Come See the Fair

 Come See the Fair  by Gavriel Savit is the newest book by this wonderful author.

This time the novel is a fantasy that takes both the reader and the characters to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair .  "Come see the Fair!" is a call that 14 year old Eva Root cannot resist.  She is an orphan, who rescued from the orphanage, by Mrs. Blogget, now works for her conducting seances.  One night during a seance, the voice calls to Eva and she is the only one who hears it.  Later that night she takes all her worldly possessions with her and jumps a train to Chicago.  One the train she meets Henry, a young artist who is sketching intricate drawings of places he has never seen.  He also has been called to the fair.

Eva who has always wanted to be a part of a family is quickly enveloped in the magical world the fair and Mr Magister.  Henry becomes her best friend, something she has never had before.  Together they spend their days going through the twists and turns of the Pavilion of Magic.  There is no sense of time and it is impossible to get an understanding of the layout of the building.

Henry is given special glasses, but he is not sure if they help him to see better or if they distort his perception even more.  Eva never really had any power call up the dead but maybe she has more magic in her than she thought,  She has a peach that she can eat and then holding the pit she can bring back the delicious fruit again. 

But sometimes what we wish may not always be for the best.  Eva wants what she thinks is family and closeness.  She learns that there are compromises and you have to give as well and receive. There are people who are too controlling and only think of themselves.  

This is an entertaining novel, but also there are some difficult passages, the Chicago fire and death.  Learning to how to suffer a loss and how to stand up for one's self.  These are important lessons in this book.