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Rhyme of the Willow #1
Shadowbloom
THREE LAWS OF LIGHTHAVENS
Law One
Do not leave a Lighthaven without permission. There are dangerous plants that could kill or infect you. A Quakeroot can annihilate an entire convoy. Stormblossoms create whirlpools and catch their prey in underwater roots.
Law Two
Stay away from any plant that could be dangerous. Do not touch it, eat it, smell it, or go near it. Accidental ingestion can result in melting stomachs, giant boils, or weeds sprouting out of eye sockets. Also, there is the possibility of becoming a Wild: one becomes a Blood Demon by merely touching a berry.
Law Three
Report anyone with plants growing on their bodies. Wilds are a threat and must be eliminated immediately. Fire Grove has reported sightings of Crows, recognizable by the long Darkblades growing from their arms and back. They are liars and murderers. The worst Wild is the Green Witch. She has lime-green eyes and emerald vines instead of hair. Avoid her at all costs.
Law One
Do not leave a Lighthaven without permission. There are dangerous plants that could kill or infect you. A Quakeroot can annihilate an entire convoy. Stormblossoms create whirlpools and catch their prey in underwater roots.
Law Two
Stay away from any plant that could be dangerous. Do not touch it, eat it, smell it, or go near it. Accidental ingestion can result in melting stomachs, giant boils, or weeds sprouting out of eye sockets. Also, there is the possibility of becoming a Wild: one becomes a Blood Demon by merely touching a berry.
Law Three
Report anyone with plants growing on their bodies. Wilds are a threat and must be eliminated immediately. Fire Grove has reported sightings of Crows, recognizable by the long Darkblades growing from their arms and back. They are liars and murderers. The worst Wild is the Green Witch. She has lime-green eyes and emerald vines instead of hair. Avoid her at all costs.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2011
20 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
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July 11, 2012
2.5 stars
First half of the book--- half a star! aaaagh! exasperating, hard to get through, laboring to stay awake.
Second half--- 2 stars! whew! thank goodness, something's finally happened that I could care about.
The main problem is the main character Aniva. I don't want to have anything to do with her. This girl desperately needs a crash course on good manners and right conduct... and drastic lessons of HUMILITY. So when things started really going bad for her, I started feeling happy. That sounds really mean... but I can't honestly have an iota of sympathy for this character who do not show any amount of respect for anyone or anything, not even when things are desperate for her. She has big issues on ATTITUDE. She outranks the evil green witch Anesidora in the attitude department, and even Lord Voldemort, for that matter. At least He Who Must Not Be Named cares for something and treats his loyal servants well. I believe the Dark Lord's character is capable of saying "thank you", but not Aniva-- it would break her to pieces. There was no itsy bit of gratitude from this girl even when she was rescued, when she was given food, when she was given shelter, when she was learning things, when someone was showing her kindness. Where the hell did she grow up, among the wilds of the jungle? With Aniva, friend, foe, or family doesn't make any difference... so why should I care saving her life? And therefore lies the root of my disinterest--because the book is about saving her from death and from becoming a Blood Demon.
If this was a character who is bad only because of circumstance, and you can still see glimpses of goodness, or at least desire to do good, then I would be engaged in the story. But there is nothing in Aniva that elicits compassion from me. Her wimpy twin brother Axton gets more of my approval. Had the author attributed Aniva with some decency, this story would have improved dramatically. As it is, she is always making Axton insecure and miserable. There's no good contribution mentioned of Aniva to her immediate society. I didn't read any act of kindness by her. She thinks too highly of herself and has a great lack of concern for others. If not apathetic, she is ill tempered and irritable. She doesn't cause anyone's happiness in this book, nope, not your ray of sunshine. She is also selfish that she knows not to give but just to take, take, take. She is always suspicious with any act of kindness towards her. She's always trying to best others and always smug with her wins. All this negative qualities in one young teen who is supposed to capture our heart as the main character. No way. To put it bluntly, no one will miss her if she dies. Well, maybe her twin bro Axton-- but he'll definitely get over it fast enough he when finds out that life is better without Aniva and her constant taunts and ridicules. If that does not convince you how impossible a character she is, read this: When facing a life or death situation, one tends to TRY to be nicer or be DESPERATE in finding a cure. But Aniva? She just scoffed at her brother for suggesting to find out more (thru reading) about the unknown plant that was her only hope. What did she do? Run around Lighthaven trying to outbest everyone in a game of skill. Total failure.
Alright, now that I've exorcised Aniva out of my mind, I'd like to compliment the author for creating a one-of-a-kind garden somewhere beyond the leafy curtain of the neighborhood Willow tree, where the green witch Anesidora lives. Axton & Aniva Rhyme's parents disappeared in a car accident a long time ago. The car left a mark on Anesidora's tree. But in a dream, the witch showed the twins that she invited their parents to enter her home, her garden. As the twins set out to find their parents, they entered the dangerous and wonderful realm of Anesidora, and was swept up by the life inside the Lighthaven. But the search for their parents took a back seat when a more immediate problem came up-- saving Aniva from demonhood, or death.
The world the author creates is certainly fresh, original and unique. There is no magic in this story, but the world she describes has a fantastical and magical aura, albeit filled with it's own dangers and mutated creatures. The pacing was boring in the first half, then bolted to suspense and action in the second half, with the introduction of the antagonists--- the Crows. The real conflict, which was late in revealing itself... was about achieving equality amongst the citizens of the Garden--to become a unified haven without discrimination. The Crows are tired to be regarded as Wilds and dangerous creatures to be avoided at all times. Their arguments actually gives depth to this story. But the saving grace here, really, is the world of the Garden, the Fire Grove and its many havens. The plant lore is very interesting and comprehensively detailed. The nomenclature are as wonderful and as abundant as the plant life of the whole of the Garden itself. Being an unusual world, the story often dwells on backstory and origins rather than moving the plot along faster. It was relevant to world-building I guess, but there was just too much info. You haven't had time to grasp the terminologies inside Lighthaven quite yet, when next thing you know you're in Blackwood territory with a whole new set of social structure, plant lore and terms to digest. Still it's extensively and vividly described that it takes a life of its own. If only there were better characters.... :-(
First half of the book--- half a star! aaaagh! exasperating, hard to get through, laboring to stay awake.
Second half--- 2 stars! whew! thank goodness, something's finally happened that I could care about.
The main problem is the main character Aniva. I don't want to have anything to do with her. This girl desperately needs a crash course on good manners and right conduct... and drastic lessons of HUMILITY. So when things started really going bad for her, I started feeling happy. That sounds really mean... but I can't honestly have an iota of sympathy for this character who do not show any amount of respect for anyone or anything, not even when things are desperate for her. She has big issues on ATTITUDE. She outranks the evil green witch Anesidora in the attitude department, and even Lord Voldemort, for that matter. At least He Who Must Not Be Named cares for something and treats his loyal servants well. I believe the Dark Lord's character is capable of saying "thank you", but not Aniva-- it would break her to pieces. There was no itsy bit of gratitude from this girl even when she was rescued, when she was given food, when she was given shelter, when she was learning things, when someone was showing her kindness. Where the hell did she grow up, among the wilds of the jungle? With Aniva, friend, foe, or family doesn't make any difference... so why should I care saving her life? And therefore lies the root of my disinterest--because the book is about saving her from death and from becoming a Blood Demon.
If this was a character who is bad only because of circumstance, and you can still see glimpses of goodness, or at least desire to do good, then I would be engaged in the story. But there is nothing in Aniva that elicits compassion from me. Her wimpy twin brother Axton gets more of my approval. Had the author attributed Aniva with some decency, this story would have improved dramatically. As it is, she is always making Axton insecure and miserable. There's no good contribution mentioned of Aniva to her immediate society. I didn't read any act of kindness by her. She thinks too highly of herself and has a great lack of concern for others. If not apathetic, she is ill tempered and irritable. She doesn't cause anyone's happiness in this book, nope, not your ray of sunshine. She is also selfish that she knows not to give but just to take, take, take. She is always suspicious with any act of kindness towards her. She's always trying to best others and always smug with her wins. All this negative qualities in one young teen who is supposed to capture our heart as the main character. No way. To put it bluntly, no one will miss her if she dies. Well, maybe her twin bro Axton-- but he'll definitely get over it fast enough he when finds out that life is better without Aniva and her constant taunts and ridicules. If that does not convince you how impossible a character she is, read this: When facing a life or death situation, one tends to TRY to be nicer or be DESPERATE in finding a cure. But Aniva? She just scoffed at her brother for suggesting to find out more (thru reading) about the unknown plant that was her only hope. What did she do? Run around Lighthaven trying to outbest everyone in a game of skill. Total failure.
Alright, now that I've exorcised Aniva out of my mind, I'd like to compliment the author for creating a one-of-a-kind garden somewhere beyond the leafy curtain of the neighborhood Willow tree, where the green witch Anesidora lives. Axton & Aniva Rhyme's parents disappeared in a car accident a long time ago. The car left a mark on Anesidora's tree. But in a dream, the witch showed the twins that she invited their parents to enter her home, her garden. As the twins set out to find their parents, they entered the dangerous and wonderful realm of Anesidora, and was swept up by the life inside the Lighthaven. But the search for their parents took a back seat when a more immediate problem came up-- saving Aniva from demonhood, or death.
The world the author creates is certainly fresh, original and unique. There is no magic in this story, but the world she describes has a fantastical and magical aura, albeit filled with it's own dangers and mutated creatures. The pacing was boring in the first half, then bolted to suspense and action in the second half, with the introduction of the antagonists--- the Crows. The real conflict, which was late in revealing itself... was about achieving equality amongst the citizens of the Garden--to become a unified haven without discrimination. The Crows are tired to be regarded as Wilds and dangerous creatures to be avoided at all times. Their arguments actually gives depth to this story. But the saving grace here, really, is the world of the Garden, the Fire Grove and its many havens. The plant lore is very interesting and comprehensively detailed. The nomenclature are as wonderful and as abundant as the plant life of the whole of the Garden itself. Being an unusual world, the story often dwells on backstory and origins rather than moving the plot along faster. It was relevant to world-building I guess, but there was just too much info. You haven't had time to grasp the terminologies inside Lighthaven quite yet, when next thing you know you're in Blackwood territory with a whole new set of social structure, plant lore and terms to digest. Still it's extensively and vividly described that it takes a life of its own. If only there were better characters.... :-(
February 5, 2013
Overall, I think this is a decent book. I've read a handful of the previous reviews and can't help but shake my head. This is the kind of book that takes you from your seat and into the pages, imagining what sort of world it is that Aniva and Axton have been sucked into. Some of the plantlore can get a little confusing, but in order to create an entire world based on plant life, there's got to be a lot of plants in the book.
For those who say they dislike Aniva because she's rude, you're completely missing the point of who she is. She's a girl who lost her parents when she was young, and has to be tough for her brother. She takes care of him in the only way she knows how. Axton is fragile and scared, delving into books and schooling is his way of dealing with losing his parents.These two are meant to be opposites and juxtapose each other. When the twins step through the willow and are confronted by the witch, all they want is to know about their parents. Aniva comes into contact with a plant she has no idea is dangerous, and is slowly losing her mind.
Aniva is rude to the people of the lighthaven, but none of the people in the town welcome them with open arms, and some are downright rude to her and her brother for no clear reason except that they're outsiders. Any time they try to find out about their parents everyone becomes vague, and directs them to someone else, and it just continues. Over time, as Aniva turns into a Wild, she becomes more agitated, has an increased appetite, and can feel herself getting stronger. She's also slowly LOSING HER FREAKING MIND, which is what some people seem to be missing when giving this book reviews.
This book was very creative, original, and gave us a new world to imagine and secretly fear. If you are unable to enjoy a young adult fantasy novel that isn't solely based on a girl who falls for a mysterious guy with weird powers and has to help him save the world, then please, go back to reading crap like Twilight. If you're looking for a book that creates a brand new, terrifying world for you to fall into, where you follow a boy and a girl looking for their parents and accidentally find a whole lot more than that, then please, give this book a shot!
For those who say they dislike Aniva because she's rude, you're completely missing the point of who she is. She's a girl who lost her parents when she was young, and has to be tough for her brother. She takes care of him in the only way she knows how. Axton is fragile and scared, delving into books and schooling is his way of dealing with losing his parents.These two are meant to be opposites and juxtapose each other. When the twins step through the willow and are confronted by the witch, all they want is to know about their parents. Aniva comes into contact with a plant she has no idea is dangerous, and is slowly losing her mind.
Aniva is rude to the people of the lighthaven, but none of the people in the town welcome them with open arms, and some are downright rude to her and her brother for no clear reason except that they're outsiders. Any time they try to find out about their parents everyone becomes vague, and directs them to someone else, and it just continues. Over time, as Aniva turns into a Wild, she becomes more agitated, has an increased appetite, and can feel herself getting stronger. She's also slowly LOSING HER FREAKING MIND, which is what some people seem to be missing when giving this book reviews.
This book was very creative, original, and gave us a new world to imagine and secretly fear. If you are unable to enjoy a young adult fantasy novel that isn't solely based on a girl who falls for a mysterious guy with weird powers and has to help him save the world, then please, go back to reading crap like Twilight. If you're looking for a book that creates a brand new, terrifying world for you to fall into, where you follow a boy and a girl looking for their parents and accidentally find a whole lot more than that, then please, give this book a shot!
February 21, 2021
This book was just "ok" for me. Would be good for middle grade, I think.
The characters just weren't that likable to me (typical tomboy angry older sister, nerdy quiet younger brother)
the story line was ok. I just felt like I'd read it a thousand times in a thousand other books. Think Spiderwick & 13 Treasures, only no where near as developed or good. Take the other stories and replace bad fairies with "plants", and you've got the idea.
Notes:
This book could use a re-edit. Several typos, and punctuation misses such as missing end quotes - etc.
*I will be picking up book 2 when it comes out, to see where the story goes.
**I got this book FREE off of amazon for my kindle. It was FREE. I don't think I would be pleased had I BOUGHT it. The story just kind of glugged along and the typos are a real "turn off".
***UPDATING***
After reading some "real shitz" books lately, I realize I was a little hard on this book in this review. After having "sat" on it a while, I actually liked the story. The characters needed a little work for me, as a grownup, but my kids had no issues with the book. Enjoying it with the kids - made it a better experience. If that makes sense. Am looking forward to seeing how the story progresses.
The characters just weren't that likable to me (typical tomboy angry older sister, nerdy quiet younger brother)
the story line was ok. I just felt like I'd read it a thousand times in a thousand other books. Think Spiderwick & 13 Treasures, only no where near as developed or good. Take the other stories and replace bad fairies with "plants", and you've got the idea.
Notes:
This book could use a re-edit. Several typos, and punctuation misses such as missing end quotes - etc.
*I will be picking up book 2 when it comes out, to see where the story goes.
**I got this book FREE off of amazon for my kindle. It was FREE. I don't think I would be pleased had I BOUGHT it. The story just kind of glugged along and the typos are a real "turn off".
***UPDATING***
After reading some "real shitz" books lately, I realize I was a little hard on this book in this review. After having "sat" on it a while, I actually liked the story. The characters needed a little work for me, as a grownup, but my kids had no issues with the book. Enjoying it with the kids - made it a better experience. If that makes sense. Am looking forward to seeing how the story progresses.
August 6, 2012
I really wanted to like this book more. The world building was great. The problem is that I hated most of the characters in this book. There was no one to pull for because none of them warranted it. Hopefully as it goes on, there will be some character development. Aniva was too aggressive and mean. Axton was too passive. Lotus was too simpering. Bluebeard was a big windbag. There were no sympathetic characters. The plot has so much potential. It's a shame.
December 26, 2011
Great book, very different. Lost me a bit in the beginning, but I eventually caught the thread back. The premises of a world entirely driven by plant life is great and the pacing is quite good.
April 19, 2014
This was free at Amazon and it sounded fun, so I clicked it*. I was not disappointed at all! Such a GREAT and FRESH story!!
Axton Ryhme is more brainy and bookish than brawny and heroic and at the start of the book, he's more afraid of his own shadow and nearly unable to face his (many) fears. His twin sister, Aniva, is the complete opposite. She's brave, athletic and fearless when it comes to new things (almost to the point of stupidity).
Axton and Aniva, go in search of their missing parents and discover a fantastical world they would have never imagined on the other side of the Willow.
The twins end up in a wondrous world called the Garden filled with gigantic plants, vibrantly colored bushes and strange looking flowers as well as trees with an amour-like stoney bark and a colony of odd people just as colorful and strange.
It's not until they get almost eaten by a Tanglerbush that they realize the flora and fauna can be just as deadly and monstrous as they are beautiful and mysterious.
They learn the hard way that even touching some of the plants have dire circumstances and humans can become mutant plant-people! So they're forced to find an extinct plant that is the antidote to counteract the hideous side effects ... except very few people know where or how to find it. And they have only a few weeks to find it before the side effects become permanent!
But that's only part of the problem. There are mutant plant-people enemies who want to attack the colony and the twins may need to combine their brains and bravery to rescue them.
Great story! quick to read and full of oh so colorful imagination. The author/s did such a wonderful job describing all the plant life as well as the people in the Garden. I would LOVE to see this one come to life on the screen.
Recommend to middlegraders and up.
*I'm SO happy this book turned out to be good as I bought/clicked and downloaded books #2 and #3 in the series at the same time LOL (so, on to Darkroot - Rhyme of the Willow, book 2)
Axton Ryhme is more brainy and bookish than brawny and heroic and at the start of the book, he's more afraid of his own shadow and nearly unable to face his (many) fears. His twin sister, Aniva, is the complete opposite. She's brave, athletic and fearless when it comes to new things (almost to the point of stupidity).
Axton and Aniva, go in search of their missing parents and discover a fantastical world they would have never imagined on the other side of the Willow.
The twins end up in a wondrous world called the Garden filled with gigantic plants, vibrantly colored bushes and strange looking flowers as well as trees with an amour-like stoney bark and a colony of odd people just as colorful and strange.
It's not until they get almost eaten by a Tanglerbush that they realize the flora and fauna can be just as deadly and monstrous as they are beautiful and mysterious.
They learn the hard way that even touching some of the plants have dire circumstances and humans can become mutant plant-people! So they're forced to find an extinct plant that is the antidote to counteract the hideous side effects ... except very few people know where or how to find it. And they have only a few weeks to find it before the side effects become permanent!
But that's only part of the problem. There are mutant plant-people enemies who want to attack the colony and the twins may need to combine their brains and bravery to rescue them.
Great story! quick to read and full of oh so colorful imagination. The author/s did such a wonderful job describing all the plant life as well as the people in the Garden. I would LOVE to see this one come to life on the screen.
Recommend to middlegraders and up.
*I'm SO happy this book turned out to be good as I bought/clicked and downloaded books #2 and #3 in the series at the same time LOL (so, on to Darkroot - Rhyme of the Willow, book 2)
April 17, 2014
Aniva and Axton Rymes of the Willows are boy/girl twins setting out on a journey to find their parents who've gone missing into the Blackwood Forest. (I think) I couldn't get a firm grasp on exactly where they were at most times except the Azure Cove Lighthaven, which is where they spent most of their time. Upon entering the forest Aniva becomes infected by a Blood plant and her humanity begins to change to that of a Blood Demon named for the plant that attacked her, and she begins a type of mutation changing into somewhat human/plant. These mutated persons are known in the Lighthavens as Wilds, who reside in the Blackwood Bog in a tree called the Murder. Their leader is known as Raven. The only salvation for Aniva is if they are able to find the Shadowblossom that once she injests a petal from the bloom allows her to remain partially a human, when in the light, with underlying tendencies of plant in the darkness. The best of both worlds is what I imagined. But the people of the Lighthaven kill these Wilds upon knowledge, and I never did figure out why, except as their name would suggest, they kind of "go" Wild.
I agreed with another review that stated there wasn't a character to really root for. (no pun intended) The plantlore was extremely confusing at times, and I found myself just skimming past it in a hurry to finish the ridiculousness of it. The book is a first in a set of three, so I'm hoping they get better as the story progresses.
I agreed with another review that stated there wasn't a character to really root for. (no pun intended) The plantlore was extremely confusing at times, and I found myself just skimming past it in a hurry to finish the ridiculousness of it. The book is a first in a set of three, so I'm hoping they get better as the story progresses.
February 9, 2012
Shadowbloom had a fantastic premise, and it was free for the Kindle, so I snatched it up. Upon reading, however, turns out that it's... less than fantastic.
Twin siblings Axton and Aniva, lost their parents in a mysterious car crash thirteen years before. The first turn-off for me was the characterization of the twins, which is completely flat; Axton, the studious, klutzy, dorky-but-sweet brother, and Aniva, the loud-mouthed, snotty, physically fit, adventurous sister. (Also, their names, seriously. What's the deal with those names?). Each twin receives a Mysterious Vision after being bitten by an equally Mysterious & Aggressive Venus Fly Trap. The vision seems to indicate that their Long-Lost Parents may have been rescued by (who else) a Mysterious Woman.
Being teenagers, Axton and Aniva immediately rush off to the site of their parent's car crash, and are somehow Mysteriously Transported to a Garden where the plants are strangely life-like. They encounter a group of people living in the Garden, all of whom seem to know what's going on, but are strangely reluctant to talk about it. Mystery is to be had, cryptic remarks are made, and the resolution to the climax is spelled out within the first 20% of the book. Which is about where I stopped reading.
Twin siblings Axton and Aniva, lost their parents in a mysterious car crash thirteen years before. The first turn-off for me was the characterization of the twins, which is completely flat; Axton, the studious, klutzy, dorky-but-sweet brother, and Aniva, the loud-mouthed, snotty, physically fit, adventurous sister. (Also, their names, seriously. What's the deal with those names?). Each twin receives a Mysterious Vision after being bitten by an equally Mysterious & Aggressive Venus Fly Trap. The vision seems to indicate that their Long-Lost Parents may have been rescued by (who else) a Mysterious Woman.
Being teenagers, Axton and Aniva immediately rush off to the site of their parent's car crash, and are somehow Mysteriously Transported to a Garden where the plants are strangely life-like. They encounter a group of people living in the Garden, all of whom seem to know what's going on, but are strangely reluctant to talk about it. Mystery is to be had, cryptic remarks are made, and the resolution to the climax is spelled out within the first 20% of the book. Which is about where I stopped reading.
December 17, 2012
Alright, so it took me most of the year to read this. I would pick it up in between books, but put it down as soon as something else came up. So to say it didn't really hold my attention would be an understatement.
I would have given this 2 stars up until about halfway through, then it got pretty interesting until about the 85% mark. I think one of the main issues was that Aniva was a horrible person, she is way too mean and aggressive all the time. By the end of the game, she was 13 in my mind, and her brother was about 10, whoops, they are both 16. Where Aniva is too aggressive, Axton is nothing but scared most of the time. Overall I liked him better though.
The story was okay, the beginning and ending seemed rushed. The center seemed to drag on forever. The world, however, was really good. It was creative, different from almost all fantasy worlds I've read.
Also, I don't know if I had a newer version than the other reviewers, but I didn't notice many typos or anything like that, certainly not enough to detract from the rating.
Middle Grade readers would probably like this more than I did, because they might not be as off put by the characters.
I would have given this 2 stars up until about halfway through, then it got pretty interesting until about the 85% mark. I think one of the main issues was that Aniva was a horrible person, she is way too mean and aggressive all the time. By the end of the game, she was 13 in my mind, and her brother was about 10, whoops, they are both 16. Where Aniva is too aggressive, Axton is nothing but scared most of the time. Overall I liked him better though.
The story was okay, the beginning and ending seemed rushed. The center seemed to drag on forever. The world, however, was really good. It was creative, different from almost all fantasy worlds I've read.
Also, I don't know if I had a newer version than the other reviewers, but I didn't notice many typos or anything like that, certainly not enough to detract from the rating.
Middle Grade readers would probably like this more than I did, because they might not be as off put by the characters.
March 29, 2014
Cross Between C.S. Lewis and Lloyd Alexander
A new world to explore, with new and quirky heroes. This should become a classic, as it embodies the creativity and issues of siblings in a hostile world. The Garden is a magnificent environment with a cornucopia of flora that ranges from the mildly amusing to the lethal.
The two heroes, are not your average storybook overachievers. The boy is intelligent, yet cautious. The girl is ambitious and aggressive, with more street smarts. Some readers will find her to be an unsympathetic character, but this is more true to life than the big hearted, do-no-wrong, protagonists found in children's fiction. They are seeking their parents, which is how they stumble into the Garden.
Wonderful Adventure! I would read this to my children if only they were young enough. The Sullivan Brothers are to be commended for creating a truly unique and wonderful world and story. Thank you...
A new world to explore, with new and quirky heroes. This should become a classic, as it embodies the creativity and issues of siblings in a hostile world. The Garden is a magnificent environment with a cornucopia of flora that ranges from the mildly amusing to the lethal.
The two heroes, are not your average storybook overachievers. The boy is intelligent, yet cautious. The girl is ambitious and aggressive, with more street smarts. Some readers will find her to be an unsympathetic character, but this is more true to life than the big hearted, do-no-wrong, protagonists found in children's fiction. They are seeking their parents, which is how they stumble into the Garden.
Wonderful Adventure! I would read this to my children if only they were young enough. The Sullivan Brothers are to be commended for creating a truly unique and wonderful world and story. Thank you...
February 22, 2012
This is a very well-written book. The plot is well thought out, and there are interesting story lines and characters throughout. However, I can only give it three stars because the amount of information given is overwhelming and very difficult to remember. The authors create a vivid world, but it is an unfamiliar world and every new name/character/plant/event is simply too much to contain. I found myself skimming over sections full of unfamiliar names because they served no purpose to the plot; they simply filled the setting with images.
There are two main characters--twins. Both characters are dynamic and active, but I found the female lead unsympathetic and, at times, incredibly irritating. She has too many hard angles, and I lost interest in whether she was saved or left to her own impulsive devices.
This is evidently part of a series, and I'm not entirely sure I'll read the second book.
There are two main characters--twins. Both characters are dynamic and active, but I found the female lead unsympathetic and, at times, incredibly irritating. She has too many hard angles, and I lost interest in whether she was saved or left to her own impulsive devices.
This is evidently part of a series, and I'm not entirely sure I'll read the second book.
March 25, 2012
SHADOWBLOOM Rhyme of the Willow, was an awesome read. I was taken to a whole new world of fantasy, a plant world. When Axton and Aniva Rhyme were three years old, their parents disappeared--they had just vanished. Now, thirteen years later, and with the appearance of a woman with lime-green eyes and emerald vines for hair, Axton and Aniva go back to where their parents disappeared, a willow tree. Axton places his hand on the tree, while saying a name and they are transported to a place through a veil of foliage, full of plant wonders unlike anything they have ever imagined. The children find a garden full of strange plants like the thought-carrying Linkroots, bone-crushing Tanglervines, spore-filled Pumpershrooms, and berries from crimson Bloodvines . . . Berries that will change a human into a fearsome Wild with just a single drop of juice. It's a great adventure and I would recommend this story to anyone. It was a fun fast and fun read.
May 1, 2012
The description of the book drew me in, but it wasn't quite what I expected.
What I liked:
1. The world that was built
2. The interesting characters
3. The fact that it wasn't vampires
4. The writing was well done
5. The intrigue of what happened to their parents and who the Green Witch is.
What I didn't:
1. Aniva - she seemed either irritated or angry all of the time, regardless if she was speaking to her brother, to Linnea, to Haze, or to Lotus. By the end, I kind of hoping they'd find out she was a Blood Demon and kill her off.
2. Axton - he was an exaggerated wimp. He was constantly paralyzed by fear and when he did run, he couldn't get out of his own way.
I'd be interested in the next book just to see what happens, but I hope that Aniva grows up some and has some emotion other than anger and I hope that Axton grows a pair.
What I liked:
1. The world that was built
2. The interesting characters
3. The fact that it wasn't vampires
4. The writing was well done
5. The intrigue of what happened to their parents and who the Green Witch is.
What I didn't:
1. Aniva - she seemed either irritated or angry all of the time, regardless if she was speaking to her brother, to Linnea, to Haze, or to Lotus. By the end, I kind of hoping they'd find out she was a Blood Demon and kill her off.
2. Axton - he was an exaggerated wimp. He was constantly paralyzed by fear and when he did run, he couldn't get out of his own way.
I'd be interested in the next book just to see what happens, but I hope that Aniva grows up some and has some emotion other than anger and I hope that Axton grows a pair.
February 9, 2013
A lot of people are rating this kinda low. Apparently it doesn't hold their interest. Apparently it doesn't have enough character development. Apparently they just don't like one of the characters.
Apparently the fact that they are adults judging a middle school book by an adult standard is entirely lost on them. Have I read better books? Yeah, but is that the point of the review? No.
The concept is great, though the characters could indeed a bit more development. That is entirely overshadowed by the entire WORLD this author has created. Definitely plenty of action and wonder, as well as very to the point. If you are having trouble getting your kids to start reading, have them take a look at this, as it's a very good jumping off point into the fantasy genre.
Apparently the fact that they are adults judging a middle school book by an adult standard is entirely lost on them. Have I read better books? Yeah, but is that the point of the review? No.
The concept is great, though the characters could indeed a bit more development. That is entirely overshadowed by the entire WORLD this author has created. Definitely plenty of action and wonder, as well as very to the point. If you are having trouble getting your kids to start reading, have them take a look at this, as it's a very good jumping off point into the fantasy genre.
December 10, 2013
First of all, the world building was brilliant. I loved the idea of this world, even if it made me a bit squeemish at points.
Second, the plot was really great. It dragged a few times, and was rushed in other places, but the general idea of it kept me reading even when part of me wanted to wander off to other books.
Third, the characters were varied. Everyone was new and different, with a crisp, fresh voice.
My only problem was that I wanted one more chapter. At the beginning. I would have liked to get to know the twins in their normal world. Especially Aniva before she started to become the Blood Demon. As it was, I felt thrust into the plot too quickly.
But otherwise I loved this book, and if I can chase them down, I'll definitely be reading any sequels I can find.
Second, the plot was really great. It dragged a few times, and was rushed in other places, but the general idea of it kept me reading even when part of me wanted to wander off to other books.
Third, the characters were varied. Everyone was new and different, with a crisp, fresh voice.
My only problem was that I wanted one more chapter. At the beginning. I would have liked to get to know the twins in their normal world. Especially Aniva before she started to become the Blood Demon. As it was, I felt thrust into the plot too quickly.
But otherwise I loved this book, and if I can chase them down, I'll definitely be reading any sequels I can find.
February 27, 2012
A strange and lovely book, with fascinatingly good world-building and a solid plot, but marred by flat characterization and stilted language.
The hero, Axton, came off like a 12-year-old, and his sister didn't seem much older. But in addition to the frenzy of misplaced commas, there's a lot of distinctly odd word use, like: "Lotus volted to one side." She...vaulted? No, because it's hand-to-hand combat in a small space. She...lit up like a battery? And don't get me started on the "graze" of a wound that is revealed to be bone-deep in the same sentence.
Still, I loved every single plant and its bizarre behaviors and taxonomy, and I can't help hoping that the Lighthavens are real...
The hero, Axton, came off like a 12-year-old, and his sister didn't seem much older. But in addition to the frenzy of misplaced commas, there's a lot of distinctly odd word use, like: "Lotus volted to one side." She...vaulted? No, because it's hand-to-hand combat in a small space. She...lit up like a battery? And don't get me started on the "graze" of a wound that is revealed to be bone-deep in the same sentence.
Still, I loved every single plant and its bizarre behaviors and taxonomy, and I can't help hoping that the Lighthavens are real...
March 25, 2012
While the setting is unique, and the overall story good, there are many things that bother me. The main characters are cliche/stereotypical. The storytelling is erratic - sometimes it flows and sometimes it's awkward, with word choice leaving me with the impression the authors were "thesaurus happy" and the word they settled on wasn't quite what should have been used. Dialogue sometimes left me scratching my head - it was forced in places and a little odd. Still, the concept was a good one.
Probably a decent YA read.
Probably a decent YA read.
June 18, 2012
So, I really wanted to love this story. Mostly because the cover and the inside little chapter heading illustrations are so damn cool.
BUT, I only liked it. It was a fun read, but I probably won't pick up the further novels in the series. I think that this novel would be GREAT for a reader in their tweens/early teens, but as an adult I found the characters too flat and the storyline too predictable. The world creation is really great though. I did feel quite immersed in the world beyond the willow.
BUT, I only liked it. It was a fun read, but I probably won't pick up the further novels in the series. I think that this novel would be GREAT for a reader in their tweens/early teens, but as an adult I found the characters too flat and the storyline too predictable. The world creation is really great though. I did feel quite immersed in the world beyond the willow.
November 22, 2013
The main characters are supposed to be twins yet there is nothing twin like about them. Im thinking that the author only made them twins because it's plays into the storyline at a later point, but as of what I've read so far the author should have just left them as siblings.
The writing starts off and continues at a rather slow pace but does pick up towards the end making me wonder how the next "book" continues the story.
The writing starts off and continues at a rather slow pace but does pick up towards the end making me wonder how the next "book" continues the story.
November 7, 2013
I really love this book, I would rate it up there with Harry Potter... The characters have very defined personalities, but my favorite part is the willow world! Unlike anything I've ever read and I've read a lot of fantasy books! Fun to read can't wait for my babies to get older so I can read it to them ;) the person who wrote this book had a great imagination! ;)
April 7, 2012
This book had the potential to be good but just never hit the mark. I would recomend it because of the original story and world building even though I only rate it as a 3. Not the best but certainly not the worst.
April 7, 2012
This is a very good adventure and fantasy book not for just young adults but mostly for children, too. It's unique and original concept of the plant world makes it funny and sympathizing. It's a sequel so lots of answers I suppose will be answered in the next book:)
June 4, 2012
I'm not sure why I struggled through this work. I did not like any of the characters and had trouble with the action and location. Even the conclusion wasn't, it was just a hint of things to come...for other readers, not me.
September 29, 2012
While I didn't enthusiastically love this book, I did enjoy reading it. It was slow at first and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it but the more I read the more I enjoyed it and I was left wanting more by the end. Great read!
February 24, 2012
This was a four star book but I gave it five stars because it was free. By chapter 5 I was hooked.
June 9, 2012
Pretty good book. It was frustrating how ornery Aniva was the whole time, but the author has a great imagination
May 29, 2012
This book wasn't quite as good as I wanted it to be. The idea is a good one and the author did a great job of developing the world of the book, but it just didn't click with me.
January 7, 2013
I liked it. Interesting world with engaging characters who are not one dimensional. I'll be reading the second one...
January 1, 2016
Unique YA fantasy worth taking the time to delve into.
July 17, 2012
This reminded me of Gregor the Overlander, in a way. Pleasant read, interesting little world.
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