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mekhera's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book! Kind of a mix between Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, both series that I love! Would definitely recommend to students who like either one! Also had its own twists. Loved the themes of bravery, confidence and kindness.
shayemiller's review against another edition
4.0
This is book #1 of a middle-grade fiction fantasy series and I honestly didn’t realize who the author of this series was until I was starting book #2. If you’re not already aware — John August is an American screenwriter well-known for some of his popular children/family movies, such as: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie, and the recent Aladdin. So while this is his debut middle grade book, August isn’t new to writing stories centered around highly unusual (and supernatural) situations. Briefly: In Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire, 12-year-old Arlo Finch has moved to Pine Mountain, Colorado after his mom allegedly had a nervous breakdown. His mom grew up in Pine Mountain and she has inherited the old family home where her taxidermist brother, “Uncle Wade,” already lives. Meanwhile, Arlo’s father has fled the country because the United States government is accusing him of treason. How’s THAT for a story set-up? And things haven’t even gotten that weird, yet! Shortly after arriving in Pine Mountain, Arlo discovers the wonders of the Long Woods when he joins the Rangers, a mixed-gender scouting troop. He learns that ghosts are real, there are other supernatural beings, there are some who can cross into the Realm, and that there are certain abilities he can learn to command after much practice. Additionally, Arlo has one brown eye and one green eye, which may have something to do with the unique visions he begins seeing.
The story had some unusual variety and was fairly action-packed. Some spots in this story made me giggle out loud. (Hint for those who’ve read it: “What would a squirrel do?“). I also appreciated the development of Arlo’s friendships with a few characters, especially Henry Wu and Indra. I knew I would be going straight into book #2. And I’ll be adding this series to my “spooky books list” for October/Fall reads.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
The story had some unusual variety and was fairly action-packed. Some spots in this story made me giggle out loud. (Hint for those who’ve read it: “What would a squirrel do?“). I also appreciated the development of Arlo’s friendships with a few characters, especially Henry Wu and Indra. I knew I would be going straight into book #2. And I’ll be adding this series to my “spooky books list” for October/Fall reads.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
thejaidedbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. The beginning was quite confusing for me in terms of the actual fantasy world, but I understood it a little more the more I read. Arlo and his friends were such likable characters and despite it having some typical tropes (a chosen one who is attacked by an unnamed enemy), I really felt like John August was able to breathe a new life into that trope and make it feel new and refreshing regardless. The cliffhanger at the end makes me look forward to the second book, which I already have a hold on at the library. I definitely recommend this one for people who are looking for a good, middle-grade paranormal/magical fantasy.
blakethebookeater's review against another edition
4.0
Gravity Falls meets Harry Potter meets Stranger Things.
I loved this book! I thought it was a fantastic introduction to Arlo Finch and the town of Pine Mountain.
Arlo is a great protagonist. He’s curious and loyal, quick to defend both his family and his new friends. The supernatural elements were tied in nicely and the world of the Long Wood is one that I hope we’ll see more of.
“None of them were perfectly loyal, brave, kind or true—but they didn’t need to be. Between the six members of Blue Patrol, there was enough loyalty, bravery, kindness and truth to go around.”
I LOVED the Rangers. I was in Boy Scouts growing up, and this made me feel downright giddy at times. Camping...with FOREST SPIRITS. Knots...with MAGIC. It was a lot of fun, and extremely wholesome.
Wu and Indra are good supporting characters, even if Wu falls into the smart Asian stereotype, and Indra is a Hermione analogue.
It did feel very much like a Part 1, so I left wanting more but not completely satisfied with the story at hand. But we still have 2 more books!
Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
I loved this book! I thought it was a fantastic introduction to Arlo Finch and the town of Pine Mountain.
Arlo is a great protagonist. He’s curious and loyal, quick to defend both his family and his new friends. The supernatural elements were tied in nicely and the world of the Long Wood is one that I hope we’ll see more of.
“None of them were perfectly loyal, brave, kind or true—but they didn’t need to be. Between the six members of Blue Patrol, there was enough loyalty, bravery, kindness and truth to go around.”
I LOVED the Rangers. I was in Boy Scouts growing up, and this made me feel downright giddy at times. Camping...with FOREST SPIRITS. Knots...with MAGIC. It was a lot of fun, and extremely wholesome.
Wu and Indra are good supporting characters, even if Wu falls into the smart Asian stereotype, and Indra is a Hermione analogue.
It did feel very much like a Part 1, so I left wanting more but not completely satisfied with the story at hand. But we still have 2 more books!
Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
cdbellomy's review against another edition
4.0
Good middle-grade fantasy. I'm surprised it's not more popular. It has action, good, well-developed relatable characters, & family stress. It is obviously the first of more because many things are left unexplained.
khisle's review against another edition
5.0
A great adventure story about friendship, survival, and bravery, with elements of mythology as well. This book is like if Boy Scouts (but this version has boys AND girls) combined with Percy Jackson. Perfect for fans of adventures, survival stories, and mythology. Very entertaining, diverse, and funny. I was thoroughly entertained by the plot while also eagerly reading in suspense. The cast of characters are compelling and filled with personality. I plan to recommend this book a lot to young readers looking for what’s next after they read through I survived and Percy Jackson and want more
wwhyte's review against another edition
3.0
(Disclaimer, I read this a month or so ago so may get some of the terms wrong)
Arlo Finch moves back with his mother and sister to the mountains in Colorado to live in his mother's brother's house. Over the year he makes friends, joins the Scouts, and discovers that his town is on a permeable boundary between our world and the world of Faery. And that he has particular powers and abilities that allow him to pass between the worlds in a way that others can't. And that something in the world of Faery, something big and powerful, does not wish him well.
I'm a big fan of John August's Scriptnotes podcast and of all the things he does for writers, so I was very much hoping to like this book more than I did. In particular, given how deeply he thinks about the structure of written things, I was surprised by how much this felt like just a series of things happening. In particular, in the two big set-pieces with antagonists from the Faery world-- the demon horse, and the hag at the end -- neither of them even speaks, let alone helps us understand what the forces are on the other side that Arlo is up against. If there is an antagonist with a reason to get rid of Arlo, why doesn't it try more often? On the other side, Arlo is a bit of a passive hero -- he joins in the activities of the Rangers, he reads books and tries to talk to people to understand the world he's in, but he doesn't really try to do anything. That's understandable -- he's twelve, after all -- but it leaves the book with no real drive on either side.
I did enjoy the stories of Rangering and some of the characters. It's true that the smart girl sidekick and the bumbling boy sidekick seem somewhat familiar, but in this genre there are only so many character categories to choose from, and on those familiar bases August builds characters who are at least fun to be with. Even the Ranger/magick culture, though, seemed half thought out -- some magick is taken for granted, there's some knowledge of the fairy world, but who knows what and how powerful are the senior rangers allowed or expected to become? It felt like an initial brainstorm of ideas for a book, with some great scenes, that still needed someone to sit down and think about what it all meant.
Having said that, the second book is much pacier and more focused, and this is an easy read. Worth reading as a way into the second book. Also, "Launch", the podcast about writing and making this book, is a great glimpse at the complexity of the publishing world and all the moving parts that need to work to make a book happen, and well worth listening to.
Arlo Finch moves back with his mother and sister to the mountains in Colorado to live in his mother's brother's house. Over the year he makes friends, joins the Scouts, and discovers that his town is on a permeable boundary between our world and the world of Faery. And that he has particular powers and abilities that allow him to pass between the worlds in a way that others can't. And that something in the world of Faery, something big and powerful, does not wish him well.
I'm a big fan of John August's Scriptnotes podcast and of all the things he does for writers, so I was very much hoping to like this book more than I did. In particular, given how deeply he thinks about the structure of written things, I was surprised by how much this felt like just a series of things happening. In particular, in the two big set-pieces with antagonists from the Faery world
I did enjoy the stories of Rangering and some of the characters. It's true that the smart girl sidekick and the bumbling boy sidekick seem somewhat familiar, but in this genre there are only so many character categories to choose from, and on those familiar bases August builds characters who are at least fun to be with. Even the Ranger/magick culture, though, seemed half thought out -- some magick is taken for granted, there's some knowledge of the fairy world, but who knows what and how powerful are the senior rangers allowed or expected to become? It felt like an initial brainstorm of ideas for a book, with some great scenes, that still needed someone to sit down and think about what it all meant.
Having said that, the second book is much pacier and more focused, and this is an easy read. Worth reading as a way into the second book. Also, "Launch", the podcast about writing and making this book, is a great glimpse at the complexity of the publishing world and all the moving parts that need to work to make a book happen, and well worth listening to.
babbityrabbity's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for a fresh, sweet, uplifting children’s adventure. Full review here.
deannah's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This took a while to get into, partly because of the narrator's (male) female voices. However, I ended up really enjoying the story and plan to read the other books planned in the series. It is a fun mix of boy scouts and magic.
revealingtoomuch's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not a big reader of middle grade fiction, or other books this will be compared to. I’ve never read Harry Potter (though I might now). I picked this up because I’m a longtime fan of John August from his movies and his podcasts. I even met him twice and wrote a blog post about it.
I didn’t know what I would think when I read the book, but I was hooked from the beginning. The only reason I didn’t finish the book sooner was I had to go to work and get enough sleep (and see my wife and take care of my dogs...)
It’s a great book, filled with the kind of things I hope all kids are taught - be brave, be kind, be true.
The line “it’s okay to be scared, even if there’s nothing to be scared of” killed me. Everyone should be told that.
I could go on. Instead, go pick up the book and have a great time.
I didn’t know what I would think when I read the book, but I was hooked from the beginning. The only reason I didn’t finish the book sooner was I had to go to work and get enough sleep (and see my wife and take care of my dogs...)
It’s a great book, filled with the kind of things I hope all kids are taught - be brave, be kind, be true.
The line “it’s okay to be scared, even if there’s nothing to be scared of” killed me. Everyone should be told that.
I could go on. Instead, go pick up the book and have a great time.
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