In the western lands of Telinoria, there lives a tree with magical healing properties. It has stood atop Videre Hill for centuries, curing and helping those in its presence. But now a battle has begun, and its very existence is in jeopardy.
Darien, safely returned home, increasingly struggles to find a balance between her need to express her creativity and her parents’ wishes that she work harder to fit in and grow up. As she pushes for more independence from her family, her acquaintance with Miss Mildred strengthens into friendship.
For her second quest, Darien must find the Tree of Healing and bring back some of its magic to restore Miss Mildred’s powers. Will Darien be able to use the paints once again to reach the tree before it is destroyed forever? Will the determination of one small girl be enough to overcome the greed of two warring races? Join Darien as she avoids capture by the king’s men, confronts hideous enemies, meets valiant new friends, and discovers that luck is not always what it appears to be.
Can one girl persuade two greed-driven races to back down? Middle-grade students will enjoy this thoughtful fantasy-adventure, ideal for private and public library children's collections. Also highly recommended is the first book in the series, Darien and the Lost Paints of Telinoria.
The success of this series lies in the characterization of the 11-year-old protagonist. Like most tweens, she is forming her own identity, one that is separate from the expectations of friends and parents. Middle-grade readers should find this character relatable. The sporadic inclusion of illustrations and the surreal plot make for a quick read. VERDICT A strong supplemental purchase for fantastical fiction featuring a strong female protagonist.
