Helpful Score: 1
I just read this book in the version which was republished by Fidra Books (www.fidrabooks.com) - ISBN 0-9551910-7-6. I read it because Neil Gaiman recommended it in his blog and Garth Nix has also posted online about liking the story (http://www.ibooknet.co.uk/archive/news_may04.htm). Its a charming story, very english. Two children (Sebastian and Melissa) must find a series of magical items to overthrow an evil Enchanter and free Melissa from her captivity. The plot is very simple, and there is not very much character depth, but some of the descriptions of the magic and worlds that are in this book are amazing - especially descriptions of settings such as Melissa's Treasure House, the Grey Forest, The Rose Maze, and the Enchanter's Glass Castle and the valley it is in with a sun and moon chasing each other across the heavens. I also enjoyed visualizing what the 4 seasons (who Sebastian meets) look like - Autumn wears a coat of leaves that constantly fall and are replenished, Spring has feathers as hair..
