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crunden's review against another edition
“All stories are true. But the trees and the Lord of Light were here first. He ruled over this world once, and then he left to his World of Light. Now he seeks to return. Minotaur has a mission. He is the vanguard. He comes to prepare the way. The humans who have disappeared are the first prisoners of war.”
Firstly, this cover absolutely takes my breath away. It was the first thing that drew me in. (And it seems to be ongoing, book two’s cover is gorgeous!) I also love the title. We don’t get nearly enough minotaurs in fiction. [Side note: we need more minotaurs in fiction. Where are they?? Thank you to the author for bringing these much forgotten magical characters back into fiction!] So I dove right into this excited for the magic and adventures!
A deer and a nightmare, she thought, were more likely than a man with horns.
I don’t read too many stories with young MCs (I think the last one I read was [b:City of Ghosts|40512862|City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1)|Victoria Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556108926l/40512862._SX50_.jpg|56772894]), but I’m glad I picked this one up! Herrera’s writing is crisp and smooth. Stories like Emma and the Minotaur remind me of the tales I read growing up. And Emma’s adventures brought to mind Lucy Pevensie from [b:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe|317500|The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia, #1)|C.S. Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370691890l/317500._SY75_.jpg|4790821]. Like Lucy, Emma’s new world involves unicorns and minotaurs, assorted animals with personalities and a long awaited girl needed to save them all from certain doom.
Something I also really appreciated was Herrera’s dialogue and humour:
“So I’m supposed to stop a giant monster and save the world just because a tree told you so?”
Domino nodded.
“That doesn’t seem right at all,” Emma said.
Hehehe. Bless Emma. I don’t want to give away the plot, or the twists, but for those who like fantastical tales, animals galore and kids-saving-the-world, definitely give this one a chance! It’s the type of book that’s perfect for a cosy weekend of reading.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
Firstly, this cover absolutely takes my breath away. It was the first thing that drew me in. (And it seems to be ongoing, book two’s cover is gorgeous!) I also love the title. We don’t get nearly enough minotaurs in fiction. [Side note: we need more minotaurs in fiction. Where are they?? Thank you to the author for bringing these much forgotten magical characters back into fiction!] So I dove right into this excited for the magic and adventures!
A deer and a nightmare, she thought, were more likely than a man with horns.
I don’t read too many stories with young MCs (I think the last one I read was [b:City of Ghosts|40512862|City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1)|Victoria Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556108926l/40512862._SX50_.jpg|56772894]), but I’m glad I picked this one up! Herrera’s writing is crisp and smooth. Stories like Emma and the Minotaur remind me of the tales I read growing up. And Emma’s adventures brought to mind Lucy Pevensie from [b:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe|317500|The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia, #1)|C.S. Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370691890l/317500._SY75_.jpg|4790821]. Like Lucy, Emma’s new world involves unicorns and minotaurs, assorted animals with personalities and a long awaited girl needed to save them all from certain doom.
Something I also really appreciated was Herrera’s dialogue and humour:
“So I’m supposed to stop a giant monster and save the world just because a tree told you so?”
Domino nodded.
“That doesn’t seem right at all,” Emma said.
Hehehe. Bless Emma. I don’t want to give away the plot, or the twists, but for those who like fantastical tales, animals galore and kids-saving-the-world, definitely give this one a chance! It’s the type of book that’s perfect for a cosy weekend of reading.
☆ Blog | Twitter ☆
amymaltman's review against another edition
5.0
I normally don't read books targeted to this age group, but the author's snippets on Twitter drew me in. It did not disappoint. I absolutely devoured this book in just over a day. It’s well-written, imaginative, and enchanting, with touches of humour and plenty of wonder. Upon finishing it, I immediately bought the sequel (after cursing my Kindle for freezing during the process and delaying my excitement) and I look forward to beginning it tonight. If you have young readers in your life, I can't recommend this book highly enough. Heck, even if you don't, I recommend that you read it! I want to see it on screen, that's how much I loved it. It's filled with an enchanting sense of childhood innocence and wonder. Reading it reminded me of those days and wrapped me in its comforting warmth.
thesleepyreader79's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit I was originally interested in this book because my daughters name is Emma. Aside from that I have a love of mythical creatures. Centaurs and unicorns are my favorite. The minotaur have always seemed menacing and boy is he in this book. I did not realize I had chosen a young adult novel but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be looking for the next book in the series.
Emma is an 11 year old little girl, (my daughter turns 11 this year) and she's fairly ordinary. She lives at home with her dad and brother. One day at school she sees a boy she thinks is a wizard because he seems to disappear. She follows him and they become friends when he tells her his father went missing after being in the local woods. Soon others from the town are missing and strange creatures start to immerge. (I wont give too much else lest I spoil things.)
A young, fierce and brave girl, can Emma save the people and find her purpose before its too late?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I came across this book. I literally could not put it down. The pacing is wonderful and it is definitely a page turner. I also did not realize that its a series and it kind of ends on a cliff hanger and I am very anxious to see what happens in the next book. I will absolutely be looking to pick up the next book and look forward to the third book due out this year.
Emma is an 11 year old little girl, (my daughter turns 11 this year) and she's fairly ordinary. She lives at home with her dad and brother. One day at school she sees a boy she thinks is a wizard because he seems to disappear. She follows him and they become friends when he tells her his father went missing after being in the local woods. Soon others from the town are missing and strange creatures start to immerge. (I wont give too much else lest I spoil things.)
A young, fierce and brave girl, can Emma save the people and find her purpose before its too late?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I came across this book. I literally could not put it down. The pacing is wonderful and it is definitely a page turner. I also did not realize that its a series and it kind of ends on a cliff hanger and I am very anxious to see what happens in the next book. I will absolutely be looking to pick up the next book and look forward to the third book due out this year.
anniesdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
Emma and the Minotaur was for lack of a better word magical. It was like a perfect cross between The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter in my opinion. I haven't read something so original in a very long time, and I love that it's part of a series so that I get to explore more of the world Jon Herrera created.
I adored Emma, she reminds me a lot of me when I was just starting middle school, yet where I was daydreaming she was seeing the real thing... but no one believes her except her dad. He only seems to believe her to encourage her childlike wonder and creative spirit. This will all change for Emma and the things she learns because of this change set the story up for some excitement. I couldn't put the book down for the last 6 chapters, I just had to see how it was going to end. I didn't know that it was a part of a series until I finished it and went searching for more by Herrera, and I'm really glad that it is, there is so much more to see and I can't wait to go on Emma's next adventure with her.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I adored Emma, she reminds me a lot of me when I was just starting middle school, yet where I was daydreaming she was seeing the real thing... but no one believes her except her dad. He only seems to believe her to encourage her childlike wonder and creative spirit. This will all change for Emma and the things she learns because of this change set the story up for some excitement. I couldn't put the book down for the last 6 chapters, I just had to see how it was going to end. I didn't know that it was a part of a series until I finished it and went searching for more by Herrera, and I'm really glad that it is, there is so much more to see and I can't wait to go on Emma's next adventure with her.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
augureader's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I thought this was a lovely story about a wonderfully sweet MC who is very sweet. The plot itself was good, as was the pacing. The characters were developed fairly well, and I enjoyed being with them for a short time. I felt the end was a bit rushed and slightly confusing. I feel it does the "who" and "what" well, but the "why" and "how" was a bit jumbled for me. I would still recommend this to anyone who wants to escape for a while.
I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
thesleepyreader79's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit I was originally interested in this book because my daughters name is Emma. Aside from that I have a love of mythical creatures. Centaurs and unicorns are my favorite. The minotaur have always seemed menacing and boy is he in this book. I did not realize I had chosen a young adult novel but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be looking for the next book in the series.
Emma is an 11 year old little girl, (my daughter turns 11 this year) and she's fairly ordinary. She lives at home with her dad and brother. One day at school she sees a boy she thinks is a wizard because he seems to disappear. She follows him and they become friends when he tells her his father went missing after being in the local woods. Soon others from the town are missing and strange creatures start to immerge. (I wont give too much else lest I spoil things.)
A young, fierce and brave girl, can Emma save the people and find her purpose before its too late?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I came across this book. I literally could not put it down. The pacing is wonderful and it is definitely a page turner. I also did not realize that its a series and it kind of ends on a cliff hanger and I am very anxious to see what happens in the next book. I will absolutely be looking to pick up the next book and look forward to the third book due out this year.
Emma is an 11 year old little girl, (my daughter turns 11 this year) and she's fairly ordinary. She lives at home with her dad and brother. One day at school she sees a boy she thinks is a wizard because he seems to disappear. She follows him and they become friends when he tells her his father went missing after being in the local woods. Soon others from the town are missing and strange creatures start to immerge. (I wont give too much else lest I spoil things.)
A young, fierce and brave girl, can Emma save the people and find her purpose before its too late?
I wasn't sure what to expect when I came across this book. I literally could not put it down. The pacing is wonderful and it is definitely a page turner. I also did not realize that its a series and it kind of ends on a cliff hanger and I am very anxious to see what happens in the next book. I will absolutely be looking to pick up the next book and look forward to the third book due out this year.
commandodave's review against another edition
3.0
I was given this book to review by Voracious Reader.
A really easy to read and enjoyable fantasy fiction book, designed for young adults. Although I read a lot of young adult books, I think think this was aimed at a younger audience than me.
I still found the story readable and found myself wanting to finish the book to find out what happened. If you like stories about mythical monsters you'll love this book.
A really easy to read and enjoyable fantasy fiction book, designed for young adults. Although I read a lot of young adult books, I think think this was aimed at a younger audience than me.
I still found the story readable and found myself wanting to finish the book to find out what happened. If you like stories about mythical monsters you'll love this book.
tazladyok's review against another edition
4.0
Emma is an 11 year old girl that makes friends with a boy named Jake from school. Jake's dad is one of the people that has disappeared from their town. Emma decides to help Jake to find his father and the others. She soon finds that finding the lost people is only part of what she needs to do. She now is on a mission to save the world from a dark creature.
marie6's review against another edition
4.0
I was a bit frustrated when starting this book that of the handful of early characters we had a Bill, William, and a Will... but fortunately there was enough of an interest that I hung in there. I really enjoyed the story (was going to buy the sequel mentioned on the last page but couldn't find it, or even mention of it on the author's blog--I will keep an eye out though). This book is quite different from things I would normally favor reading but I quite loved it. I was skeptical of the idea, but I really enjoyed this writer while reading "Twine" so I took a chance and I am quite glad I read it.
It's an easy recommendation for fantasy readers (and I will probably be passing it to my 5th grade son soon for this reason)... but I think there is a bit of crossover appeal for suspense readers, not because there particularly is much but because he has a similar progressive reveal/discovery format as a currant running through his writing style. The heroine is very active/reactive and learning a lot of look inside type lessons, but ultimately relying on her own nature (empowered with her new knowledge) to accomplish things. I very much appreciated this as frustratingly there is often a push for children to "grow up" by being less active and more reflective, especially so for girls, but it isn't an inherently childish/immature or masculine thing. I was deeply grateful for Chapter 15 in honoring that idea of trusting yourself and being yourself despite others' opinions. It is a wonderful thing to emphasize in a children's book!
I do hope this author writes more, while his content is a bit unusual to me I truly enjoyed him pulling me out of my comfort zone in such an engaging way. I have found both stories of his that I have read to be well-shared and under-heard vantage points, a voice I appreciate hearing.
It's an easy recommendation for fantasy readers (and I will probably be passing it to my 5th grade son soon for this reason)... but I think there is a bit of crossover appeal for suspense readers, not because there particularly is much but because he has a similar progressive reveal/discovery format as a currant running through his writing style. The heroine is very active/reactive and learning a lot of look inside type lessons, but ultimately relying on her own nature (empowered with her new knowledge) to accomplish things. I very much appreciated this as frustratingly there is often a push for children to "grow up" by being less active and more reflective, especially so for girls, but it isn't an inherently childish/immature or masculine thing. I was deeply grateful for Chapter 15 in honoring that idea of trusting yourself and being yourself despite others' opinions. It is a wonderful thing to emphasize in a children's book!
I do hope this author writes more, while his content is a bit unusual to me I truly enjoyed him pulling me out of my comfort zone in such an engaging way. I have found both stories of his that I have read to be well-shared and under-heard vantage points, a voice I appreciate hearing.
addison_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I received this in a GoodReads Giveaway.
Emma and the Minotaur is a fun fantasy adventure of a young girl who finds out she has to be the heroine of her own story to save the people she loves in her town. Her world suddenly becomes filled with all types of mythical creatures, including a minotaur set on destroying everything she knows.
This is apparently the first in a series, so it does leave you with some unanswered questions. If you are a fan of middle grade fantasy then you will probably like this book.
Emma and the Minotaur is a fun fantasy adventure of a young girl who finds out she has to be the heroine of her own story to save the people she loves in her town. Her world suddenly becomes filled with all types of mythical creatures, including a minotaur set on destroying everything she knows.
This is apparently the first in a series, so it does leave you with some unanswered questions. If you are a fan of middle grade fantasy then you will probably like this book.
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