind and rain and sun, of ash and birth, of triumph and tragedy in every defeat. He watched and he heard and he ached, not with the physical pain but with desire, with a yearning for everything the dandelion was, for everything it promised.
January 1, 2021
Saw another review and remembered that Wilson's parent characters are very well woven in--none of this kill-them-off or lie-to-them or keep-them-offscreen-as-much-as-possible. Of course, that's not saying that the kids sometimes don't try things without the parents' knowledge, but the parents are much more involved in the story as a whole without removing the kids' agency. This series is family-focused fiction in the best way.
May 8, 2016
Such imagination. Wilson's stories are so fun and meaningful.
February 13, 2016
N.D. Wilson has written an enthralling finish to the 100 Cupboards series. Although I got a little lost in the second book, I really enjoyed this read. I think the ingredients that created this enjoyment for me were as follows. Firstly, Henry was paired up for a lot of the book with his cousin Henrietta again, and I really enjoy the interaction Wilson writes between those two characters. It was nice to have Henry’s buddy Zeke very prominent throughout as well and him adventuring along with Henry and Henrietta was new and entertaining. Once again, Wilson’s style of writing, of using clever, vivid metaphors and imagery, (although still sometimes a little over the top for me and therefore confusing,) most of the time are extremely effective, and I can really see, smell, taste, feel, and hear what is going on. I also really liked the fact that Henry’s Aunt and Uncle and cousins, are all hurled into the adventure with his mother, father and sisters, and it is exciting to meet one of his biological brothers too. Uncle Frank’s cool and calm, down-to-earth Kansas comments in the midst of danger and treachery made me smile, and the ending... loved the ending! I would recommend this series for any adventure-loving reader. An exhilarating clash between fantasy and the real world, and the warm-and-fuzzies of family and, well, in Wilson’s case... baseball.
March 16, 2018
I don't know when I read these first, but I loved them just as much or more the second time.
They are grand. Lovely. Real. Endearing. Honest.
I'll stop thesaurusing.
I love Caleb and Tilly. I love Rags. I love Hylfing. I love the Franks. I love Hyacinth. I love Henry. And everyone, just everyone.
The story-telling, the imagery, the weaving of lessons without being preachy.
Also, the ENDING. It's kinda perfect.
I don't have much else to say. I love them. If you hadn't gathered that yet.
They are grand. Lovely. Real. Endearing. Honest.
I'll stop thesaurusing.
I love Caleb and Tilly. I love Rags. I love Hylfing. I love the Franks. I love Hyacinth. I love Henry. And everyone, just everyone.
The story-telling, the imagery, the weaving of lessons without being preachy.
Also, the ENDING. It's kinda perfect.
I don't have much else to say. I love them. If you hadn't gathered that yet.
October 16, 2019
I really enjoyed this series. The biggest problem with it, that came to a head in this final book, is the massive amount of characters and the lack of those character's development. As the series went on, you met more and more characters and didn't get to know too much about any of them and the ones that should have had better development, got little or none. Richard never went further than a comic relief and Uncle Frank should have had his character teased out more. Other than this problem, the books were great. I think the reason for this lack of development is just the massive cast and not enough time to properly give enough attention to each character.
April 11, 2025
took me for dang ever, but here's a leisure book I finished during the academic semester!
THIS SERIES IS SO AMAZING.
it's like Narnia combined with The Wizard of Oz and it's so beautiful. Somehow Wilson's pen (or printer) ink came out nostalgia-tinted. I don't know what to tell you but READ IT.
the whole series is beautiful.
THIS SERIES IS SO AMAZING.
it's like Narnia combined with The Wizard of Oz and it's so beautiful. Somehow Wilson's pen (or printer) ink came out nostalgia-tinted. I don't know what to tell you but READ IT.
the whole series is beautiful.
July 6, 2019
This is my favorite of the series. The family relationships are wonderful and heartwarming. The best part of the series in my mind is watching young kids grow up into men and women. As they mature Henry becomes strong, selfless and courageous. Henrietta becomes wise, soft towards others and willing to follow. I look forward to all of my kids reading these books.
June 25, 2019
I don’t know why this book took me so long. I audio booked it, and I wasn’t able to put it on 2X speed which I think would have helped.
I didn’t love this book. The writing and imagery was beautiful and Wilson had an amazing way of wording things, but the storyline was hard to concentrate on, and I have problems when storylines are too far from reality, like Stranger Things.
It was awesome to explore all these worlds and people, and I loved how it ended.
Another thing I loves we’re the relationships between the characters, and the different personalities of each character.
I didn’t love this book. The writing and imagery was beautiful and Wilson had an amazing way of wording things, but the storyline was hard to concentrate on, and I have problems when storylines are too far from reality, like Stranger Things.
It was awesome to explore all these worlds and people, and I loved how it ended.
Another thing I loves we’re the relationships between the characters, and the different personalities of each character.
October 18, 2023
A thrilling conclusion to a fantastic series!
Content:
Violence/creepiness
*Note: magic plays a role in the plot
Content:
Violence/creepiness
*Note: magic plays a role in the plot
September 18, 2025
100% yes. This is what I love N.D. Wilson for. Action, guts, glory, sacrificial love - this book is what all YA novels strive to be and will never become, because they're too full of themselves.
You can really see how much better the author is and how he crafts his story with care. The glorious prose which felt out of place in the second book of the series found its rightful place in this one.
A majestic story full of characters who are worthy of admiration.
You can really see how much better the author is and how he crafts his story with care. The glorious prose which felt out of place in the second book of the series found its rightful place in this one.
A majestic story full of characters who are worthy of admiration.
March 16, 2010
Who would have thought such lyrical sentences could be written about humble Kansas? I am absolutely captivated by Henry York and his travels throughout the 100 Cupboards. I just started Chestnut King last night and am absorbed already. N.D. Wilson is that rare writer who not only writes beautifully, but captures ones entire attention with his lovely prose! Bravo!
August 25, 2018
Been a while since I finished a book, but I am finally back in the swing of things!
Ahh, the Chestnut King. The epic finale to an amazing series. First I just want to say that N.D. Wilson is an amazing author. His writing style immediately draws me in, and it is something for me to look to when I need tips on how to write better.
Second, the ending. The ending was amazing. Throughout the whole series readers have been waiting for the epic confrontation: Henry vs. Nimiane. Let me say, it did not disappoint! The build up was so well done, and the result was fantastic.
Third, the conclusion to the story was great. It showed Henry easing back into life, but showing us that life will never be the same for him. But to Henry, he is satisfied with it just the way it is. Baseball and Dandelion flame.
Overall this was a great series. I don't really know how to rate each book, because I don't really think of them as individual books, but rather a story that was cut into thirds. The series I would rate five stars. Since I rated the other books four stars, I might as well stick to that, but the series was an overall five stars.
Great job N.D. Wilson, and I look forward to more of your books!
Ahh, the Chestnut King. The epic finale to an amazing series. First I just want to say that N.D. Wilson is an amazing author. His writing style immediately draws me in, and it is something for me to look to when I need tips on how to write better.
Second, the ending. The ending was amazing. Throughout the whole series readers have been waiting for the epic confrontation: Henry vs. Nimiane. Let me say, it did not disappoint! The build up was so well done, and the result was fantastic.
Third, the conclusion to the story was great. It showed Henry easing back into life, but showing us that life will never be the same for him. But to Henry, he is satisfied with it just the way it is. Baseball and Dandelion flame.
Overall this was a great series. I don't really know how to rate each book, because I don't really think of them as individual books, but rather a story that was cut into thirds. The series I would rate five stars. Since I rated the other books four stars, I might as well stick to that, but the series was an overall five stars.
Great job N.D. Wilson, and I look forward to more of your books!
October 31, 2018
The finally installment in the 100 Cupboards trilogy. Fingerlings and witch dogs. Green men and slave galleys. Aspen groves and dandelion down. Thieves and kings. Fading and finding and family.
Beautifully told. Satisfying to the end.
Beautifully told. Satisfying to the end.
March 23, 2021
>Edit< it occurred to me that there are really only two things that need to be said:
One, this series just can't be beat.
Two, no one hits the Maccababy.
I feel better now lol.
There's really so much to love here. Each book in this series just gets better and better. Kinna sad it's over now.
One, this series just can't be beat.
Two, no one hits the Maccababy.
I feel better now lol.
There's really so much to love here. Each book in this series just gets better and better. Kinna sad it's over now.
April 7, 2024
If I could give partial points I would give this a 3.5 but I’ll round up because a 3 is too low. Very good writing but honestly I was still confused by some parts. I think it could’ve been half the length and been more enjoyable but overall great writing and would recommend for young boys.
July 1, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. An excellent finish to a stupendous series.
October 28, 2018
Kept my interest all the way until the end 👍. A little bit disappointed with the ending. To cliche.
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