Whimsical and beautiful, a simple story for children, teens, or adults. Anyone who wants to read just a good, wholesome story, wrought with mystery, destiny, adventure and love should read this book. (Just you know, it’s geared towards a slightly younger audience, so take that into consideration yeah? —I’m an adult who thought it was such a good book that I recommended it to my mother, before I even finished it.)
All that being said, this book gave me some interesting literature vibes…think Stephen Mitchell’s Gilgamesh (the forest, the environment, and kind of the world in general,) meets Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn (obviously,) with just a healthy dash of plucky childhood heroines like Rhode Dahl’s Matilda or Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. (Brave, endearing, good AF, tackling the odds like a champ…you know.) -Mix them all together in a big pot, let them simmer awhile, and you get The Silver Tree. 10/10, no regrets.
This book is perfect for all ages
Thanks to Goodreads for the contest giveaway
R. Jetleb … From talented author Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour comes a youth novel like no other. It tells the tale of ten-year-old Alexandra and her remarkable quest to save a group of unicorns trapped by an evil sorceress.
The story takes place in a faraway land and time, a true “once upon a time” narrative. It is the classic story of good versus evil, told with bold, vibrant prose, and beautiful, flowing descriptions. It is a story that sweeps the reader up in its dramatic twists and turns and has one rooting for the good characters and cursing the black hearts of the truly evil villains. The story is filled with human characters that will steal your heart, as well as fantastical creatures such as unicorn kings and queens, dragons, shape shifters, and tree gods.
The novel is relatable on a very human level as the threads of the timeless issues of love, family, loyalty, hope, determination, and faith are woven throughout the exciting adventure.
It is a novel for youth, but adults will also enjoy it. The Silver Tree is an excellent read-aloud for a parent or teacher of the older school-age child. The themes and exciting plot will serve as a springboard for sparkling, lively discussions. The fantastical creatures will inspire readers who enjoy crafts as they recreate them with paint, clay, or markers.
Mansour ties up the novel with a warm, satisfying ending, leaving just enough loose threads to lead to tantalizing possibilities of a sequel!
The Silver Tree
by Canadian author, Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour
Cover art by Canadian artist, Kate Pellerin
Follow Alexandra’s quest as she is transformed into a beautiful unicorn to assist the Unicorn King in saving the unicorns being held captive in the Dark Forest by evil forces who seek to possess their magic.
The Silver Tree combines the beauty of good and the darkness of evil with the special young girl, lots of magic, a herd of unicorns, as well as fairies, creatures of the forest, dragons, witches, and so much more!
An excerpt from “The Silver Tree”
The Unicorn King burst into the clearing where the silver tree stood. Alexandra slid from his back and reached for the precious necklace. The king lowered it into her hands. She stumbled from the sheer weight of it. As she did so, she noticed what was happening to the silver tree.
The trunk was riddled with grotesque deformities; never would Alexandra have believed that the beautiful seedling she had found could turn into such a colossal formation. It shook uncontrollably in anticipation. “Hurry, child, place the necklace around my trunk; I can stand it no longer in here.”
Alexandra’s hands shook. The Unicorn King paced around the silver tree. Alexandra staggered toward it, the weight of the jewel almost too heavy for her to bear. As she approached the silver tree, Alexandra noticed enormous droplets of moisture breaking out all over the bark.
“Hurry,” the voice urged. “The sun already sets beyond the trees.”
Alexandra laid the necklace at the base of the silver tree. She picked up one end and dragged the silver chain around the tree. Upon going full circle, Alexandra reached down and clipped the closure into place. Snap! Then she fell to her knees on the soft, moist earth and waited.
The droplets of moisture flowed like tiny streams through a rocky field. The gnarled tree trunk shivered uncontrollably, and the ground beneath Alexandra shook as the roots of the tree started to lift from the ground. An ear-splitting crack split the darkening silence. Alexandra’s eyes fixed in astonishment on the silver tree.
The sun disappeared behind the horizon. The tree groaned in despair. The Unicorn King screamed in agony. The massive trunk ripped open and revealed its captive within.
Whimsical and beautiful, a simple story for children, teens, or adults. Anyone who wants to read just a good, wholesome story, wrought with mystery, destiny, adventure and love should read this book. (Just you know, it’s geared towards a slightly younger audience, so take that into consideration yeah? —I’m an adult who thought it was such a good book that I recommended it to my mother, before I even finished it.)
All that being said, this book gave me some interesting literature vibes…think Stephen Mitchell’s Gilgamesh (the forest, the environment, and kind of the world in general,) meets Peter S. Beagle’s The Last Unicorn (obviously,) with just a healthy dash of plucky childhood heroines like Rhode Dahl’s Matilda or Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. (Brave, endearing, good AF, tackling the odds like a champ…you know.) -Mix them all together in a big pot, let them simmer awhile, and you get The Silver Tree. 10/10, no regrets.
I’d like to enter the draw for this book.