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A Pandoran Novel #1
Gaia's Secret
Two Fates. Two Worlds. One Love.
Eighteen-year old Daria Jones feels trapped in the cow-strewn suburbs of Fresno, California. And with a father so overprotective he's installed video and thermal surveillance down the street, she doesn't get out much. Until the night he disappears.
Following the trail of notes he's left behind, Daria gathers three things: a dark force is hunting her, her father's fled to another world on a cryptic mission, and the only one left to trust is her ex-best friend, Alexander Anderson. The more she learns about her father's absence, the more she realizes she must go to this other world to find him. And Alexander is the only one who knows how to get there.
Amidst a world of diabolical creatures, ancient magic, and bizarrely intuitive vegetation, Daria must find her father before the dark force finds her. But the truth of who she really is could be her greatest enemy of all.
[Second Edition published February 2, 2015]
Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Falling Kingdoms, and the Lunar Chronicles.
Eighteen-year old Daria Jones feels trapped in the cow-strewn suburbs of Fresno, California. And with a father so overprotective he's installed video and thermal surveillance down the street, she doesn't get out much. Until the night he disappears.
Following the trail of notes he's left behind, Daria gathers three things: a dark force is hunting her, her father's fled to another world on a cryptic mission, and the only one left to trust is her ex-best friend, Alexander Anderson. The more she learns about her father's absence, the more she realizes she must go to this other world to find him. And Alexander is the only one who knows how to get there.
Amidst a world of diabolical creatures, ancient magic, and bizarrely intuitive vegetation, Daria must find her father before the dark force finds her. But the truth of who she really is could be her greatest enemy of all.
[Second Edition published February 2, 2015]
Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Falling Kingdoms, and the Lunar Chronicles.
340 pages, ebook
First published September 20, 2011
196 people are currently reading
2557 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Kloss
10 books587 followersBarbara Kloss loves adventures, and finds them through reading, writing, trekking through the wilderness, and gaming—though she doesn't consider herself a gamer. She just happens to like video games. RPGs, specifically. She’s also a classically-trained pianist, and so you'll often fined music referenced in her stories.
Barbara studied biochemistry at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA, and worked for years as a clinical laboratory scientist. She was lured there by mental images of colorful bubbling liquids in glass beakers. She was deceived.
She currently lives in northern California, with her gorgeous husband, three babies, and cat, Mr. Darcy, who finds them all barely tolerable. Author of the award-winning Gaia’s Secret Series, and international bestseller, The Gods of Men.
Sign up for Barbara's Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/barbara...
www.barbarakloss.com
contact@barbarakloss.com
Barbara studied biochemistry at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA, and worked for years as a clinical laboratory scientist. She was lured there by mental images of colorful bubbling liquids in glass beakers. She was deceived.
She currently lives in northern California, with her gorgeous husband, three babies, and cat, Mr. Darcy, who finds them all barely tolerable. Author of the award-winning Gaia’s Secret Series, and international bestseller, The Gods of Men.
Sign up for Barbara's Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/barbara...
www.barbarakloss.com
contact@barbarakloss.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 18, 2017
At first I didn't expect much from this book because it didn't have many reviews and I got it for fairly cheap through BookBub. I wanted an easy read but this book captivated me and sucked me into it's magical world. I am really surprised that this is not a best seller.
August 18, 2012
Read full feature here: http://everythingatoc.blogspot.com/20...
First of all, I want to thank Goodreads and Ms. Barbara Kloss for that giveaway that sent me this little gem. I honestly didn't even remember entering the giveaway and I was so surprised to have this sitting in my mailbox!
Let me calm down for a second before I say this.... How is it possible that this is not on everybody's TBR or currently-reading shelf? I can't say that the story was very original but the execution of it was way better than I expected! This book held my attention from the beginning to its end. The story was action packed yet full of emotions that will send you through a thrilling roller coaster ride to figure out the mystery of Daria's identity.
One of the things that made this book potent was its characters. Daria can probably land on the Top 50 head-strong female characters that I can think of. With that, she's the type of character whom you'll be drawn to whether for the good or the bad. In this case, both. She is a coming-of-age woman who has dreams of seeing the world after being shunned from it by her father. I love that she has dreams, and wants to prove to the world she is anything than just. It's hard not to sympathize with her on that since don't we all have those feelings of anxiety over our untold futures? It's also easy to feel the frustration budding from her character over a lot things. Some things I just don't like about her, is that for someone who supposedly bright, she asks very obvious questions and does very stupid selfish things sometimes.
I loved loved loved Alex. Although I have my fair share of love over stalker-ish male protagonists, it's nice to read about a guy who don't have to be controlling to be memorable. He was patient, sacrificing and all in all, loyal.
Oh, the romantic tension in this book had me fanning myself! It was subtle but from the beginning, the moment I heard Alex's name, I. felt. it. Constant denials usually bug me but I loved the hesitations in this book. It made them more.. realistic. Their relationship is heartbreaking as it was beautiful. Why you ask? You're gonna have to find that out for yourself.
I've watched Avatar before so when I saw the word "Pandora", I immediately went giddy inside. It's fun for me to imagine a place as best as I can and with the word "Pandora", it's limitless! The imagery presented in the descriptions did help me see Gaia but I had fun picturing it for my own. There's the strange mix of historical and modernity that really makes you wonder about their world.
Barbara Kloss was able to pull off a breathtaking ending and turn it into the a nerve-wracking cliffhanger but I definitely didn't close the book with anger. I felt satisfied actually but I know I want more. I can only hope that as my heart is hurting, it will be mended in the sequel. I can't wait to get my hands on The Keeper's Flame!
First of all, I want to thank Goodreads and Ms. Barbara Kloss for that giveaway that sent me this little gem. I honestly didn't even remember entering the giveaway and I was so surprised to have this sitting in my mailbox!
Let me calm down for a second before I say this.... How is it possible that this is not on everybody's TBR or currently-reading shelf? I can't say that the story was very original but the execution of it was way better than I expected! This book held my attention from the beginning to its end. The story was action packed yet full of emotions that will send you through a thrilling roller coaster ride to figure out the mystery of Daria's identity.
One of the things that made this book potent was its characters. Daria can probably land on the Top 50 head-strong female characters that I can think of. With that, she's the type of character whom you'll be drawn to whether for the good or the bad. In this case, both. She is a coming-of-age woman who has dreams of seeing the world after being shunned from it by her father. I love that she has dreams, and wants to prove to the world she is anything than just. It's hard not to sympathize with her on that since don't we all have those feelings of anxiety over our untold futures? It's also easy to feel the frustration budding from her character over a lot things. Some things I just don't like about her, is that for someone who supposedly bright, she asks very obvious questions and does very stupid selfish things sometimes.
I loved loved loved Alex. Although I have my fair share of love over stalker-ish male protagonists, it's nice to read about a guy who don't have to be controlling to be memorable. He was patient, sacrificing and all in all, loyal.
"Daria." He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "When it comes to protecting you, I never have a second thought. Your life is so precious to me that I don't trust anyone else with it. If any of them harmed you- touched you- I can't explain it but giving them a quick death would've been a difficult favor to grant. It surprises me- scares me a little. I've never... felt that way before."
Oh, the romantic tension in this book had me fanning myself! It was subtle but from the beginning, the moment I heard Alex's name, I. felt. it. Constant denials usually bug me but I loved the hesitations in this book. It made them more.. realistic. Their relationship is heartbreaking as it was beautiful. Why you ask? You're gonna have to find that out for yourself.
I've watched Avatar before so when I saw the word "Pandora", I immediately went giddy inside. It's fun for me to imagine a place as best as I can and with the word "Pandora", it's limitless! The imagery presented in the descriptions did help me see Gaia but I had fun picturing it for my own. There's the strange mix of historical and modernity that really makes you wonder about their world.
Barbara Kloss was able to pull off a breathtaking ending and turn it into the a nerve-wracking cliffhanger but I definitely didn't close the book with anger. I felt satisfied actually but I know I want more. I can only hope that as my heart is hurting, it will be mended in the sequel. I can't wait to get my hands on The Keeper's Flame!
December 11, 2015
The premise of a heroine, secluded and sheltered for her entire life, only to come of age and discover that she is actually a very special person, perhaps with supernatural powers or otherworldly auras, is quite a common theme in YA fiction.
In other words, if your book is going be a variation of this premise, you'd better make it entertaining as hell to make it stand out. This book does that.
Eighteen-year-old Daria has lived with her overprotective father in Fresno, California for as long as she can remember. Her only friends have been her handsome neighbor/BFF Alex and his family. But when she comes home to discover her father missing, her world is turned upside down when she is told by Alex's family that she is a citizen of Gaia, a world of mysticism and magic, and that she must journey there to find her father and fulfill the life that she has been destined to have.
To quote Daria: Well.
With the stubbornness and willfulness of a teenager, she dives headlong into this strange new world, where danger lurks around every corner. Can she cope with such sweeping changes in time to save her father? Will her love-hate-looooooove-haaaaaate relationship with Alex survive? I found myself turning pages as quickly as possible to find out the answers. The story did drag a bit in the middle, which is why it cost it a fifth star for me, but the ending was satisfying and whet my appetite for the next book in the series.
Well done, Ms. Kloss!
In other words, if your book is going be a variation of this premise, you'd better make it entertaining as hell to make it stand out. This book does that.
Eighteen-year-old Daria has lived with her overprotective father in Fresno, California for as long as she can remember. Her only friends have been her handsome neighbor/BFF Alex and his family. But when she comes home to discover her father missing, her world is turned upside down when she is told by Alex's family that she is a citizen of Gaia, a world of mysticism and magic, and that she must journey there to find her father and fulfill the life that she has been destined to have.
To quote Daria: Well.
With the stubbornness and willfulness of a teenager, she dives headlong into this strange new world, where danger lurks around every corner. Can she cope with such sweeping changes in time to save her father? Will her love-hate-looooooove-haaaaaate relationship with Alex survive? I found myself turning pages as quickly as possible to find out the answers. The story did drag a bit in the middle, which is why it cost it a fifth star for me, but the ending was satisfying and whet my appetite for the next book in the series.
Well done, Ms. Kloss!
January 4, 2021
Storyline & characters was good especially Alex! But the main character Daria personality made this unbearable. 😭
July 22, 2016
Oh... my... wow. Just wow.
When I bought this book, I wasn't expecting anything too special - just your standard, 3-ish star, young-adult fantasy fodder.
Instead, I found this hidden gem that I just loved to pieces. In fact, I don't even want to write this review right now, because all I want to do is go and read the next book in the series. But, alas, that wouldn't do justice to this book, which I so thoroughly enjoyed, so here I go.
In Gaia's Secret, you follow the adventures of Daria Jones, who is thrown from her boring life in Fresno into the magical world of Gaia. Throughout the book, Daria strives to re-unite with her father (who just up and disappeared from Fresno one day), while simultaneously trying to find her place and role in this new world.
To be honest, you won't find anything all too original in Gaia's Secret. Yet, helping to fuel the story and picking up for any creative slack is the writing, which is descriptive in its depiction of Daria's surroundings and the events taking place, but never to the point that the story feels like it's dragging. In fact, the book is pretty much perfectly paced. The writing is engaging but light, so that the book always feels at home in its young-adult genre.
The story is told through Daria's point of view, so she ends up being a well-developed character that you come to love. You can really sympathize with her during the book, and feel her frustrations when her friends and family are constantly leaving her in the dark and hiding truths. First-person POV storytelling isn't my personal favorite to read, generally, but it works well enough here. I did get annoyed being constantly in the dark with Daria, and with some characters for always keeping the truth from her, but on the same note that just made me rally behind Daria all the more.
Just as a heads up, there is a romance angle in this book. Although it's not the main focus of the story, as this is a fantasy book first and foremost, it does play a pretty major role. So, if you dislike that sort of thing, you may want to (sadly!) pass this book up. But, for those of you that like having romance dashed in with your fantasy, you will only adore this book all the more. The romance is lovingly and achingly developed, in the good "slow-burn" kind of way.
Since this book is part of a series, the story obviously leaves off with some major loose ends. Now that I think about it, I don't think the major baddie of the series has even made an appearance yet. I almost wish that the loose ends had been resolved and that this story had been a stand-alone, because I loved it so much and can't imagine the next installment being able to stand up to Gaia's Secret. At the same time, I'm oh-so-happy to have the opportunity to experience more of Gaia, with so much of the world left to explore. In fact, I'm going to do so, right about... now.
When I bought this book, I wasn't expecting anything too special - just your standard, 3-ish star, young-adult fantasy fodder.
Instead, I found this hidden gem that I just loved to pieces. In fact, I don't even want to write this review right now, because all I want to do is go and read the next book in the series. But, alas, that wouldn't do justice to this book, which I so thoroughly enjoyed, so here I go.
In Gaia's Secret, you follow the adventures of Daria Jones, who is thrown from her boring life in Fresno into the magical world of Gaia. Throughout the book, Daria strives to re-unite with her father (who just up and disappeared from Fresno one day), while simultaneously trying to find her place and role in this new world.
To be honest, you won't find anything all too original in Gaia's Secret. Yet, helping to fuel the story and picking up for any creative slack is the writing, which is descriptive in its depiction of Daria's surroundings and the events taking place, but never to the point that the story feels like it's dragging. In fact, the book is pretty much perfectly paced. The writing is engaging but light, so that the book always feels at home in its young-adult genre.
The story is told through Daria's point of view, so she ends up being a well-developed character that you come to love. You can really sympathize with her during the book, and feel her frustrations when her friends and family are constantly leaving her in the dark and hiding truths. First-person POV storytelling isn't my personal favorite to read, generally, but it works well enough here. I did get annoyed being constantly in the dark with Daria, and with some characters for always keeping the truth from her, but on the same note that just made me rally behind Daria all the more.
Just as a heads up, there is a romance angle in this book. Although it's not the main focus of the story, as this is a fantasy book first and foremost, it does play a pretty major role. So, if you dislike that sort of thing, you may want to (sadly!) pass this book up. But, for those of you that like having romance dashed in with your fantasy, you will only adore this book all the more. The romance is lovingly and achingly developed, in the good "slow-burn" kind of way.
Since this book is part of a series, the story obviously leaves off with some major loose ends. Now that I think about it, I don't think the major baddie of the series has even made an appearance yet. I almost wish that the loose ends had been resolved and that this story had been a stand-alone, because I loved it so much and can't imagine the next installment being able to stand up to Gaia's Secret. At the same time, I'm oh-so-happy to have the opportunity to experience more of Gaia, with so much of the world left to explore. In fact, I'm going to do so, right about... now.
July 12, 2017
This was a book with very strong world-building and descriptive language, and weak pacing and character development. Honestly, until the absolute end of the book, I didn't care for the main character almost at all.
I understand that Daria was strong-willed and stubborn, which aren't bad traits in a heroine, but she also deliberately misunderstood everyone around her. I can agree that being kept in the dark about so many things would be endlessly frustrating, but Daria seemed to chose to ignore all of the times that her companions did explain their world and their situation, and she also conveniently forgot the many times that she intentionally disobeyed them, found herself in terrible danger, and had to be rescued, choosing instead to laud herself for following their directives so willingly when she didn't want to. And for 75% of the book, she would remind herself not to trust the Del Contes because there was so much they had yet to explain, then they would be kind and generous and open and rescue her, and she would be grateful, and then she would end the day by telling herself not to be too grateful because they wouldn't tell her everything and were therefore inherently untrustworthy. And the cycle continued on a daily basis.
So yeah. Daria didn't do it for me. But on the other hand, the descriptions in this book were lovely. From Daria's connection to the place to the looks of the trees in the forest and the fields of flowers, from the vividness of the magical creatures to the soaring spires of castle towers, everything was really beautifully written. Kloss definitely painted a picture with her words, and there was also quite a bit of originality in a story that could've been so similar to so many.
All in all, it was a good book and an entertaining read. But not liking the main character made things difficult for me.
I understand that Daria was strong-willed and stubborn, which aren't bad traits in a heroine, but she also deliberately misunderstood everyone around her. I can agree that being kept in the dark about so many things would be endlessly frustrating, but Daria seemed to chose to ignore all of the times that her companions did explain their world and their situation, and she also conveniently forgot the many times that she intentionally disobeyed them, found herself in terrible danger, and had to be rescued, choosing instead to laud herself for following their directives so willingly when she didn't want to. And for 75% of the book, she would remind herself not to trust the Del Contes because there was so much they had yet to explain, then they would be kind and generous and open and rescue her, and she would be grateful, and then she would end the day by telling herself not to be too grateful because they wouldn't tell her everything and were therefore inherently untrustworthy. And the cycle continued on a daily basis.
So yeah. Daria didn't do it for me. But on the other hand, the descriptions in this book were lovely. From Daria's connection to the place to the looks of the trees in the forest and the fields of flowers, from the vividness of the magical creatures to the soaring spires of castle towers, everything was really beautifully written. Kloss definitely painted a picture with her words, and there was also quite a bit of originality in a story that could've been so similar to so many.
All in all, it was a good book and an entertaining read. But not liking the main character made things difficult for me.
September 1, 2012
An enchanting adventure full of characters all together hypnotizing. Daria is a young woman recently turned eighteen and full of desire to break away from the captive lifestyle she has led thanks to an overprotective father... no, really...he installed surveillance cameras. However before she can stand up to dad and tell him she is leaving to start her exciting new life, one is handed to her in the form of an alternate world of magic and power, Gaia. The story draws you in and doesn't let go. My interest was held throughout and I couldn't wait for Daria to turn the next corner. Let's not forget her love/hate interest Alexander, whom she grew up with but has been apart from for the last three years and who she swears that she hates. Daria gets to spend this particular adventure trying to figure out just what bugs her most about him...or not :). Barbara Kloss' writing is captivating and well thought out. I love finding new Indie talent and will be adding her to my list of favorites.
I am definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series and recommend this first fantasy, Gaia's Secret to anyone young adult and up.
I am definitely looking forward to the next installment in this series and recommend this first fantasy, Gaia's Secret to anyone young adult and up.
March 15, 2016
Alex is my new book boyfriend. I have a serious crush. Barbara Kloss was a new Author for me. And when you stumble across a new Author you always have the doubt of whether you'll be wasting your time and money. But we all know the other side of the coin, where you find THAT author who writes those stories which just sing to you. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND GAIA'S SECRET.
Had to get that out.
How to tell you about it without spoilers...
- The character is tough, but we can see how she can grow
- The fantasy world is crystal clear (and this is so incredibly rare)
- We know there's something more that we're not seeing. A whopper of a plot twist to come. Just to add to the plot twists Kloss has dealt us from the start.
Did I mention Alex? My boyfriend?
This is a hidden gem of a book. And will be one of my re-read novels.
Had to get that out.
How to tell you about it without spoilers...
- The character is tough, but we can see how she can grow
- The fantasy world is crystal clear (and this is so incredibly rare)
- We know there's something more that we're not seeing. A whopper of a plot twist to come. Just to add to the plot twists Kloss has dealt us from the start.
Did I mention Alex? My boyfriend?
This is a hidden gem of a book. And will be one of my re-read novels.
March 22, 2014
I'm not a fantasy reader but I loved this book. I felt very connected to the characters-which is not normally how I am when I read either. First book in awhile that I let everything around me crumble so I could finish it. I guess I'll have to read the second. I also loved that it was clean! No language, etc. great read.
March 14, 2017
I. Couldn't. Put. This. Down
This book was magical. It was fantastic. It was EPIC.
From the very first page, I was sucked into the story. All my basic human needs were abandoned as I spent the whole night reading because I couldn't stop myself from turning the pages eagerly.
The world-building is so beautifully portrayed and presented in a way that made me feel as if I was right there with Daria, Alex, Cicero and Sonya. Everything was so vivid and the author's writing was rich and powerful. She is a natural at describing and making reading the most enjoyable that it can be. The writing was perfect without too much information or tiring the readers.
She handles the plot with precision and weaves in plot twists that were very surprising.
I can't believe not everyone has read this book!! It should be very popular. Every bookshelf should have a copy of Gaia's Secret.
Daria is one of my new favorite heroines! She was stubborn, brave, selfless and kindhearted. She has her flaws but I deeply connected with her. And Alex, *swoons* he is the perfect book boyfriend. I can assure you, you'll love him very much!! He is sweet, dark, protective and selfless. The romance took a backseat here but it was the slow burn type that makes you feel all snuggly and warm inside. The tension between these two had be swooning! They took it nice and slow and let the romance realistically develop.
The secondary characters were just as awesome. I really liked them. I liked everything.
I recommend this book to everyone and I literally can't wait for the next one!
This book was magical. It was fantastic. It was EPIC.
From the very first page, I was sucked into the story. All my basic human needs were abandoned as I spent the whole night reading because I couldn't stop myself from turning the pages eagerly.
The world-building is so beautifully portrayed and presented in a way that made me feel as if I was right there with Daria, Alex, Cicero and Sonya. Everything was so vivid and the author's writing was rich and powerful. She is a natural at describing and making reading the most enjoyable that it can be. The writing was perfect without too much information or tiring the readers.
She handles the plot with precision and weaves in plot twists that were very surprising.
I can't believe not everyone has read this book!! It should be very popular. Every bookshelf should have a copy of Gaia's Secret.
Daria is one of my new favorite heroines! She was stubborn, brave, selfless and kindhearted. She has her flaws but I deeply connected with her. And Alex, *swoons* he is the perfect book boyfriend. I can assure you, you'll love him very much!! He is sweet, dark, protective and selfless. The romance took a backseat here but it was the slow burn type that makes you feel all snuggly and warm inside. The tension between these two had be swooning! They took it nice and slow and let the romance realistically develop.
The secondary characters were just as awesome. I really liked them. I liked everything.
I recommend this book to everyone and I literally can't wait for the next one!
August 12, 2025
Fun quest-like adventure!
This is a coming of age, portal fantasy, with a childhood friends to lovers romance.💘
This is a coming of age, portal fantasy, with a childhood friends to lovers romance.💘
June 8, 2017
I really wanted to like this book. The world, characters and magic had promise and looked like it would be right up my alley. Unfortunately I had 2 major issues with it:
1.The excessive inane description. I found myself skipping sections that described places in detail to get back to the story. This is my preference and I can get over it if I like the story enough, however this is nothing compared to...
2. The drama of miscommunication/no communication. I HATE IT when a character (usually the female love interest) assumes another character (usually the male love interest) dislikes them or did something awful based on a partially overheard conversation. I especially hate it when the characters have every opportunity to talk and COMMUNICATE about the misunderstanding but are too caught up in their brooding to even try. I hate it even more when the overheard conversation was completely ambiguous and the character who overheard (*ahem* Daria *ahem*) doesn't even give the other character (*ahem* Alex *ahem*) a chance to explain even though they clearly still care. This novel had Daria brooding over how much Alex hates her for so long (when clearly Alex does not), I just couldn't take it anymore. Which is really too bad because otherwise I think I would have really enjoyed this book.
Note: The miscommunication drama does not have to ruin a book if done properly. Sometimes characters have really good reasons for not talking to each other or for the assumption made. Unfortunately that is not the case here. In Daria's internal monologue she even mentions the fact that she should give him a chance to explain, but she shoots her "conscience" down for thinking this and this just frustrated me to no end.
1.The excessive inane description. I found myself skipping sections that described places in detail to get back to the story. This is my preference and I can get over it if I like the story enough, however this is nothing compared to...
2. The drama of miscommunication/no communication. I HATE IT when a character (usually the female love interest) assumes another character (usually the male love interest) dislikes them or did something awful based on a partially overheard conversation. I especially hate it when the characters have every opportunity to talk and COMMUNICATE about the misunderstanding but are too caught up in their brooding to even try. I hate it even more when the overheard conversation was completely ambiguous and the character who overheard (*ahem* Daria *ahem*) doesn't even give the other character (*ahem* Alex *ahem*) a chance to explain even though they clearly still care. This novel had Daria brooding over how much Alex hates her for so long (when clearly Alex does not), I just couldn't take it anymore. Which is really too bad because otherwise I think I would have really enjoyed this book.
Note: The miscommunication drama does not have to ruin a book if done properly. Sometimes characters have really good reasons for not talking to each other or for the assumption made. Unfortunately that is not the case here. In Daria's internal monologue she even mentions the fact that she should give him a chance to explain, but she shoots her "conscience" down for thinking this and this just frustrated me to no end.
November 22, 2015
I LOVE fantasy as a genre but, because of that, I actually tend to stay away from those types of books. I have my favorites such as Robin Hobb that I end up comparing everything to and that never works out well. Fantasy is one of the hardest genres to get right - but I decided to take a chance on this one anyway because it looked intriguing. Boy, was I glad I gave it a chance. This is how fantasy looks when it's done right.
Daria is your average teenager who's mind is blown when she learns that Earth is not the only world out there. Imagine that. Finding that there is another place that can be accessed by portals where a king rules and people use horses instead of cars. And the magic! The existence of this world isn't the only thing her father and those she once trusted have been keeping from her. Her place in that world is also a mystery.
When the portal to Earth is breached, Daria must embark on a journey into the unknown with the very people she's not so sure she can trust anymore. This book has everything - magic, dragons, adventure.
It's written like a YA book which I loved - not descriptive to the point of boring, fast paced, and character oriented. I really can't say enough good things about it. Daria is great. She had me laughing at times and I totally understood why she felt the way she did about these people. Then there is Alex ... SWOON! I can't wait to jump into the next one!
Daria is your average teenager who's mind is blown when she learns that Earth is not the only world out there. Imagine that. Finding that there is another place that can be accessed by portals where a king rules and people use horses instead of cars. And the magic! The existence of this world isn't the only thing her father and those she once trusted have been keeping from her. Her place in that world is also a mystery.
When the portal to Earth is breached, Daria must embark on a journey into the unknown with the very people she's not so sure she can trust anymore. This book has everything - magic, dragons, adventure.
It's written like a YA book which I loved - not descriptive to the point of boring, fast paced, and character oriented. I really can't say enough good things about it. Daria is great. She had me laughing at times and I totally understood why she felt the way she did about these people. Then there is Alex ... SWOON! I can't wait to jump into the next one!
February 15, 2015
great promise
The idea behind this story was wonderful. A little more focus on the actual story and details into the characters and plots and it would be amazing!! That may sound odd, but the majority if this book is VERY detailed descriptions of the land, the buildings and castles that the story takes place in. So if you are looking for something to paint a vivid picture of a magical realm look no further. But so much time us spent on it that I found myself wanting to jump ahead several pages just to get back to the story. Also several passages seem repetitive. The main character going back over events from the past in her head (the same ones seemingly over and over, yes there's internal struggle I get that let's move on) and also characters catching eachother up on events and instead of saying that they go over then yet again.
I just feel like it was A LOT of reading for what little bit if story and action is there. I wonder if the next book would be less descriptive (but I doubt it after the way everything goes I to detail). I'd like to know what happens with the characters and I really WANT to like this story but I'm not sure I can handle more drawn out explanations. Some are great n make you feel a part of the story, but there's a point of overboard and unneeded explications....
The idea behind this story was wonderful. A little more focus on the actual story and details into the characters and plots and it would be amazing!! That may sound odd, but the majority if this book is VERY detailed descriptions of the land, the buildings and castles that the story takes place in. So if you are looking for something to paint a vivid picture of a magical realm look no further. But so much time us spent on it that I found myself wanting to jump ahead several pages just to get back to the story. Also several passages seem repetitive. The main character going back over events from the past in her head (the same ones seemingly over and over, yes there's internal struggle I get that let's move on) and also characters catching eachother up on events and instead of saying that they go over then yet again.
I just feel like it was A LOT of reading for what little bit if story and action is there. I wonder if the next book would be less descriptive (but I doubt it after the way everything goes I to detail). I'd like to know what happens with the characters and I really WANT to like this story but I'm not sure I can handle more drawn out explanations. Some are great n make you feel a part of the story, but there's a point of overboard and unneeded explications....
September 13, 2014
This book was a romance that just happened to occur in a fantasy world called Gaia. So if you like YA romances with some magic and adventure thrown in, you might want to give this book a try.
Daria was a decent main character. The story is told from her point of view and you can feel her frustration, joy and anger over the various situations that occur. I felt that she was the only character, though, that had flaws. The rest of the main characters that you meet pretty much always do the right thing. This is most frustrating with Alexander, the romantic interest.
I also found it confusing that Daria can sense people's feelings and yet was unable to figure out Alexander's feelings for her and realize that Durus is an OK guy. It just felt that this power of hers was inconsistent.
The world of Gaia itself sounded typical of a fantasy book. Beautiful castles, enchanted forests, magical creatures, etc. The politics add some extra depth to the story line which should be interesting to see how it plays out in the second book.
I do plan on reading the second book. I'm hoping for a little less worrying about Alexander and a little more focusing on how to save Gaia, but we'll just have to wait and see.
I would recommend for 11 years old and up.
Daria was a decent main character. The story is told from her point of view and you can feel her frustration, joy and anger over the various situations that occur. I felt that she was the only character, though, that had flaws. The rest of the main characters that you meet pretty much always do the right thing. This is most frustrating with Alexander, the romantic interest.
I also found it confusing that Daria can sense people's feelings and yet was unable to figure out Alexander's feelings for her and realize that Durus is an OK guy. It just felt that this power of hers was inconsistent.
The world of Gaia itself sounded typical of a fantasy book. Beautiful castles, enchanted forests, magical creatures, etc. The politics add some extra depth to the story line which should be interesting to see how it plays out in the second book.
I do plan on reading the second book. I'm hoping for a little less worrying about Alexander and a little more focusing on how to save Gaia, but we'll just have to wait and see.
I would recommend for 11 years old and up.
April 11, 2015
Well, I'm impressed ! There's both realism and vibrancy in the characters. I was as interested in absorbing the traits and growth of the characters as I was in following the trials and adventures in the story. Humor not only relieves tension in the story but enhances the personalities.
This first installment of the series is filled with a thoughtful sense of confusion as the characters attempt to assess threats to themselves and their magic filled world. Nothing in the story remains static, keeping the reader off balance most of the time. But there is a sense of movement and purpose. There is a great threat on the horizon that is not fully realized by the end of the book.
Daria, the outspoken and headstrong newly announced princess, raised in a foreign world and kept blind to her true heritage, has much to learn and not much time to learn it. She is being transformed from a free spirited individual who felt little responsibility for anything into a princess who will be weighed down by awesome responsibility for a realm and people she never even dreamed existed.
This first installment of the series is filled with a thoughtful sense of confusion as the characters attempt to assess threats to themselves and their magic filled world. Nothing in the story remains static, keeping the reader off balance most of the time. But there is a sense of movement and purpose. There is a great threat on the horizon that is not fully realized by the end of the book.
Daria, the outspoken and headstrong newly announced princess, raised in a foreign world and kept blind to her true heritage, has much to learn and not much time to learn it. She is being transformed from a free spirited individual who felt little responsibility for anything into a princess who will be weighed down by awesome responsibility for a realm and people she never even dreamed existed.
August 2, 2012
This is the first time in a long while that I've felt such a strong connection to characters in a book. It brought me back to the first young adult fantasy books that I discovered as a teen and I loved every minute of the story. It caused distractions in the rest of my life causing it impossible to complete regular tasks such as cooking and cleaning until I finished reading the story.
Having said that, there were times when I was very frustrated with the writing. Kloss had a tendency to repeat words and phrases within small areas which detracted from the pure awesomeness of the story. I'm hopeful that this editing problem will be fixed in future books. Especially since I now need to purchase all of them in order to find out what happens next with Daria and Alex.
I'm so excited to have discovered this author and I can't wait to read more.
Having said that, there were times when I was very frustrated with the writing. Kloss had a tendency to repeat words and phrases within small areas which detracted from the pure awesomeness of the story. I'm hopeful that this editing problem will be fixed in future books. Especially since I now need to purchase all of them in order to find out what happens next with Daria and Alex.
I'm so excited to have discovered this author and I can't wait to read more.
January 19, 2012
An excellent read from a debut author. Packed full of adventure, excitement and secrets. Daria is a headstrong girl thrown into a world she knew nothing about, and is frustrated by the secrets kept from her. As a result she gets herself into all sorts of troube. Alex is swoonworthy, and not in the same vein of controlling, stalking, somewhat crazy male love interests that seem to be overly represented in YA these days. Can't wait for the next one to see what else is in store for Daria and her companions.
April 6, 2013
This was a great first book into an exciting series! I especially appreciated the fact that this book starts off in modern day, normal earth as we know it, and gradually introduces you to the magical world of Gaia. The character development is realistic, and any sort of romance occurs very, very gradually. I was glued and was very pleased to know the sequel was already available and even better than this first book. I highly recommend this to adults who love young adult fantasy and of course, all young adults!!
April 24, 2021
So I was slightly (read: very) disappointed with this book. This might have been a case where my expectations were too high after reading the author’s other series (the Gods of Men), considering this is one of her earlier works.
I dunno man there was a lot of info dumping while also not giving Daria and info, and a lot of traveling while getting nowhere... but I’m intrigued enough to continue with the series. Hopefully the next installment is better.
I dunno man there was a lot of info dumping while also not giving Daria and info, and a lot of traveling while getting nowhere... but I’m intrigued enough to continue with the series. Hopefully the next installment is better.
September 28, 2011
A unique fantasy full of beautiful language and imagery, and characters that make you love them and sometimes make you want to throttle them. The protagonist is one of the most stubborn characters I have ever read--and it was such fun to see the ways she began to grow, and grow up. Lots of action and intrigue, and the author's voice is wonderful.
August 10, 2012
Barbara Kloss takes you to another world full of magical and mysterious creatures. There was lots of action and adventure. Wish I could have spent more time in this world. I hope there will be further books in this series. I would love to find out more about what happens to Daria and Alex. I did win this book on Firstreads, but I feel very lucky to have won such a great book to read!
July 9, 2012
I recieved this book as part of the goodreads firstreads giveaway, and I thought it was one of the best new fantasy books I've read in a long time, the heroine is likeable, the secondary characters are well fleshed out, and the story is unpredictable and entertaining. I can't wait to read the sequel.
February 11, 2013
What would I do without my ereader? I would miss out on gems like this one. I love fantasy.. This one is good! In fact it was so good as soon as I finished it, I bought book 2 and read it right after.
January 30, 2012
Really enjoying this book! Looking forward to my weekend so I can finish it.
November 14, 2011
I didnt wanted the story to end. The characters were amazing so as the story line. Diffently a re read!
June 27, 2012
Fun book. Quick read. Interested to see where the next book goes.
August 14, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters are full of life and Barbara's imagination is limitless. Kept me on the edge of my seat guessing when the next twist would come along.
July 24, 2015
3.25 stars.
I was expecting something more epic considering the rave reviews... But this intriguing first installment should do enough for now!
I was expecting something more epic considering the rave reviews... But this intriguing first installment should do enough for now!
March 9, 2021
Nice YA, but a little too YA. Self involved teen gets tiresome.
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