Full review, originally posted on www.fantasyliterature.com:In May 1895, Elsbeth Grundy, a crotchety widow living in a cabin on the Kansas plains, spots a purple and gold-painted Victorian house that's unexpectedly materialized in her wheat fields. Determined, Elsbeth marches over to the house to demand an explanation for this irritating addition to her land, but every time she tries to knock, she's instantly zapped back to the gate. Furious, she leaves a letter in the mailbox, threatening to us...

I just finished The Melancholy Life of Annie Aster about an hour ago, and I feel a bit scrambled in the heart and mind right now. I blame this wholly on Scott Wilbanks. His debut novel, this one here you’re reading about and trying to decide whether to pony up the cash to buy, is brilliant. I’ll give you some reasons why you absolutely must read it now. Consider this your book review!The LanguageIt seems so often when I read contemporary works these days that writers have forgotten the poetry an...

3.5 stars. This is a romp, a fast-paced, madcap adventure story with some utterly enjoyable characters. I kept asking myself, how would I feel if I woke up one morning and looked out my bedroom window and instead of my garden and flowers, I saw a cornfield? I’d probably think my medication was finally getting to me. But, that's exactly what happens to Annie in Scott Wilbanks's "The Melancholy Life of Annie Aster." Besides that, there's a mysterious door (and no, this isn't *The Lion, The Witch, ...

There are a lot of readers who find a certain kind of story they like and stick with it. That's perfectly fine, but that's never been me. When I read something, I'm looking for a completely different story the next time. The more original a story is, the better. The synopsis of "The Melancholy Life of Annie Aster" by Scott Wilbanks sounded interesting and definitely off the beaten path. But when I opened this book, I was blown away by how unforgettable the storyline was. This book is perfect for...

4 1/2 STARSI finished this magical book last week, and my mind keeps drifting back to the characters and the storyline. If you're looking for a captivating read, put \"The Melancholy Life of Annie Aster\" by Scott Wilbanks on your list!The characters were so endearing to me. They're quirky, flawed, and carrying their baggage in their own way. Like a slowly opening flower, their story and depth of character unfold petal by petal. I knew early on that their stories would become interconnected in s...

Read on the WondrousBooks blog. What happened with this book is simple: It just didn't grab me. I can't put my finger on the exact reason why, and because of that, I'm guessing it wasn't one big thing, but a bunch of little things that I didn't particularly enjoy. The good thing about The Melancholy Life of Annie Aster is that it starts with a cool premise. Who doesn't love time travel, paradoxes, and a bit of magic? But – and it's a big but – the author doesn't quite deliver on that great id...

I was lucky enough to get an ARC and asked to blurb this one... here are my thoughts: Readers will adore this heartfelt, one-of-a-kind debut novel and the charming, quirky characters who populate its pages. Written in sly, quick-witted prose and absolutely brimming with soul, THE MELANCHOLY LIFE OF ANNIE ASTER by Scott Wilbanks will have you thinking, smiling, and wondering if you can find your own magic door. If you're looking for a heartwarming and whimsical book review, look no further.

The Melancholy Life of Annie Aster opens with Annie Aster, the main character, opening her newly installed 1995 kitchen door and finding herself in an 1895 Kansas wheat field. She quickly strikes up a pen-pal relationship with her spirited 1895 neighbor. As the story unfolds, Annie and her friend Christian begin to investigate the door's history, try to prevent a murder, and find themselves caught up in a time-traveling adventure. I really, really wanted to love this book. I'm sorry, The Melanc...

To say that The Melancholy Life of Annie Aster is a whip-smart, zany adventure is undeniably true, but what made the experience so immersive for me are Scott Wilbanks’ wonderfully unique characters. Christian, a handsome, awkward stutterer with a heart of gold and an angel on his shoulder, elevated every page he was on (and he's in a lot of them!). I'd love an entire novel about Cap’n and her gang – the tough little pickpocket who knows “every hidey-hole” in the city. Brazen yet conservative Ann...

Well, I do love my own book! :)