Philippa Fisher and the Stone Fairy's Promise: Book 3

Philippa Fisher #3

by Liz Kessler

Philippa is looking forward to spending New Year in the village where her new friend Robyn lives. But her fairy godsister Daisy, assigned to a new job but disobeying orders as usual, turns up to warn her that something really bad (SRB) is going to happen! What they don't know is that a fairy has gone missing from the ancient stone circle on the moors -and that at ATC (Above the Clouds) Headquarters, the fairy godmothers in charge have a special plan for them. A perfect story for Liz Kessler's many fans, in which humans and fairies swap worlds with dramatic and unexpected consequences.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Fairies, Magic, Kids

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2010

About the author

Liz Kessler is the author of three novels about Philippa Fisher as well as the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling Emily Windsnap series. She lives in Manchester, England.

Reviews

[Atbash (Emma) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disorganized final book, unfortunately– above all else, this one lacked the cohesiveness that the first two managed. I think its primary issue was that it lacked any kind of central theme to revolve around– yeah, these books have always been about ~friendship,~ but like, what /about/ friendship. Give me something. Give me anything.

Unlike the first two books, which managed to speak pretty succinctly on middle school-level connection and grief– isolation from peers, loss of loved ones– I straight up couldn't even tell you what the emotional heart of this one was. Environmentalism? Office jobs? Jealousy? Confusing magic systems? ALL of it was touched upon and NONE of it was resolved in any way. It takes half the book to catch up to the plot (which the author had to jumpstart in a POVless prologue, likely in a later draft, since that style shift doesn't show up anywhere else); everything before that was a lot of needless hoop-jumping and rule-making to set up what the book expected to be the primary portion of the plot. ~Friendship tests~ with no level of tension at all. Philippa's mom was supposed to FALL OFF A CLIFF okay like THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OUR INCITING INCIDENT and then she DIDN'T and that was LAME. Nothing lasted and nothing mattered.

As for the bulk of the plot: major missed opportunities for Philippa to connect more strongly to what clearly mirrored her arc in the first book. The author spent so much of her word count making characters EXPLAIN SHIT to each other REPEATEDLY (like. so often. so often) because the LOGISTICS of the plot and who was allowed to do what where and what rules were in effect and which ones weren't was all so CONVOLUTED that she didn't trust her audience to pick it up naturally *pauses for breath* that she like, forgot to make the actual conflict matter emotionally to Phillipa or Daisy. (and FORGET ROBYN i can't even call them a trio. all robyn did this book was look stuff up on the internet. she was jealous about being left out of the planmaking and that was never resolved.) A boy they've never met is getting bullied for being small like it's the 80's? If that's the *best* you can do, at least connect it to Philippa's own popularity troubles back in book one. Due to circumstances outside of her and her friend's control, Philippa is *never going to see her best friend again?* Wow, that sounds familiar! Almost like that's exactly where she was at the beginning of the first book! Mention it, maybe!

If the plot held any kind of emotional weight for Philippa, it could possibly be forgiven for the structural failures. A strength of the first two books was that all the magical fairy shit connected directly to the inner worlds of the human characters and their unmet emotional needs. Philippa has no friends; Robyn's mom is dead. In this book, all the fairy stuff happens because some kid they don't know picks up a rock and that's gonna turn a portal into a black hole or something and now they have to Save The World. Because of Friendship.

(I love that Daisy and Phillipa's ridiculous attachment to each other continues to be relevant; I do not love how inefficiently the plot (-device characters) asked them to "prove" that attachment. Across multiple chapters.)

The stakes are ridiculous. The /only/ part that resonates is the eleventh-hour wrench thrown into the plan, our stone fairy refusing to return to her post because she promised her human best friend seventy years ago that she'd find her and see her again, and THAT had me teary! THAT mirrors Daisy and Phillipa, and THAT was actually acknowledged in the text! THAT held EMOTIONAL TRUTH!!!

But the most insulting part of the Save The World plot is that it doesn't even make sense. The logic doesn't track. something about this portal closing up (because there's no rock fairy powering it, of course) and creating a little pocket of frozen time is going to totally disconnect all fairy magic from the world and people will. stop dreaming. Which, the plot (–device characters) posit, will lead to... dangerous levels of. societal sleep deprivation. Which...well, no? no. who would even notice. there would be like, a subreddit who would freak out about it. nothing would happen.

And when Daisy makes her big sacrifice to take the rock fairy's place... she ends up ditching ATC and heading to Cornwall or wherever to stay with Phillipa forever but I'm like GIRL. GIRL WAIT. WHAT ABOUT THE PORTAL. WHO'S POWERING THE ROCK. I still don't know! Does it just need All Of Her Fairy Magic, doesn't matter if she's physically there or not? Like a battery? If so, why the *fuck* couldn't Amber go leave to find Elsie SIXTY FIVE YEARS AGO??? Why did it even matter that Rock Got Took???? You spent THIS MANY WORDS trying to explain the rules to me and I STILL DON'T GET IT. Book one had concepts such as a WISH VOUCHER. and book three is trying to explain why the fairy bosses need these super special girls to go risk their lives in the Forgotten Crevice of Timespace to prevent global desertification. WHY DOES A PORTAL EVEN NEED A LIVING SACRIFICE ANYWAYYYYYY WHATS THE REASON. WHAT IS THE REASON.

There are some strengths. As previously mentioned, you only have to suggest the idea of a woman, having touched magic briefly in her youth, waiting her whole life to reconnect with that magic again for me to start crying. I continue to appreciate how ride-or-die our duo is for each other (Daisy, with like five Philippa-related misdemeanors already: I *need* to hack my employers' database right now), and just as much do I love how Philippa still seems to bristle a little at The Way Daisy Is until she realizes that it *is* Daisy she's talking to– almost a subconscious thing, which I find very funny. And I was very worried Daisy would stay defanged in this book, but then she started physically throttling a coworker and I said aaahh there she is.

And as much as I hate how it cluttered the story, I still find it really charming how ATC is characterized as interconnecting loops of administrative departments. They're fairies, but they're worried about promotions and supervisors and are disappointed that nobody outside of their specific department knows what their acronym stands for or what they do (happened multiple times, which I'm choosing to consider the mark of a running gag and not the author forgetting that she told that joke already). Daisy is like 14 and also immortal and also a 9-5 office employee and she's been a hairtrigger away from quitting her job since BEFORE book one. She didn't even get workman's comp for her book two injury, just a TRANSFER. She'll lie straight to a raincloud's face. The office threw a party for her and she didn't even show up. It's kind of iconic.

A low end to a series that I'll continue to love. Among everything else, Philippa never got to have an honest conversation with her parents about how their parenting style makes her feel like she has to provide the stability they're lacking, which is already leading to a building resentment and will inevitably hinder Philippa's ability to maintain balanced relationships with anyone outside of the family as she ages. Seems like we kind of dropped that thread. But hey, that's life! Two stars.

[Adeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Kessler is perfect in her writing. So, this book is obviously a perfect conclusion for this series! (So far!) If you're thinking about reading this final book, I suggest you do and find out if you love this series as much as me!

[tteise · Rating 2 out of 5]

We did it Joe

[rafia · Rating 4 out of 5]

[4 stars ✧]

4 stars all the way through this series! so fun, and the stakes were much higher this time and it was just such a good time. great kid book, lol.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading this with my 10 year old daughter last night and I think it's a great end to the series. My daughter wishes there were more though :) I like how this story shows more about the fairy world and all the things fairies can and cannot do. We also like how all three books are pretty connected so it's almost like we just finished reading one really long three part story. I can see why there are not any more of this series because it would be hard to know where to go from here, but my daughter would jump for joy if another one ever came out :)

[Binibining `E (of The Ugly Writers) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of the 3 books from this series this last book was the one i really enjoyed the most! i love it. i love the friendship of the 3 girls. A story about true friendship, loyalty and trust.

[Hadessephy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last in an adorable series for young girls. Cute book but I didn't like it as much as the first two.

[Brian Nwokedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this with my daughter. First full chapter book completed with her. Decent series/storyline for a 6 year old 🦄 and 🧚‍♂️ loving little girl.

Not much depth to the story. Easy to read with or on her own. Good enough ending message about sacrificing your own good for the greater good. And a deeper message about loving your friends like family.

Just really glad we spent some time reading something together

[Ciera Legue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it, it was so fun learning more about atc. but the ending is awesome but it left so many questions that I want answered and feel it was left on a cliff hanger but this is the last book of the series.

[Kai]

I remember picking this up in third grade from the library and eating it up. The thing was, I didn't know it was the third book and was deeply confused but thought I just didn't have a high enough reading comprehension to understand what was going on.

Good times

[Aubrie Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book 10 minutes ago and I am so glad that I did I was crying at the end and then crying of happy tears a book of true friendship I can't get over it. By the way Liz Kessler is the best author ever.

[Crystal]

I forgot all about it

[Lucy Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! It is sad at the end that Daisy gives up her fairy power, but she ends up going down to earth and staying with Philippa!!!

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK EVER!!

[SusanCope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I often enjoy books written for young people, this one did not sustain my interest. I suspect this was written for 3rd graders.

[H Loose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way the story is told and I think it is a great book

[DesignerBeagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is okay... The end is sorta sad...

[Caedy Eries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Philippa Fisher and the Fairy’s Promise (Philippa Fisher #3)
Author: Liz Kessler
Rating: 5/5

Summary: Philippa is excited to spend her vacation with her friend Robyn, but she has no idea just how much excitement awaits. When a magic spell carved on a mysterious circle of rocks transports Philippa to fairy godmother headquarters, she learns that her own mother is in danger. To protect her mom from a serious accident, Philippa must pretend to be a fairy, while Daisy, her fairy godsister, returns to Earth as Philippa! And that’s just the beginning of their adventure. After passing a harrowing test of their loyalty to each other, Philippa and Daisy undergo a fantastic journey to rescue a lost fairy who has devoted her powers to maintaining the portal of the stone circle. With time running out, and the worlds of humans and fairies at risk of being severed, Daisy finds herself facing an extraordinary choice that has the power to change her life forever. (taken from Goodreads.com)

Review: Okay, so I had my usual final book in a series anxiety with this one, because it is just that, the final book in the Philippa Fisher series, and I have to say it is my favorite book of the series. Things get way more complicated than they have been in the books prior to this and there are more mysteries than ever before! The trio of friends in this book is something else, and I love them to pieces: Philippa, Robyn and Daisy.

There is suspense in this book, something that isn’t so much in the others. It isn’t a good or bad feeling, just the addition of a little drama that makes things a bit more interesting as the story progresses. I also do like the way that this is written, much like the rest of the series there isn’t so much “chapters” but noticeable shifts from person to person, so we actually get to experience the thoughts and feelings of each character individually throughout the book. Also, we meet some new faces, and the ending does leave the hope that there may be a fourth installment to the Philippa Fisher series.

The setting is the same as in the previous book, Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter, but the season is different. This time the Fishers are visiting Robyn and her Dad over the winter holidays, and are going to be spending New Years with them. Robyn’s dad doesn’t make much of an appearance in this one, and isn’t really a major player in the story, however we do get to see another side to the eccentric and artsy Mrs. Fisher in this story.

The stone circle, Tidehill Rocks, is the scene of the event, which I am certain you can guess, if you know some of the mythology and magical history surrounding stone circles, and brings about the start of another adventure for this trio of best friends. It is easy to read, and darn it I want more Philippa Fisher!

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations you can contact me at simplicity.kindreth@gmail.com
My reviews can be found here:
Confessions of a Bibliophile
Idle Musings and Random Things
Cae's Smashwords Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading this book last summer with a kid cousin. We’d read over FaceTime, a little activity to stay in touch & also build a love of reading. Love that it was age appropriate, had a lot of interesting plot twists & overall an enjoyable book. It’s fairly long too, over 200 pages but kept us entertained.

[Arunima · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so beautiful. Making their friendship even stronger through the story and giving hope.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series! I love the trio of friends in this story, it started out with Philippa in book one loosing her friend and in comes Daisy and in the second book Philippa again loses her friend because she is a fairy and Robyn comes into the story as does Daisy and in this third book, we have all three girls together and a wonderful story about what friendship really is.

This book had a more mysterious twist to it then the books that came before it....I felt some suspense both at the beginning and the end. Nothing terrifying of course. But I liked the drama it added to the story.

As usual the book doesn't go by chapters so much as it goes by each person...we get to see what each character is thinking most of the time.

We meet a few new characters in this book and I believe that by the way it ends there will be another story or more in the future.

This book finds us back in the same location as book two visiting Robyn and her dad during winter break for New Years. Philippa's parents are as always a wonderful little eccentric addition to the story. We don't hear much from Robyn's dad at this point, his role was fairly small in this story. Philippa's parents are always there but her mother plays a larger role in this book then in previous ones and we see a side of her that we don't normally see in this book. The stone circle, Tidehill Rocks is the scene of the event which is very fitting I believe given the magical history of stone circles anyway.

A very enjoyable book, easy and fun to read. I look forward to another story about Philippa and her friends and family.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third Philippa Fisher story but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Philippa, our heroine, is spending the Christmas holidays in the village of Ravenleigh where she first met Robyn on a previous holiday. Robyn and Daisy are her best friends but Daisy lives ATC (above the clouds) as she is a “fairy god-sister”.

Unfortunately, Daisy and Philippa inadvertently swap places and are obliged to test the boundaries of their friendship by completing a very challenging mission involving the missing Stone Fairy.

It’s a very appealing read, targeted at girls aged 8 to 12 who appreciate good storytelling and feisty heroines. Told from multiple points of view, the result is a fast paced, magical tale which shows the value of true friendship. This is an ideal read for confident, independent readers and is enhanced by simple illustrations which break up the text. My 6 year old daughter can’t wait to read it!

[Girls Prep Maya Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destiny C.
Philippa Fisher and the Fairy promise is a amazing book to read. Daisy the fairy and Philippa the girl who is eleven,is always talking about each other in a good way most of the time! The book is really long too. Daisy and Philippa create friendship once they spend time together throughout the story.This book is very interesting and inspiring. if you want to know why read this book!
Once you read this book you would want to keep on reading! This book isn't really funny, but very entertaining and interesting. Every time you read this book you would want to know what is going to happen next!
You would want to read more and more because the feeling you get just knowing there is a fairy involved. This book isn't very funny because the events aren't exciting but it feels like when you read it it's like a mystery.
I would recommand thus book to people who enjoy and like reading fantasy and long book like this one.READ THIS BOOK! :)

[Kristen Muldoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to Books in Print, Philippa Fisher and the Fairy’s Promise is an intermediate book meant for children ages 8-12; since Paige is probably 8 or 9, I imagine this would work best as a read aloud. I selected this book because Paige noted she liked mystery and fantasy, and this book falls into both categories. Philippa is the main character that has a fairy god-sister named Daisy that breaks fairy protocol in order to warn Philippa to protect her mother.
Hook: If you like fantasy and mystery books, you should check out Philippa Fisher and the Fairy’s Promise. Philippa’s fairy god-sister, Daisy, tries to warn Philippa about something bad that might happen to her mom, but breaks fairy protocol in the process. Will Daisy be able to contact Philippa in time? Will Daisy get in trouble?

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this sweet conclusion to the PHILIPPA FISHER trilogy from Liz Kessler, Philippa is once again visiting her new friend Robyn, who we met in the previous book, Philippa Fisher and the Dream-Maker’s Daughter. While the girls are investigating some standing stones, Philippa is magically transported to the fairy godmother agency where her best friend and fairy godsister Daisy works. While Philippa’s parents are frantically searching for her, Philippa has learned that her mother is in grave danger. It was illegal for Daisy to give Philippa that information, but the girls are best friends and Daisy feels like she has to warn Philippa. This act of loyalty starts a whole string of unexpected events that change everybody’s lives forever and that, perhaps, may h... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think young children would enjoy these books a lot, and they contain great themes of friendship and loyalty and problem solving. They aren't too cheesy or shallow.

The only reason I gave this book three stars is because, as an adult, after reading the three books in rapid succession, I was getting a little weary of the obvious-ness of the themes--but again, this would likely be a good thing for young readers. Finally, at the end, the plots seemed to get more and more convoluted, which drove my detail-oriented brain a little nuts. The convolution made it much more of a stretch to understand or believe as well.

But overall, I liked the series and I liked the themes. Four stars for an overall score.

[10-11 Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book it's full of adventure. Philippa and her fairy friend, Daisy are off to save the world! They must go find the stolen stone fairy that has been taken to a world where time is frozen. They must hurry or else they will be stuck in there forever. Do you think they will find the stone fairy in time?

[Dolly]

We started this book, not realizing that it was the third book in the Philippa Fisher series. But we soon realized that we were missing out on a lot of background information and the story wasn't making all that much sense. So we decided to suspend this one for a bit and backtrack to the first story...

[cel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great finish to the Philippa Fisher series I've come to know and love. Liz Kessler has not failed in giving her beloved character an ending I can only describe as a perfect fit.

Well, since this lovely series ended well, I can rest in peace knowing everything was fine for both Philippa and Daisy in the end.

[Brigette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, my dd enjoyed it. I think fairies should be magical creatures. These are running, or at least intervening, in the human world, more like ancient gods. And they use MagiCell phones and other techie means of getting around and communicating. I prefer a traditional Victorian fairy! ;-)