"Mayka's kindness and steady loyalty, her friends' animated and varied personalities, and some downright brilliant problem-solving will carve themselves into readers' memories." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Mayka is a strong, believable heroine that readers will root for. ..This exciting adventure has moments reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, in which the protagonist must rely on herself and her friends to find inner courage and her way to safety." — School Library Journal
"With a deft balance between the thrilling journey and the artfully built world of magic, this is as beautiful and adventurous as the graceful stone birds accompanying Mayka on her journey." — Booklist
"Featuring a richly diverse cast, vividly imagined worldbuilding, and passionate storytelling, Durst’s middle grade fantasy is a feast for the senses." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Mayka’s thoughtful explorations of how the stories told about us shape our lives will especially appeal to young readers beginning to tell their own stories." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
