Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
In this fourth installment of Hale’s well-loved Books of Bayern series, Razo’s younger sister, Rin, has a special affinity with the trees of her beloved forest, able to “listen” for their “calming green.” But the growing self-doubt of adolescence causes Rin to become estranged from her beloved trees as well as to feel homeless even within her loving home. Rin leaves the forest to follow Razo to the city, where she joins with Isi, Enna, and Dasha (heroines of the previous three books) to defend Isi’s kingdom from a subversive menace -- and along the way discovers her own magical gifts, which come with their own curse and blessing. Hale’s reputation as a master storyteller is well deserved. Readers will ache for Rin, the overly good girl haunted by fears of her own inescapable inner badness; they will chuckle along with Razo’s lighthearted banter, savor the growing friendship among the band of four brave and spirited girls, flinch at the evil adversary’s truly horrific punishments of those who displease her, and cheer both for Isi’s ultimate triumph and for Rin’s long-overdue realization of her own wonderful self-worth. This is an empowering book for girls--and for everybody. 2009, Bloomsburg, $17.99. Ages 10 up.

Ruth-Anne Brown (Childrens Book and Play Review, September/October 2009 (Vol. 30, No. 1))
Rinna was born in the forest and can understand the trees. She can read a feeling or a lie by looking someone in the face. However, she keeps something inside, afraid that if she lets her secret out, she will become a monster. Rinna has the power of people-speaking, and after using this power to talk a boy into kissing her, Rinna feels wrong. She goes with her older brother Razo to the palace of Bayern to serve Queen Isi as a nursery maid. Rinna is suspicious of one of the other maids, and it turns out this maid was trying to kidnap the prince, Tusken. The maid was working for Selia, a powerful people-speaker and old enemy of Queen Isi, who is determined to take Isi's crown, child, and life. Rinna allows herself to use her gifts in order to overthrow Selia. The theme of confidence in yourself is woven through the story. Rinna is afraid of what she will become through people-speaking, so she emulates those around her. She shuts up her true self deep inside. Eventually, Rinna forgives herself for past mistakes and strives to use her talents for good. She realizes her power, but chooses self-control. She seeks out the boy she hurt and makes things right. Rinna uses persuasion and her gift of reading people to build up the confidence and strength of others in need. This story will inspire readers to be their best selves. Rating: Excellent. Reading Level: Young adult;. Category: Fiction; Fantasy fiction; Fairy tales. 2009, Bloomsbury, 389 p., $17.99. © 2002, Brigham Young University.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2009 (Vol. 77, No. 14))
Hale, like her readers, has clearly been enchanted with the characters she brought forth in her Books of Bayern (The Goose Girl, 2003, etc.). This fourth volume centers on Razo's little sister Rinna, who adores her Ma and her siblings' babies and finds peace among the trees but cannot get her words and feelings right. When Rin is 15, Razo brings her to the castle where he is guard. Rin finds a place caring for the two-year-old princeling and learns from Isi, the queen who can control the wind. Isi, Enna, who wields fire, and Razo's own Dasha, who hears water, are immediately called upon to save a fragile peace. Rin's inner demons—connected to powers she does not yet grasp—are fascinatingly explored. An evil nemesis rises again from an earlier tale, and while she is not as fully drawn as the other characters she will be recognized. One doesn't need to have read the earlier books to become enraptured by this one, but doing so adds to the richness of these very satisfying tales. 2009, Bloomsbury, 400p, $17.99. Category: Fantasy. Ages 12 up. © 2009 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Leslie Preddy (Library Media Connection, October 2009)
In book four of this fantasy adventure series, Rin, Razo’s younger sister, takes center stage. Rin’s plight and adventure is taken to extremes when she realizes she has a unique power, one only a few in her world have. Rin has the quintessential adolescent problems to which everyone can relate. She’s trying to figure out who she is and is not sure she likes what she sees in herself. She is so fearful, she masters mimicry and models herself after whomever she is near, which causes an emptiness deep inside. Her thoughts and pain are easily relatable to middle school readers. As a reader, I was immediately grabbed by Rin’s character and internal struggle, and the author continued to hold my attention with the subsequent action and adventure. The story and characters are so appealing that this book is hard to put down. Even though it is not necessary to have read the earlier titles, this is an excellent addition to the series. Recommended. 2009, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 400pp., $17.99 hc. Ages 12 to 15.