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Recommend this book:
Last Exit to Montauk
Phillip Vega
2018 Finalist
388 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
Last Exit to Montauk by Phillip Vega is a mixture of coming-of-age and romance with a strong setting and memorable characters; it is the story that will remind readers of their first love and it is wonderfully told. With a newly bought car from his “Ma” and summer camp over, the seventeen-year-old Hispanic boy could have a lot of fun. Yes, he feels like he could conquer the world. Along the North Shore of Long Island, a dramatic encounter with B, a very popular girl in school, will set him on the romantic ride of a lifetime. Read on to discover the sensations, the turmoil that goes on in a young man’s heart when he first falls in love. But how long can this romance last?
The story is told in the first person narrative, in a language that beautifully captures the youthful spirit of the protagonist and a setting that is colorful and well-developed. Set in Long Island in the 1980s, the story is told in an absorbing style, with beautiful prose and engaging dialogues. Some of the descriptions are terrific. For instance, the narrator describes B in the following words: “She smelled like summer, sunshine, and citrus.” The powerful use of imagery and the descriptive prose allow the reader to get the perfect idea of what takes place in the story. Here is another beautiful example that communicates how smitten the young man feels when he meets B: “There she was — the catalyst for my memory. I hadn't thought about her in years, but there she stood. It was her honey-colored hair and the way it flowed down past her shoulders that first caught my attention.” Last Exit to Montauk is a story that will delight young adult readers and those who still recall the magic of their first love. Phillip Vega’s characters are memorable and the story is as exciting as it is entertaining.
Last Exit to Montauk by Phillip Vega is a mixture of coming-of-age and romance with a strong setting and memorable characters; it is the story that will remind readers of their first love and it is wonderfully told. With a newly bought car from his “Ma” and summer camp over, the seventeen-year-old Hispanic boy could have a lot of fun. Yes, he feels like he could conquer the world. Along the North Shore of Long Island, a dramatic encounter with B, a very popular girl in school, will set him on the romantic ride of a lifetime. Read on to discover the sensations, the turmoil that goes on in a young man’s heart when he first falls in love. But how long can this romance last?
The story is told in the first person narrative, in a language that beautifully captures the youthful spirit of the protagonist and a setting that is colorful and well-developed. Set in Long Island in the 1980s, the story is told in an absorbing style, with beautiful prose and engaging dialogues. Some of the descriptions are terrific. For instance, the narrator describes B in the following words: “She smelled like summer, sunshine, and citrus.” The powerful use of imagery and the descriptive prose allow the reader to get the perfect idea of what takes place in the story. Here is another beautiful example that communicates how smitten the young man feels when he meets B: “There she was — the catalyst for my memory. I hadn't thought about her in years, but there she stood. It was her honey-colored hair and the way it flowed down past her shoulders that first caught my attention.” Last Exit to Montauk is a story that will delight young adult readers and those who still recall the magic of their first love. Phillip Vega’s characters are memorable and the story is as exciting as it is entertaining.
Recommend this book:
Accidentally Perfect
Elizabeth Stevens
2018 Finalist
398 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Cheryl Schopen for Readers' Favorite
In Accidentally Perfect by Elizabeth Stevens, Piper Barlow is perfect, or so everyone thinks. In reality, she finds herself feeling sad and all alone, even though she has a loving family and plenty of friends. She just doesn’t feel comfortable expressing herself since she thinks people will judge her. But she finds herself getting close to Roman Lombardi, the notorious bad boy and player of the school. However, it seems that there is more to Roman than meets the eye. Their surprising friendship turns to something more, but this can only end badly with a guy like Roman Lombardi, right?
Do you ever read book after book, desperately hoping to one day find the perfect book that, on some level, feels like it was written specifically for you? Well, that was me, and I am ecstatic to say that I finally found mine. It’s so hard to put into words how I feel right now. This was my perfect book. Everything about it was perfect. The characters were real and relatable. The plot was perfectly paced. It wasn’t rushed, and it didn’t drag on. The relationship between Piper and Roman was just brilliantly created by Stevens. It felt completely authentic. These two people have flaws and genuine real life issues. They are not perfect by society’s standards, but they are perfect in their own ways. This might be considered a romance story, but it’s much more than that.
Accidentally Perfect is about two broken people who find unlikely comfort in each other, making them realize things about themselves, which in turn helps them grow as human beings. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. If you want to experience extreme attachment to wonderful, memorable characters, smile at the surprising and unforgettable scenes and conversations, and cry like a baby because of all the mixture of emotions you will feel, then this is the book for you. I am so grateful that I read this book. It is definitely my new favorite, and I will be ordering myself a paperback copy because this is one of those books that I just HAVE to own. Elizabeth Stevens, thank you so much for writing my perfect book!
In Accidentally Perfect by Elizabeth Stevens, Piper Barlow is perfect, or so everyone thinks. In reality, she finds herself feeling sad and all alone, even though she has a loving family and plenty of friends. She just doesn’t feel comfortable expressing herself since she thinks people will judge her. But she finds herself getting close to Roman Lombardi, the notorious bad boy and player of the school. However, it seems that there is more to Roman than meets the eye. Their surprising friendship turns to something more, but this can only end badly with a guy like Roman Lombardi, right?
Do you ever read book after book, desperately hoping to one day find the perfect book that, on some level, feels like it was written specifically for you? Well, that was me, and I am ecstatic to say that I finally found mine. It’s so hard to put into words how I feel right now. This was my perfect book. Everything about it was perfect. The characters were real and relatable. The plot was perfectly paced. It wasn’t rushed, and it didn’t drag on. The relationship between Piper and Roman was just brilliantly created by Stevens. It felt completely authentic. These two people have flaws and genuine real life issues. They are not perfect by society’s standards, but they are perfect in their own ways. This might be considered a romance story, but it’s much more than that.
Accidentally Perfect is about two broken people who find unlikely comfort in each other, making them realize things about themselves, which in turn helps them grow as human beings. It was a very beautiful thing to witness. If you want to experience extreme attachment to wonderful, memorable characters, smile at the surprising and unforgettable scenes and conversations, and cry like a baby because of all the mixture of emotions you will feel, then this is the book for you. I am so grateful that I read this book. It is definitely my new favorite, and I will be ordering myself a paperback copy because this is one of those books that I just HAVE to own. Elizabeth Stevens, thank you so much for writing my perfect book!
Recommend this book:
Weepers
Nick Chiarkas
2018 Honorable Mention
298 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
Weepers by Nick Chiarkas is a murder mystery set in the 1950s. In 1951, Christmas Eve, a man disappeared while walking through the Projects with Angelo, his son. In 1957, an undercover police officer was killed in a housing project in New York. At 2.00 a.m., on the way to setting fire to a grocery store, Angelo saw the cop killing and he was seen by the killers. As events unfold, Angelo forms a gang called Weepers and comes up against the mafia, police corruption and organized crime, not to mention the church. Unions are forged, battles are fought but will justice prevail? And whose justice will it be?
Weepers by Nick Chiarkas is a fantastic first novel. This is gritty, emotional and powerful all the way from start to finish. It’s a novel filled with action, with twists and turns all the way through, designed to throw you off the scent but leading you neatly to a great conclusion. Nick Chiarkas has nailed the era perfectly and you can almost see the story being played out in a gritty noir style. Not only that, the descriptive, compelling style of the writing draws you in and brings the story to life, taking us through Angelo’s life as he grows up. We come to understand the kind of life led by those on the Lower East Side in Manhattan in the 1950s. He creates an atmosphere of tension and courage, love and hostility, and brings out every emotion you can possibly think of. There is some violence but nothing that doesn’t fit in with the story. The characters are wonderfully developed to the stage where they relatable, likable and we can empathize with their situations. A great first novel, and I'm really looking forward to the next one.
Weepers by Nick Chiarkas is a murder mystery set in the 1950s. In 1951, Christmas Eve, a man disappeared while walking through the Projects with Angelo, his son. In 1957, an undercover police officer was killed in a housing project in New York. At 2.00 a.m., on the way to setting fire to a grocery store, Angelo saw the cop killing and he was seen by the killers. As events unfold, Angelo forms a gang called Weepers and comes up against the mafia, police corruption and organized crime, not to mention the church. Unions are forged, battles are fought but will justice prevail? And whose justice will it be?
Weepers by Nick Chiarkas is a fantastic first novel. This is gritty, emotional and powerful all the way from start to finish. It’s a novel filled with action, with twists and turns all the way through, designed to throw you off the scent but leading you neatly to a great conclusion. Nick Chiarkas has nailed the era perfectly and you can almost see the story being played out in a gritty noir style. Not only that, the descriptive, compelling style of the writing draws you in and brings the story to life, taking us through Angelo’s life as he grows up. We come to understand the kind of life led by those on the Lower East Side in Manhattan in the 1950s. He creates an atmosphere of tension and courage, love and hostility, and brings out every emotion you can possibly think of. There is some violence but nothing that doesn’t fit in with the story. The characters are wonderfully developed to the stage where they relatable, likable and we can empathize with their situations. A great first novel, and I'm really looking forward to the next one.
Recommend this book:
The Innkeeper's Son
The Jester King Fantasy Series
K. C. Herbel
2018 Bronze Medal
315 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Aimee Carol Dixon for Readers' Favorite
Billy is a spirited, good-hearted young man with dreams far bigger than the Valley of the Yew. It isn’t that he minds working alongside his father in The Valley’s Finest Inn. He could find a future happiness if he stayed. But when a noble guest invites him to go on the road with her, Billy leaps at the chance to make his dreams come true. Little does he know that the world beyond his cozy home is a more hostile place than he could ever have imagined, filled with dangers from which his father has done everything in his power to protect Billy.
Dancing back and forth between a unique idea for younger readers and one for older audiences, The Innkeeper’s Son stands strong in a place of universal appeal. There’s a delicate balance between the silly – lending itself to younger readers – and the darker, more mature themes that highlights K.C. Herbel’s skill. The effort made to make The Innkeeper’s Son such a solid work shines through every page; from the quiet strength of the common folk to the imbuing of life into the land and animals, Herbel never disappoints. There are a few rough spots scattered throughout, but none great enough to mar the first installment in a new fantasy series that should definitely be on your bookshelf.
It's a fast read, even taking into account the frequent pauses I took to admire the scenery. Herbel paints a beautiful landscape through the eyes of Billy, the young protagonist who sees the world with a child’s wonder even while confronting dark forces he’s never before known. Indeed, there is an unmistakable sense of magic to the countryside of The Innkeeper’s Son, drawing a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world into the whole work. Billy’s innate response to despair in himself and others adds much-needed lightness for those around him, earning him a cherished place in the hearts of most everyone he meets. Herbel does not shy away from allowing each character to have their own private pain, giving them a depth that cannot be overrated. A truly magical journey, and a delight to read.
Billy is a spirited, good-hearted young man with dreams far bigger than the Valley of the Yew. It isn’t that he minds working alongside his father in The Valley’s Finest Inn. He could find a future happiness if he stayed. But when a noble guest invites him to go on the road with her, Billy leaps at the chance to make his dreams come true. Little does he know that the world beyond his cozy home is a more hostile place than he could ever have imagined, filled with dangers from which his father has done everything in his power to protect Billy.
Dancing back and forth between a unique idea for younger readers and one for older audiences, The Innkeeper’s Son stands strong in a place of universal appeal. There’s a delicate balance between the silly – lending itself to younger readers – and the darker, more mature themes that highlights K.C. Herbel’s skill. The effort made to make The Innkeeper’s Son such a solid work shines through every page; from the quiet strength of the common folk to the imbuing of life into the land and animals, Herbel never disappoints. There are a few rough spots scattered throughout, but none great enough to mar the first installment in a new fantasy series that should definitely be on your bookshelf.
It's a fast read, even taking into account the frequent pauses I took to admire the scenery. Herbel paints a beautiful landscape through the eyes of Billy, the young protagonist who sees the world with a child’s wonder even while confronting dark forces he’s never before known. Indeed, there is an unmistakable sense of magic to the countryside of The Innkeeper’s Son, drawing a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world into the whole work. Billy’s innate response to despair in himself and others adds much-needed lightness for those around him, earning him a cherished place in the hearts of most everyone he meets. Herbel does not shy away from allowing each character to have their own private pain, giving them a depth that cannot be overrated. A truly magical journey, and a delight to read.
Recommend this book:
Tears and Trombones
Based on A True Story
Nanci Lee Woody
2018 Silver Medal
310 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
It isn’t surprising that Tears and Trombones is the winner of the Independent Publishers medal for “Best Fiction in the Western Pacific Region” because of the great storytelling craft and the exceptional prose readers will find as they begin to read the story. Nanci Lee Woody’s story will be of great delight to music fans and readers who enjoy well-developed characters, swiftly paced stories, and balanced writing.
Meet young Joey, a boy with a dream of becoming a musician, ridiculed by a heartless father and humiliated on every occasion by a father intent on distracting him from his goal to make his dream come true. But nothing would stop the young man who eventually finds the support he needs from well-meaning and generous souls, developing his career to the point where he finds himself performing with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. As he scores many successes in the music industry, he has to sacrifice a love ignited in his heart since his high school days. Can one man have it all?
Tears and Trombones is an exciting tale that is inspiring, an impassioned story written most wonderfully. I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story, the strong conflict explored at multiple levels, and the powerful lessons that come across to the reader. One of the lessons of this story is that our dreams have the power to transform our lives. Nanci Lee Woody’s writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing one. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen.
It isn’t surprising that Tears and Trombones is the winner of the Independent Publishers medal for “Best Fiction in the Western Pacific Region” because of the great storytelling craft and the exceptional prose readers will find as they begin to read the story. Nanci Lee Woody’s story will be of great delight to music fans and readers who enjoy well-developed characters, swiftly paced stories, and balanced writing.
Meet young Joey, a boy with a dream of becoming a musician, ridiculed by a heartless father and humiliated on every occasion by a father intent on distracting him from his goal to make his dream come true. But nothing would stop the young man who eventually finds the support he needs from well-meaning and generous souls, developing his career to the point where he finds himself performing with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. As he scores many successes in the music industry, he has to sacrifice a love ignited in his heart since his high school days. Can one man have it all?
Tears and Trombones is an exciting tale that is inspiring, an impassioned story written most wonderfully. I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story, the strong conflict explored at multiple levels, and the powerful lessons that come across to the reader. One of the lessons of this story is that our dreams have the power to transform our lives. Nanci Lee Woody’s writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing one. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen.
Recommend this book:
What The Valley Knows
Heather Christie
2018 Gold Medal
249 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
After a traumatic car accident, a high school student suffers from amnesia that conceals more than teenage angst in the dramatic Young Adult fiction novel What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie. Molly Hanover and her mother Ann have just relocated to Millington Valley. Ann's new boss has offered one of his superior rental properties to them for half the price. Happy to move out of the small, stuffy apartment, they are excited to begin their new lives. Ann has finally got her paralegal license and has a good job, and Molly is looking forward to her senior year. However, men recently introduced into their lives begin to cause havoc. After a late night visit from one of them, Molly now has a horrible secret. If she tells someone, the consequences could be dire. What should she do? However, that problem is moot when Molly is in an accident, and the memory is erased. Will the loss of her memory leave someone else in danger?
What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie is a sensational Young Adult fiction novel that leaves the reader feeling empowered. The story takes the reader from tragedy to triumph as they observe the heartrending and traumatic circumstances that Molly and her mother encounter. It is uplifting to experience Molly's journey from emotions of grief and loss, to see how those feelings are transformed into promise and personal power. It is also very gratifying to see the villain, who is victimizing innocents, brought to justice. This sensational novel is a moving, poignant story and is ideal for readers over the age of sixteen, due to some of the adult content.
After a traumatic car accident, a high school student suffers from amnesia that conceals more than teenage angst in the dramatic Young Adult fiction novel What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie. Molly Hanover and her mother Ann have just relocated to Millington Valley. Ann's new boss has offered one of his superior rental properties to them for half the price. Happy to move out of the small, stuffy apartment, they are excited to begin their new lives. Ann has finally got her paralegal license and has a good job, and Molly is looking forward to her senior year. However, men recently introduced into their lives begin to cause havoc. After a late night visit from one of them, Molly now has a horrible secret. If she tells someone, the consequences could be dire. What should she do? However, that problem is moot when Molly is in an accident, and the memory is erased. Will the loss of her memory leave someone else in danger?
What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie is a sensational Young Adult fiction novel that leaves the reader feeling empowered. The story takes the reader from tragedy to triumph as they observe the heartrending and traumatic circumstances that Molly and her mother encounter. It is uplifting to experience Molly's journey from emotions of grief and loss, to see how those feelings are transformed into promise and personal power. It is also very gratifying to see the villain, who is victimizing innocents, brought to justice. This sensational novel is a moving, poignant story and is ideal for readers over the age of sixteen, due to some of the adult content.
Recommend this book:
 by Marc Secchia tells the gripping story of Hualiama, the half-daughter of a king, who grows from a young, timid girl to a self-confident warrior taking up arms against the usurper of the Onyx Throne; a girl who will stop at nothing to see justice served to her enemies and those of her world. She will be beaten up, sliced, a...){kind=link}
Dragonfriend
Marc Secchia
2017 Gold Medal
433 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Dragonfriend (Volume 1) by Marc Secchia tells the gripping story of Hualiama, the half-daughter of a king, who grows from a young, timid girl to a self-confident warrior taking up arms against the usurper of the Onyx Throne; a girl who will stop at nothing to see justice served to her enemies and those of her world. She will be beaten up, sliced, and even thrown into the Dragonship to die, but she’ll survive. It’s interesting to interact with this brave survivor and her endearing friends from a world that is as strange as it is charming, a world in which readers would most certainly like to live.
Marc Secchia has an amazing imagination that not only creates an enchanting universe and compelling characters, but also invents names that will soon become legendary in the minds of both young and adult readers. Dragonfriend (Volume 1) by Marc Secchia is a page-turner. It’s a marvel to see how the author combines vivid descriptions with roller coaster-like action to create a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Marc Secchia is a master story-teller in the world of fantasy, gifted with a gorgeous style of writing that grabs at the reader’s heart from the very first page. Dragonfriend reminds me of the world of Eragon by Christopher Paolini and I can’t wait to watch well-developed characters like Hualiama and her mythical friends in a motion picture. Secchia brilliantly combines a tale of determination and courage with a dangerous love story that readers will always remember.
Dragonfriend (Volume 1) by Marc Secchia tells the gripping story of Hualiama, the half-daughter of a king, who grows from a young, timid girl to a self-confident warrior taking up arms against the usurper of the Onyx Throne; a girl who will stop at nothing to see justice served to her enemies and those of her world. She will be beaten up, sliced, and even thrown into the Dragonship to die, but she’ll survive. It’s interesting to interact with this brave survivor and her endearing friends from a world that is as strange as it is charming, a world in which readers would most certainly like to live.
Marc Secchia has an amazing imagination that not only creates an enchanting universe and compelling characters, but also invents names that will soon become legendary in the minds of both young and adult readers. Dragonfriend (Volume 1) by Marc Secchia is a page-turner. It’s a marvel to see how the author combines vivid descriptions with roller coaster-like action to create a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Marc Secchia is a master story-teller in the world of fantasy, gifted with a gorgeous style of writing that grabs at the reader’s heart from the very first page. Dragonfriend reminds me of the world of Eragon by Christopher Paolini and I can’t wait to watch well-developed characters like Hualiama and her mythical friends in a motion picture. Secchia brilliantly combines a tale of determination and courage with a dangerous love story that readers will always remember.
Recommend this book:
Tears and Trombones
Based on A True Story
Nanci Lee Woody
2017 Silver Medal
310 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
It isn’t surprising that Tears and Trombones is the winner of the Independent Publishers medal for “Best Fiction in the Western Pacific Region” because of the great storytelling craft and the exceptional prose readers will find as they begin to read the story. Nanci Lee Woody’s story will be of great delight to music fans and readers who enjoy well-developed characters, swiftly paced stories, and balanced writing.
Meet young Joey, a boy with a dream of becoming a musician, ridiculed by a heartless father and humiliated on every occasion by a father intent on distracting him from his goal to make his dream come true. But nothing would stop the young man who eventually finds the support he needs from well-meaning and generous souls, developing his career to the point where he finds himself performing with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. As he scores many successes in the music industry, he has to sacrifice a love ignited in his heart since his high school days. Can one man have it all?
Tears and Trombones is an exciting tale that is inspiring, an impassioned story written most wonderfully. I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story, the strong conflict explored at multiple levels, and the powerful lessons that come across to the reader. One of the lessons of this story is that our dreams have the power to transform our lives. Nanci Lee Woody’s writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing one. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen.
It isn’t surprising that Tears and Trombones is the winner of the Independent Publishers medal for “Best Fiction in the Western Pacific Region” because of the great storytelling craft and the exceptional prose readers will find as they begin to read the story. Nanci Lee Woody’s story will be of great delight to music fans and readers who enjoy well-developed characters, swiftly paced stories, and balanced writing.
Meet young Joey, a boy with a dream of becoming a musician, ridiculed by a heartless father and humiliated on every occasion by a father intent on distracting him from his goal to make his dream come true. But nothing would stop the young man who eventually finds the support he needs from well-meaning and generous souls, developing his career to the point where he finds himself performing with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. As he scores many successes in the music industry, he has to sacrifice a love ignited in his heart since his high school days. Can one man have it all?
Tears and Trombones is an exciting tale that is inspiring, an impassioned story written most wonderfully. I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story, the strong conflict explored at multiple levels, and the powerful lessons that come across to the reader. One of the lessons of this story is that our dreams have the power to transform our lives. Nanci Lee Woody’s writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing one. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen.
Recommend this book:
The Rise of the Dawnstar
The Avalonia Chronicles Book 2
Farah Oomerbhoy
2017 Bronze Medal
332 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers' Favorite
The Rise of the Dawnstar by Farah Oomerbhoy is the second spellbinding installment in The Avalonia Chronicles, a delightful epic fantasy read for young adult readers. In this latest installment in the series, the stakes are raised even higher. The seven kingdoms of Avalonia are plagued by a new form of darkness and are on the verge of collapse. Queen Morgana is poised to access a magical power that would allow her to enslave the entire world. She is about to find a way to open The Book of Abraxas and, if she does, no one can stop her if she uses the power trapped in its pages. Meanwhile, Aurora must travel through the war-torn lands into the fairy kingdom of Elfi in search of a legendary weapon that still contains the ancient magic of the realm. She once survived a battle against Morgana, but can she still be a match for the evil queen?
The story starts in the midst of action and, from the very first page, the reader moves from one dramatic incident to another — betrayals, intrigue, battles, and a conflict that escalates at the speed of light. Both the heroine and the villain are deftly crafted, each playing a role that enhances the plot and keeps the tension high. Farah Oomerbhoy’s writing is gorgeous and it features great passages and intelligently written dialogues. I enjoyed the way the author weaves mythology into the story. This is fantasy at its best, riveting and utterly enjoyable. The Rise of the Dawnstar will transport readers into a land of magic where nothing is as it seems and where surprises happen at every turn of the road.
The Rise of the Dawnstar by Farah Oomerbhoy is the second spellbinding installment in The Avalonia Chronicles, a delightful epic fantasy read for young adult readers. In this latest installment in the series, the stakes are raised even higher. The seven kingdoms of Avalonia are plagued by a new form of darkness and are on the verge of collapse. Queen Morgana is poised to access a magical power that would allow her to enslave the entire world. She is about to find a way to open The Book of Abraxas and, if she does, no one can stop her if she uses the power trapped in its pages. Meanwhile, Aurora must travel through the war-torn lands into the fairy kingdom of Elfi in search of a legendary weapon that still contains the ancient magic of the realm. She once survived a battle against Morgana, but can she still be a match for the evil queen?
The story starts in the midst of action and, from the very first page, the reader moves from one dramatic incident to another — betrayals, intrigue, battles, and a conflict that escalates at the speed of light. Both the heroine and the villain are deftly crafted, each playing a role that enhances the plot and keeps the tension high. Farah Oomerbhoy’s writing is gorgeous and it features great passages and intelligently written dialogues. I enjoyed the way the author weaves mythology into the story. This is fantasy at its best, riveting and utterly enjoyable. The Rise of the Dawnstar will transport readers into a land of magic where nothing is as it seems and where surprises happen at every turn of the road.
Recommend this book:
Free Passage
J.R. McRae
2017 Bronze Medal
90 Pages
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Young Adult - Coming of Age
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Free Passage is an historical coming of age novel for young adults written by J.R. McRae and illustrated by Terry Hand. His commanding officers were stunned when Dane Maguire abandoned his post during combat and later handed in his commission. The heroic soldier was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him, which made his subsequent court martial and mandatory death sentence that much harder for all concerned. Dane stood there in front of the court and offered no excuse or justification. Despite his distinguished service and leadership, they had no option. Dane didn’t care. Something had happened on that field of battle which tore at everything that he held dear. He had no choice but to lay down his arms and surrender to the harsh field justice. McRae’s historical tale follows the lives of young adults whose lives were forever changed by the Civil War. Dane Maguire is one of them. Girl, a deaf-mute slave, who was never given a name, but found love in the least expected place, is another.
J.R. McRae’s historical coming of age novel, Free Passage, is a spellbinding and gripping story about young survivors of the Civil War. While I enjoy history and historical fiction, my focus has always been more on the first and second World Wars rather than on the American Civil War, and I was totally blown away by the power and intensity of these young adult tales. Each story radiates from that tale of the two brothers, Dane and Paul Maguire, yet each of the characters the reader meets assumes center stage at some point in the story. McRae’s heroes pop up in the least likely places in the hostile and frightening terrain of the post-Civil War years.
My favorite character would have to be Herr Adolphus Schmidt, an itinerant tinker who helps Girl, who reminds him of his own missing daughter, find Dane’s Uncle Pelletier. But there are so many unforgettable characters and stories in this superb and moving novel. Terry Hand’s illustrations are masterful, from that first grim court martial scene to the portrait of a shivering Mina after she escapes from the steamboat; each panel fleshes out the characters and their stories beautifully. Free Passage brings history to life brilliantly. It’s most highly recommended.
Free Passage is an historical coming of age novel for young adults written by J.R. McRae and illustrated by Terry Hand. His commanding officers were stunned when Dane Maguire abandoned his post during combat and later handed in his commission. The heroic soldier was an inspiration to all who came in contact with him, which made his subsequent court martial and mandatory death sentence that much harder for all concerned. Dane stood there in front of the court and offered no excuse or justification. Despite his distinguished service and leadership, they had no option. Dane didn’t care. Something had happened on that field of battle which tore at everything that he held dear. He had no choice but to lay down his arms and surrender to the harsh field justice. McRae’s historical tale follows the lives of young adults whose lives were forever changed by the Civil War. Dane Maguire is one of them. Girl, a deaf-mute slave, who was never given a name, but found love in the least expected place, is another.
J.R. McRae’s historical coming of age novel, Free Passage, is a spellbinding and gripping story about young survivors of the Civil War. While I enjoy history and historical fiction, my focus has always been more on the first and second World Wars rather than on the American Civil War, and I was totally blown away by the power and intensity of these young adult tales. Each story radiates from that tale of the two brothers, Dane and Paul Maguire, yet each of the characters the reader meets assumes center stage at some point in the story. McRae’s heroes pop up in the least likely places in the hostile and frightening terrain of the post-Civil War years.
My favorite character would have to be Herr Adolphus Schmidt, an itinerant tinker who helps Girl, who reminds him of his own missing daughter, find Dane’s Uncle Pelletier. But there are so many unforgettable characters and stories in this superb and moving novel. Terry Hand’s illustrations are masterful, from that first grim court martial scene to the portrait of a shivering Mina after she escapes from the steamboat; each panel fleshes out the characters and their stories beautifully. Free Passage brings history to life brilliantly. It’s most highly recommended.
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