Griffin Reads – Wren to the Rescue

Title: Wren to the Rescue

Author: Sherwood Smith

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy, Adventure

Summary:

Wren has always dreamed of adventure beyond the walls of her orphanage, but she never expected it to arrive in the form of royal intrigue. When her best friend, Tess, is revealed to be a princess in hiding and is kidnapped by enemy forces, Wren impulsively sets out to rescue her. With the help of an apprentice mage named Tyron and Tess’s young uncle Prince Connor, Wren embarks on a daring rescue mission across a magical and dangerous land. Along the way, she uncovers secrets about herself, her friends, and the mysterious magic that may be awakening within her.

This is the first book in a classic middle grade fantasy series featuring strong female leads, magical training, found family, and a journey of friendship and self-discovery.

Content Guide:

• Mild fantasy peril
• Kidnapping, deception, and danger, but nothing graphic
• No explicit language or mature content

My Thoughts:

This book was definitely a nostalgic read for me. The original edition came out in 1990, which means I was probably Wren’s age or younger when I first read it. I never continued the series back then (I don’t think the edition I read even listed any sequels), and after revisiting the first book, I have to say I’m not inclined to do so now either.

That’s not to say the book is without charm. Wren to the Rescue is the kind of story that reminds me why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place. There are elements here that were already becoming bedrock tropes of the genre: a plucky orphan girl with hidden potential, a quest born of friendship and magic, and so on. I particularly remember being a huge fan of Tyron, the apprentice mage. He just seemed so sincere and brave, and I desperately wanted to be like him. There’s probably a reason why every video game wizard I’ve played since then is named Tyron.

That being said, I definitely saw the book without my rose-tinted glasses this time around. The plot is pretty empty and the conflict is very mild. Obviously, I’m no longer the target audience for this sort of story, but is it too much to ask for a middle-grade book that has a real climax? I’m not going to spoil anything, but if you’re here for a high-octane ride to the finish line, you’re going to be very disappointed. This book isn’t a racecar. It isn’t even a go-kart. This is a pony ride.

Of course, pony rides can be very nice. I did finish the book, which means something, considering I’ve vowed to stop reading books if I’m not enjoying myself. This story is calm and breezy. It’s slow, simple, and gentle. It has a familiar fantasy framework without heavy lore dumps or overly complex setups.

Wren to the Rescue is a great entry point for very young readers curious about fantasy or for anyone wanting a gentle story with heart, humor, and a young heroine who saves the day through wit and willpower instead of destiny.