Title: Under The Green Hill
Author: Laura L. Sullivan [author page] [facebook]
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Parental Advisory: war, violence
Teachable Moments: courage, honesty, loyalty

“Meg ran up to her brother, who was standing in a daze, staring at the place where Gul Ghillie had been.  There was a strange hollowness about him, the bewildered look of a man who has stared into the sun too long and paid the price with his vision.  He seemed older somehow, more handsome, but hardly the same Rowan.  Meg took him by the shoulders and shook him until his head lolled.”

Summary (from the publisher):
Rowan, Meg, Silly, and their little brother James are off to the English countryside for the summer to stay with elderly relatives at the Rookery.  The children are looking forward to exploring the ancient mansion and perhaps discovering a musty old attic or two filled with treasure, but never in their wildest dreams did they expect to find themselves in the middle of a fairy war.

Beguiled by the beautiful fairy queen, Rowan pledges to be champion of her court under the Green HIll, little realizing the danger he has brought upon himself.  For these fairies are not sweet little sprites; they are morally ambiguous creatures who will lead a man to a feast only to feed him on toadstools.

Meg is desperate to save her brother.  But the Midsummer War is far more than a battle between mythic creatures: Everything that lives depends on it.  How can Meg choose between family and the fate of the very land itself?

Opinion:
Scripted with lovely prose, Under the Green Hill paints an imaginative and realistic picture of what life amongst fairy is like.  Simply plotted  the story focuses on a cadre of children who are inadvertently drawn into the middle of a fairy war.   Filled with strange creatures and a few evilly intentioned humans the story follows these children as they arrive in England, through their investigation of their extended family’s home and it’s surrounding grounds, all the way up to the end of a war not of their making.

Unlike other books in the genre Sullivan has gone the route of setting most of the story outside of magical lands.  There are glimpses into the other world (enough to give some perspective) but  much of the action happens within the confines of a small English town and it’s surrounding lands.  Strange behavior on the part of townsfolk aside, life for the inhabitants of these lands around Gladysmere and the neighboring Rookery is relatively normal but for a few times of the year when they must acknowledge the fantastical that lives among them.

Sullivan has created an interesting set of characters in the Morgan children, their companions and the Ash family.    Filled with all sorts of girl power it’s refreshing to see a main character Meg go from being a cautious and conservative girl to taking life-changing risks.  Dedicated to her family and willing to sacrifice herself to save her brother she puts aside all else to be a champion.   She is absolutely the shining example of good in this story.

On the other hand there is Finn, a neighbor from back home in New York he is with the Morgans on the trip as a result of some quick maneuvering on his father’s part.  A spoiled rich boy he is self-absorbed and quick to judge.  Not only that but his sole purpose is to cause trouble for anyone and everyone who crosses his path.  He is, actually one of the better foes for Meg and her brother in the story.  His spiteful behavior is what spurns much of what they are forced to endure at the hands of the fairy.

The story embraces much the usual fantasy lore — focus on creatures like Brownies as well as Princes and Princesses from the Seelie and Unseelie courts.  In this way the book doesn’t stray too far outside the usual canon.  I found this to be one of the most valuable strengths Under the Green Hill provided, mainly because the story focused on these elements in an introductory manner.  First time readers of the genre won’t be lost or confused or overwhelmed by all of the different elements.  The fantastical was infused perfectly with the realistic.

Having said that, initially I would have thought to target this book to middle graders but about a third of the way through I began to wonder if the lengthier prose might be a bit overwhelming.  It is beautifully written and creates a vivid picture but even I found my mind wandering at times as I worked my way through all of the details and description.  Advanced readers and those interested specifically in fantasy will certainly dive right in and bask in the glory of it all without any issue whatsoever but slower readers may struggle some.  This isn’t to say that they should avoid it, I believe it’s a ride worth taking.  The story, at it’s core, is action based and gives plenty to keep a reader interested.  Furthermore, there are many good morals and lessons to be learned without being preached at.

A strong fantasy read Under the Green Hill will certainly entertain and enlighten while educating.