While on a Christmas visit to Bidwell, MA, sixteen year old Haley Miller sees a disturbing vision in her new crystal ball. With her sister Lacey and Lacey’s boyfriend, Taylor, she concocts a daring and dangerous plan to change the bleak fate of their elderly mentor, Gisele Westerfield.
Entering Gisele’s snow-filled enchanted forest, the teens attempt to locate the legendary Sirocco, an ancient creature reputedly able to cure all ills--unaware that the price for its service is far too high.
Their ill-conceived adventure promises excitement, danger, monsters and perhaps the scariest moment of all--Gisele’s fiery reaction to what they’ve done.
Two years after Rift Healer ends the gang are back on another adventure in the magical forest. Haley, Lacey, Taylor (and for a short while towards the end Micah) along with Gisele are thrown into danger again when Hayley sees the future in a crystal ball and goes on a journey to find the legendary Sirocco. Giselle (and for a short while Micah) end up having to rescue them when it all goes awry.
I loved the first book in the series, Rift Healer (so much so that my mind forgot it was a book and that rifts weren’t real!), so when this book came out I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for them all. I was far from disappointed! This book is just as well written and full of twists and turns. The characters are all just as lovable and more mature, letting the reader grow up a little with them all. This series is amazing, and will appeal to all ages.
Sirocco is the follow up too the novel Rift Healer. Haley is growing up, as is her sister and friends and she discovers a new "talent" but this talent is one which she does not understand and thus she creates a new problem within the enchanted forest. So she . . . get a copy and read for yourself, the story is well worth the read and I loved it, the monsters is again totally original and for that more than anything else I love the story I give this book a 5 * review, but seriously figure that I would have given it more, were I able WaAr
Sirocco is a short novella that ties in nicely to the first book in this new series by Diane Haynes. In Rift Healer, we are introduced to Haley and Lacey (twins), Taylor (Lacey's boyfriend), Micah (Haley's boyfriend) and Gisele (the elder herbalist that teaches the teens of the enchanted forest in which she has been entructed to protect). Sirocco comes 18 months after that wild summer in which we meet these characters. It's right after Christmas and the twins are back visiting their grandmother Clare for the holidays. During their brief holiday vacation, Gisele tells Haley that she will be teaching her how to gaze in the crystal ball and develop her skill. While crystal gazing, Haley has a vision of Gisele in grave health and that the only way to heal her is for Gisele to ride the back of the Sirocco, a half horse half dragon creature that heals anything that rides upon its back. Reluctantly and after much disagreement, Lacey and Taylor agree to help Haley open the slipstream to allow the Sirocco into their realm. Everything goes wrong from the moment the slipstream is opened and a more sinister creature, the Scintilla enters the realm with the Sirocco. The Scintilla carries Haley off and Lacey and Taylor are left alone in the forest wondering where the heck everyone went. Lacey runs back to Gisele's cabin for help and the three trench through the 3 feet of snow looking for Haley and fighting off the other nasty creatures that wormed their way through the slipstream that no one thought to close during the chaos. Although this is a short story to bridge Rift Healer with the upcoming new book Haynes has coming out, Necromancer, it is action packed and a great read. I loved Rift Healer and was so excited when Diane contacted me that she had written Sirocco and a sequel to Rift Healer. I'm anxiously awaiting Necromancer so I can see what the kids are up to next and if Gisele makes it. If you haven't read Rift Healer yet, grab it now then snag Sirocco and read all the fun and wild adventures Haley, Lacey, Taylor, Micah and Gisele go on.
This is the second book in the Rift Healer series. I have been eagerly awaiting it's release!
Haley and Lacey Miller are seventeen year old twins. They are both great characters, but this book (and series) is told through Haley's point of view. Haley is an inquisitive and naturally curious person. I love that about her, but unfortunately, this tends to get her into trouble! Having previously managed to heal the rifts that were threatening the enchanted forest, will her tendency to act before thinking get her into even more danger?
This is a fantastic story for younger readers (11+). There is magic, danger, adventure and mythical creatures! I loved The Rift Healer so much that when I found out this book was being released, I got myself a copy. I was very quickly thrown back into a world of magic, and magical creatures that I always fantasied about as a young girl. We get to meet a Sirocco. A sirocco you say? What does a wind over the desert have to do with this book? Absolutely nothing! A Sirocco is a mysterious creature that is half Pegasus and half dragon. A strange combination granted, but the author has painted a vivid picture with her descriptive use of words, and it has been brought to life in my minds eye. I could easily see it walking through the enchanted forest. Although this is a second book in the series, I think this book could also be read as a standalone; I suggest reading The Rift Healer too, though. However, the cliffhanger at the end has me wanting to read the next book as soon as possible!
Diane Haynes has written a fantastically fast paced fantasy adventure for middle grade children, but I think that adults may enjoy it too. Therefore, I highly recommend this book if you love fantasy, adventure, magic, YA or stories with mythical beings. - Lynn Worton
Sirocco is the second book in the "Forest Magic" series by Diane M. Haynes and it is a short novella. If you didn't read the first book, Rift Healer, then I highly recommend that you read that book first. You could read Sirocco as a stand-alone story but you won't fully appreciate it without the back story from Rift Healer. Sirocco continues the story from Rift Healer with a new adventure for the magical teens and their elderly teacher Giselle. Sirocco has Haley and Lacey spending Christmas at their grandmother's in Bidwell, Massachusetts. While Lacey is spending time with her boyfriend Taylor, Haley goes to Giselle's house for lessons in crystal ball gazing. Haley sees a disturbing image in her new crystal ball and comes up with a dangerous plan to try to save her mentor Giselle. Haley, Lacey, and Taylor enter the snow-filled enchanted forest and attempt to locate the legendary Sirocco, an ancient creature reputedly able to cure all ills. The adventure that awaits them in the forest is filled with danger. I loved this book just as much as I loved Rift Healer. My only complaint is that it was short and the third book has not been released yet. Ms. Haynes writes such beautifully descriptive scenes - it makes it easy to see the scenes in your mind and become totally immersed in the fantasy world that she creates. I thought that the characters were amazing when I first met them in Rift Healer and they continued to impress me in this book. The characters are so realistic and well-developed. Once again, Ms. Haynes has written a wonderful fantasy story for both kids and adults!
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn‘t wait to read this book, and I purchased it pretty much as soon as it was released. Thanks so much Diane for the wonderful opportunity to read Sirocco. I finished it that same night and am now feeling well enough to sit at my computer to type up a quick review for it.
I loved Rift Healer, so I was anxious to get into this one. And to find out all the adventures with the twins is as exciting and hair pulling as it was with Rift Healer. But the adventures must continue an that they did! Now I can't wait to see what they all get into next in the next book. I sure hope that it comes out soon.
Diane has definitely kept this amazing story captivating for all of to follow, with the way the storyline flows continuously. So smoothly as the characters develop and grow with the story.
Sirocco has taken first place for me with the immense, action packed adventures, keeping you turning the pages until you reach the end, then as you reach the end you realize that you are then going to have to wait for the next book to come out! At this point it’s not a good thing that I have read the book so fast.
Well done once again Diane for this amazing book. Now hurry up and feed us your faithful readers some more of this gripping story. PLEASE.
I received this book from the author to give an honest review.
Have you read the Novel Rift Healer yet? If not I recommend you read it, as Sirocco is the follow up too the novel of Rift Healer.
Haley and Lucy are teenage twins that have grown up a bunch since the last book! Haley has a new talent that her friend and teacher Gisele shows her! And now Haley finds herself in trouble in the magical forest! She opens another rift even after she knows better. Her sister Lucy, Taylor, Micah and Gisele come to her rescue but what comes out of the rift that she opens?
This is a quick read maybe an hour or an hour and a half. You will be swept away into the magic that goes on in this book. The characters are still well written, love able, and full of mischief.
I read it so fast that now I have to wait until book 3 comes out. I guess I should have taken my time on it. This a good story for ages I would say 11+. Diane has done it once again with the magic, the characters, and the adventure you will not be disappointed!!!!!
I received this book for a honest review. Sirocco by Diane M Haynes WHAT??? WOW????? This author is killing me suspense!!!!!The ending is left wide open!!! I absolutely adored this short novella after reading Rift Healer. I'm on the verge of dying with anticipation and dying to know when the next book will come out. WHY OH WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG???!!! LOL!! So hard to wait!! I love the characters!!! I want more!! This story starts shortly after Rift Healer ends. The twins, Lacey and Haley, are on Christmas holiday with their family. Micah is with his father's family. Giselle teaches Haley the art of Divination and through it Haley discovers the future. With the Help of Lacey and Taylor, Hayley sets off in search of a mysterious creature who can cure you of all ailments even on the bring of death, but the vision did not show the evil that follows this creature. Will the teens make it from this creatures grasp? Will the Sirocco help them? I give this a 5 star review and dying for more!
I received this book from the Author for an honest review.
I was so excited when this book came out and couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed! All the characters are back.. a few years older and still as full of mischief and mayhem as in the first book!
With the continuation into the lives of twin sisters Lacey and Haley, Sirocco takes us deeper into the magical realm and the secrets of the forest. With Haley discovering new skills using a gazing ball, she is able to see a future that she doesn't understand and definitely doesn't like. Trying to change the outcome, Haley enlists the aide of Lacey and her boyfriend Taylor as they set off into the forest to try to understand what the gazing ball is telling her. With all new dangers, a new mystical ability and the meeting of a creature no one has seen in years, Sirocco is a great addition to the Rift Healer series. Loved it!
Sirocco is a cross between a horse and a dragon that bridges dimensions to enter our world at the request of a magical person. Riding this beast heals the rider and exacts a fee from the person who summoned it. Teen age clairvoyant witches with boyfriend parent issues and doing impulsive things.
It was short and kind of fun to read though there are gaps caused by unexplained back-story. I would suggest the author point potential readers to a prequel to fix this issue. Three stars out of five. The gavel descends. Enjoy!
I began reading this somehow bypassing the fact that it is a novella & 2nd in the series. I obviously had questions going into this story, but that was of my own doing since I skipped book one. That being said I enjoyed the story, characters, & look forward to reading more by this author. Sirocco involves teen witches, their mentor, family, & a magical creature summoned. A learning experience in it's own right, the young witches unaware that they would be dealing with others much scarier who would hitch a ride to their plane once the portal was opened. Resulting in an action packed short paranormal adventure that I devoured in an hour & a half.
Sirocco was a wonderfully woven story. I love that the woods behind Giselle's home is magical. I used to imagine the same thing about the woods near my childhood home so for me I felt like this was another game of pretend my sisters and I were playing there. I really enjoyed the mystical creatures, very creative. Keep the books in this series coming. They are wonderful.
Although I did not read the first book the in the series, I was able to jump right into the story without any problems. I love an author with an imagination that carries the reader away. Diane Haynes does a lovely job of doing just that. I look forward to reading the book I missed and the one to come.
Satisfying quick read that continues the story of Haley and Micah from Rift Healer. Well it's familiar in it's setting, the challenges are holding more weight, and the tides are turning. I can't wait to see what happens next in the lives of these four. A sure fire hit for magic lovers!! Haynes is a fantasy master in my book.
The mix of the magical creatures,the portal, Haley and Gisele is a rather interesting one. They're all right on the edge of this forest when like any 16 year old the limits of what you can do will get pushed. If you're looking for some fantasy this book would definitely fit your taste.
A few years have gone by and the group reunites for the holidays. Haley learns how to use a crystal ball and has a shocking vision. I can't wait to find out what happens now! Excellent Series!! WaAR
Super cool follow up to Rift Healer. What a creative writer Ms. Haynes is. If you like magical creatures and adventures in an enchanted forest, you'll love this novella.