The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valante

I really loved this story, which satisfied my appetites for adventure, magic, travel, escape, and witty commentary all at once. I'm not sure if I've seen a narrator I liked so much since I read Tristram Shandy or Tom Jones. The theoretical basis of fairyland and how you get in and out works perfectly and fits in well with folkloric and mythic sources. The twist at the end (which explains the villain's power) is really magnificent: I didn't see it coming and it completely blew me away. This book is a must-read for fantasy lovers of all ages!