By Jennifer Cano
Genre Middle Grade Fantasy
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis
When elfin warriors escort Livy to Broams Eld, she discovers a world where imagination is power, tadpole soup is what’s for dinner, and trees whisper secret enchantments. There she finds not only friends, a welcome home for her dare-devil antics, and magic, but an astounding destiny to inherit—if she can survive her first night. (From Goodreads)
First Sentence
Livy Hinge's aunt lay dying in the backyard, which Aunt Neala thought was darned inconvenient.
I love this cover but I don't think it says, middle grade, which this book is. Confession time! I don't get along with middle grade books. I just feel like they're over simplified and the characters, of course, are middle grade age and they act it...and I don't see the appeal. However, I wanted to read this book for Utah Book Month. The author lives just down the road from me and so I thought I'd give it a go.
For awhile, at the beginning, I was wondering if I should keep going. It definitely had that middle grade feel going and it kind of jumped right into things, introducing us to this whole new world with weird words and customs that I couldn't quite wrap my head around. While I don't like to be held by the hand through world introductions, I also don't like being slapped in the face with them either. But I stuck with it and am very glad I did.
By about 35% through (I read this on my kindle, not sure what page) I found myself immersed in the world. It had a very, 1st Harry Potter book, feel to it. I don't know if it was intended or if I was just looking for it but there were some similarities for sure.
My favorite thing about the book was the ending. I can't say much without being too spoil-y but I just loved the way all the kids worked together to save their world and the magical world Cano created.
I'm assuming there will be more books to come and I'm good with that. There were a few open ended questions that I'd be interested in knowing the answers to.
Should you read it?
If you can get past the slightly jarring beginning you won't regret reading this delightful little tale.
Good to know! It does look kind of fun. And I like supporting local authors. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you ended up liking it. I hope I like it too once I get to it. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! We posted our reviews on the same day? You'd think we'd planned that.... ha! :)
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you enjoyed it, even though middle grade isn’t really your thing. I haven’t heard much about this book, but the cover is cool. I’ll have to check it out sometime.
ReplyDeleteI love middle grade fiction, so that doesn't scare me off at all. I've got a copy of this book -- I just need to find the time to read it! Glad you enjoyed it overall.
ReplyDeleteGuess what? I have seen Seventh-Heaven in our NDE: the realm is farNaway beyond anything this world has to offer... and, indeed, it goes for the length and breadth of eternity. Wanna join me? Follow us...
ReplyDeleteGod gives U.S. free-will in our finite existence, thus, what we mortals do with it determines our destiny. Meet me Upstairs, dear. Gotta lotta tok bout...
I don't get along with Middle Grade fiction, either, including the early Harry Potter books. But, the later ones are fine because they become YA.
ReplyDeleteI think I completely agree with all your reasons for why you don't really like MG. I do feel it's totally fine in and of itself. It was meant for kids and most MG I read is great... for kids. Just not for me.
It's funny because I tend to love middle grade books! Probably because they have less romance than YA and you know how romance and I don't get along! I haven't seen a 4 star review from you in a while! Will have to check this one out!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was scrolling through my feed reader today, this cover definitely caught my eye! But, I would expect older than middle grade from it... Do the people that do covers read the books. lol
ReplyDeleteThe cover totally says MG fantasy to me, but I have a # of MG fantasy readers in the house, so I see quite a bit of the genre. I think it sounds like an awesome book, one my littles would probably enjoy and--if they'd let me read it to them--one I'd love too.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit to loving MG, because I never grew up, but I think YA is the sweet spot, when it's clean.
I'm really surprised you finished this, and even more surprised you liked it! I couldn't finish. The magic use was bugging me, and the Harry Potter rip offs bugged me too.
ReplyDeleteI have a tough relationship with MG too, but usually I can handle fantasy. This looks lovely, and I love the title!
ReplyDeleteI love that cover! Although I don't read much in the way of middle grade stories myself, I'm glad to see they're coming out with some good ones.
ReplyDeleteThat cover made me gasp a little. (Love it!) I don't think it says MG either. I do enjoy MG when I know it's MG. Sometimes it's hard to adjust your expectations midway.
ReplyDeleteI do love that cover! And I like middle grade. So win win! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this one right now, and really enjoying it! It's so full of imaginative magic!
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