This is a book about fairies who are dreadful at being fairies as our narrator informs us. I adore the idea of an unwilling narrator who keeps telling us to put the book down. Such an original way for the author to present this story.

Our protagonist Shade is a book loving, but not very pleasant in fairy terms or liked sprite. But you will still fall for her. She loses her home to a fire which was her fellow sprites fault and leaves her village in a rage. And that is when her adventure begins. And adventure in search of books.

This is a fun story full of amazing names for people, things etch like Lillyshadow Glitterdemalion (Shade's full name) or slime-licking mudbrains. Also delightful characters, incredible things like packed vacations and endless pockets, plus witty humor that will have you smiling, chuckling or outright laughing.

Dealing with misconceptions we may have of others, we must not judge someone for what he or she is, but what he or she might do. The author has us thinking about this using trolls that are gentle and other unexpected things. The importance and beauty of friendship. Also never giving up.

If I enjoyed it this much, children are going to fall in love with Shade and her adventures. I strongly recommend A Dreadful Fairy Book to children of all ages. Oh and "Fatcha-coota-matchca" is my favorite new expression.

I love all fairy tales. This one did a great job of reimagining old tales and putting a new voice into them.

“A place with books and people who read them - that’s where I need to be.”

Shade is a sprite who doesn’t fit in. Her home in Pleasant Hollow is a constant reminder of the bullying she endured when she was younger for being different and all that she has lost: her mother who went to fight in a war and never returned, and her father who died. Now her home and more importantly her precious 74 books have been lost to a fire after some “grub-sucking, slime-licking mudbrains” set off fireworks in the middle of the forest.

Shade is “dingle-dangle” furious and storms off (she doesn’t like flying) into the Merry Forest, after making sure she tells the other sprites to “Get donkled!” I don’t mind fake swearing generally because it’s usually humourous but, with the spite that came with a lot of the swearing in this book, the chuckles weren’t there for me.

Shade has never ventured outside of her village before so she isn’t quite sure where she’s going but, armed with the knowledge she’s gained by reading and fuelled by rage and determination, she begins a quest to find more books; hopefully enough to last her a lifetime.

“Books that we love truly are our friends, always there to comfort us in times of trouble, revel with us in times of joy, and inspire countless acts of kindness, nobility, and goodwill every day of our lives.”

It’s difficult to believe that a character who spends the entire book on the hunt for a library could be as obnoxious and surly as Shade, the main character. Although there are glimpses of something softer beneath the surface (deep, deep down), Shade is mostly acerbic and downright rude to practically everyone who is unfortunate enough to cross her path. Even those who help her along the way are not immune to her venom.

Because the narrator overslept they wound up stuck narrating this story and all they do is whinge about it; what a terrible story this is, how you should skip to the end of the chapter, blah blah blah. If you enjoy reading commentary from someone who consistently tells you how “dreadful” what you’re reading is you may like the narrator. I absolutely hated the narrator and wish that they’d kept sleeping so they never made it into this story at all.

Each time the narrator intruded on the story I wanted to stop reading altogether and almost gave up entirely several times. Rather than adding any depth or another point of view to the story I felt they detracted from it. I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the narrator’s lines magically disappeared. Every so often they’d add something that didn’t make me want to slap them, but it was rare.

“And we all know, no matter how many books we come to read and love in life, how special that first beloved book is, don’t we, my friend?”

My favourite characters were Chauncey the Gentletroll (it made my blood boil when he was called a “ponce”) and the Professor, who was blissfully silent for the majority of the book. I really enjoyed discovering how the card catalogue in the library worked; it was imaginative, magical and I need this system for my own personal library. I would also like to visit some of Chauncey’s uncle’s vacations.

My moral of the story: A bookworm without books is pretty insufferable. Make sure books are always available to them and you’ll be okay.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

A Dreadful Fairy Book is far from dreadful! It is an adventure, a quest, a story filled with whimsy and the occasionally surely tempered fairy creature.
Shade, the heroine if the story, is on a marvelous quest, she wishes to live surrounded by books. So, she embarks on an arduous journey to find a library she can live in. On the way she meets a ragtag bunch of characters, who help her on her journey.
Shade's adventures are exciting and silly and very appropriate for a younger audience. There are enough sky winks toward the adults, that they will enjoy the story too.
A Dreadful Fairy Book is especially appealing to book lovers - afterall, haven't we all dreamed of living on a giant library?

What a charming, unexpected book! Who wouldn't love a grumpy, foul mouthed book loving sprite? Shade, as she demands to be called, lost her home and her books to an ill advised fireworks incident. Although this is certainly a tragedy (those books!), the loss spurs Shade to leave her comfortable life and hit the road. Once she leaves her sheltered village and the annoyingly cheerful and dim witted inhabitants, Shade really comes into her own.

Setting off to find someplace she can read to her hearts content, Shade meets and somehow befriends a motley group of misfits. Although she really would rather not, Shade comes to need, and ultimately love, these fellow exiles. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time I was reading this book, and would recommend it to pretty much everyone, no matter what age!

This reads as a fantasy for the younger siblings of fans of Pseudonymous Bosch, as it's a volume with many interjections that encourage you to not read it. The problem clearly is that they're too easily complied with, for while this also has a very pro-book and pro-reading bent, it's not a wonderful example. Our heroine is forced to go from one instance of fairy-folk not behaving the traditional way to another, before making a break for the bright lights of some town. By which time we've had three people needlessly speak with Scottish twang, only for an Italian presence to crop up for no reason. Now, I'm sure fantasy worlds like this can easily have such regional and dialect variations, but why those from our world, and when they're not comfortably conveyed? There are too many instances of the narrator saying things like 'well you don't need to be told this, but I'll tell you it anyway', the most overt foreshadowing, and far too much reliance on a one-note joke about swearing. All told, too much that just forced me to say to myself "alright, I get the gist". To be sure, this isn't heinously bad, but it's not as all-ages as many junior fantasies, and will never become a family favourite. File under "it's alright, if you must".

The Dreadful Fairy Book by Jon Etter, I found to be a highly enjoyable read. In the vein of Lemony Snicket and the like, the author does tend to make asides to the reader throughout the novel, mostly in an effort to advise the reader to set the book aside and pick up a more pleasant, normal fairy tale, or just to take a break.

The characters were highly diverse and I found that refreshing, since most fairy tales tend to stick to a particular geographical location and culture. This one is pretty much a smorgasbord of cultures - descriptions and dialects that help the reader flesh out the characters in their mind.

The main character Shade is such a precious smol bean and so strong and clever that I hope Pleasant Hollow becomes a better place for all future sprites born there. Those she meets on her journey help shape her into becoming more self-assured; her enlightenment is also seen through her kindness, which grows subtly, but is a vast improvement from when we first saw her (unless she's talking to same people from the beginning haha).

The end of the novel was very touching, as it's often the youngest of us who make us see the errors in our judgment. I really don't want to review too much, because spoilers, but every character shines through in uniqueness and quirks. I found myself smiling often at all the ridiculous shenanigans happening in the chapters.

A Dreadful Fairy Book uses 'Series of Unfortunate Events' style narration to warn you that this is not going to be happy or fulfilling fairytale.
Our protagonist, Shade, is a bookish fairy who looks down on her neighbours for their daft/dangerous/selfish ideas, and for having no interest in learning. Shade's house is accidentally burnt down at the start of the book, leading to her deciding to set off on a quest to find more books. Along the way she encounters a variety of other unusual fairies, and she makes friends for the first time in her life.
All of this should make for a good book for younger readers, however, it is unfortunately tarnished by two things. The first is the near constant faux swearing which Shade (and other characters) use throughout the book - whilst the first few instances of this can be seen as endearing, after a while it becomes increasingly ridiculous and overused. The second is the stereotyping of accents which occurs throughout. Several characters, including one of the main characters, are given stereotypical accents which are not necessarily flattering to their real-life counterparts, and also make it rather hard to read and understand some sentences.
As a teacher, adding an extra element of difficulty to a book - which children could otherwise tackle alone - would discourage me from buying it, as it can cause confusion for developing readers. Similarly, I wouldn't want to encourage younger children to even faux-swear.
Overall, it wasn't an arduous read, but unfortunately there were several elements which would prevent me from recommending it to children within its intended age group.

A Dreadful Fairy Book is a fun adventure full of fairies, magic, and other mystical creatures. This book has plenty of action and excitement. While the characters are not fully-fleshed out, they are fun and enjoyable partners for a pleasant read.

A fun adventure for children , similar in tone to the likes of Lemony Snicket, this story of a book loving sprite who leaves home when her home is burnt down , and sets off on an adventure to find a new home, and replace some of the beloved books she has lost is sharp, sarcastic and a lot of fun,. Much of this sarcasm and wit comes from the narrator who is ostensibly recounting the story to the reader, but there is also a healthy helping of humor in the characters.
Shade, as our heroine prefers to be called, meets a variety of faerie folk along the way, from brownies and pucas to the dangerous Sidhe and Sluagh, not forgetting of course Anthony of the Wisp who defies stereotypes by helping travellers find their way, instead of leading them astray, This theme of being different, and defying stereotypes runs throughout the book , and the positive message it imparts is one that is to be welcomed. It is therefore a little strange and somewhat disappointing to see that the author has used a lot of stereotypical dialects and accents for his characters, something that grated on me while reading the book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Fun read. I would definitely read to future children. Something a little different it felt like a mix of old fairy tales feeling with new. The fairies in this book represent the gray area and I enjoyed it.

A Dreadful Fairy Book promises from its synopsis to be something readers should avoid at all costs because the tale is so scandalous it should be titled “Dreadful.” Unfortunately, all the snarky, thought-interrupting narration of Quentin Q. Quacksworth does not produce the promised amount of interest; it only helps to further confuse the plot, which rushes from one point of the story to the next with very brief transitions, leaving readers to either re-read sections several times or just push on through the story in a semi-permanent state of confusion.

The MC is dreadful. She is rude to everyone, looks down her nose at her fellow fairies (even before the dummies ruin her house), and she seems to only stay around people that can do something for her on her quest. Any of her help is incidental, and does not come without her first and repeatedly requiring an attitude adjustment.

When we finally get into the plot, after the first half or so of the book, and after meeting all of the characters one chapter at a time, the MC has not garnered much endearment. I’m not happy for her, and she still, after all the generosity she receives from other characters in the book, insists on her own high opinion of herself. I would not recommend this book to any young reader, especially one in need of some character building.

I laughed all the way through this book. Even though it is technically a children's book I loved it. It was fun trying to catch what well-known fairytale they were doing a parody of, or what book title they were making a play on. I highly suggest this book for pretty much all ages, and for anyone needing a good laugh, or even just a little cheering up.

A Dreadful Fairy Book is entertaining and creative. This is kind of book I would have loved as a young reader...and one I still enjoyed as an adult. Nicely done fiction that captures the imagination.

I find it difficult to review this children's story as I found it quite funny and inventive however, as an educator, I know there will be plenty of parents who will be disturbed by the fake cursing the main character uses. As a reader, I also wasn't that fond of the ethnic stereotypes the author employed.

Having said that, I did enjoy the heroine's quest for a quiet world full of books to read, the author's world-building and use of ominous narration (similar to Lemony Snickett's 'Series of Unfortunate Events').

A cautious 3 star recommendation from this reader.

I enjoyed this book! Fun and silly story that I think fans of Series of Unfortunate Events will enjoy! Shade loved to read, unlike her neighbors who pretty much drive her away after setting her house on fire with fireworks...! Readers will love this story. So will fairy fans young and old. I'm guessing 5th grade up and I mean even YA's and adults! It's that fun!

Disclaimer: Digital ARC via Netgalley. It did not have many of the illustrations, but if the frontispiece is anything to go by, the illustrations should be good.

Me, handing in the review to the Review God: Here you go.
Review God: Wait, wait. You can’t give it five stars and then simply say because of Saint Eeyore.
Me: Why not?
Review God shakes bookshelves.
Me: But it mentions Saint Eeyore. That should be enough to make anyone read it. But okay fine. Give it here, I’ll add something.
Review God takes back the review: What’s this say? Your handwriting is horrible.
Me: Saint Eeyore, Stinkletoe Radishbottom, Lee the Harper, and William Shudderpike are all mentioned. Plus, there is a really funny hobbit title. Read this book now.
Review God delivers that stare with the glasses.
Me: Okay, fine, give it. Look, I can’t add more, if you don’t give it here.
Review God: You dictate, I’ll write.
Me: But if you’re a god, why do you need a pencil.
Review God shakes the bookshelves again.
Me: Alright, just wondering. Hamm. Let’s see. A Dreadful Fairy Book is a fairy tale that will charm readers of all ages. In theory a children’s book, the novel is a love parody . . .
Review God: that’s not a thing.
Me: It is now. Funk and Wagnalls said I could. So there. The novel is love parody poem to the joys and wonders of reading. It will make any long-time reader weep tears of passion. The story, supposedly related by Quentin Q Quacksworth Esq, who is a bit miffed at having to tell it, is about the heroine we have all been waiting for – Shade. A young sprite who goes on an epic quest to find another copy of her first book love, after her book and library were savagely destroyed. Along the way, she encounters various people and other characters, including a Professor who may actually be a professor, a troll who likes tea, and the “nephew of the second most prosperous cheesemaker in Bilgewater”.
The story includes fantasy titles of famous real-world works, such as Lee the Harper’s to Murder an Insulting Finch. There are fights, lost parents, owl wings, and changelings. Long the way, the reader will have to duel with Quacksworth who has gotten it into his head that this story should not be told. This is because he does not understand the wonder that is Shade, a beautifully flawed, book loving, sprite of color. She also has really cool wings, though flying makes her tummy feel funny. She can curse! The book even passes the Bechdel test.
There are a couple wonderful send ups of Tolkien as well as knightly fighting. There is a squire who knows his weaponry. A kick ass mother. There are references to family members’ body parts.
Review God: That’s disgusting.
Me: No, it’s not. You haven’t read the book. Look, if you are a reader, this is a book about reading. About how reading can bind a family together. How reading makes outcasts feel less outcastery. YES, I KNOW. How dangerous a lack of reading can be. If you read, you will love this book. Is that what you want Review God?
Review God: Yes.
Me: Okay, but we all know that everyone is really reading it for Saints Eeyore and Figgymigg. And the scene with the Three Billy Goats Gruff.

This is narrated, similarly to A Series of Unfortunate Events. Narrator is used to interject humor and/or to explain the various creatures through delightful rambles. For example:
“In the unlikely event that you’ve ever seen a fly cry, you’ll know that when they do all the little mirrored squares that make up their eyes steam up until beads of water form and run down in streaks, just like the mirror in your bathroom when you are forced (and I agree with you, most unfairly) to take a long, hot bath after a good play.” (Loc. 179)

or
“(but then since I’m sure you know that hobgobins look just like goblins but shorter and hairless, the ‘hairless’ part doesn’t deserve any mention, does it?)”

It's truly a rollicking, entertaining fantasy and the characters are delightfully deplorable. (Fairy war ponies— “come near one of them with sticky fingers and it might well bite them off before stomping you to death.”)

One criticism I have is that the imaginative swearing, which was super fun at first, got a bit repetitive after a while.
I enjoyed the creativity of it:
“get donkled”
“bucket o’ snots”
“dingle-dangle dungballs”

But not all parents are going to love the constant barrage.

I did love how Etter incorporated a love of books into the core of the story. There are funny little riffs on “Pride & Prejudice” and references to “Midsummer Night’s Dream” “Moby Dick,” “The Hobbit” and a bunch more that adults will enjoy, though kids might not understand.

The characters have fun and imaginative names I think kids will love:
Stinkletoe Radishbottom
Chauncey X. Troggswollop
St. Figgymigg
Liam O’Buggery

The book has a wide audience age range. I’d feel comfortable giving it to my 10 year old or my 13 year old and I quite enjoyed it at age 45


Some moments of truth:
“No place is safe as long as there are stupid, selfish people doing stupid, selfish things.” (loc. 401)
“None who go to war come back unscarred.” loc 1145

“I chose this one because even though it is dreadful, a dreadful story is usually preferable to a mediocre one because it is at the very least memorable.” loc. 1133

Shy kids might relate the Professor, who does’t speak, yet is an invaluable member of the team. “Ginch is the best friend I’ve ever had. I don’t need words, written or spoken, for him to understand me.” ( loc.1610)

“The person with the biggest chair is usually the person to talk-a to.” (1701)

Themes of friendship, forgiveness, and the value of books.

Illustrations weren't available in the kindle version, so I have no comment on them, other then I hope they hold up to the quality of the story!

Thank you to Amberjack Publishing for the Arc of this book.
I really enjoyed this book, made me laugh and it was a nice pleasant read, very whimsical, and I loved that it was narrated, gave it some extra whimsy.

This was rough.

“A Dreadful Fairy Book” takes the reader on an adventure with Spade who sets off to find herself a library after losing her home and along the way she meets many new creatures to aid or hinder her journey.

Right off the bat it’s clear I am not the intended audience this is written for someone much much younger than myself and as much as I tried to put that aside for the sake of an unbiased review I couldn’t. What amazes me though is how much improvised for the world swearing goes on and it’s not even subtle with direct references to how some of the words used are the “worst ones” in their language. Another problem for me was the language or rather accents used by some of the minor characters we meet along the way that lean too heavily into stereotypes.

The bigger problem of all however is the main character herself. With so little real world experience outside her books she’s very arrogant to those around her who are offering assistance and that’s not a fun thing to teach kids. There’s also heavy influence to that of Lemony Snicket and the forth wall break that simply switches the word unfortunate with dreadful like we won’t notice.

This was not great and I would advise all those with kids who are looking for a new read to share with them to skip this one for something better you won’t regret it.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**