This book was bizarre and absolutely terrifying. I'm giving it 5 stars because I've never read anything like it, and it was a compulsive read. I finished in one sitting. But DEFINITELY 10 at least. (I would not give this to MY 10 year old, though.) ( )

this is really weird and creepy and maybe the first book i've read like this, especially geared toward younger readers. at base, it's a story about accepting differences and understanding that everyone has imperfections and things that they might change about themselves if they could. but that is what also makes them who they are and that it can be dangerous to lean too far into wanting perfection or maybe even fitting in. but it's weird the way it's all handled and there's a merging of fantasy and reality that is disturbing and well done. ( )

I'm not going to rate this one, because it is so entirely not my cup of tea (and I wish I had not read it), but it is very well written and very effectively creepy as hell. A boy with many anxieties and vivid dreams becomes a conduit for predatory wasps who want to replace his ailing baby brother. Great at depicting the fears/anxieties/compulsive behavior of the older brother, and the ambiguity and fear of having a child who may not survive or thrive. If you are afraid of wasps, I suggest steering clear. It's a subtle sort of horrifying, but it will stay with you. Reminds me of Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd's A Monster Calls, in the emotional intensity.

Highly recommend for fans of A Monster Calls. Same eerie, dark feeling flows through this beautifully written book. ( )

I love Kenneth Oppel. Ever since I was given Silverwing as a kid, I was hooked on him. So when I saw The Nest at work, I was surprised I'd never read it, let alone heard of it. And while it's certainly aimed at younger readers, it's a good choice for a middle school audience.

The idea of a family suffering with a sick baby who might never get better is, sadly, too common, and Steve's and Nicole's reactions are true to life and understandable. Steve's anxiety and OCD are subtly but realistically portrayed, as is his wish for a happy family and a healthy brother. The style, while certainly running younger than Oppel's other books, beautifully and sparsely conveys the sadness and nervousness that pervade the family without becoming maudlin.

I do understand that the message of this story is to accept what you have and learn to love it, but I completely sympathize with Steve and his wish for a perfect brother. Not only so his parents could stop worrying, but because his brother will have so much trouble later in life. Steve's guilt wouldn't let him go through with the trade, but will he come to regret it when he's older and he sees how much his parents are still worrying about Theo? And the fact that he referred to Theo as "the baby" for the majority of the story, while emphasizing the moment where he eventually calls him Theo, makes him seem too distant from his actual brother and closer to his vision of a brother, making it a little more confusing as to why he refused the trade.

Still, a great book with serious themes and a delightfully creepy soft atmosphere for younger middle grade readers. The fact that the queen was sympathetic and understanding and kind was a fantastic detail, and really lulled you (along with Steve) into complacency and wanting to believe her. ( )