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From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7--In this inventive and unusual fantasy, Midge, 11, is staying on her uncle's farm while her violinist mother is on tour. She is drawn into a disused barn by the "sound" of words inside her head--the voice of a small winged horse, one of the fairy folk, or "the Various," as they call themselves. She becomes involved in their dramas and adventures as she tries to ensure that their Forest, which her uncle plans to sell to a developer, remains safe for them to live in. Augarde's fairies are very much of this world: concrete and well realized in all of their physical details, down to their tattered clothes made from scraps of fabric. The climactic scene is exciting, and the one in which one of the Various shoots an arrow into the gigantic and fierce farmyard cat and kills it is powerfully visceral. There is an air of contrivance in the story's resolution, however, as it is through events in the adult world of Midge's family that the Forest is saved. This is somewhat anticlimactic, as the efforts of the Various to save themselves turn out to have been unnecessary. Midge's character is clearly delineated, but other human characters are less well developed. The strength of the novel lies in the sense of atmosphere, and the portrayal of the fairy characters, particularly Pegs, the winged horse. There are plot elements that do not come to fruition, which might indicate that a sequel is planned.--Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-8. Like the little folk of fairy lore, the Various are knee-high beings rarely glimpsed by humans, but they aren't ethereal, carefree sprites. Confined by human encroachment to a single patch of English forest, they eke out a hardscrabble existence. When a 12-year-old human girl, Midge, learns of the Various and brings news that developers may be bulldozing their refuge, Midge is the first target of the tribes' panicked violence. Augarde provides plenty of details to tickle the imagination--from a tiny, mystical winged horse and a missing talisman that may have been stolen by Midge's great-aunt to tremors of a coming shakedown within the Various' unfair caste system. Painstakingly crafted right down to dialects spoken by the tribes, this sweeping fantasy will engross fans of the "little people" genre (think The Borrowers) as well as works such as Watership Down, which open a window to a previously unimagined society in peril. Hints that Midge and the Various have not yet seen the last of each other will gratify children aching for answers to the many unresolved questions. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Fantasy,
By Mark Twain "Sam" (Florida, MO United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Various (Hardcover)
My 10 year old really enjoyed this book. Better even than Inkheart (which I thought was better) It is good fantasy. We're looking forward to the next two in the series!
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Various by Steve Augarde,
By Eowyn (Greenwich, CT, U.S.A) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Various (Hardcover)
I read this book while I was on vacation, and once I started, I couldn't stop! In an age where original and innovative fantasy novels are difficult to come by, I'm usually a little bit wary when I pick up a new fantasy book. The idea of "faries" has been used so many times that I put off reading this book for a long time. I thought I could guess the entire plot by the book jacket. But I was wrong.Steve Augarde takes the idea of "faries" and turns them into something new and unheard of. "The Various" have a unique culture of their own- different groups, social classes, and even a funny accent! You are easily drawn to the Various, even though they are so different. However, there are many noticeable similarities, too. The Various are not all good or all bad; Little-Marten is the cutest, most likable character in the book, while Scurl is evil, nasty, and should be stepped on. The book was woven together nicely and flowed- some of the descriptions seemed almost poetic! The characters were well developed, and the story moved at a fast pace. I can't wait to read more of Augarde's writing! Margaret P.S Even though this takes place in England, you definitely don't have to live there to understand this novel!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too,
By TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Various: Book 1 in the Touchstone Trilogy (Paperback)
Twelve-year-old Midge has been sent to stay with her Uncle Brian at Mill Farm while her musician mother goes on tour.Though she's not sure what to expect, Midge never dreamed of the adventures she'd encounter at the farm. She stumbles upon an injured winged horse in one of the outbuildings and helps the creature. She learns the horse lives in the Royal Wood. Unfortunately, Uncle Brian has decided to sell the woods and they are set to be plowed down. Midge is led through the brambles and unkempt boundaries of the woods to share this dire news with the Various. While she'd heard stories of pixies and fairies, Midge never dreamed they existed and that she'd be drawn into their world. But things aren't always magical in the world of the Various and not everyone is happy to see her. Now the Various aren't the only ones in danger. THE VARIOUS is a thrilling book told from several different points of view as we learn about the characters both human and of the Various. Though the story moved slowly in places, the idea and characters are intriguing enough to keep the reader enthralled as the story progresses to the fantastic and thrilling ending. I enjoyed being introduced to THE VARIOUS and am looking forward to reading more about them and Augarde's other characters in CELANDINE, the second book in THE TOUCHSTONE TRILOGY. Reviewed by: Joan Stradling
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