The girl who drank the moon, by Kelly Barnhill is the story of witch in the forest. Some people of the town loved her but some fear of her. Some believed they need to sacrifice a child, everyyear for her happiness. However, Xan is not aware of these believes and the reasons behind these believes.
Contrary to this, she rescues children and find a home for them in other cities. She nurtures abandoned babies with starlight. Here, feeding moonlight is a metaphorical representation giving babies a better life. But, one day she accidentally provides moonlight to a baby. It makes the baby more powerful. This incident makes Xan makes concious about potential dangers and a sense of responsibility.
She decides to raise the child herself, naming her Luna. Luna, finds the most loving atmosphere in her surroundings. She grows up with Xan, the witch, Fyrian, a small dragon and Glerk, a swamp monster. In her time of upbringing, she understands her extraordinary abilities.
The powers of Luna start getting stronger with time, as she grows up. It was the moment to ponder for Xan. It is because, where Luna was getting more powers Xan’s strength was draining. Luna’s uncontrollably growing powers was a question for Xan’s survival.
The city where Luna was born, the leaders were misleading the people with lies and to spread fear. They propagate about witch and tell people if they do not give up a baby every year, the witch wil hurt them. This rumor empowered leaders to control the townsfolk. Being foolish, people get in their trap and believed that they must sacrifice their children.
In all this situation, Luna starts her adventurous journey of learning to control her magic. She decides to make her people belief that authorities only spread a threat and nothingelse. She aims to protect her people.
As the story proceeds towards climax, the volcano was about to destroy Protectorate and nearby villages. Luna saves the people of village by putting up bubbles on the surroundings of villages.
Authorities are also revealed in the end and they are put in prison. Children return to their families to live their lives. Luna finds her actual name, Adara. Sadly, Xan dies in the end but with the goodwill.
Depiction of the towns near forest and the forest is brilliant. Karn Barnhill gives a realistic touch to this novel while using fantasy elements. The book is worth reading. It is one of the perfect content for movie adaptation. It is good, this counts in children literature while teaching many moral lessons.
The story shows the family bond. The seriousness in the character of Luna makes her a lovable protagonist.
The writer cleverly incorporates story of Xan, to describe the past, highlighting the major themes of the story. In this story Barnhill also talks about the role of secrets like she does in “When women were Dragons”. This time, she tells secrets can harm event intention is protecting. Truths lead to changes in life but everything transparent.
This book specifically counts in Children Literature, but it is also good for elders. The writer uses magical realism for story narration. It is good to read the characters of this story. This fairytale is full of love and light. This story makes you feel to explore all works of Kelly Barnhill.
