What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mirror of N'de: A Novel
In the mythical city of N’de lives thirteen-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash. Scorned and abused by the unloving and absent Emperor, the Ramash are poor people, placed second to the ruling class of the Oresed. Young but bold, Hadlay rages against the injustice in her city. When she is chosen for the honor of serving the Prince in the Tower, she hopes to find a way to right the wrong... but soon discovers that things are worse than she believed. While Hadlay works to better her people’s condition, she struggles to abide with the abusive Oresed and understand the meaning of her dreams in which a fantastical white horse appears to her and speaks in riddles. When Hadlay stumbles into one of the Tower’s secret rooms, she discovers a hidden mirror that doesn’t just show her reflection, but reveals much the horse’s name is Sirach and he has a plan to save the children of N’de, if only Hadlay can bring them to the mirror. Hiding her knowledge of Sirach from the Prince, Hadlay sets out to do Sirach’s bidding. But when Sirach’s presence is revealed, Hadley’s life is in danger and the only way to save her is for Sirach to give up his own. Crafting powerful narrative and creative characters, author L. K. Malone spins a compelling tale that combines exciting entertainment and the Christian story. In The Mirror of N’de , readers will empathize with the desires of an oppressed people, will anger at the affliction of a cruel adversary, and ultimately rejoice with the revelation of a Savior.
328 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2012
2 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
L.K. Malone
3 books19 followersAs a child, L.K. Malone liked to make up episodes of her favorite TV shows when she was supposed to be napping. Her favorite pastimes include reading, writing, and enjoying time with her large extended family, which includes a handsome menagerie of pets and two lovely young women she met through Denver Kids.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 25, 2022
Actual rating 2.5 ⭐. The writing just wasn't for me. And I really didn't want a political fantasy at the moment. I might try again later. I managed 50 pages before dnf'd.
December 6, 2011
Well written and mysterious, The Mirror of N'de draws one into its spell, weaving a haunting, yet quirky enchantment.
Reading this book, the pages turned steadily, though at times certain things struck me as wrong. But as I read this began to be clearer and clearer. This is certainly a book that causes one to think!
The Mirror of N'de is one of those books where things get a bit strange, and things don't seem right at first, but if you keep reading a hidden jewel awaits. I know that as I read certain aspects of the story and what was being hinted at really bothered me, but by the end I was content and very pleased with how the story was told, to express certain spiritual truths.
I believe that this is a book that children should read with an adult, so that some of the deeper meanings can be fully appreciated, and also because there are some scenes that are particularly violent and sickening, that are not meant for children younger than 11 or 12 without a parent's discretion.
Overall, I believe that this book will surprise and engage with its well drawn out allegorical world and themes. At times I found the pace slower than I would have liked, but it's definitely a good one to hang in there for!
Final Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Reading this book, the pages turned steadily, though at times certain things struck me as wrong. But as I read this began to be clearer and clearer. This is certainly a book that causes one to think!
The Mirror of N'de is one of those books where things get a bit strange, and things don't seem right at first, but if you keep reading a hidden jewel awaits. I know that as I read certain aspects of the story and what was being hinted at really bothered me, but by the end I was content and very pleased with how the story was told, to express certain spiritual truths.
I believe that this is a book that children should read with an adult, so that some of the deeper meanings can be fully appreciated, and also because there are some scenes that are particularly violent and sickening, that are not meant for children younger than 11 or 12 without a parent's discretion.
Overall, I believe that this book will surprise and engage with its well drawn out allegorical world and themes. At times I found the pace slower than I would have liked, but it's definitely a good one to hang in there for!
Final Rating: 4.6 out of 5
December 1, 2011
I greatly enjoyed this book on a number of levels. It is an enjoyable “coming of age” young adult novel with intriguing characters–some likable, some not, some human, some not (or not exactly, anyway!). The allegorical setting is based on the plight of the Jews living under Roman rule, but also pulls in some of the more ancient beings from history.
It is hard for me to talk about this one without giving away anything important, so I will simply say that as a former young adult and a former and current fan of fantasy and allegory, I would highly recommend The Mirror of N’de.
It is hard for me to talk about this one without giving away anything important, so I will simply say that as a former young adult and a former and current fan of fantasy and allegory, I would highly recommend The Mirror of N’de.
December 2, 2012
When I swiped this book from my friend, I didn't know what to expect. The Christian personification and metaphors lured me in, and the edge of mystery made me desperately seek to uncover this plot. I did find this book one of excitement, but it often felt like a roller coaster. While the action was present, it was late in its coming, and the droning of average life with the addition of magic made for a uphill climb until the action began again.
The story follows the adventures of a girl named Hadley who is a fictional citizen known as a Ramash. Her people are treated as the lesser group in her society and she is daily oppressed by those who consider themselves better, namely the Orsed. But Hadley is different from her people. She escapes to a mythical realm in her dreams where a magnificent horse foretells events to come. Hadley soon finds her life twisted upside down when she is recruited to live in the castle and undergo the ways of magic and soon finds herself able to drastically change her people's lives all by a word.
The concept of this story was nice. I liked the attention to detail on how Hadley would live in this new environment and all the trials she would undergo. But, like I said, the lifestyle easily overpowers the action, and often I would find myself thinking "Ok ok get on with it."
Being as this was a fantasy book, all the names were very complicated to remember. I'm thankful for the fact that there was a page in the front to remember them, otherwise I could never keep track of who was who.
The Christian symbolism in this book was absolutely breathtaking. Being a Christian, I almost cried just because it was all so beautiful. The symbolism is done in such a way that it's unlike anything you have ever seen. But it's only half of the symbolism.
The other half seems more like a shove-it-in-your-face-Christian-refrence, but that's just from my viewpoint. At the very end, the symbolism begins to die down and it takes on a more literal approach, which honestly was a bit of a disappointment.
Back to the pros, the action in this book will absolutely send you back for more. I loved how the author could take something with such a beautiful message, a message of faith that is obviously important to her, and incorporate such bloody action and magical twists. As a fellow Christian writer, I appreciate that she took such an approach considering from what I've seen, it's those bloody Christian books that receive most negative feedback from fellow Christians. I found myself easily relating to the author through this, and it gave me a real respect for her.
The Mirror of N'de was a good book. Although it tends to be slow in its comings and the details are sort of spread thin, it does have its high moments, and like a roller coaster it will leave you ever-alert until you finish. It does take an amount of patience though, which is considerable since the author needed to allow Hadley to interact with her environment and grow as a character through all these new experiences. And as one review states, the little Easter eggs will be something to keep an eye out for, which gives the book a unique feel all its own. If you're in the mood for a wonderfully symbolic Christian book complete with more twists than you could imagine, check out The Mirror of N'De by L.K. Malone.
The story follows the adventures of a girl named Hadley who is a fictional citizen known as a Ramash. Her people are treated as the lesser group in her society and she is daily oppressed by those who consider themselves better, namely the Orsed. But Hadley is different from her people. She escapes to a mythical realm in her dreams where a magnificent horse foretells events to come. Hadley soon finds her life twisted upside down when she is recruited to live in the castle and undergo the ways of magic and soon finds herself able to drastically change her people's lives all by a word.
The concept of this story was nice. I liked the attention to detail on how Hadley would live in this new environment and all the trials she would undergo. But, like I said, the lifestyle easily overpowers the action, and often I would find myself thinking "Ok ok get on with it."
Being as this was a fantasy book, all the names were very complicated to remember. I'm thankful for the fact that there was a page in the front to remember them, otherwise I could never keep track of who was who.
The Christian symbolism in this book was absolutely breathtaking. Being a Christian, I almost cried just because it was all so beautiful. The symbolism is done in such a way that it's unlike anything you have ever seen. But it's only half of the symbolism.
The other half seems more like a shove-it-in-your-face-Christian-refrence, but that's just from my viewpoint. At the very end, the symbolism begins to die down and it takes on a more literal approach, which honestly was a bit of a disappointment.
Back to the pros, the action in this book will absolutely send you back for more. I loved how the author could take something with such a beautiful message, a message of faith that is obviously important to her, and incorporate such bloody action and magical twists. As a fellow Christian writer, I appreciate that she took such an approach considering from what I've seen, it's those bloody Christian books that receive most negative feedback from fellow Christians. I found myself easily relating to the author through this, and it gave me a real respect for her.
The Mirror of N'de was a good book. Although it tends to be slow in its comings and the details are sort of spread thin, it does have its high moments, and like a roller coaster it will leave you ever-alert until you finish. It does take an amount of patience though, which is considerable since the author needed to allow Hadley to interact with her environment and grow as a character through all these new experiences. And as one review states, the little Easter eggs will be something to keep an eye out for, which gives the book a unique feel all its own. If you're in the mood for a wonderfully symbolic Christian book complete with more twists than you could imagine, check out The Mirror of N'De by L.K. Malone.
December 5, 2011
The Mirror of N'De is a YA Science Fiction/Fantasy novel.
Hadley Mivana is a thirteen year old Hamash who lives in N'De where the Oresed are the upper ruling class.
The Hamash are treated as a slave race, owing everything to their "owners", the Oresed. On the day that Hadley and her friends, Alila and Nomish Rakam, are old enough to be apprenticed, the three believe it to be the happiest day of their lives. However when Ba'ar, Hadley's nemesis, walks into the shop they are working in, their antics get them into heaps of trouble with Asinus, the Overlord of the Lawgivers who has never hid his contempt of the Hamash people.
However, before their fates can be sealed, the great and powerful Emperor and his young son, Zer-Shungalli arrive via a shining disk and announce that the Oresed and the Hamash were to be treated equally and the slave classes were to be removed. They also announce that the coveted apprentice spots in the Tower were now open to all of N'De, including the Hamash.
On the day that all the children are called for the testing, Hadley hopes that she is not chosen, she could not bear to leaver her parents, plus, she has been having weird dreams the seem to be prophetic in nature. The dreams have the adults in her life, acting scared and nervous and she is sworn never to mention them to anyone.
After Hadley is sent to the Tower, she makes many enemies and many friends and learns things she never could dream were possible. Following the direction of her dreams, Hadley may be able to unlock the mysteries surrounding the Mirror of N'De.
I thought this was a delightful book and was charmed by the characters found within. I loved the world and character building that the author has encompassed. There are creatures to be found within the pages that truly uncanny and the cross breeding and results can be hilarious.
I thought the antagonists played their parts well, one couldn't help but loathe Asinus and his racist, condescending attitude. Ba'ar was also a worthy thorn in the side of the characters, especially Hadley, who, for the most part, bore her discomfort well.
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Emperor, his son and the Mirror. It made you want to continue to read on, just to find out the circumstances. The Tower, with all its surprises, intrigues and developments was entertaining and one couldn't help but laugh at the wit provided.
At times I felt that the story was about the Genesis story found in the bible, I couldn't help but see the similarities betwixt it and this story, especially when one reads the history of the Hamash, the Oresteds, the lizard rulers and the magic that surrounds it all.
I would give The Mirror of N'De a four out of five stars. I found the story was a tad slow to pick up and the dialogue sometimes lacked command or direction but other than that, this is a wonderful read that will be sure to entertain and hold you captivated right to the very end.
Hadley Mivana is a thirteen year old Hamash who lives in N'De where the Oresed are the upper ruling class.
The Hamash are treated as a slave race, owing everything to their "owners", the Oresed. On the day that Hadley and her friends, Alila and Nomish Rakam, are old enough to be apprenticed, the three believe it to be the happiest day of their lives. However when Ba'ar, Hadley's nemesis, walks into the shop they are working in, their antics get them into heaps of trouble with Asinus, the Overlord of the Lawgivers who has never hid his contempt of the Hamash people.
However, before their fates can be sealed, the great and powerful Emperor and his young son, Zer-Shungalli arrive via a shining disk and announce that the Oresed and the Hamash were to be treated equally and the slave classes were to be removed. They also announce that the coveted apprentice spots in the Tower were now open to all of N'De, including the Hamash.
On the day that all the children are called for the testing, Hadley hopes that she is not chosen, she could not bear to leaver her parents, plus, she has been having weird dreams the seem to be prophetic in nature. The dreams have the adults in her life, acting scared and nervous and she is sworn never to mention them to anyone.
After Hadley is sent to the Tower, she makes many enemies and many friends and learns things she never could dream were possible. Following the direction of her dreams, Hadley may be able to unlock the mysteries surrounding the Mirror of N'De.
I thought this was a delightful book and was charmed by the characters found within. I loved the world and character building that the author has encompassed. There are creatures to be found within the pages that truly uncanny and the cross breeding and results can be hilarious.
I thought the antagonists played their parts well, one couldn't help but loathe Asinus and his racist, condescending attitude. Ba'ar was also a worthy thorn in the side of the characters, especially Hadley, who, for the most part, bore her discomfort well.
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Emperor, his son and the Mirror. It made you want to continue to read on, just to find out the circumstances. The Tower, with all its surprises, intrigues and developments was entertaining and one couldn't help but laugh at the wit provided.
At times I felt that the story was about the Genesis story found in the bible, I couldn't help but see the similarities betwixt it and this story, especially when one reads the history of the Hamash, the Oresteds, the lizard rulers and the magic that surrounds it all.
I would give The Mirror of N'De a four out of five stars. I found the story was a tad slow to pick up and the dialogue sometimes lacked command or direction but other than that, this is a wonderful read that will be sure to entertain and hold you captivated right to the very end.
December 8, 2011
Hadley lives in a world that is beautiful yet cruel. Her people are treated as underlings and slaves, forced to live very hard lives. The one thing that keeps her people going is a bedtime story passed through the generations about a beautiful city they once inhabited. Things are changing though. First, Hadley begins having dreams about a creature calling to her. Next, the mysterious emperor reappears and frees her people. Then Hadley and her friend Nomish are chosen to learn to serve the emperor. Hadley discovers there is more to the emperor than meets the eye, and there are secrets within his tower that could change everything.
This is going to be a book that lovers of fantasy will adore. It is so original. It takes some familiar fantasy ideas and combines it with some totally new things in such an original way. This book is able to draw you into the world and immerse you very quickly. Hadley is a great character. While she's certainly good and talented, she also has her flaws. She's seen the way her people have been treated and wants to be able to yield power over those who treated her so poorly. This desire for revenge is not a great one to have, but it's a realistic desire for Hadley. She has suffered a great deal in her life, so this was a natural reaction. This made it very easy to empathize and understand and even like Hadley more.
There are also things that will surprise and shock the reader. Things are never what they seem, and there were a few plot points that I really didn't see coming. I think it's great when a book can surprise you . Overall I found this to be a very enjoyable book. For me, a good fantasy can sweep you away into a totally new world, and that's exactly what this book did. It was an excellent read, and I recommend to everyone who loves magical worlds and exciting adventures.
Book provided for review.
This is going to be a book that lovers of fantasy will adore. It is so original. It takes some familiar fantasy ideas and combines it with some totally new things in such an original way. This book is able to draw you into the world and immerse you very quickly. Hadley is a great character. While she's certainly good and talented, she also has her flaws. She's seen the way her people have been treated and wants to be able to yield power over those who treated her so poorly. This desire for revenge is not a great one to have, but it's a realistic desire for Hadley. She has suffered a great deal in her life, so this was a natural reaction. This made it very easy to empathize and understand and even like Hadley more.
There are also things that will surprise and shock the reader. Things are never what they seem, and there were a few plot points that I really didn't see coming. I think it's great when a book can surprise you . Overall I found this to be a very enjoyable book. For me, a good fantasy can sweep you away into a totally new world, and that's exactly what this book did. It was an excellent read, and I recommend to everyone who loves magical worlds and exciting adventures.
Book provided for review.
February 14, 2012
Looking for something to fill your reading "void" now what you've graduated with Harry Potter, or completed the Hunger Games trilogy, you might want to pick up The Mirror of N'de, the freshman release by L.K. Malone.
The book, set in the mythical city of N'de, focus on the lives of 13-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash. Like the Hunger Games series, the book finds a group of people (The Ramash) who are oppressed by the ruling party and the government (the Oresed). It also focuses on a group of young men and women (think tributes) who are called upon to serve the rulers.
The Mirror of N'de focuses on Hadley's life and how she experiences a series of dreams which we later learn are destined to help her save her people.
I think readers will empathize with Hadley's desire to save her people and understand the choices she makes in order to find the Savior - and ultimate salvation - for those in her life. Her life almost has a "Queen Esther" feel to it. As if it was her destiny to help chart the future of her family.
On the scale of one to five, with five being the highest, I give this book a solid four. While it took a bit to get into the story, once the author "hooked" me, I stayed till the end to see what happened. Through vivid word pictures, L.K. Malone has created a story that while fiction, shows a picture of humanity that truly happens when someone in power oppresses another segment of the population.
I think people who like the fantasy genre may find this book interesting. I enjoyed reading it and delving into the world created by the author. With the cliffhanger ending, I wouldn't be surprised to see a second book be developed to continue Hadley's story.
The book, set in the mythical city of N'de, focus on the lives of 13-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash. Like the Hunger Games series, the book finds a group of people (The Ramash) who are oppressed by the ruling party and the government (the Oresed). It also focuses on a group of young men and women (think tributes) who are called upon to serve the rulers.
The Mirror of N'de focuses on Hadley's life and how she experiences a series of dreams which we later learn are destined to help her save her people.
I think readers will empathize with Hadley's desire to save her people and understand the choices she makes in order to find the Savior - and ultimate salvation - for those in her life. Her life almost has a "Queen Esther" feel to it. As if it was her destiny to help chart the future of her family.
On the scale of one to five, with five being the highest, I give this book a solid four. While it took a bit to get into the story, once the author "hooked" me, I stayed till the end to see what happened. Through vivid word pictures, L.K. Malone has created a story that while fiction, shows a picture of humanity that truly happens when someone in power oppresses another segment of the population.
I think people who like the fantasy genre may find this book interesting. I enjoyed reading it and delving into the world created by the author. With the cliffhanger ending, I wouldn't be surprised to see a second book be developed to continue Hadley's story.
November 25, 2011
A great cast of characters along with a quirky and fun story make this a great read for children and adults alike.
The atmosphere in the novel is what captured me at once. There is a sense of thinly veiled violence that sets up a good mood. The characters are very entertaining, with Hadlay as a heroine who, though sometimes whiny, is fun to follow. With my penchant for liking villains, it’s no surprise that I found Zeru to be the most interesting of the bunch. I do wish more background on him and his father had been given. The author left too much about him unexplained.
The plot is the most interesting thing about the book. There are so many wonderful twists and turns throughout the pages that I had trouble putting them aside. We don’t really see anything cliché, or predictable, which, with a fantasy novel post-Harry Potter, is not the easiest to accomplish. I do have to say, however, that the last few chapters did feel preachy. It felt like the author was trying too much to get her point across about God and Christianity, which, for me, was annoying. It got in the way of the story and, since she already did a good job throughout the novel to make these points anyway, it felt like overkill.
All in all, though, this is a great fantasy story, and I do recommend it for children as well as for fantasy-loving adults.
The atmosphere in the novel is what captured me at once. There is a sense of thinly veiled violence that sets up a good mood. The characters are very entertaining, with Hadlay as a heroine who, though sometimes whiny, is fun to follow. With my penchant for liking villains, it’s no surprise that I found Zeru to be the most interesting of the bunch. I do wish more background on him and his father had been given. The author left too much about him unexplained.
The plot is the most interesting thing about the book. There are so many wonderful twists and turns throughout the pages that I had trouble putting them aside. We don’t really see anything cliché, or predictable, which, with a fantasy novel post-Harry Potter, is not the easiest to accomplish. I do have to say, however, that the last few chapters did feel preachy. It felt like the author was trying too much to get her point across about God and Christianity, which, for me, was annoying. It got in the way of the story and, since she already did a good job throughout the novel to make these points anyway, it felt like overkill.
All in all, though, this is a great fantasy story, and I do recommend it for children as well as for fantasy-loving adults.
December 8, 2011
Two peoples, the rich Oresed and the poorer Ramash, live in Turris. The powerful Oresed oppress the Ramash, but the Ramash have a secret, a hope. That hope is the lost city of N'De. The hope is that one day someone will find the way to N'De and save the people. Hadley has been having dreams, disturbing dreams. A being in a mirror she can't touch, but who wants her to find a key. What is the key? Where is the key? While dealing with the dreams, the emperor calls for new trainees for the palace. This time, Oresed youth are not the only ones called. Hadley and other Ramash youth are also included. Hope! But, what training awaits them in the palace? What creatures has Zeru designed? Is this really the answer to their problems? Who is Sirach and what will he give up for Hadley? Enheduana? Come along with Hadley and the others to what is true and what is not.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all YA readers. The characters face choices, the ultimate battle of good and evil, and the true meaning of trust. It was fun reading a "fantasy with a Judeo-Christian approach" as I understood the comparisons she was making. I received my review copy as part of the Litfuse Blog Tour and am happy to have been a part. I hope there are more books to come!
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all YA readers. The characters face choices, the ultimate battle of good and evil, and the true meaning of trust. It was fun reading a "fantasy with a Judeo-Christian approach" as I understood the comparisons she was making. I received my review copy as part of the Litfuse Blog Tour and am happy to have been a part. I hope there are more books to come!
August 31, 2011
I had the pleasure of reading this book during its development, and I can't recommend it enough.
The story is set in a fantasy world based on Babel/Babylon. The heroine, thirteen-year-old Hadlay Mivana, is nearly killed in a riot when she makes the mistake of laughing at a girl from the ruling race in her city. Days later, she and her best friend Nomish are drafted to serve the prince in the huge Tower that dominates the city's horizon. Frightened at first, she finds herself in a new and magical world, where anything seems possible, even becoming a powerful friend to the emperor's son and winning freedom for her people. But a danger worse than death waits for her in the terrifying darkness of the emperor's dungeon, and the wrong choice will lead to unimaginable destruction, not just for Hadlay but for everyone she cares for.
The story is set in a fantasy world based on Babel/Babylon. The heroine, thirteen-year-old Hadlay Mivana, is nearly killed in a riot when she makes the mistake of laughing at a girl from the ruling race in her city. Days later, she and her best friend Nomish are drafted to serve the prince in the huge Tower that dominates the city's horizon. Frightened at first, she finds herself in a new and magical world, where anything seems possible, even becoming a powerful friend to the emperor's son and winning freedom for her people. But a danger worse than death waits for her in the terrifying darkness of the emperor's dungeon, and the wrong choice will lead to unimaginable destruction, not just for Hadlay but for everyone she cares for.
June 12, 2013
The Mirror of N’de was a really good fantasy book that was hard to put down. You constantly wanted to know what was going to happen next. There were some references to Biblical stories but re-written to fit this world, which is always interesting to see how different authors handle doing. There was also some science-fiction of mixing the DNA of different animals to get new types of animals. As it says on the cover recommended ages are starting at 13. I wouldn’t recommend younger kids in most cases because of some of the terms wouldn’t be understood, as well as some of the minimal amount of violence that is in the book. Over all, I’d give this book 4.5 out of 5.
February 20, 2012
Review by Jill Williamson
Thirteen-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash, and looked down upon by the ruling class of the Oresed. When Hadlay is chosen for the honor of serving the Prince in the Tower, she hopes to find a way to right the wrong, but the emperor and his son are not as wonderful as she first believed.
The Mirror of N’de is a strong debut from L.K. Malone. Brave and courageous Hadlay and the mystery of the Tower will draw readers into this tale about an oppressed people. This book is a fine choice for young fantasy readers looking to delve into a creative new allegory with a fascinating storyworld, magic, symbolism, and a few neat surprises.
Thirteen-year-old Hadlay and her people, the Ramash, and looked down upon by the ruling class of the Oresed. When Hadlay is chosen for the honor of serving the Prince in the Tower, she hopes to find a way to right the wrong, but the emperor and his son are not as wonderful as she first believed.
The Mirror of N’de is a strong debut from L.K. Malone. Brave and courageous Hadlay and the mystery of the Tower will draw readers into this tale about an oppressed people. This book is a fine choice for young fantasy readers looking to delve into a creative new allegory with a fascinating storyworld, magic, symbolism, and a few neat surprises.
January 16, 2016
This, by far, was an interesting story. It had so many wonderful elements going on, though for some maybe too many.
I had thought to myself at one point while reading this book, that it's a mash up of Harry Potter starring a girl instead, mixed with Roman and Greek Mythology and a dash of paranormal.
Then I wondered if it was too much, and decided not for me! I loved it!
A lot of great lessons learned throughout the story for Hadlay, and they resonate into the reader also.
Great storytelling and one I am surely to recommend.
I had thought to myself at one point while reading this book, that it's a mash up of Harry Potter starring a girl instead, mixed with Roman and Greek Mythology and a dash of paranormal.
Then I wondered if it was too much, and decided not for me! I loved it!
A lot of great lessons learned throughout the story for Hadlay, and they resonate into the reader also.
Great storytelling and one I am surely to recommend.
November 30, 2011
Best book I've read this year! Don't let the cover fool you, this is no kids book. L. K. Malone has created a vivid and powerful story that will resonate within the heart of anyone who reads it. If you've ever been betrayed, struggled making choices, or regretted a decision that forever changed lives, you'll have no trouble identifying with Hadley Mivana as she comes to realize her life impacts the lives of everyone around her, and her decisions can save or condemn an entire race.
June 13, 2012
This book surprised me. I thought it would be a quick juvenile/young-adult fantasy story. What I found was a very interesting Christian allegory of Jesus. Some of the parallels where quite obvious, but other parts of the story were unique to the story and did not relate to Christianity. It is not for young children, as parts of it are quite dark and violent, but overall it was a good, enjoyable book, and I recommend it.
September 1, 2011
Malone is a master storyteller, and weaves a fascinating and captivating tale. Well worth reading for the whole family.
June 8, 2012
Enjoyed and appreciated the Biblical allegory and research that went into this book.
February 14, 2023
The Mirror of N'de is an allegory with Christian themes. I enjoyed how Malone set up the story. I will recommend this to my fantasy loving child, as this is a breath of fresh air to the other books being read.
June 20, 2021
Couldn't get past the first couple chapters. The way it was written just didn't appeal to me at all.
August 18, 2024
Good allegory, not polished enough
The story itself is interesting but I felt the chapters were choppy and didn't flow. Could do with some more polishing.
The story itself is interesting but I felt the chapters were choppy and didn't flow. Could do with some more polishing.
December 7, 2012
I am a bit of a fantasy fiction fan. I enjoy great stories like The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings because of their great plots, genuine characters, and magical worlds that whisk me away from ordinary reality.
I chose this book to see if it would entertain my 12 year old voracious reader (who is an even bigger fantasy fiction fan).
This story did not disappoint.
The author has detailed descriptions of each class (inferior class and higher class) and gives many details of the living conditions and attitudes of the people. The creatures in the book are interesting and strange, which will definitely appeal to tweens. The author shows a high level of creativity in the world she creates.
Hadley as a heroine who is strong and fearless, and is not afraid to stand up for what is wrong. She also doesn't back down; all of which are important traits in a Christian allegory. However, she is also human, and makes some poor choices based upon what she thinks she knows. This makes her likable and someone you can relate to.
But don't let a female lead character fool you into thinking that this is a book just for girls. There is enough action to keep tween boys interested too. My son highly recommends this as an adventure story for fantasy fiction fans!
The plot has many twists and turns; there are some unexpected events toward the end (but I won't spoil them for you). It was a bit of an open ending which leaves you guessing. (and maybe leads to a series?) Definitely a book you don't want to start at night unless you have a lot of time to stay up late and finish it!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity for the purpose of review.
I chose this book to see if it would entertain my 12 year old voracious reader (who is an even bigger fantasy fiction fan).
This story did not disappoint.
The author has detailed descriptions of each class (inferior class and higher class) and gives many details of the living conditions and attitudes of the people. The creatures in the book are interesting and strange, which will definitely appeal to tweens. The author shows a high level of creativity in the world she creates.
Hadley as a heroine who is strong and fearless, and is not afraid to stand up for what is wrong. She also doesn't back down; all of which are important traits in a Christian allegory. However, she is also human, and makes some poor choices based upon what she thinks she knows. This makes her likable and someone you can relate to.
But don't let a female lead character fool you into thinking that this is a book just for girls. There is enough action to keep tween boys interested too. My son highly recommends this as an adventure story for fantasy fiction fans!
The plot has many twists and turns; there are some unexpected events toward the end (but I won't spoil them for you). It was a bit of an open ending which leaves you guessing. (and maybe leads to a series?) Definitely a book you don't want to start at night unless you have a lot of time to stay up late and finish it!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity for the purpose of review.
April 23, 2013
L.K. Malone creates a fantasy about a young teen who has a series of dreams that foretell her role in saving her people from oppression by the ruling party.
In The Mirror of N’De, thirteen year old Hadlay is disturbed by dreams of a mysterious Being. When she shares the dreams with her parents, they counsel her to remain quiet. Hadlay and her people – the Ramash – live under the oppressive rule of the Oresed. When Hadlay is selected to serve the Emperor’s son, she is determined to right the wrongs done to the Ramash. But things are not what they seem – sometimes they are even worse.
The book starts out slowly but the author’s word pictures are quite vivid and captivating. Teens will identify with Hadlay’s struggle with a bully, her desire for revenge, and the meaning of true friendship. The Being serves as a symbol of the self-sacrifice and redemptive nature of Jesus.
One of the more interesting aspects of this book is the cross-breeding of species (a “nuppy” is a cross between a newt and a puppy). Many of the cross-breeds are harmless, but not the animal/human cross-breeding, especially since it feeds off human blood like vampires.
The book has plenty of unexpected plot twists. There are at least two scenes that are intensely violent and creepy, making this a book more suitable for older teens.
Like most Christian fantasy, good eventually triumphs over evil. The battle between them comes down to: how to tell who is a true friend, when a right decision is wrong, and how to find the strength to stand for what is right, no matter what the cost.
Recommended for teen collections in public and school libraries.
In The Mirror of N’De, thirteen year old Hadlay is disturbed by dreams of a mysterious Being. When she shares the dreams with her parents, they counsel her to remain quiet. Hadlay and her people – the Ramash – live under the oppressive rule of the Oresed. When Hadlay is selected to serve the Emperor’s son, she is determined to right the wrongs done to the Ramash. But things are not what they seem – sometimes they are even worse.
The book starts out slowly but the author’s word pictures are quite vivid and captivating. Teens will identify with Hadlay’s struggle with a bully, her desire for revenge, and the meaning of true friendship. The Being serves as a symbol of the self-sacrifice and redemptive nature of Jesus.
One of the more interesting aspects of this book is the cross-breeding of species (a “nuppy” is a cross between a newt and a puppy). Many of the cross-breeds are harmless, but not the animal/human cross-breeding, especially since it feeds off human blood like vampires.
The book has plenty of unexpected plot twists. There are at least two scenes that are intensely violent and creepy, making this a book more suitable for older teens.
Like most Christian fantasy, good eventually triumphs over evil. The battle between them comes down to: how to tell who is a true friend, when a right decision is wrong, and how to find the strength to stand for what is right, no matter what the cost.
Recommended for teen collections in public and school libraries.
October 1, 2012
This was a Christian allegory, very heavy towards the end.
June 1, 2013
Really great allegory. I read it and then had my 9 year old daughter read it. It was an amazing piece of writing AND a little history to boot!
February 12, 2014
Goog read
would like more of the story. didn't want to put it down. the book was to short. is there a book two
would like more of the story. didn't want to put it down. the book was to short. is there a book two
November 14, 2012
Couldn't finish :/
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews