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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I found this book in the new books of the YA section at our local library. I enjoy fantasy young adult books so the book jacket caught my attention. This is book #1 of the Books of the Beginning series.
In this book, we meet Kate, Michael and Emma siblings torn apart from their parents when Kate (the oldest) was just 4 years old. They bounced from orphanage to orphanage not even knowing their last name. Then they arrive at a creepy old mansion owned by the mysterious Dr. Pym and their adventure begins.
Soon they learn that they are inexplicably linked to three books--Books of the Beginning. That they are prophesed children destined to bring these long hidden magic books together--one child for each book. Kate learns that the first book they find "the Atlas" marks her as being the one who can wield it.
Read what happens as Kate, Michael and Emma are whisked back and forth by this atlas to the past, the present, and the past again and again in their effort to help save the town of Cambridge Falls and all the folk living in and below it from the Countess and her Screachers...all the way questioning what REALLY happened to their parents, who exactly IS Dr. Pym and why oh why were THEY chosen?
***
I am not sure how to describe the book other than to say that if you like young adult fantasy fiction you will enjoy it. I do admit that there were some expected plot twists and some rather incredible "happily ever afters" but the premise of the book is well done and I did leave it desiring to read the next book in the series.
In this book, we meet Kate, Michael and Emma siblings torn apart from their parents when Kate (the oldest) was just 4 years old. They bounced from orphanage to orphanage not even knowing their last name. Then they arrive at a creepy old mansion owned by the mysterious Dr. Pym and their adventure begins.
Soon they learn that they are inexplicably linked to three books--Books of the Beginning. That they are prophesed children destined to bring these long hidden magic books together--one child for each book. Kate learns that the first book they find "the Atlas" marks her as being the one who can wield it.
Read what happens as Kate, Michael and Emma are whisked back and forth by this atlas to the past, the present, and the past again and again in their effort to help save the town of Cambridge Falls and all the folk living in and below it from the Countess and her Screachers...all the way questioning what REALLY happened to their parents, who exactly IS Dr. Pym and why oh why were THEY chosen?
***
I am not sure how to describe the book other than to say that if you like young adult fantasy fiction you will enjoy it. I do admit that there were some expected plot twists and some rather incredible "happily ever afters" but the premise of the book is well done and I did leave it desiring to read the next book in the series.
The Emerald Atlas feels a bit familiar in the beginning, reminding me of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. The children, Kate, Michael and Emma, remind me a lot of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baud.
I enjoyed the quirky characters like the swan lady and her husband, as well as, Hamish the drunken and belligerent dwarf (who according to Michael did not uphold the true values to call himself a dwarf).
I expected this novel to be for younger readers, 10 -14 years old, because of the cover and the writing style. As I read the entire book I felt that it became too ...
To read the full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com
I enjoyed the quirky characters like the swan lady and her husband, as well as, Hamish the drunken and belligerent dwarf (who according to Michael did not uphold the true values to call himself a dwarf).
I expected this novel to be for younger readers, 10 -14 years old, because of the cover and the writing style. As I read the entire book I felt that it became too ...
To read the full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com
I only started listening to this audiobook because it was narrated by Jim Dale (he fabulously narrated the HP audiobooks). I was enjoying it so much that I checked out the actual book to finish on my recent trip. The story and characters were engaging. It contained elements of fantasy and magic and was fun to read. I will be looking for the next book in the series.
The Emerald Atlas is a very entertaining tale sure to please middle-grade readers. I read it aloud with my fourth-grader, and she could hardly stand having to close the book on every chapter. The children are fun characters, as well, and there are a number of laugh-out-loud moments with things they say or how they relate to each other (distinctly how one would expect siblings to do). John Stephens has woven a tale of magic and adventure that should capture the interest of boys and girls alike.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/emerald-atlas-clean-young-adult-book-review/
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/emerald-atlas-clean-young-adult-book-review/
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a magical and wonderful story! I was amazed by every page. The children are brave, yet human and like most of us who have been let down by someone we love, question authority and withhold trust.
The process of finding the Atlas helps to heal them and makes them stronger. They learn important lessons about family, responsibility and power.
The first chapter was similar enough to chapter one of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to make me notice, but it ended there. This book is now at the top of my list for recommending to students and I can't wait for the rest of the series.
The process of finding the Atlas helps to heal them and makes them stronger. They learn important lessons about family, responsibility and power.
The first chapter was similar enough to chapter one of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to make me notice, but it ended there. This book is now at the top of my list for recommending to students and I can't wait for the rest of the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kinda feels like if Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit had a baby, with some time travel mixed in. Overall a fun listen. Audio book is narrated by Jim Dale, so quite enjoyable.
Very good, one of the best recent children's fantasy novels I've read lately, and one that makes me pleased there are more coming, whereas I'm often more like "oh no, another trilogy"!
This is a difficult book to rate. The writing is all over the place. The pacing is all over the place. But the story is a lot of fun, and though it's unabashedly the first book in a series, it actually stops at a natural stopping point. There's promise here, and nothing that can't be fixed for the sequels, I just hope it is.