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The Book of Sight #1
The Book of Sight
A book can be a wonderful gift.
When Alex received an unexpected package, she never dreamed the book it contained
would change her life forever. After all, the words inside were gibberish.
She had no idea the places that book would take her, the friends that book would help her
make or the wonders that book would reveal.
She had no clue the trouble that book would bring, either.
A book can be a dangerous gift.
When Alex received an unexpected package, she never dreamed the book it contained
would change her life forever. After all, the words inside were gibberish.
She had no idea the places that book would take her, the friends that book would help her
make or the wonders that book would reveal.
She had no clue the trouble that book would bring, either.
A book can be a dangerous gift.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2013
166 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Dunlevy
8 books23 followersDeborah Dunlevy was born in Indiana and grew up everywhere else. Even moving every year or two couldn't satisfy her desire for adventure, so she learned how to read and started taking trips into other people's lives. Eventually she grew up and went to college and got a respectable job as a teacher. Then she ditched that to go live on the other side of the world, where she had a few kids and learned what adventure was really about.
Deborah now lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Nate, her three kids, and an Argentine hound dog.
Deborah now lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Nate, her three kids, and an Argentine hound dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 16, 2020
The plot of the story is original with an imaginative narration. The characters were likeable and were flawed too making them realistic and enjoyable. Overall it was an interesting read.
December 16, 2013
I decided to read this book completely based on the cover. Isn't it whimsical?! The writing was a bit amateur-ish, and I am, um, shall we say, intrigued, by the possibilities of where this story will go. This is the first in a series, and it has quite a few main characters (with the story jumping between everyone's pov), and lots of details were introduced that may or may not be important to the story in the future. Like Adam's bestie James, lots of background about him but so far does not play any kind of important part in the plot. And the Gylf, they've had several field trips to visit them but also no important contributions other than the sword Adam found. Lots of unanswered questions about the book, the pilpi, gendel sea, etc., which if the story develops significantly in the future books, could prove to be an exciting adventure. Or it could be a rambling nonsensical story with no point. It could go either way, but I'm not giving up on it yet.
February 15, 2017
I downloaded this book on my Kindle because it was free. The genre was fantasy & I don't usually read books like this. It reminded me of the Spider-wick Chronicles. (A book in which I only watched the movie because, like I said, I don't read much fantasy.... Harry Potter & Twilight Series are probably the only fantasy I've read since high school. Ha! See! ). Back to the book, I thought it was ok. I gave it 3 stars, though, because it did keep my attention. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't develop the relationships with the Gylf people more. They seemed cute and fun. I wanted more of their world. The ending was flat but this is due in part to the fact that it's a series and the author intended to leave the reader hanging so they would go get the next book. I probably won't.
December 30, 2013
Hmmm.... How do I put this into words? I would have given this book 2 stars but the story idea made me give it one more star. While I love the idea that there is more to this world than what most see, and only those that recieve (and can read) the Book of Sight can see them, I did't like the writing. It was all over the place and didn't really find its groove until the end. It's almost like I could see what the intended story was supposed to be, but didn't quite make its goal. It did leave off on a bit of a mysterious cliff hanger, so I might as well finish off the duology.
July 31, 2017
I liked some of these characters, and fantasy is right in my wheelhouse, but sometimes the story felt like it was trying so hard to be profound that the strain was palpable, keeping me from fully entering this world or enjoying the narrative.
April 11, 2014
This was a cute story, but not necessarily very well written. I liked the characters and the premise, but it just fell a little flat for me. It's a book that I think my 9 year old would really like.
December 9, 2016
This is an interesting story. Someone sends several young people a book that seems to be filled with gibberish but, bit by bit, they are able to somehow see what the gibberish actually means. This leads then to the discovery of an area bound in trees. They also ends up being able to see very small people (around ten inches high) and a talking tree.
Things turn bad when they find a lizard that's a spy and their books begin to go missing. Adding to this is a seemingly crazy man, a cave, near drowning and a monster of some kind. It's obvious that someone is working against them but their identity and reasons for what they are doing is not known.
It's a good story but not one that grabs me and makes me want to read further books in the series.
Things turn bad when they find a lizard that's a spy and their books begin to go missing. Adding to this is a seemingly crazy man, a cave, near drowning and a monster of some kind. It's obvious that someone is working against them but their identity and reasons for what they are doing is not known.
It's a good story but not one that grabs me and makes me want to read further books in the series.
January 30, 2019
The first in this magical YA series captures the mysterious and bonding effect of the Book when it arrives in the mail for each of these teens in a sleepy town. When they finally find each other and its secrets start to be revealed, the stakes are higher, and the danger intensifies. They must rely on each of their strengths to uncover the truths and stay safe. I liked the Book itself, but as an adult, I worried immediately about the magic it came from. The relationships between the newfound friends are dynamic and flow naturally through the events of the story. Boring, this book is not!
May 27, 2017
YA fantasy genre that I downloaded from Amazon for free. A group of soon to be high schoolers receive a old book special messengered to their homes and their su.mer plans soon become entangled in learning the meaning of the tales. Quick read full of suspense. am going to encourage my 11 yo to read over summer break and learn her perspective.
May 24, 2020
Exciting
Great adventure story with just enough enexplained happenings with the Book to keep you wondering what's going to happen next. Thank you. Even if it is a story for kids, a good change for us oldies to remember what it was like to be young!
Great adventure story with just enough enexplained happenings with the Book to keep you wondering what's going to happen next. Thank you. Even if it is a story for kids, a good change for us oldies to remember what it was like to be young!
July 9, 2021
The jury is still out on this one. I liked it but it ended abruptly, like a cliffhanger TV show. Can't get the next book at the library in Australia. The only option is to buy it on Kindle. It's on the list.
September 2, 2018
Exciting teen read
Lovely teen/young adult read. Kept me guessing! Book two ordered already. If you like Harry Potter you’ll like this book
Lovely teen/young adult read. Kept me guessing! Book two ordered already. If you like Harry Potter you’ll like this book
September 18, 2019
Nice book and characters, it really picked my interest up. But writing style looks like it's for children.
November 3, 2019
It was OK. Probably appeal most to young adolescents. In general a bit amateurish.
January 5, 2020
Great book
Held my attention till the end. Looking forward to reading the rest in the series hope the rest is as good a read
Held my attention till the end. Looking forward to reading the rest in the series hope the rest is as good a read
May 5, 2020
Genre: young-adult urban fantasy
The premise was interesting, but there was so many coincidences that it felt that it was too easy. Not a bad book, but definitely for a younger crowd.
The premise was interesting, but there was so many coincidences that it felt that it was too easy. Not a bad book, but definitely for a younger crowd.
March 6, 2017
So fun!
I think it just really makes you want to be there with the characters. I would warn that the writer takes a bit of a chance by trying to convey the Book of Sight to us the readers. So I guess a little leap of faith on our parts, but pretty fun!
I think it just really makes you want to be there with the characters. I would warn that the writer takes a bit of a chance by trying to convey the Book of Sight to us the readers. So I guess a little leap of faith on our parts, but pretty fun!
October 11, 2016
A personal note of thanks to Mrs. Deborah Dunlevy who graciously and generously gave me this book in exchange for an honest review. I thank you!
~~~~~
"In a plain house on a dull street in a nondescript neighborhood in a sleepy town near the mountains lived a girl named Alex." Fourteen year old Alex is an average teenage girl beginning her summer vacation. Dad's very preoccupied with work, Mom's no longer in the picture. As Alex is contemplating the summer stretching out before her, a messenger delivers a package. A book. No ordinary book. A book that will change her summer and change her future.
Opening the book, Alex sees nothing but gibberish. Then, a language of sight appears. It's not as though she is reading the book, but she's living the book. Alex meets a number of other teens who have also received the book, and strange things begin to happen; or rather, they begin to see strange things. Things which they think may have always been there but suddenly they can see but other people cannot. As they try to figure out just what's going on and why they got the books, the books begin to disappear. Now they have another mystery on their hands.
"It's hard to read but it's good to read. It's like The Book." Emily, 16, after chapter 4.
"This is a confusing book, a deliciously confusing book!" Mom, not telling my age, after a few chapters.
My kids did think that it moved a bit too slowly in the beginning of the book. They didn't want me to stop reading though. We just had to know what was going to happen next. There was interest that grew as the chapters unfolded. It was as though we were reading a whodunit, but we couldn't quite tell what it was that was done. There was action, but the interaction between Alex, Eve, Dominic, Adam and Logan, with all their individual teenage temperaments, fears, and worries, was a major part of the book. The teens have very different and distinct personalities. The friendships they build within the group are key, because they can only read chapters two and on together.
Warning... You will want to read the second book as well. The Book of Sight, while an adventure, is a long introduction to the adventure to come. It is not a stand alone book but the beginning of the series. We did feel a bit let down at the lack of resolution that we expected, but we hope to read the second book, The Broken Circle to meet that need- soon!
~~~~~
"In a plain house on a dull street in a nondescript neighborhood in a sleepy town near the mountains lived a girl named Alex." Fourteen year old Alex is an average teenage girl beginning her summer vacation. Dad's very preoccupied with work, Mom's no longer in the picture. As Alex is contemplating the summer stretching out before her, a messenger delivers a package. A book. No ordinary book. A book that will change her summer and change her future.
Opening the book, Alex sees nothing but gibberish. Then, a language of sight appears. It's not as though she is reading the book, but she's living the book. Alex meets a number of other teens who have also received the book, and strange things begin to happen; or rather, they begin to see strange things. Things which they think may have always been there but suddenly they can see but other people cannot. As they try to figure out just what's going on and why they got the books, the books begin to disappear. Now they have another mystery on their hands.
"It's hard to read but it's good to read. It's like The Book." Emily, 16, after chapter 4.
"This is a confusing book, a deliciously confusing book!" Mom, not telling my age, after a few chapters.
My kids did think that it moved a bit too slowly in the beginning of the book. They didn't want me to stop reading though. We just had to know what was going to happen next. There was interest that grew as the chapters unfolded. It was as though we were reading a whodunit, but we couldn't quite tell what it was that was done. There was action, but the interaction between Alex, Eve, Dominic, Adam and Logan, with all their individual teenage temperaments, fears, and worries, was a major part of the book. The teens have very different and distinct personalities. The friendships they build within the group are key, because they can only read chapters two and on together.
Warning... You will want to read the second book as well. The Book of Sight, while an adventure, is a long introduction to the adventure to come. It is not a stand alone book but the beginning of the series. We did feel a bit let down at the lack of resolution that we expected, but we hope to read the second book, The Broken Circle to meet that need- soon!
March 27, 2016
Fourteen-year-old Alexandria Jillian Hughes was extremely ordinary. The city of Dunmore was host to her best friend Darcy who would be leaving for the summer to California to see her dad. Alex’s summer started with a mysterious delivery of an antique book. As she delved in she found that it took her all day to read just five pages. Her dad, a writer who surfaces from his projects about every three days, checks in on her. It’s then that she realized reading the book had given her headaches.
Alex went to the park where she and her dad hung out. Everything was so clear to her and she noticed unexpected details. One in particular was a tiny man. With the blink of an eye he was gone. Another visit to the park and she meets Adam Cleary, who was also delivered the book. Together they met Terra, a Gylf and Florin the little man Alex saw before. They discover that they have the gift of sight and that when humans come they know to help the tiny people with a task. The Gylf take them to the Changing tree with leaves made of jewels. They teach Alex and Adam to enjoy what they are seeing. Later they meet Logan and Eve who also have the gift of sight.
In order to discover the task, they meet Dond, a tree stump. He may be able to answer some of their questions. They must go to a place the Gylf won’t go on the edge of the forest. There, they call the circle of trees ReDoubt. A few discoveries are made there but later Adam’s book is missing. That adventure leads them to Dominic at a meeting of Gendel Sea seemingly from the book. What is the task that must be completed? It will be up to the group to help the Gylf, especially now that they have sight.
Author Deborah Dunlevy has created an intriguing story of discovery and magic. Young readers who love a good story with twists and turns will be enchanted. Parents and teachers could use this tool as a read-a-loud for home or school.
Alex went to the park where she and her dad hung out. Everything was so clear to her and she noticed unexpected details. One in particular was a tiny man. With the blink of an eye he was gone. Another visit to the park and she meets Adam Cleary, who was also delivered the book. Together they met Terra, a Gylf and Florin the little man Alex saw before. They discover that they have the gift of sight and that when humans come they know to help the tiny people with a task. The Gylf take them to the Changing tree with leaves made of jewels. They teach Alex and Adam to enjoy what they are seeing. Later they meet Logan and Eve who also have the gift of sight.
In order to discover the task, they meet Dond, a tree stump. He may be able to answer some of their questions. They must go to a place the Gylf won’t go on the edge of the forest. There, they call the circle of trees ReDoubt. A few discoveries are made there but later Adam’s book is missing. That adventure leads them to Dominic at a meeting of Gendel Sea seemingly from the book. What is the task that must be completed? It will be up to the group to help the Gylf, especially now that they have sight.
Author Deborah Dunlevy has created an intriguing story of discovery and magic. Young readers who love a good story with twists and turns will be enchanted. Parents and teachers could use this tool as a read-a-loud for home or school.
September 28, 2014
Fourteen year old Alex is just beginning her summer vacation when a messenger appears on her doorstep with a book. She opens the book and finds nonsense words, that later turn into words that she can read and live. She discovers that four other kids have also received books and not only can they read them, but they actually live and see what they read about. Who knew that there are little creatures roaming around and that other things happen that no one else knows about?
As the story progresses, they figure out a way to see if anyone else in town knows about this and another teen ends up joining the unlikely group. These teens are all so different, yet they are now connected and bonded over these books. Another mystery surfaces when the books start disappearing. The story ends without things wrapped up. Hopefully, these loose ends will be tied up in the following book(s) in the series.
The story was sometimes confusing to me and moved slowly at times. I didn't feel that there was a lot of character growth and development, but I did enjoy watching these teens make mistakes, recognize that fact, and learn from them. I also liked seeing people from very different social groups and standings come together to form a great friendship. The story was creative and unique. As a book lover, who wouldn't want to receive a mysterious book that opens up a hidden world all around you?
Content: Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
As the story progresses, they figure out a way to see if anyone else in town knows about this and another teen ends up joining the unlikely group. These teens are all so different, yet they are now connected and bonded over these books. Another mystery surfaces when the books start disappearing. The story ends without things wrapped up. Hopefully, these loose ends will be tied up in the following book(s) in the series.
The story was sometimes confusing to me and moved slowly at times. I didn't feel that there was a lot of character growth and development, but I did enjoy watching these teens make mistakes, recognize that fact, and learn from them. I also liked seeing people from very different social groups and standings come together to form a great friendship. The story was creative and unique. As a book lover, who wouldn't want to receive a mysterious book that opens up a hidden world all around you?
Content: Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
December 15, 2014
The Book of Sight by Deborah Dunlevy
Young Alex receives a book in an unmarked package, not knowing who it is from or what it is about. As she opens the book she sees that it is just a bunch of gibberish, but soon she discovers she can read it. But what does it mean? As she and her friends try to unravel the mystery of the mysterious book, they embark on a journey of a lifetime.
I liked the originality of this book and the characters. Alex is very likable along with her friends. There is adventure, the "book within a book" and some danger. I feel that middle school, young adult as well as adult readers will enjoy The Book of Sight.
Young Alex receives a book in an unmarked package, not knowing who it is from or what it is about. As she opens the book she sees that it is just a bunch of gibberish, but soon she discovers she can read it. But what does it mean? As she and her friends try to unravel the mystery of the mysterious book, they embark on a journey of a lifetime.
I liked the originality of this book and the characters. Alex is very likable along with her friends. There is adventure, the "book within a book" and some danger. I feel that middle school, young adult as well as adult readers will enjoy The Book of Sight.
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September 8, 2013Not going to rate this as I did not finish it. Got about a quarter of the way through and it's NOT a bad book, just not my type of book. Reminded me of trying to read The Hobbit, just something that was not fun for me to read. I tried, I really did! The writing itself is not bad but I can't seem to get into books with fairy-tale creatures. This is my problem, I realize and the reason I am not rating this book. I can picture lots of people (those who enjoy the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings or stuff like that I would guess) liking this book.
April 19, 2016
A book can be a wonderful gift.
When Alex received an unexpected package, she never dreamed the book it contained
would change her life forever. After all, the words inside were gibberish.
She had no idea the places that book would take her, the friends that book would help her
make or the wonders that book would reveal.
She had no clue the trouble that book would bring, either.
A book can be a dangerous gift.
This book was a fun read. This is the first of a series and I already have the 2nd book and hope to read it soon.
When Alex received an unexpected package, she never dreamed the book it contained
would change her life forever. After all, the words inside were gibberish.
She had no idea the places that book would take her, the friends that book would help her
make or the wonders that book would reveal.
She had no clue the trouble that book would bring, either.
A book can be a dangerous gift.
This book was a fun read. This is the first of a series and I already have the 2nd book and hope to read it soon.
May 27, 2015
A book about a book? Of course I wanted to read it!!! The story is intriguing enough but the writing lacks something... I know it's a YA novel, but it reads really young. It picked up by the end and the writing seemed to flow a bit better so I will probably try the second book to find out what happens.
September 21, 2013
This was kind of like reading a high school essay. Grammar is awkward, but the story moves along very quickly and teases you enough that you continue reading until the end.
October 13, 2013
The book was okay. Nothing was particularly bothersome but I didn't feel compelled to finish reading the book or the next book in the series.
April 3, 2016
This is more of a casual read, but enjoyable. There is some suspense, but honestly I would like to see more (and on a larger scale).
March 4, 2015
Good story but fairly low reading level
September 30, 2015
Really enjoyed the book.
January 28, 2016
I agree with the other reviewers. The first book was enough. I don't feel compelled to follow this story through the sequels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews