Wonderful dreamlike magical story
934165
It's a story that somehow captured my imagination so fully that it left me in a state of wonder..  I was very young when I last read Under Plum Lake, but I can't seem to forget the impact it had on me, so long ago. I too hope to someday share this book with my children, for few books manage to paint a more magical picture so vividly in the mind. When I think about it I feel deep nostalgia, and I'll keep looking until I find a copy for my own.
592841
Wonderful story.
Loved the characters, and the metaphor and magic of alchemy.
459849
Web of Frost will immerse you in a world of mysticism and folklore. With its elegant prose, and vivid imagery, it feels like a dream. For those who love enchanting stories full of Russian folklore and stunning twists, you will not be disappointed.

I was absolutely stunned at how much I enjoyed this one. Lindsay Smith enchanted me right from the start. I could see everything in my mind so clearly as if I was watching a movie set in a fantasy world.

Web of Frost introduced me to an incredible world cloaked in folklore and magic. I never felt lost or confused. The world was highly developed and I loved the flow of the story and the way the saints were incorporated in to the every day life of the characters.

I loved the fact that Katza was not the typical strong willed ya character. She was actually quite gullible, and weak at times. But, she fit the story and emanated grief at having suffered loss while her kingdom was on the bring of falling from a rebellion. She also had powerful moments of fierceness when using her gifts.

Ravin was dark and mysterious. It was no surprise as to the role he played in tempting Katza's heart. He was a tempestuous influence on Katza and he added intrigue to the story.

This story felt like a Russian folk tale. It had a mildly slow pace, but was fascinating as far as its development and depth. With the amount of world building Lindsay did, I was quite surprised to learn that the saints were, in fact, fiction. The mythology and folklore entwined in the tale felt genuine and captivated my mind and my heart. This one had me so entranced that I have already decided to pre-order book two the minute it is announced!
1810179
This book is a really wonderful and charming YA fantasy story, clearly and beautifully written and with such obvious care for every aspect of the story.

My heart ached for Kevin, my giggles were uncontrollable at Morgans fish out of water earnest bluntness. Supporting characters are written well, as true and integral parts of the boys lives who have their own personalities and motivations. The California setting is truly painted with beautiful clarity and is absolutely perfect for the story.

If you love magic and selkies and sweet seaside teenage love stories, well, here is the book you were waiting for!
1760575
This well written story is rich with marvelous characters and magical moments. I highly recommend it for anyone with a magical heart.
4159260
This book stirs the imagination with its unique setting, characters, take on magic, and books.  This will be one of the books I will read more than once and recommend to my family and friends. Thank you Mr Perrine for this wonderful story, I look forward to more.
575393
What a delightfully magical read !

This boxed set is ideal  For the young at heart or others who don't fear to dream. I enjoyed it so much! The wonderfully created world that this author  have so vividly written is easily envisaged!

Witchwood Estate 5 books series  - Is a Tv series type story .  It is filled with such wonderful Imagery, a world full of Magic and possiblity, and  certainly intrigue. Each installment is a A fun short read , for all those who enjoy a lighter read, with wonderfully written characters and a charismatic story line.

Each book rolls on from the next, adding new characters along the way, pulling us in and leaves us wanting more and the next installment. This series is for all the young a heart, who don't fear to dream a little magic and mystery.

Patti creates a world that will not only pull you into the pages, but leave you content and happy after each read.

As each book is  continuous from the last book, it follows the many  adventures of the many characters . Dont fear for the ladies who enjoy a heart throb - its filled with yummy  hot characters  and lots of twists and turns. The author writes with lots of enthusiam and a sense of humour that is contagious and enlightening .

This is a five booked set ( book 6 due 2016)  - portable magic in its making :D

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1770137
I love the interesting characters and creatures that are twists on traditional fantasy elements.  The story braids together a fun mix of modern settings, urban versions of magic, and good old-fashioned fantasy adventure.  I especially enjoy the footnotes, histories, back stories, and flashbacks interspersed with the main story line - they contribute to a richly imagined magical version of our world.  Anyone who likes stories of ordinary modern kids having exciting, sometimes creepy magical adventures should enjoy this book - and doubly so if you know the city of Boston, where it's set.
478904
I wish I could be teleported to another world through my local wishing tree. While it looks like it might never happen to me, Marshall and Mayberry, the main characters of Skip Brittenham's BETWEEN WORLDS, have that exact fate handed to them when they go to Eden Groves Mystery Forest." No really, when they fall asleep next to a regular looking tree, they wake up in a completely new world full of crazy creatures they never could have even dreamed of seeing. However, it turns out that its tough to be a hero, and they are forced to learn how to control magic in order to survive, but also to play into a scheme they never could have imagined.

In the midst of all the monsters who only want to use them, they find out more about themselves as they learn to control their magic. While accompanying them on their journey to get stronger and master their magic, I couldn't help but feel attached to them. Throughout the entirety of this novel, Marshall and Mayberry fight to control their powers and learn more about the place they were transported to and the beasts in lurking it.

I loved that Marshall and Mayberry weren't considered to be the most beautiful, perfect human beings on Earth. It was actually really refreshing, especially when a lot of authors are trying to add diverse characters into their novels, Brittenham really succeeded at doing so by adding characters that represented the average teen, and not some crazy agile warrior that most YA books seem to default to for their heroes and heroines.

I tried really hard to fall in love with this book. It was all there: the relatable protagonists, an enchanting new world and even using augmented reality to show the story in a new light! But I just wasn't drawn into the story itself. Sure, I loved the way Brittenham described the setting, the way the smallest details of the story were still acknowledged and loved, but I just wasn't engrossed into it. For a young adult novel, BETWEEN WORLDS is exceptionally tame: there is not too much action, but there is still a great group of characters who show off the meaning of friendship in heartwarming ways.

However, the augmented reality app that came with this book was probably one of the most impressive aspects of it all. When I got my copy, I got the free companion app and put my phone over the illustrations embedded between the pages of the novel. When I did, the picture came to life and a 3-D model popped out. Sometimes it was a tree and sometimes it was a mythical creature, but I could always interact with them by clicking on them and moving my phone around. I could also read entries from Mayberrys journal or play mini games. It was definitely an amazing experience to be able to mash technology with my reading. AR technology is what makes this book a game-changer, and I hope to see it accompany more books in the future.

That being said, I think that this book has promise, and seekers of an adventure who want to see what its like to add augmented reality to your reading experience should really check BETWEEN WORLDS out. BETWEEN WORLDS is a great introduction to fantasy novels for middle grade readers, but lacked the spirit of a young adult novel.

Reviewed by Rachel D., Teen Board Member
4381502
I'm going to start this review by saying I would absolutely recommend it to my younger cousins.  It's a fantastical, magical story about decisions and fate and coming into your own.

This was a very quick read, not bogged down in too many details and the story carried along nicely.  I've read similar type stories, but they are usually much more adult with a lot more drama and darkness.  Don't get me wrong, this story had drama and darkness, but at times it reminded me more of that musical that goes into the woods to discover things and have wishes come true.

There was something about the way that this story is written, it has a flow that had the pages turning at such a pace it was like they were flipping on their own.

I very much enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading book 2.

*****
4886210
What a magical story with so many surprising and charming twists!  I especially empathized with the main charactera real as well as a metaphorical fish out of water! and wanted her to succeed for so many reasons. In addition to the story, the writing itself is magical.  I would recommend Finis to anyone who enjoys magical realism or anyone who just enjoys sparklingly original pieces that are poetic and truly well-written.
4897461
For people who like mystical creatures, magic, and folklore, you will love this story. The author paints a very vivid,realistic story and makes one believe in the power and purity of the unicorn...and magic...and love.
3973301
bookshelves: adventure, fantasy, favorites, friiendship, kindle, magic, quick-reads, reveiws, youngsters
read count: Four

Purchased this when it was offered free, but I wouldn't of minded paying the 2 for it even though it would have been super if it was slightly bit longer. But even so, I enjoyed reading this story to my daughter and she got me to read it quite a number of times as obviously really enjoys the story. Such a pleasant book to read and the colourful drawings are so spectacular, the enjoyment on her face is wonderful.

Max is besotted about aeroplanes and the thought of flying, soaring high up in the clouds, visiting exotic places and meeting different people from all nationalities. One day as he's drawing aeroplanes he starts dreaming and all of a sudden his dreams actually come true.

Definitely be seeking more books of this author out and would highly recommend.
2297375
Growing up, a long, long time ago, I cut my teeth on fairytales.  I have often felt we needed more of them, not only for our children and grandchildren, but for our own enjoyment.  I must admit, many of the tales presented by the Brothers Grimm, read to me in my youth by my mother, scared me half silly, being a child with an over active imagination. (Actually, not much has changed over the years in this area).  No fear here though.  This is a delightful tale of love, friendship and the magic that is in all of us.  This is a point well made in the story.  Most, if not all, of us have that magic in us, we have it around us and it is ours to have for the taking if we just look in the right places.  This little story points that out in an absolutely delightful way.  The author's mellow syntax is an absolute delight to read and I did not find one page that did not leave plenty of room for discussion with your child or grandchild as the book is being read.  I must admit to have greatly enjoyed the style of the illustrator also, Janet Mattison-Prise.  It was executed in a manner that I find particularly pleasing.  This book, as others have pointed out, is a great bed time book or a rainy afternoon book.  I hardly think you could go wrong.  The story is pretty straight forward, the lessons learned by the little prince are quite worthwhile and it does foster the imagination.  What more could you want?  Recommend this one highly. I do hope this author gives us more of the same in the future.
4001940
This is a very imaginative and well-crafted book that takes an old Slavic folklore and turned it into a wonderful story about a witch with sex appeal doing good deeds in the United States.  Baba Yaga is a indeed a wickedly dangerous woman who lives in a magic Airstream with a dragon who looks like a dog and has a sense of humour.  She meets Liam, an apparently handsome man who falls in love with her. She also happens to be a professor of herbology while galavanting around the country.  When she stops at places, she rides a motorcycle.  The bad guys are bad, the good guys are good, and the children are all wonderful.
3726862
I really liked this imaginative story.  It filled my head with color and magic and the characters were very compelling.
2474959
A enchanting story, so full of "Power" and "Magic". Curses beneath her feet, is a wonderful story, a sliver into another world among our own. With characters that grow with you as the story concludes, it takes you on a trip into the depths of fantasy.  Very well written Loved it!