My only major criticism is the whole reasoning behind how Rachel and Elsie ended up in an orphanage. It was so incredibly stupid. This story wasn't set in the Edwardian era, it was set in near-present day. If parents are going away for a couple weeks, the kiddos get a babysitter, a nanny, stay at the grandparents or a friend's place. NOT a shady orphanage that's running an industrial parts manufacturing business "on the side" and has a mysterious lack of children present during the day. That whole premise was so incredibly dumb I was absolutely fuming for chapters on end.

Everything else was fantastic and riveting. Some of my questions from the first book were answered, like how the post-war Wood developed, if Pru developed more plant communication powers, and how Curtis has faired since the war. I'm still waiting to find out how Curtis became "of woods magic," and if his family will ever get closure with his disappearance. Things are all coming to a head though. The end of this volume is foreshadowing at a number of converging paths, so I'm very much looking forward to where all the elements finally come together.

Also, what a treat to get to hear the author narrate the story! It was such a better experience than the narration in the first book. I can definitely recommend picking up volume 2 in audiobook. ( )

To see my full non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot.com/2018/08/underwildwood-is-second-book-i... ( )

Prue McKeel is bored in school, but becomes the _target of a deadly assassin. She is rescued by her friends Curtis (and Septimus the rat), and returns to the Impassable Wilderness. Once there, she and her friends are charged with reanimating the dead son of the DOwager Governess again to save the inhabitants. To succeed, they seek out the two collaborators, who had previously succeeded. Meanwhile, Curtis's sisters Rachel and Elsie are left at the local orphanage by their parents who are looking for Curtis. Nice illustrations are more than offset by the book's completely open ending, where nothing was resolved. ( )

Continuing in Under Wildwood, we find our heroes separated and trying to reconcile themselves to their new existences. Prue is having conversations with the local flora and Curtis is trying to become the best bandit he can possibly be. We're introduced to new characters such as Mr. Joffrey Unthank who is the owner and operator of both a machine shop and orphanage (not necessarily mutually exclusive by the way) as well as Carol Grod who sports a pair of wooden eyeballs. The reader continues to learn more about the Periphery Bind which keeps the Impassable Wilderness and all its environs from encroaching on the Outside. There are assassins, Titans of Industry (capitalization very much required), and danger around every corner. This book marks the turning point into a darker tone as the battle between good and evil gets well and truly under way. ( )

I'm at page 58 and find myself with no urge to continue, maybe some other time.