Customer Reviews

Verdigris Deep

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I loved Fly By Night and what I love about Frances Hardinge's second book is that it is nothing like Fly By Night, except that they are both brilliant. This one is set in modern times and follows the harrowing adventures of three children who find themselves drastically changing after they fish some coins out of a well to pay for their bus fare home. Little did they know that when they took the coins, they also took on the responsibility for granting the wishes that went with them.

This book is very original, funny, and the characters are so real and fresh. No stereotypes here. None are draped with a hero or villain cloth because they are all multi-layered, they all have strengths and weaknesses. The author can vividly describe a character, as in "the pallor of her hair and skin made her look as if she had been through the wash too many times, losing her color and courage in the rinse." And she can sum up a character in his actions, "his father glanced over his shoulder towards the kitchen and decided as usual that his voice could travel the distance without him."

Suspenseful, intelligent, well-written. This is an amazing book.

...that tarnishes ageing and forgotten copper coins, altering them entirely...."

Throwing coins in a wishing well
And making a wish
It seems so simple
But have you ever spared a thought
For the coins?

Lying for eternity under the water
Among the slime and leaves
Forgotten by all but the verdigris
And of course the Well Witch
`Cos she's real

Three children find out the hard way
Short on bus fare
They dare to disturb the rusty rest
Of the coins, and naturally
The Well Witch

A price must be paid for their crime
He who takes the coin
Must grant the wish
Like verdigris, they become
Altered entirely

But, the tricky thing about wishes
Is that you can't just
Take them at face value
Because people don't always wish for what
They REALLY want

This book works at many levels
The characters
So cleverly developed
The plot so fiendishly crafted
I have goosebumps

Before introducing your child
To Stephen King
Lead them to
The murky waters and rotting wishes
Of the well


(Recommended for kids from 12 yrs to 99 yrs)

See also: Fly by Night by the same author


Amanda Richards, June 4, 2008

Frances Hardinge's language is nothing short of brilliant. Her turns of phrase can give something so dull and mundane as a shopping cart life and personality, even an ominous presence. She does it with everyday words, casually and apparently without effort. Her characters are as distinct and well-drawn as your dearest friends, so very real and human. The tale itself draws you in, wondering where it will take you next.

I do not re-read many works of fiction. This one I have, and loved it as much on the repeat. Originally I didn't think I'd enjoy it, as it was described to me as a children's book. Don't let that fool you!! Tweens and up who enjoy a well-crafted tale, especially one of the supernatural, will beg for more Hardinge after this.

This is a fantastic read. I love Francis Harding's books. She has a way of captivating you in the first few pages and her endings are surprising in a very good way.

Frances Hardinge can paint a picture with words like a Master. Simple, everyday words fall from her pen and join together on the page to make an image so deliciously interesting that you want to devour chapter after chapter. Describing something shiny as looking like "licked licorice" for example. Her characters are richly drawn - and they are everyday too - believable, human, strong and yet fragile. Everyday human emotions like jealousy, fear, anger, pride and love make them real to us and therefore endearing.
I'm surprised her books aren't as well known as other present day popular authors because they deserve to be. I loved Fly By Night and I loved this one. Younger children will enjoy the magic and adventure and older readers will appreciate the gentle look Frances takes at the human psyche.