From School Library Journal
Grade 3–6—Shortly after her first adventure in
Little Fur: The Legend Begins (Random, 2006), elf troll Little Fur is on another dangerous quest. In order to discover what evil plot the Troll King has conceived to destroy the earth magic running through the natural world, she joins a fellowship that ventures beneath the city to Underth, the realm of the trolls. Her companions include her loyal feline friend Ginger, two stealthy sibling ferrets, and an unwilling rat as a guide. However, the most intriguing member of the group is Sorrow, a fox whose sole wish is to die and who joins the quest to achieve that end. Little Fur's healer instincts demand that she attempt to discover and cure what ails the fox's body and spirit, but he proves an unwilling patient. Though the story builds on the events of the previous novel, it is not necessary to have read it to enjoy this one. In fact, this installment is more cohesive and less didactic than the earlier one and has a better developed and more rounded character in Sorrow. The simple pen-and-ink drawings add little to the narrative. Patrick Carman's "The Land of Elyon" series (Scholastic) is similar and superior, but readers who enjoy a tame eco-fantasy should be satisfied with Little Fur's return.—
Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Little Fur is back on another dangerous mission to thwart the troll king's evil plans. Sett Owl, an oracle of the earth-spirit, charges a small group of animals to journey to the troll kingdom Underearth and discover the king's plans for spreading a plague among humans. The gentle half-elf, half-troll girl volunteers to accompany them in order to save the leader of the group, a cynical fox called Sorrow, who wishes only to die and be free of his ruined life. This is a strong sequel to
The Legend Begins (2006), with more depth of character and more at stake in the adventure. One of the most intriguing figures here is Sorrow, who will, no doubt, have a large role in future books, and as Little Fur confronts her troll side in the Underearth, her dual troll-elf heritage is brought closer to the forefront. Charmingly skewed black-and-white drawings go well with the childlike innocence of Carmody's heroine. At least two additional Little Fur books are planned.
Krista HutleyCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
