The Yonder
Formats: Paperback
Ages: 12-15, 18+
Magpie has agreed to help Constance find her husband who has gone lost in an other-worldly realm. Along the way, he makes a wager with the Devil—never a good idea—and ends up owing a life to Death, which he hopes won’t have to be his own. Then, risking his own freedom, Magpie goes toe-to-toe with a dangerous conjurer who has claimed Constance as his slave. It is a tale of hidden identities, misdirection, wandering and dead ends, of treachery and redemption, desperate oaths, impossible debts, and in the end, of faithfulness and love.
Reviews
In this tale, Donald Samson has created an alternate realm with an elusive portal. His world-building was astounding, full of twisted bargains, strange stipulations, benevolent animals, and quirky characters. In this realm where nothing happens by coincidence, mysterious occurrences are all too common, each unexpected yet somehow preordained. Samson weaves together snippets of familiar fairy tales with a unique flair and creates a story remarkable in its own right. The tantalizing chapter headings and Nisbett's superb illustrations made the book entertaining. I loved how Samson brought out the depths of the characters, be it a devious villain's unending lust for power or the hero's agonizing dilemmas. Even the characters with fleeting appearances left lasting impressions, including a blind child who accepted his lot in life with unusual cheer and a resourceful soldier who devised clever ways to help his companion. I admired that the author did not make his heroes and heroines into larger-than-life characters, an aspect common in fairy tales, but instead related their faults and redeeming virtues. Their trials prove that unwavering love can help us overcome all obstacles. Blurring the line between reality and imagination, The Yonder is a must-read standalone fantasy. Shrabastee Chakrabort
Donald Samson's The Yonder tells a story of impermanent debts and secret identities. I was sucked into a rich, hilarious, and delightful world of fairy tales and creativity. I was captivated by this book from the very first page to the very last. Certain well-known fairy tale characters were included, although they were creatively distorted. The characters' growth was excellent. As the plot developed, they evolved and adjusted to the changes they experienced. Good always triumphs because of the characters' remarkable growth and capacity to overcome adversity. The story was well-written and filled with mystery, quests, romance, and magic. The book has amazing pictures that perfectly capture the essence of the narrative. With its intricate plot and distinctly compelling characters, this highly visual story was a pleasure to read. Alma Boucher
