This is such a good middle grade. I'm glad Romero returned to it after publishing three YA in-verse back-to-back (Makes me wonder if she would write a YA in prose, but that's neither here nor there).

The writing is so delightfully whimsical, as the nameless narrator has such a strong, distinguished voice that channels old storyteller energy, especially whenever they addressed themselves in the first person. It gives leeway for Romero to use so many colorful similes and metaphors. I really loved when the narrative would directly address the reader, to assure or warn them of the impending plot. It really made it feel like it was talking to its target audience directly, the young kids who'd read it. I think it would make them feel much more personally invested, and I love when books can draw that out. (I was waiting for the reveal that they were the author of The World to Come, but that never happened. In fact, the author, how these tales were collected, how Anne's mom got the book in the first place, none of these questions are answered. It definitely doesn't ruin the story that was told, but I'd still want to know.)

Anne also is a fantastic heroine. Her creativity, her bravery, the endless love for her brother, it's impossible not to root for this girl. The characters she meets and form friendships with, like the Rose Witch or Librarian, are stand well as their roles in the story, some of which can be so heart-warming like the Rose Witch or the Librarian. Rainer deserves all the love in the world; he's such a sweet kid who turned out the way he did despite the abuse he had undergone throughout his whole life.

The one ting keeping me back from loving this more was the slog pacing around the middle chunk. There's three specified places in Bei Ilai Anne journeys through, and the last one, the Dream House, is where the most time is spent. I understand why, because it is where Rainer and the aforementioned hero-turned-villain are, and the story needs to spent time with both of them, but I found it a drag to get through.

All in all, another good read from Romero. The fact I've managed to keep up with all of her works over literal years is kinda wild to me, but it goes to show how strong Romero's story-telling skills are to have me coming back whenever she has a new release on the horizon.

A Jewish Narnia with all the fairytale elements I adore, Sign me up!
Thanks to Edelweiss and Netgalley for this E-ARC!

Tale of the Flying Forest
R.M. Romero
Eleven-year-old Anne Applebaum is very sad and feels all alone; her world changed when she lost her mother, and her father has withdrawn deep into his grief. She turns to her books The World to Come; they contain a collection of fairytales that take place in the flying forest of Bel Ilal. The books are filled with fairytales about children out witting evil spirits, girls preparing to be knights and songs that come to life. A Raven tells Anne she has a twin, his name is Rainer. Anne steps through a magical door to enter the enchanted realm of Bel Ilal to find her brother. The flying forest is beautiful but filled with many dangers. She must depend on her magic and her faith if she is to survive the flying forest. Her brother is held captive by a scary witch.
Tale of the Flying Forest is a captivating tale. The story reminds me of Narnia. This tale relies on Jewish and German folk tales.
Thank you NetFalley for providing an ARC.