I had a wonderful time reading this! Although set during WWII, the story felt surprisingly light and whimsical. Experiencing it through the eyes of young protagonists added a unique perspective, and I loved the author’s playful, charming writing style. The Briarmen were fascinating – especially Bunkle, who quickly became a favourite! I only wish we’d learned more about them. While the middle felt a little slow, the ending brought everything together beautifully. A magical and emotionally rich story overall!