Review: Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi

Synopsis
Our story begins on a frosty night…

Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It’s become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair, and her own ever-increasing loneliness and fear.

But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee’s world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship.

What I thought
Whichwood is a middle grade fantasy novel and the second book in the Furthermore series.  These books are companion novels and can be read separately. Tahereh Mafi’s writing is beautiful as always.

In this installment you meet Laylee a mordeshoor. A mordeshoor is a person with a gift to help those who have passed to be able to cross over to the afterlife. In this story Alice and Oliver travel to Whichwood to help Laylee.

This story teaches two lessons one learned by Alice and the other by Laylee. Alice learns that helping someone is not something that can be done quickly. She discovers that helping someone and making a difference in their life is something that is done over time.  Laylee learns to trust people and to let them into her life. Both of these lessons are important for people to learn not matter their age.

My Rating: /5