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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
DNF. It’s so clichéd it’s painful. Also the entire time I was reading I was thinking “have I read this before? What book was it! Gah!” Finally I came up with “miss peregrine’s home for peculiar children” meets “a series of unfortunate events.”
Anyway I am marking this so that if I stumble across this book way in the future i will know i have already tried it.
Also, side note and no fault of the book: the library copy I had borrowed looked like it had been dropkicked across the cafeteria or maybe the school yard.
Anyway I am marking this so that if I stumble across this book way in the future i will know i have already tried it.
Also, side note and no fault of the book: the library copy I had borrowed looked like it had been dropkicked across the cafeteria or maybe the school yard.
The Emerald Atlas is the first book in the Books of Beginning Trilogy. The three siblings Kate, Michael and Emma have grown up in an orphanage – always expecting their parents to fulfill their promise to return. The kids are bounced from orphanage to orphanage, each one worse than the last. With their next transfer they are afraid of what horrid conditions they might find.
To be sure, their new orphanage is run down and very unusual in ways that they don’t yet know. It’s all very mysterious and becomes even stranger when one day when they least expect it they are magically transported elsewhere. I can’t say where or how they are transported without taking away from the excitement and mystery of the story, but suffice it to say that it is something that opens up endless possibilities.
This book has a lot going for it that will appeal to fans of children’s fantasy. It’s got magic, unusual creatures, hidden realms, secret prophecies and some very creepy evil villains. If I had to make comparisons I would say that it has elements similar to those found in The Lord of the Rings, the Narnia books, the Harry Potter books, and the Lemony Snicket books.
I was surprised at first at how what a quick and intense read it was for a children’s book. Most middle grade books don’t do a good job of holding my attention, and this one was definitely an exception. Full of action and adventure, in many instances it made me tense with anticipation of what was going to happen to the children.
The author pulls you into the new magical world that the children are discovering, and you get to see it through their eyes as they are seeing it for the first time. The mechanism by which the children are able to travel creates a lot of opportunities for further adventures in the later books (which I will definitely be reading).
The writing is appropriate for middle graders, but is not so basic that it can’t be enjoyed by older readers too. Some of the action is intense, but I think most middle graders will eat it up. I have already recommended it to my fourth grader.
To be sure, their new orphanage is run down and very unusual in ways that they don’t yet know. It’s all very mysterious and becomes even stranger when one day when they least expect it they are magically transported elsewhere. I can’t say where or how they are transported without taking away from the excitement and mystery of the story, but suffice it to say that it is something that opens up endless possibilities.
This book has a lot going for it that will appeal to fans of children’s fantasy. It’s got magic, unusual creatures, hidden realms, secret prophecies and some very creepy evil villains. If I had to make comparisons I would say that it has elements similar to those found in The Lord of the Rings, the Narnia books, the Harry Potter books, and the Lemony Snicket books.
I was surprised at first at how what a quick and intense read it was for a children’s book. Most middle grade books don’t do a good job of holding my attention, and this one was definitely an exception. Full of action and adventure, in many instances it made me tense with anticipation of what was going to happen to the children.
The author pulls you into the new magical world that the children are discovering, and you get to see it through their eyes as they are seeing it for the first time. The mechanism by which the children are able to travel creates a lot of opportunities for further adventures in the later books (which I will definitely be reading).
The writing is appropriate for middle graders, but is not so basic that it can’t be enjoyed by older readers too. Some of the action is intense, but I think most middle graders will eat it up. I have already recommended it to my fourth grader.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I just had the biggest flashback to reading this in like 6th grade? And I remember absolutely nothing that happens
Kate, Michael and Emma are three orphans living in very poor conditions. Moved from orphanage to orphanage, they can only rely on each other for support. When they are moved to Cambridge Falls, their love and trust for each other will be thoroughly tested by the presence of spooky characters and extraordinary events.
The characterisation is one of the strongest and best aspect of this novel. The three main characters have different personalities which are acutely depicted. Even though they all come from the same mould, their age difference (important when it comes to their parents as Kate remembers them very well, Michael a little bit and Emma the youngest not at all) is one of the factors that differenciate them. Kate, the eldest, feels the weight of the responsibility her parents entrusted in her the night they disappeared. She wouldn't change her brother and sister for anything in the world but she wonders how different her life might have been without having to take care of them. Michael is very introverted and plunges himself in fantasy worlds populated by dwarves he discovered in one of his father's books, he is also very bright and seems to know everything (much to Emma's annoyance!). Emma is a bundle of strength, courage, determination and a bit of mischief rolled into one. She hardly thinks before acting and she never backs down. Of cource, Emma was by far my favourite character :)But the fantastic characters don't stop at the three protagonists and a real care is taken to describe all the other characters and species.
The eerie setting is almost a promise of adventure and great danger in itself. Very remote and only accessible through a boat, Cambridge Falls doesn't feel like a home to the children when they first arrive. There are way too many secrets in it and they can't quite figure out the people living in it.
I won't spoil the fun by telling you what the fantasy aspect of the story is but I really thought that the book was an interesting take on magic/time travelling/world history and it is a great beginning to a fascinating new series. There was variety in characters and events and the story was at times laugh-out-loud funny and at others moving. The constant bickering between Emma and Michael is hilarious and I'm sure kids with siblings would relate to this book!
You can feel that the writer has been working for TV/cinema because the book has a very good pace and keeps you hooked throughout the story. The twists and turns of the plot are cleverly placed and not overwhelming or unbelievable.
I was disappointed to realise that the dwarves and screechers were very Lord Of The Rings-y but I hope the sequels will bring us fascinating new fantasy species.
The Emerald Atlas is a fantastic new series for tweens (and older!). There are some great themes about family, sibling relationships, courage and responsibility which bring depth to a great adventure story. The story has a lot of potential and I can't wait to read the sequels and discover a new adventure with the characters!
The characterisation is one of the strongest and best aspect of this novel. The three main characters have different personalities which are acutely depicted. Even though they all come from the same mould, their age difference (important when it comes to their parents as Kate remembers them very well, Michael a little bit and Emma the youngest not at all) is one of the factors that differenciate them. Kate, the eldest, feels the weight of the responsibility her parents entrusted in her the night they disappeared. She wouldn't change her brother and sister for anything in the world but she wonders how different her life might have been without having to take care of them. Michael is very introverted and plunges himself in fantasy worlds populated by dwarves he discovered in one of his father's books, he is also very bright and seems to know everything (much to Emma's annoyance!). Emma is a bundle of strength, courage, determination and a bit of mischief rolled into one. She hardly thinks before acting and she never backs down. Of cource, Emma was by far my favourite character :)But the fantastic characters don't stop at the three protagonists and a real care is taken to describe all the other characters and species.
The eerie setting is almost a promise of adventure and great danger in itself. Very remote and only accessible through a boat, Cambridge Falls doesn't feel like a home to the children when they first arrive. There are way too many secrets in it and they can't quite figure out the people living in it.
I won't spoil the fun by telling you what the fantasy aspect of the story is but I really thought that the book was an interesting take on magic/time travelling/world history and it is a great beginning to a fascinating new series. There was variety in characters and events and the story was at times laugh-out-loud funny and at others moving. The constant bickering between Emma and Michael is hilarious and I'm sure kids with siblings would relate to this book!
You can feel that the writer has been working for TV/cinema because the book has a very good pace and keeps you hooked throughout the story. The twists and turns of the plot are cleverly placed and not overwhelming or unbelievable.
I was disappointed to realise that the dwarves and screechers were very Lord Of The Rings-y but I hope the sequels will bring us fascinating new fantasy species.
The Emerald Atlas is a fantastic new series for tweens (and older!). There are some great themes about family, sibling relationships, courage and responsibility which bring depth to a great adventure story. The story has a lot of potential and I can't wait to read the sequels and discover a new adventure with the characters!
I really enjoyed reading this story of three orphans and a magical book. I am ready to move on the the second book! 10/27/12
I reread this book and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I love how the siblings interact with each other. I read it with my now 9 year old daughter Emma. She loved the time travel and the dwarves. The audio book is read by Jim Dale which is amazing. We were looking for reasons to hope in the car and "read" our book. 2/20/17
I reread this book and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. I love how the siblings interact with each other. I read it with my now 9 year old daughter Emma. She loved the time travel and the dwarves. The audio book is read by Jim Dale which is amazing. We were looking for reasons to hope in the car and "read" our book. 2/20/17
Picked this up after I found a set of promo cards at a movie theater, of all things-- had never heard of it before that but it sounded interesting. And it was!
The novel follows the lives of three children, who hop from orphanage to orphanage until they wind up in a mysteriously orphan-less orphanage in a strange, dilapidated town. The kids themselves are strong, well-written characters, as are the folks that surround them (even if the orphanage's owner, Doctor Pym, was clearly a student of the Dumbledore/Gandalf/etc. school of being an eccentric but ridiculously powerful wizard). The children also grow significantly throughout the book without there being any preachiness or awkward telling-not-showing moments.
All in all, definitely a fun one for anyone who enjoys YA or light fantasy. Although considering that the novel includes magical time-travel, it's disconcertingly unclear what time frame the main "present" of the novel takes place in...but it also doesn't seem to matter that much.
The novel follows the lives of three children, who hop from orphanage to orphanage until they wind up in a mysteriously orphan-less orphanage in a strange, dilapidated town. The kids themselves are strong, well-written characters, as are the folks that surround them (even if the orphanage's owner, Doctor Pym, was clearly a student of the Dumbledore/Gandalf/etc. school of being an eccentric but ridiculously powerful wizard). The children also grow significantly throughout the book without there being any preachiness or awkward telling-not-showing moments.
All in all, definitely a fun one for anyone who enjoys YA or light fantasy. Although considering that the novel includes magical time-travel, it's disconcertingly unclear what time frame the main "present" of the novel takes place in...but it also doesn't seem to matter that much.
Had been recommended as an audiobook, but I saw it available as an e-book and decided to go for it.
Overall, pretty fluffy, although it did have some very funny bits. I think I would have loved it as a kid, but it didn't do much for me as an adult.
Overall, pretty fluffy, although it did have some very funny bits. I think I would have loved it as a kid, but it didn't do much for me as an adult.
Very entertaining & exciting. Some knuckle-biting moments & good time travel elements. Good sympathetic protagonists, and each one of the siblings is different and pretty well-developed. Glad there are going to be 2 more--I'm looking forward to seeing how Stephens plots the remaining 2 books and shows the strengths of the other 2 books of beginning. Glad I read it, and I'll definitely recommend this book & the series to young fantasy readers.
First book in a new kids' series that my daughter is reading; got the audio book for a road trip and finished listening on my own; engaging set of characters (two sisters and a brother -- the main characters -- the creepy "Countess," a kind wizard and a slew of Dwarves). I would file this in the category "books that Harry Potter fans will gravitate to in the post-Harry Potter era."
My only quibble was that it felt as if there was almost too much action and not enough 'down time'/lighter moments for the characters.
My only quibble was that it felt as if there was almost too much action and not enough 'down time'/lighter moments for the characters.