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The Lottie Fiske Books #2
The Doorway and the Deep
Travel back to the enchanting and treacherous land of Limn, where Lottie Fiske has escaped the murderous Southerly king for a while—but other perils are hard on her heels. War is coming to the beautiful world of magic that Lottie has come to love. Events are pushing her to the North, where many answers—about her parents, about her abilities, about this world and others—await. But the road to the north is full of dangers, and so are the answers.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
10 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
K.E. Ormsbee
5 books180 followersK.E. Ormsbee is the author of strange & magical books, including The House in Poplar Wood and the Lottie Fiske Books.
Her books have been critically acclaimed, translated into eight languages, selected for the Indie Next List and Junior Library Guild, and made “best of” lists at NPR, Amazon, Kirkus, and the Chicago and New York Public Libraries. She lives with her wife in Texas.
Her books have been critically acclaimed, translated into eight languages, selected for the Indie Next List and Junior Library Guild, and made “best of” lists at NPR, Amazon, Kirkus, and the Chicago and New York Public Libraries. She lives with her wife in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 14, 2016
Noooo! Not a cliffhanger?!!
The torture. The agony of waiting for the next book.
Yeah, I love it.
"A red apple tree grows in the heart of Wandlebury Wood. It is a burst of color in a land of silver grass and white-barked yew trees, and out from its trunk step two travelers. The girl takes a small bird from her pocket. The boy takes a deep breath."
The Doorway and the Deep picks up pretty much right where The Water and the Wild left off. There is minimal recap of book one aka no info dump. So if it's been a year or more since you read The Water and the Wild, or if you aren't that quick at recalling its events, you may want to refresh your memory before diving into book two.
The Doorway and the Deep is all about the quest for answers that will hopefully end the reign of the Southerly king and save Limn from total destruction. Along the way Lottie continues to hone her keen, wrestle her genga Trouble into obedience (or at least his inconsistent cooperation), navigate relationships with friends, allies, and a potential boyfriend (come on, we knew it was bound to happen), and struggle with the uncertainty of who she is and what she's capable of.
This book is a page-turner; there's a lot going on and, as my opening remarks all so subtly alluded to, the ending will leave readers wanting the next book immediately.
Highly recommended to young readers ages 8-12 especially if they're seeking a strong female lead who isn't perfect but still worthy of respect, if they love the idea of carrying around an adorable magical little bird in their pocket, if they've always dreamed of having a special ability. Or, if they're dealing with a close friend or relative living with a terminal illness. This series has a lot to offer readers of all ages.
4.5 stars
P.S. Why aren't more people reading these books?!!
The torture. The agony of waiting for the next book.
Yeah, I love it.
"A red apple tree grows in the heart of Wandlebury Wood. It is a burst of color in a land of silver grass and white-barked yew trees, and out from its trunk step two travelers. The girl takes a small bird from her pocket. The boy takes a deep breath."
The Doorway and the Deep picks up pretty much right where The Water and the Wild left off. There is minimal recap of book one aka no info dump. So if it's been a year or more since you read The Water and the Wild, or if you aren't that quick at recalling its events, you may want to refresh your memory before diving into book two.
The Doorway and the Deep is all about the quest for answers that will hopefully end the reign of the Southerly king and save Limn from total destruction. Along the way Lottie continues to hone her keen, wrestle her genga Trouble into obedience (or at least his inconsistent cooperation), navigate relationships with friends, allies, and a potential boyfriend (come on, we knew it was bound to happen), and struggle with the uncertainty of who she is and what she's capable of.
This book is a page-turner; there's a lot going on and, as my opening remarks all so subtly alluded to, the ending will leave readers wanting the next book immediately.
Highly recommended to young readers ages 8-12 especially if they're seeking a strong female lead who isn't perfect but still worthy of respect, if they love the idea of carrying around an adorable magical little bird in their pocket, if they've always dreamed of having a special ability. Or, if they're dealing with a close friend or relative living with a terminal illness. This series has a lot to offer readers of all ages.
4.5 stars
P.S. Why aren't more people reading these books?!!
October 4, 2016
In “Doorway and the Deep,” K.E. Ormsbee redeems the sins of “The Water and the Wild,” capitalizing on all the promise that lay dormant there. Though her foreshadowing is still a little heavy-handed for my taste, all the other flaws of the first installment are absent, replaced by characters, plot developments, and prose that make for a truly relatable, middle grade page-turner with more than a hint of feminism.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
“You can’t trust anyone, not on the road north. You can only ask whose betrayal will cost you the least.”
“Lottie smiled into her flask of water. She found it funny that, however handsome Adelaide might have found Dorian Ingle, she didn’t hold back her usual criticisms.”
“She was important in this world. She wasn’t useless.”
“But Lottie learned soon enough that the presence of hope did not make for an absence of discomfort.”
“‘Stop it,’ she hissed, glancing around the table in embarrassment, only to find that everyone else was too deep in either drink or conversation to notice.”
“‘But you must understand my position.’ ‘Why?’ cried Lottie, ‘Why must I understand yours when you won’t understand mine?’”
“‘But you’re seeing it from your perspective, Lottie, and not from the perspective of old men - and the old men are still the ones who make the decrees and write the newspapers down in the South.’”
I can't wait for the next installment!
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
“You can’t trust anyone, not on the road north. You can only ask whose betrayal will cost you the least.”
“Lottie smiled into her flask of water. She found it funny that, however handsome Adelaide might have found Dorian Ingle, she didn’t hold back her usual criticisms.”
“She was important in this world. She wasn’t useless.”
“But Lottie learned soon enough that the presence of hope did not make for an absence of discomfort.”
“‘Stop it,’ she hissed, glancing around the table in embarrassment, only to find that everyone else was too deep in either drink or conversation to notice.”
“‘But you must understand my position.’ ‘Why?’ cried Lottie, ‘Why must I understand yours when you won’t understand mine?’”
“‘But you’re seeing it from your perspective, Lottie, and not from the perspective of old men - and the old men are still the ones who make the decrees and write the newspapers down in the South.’”
I can't wait for the next installment!
May 22, 2017
Loved this sequel so much. Lyrical and magical and imaginative, Ormsbee sucked me back into the world of Limn from the first page. I adore these characters and I was so happy to be back with them and this book only developed them more and cemented them into my heart. And that ending. Hoo boy, that ending.
May 11, 2016
Firstly, read The Water and the Wild. This is the second book in the series and it doesn't do any hand-holding exposition. There are plenty of plot reminders and characters are re-established, it's just subtle and takes a few chapters. Seriously, read the first one (which is awesome), it will be easier that way.
This series feels so classic and The Doorway and the Deep really digs into the high fantasy genre. The heroic quest, the mismatched band of adventurers, the burden of unsought power, magical creatures both foul and fair and some serious political intrigue. It's like Lord of the Rings with girls in it.
I love the world building, the Northerly court in particular seems very real to me. I love the nuanced characters and their near constant bickering. I love the invention in the magical creatures. I love that the book has a terrifying evil and some lesser evil minions.
Really, I just love it. And I loved the first book too. Did I mention you should read that?
This series feels so classic and The Doorway and the Deep really digs into the high fantasy genre. The heroic quest, the mismatched band of adventurers, the burden of unsought power, magical creatures both foul and fair and some serious political intrigue. It's like Lord of the Rings with girls in it.
I love the world building, the Northerly court in particular seems very real to me. I love the nuanced characters and their near constant bickering. I love the invention in the magical creatures. I love that the book has a terrifying evil and some lesser evil minions.
Really, I just love it. And I loved the first book too. Did I mention you should read that?
December 28, 2016
I love Kathryn, but I hate Kathryn. So much happened in the next book in the series, and it also left me with so many questions. I need answers, I need more. It was a joy to join Lottie on her adventures once again.
June 11, 2020
ahhh I have no words
Omg. The cliffhanger :'( I need to read the third book asap!! At first I started this series as a simple book to pass time as I waited for sge 6, but now I have to put that on hold because I need to know what happens next!!! Ahhhhhh
Omg. The cliffhanger :'( I need to read the third book asap!! At first I started this series as a simple book to pass time as I waited for sge 6, but now I have to put that on hold because I need to know what happens next!!! Ahhhhhh
July 31, 2020
Cute and fun. I couldn't put it down.
October 14, 2016
This review (and others) can be seen in all its properly formatted glory on my blog Beauty and the Bookshelf
After reading and loving The Water and the Wild last year, I was eager to get my hands on the sequel. The Water and the Wild featured a Wonderlandish, Neverlandesque fantasmical world and had a quirky, fun cast of characters I utterly adore, plus some very promising prose. When an ARC fell into my hands (possibly from a magical, portal-like apple tree), I was excited to return to Limn and explore the territory of the Northerlies (my favorite, thanks to a certain character). So I fell into The Doorway and the Deep and perilous situations, dangerous adventures, and twist and turns.
My one "problem" with The Doorway and the Deep isn't even a problem, but I think I actually could've used an info dump of sorts for once. (Or I've never really realized before that an info dump of sorts was helpful.) I just had a hard time remembering what all happened in The Water and the Wild--who some of the characters were, how the book ended, how we got to where this book begins, and so on. And I was unfortunately unable to access either of my copies of The Water and the Wild (for the majority of my books are currently in storage, a horrible thing, I know) to get a little refresher, so I was a bit stuck. But the big kicker was DORIAN INGLE. How in the hell did I forget a character like Dorian Ingle? I cannot for the life of me remember who he is/was in The Water and the Wild, and that utterly baffles me, because HOW. How how how? In The Doorway and the Deep he became one of my favorite characters (didn't hurt that his nose piercing is like three rings okay) but I just don't understand how I could've forgotten he existed. THE HELL. So an info dump or a character guide--like, hey, these are/will be your favorite characters, better hope nothing bad happens to them!--would've been just a teensy bit helpful.
The Doorway and the Deep--and The Water and the Wild, for that matter--has three things going for it: characters, world building/story, and prose. Sometimes a book has one or two of those and does them well and it works, but this series has all three. If I don't care about the characters (or, at the least, if I'm not low key obsessed with at least one of the characters) then I'm going to struggle with caring about the book as a whole. Fortunately for The Doorway and the Deep, I'm extremely obsessed with one character, and all the (non-evil) characters themselves are good too. The story centers around Lottie Fiske, a Junie/Ramona/Eloise type of girl who went to Limn looking for a cure for her best friend Eliot and ended up finding (and learning) much, much more. Now (some spoilers for book one ahead) she's trying to conjure up her healing powers and keep Eliot alive, learn about her past, and stay away from that nasty Southerly King and any other enemies she may have. Lottie--the Heir of Fiske, by the way--is a character who wears confidence like a shield, but underneath she's plagued by worries and doubts and the fear that she's not good enough. But she's a fierce, adventurous girl who's willing to fight for people who aren't exactly hers, will protect and care for her friends, and who's not willing to go down without a fight. Of course, it helps that she's not alone.
Lottie traverses Limn and the courts and their people (and a variety of creatures) with the help of Adelaide, Oliver, Eliot, Fife, and, occasionally, the wolf-like creature the Barghest. If you were to put them at a table to paint, Lottie would have paint everywhere and be mixing colors while Adelaide's side of the table would be clean and orderly, and she herself would be paint free. Adelaide is Miss Prim and Proper, and she's the voice of reason and glue that helps keep the group together and moving forward. Her brother Oliver is quite possibly one of the coolest people ever, because though it seriously sucks that he can't touch people without hurting them, his eyes are basically mood rings and he sometimes speaks in poetry. Sweet, sensitive Oliver. Then there's Eliot, the only full-blooded human of the group--and Lottie's weakness, because she believes she's the only one who can save Eliot from his fatal sickness, and she'll do anything to keep him alive. So, you know, sometimes Eliot gets in the way. Lastly is Fife. FIFE DULCET, the spritely boy who absolutely must be descended from the one and only Peter Pan (he can, after all, basically fly). I'm only slightly obsessed with him, o k a y ? He's just my favorite and the best. He, like Lottie, can be snarky and throw a bit of a fit if he doesn't get his way, but he's the much needed comic relief, the one who won't take things too seriously (or seriously at all, to be honest). And he's my favorite and if anyone hurts him I'll hurt them back.
As I had previously mentioned, The Doorway and the Deep succeeds in the world building and prose departments. Limn is a world that's magical and mystical like Neverland and Wonderland, a place filled with its own rules and ways and patterns and creatures. (Aaand why don't these books come with a lovely map?) The prose helps build that world and pushes the story along. The prose fits with the mood and tone of the story: it's light and whimsical and lovely. It's a voice-centric kind of writing (and if you know me then you know I love voice), and it's also the kind that caters well to the story and works.
In the end, The Doorway and the Deep was a well-paced sequel that upped the stakes and put Lottie & Co. all over the map as they went on a very important quest. This could be a possible spoiler, but K.E. Ormsbee promised there'd be kissing in this book and she. did. not. disappoint. (Who am I kidding? I was grinning like a fool.) The prose brought it, the world and story pushed it, and the characters carried it all to the end as we went deep, deep into the doorway(s) of Limn. Whether or not you're a Middle Grade reader is beyond and beside the point: you can be any age and enjoy these books, I pinky promise you. And me? I just need the next book already, because that cliffhanger was a freaking cliffhanger and WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? I'll just sit here waiting and drawing the mark of the Northerlies on my wrist until I get it. Oh, and of course: #FifeandtheNortherliesFTMFW.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
**********
Full review to come closer to release date, but for now I did an early review as part of Ninety Second Novel, which can be found here!
But just know: you should totally read this series. Especially if you're a fan of Wonderland, Neverland, any magical land, fantasmical stories, lovely prose, and characters akin to Peter Pan (#FifeandtheNortherliesFTMFW).
After reading and loving The Water and the Wild last year, I was eager to get my hands on the sequel. The Water and the Wild featured a Wonderlandish, Neverlandesque fantasmical world and had a quirky, fun cast of characters I utterly adore, plus some very promising prose. When an ARC fell into my hands (possibly from a magical, portal-like apple tree), I was excited to return to Limn and explore the territory of the Northerlies (my favorite, thanks to a certain character). So I fell into The Doorway and the Deep and perilous situations, dangerous adventures, and twist and turns.
My one "problem" with The Doorway and the Deep isn't even a problem, but I think I actually could've used an info dump of sorts for once. (Or I've never really realized before that an info dump of sorts was helpful.) I just had a hard time remembering what all happened in The Water and the Wild--who some of the characters were, how the book ended, how we got to where this book begins, and so on. And I was unfortunately unable to access either of my copies of The Water and the Wild (for the majority of my books are currently in storage, a horrible thing, I know) to get a little refresher, so I was a bit stuck. But the big kicker was DORIAN INGLE. How in the hell did I forget a character like Dorian Ingle? I cannot for the life of me remember who he is/was in The Water and the Wild, and that utterly baffles me, because HOW. How how how? In The Doorway and the Deep he became one of my favorite characters (didn't hurt that his nose piercing is like three rings okay) but I just don't understand how I could've forgotten he existed. THE HELL. So an info dump or a character guide--like, hey, these are/will be your favorite characters, better hope nothing bad happens to them!--would've been just a teensy bit helpful.
The Doorway and the Deep--and The Water and the Wild, for that matter--has three things going for it: characters, world building/story, and prose. Sometimes a book has one or two of those and does them well and it works, but this series has all three. If I don't care about the characters (or, at the least, if I'm not low key obsessed with at least one of the characters) then I'm going to struggle with caring about the book as a whole. Fortunately for The Doorway and the Deep, I'm extremely obsessed with one character, and all the (non-evil) characters themselves are good too. The story centers around Lottie Fiske, a Junie/Ramona/Eloise type of girl who went to Limn looking for a cure for her best friend Eliot and ended up finding (and learning) much, much more. Now (some spoilers for book one ahead) she's trying to conjure up her healing powers and keep Eliot alive, learn about her past, and stay away from that nasty Southerly King and any other enemies she may have. Lottie--the Heir of Fiske, by the way--is a character who wears confidence like a shield, but underneath she's plagued by worries and doubts and the fear that she's not good enough. But she's a fierce, adventurous girl who's willing to fight for people who aren't exactly hers, will protect and care for her friends, and who's not willing to go down without a fight. Of course, it helps that she's not alone.
Lottie traverses Limn and the courts and their people (and a variety of creatures) with the help of Adelaide, Oliver, Eliot, Fife, and, occasionally, the wolf-like creature the Barghest. If you were to put them at a table to paint, Lottie would have paint everywhere and be mixing colors while Adelaide's side of the table would be clean and orderly, and she herself would be paint free. Adelaide is Miss Prim and Proper, and she's the voice of reason and glue that helps keep the group together and moving forward. Her brother Oliver is quite possibly one of the coolest people ever, because though it seriously sucks that he can't touch people without hurting them, his eyes are basically mood rings and he sometimes speaks in poetry. Sweet, sensitive Oliver. Then there's Eliot, the only full-blooded human of the group--and Lottie's weakness, because she believes she's the only one who can save Eliot from his fatal sickness, and she'll do anything to keep him alive. So, you know, sometimes Eliot gets in the way. Lastly is Fife. FIFE DULCET, the spritely boy who absolutely must be descended from the one and only Peter Pan (he can, after all, basically fly). I'm only slightly obsessed with him, o k a y ? He's just my favorite and the best. He, like Lottie, can be snarky and throw a bit of a fit if he doesn't get his way, but he's the much needed comic relief, the one who won't take things too seriously (or seriously at all, to be honest). And he's my favorite and if anyone hurts him I'll hurt them back.
As I had previously mentioned, The Doorway and the Deep succeeds in the world building and prose departments. Limn is a world that's magical and mystical like Neverland and Wonderland, a place filled with its own rules and ways and patterns and creatures. (Aaand why don't these books come with a lovely map?) The prose helps build that world and pushes the story along. The prose fits with the mood and tone of the story: it's light and whimsical and lovely. It's a voice-centric kind of writing (and if you know me then you know I love voice), and it's also the kind that caters well to the story and works.
In the end, The Doorway and the Deep was a well-paced sequel that upped the stakes and put Lottie & Co. all over the map as they went on a very important quest. This could be a possible spoiler, but K.E. Ormsbee promised there'd be kissing in this book and she. did. not. disappoint. (Who am I kidding? I was grinning like a fool.) The prose brought it, the world and story pushed it, and the characters carried it all to the end as we went deep, deep into the doorway(s) of Limn. Whether or not you're a Middle Grade reader is beyond and beside the point: you can be any age and enjoy these books, I pinky promise you. And me? I just need the next book already, because that cliffhanger was a freaking cliffhanger and WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? I'll just sit here waiting and drawing the mark of the Northerlies on my wrist until I get it. Oh, and of course: #FifeandtheNortherliesFTMFW.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
**********
Full review to come closer to release date, but for now I did an early review as part of Ninety Second Novel, which can be found here!
But just know: you should totally read this series. Especially if you're a fan of Wonderland, Neverland, any magical land, fantasmical stories, lovely prose, and characters akin to Peter Pan (#FifeandtheNortherliesFTMFW).
April 14, 2024
I have no words. These books are pure genius and I am absolutely glued to them.
February 25, 2017
4.5 out of 5 stars.
The Doorway and the Deep is the second installment in The Water and the Wild series by K.E. Ormsbee. It's a fantastic sequel to The Water and the Wild and even ends on a cliff-hanger to leave you wanting for more! I really enjoyed it!
As we return to the land of Limn, we find that Lottie, Eliot, Adelaide, Oliver, their father, and Fife residing in the land of the will-o-wisps. The land of the will-o-wisps is such a fabulous, imaginative place! It's one of my favorite locales in Limn. I want to sleep in the trees and explore the area and its beauty right along with the children! Similarly, I'd love to visit the Northerly Court area and explore the caves and passageways.
The characters in these books are just wonderful. They're complex and well-rounded and yet, there's a simplicity to them that is also refreshing. Maybe it's that Ms. Ormsbee did so well in conveying the children's point of view. I don't know. It simply feels very authentic.
The adventures that we find in this book's journeys kept me on the edge of my seat a lot of the time! In fact, I finished this book in just one night because I was riveted to the story and just didn't want to put it down. It was MUCH better than the first installment of the series and seemed shorter (even though it wasn't really) because it never seemed to bog down or get tedious.
This book ends on quite the cliff-hanger, so I'm really excited for the third book to be published. Unfortunately, the author's website does not indicate when that will be. I hope it's not too far away!
** I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions expressed are my own. **
The Doorway and the Deep is the second installment in The Water and the Wild series by K.E. Ormsbee. It's a fantastic sequel to The Water and the Wild and even ends on a cliff-hanger to leave you wanting for more! I really enjoyed it!
As we return to the land of Limn, we find that Lottie, Eliot, Adelaide, Oliver, their father, and Fife residing in the land of the will-o-wisps. The land of the will-o-wisps is such a fabulous, imaginative place! It's one of my favorite locales in Limn. I want to sleep in the trees and explore the area and its beauty right along with the children! Similarly, I'd love to visit the Northerly Court area and explore the caves and passageways.
The characters in these books are just wonderful. They're complex and well-rounded and yet, there's a simplicity to them that is also refreshing. Maybe it's that Ms. Ormsbee did so well in conveying the children's point of view. I don't know. It simply feels very authentic.
The adventures that we find in this book's journeys kept me on the edge of my seat a lot of the time! In fact, I finished this book in just one night because I was riveted to the story and just didn't want to put it down. It was MUCH better than the first installment of the series and seemed shorter (even though it wasn't really) because it never seemed to bog down or get tedious.
This book ends on quite the cliff-hanger, so I'm really excited for the third book to be published. Unfortunately, the author's website does not indicate when that will be. I hope it's not too far away!
** I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions expressed are my own. **
November 24, 2019
This is a really good and engaging series. It was written for middle-school readers, but as an adult I find it just as engrossing. This is the 2nd in the trilogy and I was happy that it picked up where the 1st one left off. I did feel it started a little slow but quickly picked up speed. You have to have read the 1st book or you would be completely lost in this one. That being said, it continues the story really well--it answers some questions raised in the 1st but then raises new ones. Unfortunately, this one ends on an even bigger cliffhanger than the 1st. I highly recommend ensuring that you have the 3rd book BEFORE you read this one (I had to order it and I'm waiting on delivery now . . .). But so far, Ormsbee has delivered a great story in a great setting. The characters are well developed, showing many conflicts that tweens and adults deal with today--including acceptance, trust, and even race and gender bias! But none of it really feels forced and it's all laced with a bit of magic. This would be a great trilogy for parents to read with their children; a good mom-and-tween book club book. :o)
February 24, 2021
Lottie and Eliot continue to travel between their island and Limn, though a war looms over the realm - and when their lives are once again threatened, they and their friends must travel to the North, to a place of protection and answers, perhaps even clues to the power growing within Lottie. Ormsbee will keep fans enthralled with another exciting adventure that ramps up the mystery and danger. How can Lottie hope to keep all her friends safe when the world seems to steadily grow against her?
October 10, 2019
"I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul"
It was quite uneasy when in the begining because I hadn't read the first of the sequel that is THE WATER AND THE WILD, but I found myself entertaning while reading. I'm totally into it and currently trying to find and read other books in the sequel too. I'm glad Fife was my favourite character even in the begining😋 Well honestly I thought this would be boring stuff but however the cover cought my eye. Totally glad about that❤️
I am the captain of my soul"
It was quite uneasy when in the begining because I hadn't read the first of the sequel that is THE WATER AND THE WILD, but I found myself entertaning while reading. I'm totally into it and currently trying to find and read other books in the sequel too. I'm glad Fife was my favourite character even in the begining😋 Well honestly I thought this would be boring stuff but however the cover cought my eye. Totally glad about that❤️
February 7, 2017
This is a wonderful sequel to The Water and the Wild. The scenery is vivid and the emotional angst between characters is heightened as one twist after another in their journey occurs. Spoiler alert: there is definitely a cliff hanger (literally!) ending to this book. I hope Ormsbee concludes Lottie's story in a final book.
October 15, 2016
This children's book is awesome. I actually love it even more than the first book - The Water and the Wild. Very interesting and exciting story. Likeable characters. I truly enjoyed reading this. Highly recommend.
I received a free ARC from Chronicle Books through the Goodread First Reads program. Thanks for sending me this book!
I received a free ARC from Chronicle Books through the Goodread First Reads program. Thanks for sending me this book!
October 27, 2016
Such a great adventure. I love this story; the characters, the writing, the story. This is why I read middle grade lit. I'm so anxious for the third book, there has to be a third book, and I can't find anything about how long I must wait. If anybody has seen anything about the next book please let me know.
November 1, 2016
Not a stand alone, still fun and filled with adventure. Surprise twists? There were a few. Interesting characters in unusual locations using magic to avert war. I'm sure you'll enjoy this story, as long as you don't mind cliffhangers...
January 3, 2017
Really enjoyed this sequel in the Water and the Wild series. Lottie is learning how to use her "keen" all while trying to save the Northerly's and Southerly's from destroying each other. The author did a great job of leaving me hanging for the the next book!
October 19, 2019
The ending left me hanging. Why.
March 21, 2020
THIS BOOK IS THE BEST!!! Can't wait to read the third.
September 20, 2017
The Doorway and the Deep, sequel to K. E. Ormsbee’s The Water and the Wild, starts off with Lottie and her friends living in Wisp territory, where Lottie is taking lessons to sharpen her ability to heal others. She knows her friend Elliot will need her skills one day, and she wants to be ready.
But when the head of the Wisps makes a deal that sends her to the North, she once again sets out on a journey with her friends. There are dangers to be sure, and Lottie goes against her will, yet she’s also lured by the promise of finding out more about her parents.
The Doorway and the Deep should delight fans of the first book in the series, leaving them eager to read the next title. While there’s less exploration of Lottie’s relationship with her friends, there’s an expanding cast of fascinating characters and adventuresome exploits. Once again, Lottie has to determine who to trust and how to act on her own instincts. The book ends in a cliffhanger, but one that feels more satisfying than cliffhangers often are. It will be interesting to see where Lottie’s tale goes next. I recommend the series for readers aged 9 to 13.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
But when the head of the Wisps makes a deal that sends her to the North, she once again sets out on a journey with her friends. There are dangers to be sure, and Lottie goes against her will, yet she’s also lured by the promise of finding out more about her parents.
The Doorway and the Deep should delight fans of the first book in the series, leaving them eager to read the next title. While there’s less exploration of Lottie’s relationship with her friends, there’s an expanding cast of fascinating characters and adventuresome exploits. Once again, Lottie has to determine who to trust and how to act on her own instincts. The book ends in a cliffhanger, but one that feels more satisfying than cliffhangers often are. It will be interesting to see where Lottie’s tale goes next. I recommend the series for readers aged 9 to 13.
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 10, 2017
Since Lottie's return from New Albion, Eliot has had the best prognosis. Eliot's father has sold his business and moved. Their previous adventures lead Lottie into the discovery about her talent. Yet, now was the time for Lottie to return to New Albion in a quest to "sharpen" her "keen." With the understanding and approval of Eliot's father, they both re-enter the world beyond the apple tree and are created by their friends in Wisp Territory. Knowing what your "keen" is and being trained in its use leads Lottie to discouragement and impatient decisions. Just when Lottie thinks nothing will change... she discovers a key in her pocket.
With delightful characters, inviting settings, and various... seriously life-threatening quests, Lottie will become a heroine that you will always want to re-visit!
Fantastical adventures are awaiting you, enter within these covers and discover your newest friendships,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
With delightful characters, inviting settings, and various... seriously life-threatening quests, Lottie will become a heroine that you will always want to re-visit!
Fantastical adventures are awaiting you, enter within these covers and discover your newest friendships,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
February 20, 2018
Disclaimer: I won this as an ARC from the publisher and am finally doing the review.
The adventure goes deeper and a bit darker as the reader learns more about Sprites and about New Albion and keens and Lottie Fiske and her heritage. I had the hardest time ever forcing myself to stop reading this and come back to real life and do grown-up-y sort of stuff. I really enjoyed reading about the group and how their relationships changed and developed. Oooohhh!
The author must believe in torturing readers--making us wait that long and leaving us hanging--Madam is reading this right now and when she comes to the end...oh my! She is loving these characters SO MUCH! She will be vexed having to wait. Our characters will be more developed (or something?) by learning patience and waiting. *sigh*
The adventure goes deeper and a bit darker as the reader learns more about Sprites and about New Albion and keens and Lottie Fiske and her heritage. I had the hardest time ever forcing myself to stop reading this and come back to real life and do grown-up-y sort of stuff. I really enjoyed reading about the group and how their relationships changed and developed. Oooohhh!
The author must believe in torturing readers--making us wait that long and leaving us hanging--Madam is reading this right now and when she comes to the end...oh my! She is loving these characters SO MUCH! She will be vexed having to wait. Our characters will be more developed (or something?) by learning patience and waiting. *sigh*
December 12, 2020
In this sequel to "The Water and the Wild" Lottie, Adelaide, Oliver and Eliot continue their adventure in a fantasy realm. Things in the Southern Kingdom have become too dangerous, so they go to the Northern Kingdom, where Lottie, being the Heir of Fisk, has a legacy. This proves to be more dangerous than they had hoped, and another journey ensues as they attempt to find the plant that may overthrow the southern king. In constant peril, trying to learn how to best use their unusual talents, and with changes in relationships, this is a fast-paced book that will enchant fans of the previous book, and set them up for the next.
February 24, 2018
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. This is the 2nd book. I am very anxious for the next book to be released because I really need to know what happens next. I think she has great characters and I like the world she has built. I'm an adult so I would have to talk to a kid to see what they think but I think kids would like it. It may be scary for a very sensitive kid and you might want to wait until the next book comes out before you read this one.
May 10, 2017
The Doorway and the Deep is about a girl named Lottie and her friends going to the Northerly Court where Rebel Gem lives (she is the ruler of the Northerly Court). Lottie's keen (a keen is basically a superpower inside you) is healing, but Lottie doesn't know she can hurt people to.
I would recommend this book to everyone I know especially to people who like magic and action in their books.
I would recommend this book to everyone I know especially to people who like magic and action in their books.
March 23, 2023
More or less requires you to read the next book
I don’t like books that are really only the first half of a story. You are more or less forced to read the next book (ie the story is not complete unless you do.)
I don’t like books that are really only the first half of a story. You are more or less forced to read the next book (ie the story is not complete unless you do.)
April 5, 2021
This book really captured my inagination! From the characters looks, attitude, everything! Trouble, Adelaide, and Fife? Urgh! My favorites! I can’t wait to read the next book!
June 7, 2021
Love it!!
May 7, 2022
Loved it, now just gotta find the 3rd.....
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