The last time I read this book was when I was nine, but the images have stayed with me all this time. I got my copy of RONIA a couple of days ago from Amazon.com, and it is better than I remembered. The aching loving relationship between parents and children, and the pain of making choices that come against that (called 'growing up') is beautifully brought out in this brilliant tale, set against a landscape of a forest with dark stands of trees, populated by beasts of the earth, and harpies and dwarves, and a lighting-riven castle. Although not quite so explicit, it is a Romeo and Juliet type story, with the charm and appeal of innocence. Ronia is a headstrong heroine who will capture your imagination instantly!