What do you think?
Rate this book
Adventures in Thimbleton #1
Down The Well
Discover a new world in this portal fantasy where magic is real, animals can talk, and humans are extinct in "one enchanting package." - Kirkus recommended review
Lore Deoradán wants to be happy when she grows up. But navigating her parents' mercurial moods, moving to a new town just two weeks before her high school graduation, and dealing with her beloved grandma's declining health all make that dream seemingly impossible. Will her new job be the first step toward happiness, or will it be yet another disappointment??
When she falls down a well into a magical world with talking animals that haven't seen a human for years, she must clear her name of the mayor's murder. Although, how anyone believes she killed a Herculean-sized alligator is beyond her. Now, her survival is tied to a mouse with a chip on her shoulder. There's also a cat who owns a pub where the animal patrons might be cannibals, a giant snake librarian who probably wants to eat her, and sentient lampposts who are never there when you need them.
Can Lore prove her innocence, help a newfound friend save the town from a dark and dangerous schemer, and find her way home?
Lore Deoradán wants to be happy when she grows up. But navigating her parents' mercurial moods, moving to a new town just two weeks before her high school graduation, and dealing with her beloved grandma's declining health all make that dream seemingly impossible. Will her new job be the first step toward happiness, or will it be yet another disappointment??
When she falls down a well into a magical world with talking animals that haven't seen a human for years, she must clear her name of the mayor's murder. Although, how anyone believes she killed a Herculean-sized alligator is beyond her. Now, her survival is tied to a mouse with a chip on her shoulder. There's also a cat who owns a pub where the animal patrons might be cannibals, a giant snake librarian who probably wants to eat her, and sentient lampposts who are never there when you need them.
Can Lore prove her innocence, help a newfound friend save the town from a dark and dangerous schemer, and find her way home?
264 pages, Hardcover
Published December 19, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 11, 2023
I received this book as an ARC and I consider Kelli (Veronica King) to be a dear friend.
That being said, I've tried my best to be as balanced as I can be and there are no spoilers in this review.
I don't often read portal fantasies, so in that regard, I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I think Alice in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia would be the best comparison from the portal fantasies I have read.
Since this is the first book in a series, I have a lot of questions, which I love, because it left me excited for book two! But it also struck a balance between intrigue for the second book and answers for this part of the story.
I really enjoyed the strong themes of family, found family, and friendship. I typically read a lot of books that are heavy on romance arcs and to see more of a focus on plutonic relationships all around was great. Although I can't say more about this because of spoilers, let's just say, there are some big questions answered and a great setup for what's next.
I love the world-building. Cottage core and magic are great companions and the story is very cozy. I enjoyed the distinct settings and themes that draw the characters out and make them seem at home in this world.
The characters are distinct they have their own voices, motives, and flaws. They are relatable, and it's great to see them grow and change both drive the story and contribute to the setbacks the characters face. Plus, the dialogue is snappy and fun.
Overall, despite this not being my usual type of reading, I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next installment!
For a reading of the first chapter, you can go here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePYb6...
That being said, I've tried my best to be as balanced as I can be and there are no spoilers in this review.
I don't often read portal fantasies, so in that regard, I don't have a lot to compare it to, but I think Alice in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia would be the best comparison from the portal fantasies I have read.
Since this is the first book in a series, I have a lot of questions, which I love, because it left me excited for book two! But it also struck a balance between intrigue for the second book and answers for this part of the story.
I really enjoyed the strong themes of family, found family, and friendship. I typically read a lot of books that are heavy on romance arcs and to see more of a focus on plutonic relationships all around was great. Although I can't say more about this because of spoilers, let's just say, there are some big questions answered and a great setup for what's next.
I love the world-building. Cottage core and magic are great companions and the story is very cozy. I enjoyed the distinct settings and themes that draw the characters out and make them seem at home in this world.
The characters are distinct they have their own voices, motives, and flaws. They are relatable, and it's great to see them grow and change both drive the story and contribute to the setbacks the characters face. Plus, the dialogue is snappy and fun.
Overall, despite this not being my usual type of reading, I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next installment!
For a reading of the first chapter, you can go here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePYb6...
December 9, 2023
This follows Lore whose grandmother had a fall and their family decided to move closer to help. They have moved to the small town Hazel Borough right before Lore’s graduation. Lore’s not exactly thrilled about it, but she does love her grandmother. Lore gets a job and it seems everything is going good until one day she falls into a well when trying to get a necklace back from a strange shadowy figure. She then enters a world filled with talking animals who think humans are extinct until Lore appears, and as Lore is navigating this world, a murder occurs and it’s up to Lore and her new friends to find the murderer.
Some things I enjoyed:
This reminded me a lot of Alice in Wonderland mixed with like Peter Rabbit, Thumbelina, and Zootopia, but add a murder mystery to it!
I also do love fantasies that have mystery added to it. It adds a little something to it, and then add talking animals in a unique and interesting world, even better!
There’s a few fun characters, but I have to say that Killmoore was my favorite! Who doesn’t love a snarky, sassy fox? 😆😍
Now, the reason I gave this three stars is because this story didn’t really have a point to it. As in, Lore falls down a well, but I didn’t see any link to her and the world she fell into. That might just be a me thing, but it just seemed so random. I mean what is the connection between her and this world. I got the impression there was a connection, but maybe I missed it 🤷🏼♀️
I also thought this was an MG book, but I wouldn’t say that. There’s quite a bit of cursing in here that I honestly didn’t expect and Lore is finishing up high school, so not MG.
Lore was also not my favorite. Her parents are terrible, and well, Lore didn’t exactly seem like the greatest person either. She did seem to change and grow as the book progressed, but I never really liked or connected with her.
I would have given this less than three stars if the ending hadn’t been as exciting as it was and for Killmoore. He was a fantastic character!
This wasn’t quite for me, but if you love Alice in Wonderland or just portal fantasies in general, or talking animals, I recommend this one!
I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Some things I enjoyed:
This reminded me a lot of Alice in Wonderland mixed with like Peter Rabbit, Thumbelina, and Zootopia, but add a murder mystery to it!
I also do love fantasies that have mystery added to it. It adds a little something to it, and then add talking animals in a unique and interesting world, even better!
There’s a few fun characters, but I have to say that Killmoore was my favorite! Who doesn’t love a snarky, sassy fox? 😆😍
Now, the reason I gave this three stars is because this story didn’t really have a point to it. As in, Lore falls down a well, but I didn’t see any link to her and the world she fell into. That might just be a me thing, but it just seemed so random. I mean what is the connection between her and this world. I got the impression there was a connection, but maybe I missed it 🤷🏼♀️
I also thought this was an MG book, but I wouldn’t say that. There’s quite a bit of cursing in here that I honestly didn’t expect and Lore is finishing up high school, so not MG.
Lore was also not my favorite. Her parents are terrible, and well, Lore didn’t exactly seem like the greatest person either. She did seem to change and grow as the book progressed, but I never really liked or connected with her.
I would have given this less than three stars if the ending hadn’t been as exciting as it was and for Killmoore. He was a fantastic character!
This wasn’t quite for me, but if you love Alice in Wonderland or just portal fantasies in general, or talking animals, I recommend this one!
I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 9, 2023
Down the Well was amazing and I am excited for book 2. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fantasy or dealing with some stuff at home who need an escape. The story introduces us to Lore, a high school teenager going through tons in her life at the moment. She does a great job trying to navigate her home life and the real world. As a teenager I would want to escape my home life and I feel like Lore was able to do so by going into the well.The first half of the story was extremely relatable as we all have gone through life with people harassing us or treating us unfriendly while dealing with home situations that aren't so great. I loved how Lore's escape came when she landed in the fantasy realm. Once she went into the fantasy world she met a great cast of characters. The friendships she created were amazing.The found family reminded me family is who you make it with not who you share blood with. I loved the character of Mathilde, probably my second favorite next to Lore. The story had a few lines that made me laugh out loud, I love how the family spoke in a real tone and not a G rated tone made it more believable. This book gave me a Narnia, Alice in Wonderland and Wrinkle in Time feel.
Thank you to Veronica King and R & R Book Tour for the ARC.
Thank you to Veronica King and R & R Book Tour for the ARC.
December 9, 2023
This is a splendid portal fantasy YA read! It’s like the perfect blend of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and A Wrinkle in Time! The story is book one for the series and is full of mysteries that hopefully we will get more detail on in book 2 definitely leaves you wanting more. The books plot is woven beautifully with the story of found family and deep friendships. It has a full immersive world cozy vibes and full of magic. You feel as if you are in the world living with the characters.
There is a vivid and vibrant variety of characters that are fully faceted. You feel as if you know them to their core. I love their development through the story. There is witty and lovable banter and the story is so cute!
I really loved the FMC she reminded me of a teenager and I loved her journey! What will happen to her next….I cannot wait for the next book to release. I struggle with cliffs! Definitely 💯 should read this!
There is a vivid and vibrant variety of characters that are fully faceted. You feel as if you know them to their core. I love their development through the story. There is witty and lovable banter and the story is so cute!
I really loved the FMC she reminded me of a teenager and I loved her journey! What will happen to her next….I cannot wait for the next book to release. I struggle with cliffs! Definitely 💯 should read this!
December 9, 2023
I felt awful for how horribly Lore's parents treated her, so that got me hooked right away. I also loved the relationship between Lore and her grandma, and when the worst happened I felt sad right along with Lore. And when she literally fell down the well into Thimbleton, I was charmed by the setting and her friendship with Mathilde(plus streetlamps that move? Talk about whimsical). The plot of Lore trying to remember who she was and who killed Mathilde's father kept me reading, as well. I point all of this out to say that it's lucky that this author conveyed emotions and friendship so well, because I considered DNF'ing this book quite a lot due to the writing. There were multiple instances of tense changes, incomplete or confusing sentences, and things like "creek" instead of "creak". I know that some can look past all of this without complaint and the story itself really was cute and interesting, but the writing really brought it down for me.
February 29, 2024
This book is the first fantasy novel I’ve finished in along time. Is single because it is portal fantasy.
The names aren’t difficult to remember and I didn’t dub a generic name for any character as I read.
Each character is distinct in how they talk, move, and their motivations are clear. The only characters that somewhat blended together were the sisters Mathilde, minus Mildred.
The short chapters gave me the freedom to read for five minute burst and have a natural stopping point. But those chapter endings always had me wanting to read the next one.
It was also a fun game to see how other childhood stories, portal fantasy as well, were nodded to throughout the book. Like a reader’s scavenger hunt.
I can’t wait to pass this book to my own children. There is swearing, so weigh the importance of that for your own offspring.
The names aren’t difficult to remember and I didn’t dub a generic name for any character as I read.
Each character is distinct in how they talk, move, and their motivations are clear. The only characters that somewhat blended together were the sisters Mathilde, minus Mildred.
The short chapters gave me the freedom to read for five minute burst and have a natural stopping point. But those chapter endings always had me wanting to read the next one.
It was also a fun game to see how other childhood stories, portal fantasy as well, were nodded to throughout the book. Like a reader’s scavenger hunt.
I can’t wait to pass this book to my own children. There is swearing, so weigh the importance of that for your own offspring.
December 24, 2023
Such a fun, adventurous portal fantasy! Lore is dealing with grief when she finds herself in another world with a lot of stuff to figure out. Talking animals, magic, mystery and big Alice's Wonderland vibes! The first of a trilogy, I'm excited to see where the story goes next. Or...what came before!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews