I hadn't realised this was the third in a series, and having not yet read the other two I struggled to get into this. At some point I'll read the rest of the series and update this review.

I requested this one not realizing it was the third book in a series (because it wasn't noted anywhere. Please make sure to include such information in the descriptions to avoid misunderstandings in the future). I thought I would read it anyway, but judging from the beginning it relies on knowing and caring about the characters you should already know from the previous books, so I decided to DNF it. The average rating is 4 stars so that's what I'm giving it.

I’ve decided to DNF this series after loving the first book, the second one wasn’t great and I can already tell after reading this one that I’m not going to like it so DNF

Child of Earth and Sky was the 3rd book from the series. But I read this as standalone since this is my first read from the author. Actually the narrative gave enough informations for new reader to get strong ground into the story and knew the characters. But read previous installments will complete and enrich whole experience into this world.

This book offering another version of classic fairytales we already knew from childhood. Each stories bring new messages to become strong and independent women. The family focus also become my favorite plot. The writing is beautiful and lyrical. The pace is perfect and I can finished the story at one sitting. This book is unique and alluring. It is interesting read and wont become my last read from the author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bantam from Random House UK, Transworld Publishing for providing a copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved being reunited with these characters. The sisters are wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed being back in this world. If you enjoyed books 1 and 2 you’ll love this one too.

Really liked the sound of this but felt it may have been a bit too ambitious in trying to include so many different concepts at once.

I read this book as a standalone rather than as part of the series and can safely say that it holds up as such. I'm sure that the story would have been enriched by reading the other books but I had no trouble understanding what was going on or getting invested in the plot and the world.

This isn't the kind of book that I normally reach for but I enjoyed the familial relationships established within the book as well as the strong FMC. This is a truly beautiful story about the love of a mother that is easy and quick to read.

What a fitting book to end a trilogy. This was so well written but if you didn't realise it was part of a series you might get a little confused.
There was so much emotion poured into this and we are given a very strong FMC which I love.
Definitely read the first 2 if you haven't already.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the sisters grimm (first book) and loved this book too (although feel it could also be read as a standalone). I found I was able to read this book really quickly and follow the pace of the story without too many difficulties or rereading passages again, and enjoyed the central storyline pertaining to the bond between mother and daughter.

The idea of a story dealing with the sense of belonging and being whole fascinated me but I wasn't a huge fan of the book as I wasn't involved in the characters.
It's well plotted but not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

“It’s never too late to live a new life.”

We last caught up with the Sisters Grimm when they were 21. While the first two books in the trilogy were everyone’s story, this one was mostly Goldie’s. And Luna’s. Goldie has an almost ten year old daughter now and she’s more powerful than any other sister.

“I realise now that I’m not just a Grimm; not just a sister but a soldier too.”

Goldie runs a women’s shelter with Teddy, her brother. I was surprised that Teddy worked there and was involved in the intake process. I also wasn’t always the hugest fan of the way the women at the shelter were spoken of.

“Still, she can’t help but think of the women at the shelter and how much better their lives would’ve been if only they’d been taught to stand up for themselves earlier.”

This reads to me like we’re blaming the victim and making them responsible for the behaviour of the perpetrator, and ignoring the ways they have resisted the violence perpetrated against them. I’m realising more and more that while I’m all for justice and fairness, I’m not into vengeance so one element of the story didn’t sit well with me.

“It is a story of love and loss and something strange and terrible to come - but exactly what isn’t clear.”

This series is about sisterhood. It’s taking back your power, elemental magic and there’s an underground library! Why have I not known there’s a place where 900 years of magical literature live before now? I need to spend the next year or decade exploring it.

Alastair Meikle has illustrated the entire series and I always look forward to choosing a favourite. In this book it was the one that accompanies Luna’s story, The Good Girl.

In a pinch, you could read this book as a standalone. To get the most out of it, though, and to understand the characters’ individual backgrounds and their shared bond, I’d recommend reading them in order.

‘Soon you’ll be braver and stronger than you’ve ever believed possible.’

Content warnings include domestic abuse, self harm, sexual assault and suicidal ideation.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bantam Press, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, Penguin Random House UK, for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.

I have really enjoyed this series of books, they are magical and spellbinding. Somehow they make me think of the works of Philip Pullman ,not sure why but a similar vibe I suppose.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this early copy of Child of Earth and Sky by Menna van Praag. This was a magical and captivating read that I can't wait to share with my students.

Child of Earth & Sky is the third and final installment of the The Sister Grimm series. I thought this series was a duology so the third book was a lovely surprise for me. The story takes a 9-year time jump and introduces us to Goldie's daughter, Luna. I enjoyed the dynamic between the mother and daughter, and the end wrapped up pretty much all the loose ends. While the focus is mainly on Luna and Goldie, there is also an underlying mystery throughout the book. I wish some things were explained a little bit more like Goldie's women's shelter or the underground library. But overall it was a lovely story to read. Also, there were a couple of pictures which were a pleasant surprise too.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Book Review 📚
Child of Earth and Sky by Menna Van Praag - 4/5 ⭐

Okay, I've had this one a while and only just got round to reading it. This is because I made an error and didn't realise it was part of a series! So, obviously, I went and purchased the first 2 books to read first and then made way on Child of Earth and Sky.

The only way to describe this book is heartfelt. There are such bonds over family, specifically mother and daughter. It's beautiful in every way. As a mother, it took a dive straight into my heart and pulled at the strings surrounding it. It's so surreal in what a mother will do for her child.

Goldie, our FMC, went to hell (LITERALLY) and back to be reunited with her baby. She is strong, independent and completely independent. She is everything you want from a mother. Her love towards her child is heartbreaking.

The whole story was utterly beautiful. I can't describe it any other way. It's fast paced and keeps you intrigued through the story. There isn't any slow moments and you feel the need to keep going so you can finish it and hopefully find they happily ever after!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

Child of Earth & Sky
by Menna van Praag
Pub Date: 19 Oct 2023

Born of bright-white wishing and black-edged desire, the Grimm girls each command a single element and wield it with great power. But a child born of a Grimm and a fallen star will have command over every element . . . and wield infinite power.

At twenty-one, Goldie gave birth to a daughter by her dead lover. Now Goldie is nearly thirty and Luna almost nine. Conceived in the realm between life and death, Luna is part star-soldier, part Grimm and now those opposing forces are waging war within her.

Terrified of losing her increasingly volatile child, Goldie goes on the run. Then an act of violence forces her to return and Luna is taken into care. Mother and child can still meet - in the haunted otherworld that is Everwhere.

Desperate to reclaim her daughter, Goldie must also confront whatever is corrupting Everwhere. For fresh leaves are falling, and Grimm girls are dying. Fearing the return of her father, Goldie knows she cannot succeed alone and summons her sisters.

But can the bonds of sisterhood bear the terrible price that will be paid . . .

Disclaimer: I didn't realise this was part of a series (a trilogy, in fact) when I requested this book. However, it reads pretty well as a standalone, albeit I don't have that deep-seated connection with the Grimm sisters because I didn't read the previous books.

Still, even without much knowledge of the Grimm sister's past, it is projected very clearly that Goldie has become paranoid about losing her loved ones. Her fretting over her powerful, ten-year-old daughter. Her safe place and community in Everwhere. Her back-of-the-mind soreness over her sister, Scarlet. The trauma from losing two other sisters (which were the outcomes of the two previous books in the series...). So the desperation that is felt when a mysterious occurrence repeats and draws the attention of Social Services felt visceral and empathetic.

There are a few faces (to my knowledge at least) that are new in this book: Luna (Goldie's daughter), Teddy (Goldie's brother) and Kavita (a minor character from the Grimm community). Considering Luna's background, the plotline involving her and her mother and the mystery, her characterisation is justifiable, though a teeny (teeny!) bit disconnected because she can at certain times act far too old for her age. Again, it can be hand-waved away if I consider the speculative elements at play with her nature. I feel bad for Teddy and honestly am not sure how I feel about the way his plotline ended. It has a "c'est la vie" vibe to it.

All in all, it's a quick read that is ultimately about the bond of family, at the center of this novel the mother-daughter hood, and what one would do to preserve those bonds, to hold onto love.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK and Transworld Publishers for providing me with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.

An exquisite ending to this trilogy. I loved every page, and especially the tales told <3
I'll never forget Luna and Goldie!