“Molly Harper’s Changeling is masterful fantasy—a spunky Cinderella story with a heroine who’s equal parts compassion, determination, and pure magical delight.” —Rachel Vincent, author of the Soul Screamers series and The Stars Never Rise, on ChangelingDays away from completing her first year at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies, Changeling-born Sarah Smith … Changeling-born Sarah Smith might just get away with posing as an upper-class Guardian girl named Cassandra Reed.
But strange visions of a Lightbourne destroyed by Miss Morton’s revenant army keep Sarah from enjoying her achievement. Plus, the Mother Book, Sarah’s one secret advantage and the ultimate entrée in Guardian society, suddenly stops revealing itself to her…putting her in a precarious position with the Guild. On top of all that, her former lady’s maid left Miss Castwell’s, and the new hire is, well, taking some getting used to.
If it weren’t for her two best friends, Alicia McCray and Ivy Cowel, who will do anything to protect her secret, Sarah doesn’t know if she’ll make it another year. When the three girls take summer holiday with Alicia’s family (chaperoned by an exacting and very disapproving Mrs. McCray), a relaxing vacation in Scotland is the last thing they’ll find.
Mrs. Winter is thrilled that Sarah is spending time with the influential McCray family, but Sarah can’t help but feel that her real purpose is to find other Changeling children like her, and free them to realize their own magic. Can she find genuine satisfaction in her accomplishments when she knows there are others like her out there who need her help? Will the three girls uncover the deeply-held secrets they’re looking for in the mysterious mountains of Scotland? Will the Mother Book finally start talking to her again? And will Sarah come to understand the importance of her connection with Ivy and Alicia, and the true nature of her own power…before it’s too late?
“Witty and classic, Changeling had everything I wanted from a coming of age story: friendship, scandal, and a heroine learning to flex her magical muscles. If you liked Harry Potter, you will love CHANGELING!” —Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series, on Changeling
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I loved Changeling and was so excited to dive back into the series with Fledgling. It was just as fun, witty, and cute. Yet there was also more depth and substance. It wasn’t just a fluffy read. It struck a nice balance.
The heart of this book were the friendships. Old and new. Cassandra, Ivy, and Alicia’s friendship was so sweet. They got themselves into quite a few messes, but they’re so supportive of one another and were there for each other no matter what. It was refreshing. Their circle of friends grew a lot in this book and I enjoyed getting to know some of the other Castwell girls.
Cassandra made a couple of eye-roll worthy decisions late in the book that had me so frustrated, but for the most part I had a great time reading Fledgling. I’m really curious to see what happens in the next installment.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
It is not my usual read but when I saw the blurb it made me thought of a feminine version Harry Potter sets in a steampunk Victorian like world, where two universes collide between the magic (The Guardians) and non-magic (the Snipes) people.
So I wanted to read it to see if it could be a story my teen’s daughter might like, if it will be ever translated.
As it is the second in a series, I was afraid to be a bit lost but at time, the author gave enough details explaining who’s who and why.
So it is about a girl, Sarah renames Cassandra, from the non-magic rank who should never have been able to generate and wield magic, why she is send under a fabricated identity to a school for high-bred ladies from the magical families.
There are friendship tried and reenforced, plenty of discoveries, spell contests, young love tested and a different direction for the main characters.
So sure, it has a taste of Harry Potter but it is also the usual clichés in many sorcerer tales, even if I found the end of the book a bit rushed and all wrapped too fast, it was en entertaining read packed with actions and nemesis to fight.
Why I would recommend it to any Harry Potter’s lover, and will definitively read the next book in this series.
A 4,5 stars
Listening and reading Fledgling was more entertaining than anything I have seen on the big screen lately. Grab your popcorn. Open a soda. Fall into a comfy chair and get ready for a wild ride with a group of young witches that are learning as they go.
I will admit that I have read all of Molly Harper’s books, some many many times. I have listened to all of the audiobooks. This is the first time I combined both. I started reading it on Monday night a little after nine thanks to living on the west coast. I wanted to pick where I left off in the morning of life called. Problem solved!! I downloaded the audiobook. The extra cost was so worth it.
Sarah, Ivy and Alicia are back solving problems, saving the world. Sometimes they have a rough plan. Sometimes they work on sheer luck. Sometimes they are flying by the seat of their pants. No matter how it happens it is always entertaining.
This book has simple, cute romance. This story is filled with conspiracy. Fledgling has boys and girl snipes at risk if they have magical abilities. The evil threading through the pages gave me goosebumps. I am now sitting on the edge of my chair waiting to see what trouble Sarah, Ivy, and Alicia will get into next.
Four and a half
This author takes not one much loved story but two to inspire this satisfying series. With a touch of Cinderella mixed up with Harry Potter and let’s be honest who amongst us didn’t want to be Hermione ? This never lacks originality as our clever heroine upends the idea of what it actually means to be magical in a very uneven society. Yes Sarah is definitely shaking off the fairy dust as she seamlessly moves amongst her new elitist schoolmates only to discover that if she is really going to help save other Changelings she might have to sacrifice the very things she has worked for !
Sarah is everything I love in a heroine as she’s bright, compassionate, resourceful and yet funny too. This story is full of magic from the very beginning and it only got better as it highlighted the bonds of friendship that Sarah has formed. Perhaps the villain was a little obvious but nevertheless I loved this almost Victorian setting with its overtones of Pygmalion and the world building and imaginative possibilities are first class. The class system was clearly defined, the romance certainly escalated just enough and the pace just right. Sarah shines bright as a heroine and I cannot wait to find out where this journey will take her.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair.
Have you read Changeling (Sorcery and Society #1) by Molly Harper? No, STOP! Go read that one first before reading this. Seriously you will thank me for it.
Fledgling finds Sarah making new friends and enemies. She discovers that there are more Changeling children like her out there that can do magic. Now all she has to do is find them. This is a fast paced adventure that will leave you tired and wanting more. This story is filled with magic, friendship and a young woman finding her way and growing into herself. I absolutely adored it and look forward to more adventures with Sarah, Ivy and Alicia.