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| AWAY WITH THE FAIRIES |
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Author: SilviaKrpatova
Title: Away with the fairies (ONC 2021)
Genre: Adventure

Review: 'Away with the Fairies' is a fictional work by Silvia which revolves around two children, Hans and Louise, helping the lost fairy Rosalind to find her way back home. The adventure begins at the banks of the river, when kids decide to travel to the fairy's land and help her find the shards of the broken mirror. Soon the fairy realises that Blue, the love of her life, is missing and the journey to unravel his sudden disappearance begins.

Inspired by the original works of Hans Christian Anderson, 'Away with the Fairies' is a simple allegory children's fiction. The story displays friendship as the central theme and magic as the supreme element. The author has imbibed multiple morals in the plot making it a fine piece of art for children. As the story proceeds, love, togetherness, courage and sacrifice become part of the central theme. The title complements the plot well as Hans and Louise go for an adventure with the Flower Fairy. Reader's first impression would be, "This is just another fairytale," which will transform after reading a few chapters. The author has beautifully described the innocence of children and their desire to figure out everything with magic.

The author manages to build up an emotional connection with the characters. Hans is a wise teen boy who loves Louise. He is fond of reading books, and curiosity is his other name. His character displays sacrifice. Louise is a young, kind girl battling lung disease. The magic land of Terra Sonalis attracts her magnetically. Her character teaches readers the significance of friendship and the act of doing good to others. The flower fairy, Rosalind, is the princess of Terra Sonalis. She has the superpower to hear humans' thoughts. She battles with anxiety and fear due to the lost butterfly she loves, yet, she rules like a queen, and every creature in her kingdom respects her. All three of them make a perfect team. Other side characters - Garett, the Frog Guard; Berenice, the Sorceress Owl; Daisy, the mermaid - are believable. Their part in the plot tells a different story, like the consequences of a mermaid falling in love with other creatures, or the origin of the magical powers of Terra Sonalis.

The story is original, well-researched and easy to read. Every part of the plot is planned and structured, leaving no space for clichés and unresolved issues. Even though the start is slow-paced, the plot does not become monotonous. Dialogues and descriptions are marvellously composed using decent diction. The use of alliteration, simile, metaphor, and other literary devices add glitters to the plot. Children's fiction is plain without imagery, and the author has done an excellent job on that part.

I have not read many children's fiction in childhood but 'Away with the Fairies' has urged me to flip through more stories under the genre. The story is satisfactorily suited for children of 11-12 years of age, but a person older than 12 will surely enjoy it. Away with the Fairies is a highly recommended story to feel fresh and young.

Reviewer: -Navyah-

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| INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR |
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✼ Before we begin can you tell us a little about yourself? So we will get to know each other better.
I'm pleased to meet you. Before I start, let me tell you that English is not my first language so I apologize for the mistakes I'm bound to make. 😄

✼ How was your childhood, did you have any imaginary friends?
I was a quiet child, getting lost in books ever since I could read. But I have never had an imaginary friend.

✼ What inspired you to keep writing the story?
Hmm... the story was 'born' in my mind the moment I read that prompt. It spilled out on its own. The only inspiration to keep writing was the will to finish it.

✼ Have you ever gone through a writer's block while writing it?
No.

✼ What age group is the target of your ONC story?
I'd say preteen, 12-13.

✼ Did you read the story to a child? If yes, how was the reaction?
No, I did not.

✼ Have you considered publishing the story?
I think all of us, Wattpad's aspiring writers, play with this idea. But honestly, the publishing process looks so difficult. I only started writing 3 years ago, I might get to thinking more about publishing later, when I get to learn more about all this world the writers live in.

✼ Aside from having a young Hans Christian Andersen as one of the main characters, you refer to a lot of his work. Do you have a special connection with this author?
The Little Mermaid is my most favourite fairy tale. I like his other tales, too, they are so... beautifully 'old-fashioned'.

✼ And as a follow up, what is it that fascinates you in the worlds of H.C. Andersen?
I'm an incurable romantic and love how his characters fight, or even suffer for love. Not all of his tales end in what today's readers would call a perfect happy ending, but there's always hope...

✼ If you would be given the chance to gift something to 10 children what would that gift be?
Love and happiness.

✼ What do you think makes your story different from other stories? How do you prevent yourself from using the clichés?
I'm not sure about this. I think I used a little more descriptions than some other writers whose works I've read. It makes my story flow slower maybe, more in tone with Andersen's style of writing (I hope, as that's what I wanted to achieve.)

✼ How did your journey at ONC go? Did you enjoy it?
Definitely. This was my first time, but I'll make sure to participate again next year. I met so many new, supportive writers. Thank you so much to you, ambassadors, for hosting this contest.

✼ Any advice for new writers?
Write! Write what you like, what feels right to you. If you don't enjoy what you write, others won't enjoy reading it. At least that's what I think.

✼ Anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you so much again for hosting this contest, for all the hard work you put into it.

Interviewer:  LuleHene

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