I don't read much fantasy and sci-fi meant for younger readers anymore, as it's turned into the leading demographic for the genre as of late, and I feel a good amount of it is derivative.

However, once in a while, it feels good to read something that's just very light and easy, and Lloyd Alexander's The Book of Three did the trick. Alexander has a great style and manner of writing that manages to strike a balance between being very thoughtful and nuanced and very entertaining. It's very fast paced, charming and the characters are all distinct and well developed. Looking forward to the sequels when I get the chance.