3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Water and the Wild by K.E. Ormsbee is the first book in “The Water and the Wild” series. It’s a delightful beginning to the series.

Purchase Links: Amazon – B&N – Kobo

Brief Synopsis

A green apple tree grows in the heart of Thirsby Square, and tangled up in its magical roots is the story of Lottie Fiske. For as long as Lottie can remember, the only people who seem to care about her are her best friend, Eliot, and the mysterious letter writer who sends her birthday gifts. But now strange things are happening on the island Lottie calls home, and Eliot’s getting sicker, with a disease the doctors have given up trying to cure. Lottie is helpless, useless, powerless—until a door opens in the apple tree. Follow Lottie down through the roots to another world in pursuit of the impossible: a cure for the incurable, a use for the useless, and protection against the pain of loss.

Review

The beginning of this book was awesome. I loved hearing about Lottie and Eliot’s background and friendship. I loved hearing about the man who wrote Lottie letters/sent her gifts each year on her birthday. It was exciting, bright, and fun!

When we first got to Limn, I was still thoroughly enjoying this book. I found Adelaide annoying, but I could see her point of view as well as Lottie’s, so I tried to allow her a little extra compassion. After all, it’s her father that’s in danger. The fact that the guard burned the house and the mob turned on the family so quickly was saddening, but the beginning of the journey was filled with adventure and intrigue.

I also loved the descriptions that Ms. Ormsbee provided us about the land of Limn and it’s various regions. I could vividly see the world she has created and yet, there was still enough left to my imagination that I didn’t feel overtaxed with detail.

However, the further the children traveled in their journey, the more tedious the book seemed to me. The journey was just too long. Having read the second book as well, I realize now that a lot of what the children encounter in the journey will serve them in the future. Even still, it bogged down the story line of this book to the point where I actually skipped ahead a little because I was getting too bored.

Outside of that, it was a delightful book. It’s a very solid, good beginning to the series and I look forward to reading more from this author!

About the Author

K.E. Ormsbee lives in Lexington, Kentucky. She grew up with a secret garden in her backyard and a spaceship in her basement. In her wild, early years, she taught English as a Foreign Language, interned with a film society, and did a lot of irresponsible road tripping. Nowadays, she teaches piano lessons, plays in a band you’ve never heard of, and run races she never wins. She likes clothes from the 60s, music from the 70s, and movies from the 80s. She is from the 90s.

Source: K.E. Ormsbee’s Author page on Amazon and the “About the Author” blurb on Amazon’s page for The Doorway and the Deep.

Author’s website: K.E. Ormsbee