I was not impressed by this book. Its system of magic was not well defined at all; there was no explained reason why they were able to cast spells to solve some problems but not others. And there was no apparent reason why the alternate reality ruled by the evil guy, or fallen magician (what exactly he was and how exactly he got that way wasn't explained clearly either) was a place where machines were alive and were evil (except for the race car that was a convenient exception). There was also no good reason why pigeons and rats could live there but not people.

To sum it up, it felt to me like the author was just lazy. Most things in the book just happened for dramatic effect without any pretense at a good explanation. And that conversation between the main character and the rowan tree, with all the reminiscing about childhood climbing in trees, and the tree calling people "our children," was the epitome of corny. I feel like this book could have been good but ended up missing it by a huge margin. Hoping for better luck on my next library trip. If I could get back the hour I spent reading this I would.