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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I enjoyed reading this book more than I thought I would. I borrowed it from my local library because I read on a blog that this was an excellent read. I didn't realize from the blogger that this was a fantasy children's book. I figured I've read the entire Harry Potter series what's one more children's book.
It was thrilling! I could not put the book down. I must admit that I am one those people who will read the ending just to see how it ends...yes I did. But even knowing the ending didn't deter me from wanting to keep reading to see how it will end. There were a few times that I almost missed my stop on the subway because I was so absorbed in the book.
I was terribly disappointed that the next book in the trilogy is not yet published. I'm actually considering buying this book. I don't want to wait to read it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
It was thrilling! I could not put the book down. I must admit that I am one those people who will read the ending just to see how it ends...yes I did. But even knowing the ending didn't deter me from wanting to keep reading to see how it will end. There were a few times that I almost missed my stop on the subway because I was so absorbed in the book.
I was terribly disappointed that the next book in the trilogy is not yet published. I'm actually considering buying this book. I don't want to wait to read it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone.
I first found out about this book from Priscilla years and years ago. I do not have any clue why I waited so long to finally pick it up! It was fantastic. It was full of magic and action and wittiness! The three main characters are siblings and their relationships with each other mimic real life sibling relationships with the arguing and fighting but also the love and sense of loyalty. The characters are realistic, and so that means none of them are perfect and they all make mistakes. I was expecting a carbon copy adventure of orphans on a mission to save the world, but it was much more and done terrifically. Five stars. Check it out.
I really enjoyed this book! Great start to a new middle grade series. Read my review here.
Listen #3--January 13-18, 2016
Listen #2--October 9-11, 2012
I truly enjoyed this book. In many ways it reminds me of Harry Potter (magic, orphans, time travel by magical means), but it's definitely got its own charm. 3 siblings: Kate, Michael, and Emma are whisked away from their parents as small children, with Kate (the oldest) being told by her mother to watch out for her siblings. 10 years later the children have been moved from orphanage to orphanage. They are eventually sent to yet another new orphanage, in a mysterious town called Cambridge Falls. In the orphanage, they find a mysterious book that brings them back in time 15 years, to a time when a witch was holding the town hostage to her demands.
An addition to the charm of this book was the excellent narration by Jim Dale. Since he also narrates the Harry Potter books, this is part of why Emerald Atlas reminds me of that series. His narration gives each character a distinct personality, and it really adds a lot to the experience. One minor nit-pick though is that the characters' voices have British accents, while the story is set near Baltimore.
Overall, I can't wait to read the sequel and see where the story goes from here!
Listen #1--October 11-26, 2011
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187143738
Listen #2--October 9-11, 2012
I truly enjoyed this book. In many ways it reminds me of Harry Potter (magic, orphans, time travel by magical means), but it's definitely got its own charm. 3 siblings: Kate, Michael, and Emma are whisked away from their parents as small children, with Kate (the oldest) being told by her mother to watch out for her siblings. 10 years later the children have been moved from orphanage to orphanage. They are eventually sent to yet another new orphanage, in a mysterious town called Cambridge Falls. In the orphanage, they find a mysterious book that brings them back in time 15 years, to a time when a witch was holding the town hostage to her demands.
An addition to the charm of this book was the excellent narration by Jim Dale. Since he also narrates the Harry Potter books, this is part of why Emerald Atlas reminds me of that series. His narration gives each character a distinct personality, and it really adds a lot to the experience. One minor nit-pick though is that the characters' voices have British accents, while the story is set near Baltimore.
Overall, I can't wait to read the sequel and see where the story goes from here!
Listen #1--October 11-26, 2011
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/187143738
An enjoyable fantasy read. While I liked reading about the three siblings, my favorite characters were the dwarves. At one point the dwarves have to swim and then they're squeezing water out of their beards. I thought that image was particularly funny. There's other dwarvish middle-school kind of humor in the book as well. This book has a Narnia-feel because the children are being transported through time to different places, some of which are magical. Every once in a while, I'd get distracted as I was reading and realize that I needed to back up and re-establish where and when the setting was because it does change quite a bit through this book. Sometimes one of the kids might travel through time for just a minute (a few paragraphs). In the end if you're confused about any of the movement through time, there is a character who gives a good succinct explanation/overview of what transpired. I'm looking forward to the next two books and where the three siblings will take us next.
First, my kids loved this book. If I were an 11 year old boy I would definitely rate it 5 stars. :)
But, I'm not, and I can't. At some point, my children will learn to appreciate a well delivered plot line and adequate character development. While listening to this book on audiobook, we had to ask ourselves repeatedly, "now, what's going on?" The story jumps around a LOT. And the time travel doesn't always make sense. It's not prefaced well enough to make it clear to the listener where or when in time the story is currently taking place. The one redeeming quality of any audiobook read by Jim Dale is, of course, Jim Dale.
But, I'm not, and I can't. At some point, my children will learn to appreciate a well delivered plot line and adequate character development. While listening to this book on audiobook, we had to ask ourselves repeatedly, "now, what's going on?" The story jumps around a LOT. And the time travel doesn't always make sense. It's not prefaced well enough to make it clear to the listener where or when in time the story is currently taking place. The one redeeming quality of any audiobook read by Jim Dale is, of course, Jim Dale.
The Emerald Atlas has much to recommend it; three smart, plucky orphans, who stick together no matter what, mysteries and magic, time travel, wizards, elves, dwarves, disingenuous, dangerous witches, chases, swordplay, daring escapes, and more. Imagine the Baudelaires from Lemony Snicket crossed with Harry Potter and the Mysterious Benedict Society and you have a fair idea of how the story develops. It is a complex story that rewards patient but astute readers. Perfect for sixth and seventh grade students who enjoyed Lemony Snicket and like a light fantasy. It gets a bit bogged down in parts, but overall it is an entertaining story that should hold the reader's attention. This is the first novel of the series.
I was expecting to read a predictable cliche story but was surprised at the complex story that really touched my heart!!!! I am right away going to read the second one!!
I am a huge harry potter fan and I noticed some similarities but I really recommend this as a must!!!! I loved it!!!!
I am a huge harry potter fan and I noticed some similarities but I really recommend this as a must!!!! I loved it!!!!