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Dandelion Fire (100 Cupboards #2)

by N.D. Wilson (Goodreads Author)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 2,228 ratings · 366 reviews

Henry York never dreamed his time in Kansas would open a door to adventure—much less a hundred doors. But a visit to his aunt and uncle’s farm took an amazing turn when cupboard doors, hidden behind Henry’s bedroom wall, revealed themselves to be portals to other worlds. Now, with his time at the farm drawing to a close, Henry makes a bold decision—he must go through the c...more

Hardcover, 480 pages

Published February 24th 2009 by Random House Books for Young Readers (first published December 8th 2008)

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Jan 09, 2010 Renee rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-fantasy

I almost never post reviews of subsequent titles in a series but this one was so much worse than the 1st, I have to post my review.

In the second installment of 100 Cupboards, Henry discovers that he is a 7th son with magical abilities, which forms a dandelion mark on his hand. Henry’s cousin Henrietta decides to adventure through the cupboards and her family follows her. A battle of good verses evil ensues. Though the idea of cupboards with hidden worlds is appealing as is the cute flying creat...more

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Jun 21, 2008 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First, I am a completely unobjective super-fan of both ND Wilson and this book. I did marry the boy (whose words I loved) and he did dedicate the book to me (so, in a way, he bought these five stars). But he's not on goodreads, so I can say whatever I want (right?). I enjoyed it immensely, especially everything to do with the faeren. I'm most curious how it will strike fans of 100Cs since I really am too close to the story to see it in its own right.

I just finished my first (gripped, laughing, c...more

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Mar 04, 2009 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A great action packed sequel to 100 Cupboards. I hope there will be additional books to tell us where the other cupboards go! (Later) There IS another book due out this year! Yeah! Called Chestnut King.

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Apr 30, 2010 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: family-read-alouds

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 26, 2013 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, children, family-story, fantasy

Henry York still bears the scars of his adventure with the 100 cupboards and the poisonous witch Nimiane when he hears that his adoptive parents are picking him up from Kansas in two weeks. Part of him wants to go back to that safety, but a bigger part wants to go back through the cupboards to all those strange lands to find out who he really is. Things become desperate when his magical seventh-son gifts develop all at once, when he sees the soul of a dandelion, which gets emblazoned on his palm...more

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Sep 17, 2012 Miranda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"What had changed the most about Henry York was inside his head. He'd uncovered a wall of doors in his attic room, and now he didn't know who he was." Henry York, only a few short weeks before, had been shipped to Henry, Kansas, seeing as his parents had been captured in some country somewhere and held for ransom. It was like he was sent to a whole other world. Before, he was treated like he was incredibly breakable. Now, he got to experience childhood to its fullest. A little bit beyond, maybe,...more

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May 21, 2012 Kevin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The second two volumes in the 100 Cupboards trilogy were interesting to me. I greatly enjoyed the first book, and felt that it was opening up a fascinating world, and I eagerly awaited learning about that world. However, Wilson takes a very "soft magic" approach to the series, and few answers are forthcoming, though many may be hinted at. Spoilers for the first volume follow. The story continues to follow Henry York, who now knowing that he is not from this world, wants nothing more than to avoi...more The second two volumes in the 100 Cupboards trilogy were interesting to me. I greatly enjoyed the first book, and felt that it was opening up a fascinating world, and I eagerly awaited learning about that world. However, Wilson takes a very "soft magic" approach to the series, and few answers are forthcoming, though many may be hinted at. Spoilers for the first volume follow. The story continues to follow Henry York, who now knowing that he is not from this world, wants nothing more than to avoid Boston and find the place he is truly from. However, he is still being hunted by the evil and immortal witch of Endor, who was not destroyed by being put through an unknown cupboard, but rather given an opportunity to find new servants. It is only as Henry begins his travels through many worlds that he realizes that this witch wants his particular blood and that he will not be safe until he is reunited with his family. Meanwhile, the witch's hunt drags the rest of Henry's family and friends from Kansas into the journey, and Henry's cousins discover that they may not be as rooted in Kansas as they had believed. These novels were very good, but they also show that Wilson has some room to improve as a writer. He excels at creativity and painting pictures of of large and mysterious worlds that feel quite deep. While the lack of explanations and softer world building isn't necessarily to my taste, I didn't find it to be detrimental to the books, and, in fact, I think that this might even make the series more exciting for young readers, as they can fill in the gaps with their own stories. The highlight of each of the novels in the series is the conclusion. Wilson showed an excellent hand at resolving issues and giving an emotionally satisfying conclusion that leaves a feeling of pleasurable contentment in your gut. So, in the end, where is the room for growth? Unfortunately, it's in characterization. I didn't feel like I was wrapped up in any of the characters, and the second two books introduce so many characters so quickly that you barely know them before you realize that they are major players. Still, I would recommend the series.(less)

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Mar 06, 2012 IndyPL Kids Book Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, fantasy

Dandelion Fire picks up the adventure begun in 100 Cupboards. Henry York is back in his Kansas bedroom sleeping next to his wall of 99 cupboard doors that lead to other worlds. Henry can’t sleep and he can’t stop thinking about what lies behind the doors.

When Henry discovers that he and uncle Frank actually come from one of the other worlds behind the magic cupboards, Henry can’t resist exploring in the cupboards again. Henry’s cousin Henrietta also can’t resist and is soon caught up in her own...more

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Mar 04, 2012 Mel B. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-loan

This book is more what I expected the first book to be -- exploring strange worlds. It seemed to better hit its stride.

Henry now knows he's adopted, and faces being retrieved by his re-appeared, cold parents, who would only ship him off to another school and nanny. He likes being stuck in Kansas.

He decides to try to leave through his grandfather's cupboard, but in the process, he becomes stricken by the second sight and knowing of a dandelion's life in a moment of time.

He goes temporarily bli...more

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Jan 09, 2012 Jami Zehr rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

Henry was a very special boy who lived with his parents until one day they were kidnapped and he was sent to live with her Uncle Frank, Aunt Dolly, and three cousins in Kansas. During his stay in Kansas Henry discovered 99 cupboards hidden behind the plaster in the wall behind his bed. With the help of his cousin Henrietta, Henry found one more cupboard in a secret room behind a secret door that was only opened with a magical key. Using dials located upstairs in the attic Henry and Henrietta exp...more Henry was a very special boy who lived with his parents until one day they were kidnapped and he was sent to live with her Uncle Frank, Aunt Dolly, and three cousins in Kansas. During his stay in Kansas Henry discovered 99 cupboards hidden behind the plaster in the wall behind his bed. With the help of his cousin Henrietta, Henry found one more cupboard in a secret room behind a secret door that was only opened with a magical key. Using dials located upstairs in the attic Henry and Henrietta explored the 100 magical cupboards with the help of their grandfather's diary. As a result of their adventures a boy Richard followed them back into the real world as well as an evil Queen that Henrietta and Richard managed to shove back through the cupboards into another world after Henry had fought her and gotten hurt.

In the second book to the series, Henry is starting to heal from his adventures with the 100 cupboards and dealings with the Evil Queen. His parents have been found and in two weeks he must return to live with them and leave Kansas. Henry has no desire to live with his adoptive parents. Henry was adopted because he is actually from one of the magical worlds behind one of the cupboard doors. He doesn't know which cupboard and he doesn't know why his biological parents sent him through the cupboards to Kansas. After the fight with the Evil Queen, Henry's cousin Henrietta buried the magical key that opened up the secret door to a secret room that led to the magical cupboards. Henry figures his only way to not go with his adoptive parents is to explore the cupboards again, and so he and Henrietta dig up the key. Then some magic happens right there in Henry, Kansas and it is the start of an all new adventure for Henry and Henrietta.

The second book in this series was extremely interesting. Once again the book deals with some dark and scary moments even though it is a book for kids. I've been telling the story to my 6 year old niece and I've prettied up the story a bit for her. Though the book is marketed toward younger readers I think it would depend upon the maturity of a kid as to whether this is a good series for them to read. I loved the mysteries presented in this book, the different connections that crept together, and was thoroughly surprised by the direction the book took.

There were some points in the book that felt like filler, but mostly everything that happened had a purpose by the end of the book. This is a great fantastical series with some overtones of Judeo/Christian beliefs that were not so heavy handed as to take away from the over all story of the book. I read through the book quickly and found it a fun read. It definitely did not go as I though the series would go, which was a pleasant surprise but also a bit off kilter from what the first book presented. I guess I thought I was going to get Indian in the Cupboard or Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and I got Harry Potter instead. A good book, an interesting series, and I am definitely going to read the third book. (less)

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Aug 24, 2011 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

Dandelion Fire is the second installment in the 100 Cupboards series, taking Henry out of Kansas and back into the cupboards in search of his identity. As far as action goes, this book does not disappoint. We find out quite a bit more about Henry’s past, his family, and why he was ever adopted in the first place. There is also an evil kidnapping wizard that is after Henry because of some newfound powers Henry has discovered. I am left definitely wanting to pick up and read the last book in the...more Dandelion Fire is the second installment in the 100 Cupboards series, taking Henry out of Kansas and back into the cupboards in search of his identity. As far as action goes, this book does not disappoint. We find out quite a bit more about Henry’s past, his family, and why he was ever adopted in the first place. There is also an evil kidnapping wizard that is after Henry because of some newfound powers Henry has discovered. I am left definitely wanting to pick up and read the last book in the series to find out how it all ends. This book is great, the story is interesting, and people should read it. I would probably rate it a 3.5, but cannot bring myself to round down to 3 stars (as that would be way too low) so I have bumped it up to 4. With that out of the way, I am a huge Wilson Fan and hope that the 3rd book feels more like the first one.

Book Two was very different from the first book and while I knew that the story would necessarily take a darker and more mature turn, but I wasn’t expecting the writing to feel as different as it did. I think this story got a little side-tracked at times with metaphors and descriptions that, while nice, left me confused as to what was actually happening in the plot. There is not much dialogue in this book, which might make it a harder read for some. The characters are still strong, but they do less of the work in this story, and events and descriptions sort of take over (if that makes any sense). I felt like I was two steps behind the whole time I was reading; not in a turn-the-page-read-faster kind of way, but instead, a go back and re-read something because I didn’t understand what just happened back there. The story was still very good and worth a few re-reads now and then to keep up, some new loveable characters were introduced, and like any good fantasy book, it inspires readers to boldness, and goodness. I will leave this review with a quote from Uncle Frank: “Sometimes winning a fight isn’t as important as standing in the right place, facing what needs to be faced. And sometimes standing in the right place means you end up dead. And that’s better than not standing at all.” (P. 375)
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Aug 24, 2011 Kirsten rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: couldn-t-put-it-down

I couldn't wait to burn through this book! I read it in just one day! ...amazing for a Mom with her 3 kids home on a summer day!! When I was at the book store and stumbled across this the second book in the 100 Cupboards series, I was so excited! I had read the first book years ago and somehow missed the sequel and was thrilled to find out that it was not the last book either and in fact N.D. Wilson had turned this exciting book into a Trilogy!! I was sold! I bought all three! And I am very glad...more

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May 14, 2011 Sarah Stevens rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book started a little slow for me. Henrietta was infuriating, Henry was being rather thick, and the plot lines began to get rather complicated without anything really happening.

However, I was rewarded for my perseverance, as the different events begin to point towards each other and the characters began to really make progress, both internally and externally. Despite my earlier misgivings, I became attached to almost all of the characters, and it greatly simplified things to realize certain...more

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Apr 02, 2011 April Knapp rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, favorites

Review Originally posted HERE

This review is for the entire trilogy.

I am not sure if I can put into words how much I LOVE this trilogy. And I am forever grateful to my sister for suggesting it to me and then buying me all three books. THIS is what a fantasy story should be. I can't even believe some people on Amazon gave it less than a 4 or 5. They couldn't have been reading the same books! OK-I will give you some concrete reasons now.

The character development is deep, meaningful and believable....more Review Originally posted HERE

This review is for the entire trilogy.

I am not sure if I can put into words how much I LOVE this trilogy. And I am forever grateful to my sister for suggesting it to me and then buying me all three books. THIS is what a fantasy story should be. I can't even believe some people on Amazon gave it less than a 4 or 5. They couldn't have been reading the same books! OK-I will give you some concrete reasons now.

The character development is deep, meaningful and believable. We see Henry grow from an unsure, frightened boy who pukes at the thought of danger to a warrior and hero. We see Henrietta grow from a bratty, mischievous and somehwat selfish girl to a caring, strong woman. Wilson's character development is so excellent that you feel like you are growing along with the characters. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest talents a fiction writer can possess.

I love Wilson's writing style. He describes things in detail, but is creatively indirect. He is also humourous and outside-the-box.
Wilson writes a very intricate story that can be understood on different levels, from the simple plot of good vs. evil to deep theological and philosophical themes. (For example, but not limited to, bond of family, the essence and nature of evil and good). Also, he is an excellent writer who keeps you wanting to turn the pages. It is nearly impossible to put down these books!

The 100 Cupboards Trilogy is a typical fantasy containing some typical fantasy-genre creatures, but Wilson also introduces some new, imaginative characters. My favorite being this little guy:

This is a ragnant. Isn't he adorable?

Finally, the story ended beautifully. I can't imagine it any other way. Everything is wrapped up and solved, but there is still an open-ending of possibilities, hinting that the story doesn't end there. The trilogy is done and I am sure Wilson will not write anymore about Henry, but I love novels that play with the reader's imagination so they can see beyond the story being told.

The Piece of Hair that Fell Into the Batter: Honestly, there is nothing about these books that I don't like. Some people on Amazon complained about the books being to violent for younger children. I don't think they are any different than The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, but if you have children, you may want to read it before them and decide for yourself.(less)

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Dec 01, 2010 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-100-book-challenge, books-i-own, mundie-moms-reviews, mundie-kids-reviews

Dandelion Fire picks up right where 100 Cupboards ended. Henry continues his journey into finding out who he is, but along the way meets some people who either want to claim him as his own or want to show him who he really is.

After a freak accident during a storm out by the barn with Henrietta, Henry is left blind and now he wears the mark of the Dandelion, who's fire burns through him. Henry returns to the cupboards he's forbidden to go in to, to find out what's happening to him and to find hi...more Dandelion Fire picks up right where 100 Cupboards ended. Henry continues his journey into finding out who he is, but along the way meets some people who either want to claim him as his own or want to show him who he really is.

After a freak accident during a storm out by the barn with Henrietta, Henry is left blind and now he wears the mark of the Dandelion, who's fire burns through him. Henry returns to the cupboards he's forbidden to go in to, to find out what's happening to him and to find his family he can't remember, but he has no idea that Henrietta secretly followed him in. I liked that while most of the story is about Henry and his journey, it's also about Henrietta and her journey in the cupboards as well. Secrets about their grandfather are brought to light, which put Henrietta in almost as much trouble as Henry is in. While both Henry and Henrietta are lost in the world of the cupboards, neither of knows their family has come looking for them.

An evil wizard has his eyes set on Henry and when Henry escapes him, his anger is unleashed and danger comes out of the cupboards, into Henry's home threatening his Uncle, Aunts and cousins. With Henry still gone and no sign of Henriette, and danger now coming out of the cupboards, Uncle Frank knows the only place to take his family is in the cupboards, back to his world.

As Henry continues his journey, he discovers what the Dandelion mark is, is able to over come his blindness, and learns he is the youngest and 7th son. As his journey starts to end, he finds it leads him right to the family he's been looking for, his lost cousin Henrietta, his Uncle Frank, Aunt and Cousins. Henry's family is no ordinary family and now Henry is forced to fight the evil witch and wizard, who are threatening them all. Together with his father by his side, they head off to fight the evil that is plaguing their world.

Dandelion Fire didn't pick up for me until the middle of the book, but once it did, I couldn't read the pages fast enough to find out what was happening. All of my questions I had from 100 Cupboards are answered and Henry finally knows who he is. I liked that N.D. Wilson wove together many of the characters that Henry meets along his way, but doesn't discover who they really are until he meets his family and father. I'm looking forward to The Chestnut King and getting to know more about Henry's family and his place with them.
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May 12, 2010 Stuart Laughlin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really enjoyed this book. It's a great second-of-three book in that it feels like a complete story in and of itself, rather than being an extension of book one or purely prologue to book three.

I suppose it's inevitable when it comes to books containing wizards and faeren and the like, but to me this book is reminiscent of Hobbit / LOTR -- in an entirely good way, I'm inclined to say.

It's really such a different book than 100 Cupboards. I like it when story-lines unfold like this. I'm looking for...more

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Apr 13, 2010 Leila Bowers rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

N.D. Wilson's writing obviously matures and deepends in this book - it also gets "older." 100 Cupboards bordered on a young adult book for me (the witch at the end is downrigh scary), and Dandelion Fire pushes that even further. On one hand, evil should be hideous and terrifying. Yet, individuals like Tolkien and Lewis were able to 'check' their villians, either through mixing the nefarious with the petty, or just limiting description.

Darius and Nimiane are both very dark, and as a side-note, D...more

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Sep 19, 2009 Dorothy (D. J.) Emry rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

On StaticMultimedia.com I gave this 4 stars, our highest rating. Below are some highlights from that review. To read my full review go to: http://www.staticmultimedia.com/print...

In Dandelion Fire, N. D. Wilson hits another one out of the ballpark from his fictional town of Henry, Kansas. Henry York, the boy from Boston who found magical doorways to other worlds, is back in this sequel to 100 Cupboards and this time around he might find the answers about where he’s really from.

He has learned tha...more

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Jul 22, 2009 Dani rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: july-reads

~ by N.D. Wilson
Sequel to 100 Cupboards

Ages: 8+

Henry York sleeps in the attic of his aunt and uncle's house. It's small and sparse, but it's home. It also has 100 cupboards on the wall, each leading to a different land.

But his parents have returned from their trip and are planning on collecting him soon. This event spurs Henry into slipping into a cupboard so that he can find his real parents. Unbeknownst to him, an ancient evil is stirring and the powers of Endor are awakening. While Henry move...more

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May 01, 2009 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Only a couple of weeks have passed since Henry York and his cousin, Henrietta, had their adventure in the mysterious cupboards adorning the wall of Henry's attic room.

Since he'd come to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins in Kansas, Henry discovered the hidden wall of cupboards accidentally, and learned that each one leads to a different time and place. Built by their grandfather, who listed the combinations to the different worlds in his journ...more Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Only a couple of weeks have passed since Henry York and his cousin, Henrietta, had their adventure in the mysterious cupboards adorning the wall of Henry's attic room.

Since he'd come to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins in Kansas, Henry discovered the hidden wall of cupboards accidentally, and learned that each one leads to a different time and place. Built by their grandfather, who listed the combinations to the different worlds in his journal, the cupboards can only be traveled through via the large cupboard in Grandfather's room, which had been locked tight until the battle with the witch of Endor.

Henry's aunt and uncle receive a letter from his parent's lawyer saying that Henry must return to Boston in two weeks. Henry can't stand the thought of going back, especially now that he might have more of a history in one of the cupboard worlds than he'd ever imagined, and he grows desperate to escape through the door to Badon Hill, which calls to him in his dreams.

Henrietta, who'd stolen the key to Grandfather's bedroom so that she could explore the cupboards on her own, finally relents, and she and Henry go behind the barn to retrieve the key. While Henry keeps watch in the growing storm and Henrietta digs, he spots a curious dandelion that appears to glow. Reaching for it, Henry sees a flash of light and is knocked unconscious, with only a dandelion shaped burn on his hand to indicate what happened.

After a stranger visits him in his dreams, and he awakens blind, Henry knows that he must escape into the cupboards to find a better explanation of what's happening to him. Unfortunately, less compassionate forces are already interested in his growing abilities...

I must admit that I liked this book much better than its forerunner, 100 CUPBOARDS, if only for the fact that I felt much more involved with the characters and that we find out more about the history of the cupboards. Everything comes together in this volume, and, taken as a whole, this original concept makes for an interesting, action-filled story that will keep horror and fantasy lovers on their toes.

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May 13, 2012 Patrick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult

Like 4.31 stars. This was really good. Things that started small and because of ignorance in the last book cascade into large problems in this book. I like the characters, the action, the creative framework, the whole bit. These two books have been a pleasant surprise.

I only have two tangential complaints that really don’t detract from the story itself.

First, Dandelion Fire is a terrible title for this book. It fits a big and somewhat confusing aspect of the story, but it’s just evocative of th...more

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Jan 16, 2009 John rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The systematic destruction of sappiness as regards fairy tales continues. I could have kissed the front cover several times. I didn't.

It was strange, I'll grant that. Not just strange like any fantasy is bound to be, but strange in his usual Scottish way. I could swear he was grave-digging Lilith every other sentence. But that's good. He's also shocking us out of thinking of the world like, as he says, a machine. There's definitely Chesterton coming out there.

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Sep 23, 2010 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, middle-grade

Henry York spends his nights in an attic room bristling with cupboards of all shapes and sizes. These are cupboards, though, that hold a good deal more than moth-eaten overcoats and yellowing stamp collections. Cupboards that lead into myriad worlds, some familiar, some vastly less so, but all of which take rather less than a cube of Turkish delight to tempt the young and curious. But while the worlds that exist behind some of these cupboards are no doubt places of wonder and adventure, it is th...more Henry York spends his nights in an attic room bristling with cupboards of all shapes and sizes. These are cupboards, though, that hold a good deal more than moth-eaten overcoats and yellowing stamp collections. Cupboards that lead into myriad worlds, some familiar, some vastly less so, but all of which take rather less than a cube of Turkish delight to tempt the young and curious. But while the worlds that exist behind some of these cupboards are no doubt places of wonder and adventure, it is the other, darker worlds that seem to call Henry. And with good reason, as it turns out, for Henry is not from our world, but from somewhere within the cupboards. Desperate to learn more about himself, about his history, and his identity, the siren song of these complex, ambiguous worlds, and their endless and uncharted possibilities is simply too much.

But while Henry is on some level conscious that he is courting danger in crossing the threshold from his warm, safe Kansas farmhouse to the myriad anythings that exist on the other side, the consequences of doing so don’t in the least hesitate to make themselves known. Henry, the seventh son of a seventh son, is courted by a stranger who attempts to inure Henry into his sinister plans: this man is service to none other than Nimiane, a terrifying eyeless crone intent on achieving a foul, soul-sucking domination of the worlds behind the cupboards. Henry and his family, who through a series of violent and chilling events have become separated, find themselves trekking through the wild and anonymous lands beyond the cupboards, searching not only for each other, but for a way to overcome the seemingly invincible Nimiane.

Dandelion Fire marks ND Wilson’s second foray into the complex, fantastical world first introduced to us through his excellent middle years novel 100 Cupboards. Like its predecessor, it’s full of rich, voluptuous language, and takes an almost languid approach to narrative, giving it the same sense of the organic, the natural, in terms of plotting. Indeed, I’m pleased to be able to note that this middle book of the trilogy stands well on its own two legs, rather than acting as a bridge between an introductory first novel and the inevitable denouement that is the third–although I would recommend reading its predecessor before attempting this book. While Dandelion Fire is considerably longer than the aforementioned 100 Cupboards, it does not feel bloated: rather, Wilson rather admirably uses the additional space not only to subject his poor characters to rather a lot of intrigue and violence, but also to make salient certain contrasts and themes–although to its credit rarely in a didactic manner.

There are the same themes of alienation versus belonging, and of family and togetherness, although in this volume they’re all the more apparent. In a nod to Oz, the disconnect between the pseudo-home of Kansas and that of the worlds in the cupboards is highlighted through the virtual destruction of the former, leaving the latter as the only option, and perhaps, despite its quiet anonymity, the only true reality. The loss of the homestead is quite moving in a way, alluding as it does to the fact that Frank and his family have never truly belonged, have always been sort of temporary, transitory residents. But this loss of the material pseudo-home serves to emphasise the importance of family, and acts as a catalyst for Frank and his family to begin their search for the missing Henry and Henrietta, an effort that eventually culminates in their banding together against what seem to be insurmountable odds. Family and the importance of kin is in evidence all throughout the book, and is echoed through minor characters, such as a secondary character, also called Frank, who bears many of the same loyal traits as Henry’s uncle, and who similarly seeks to protect him. The strength of the individual is also touched upon, however, for example the strength upon which Henry is able to draw after his formal christening, an event that not only cements his place within his family, but that also affords him an identity through which he is able to channel a certain sense of agency.

I did, I have to admit, wince a little at the notion of a christening and of the somewhat heavy-handed way with which it’s included, but for the most part Wilson, though dealing with ostensibly Christian themes, keeps these as an interpretable subtext rather than making them a rather overt allegory in the vein of C S Lewis (although there are definite nods to Lewis’s work here). In fact, the Christian influence is rather arguable, given that there are strong pagan and humanist themes that seem to run through the book. There is, for example, that of the natural versus the unnatural, such as the native powers of Henry and his family when contrasted with the parasitic, manufactured abilities of Nimiane and Darius, through whom Nimiane rather horrifyingly acts; there’s also the fact that Henry draws his strength from a dandelion, and that he has a sort of familiar in the strange winged beast known as a raggant.

But rather than ascribing responsibility to fate or to some higher being, Wilson emphasises the role of the individual (or of the group) in their own actions, and indeed one of the most common themes throughout the book is the selfless sacrifice that must be made in order to achieve a noble outcome. We watch characters such as Darius struggle under the weight of his power, his inability to channel it productively or engage with its consequences, and we watch Nimiane fall under her own arrogance, while in contrast, Henry learns to manage his skills and strengths–although not without a great deal of suffering. In fact, each of the main characters demonstrates quite a noticeable degree of growth, and in a realistic, earned kind of way rather than having it sort of awkwardly bestowed upon them.

It’s probably clear from the above that Dandelion Fire does not quite have the quirky kookiness that characterises 100 Cupboards, but it’s not without its moments of levity. Wilson’s at once rich and laconic prose is a pleasure to read, and it’s full of winking allusions and asides that add both depth and breadth to the novel without resulting in turgidity. In terms of the narrative, there are moments of familiarity that readers of classic children’s fantasy works may find somewhat derivative, and it’s true that occasionally the plot does become a little lost in itself, particularly when Wilson is working to weave together multiple simultaneous viewpoints, but it’s just so difficult not to fall for the worlds that Wilson has created: I’m entirely enamoured of that little attic room bristling with its cupboards.(less)

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Mar 09, 2013 Stuart rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Really did not read this, but listened to the unabridged audio book on a road trip to NC. The story captivated my attention and filled me with satisfaction. It moved along at a good pace to a thrilling conclusion.

The story dealt with themes of courage, dedication, deception, and identity. We find redemption and restoration within this moving story.

The story asks some serious questions. 1) How far will we go to hide the truth? 2) How courageous will we be to stand for the truth? 3) What can we s...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Katy Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

1. The author tends to use a lot of description but I forgive most of it because he has the best imagery.
2. Sometimes I got bogged down in plot and because the families were separated, there wasn't much dialog. But the book has heart so that, too, is forgivable.
3. The book made me cry twice and I don't usually cry in books. I cried when Henry read the letters left by the tuna and I cried at the end when friends gathered in Kansas.
4. Like Tamora Pierce said about this book, "featuring heroes gr...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Caleb rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

NDW is one of my favorite contemporary writers. I love the voice he writes with. I'll get around to finishing this series (hopefully this year) but I have to admit that my heart lies in Ashtown and I'm very much looking forward to the next installment!

Oddly enough, I think my favorite part of the Cupboards books so far are the little glimpses into other worlds that happen from time to time through the various cupboards. I find myself wanting to go through and read their stories. It takes a gre...more

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Feb 15, 2010 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kids-fantasy, read-in-2010

A better book then the first book in the series. I think this has to do with the fact that there are events and stuff happening instead of being described everything.

I do not like any of the cousin girls in this story. I think they are frustrating, rude and a little annoying but that could be a good thing if I feel that strongly about them.

I love the imagination that goes into this novel. It's very complex but not so complex you can't understand what is going on. I still love the whole cupboar...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Llewellyn rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reading this book was a chore. It was so boring, primarily because it was bogged down with an absurd amount of unnecessary detail.

I also didn't like how adoption was portrayed in this series. Some parts were good, like when Frank says that he wanted to adopt Henry and when Frank and Dotty took Richard into their home. But there were also a lot of references to Henry's "real mother" and "real father." And those references were to Henry's biological parents rather than to the ones who raised him....more

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Jul 12, 2012 Melissa Cordova rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I saw the poster for the first book at the skating rink and took a chance on it. I read it aloud to my kids and everyone loved it and looked forward to the sequel.
Dandelion Fire started off promisingly enough but quickly descended into something akin to a dreaded chore.
The tedious usage of Henry and various Henry derivatives got old extremely fast. Then, inexplicably in the middle of the book, there was a huge gaping continuity error with Henrietta suddenly appearing at the kitchen table when sh...more

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Jul 12, 2009 Mike Knox rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, kids

The second book in the 100 Cupboards trilogy. Here we get much more involvement in the worlds that lie behind Henry York’s cupboards. As in the first book, Wilson takes an ordinary thing—in this case a dandelion—and gives us back our childlike wonderment over the thing. He also gives us this lazy scene where the cat approaches Henry along with the raggant (a weird creature from another world). By putting the extraordinary beside the ordinary, Wilson teaches us to look at everything in this world...more

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“Sometimes standing against evil is more important than defeating it. The greatest heroes stand because it is right to do so, not because they believe they will walk away with their lives. Such selfless courage is a victory in itself.” — 81 people liked it

“Self-loathing and self-worship can easily be the same thing. You hate the small sack of fluids and resentments that you are, and you would go to any length, and betray anything and anyone, to preserve it.” — 19 people liked it

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Dandelion Fire (100 Cupboards #2)

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