A great fantasy with a valuable message.
353080
This is a great thought-provoking story. The delightful characters and action keep you wanting more. I highly recommend it for children and adults!
4042494
A great story with a positive message about not giving up
594001
Matt Campbell's Spirit Summoner (The Chosen of the Light), book I, is a grand adventure.  It follows Darr, a spirit summoner, as he learns there is more to his "gift" than just an annoying and useless connection to the spirit world.  He's been chosen to help keep the world from devolving into chaos once more.

Along the way he is presented with those who would see him fail, and those who would help him.  Campbell weaves the story around the family issues we all have and yet presents those simple actions and interactions in a way that makes the characters larger than life, and the choices Darr must make have you wondering what will happen next.

The fantasy elements are familiar, yet, not cliche.  Any fantasy lover will want to read ths one more than once.

This is a great start to a fantasy epic.  I am looking forward to reading the next book.
3662490
The Pearl is a fantasy story filled with an amazing array of individuals and creatures from dragons and vampires to a gnome-god who can stop time. The journey to the Spirit Mountains for the main characters is filled with danger in the midst of a power struggle. As the story progresses, Pearl, the first of her kind, gets a new body and Xiao gets a newly established kingdom. Beyond those small tidbits it's not good to say much more without spoiling the story for new readers. But the author has a great imagination and has woven an intricate story that keeps you engaged to the end. Read it and see for yourself.
1226929
High fantasy fans will get a thrill, especially the preteen girl. Here is a quest that is packed with action, adventure, social hierarchy, danger, injustice, and spirituality. It reminded me of Kit Grindstaffs The Flame in the Mist. Min is a fabulously realistic character, facing numerous challenges and growing stronger with each. Young girls will look up to her for her tremendous heart and courage. Zeiters creativity abounds, taking the reader to vast realms, from the dark, terrifying castle now ruled by the tyrant Malcus to an underwater kingdom of mermaids, just to name a few. A definite recommendation.
3202947
This allegorical book, supposedly aimed at children, provided Mr. Lewis with a wonderful medium to deliver a Christian message to readers of all ages.  He casts the perennial contest between good and evil as a secret adventure of four displaced children in a land frozen under the control of a wily wicked witchy ruler.  While good prevails, it does not come without struggle and sacrifice.  Along the way the Lion of Judah acquires a new name and important lessons of loyalty and courage are learned.

I really like books that are inspiring, thought-provoking, and fun.  It makes me wonder what is in the back of all my closets!  This book makes a great gift for young people that they will treasure throughout life.  Another Christian fantasy book I like, aimed at a somewhat older audience, is&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/ARROWS-THROUGH-TIME-A-Time-Travel-Tale-of-Adventure-Courage-and-Faith/dp/0979745926/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">ARROWS THROUGH TIME: A Time Travel Tale of Adventure, Courage, and Faith</a>.
1851455
This is a magical, fanciful adventure with plenty of action to keep girls and boys intrigued, and an important message. After you read it, you'll want your children to read it. A beautiful story with fascinating characters. I just ordered the second book in the series for myself and two 16-year-old nieces.
Patricia Fry
965314
Molly Withers & the Golden Tree is an adventurous, imaginative and magical tale about an eleven-year-old girl who finds out that she is "The Chosen One". She and a friend embark on a quest to find the Golden Tree and save magic and the world. On their quest, they meet leprechauns, fairies, a ghost, and talking animals.

I believe that this is a story that will appeal to all ages. Although the story is about a female heroine boys will also enjoy reading it (her friend is male). The ending of the story leaves you wanting to read the next book of the series.

Molly Withers & the Golden Tree does the children's fantasy genre a great service. I love the positive and inspirational message of the book: If you believe it, you can achieve it.

I recommend this book to children 8 yrs and older.

*I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4431527
A great sequel to an different fantasy than I expected. The setting is mostly unique and makes you want to know more. I like the ideas of the elves and dwarfs the ideas it pushes.
3762062
This story has multiple surfaces. For the younger set, it is straightforward fantasy, but with well done narration employing a nice approach of switching between a general narrator and the Genie (djinni). The wise-cracking Genie keeps it interesting, especially with snarky footnotes. A lot of references to our (real) world's ancient and 20th century history recasts the actual events within this strange world of hidden beings. But, the story also has multiple layers of meaning. In many ways, it is far more about the dangers of class, isolation, alienation, propaganda, and the "winners writing the history books".

The story, as explained above and below, is about a boy apprenticed at a very young age into the world of the leaders (remember the Nazi leaders adopting "Arayan" children to raise them "properly"). The boy's real name is to be hidden so as to protect him (due to the dangers of "demons" knowing your real name). Of course, the larger issue is the suppression of his own real identity. But, his adoptive mother (the wife of the magician) does not cotton to this and uses his name (at his peril). Again, there is a lot of story in the story. Unlike Harry Potter, this is not about "magic" powers within the people, but rather the strict control of knowledge/technology and power. That is, magicians only learn how to use the correct words to control a whole array of magical beings from another world. The "commoners" are simply those suppressed from such knowledge.

The story of Kitty (in the 2nd) book and her "trial" takes this to a much farther level. Many poor and minorities in any country may feel that trial hits very close to home. Hopefully many of these parallels to our own world will sink in to teens who read this, helping them avoid the foolish arrogance that Nathaniel suffers from.
1463543
Capering on Glass Bridges is a heartwarming YA fantasy, told from the point of view of Kaia, the middle daughter of the respectable Stone family. Kaias strict father and loving but flaky mother create a solidly familiar framework for the reader, allowing the author to build her fantasy from a base her audience will immediately recognise. It also provides a good contrast with Kaias uniqueness; alone of her family, she hasn't paired with a canonipom, the physical alter ego that all her people have.

I found that the underlying plot for the book was well-conceived, but the clues in the story line are in places introduced from nowhere (for example, we find out why Kaia is so different a good third of the way into the book, more or less completely unheralded, and its a doozy). Also, the books overwhelming focus on character emotions did occasionally detract from the adventure for me, and while the secondary characters play to friendly and familiar themes, some of them would have benefited from some quirk or oddity to help them avoid being easily stereotyped.

All that said, the world-building is highly imaginative, and the fantasy elements are unique and well done, especially the various races that feature in the story, leading me to say it definitely earned its three stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4833080
Seabird is one of the better fantasy books I've read. It's technically YA, but it has appeal for all ages. The story is solid, the writing skilled, the characterization strong, and the world vivid. I found myself irritated when I had to put it down, and anxious to pick it back up again. It doesn't get bogged down with ridiculously long and complex battle scenes like many fantasy novels do, but there is plenty of action and swordplay. I especially loved the Seabirds themselves, and the unique use of magic. The story has classic elements--like a quest and a prophecy--but they are woven in a very original fashion.
999409
This book promises suspense, romance and authentic Celtic faerie lore. It delivers these with ease. Unlike many heroines in books today, Deirdre has many female role models to look up to and expect help from. Rather than the helpless role so often portrayed, Deirdre proves to be a strong role model for readers.

I am an older man, closing in on 60 years rapidly. That makes books aimed at the young reader a trifle difficult to read, sometimes. I enjoyed reading this story. I find it to be a fantasy that leans on reality. I am thrilled that the faeries are not the standard tiny, winged creatures that are difficult to understand. Instead, most of these faeries could exist, without your knowledge. It allows a person to dream of what could be, which any good fantasy should do. If a fantasy does not allow room for the reader to dream, the reader can not become lost in the story.

I think this is a great story for the 12 and older group. It is important to provide great role models for these young people, and this book does provide that. Since it also allows the reader to become involved the fantasy, it also will provide great reading time. I think it is very difficult to provide a fantasy that will appeal not only to the younger readers, but also to the wider audience of adult readers. Maggie Stiefvater has managed that nicely.

While I am not fond of the publisher locking the fonts for an e-reader, I did not rate the book based on those fonts. This entire book uses a serif font on the Kindle. Having the ability to change fonts and the size of the text is one of the reasons I use a Kindle. I much prefer the sans font over the serif font. It is easier for me to make out the characters. Looking at the chapter headings, perhaps the publisher was trying to stay with the printed version as much as possible.
1321486
This is one of those rare stories where a genie grants a wish that (at least so far) doesn't go horribly wrong for the wisher.

If anything, it goes very right, for him and the lovely ladies lucky enough to cross his path.

The main character's approach to his situation, and more or less ethical application of power makes this a fun blend of fantasy and real world sensibilities.
624099
This is one of the few books that I press upon everyone I meet.
This volume contains both "The Door into Fire" and "The Door into Shadow."  Both are fine fantasies, with enough adventure for those who mostly want slam-bang plot, and enough character development for those who prefer that.  But the setting is probably this series' biggest draw, a land where one doesn't have to *believe* in the Goddess, because everyone meets Her once during their lives.  Bisexuality seems to be the norm, and people love according to personality and chemistry, not gender.  It's a great series for anyone, but it will especially appeal to Pagans, polyamorists, and GLB folks.  Both stories have lovely messages about openness, tolerance, and facing one's fears without feeling like "message stories" that sacrifice plot and character to the message.
One caveat:  the second book deals partly with the main character's recovery from child sexual abuse, and the resolution that the character reaches about this may feel offensive to some real-life survivors of child sexual abuse.  Of course, others will find the story edifying or freeing.
Cory
2068691
I've read this story a few times already and Rhiannon's fantastical voice is strong. From the very first chapter I was determine to find out more about the story of The Ferryman and The Flame.

This world has the tinges of traditional fantasy, but it goes deeper than that. There is always this whisper that there is something more as Kaliel and Krishani discover their destinies and each other. They are a believable couple from the beginning, and I cheered them on with each passing encounter. They have talents that are a bit familiar, but also stay unique when compared to others in the fantasy genre.

From the intriguing voice, the nature filled setting, powerful magic, strong lead characters, and a relentless villain, there is much to look out for in this book and I'm looking forward to the other stories in the series.
432202
First and foremost, fantasy fiction is typically not my genre of choice. It takes an astounding fantasy to grab my attention. I am a fervent bibliophile, and my standards are high. :)

This was a great adult fantasy. It isn't the sappy or cheesy fantasy that is too common. It has depth and substance. The most profound aspect of this book/series, is that the characters are *so* well developed. They have a humanness, a realness, that stands out. They are not stilted or fictional. There is a natural chemistry between each character, within each relationship. They are alive and living. I found myself caring about what happens to them and what will happen. There are strong emotions that play out throughout, and the reader can't help but be pulled into it. This is rare to find in a fantasy novel, and it has been years since I have read one such as this.

As other reviews have probably pointed out, there *are* some really hot adult scenes. They are not trashy, or smutty. On the contrary they are very poetic, and nicely written. Again there is a naturalness to the flow. It is not forced. The scenes were not too vague nor too explicit. The writer really struck that perfect middle ground. And even more so, behind these scenes, there is a deep romance which happens. A romance that I find myself really falling into! I feel the love and connection between the two main characters, and most of all, even desiring to have such a beautiful relationship in real life. It is downright romantic. That is when you *know* the writer has captured your emotions. So it isn't random hot scenes, no, there is a strong passionate romance. In my opinion, that is the heart of the book, the romance and passion. One that has me eager to read the next in this series.

The plot is intriguing. One might ponder what can be done with dragons, or how can it be done well, and honestly, it was done well. It was neither too fantastical nor too dull. It is fantasy. There are mythical creatures. But it still remains real and well grounded. I don't want to reveal too much of the plot. The characters introduced are colorful, well developed, and the reader is left curious and fascinated to discover more about this or that character. In other words, as a reader, I am left wondering what happens next. Even the "villains", are not so villainous that you cannot relate, but perhaps can even see from their point of view. This always makes reading far more intriguing. The action scenes are also well done. The reader is able to follow them well, and fully appreciate the brutal fierceness behind it.

Overall, I strongly suggest this book. All types can really sink their teeth into it. Whether you like the hotness, the romance, the action, or the fantasy. It is all there. The writing is fluent, living, and highly engaging. I finished the book in just a few days because I was that drawn into it. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

--sincerely,
  Natasha