fairy books, they could never make me hate you

As someone who grew up reading the classic Tinker Bell chapter books (and now keeps them on her childhood bedroom shelves to reread during the holiday season and possibly pass on to her own children someday), this book means a lot to me. I had a blast reading/listening to it solely because I feel like Allison Saft does a fantastic job at capturing the unique beauty Disney's created with the continuing Tinker Bell franchises. There's something so specific about this subgenre, from descriptions of tantalizing fairy food, to the wonders of nature, to the combination of functionality with whimsicality in areas like clothing and buildings. Like the way the Pixie Dust tree caters its flowers to Clarion's disposition or needs, and the metaphors used to describe how Clarion and Milori feel about each other contrast both summer and winter---it's the little details that really made this for me!
Amid my delight and waves of nostalgia, though, I found myself reflecting on themes that dealt with some darker and heavier stuff. While this is a book targeted more for the young reader and young adult side of the market, it's not all literal sunshine and rainbows. The fear of not being enough, of what happens when nightmares manifest in real life, and what you have to sacrifice for love and duty are explored across the story, to name just a few. I think Clarion and Milori's love story depict the heart of all these struggles beautifully, from their naturally contrasting realms, aesthetics, and magical powers, yes, but also their selflessness. They both struck me as very strong characters in their decision to act on the greater good for their two realms rather than their own personal desires. It's really sad. Like, really sad. The ending left me staring at the wall wondering if I could've done what Clarion did, and how her story is a subplot in the rest of the Tinker Bell canon but kind of a huge deal in the grand scheme of things in that same canon.
I digress---getting to reflect on truly selfless characters and a very sweet and pure love story only added to my sense of nostalgia that ultimately made this a pretty solid read for me overall. I will say that some parts of the plot that slogged a bit for me were buoyed by my preexisting love for these fairy books. But, c'mon, if you're picking up a Disney Fairies-related title, chances are you're ready and eager for the whimsy.



Some of my favorite quotes from Wings of Starlight:

"She loved him. Perhaps she was always bound to, from the very moment she saw him standing on the border. How could she not?"

"How could she ever teach new arrivals to fly? How could she dare to unfurl their wings with the tenderness they deserved when she would always remember the ones she had broken?"

"'I do not think I’ve been subtle about it, but I feel I should tell you that I like you, too.'"

---