The Unlikely Ones (1986)

I re-read this one after many years of sitting on my shelf (my mother gifted it to me when I was about 18). I was surprised that I could remember as much of it as I did (some of the details I had forgotten). A straight forward plot and good cast of characters - probably young adult (though towards the older end with some of the sexual references). I do find the ending of the 'fellowship' bittersweet. ( )

One of the worst books I've ever finished. I know nothing about the author, but I have to wonder what she has on whom to get this thing into print. ( )

An interesting fairy tale. The sexual content is a bit adult for kids (though I think it may have been targeted at them) but the author managed to give the book that classic fairy tale air of being simple, yet not exactly so. ( )

I thought I would like this book - it seemed like a fun story line, but it was too adult for a light children's fairy tale and too childish for a good fantasy adventure.

It really read like a romance novel (although I'm just guessing since I haven't read any romance novels). It was repetitive, characters were boring and I HATE when writers totally show their hand with the foreshadowing. It's ok to hint, don't make it obvious. Don't actually title the chapters with what's going to happen! (Some authors write in a way that they can get away with this - but Mary Brown's style doesn't lend itself to this). For the characters, the only one I liked really, wash Pisky - the fish. The toad was ok, but the others were too whiny. Maybe it would have been better if each adventure was told by that particular character rather than by Thing (the girl and main character of the tale).

It seemed like a good story idea, but it just fell short - it seemed with an idea like that, the book would have been easy to write, but I don't think the talent was there. ( )

I loved this book. I read it many years ago when I was an undergraduate. It made me cry! ( )