Author: Eva Ibbotson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Adventure
Publisher: MacMillan Children's Books
Pages: 416
Tally Hamilton is furious to hear she is being sent from London to a horrid, stuffy boarding school in the countryside. And all because of the stupid war. But Delderton Hall is a far more" "unusual and " interesting" place than Tally ever imagined, and she soon falls in love with its eccentric staff and pupils. Now she's even organizing an exciting school trip to the kingdom of Bergania . . . although Tally never expected to meet the "prince."
Prince Karil hates his life at the palace and he is only truly happy when he escapes to the dragonfly pool, a remote spot in the forests of Bergania. Then Karil meets a feisty English girl who brings the promise of adventure. But his country is under threat, and the prince soon looks to his new friend Tally for survival as well as friendship... (More from Goodreads)
I had this book for a while, and never got around to it until I realized it would be perfect for one of the 2015 Reading Challenge categories. It just gave me more of an excuse to read it. The first Eva Ibbotson book I read, almost a decade ago, was The Star of Kazan, and I really liked it. I think I should re-read it because I can't remember anything that happened within! That said, I was also planning on getting Journey to the River Sea as this is her book which garnered most fame, but it's all a matter of time. Onward to the review!
The story is set prior and within the time period of World War 2. Its main character is a 12 year-old British girl known as Tally, the daughter of a humble and noble general practitioner (doctor), who lives with her father and two aunts in London following the demise of her mother when she was 4 years old. Much like her father, Tally is a selfless child, precocious and caring to a fault. Everyone within her vicinity loved her.
As in the summary, she was reluctantly sent off to a boarding school when her father received word that she was eligible for a scholarship there, and decided she would be safer in the countryside. Unlike most boarding schools in the nation, however, Delderton is considered a 'progressive' school- short for charming and quirky. Tally adjusts immediately into the school, and so do the others to her, reveling in her care and concern whilst she enjoys their company within the quaint little school that prides itself on nurturing the children's natural talents rather than oppressing them with rules and punishments.
When Tally discovers that the school had the opportunity to meet the rulers of a small, peaceful country called Bergania, defiantly opposing then-Nazi Germany's wishes to occupy them, Tally immediately pushes for it to happen, convinced that the nation needed all the support it could get- even if it was in the form of a made-up folk dancing routine unique to Delderton. Little did she know that she was going to have a chance encounter with the Crown Prince himself, and made witness to an important event that changes the course of their lives forever...
Thus begins the adventure of a lifetime.
This is a beautifully-written book filled with character and heart. Tally is the darling heroine, whose personality shines through the pages of the book and continues to build ever stronger as the story progresses. It doesn't stop there, as we get to see her friends also evolve in their character, climbing from strength to strength, and discover their relationships with each other on a deeper level.
And that is part of the reason why this book is so enjoyable. You're taken through a journey with these believable young characters full of depth, and even the most immemorable of characters are presented so well that it becomes rather ridiculous (in a good way). It's almost as if the author knew these characters personally, and the fact that Delderton is modeled after her old school is probably evidence that they may be more real than they appear.
As for the setting, well... London and the British countryside are known enough to most people to be believable, but there are more fictional places too- and again, Eva Ibbotson does not fail there. Perhaps with enough talent, after reading through the book, you could paint a picture of Bergania from Karil's window, or the Dragonfly Pool. It plays an important role in the story- and also makes a rather fetching book title.
That is all I will say about the story.
Pertaining the book itself, I own the hardcover copy as stated above. The book itself is larger than most usual paperbacks, but perhaps a moderate size for a hardcover, in dark blue/purple with the spine lettering in silver. The dust jacket is beautiful and has some gilded silver details. I obtained it at a ridiculous price in a Big Bad Wolf Book Sale two years ago or so. I would have bought it at its original price had I found it in a bookstore earlier, because the cover is pretty and the story seemed like something I would be interested in.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a love for historical fiction, looking for a bit of light reading- or to anyone willing to try something new. I felt some scenes dragged a little. Just a smidge; not enough to prevent me from really enjoying the book, but enough to make me delay in finishing the book immediately. It is more of a light-hearted read than The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, but with its own share of thrills and suspense. As such, I placed it as a Middle Grade book whereas The Book Thief, in my opinion, is more Young Adult.
In conclusion, read this book, especially if you have enjoyed other works by Eva Ibbotson. It probably won't disappoint!
~My Rating~
4 out of 5 Dragonflies!
★★★★☆
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