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The Books of Beginning #2
A Crônica do Fogo
Kate, Michael e Emma só queriam salvar sua família, mas acabam envolvidos numa perigosa aventura para salvar o mundo. Segundo livro da trilogia Os Livros do Princípio, do roteirista, diretor e produtor hollywoodiano John Stephens, A Crônica do Fogo retoma o ritmo de O Atlas Esmeralda, com referências claras aos universos de J. R. R. Tolkien e J. K. Rowling.
Depois de um inverno tumultuado, Kate, Michael e Emma continuam a busca pelos pais desaparecidos. Porém, o mago Stanislaus Pym esconde os irmãos no Lar Edgar Allan Poe para Órfãos Incorrigíveis e Desamparados, como uma forma de protegê-los. No entanto, o esconderijo das crianças é logo descoberto por seus inimigos, e uma perseguição frenética envia Kate ao passado.
Publicada em mais de 35 países, a saga tem, nesta continuação, viagens no tempo e grandes reviravoltas. Repleto de suspense e cheio de humor e aventura, o segundo volume da trilogia levará Kate, Michael e Emma cada vez mais perto da magia que pode salvá-los ou destruí-los.
Depois de um inverno tumultuado, Kate, Michael e Emma continuam a busca pelos pais desaparecidos. Porém, o mago Stanislaus Pym esconde os irmãos no Lar Edgar Allan Poe para Órfãos Incorrigíveis e Desamparados, como uma forma de protegê-los. No entanto, o esconderijo das crianças é logo descoberto por seus inimigos, e uma perseguição frenética envia Kate ao passado.
Publicada em mais de 35 países, a saga tem, nesta continuação, viagens no tempo e grandes reviravoltas. Repleto de suspense e cheio de humor e aventura, o segundo volume da trilogia levará Kate, Michael e Emma cada vez mais perto da magia que pode salvá-los ou destruí-los.
312 pages, Paperback
First published November 19, 2012
257 people are currently reading
5046 people want to read
About the author
John Stephens
12 books565 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Stephens spent ten years working in television and was executive producer of Gossip Girl and a writer for Gilmore Girls and The O.C. He holds an MFA from the University of Virginia. John and his wife have a dog named Bug and live in Los Angeles. His debut book 'The Emerald Atlas' is the first in a series of books.
John Stephens spent ten years working in television and was executive producer of Gossip Girl and a writer for Gilmore Girls and The O.C. He holds an MFA from the University of Virginia. John and his wife have a dog named Bug and live in Los Angeles. His debut book 'The Emerald Atlas' is the first in a series of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 806 reviews
October 8, 2012
Putting aside Harry Potter, the landscape of children's fantasy is...strange. You have your classics (Redwall, various magical series from Lloyd Alexander, Fablehaven, etc), plenty of modern attempts to replicate Harry Potter or Tolkien (Eragon, anyone?). The modern stuff in particular repeatedly leaves me cold, though. Especially when you're looking for fantasy books with appeal to all genders, since most of the middle grade fiction that's not about sports or various wimpy/nerdy children is geared, intentionally or otherwise, toward girls, you really end up wanting something to fill that gap.
The Books of Beginning are absolutely some of the best middle grade fantasy written in the last decade, and not nearly enough people know it.
The Emerald Atlas is a book I got to read an advance of a few years ago, and it blew my mind. A fully-formed setting, a book that didn't mind borrowing from existing tropes while finding its own voice, kids who a) acted like kids and b) were allowed to grow into their own during the course of the book. Actions had consequences for everyone involved, and it wasn't a standard heroic journey arc for me. It felt epic for an adult, and I can only imagine what it was like for a kid looking for that same epic quality.
The Fire Chronicle is the long-overdue sequel. It takes place a little while after Atlas, but ultimately wastes no time. The Atlas itself is used and misused to expected and unexpected consequences, we see the story progress to the next viable part, and we again see the kids act and grow as one would expect. The voices are genuine, the story unique while being respectfully derivative, and the plot again takes chances you don't normally see in children's literature. A massive breath of fresh air.
I have no idea how The Emerald Atlas did, but I know it was buzzed about constantly prior to publication and then I basically never heard about it again. I'm really hoping The Fire Chronicle renews interest in the series, because this is one I'm looking forward to sharing with my future spawn and with people who love fantasy, because it's really a hidden gem across the board.
The Books of Beginning are absolutely some of the best middle grade fantasy written in the last decade, and not nearly enough people know it.
The Emerald Atlas is a book I got to read an advance of a few years ago, and it blew my mind. A fully-formed setting, a book that didn't mind borrowing from existing tropes while finding its own voice, kids who a) acted like kids and b) were allowed to grow into their own during the course of the book. Actions had consequences for everyone involved, and it wasn't a standard heroic journey arc for me. It felt epic for an adult, and I can only imagine what it was like for a kid looking for that same epic quality.
The Fire Chronicle is the long-overdue sequel. It takes place a little while after Atlas, but ultimately wastes no time. The Atlas itself is used and misused to expected and unexpected consequences, we see the story progress to the next viable part, and we again see the kids act and grow as one would expect. The voices are genuine, the story unique while being respectfully derivative, and the plot again takes chances you don't normally see in children's literature. A massive breath of fresh air.
I have no idea how The Emerald Atlas did, but I know it was buzzed about constantly prior to publication and then I basically never heard about it again. I'm really hoping The Fire Chronicle renews interest in the series, because this is one I'm looking forward to sharing with my future spawn and with people who love fantasy, because it's really a hidden gem across the board.
March 14, 2013
After the huge success of Harry Potter, there has been a veritable explosion of fantasy novels aimed at the youth market. But like Harry Potter, some of these books have crossover appeal to teens and even adults.
A case in point is John Stephens enjoyable series "The Books of Beginning", which had its start in April 2011 with the publication of the first book in the series "The Emerald Atlas". In Stephens capable hands, this fantasy comes alive and shines. If you have not had a chance to read it, or your kids are looking for something different than the upteen sequel in the Rick Riordan's series, then you should definitely try these books.
The Emerald Atlas, in which we are introduced to Kate, Michael and Emma, three orphan children, who had been shifted time and time again to worst and worst orphanages, were children of destiny, who were bound to find the Books of Beginning. In that first book, ably summarized by the author herein, the three children met Stanislau Pym, a wizard, discovered the first of the books of beginning --an old green book that had the power to move people back in time or stop it on a dime, and Kate learned how to use it. The children fought evil monsters and a witch, met dwarves and were all heroes.
As we start The Fire Chronicle, the children are once again hiding out at another terrible orphanage in Maryland, when they come under attack from some monsters. Kate uses the Atlas and is transported back in time, while Michael and Emma meet Pym again and try to follow the clues to find the second Book of Beginning.
Stephens moves back and forth between Kate's story in the past (around the time of Separation when the magical creatures and magical humans of the world wove a great spell so that non magical mundanes of the world could not see them anymore) and Michael and Emma's search for the Fire Chronicle.
Michael, who is plagued by doubts about his worthiness must somehow overcome his fears and become the Keeper of the Book, but even before that, he, Emma, Pym and Gabriel, are attacked and have close calls aplenty while searching for the Book, must fight off Rourke, the evil henchman of the main villian in the books, the Dire Magnus, meet some elves, find a dragon guarding a treasure, and an elven princess.
Meanwhile in the past, Kate is thrown in with some magical orphan thieves and meets Rafe, a boy of destiny.
Stephens reveals more about the history of the world, the Dire Magnus's origins and just when you think the story is going to have a happy sort of ending, leaves you with a nice little cliffhanger.
Its all great fantasy for youths, and this adult as well.
The characters are deeper than you expect, with real fears and emotions. The plot is twisty, and even for a quest novel, there are plenty of surprises and action.
A case in point is John Stephens enjoyable series "The Books of Beginning", which had its start in April 2011 with the publication of the first book in the series "The Emerald Atlas". In Stephens capable hands, this fantasy comes alive and shines. If you have not had a chance to read it, or your kids are looking for something different than the upteen sequel in the Rick Riordan's series, then you should definitely try these books.
The Emerald Atlas, in which we are introduced to Kate, Michael and Emma, three orphan children, who had been shifted time and time again to worst and worst orphanages, were children of destiny, who were bound to find the Books of Beginning. In that first book, ably summarized by the author herein, the three children met Stanislau Pym, a wizard, discovered the first of the books of beginning --an old green book that had the power to move people back in time or stop it on a dime, and Kate learned how to use it. The children fought evil monsters and a witch, met dwarves and were all heroes.
As we start The Fire Chronicle, the children are once again hiding out at another terrible orphanage in Maryland, when they come under attack from some monsters. Kate uses the Atlas and is transported back in time, while Michael and Emma meet Pym again and try to follow the clues to find the second Book of Beginning.
Stephens moves back and forth between Kate's story in the past (around the time of Separation when the magical creatures and magical humans of the world wove a great spell so that non magical mundanes of the world could not see them anymore) and Michael and Emma's search for the Fire Chronicle.
Michael, who is plagued by doubts about his worthiness must somehow overcome his fears and become the Keeper of the Book, but even before that, he, Emma, Pym and Gabriel, are attacked and have close calls aplenty while searching for the Book, must fight off Rourke, the evil henchman of the main villian in the books, the Dire Magnus, meet some elves, find a dragon guarding a treasure, and an elven princess.
Meanwhile in the past, Kate is thrown in with some magical orphan thieves and meets Rafe, a boy of destiny.
Stephens reveals more about the history of the world, the Dire Magnus's origins and just when you think the story is going to have a happy sort of ending, leaves you with a nice little cliffhanger.
Its all great fantasy for youths, and this adult as well.
The characters are deeper than you expect, with real fears and emotions. The plot is twisty, and even for a quest novel, there are plenty of surprises and action.
October 27, 2012
I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one. Probably because, of the siblings, my favorite is Michael and this is his story. I was about to give this 5 stars ... until I read the ending. Yes, I know it's not a bad ending but knowing the third book won't come out until next year (please let it be next year!) was kind of a downer. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!! lol.
When I said on my Emerald Atlas review that Emma was the least I liked ... I take it back lol. She really grew on me and I thought she was cute. I also liked that there is more to the story now than just finding the three books.
Anyhoo, the book is a bit predictable in some areas (like Rafe's destiny) but that wasn't so bad either because you only realize it as you read on. For die hard Harry Potter fans, yes, you will notice maybe a couple of similarities but please stop b**ching and just enjoy the story. It's not so much as the original concept but the story telling itself that I loved. I read on a novelist/screenwriter's blog that people usually come out with the same ideas but the plot develops as you write the story and I have to agree.
When I said on my Emerald Atlas review that Emma was the least I liked ... I take it back lol. She really grew on me and I thought she was cute. I also liked that there is more to the story now than just finding the three books.
Anyhoo, the book is a bit predictable in some areas (like Rafe's destiny) but that wasn't so bad either because you only realize it as you read on. For die hard Harry Potter fans, yes, you will notice maybe a couple of similarities but please stop b**ching and just enjoy the story. It's not so much as the original concept but the story telling itself that I loved. I read on a novelist/screenwriter's blog that people usually come out with the same ideas but the plot develops as you write the story and I have to agree.
September 3, 2020
"The point of life is to be alive! To feel things. That means the good and the bad. There'll be pain. But also joy, and friendship and love!"
This book. Is all that and more.
Fist I wanna say that this is not the first time I read it, but the last time was 2 years ago, so I didn't remember a lot of stuff. And also, that I like this one much more than the The Esmerald Atlas, why?
Beacuse: -I know the characters better -Michael gets the Chronicle -We know more about Dire Magnus -Dragons -Kate & Rafe FOREVER. -And more...
In the last book I have already talk about each character, but I will add a little more info. First Kate; I really enojy the fact that even for a moment, she was a teenager. Enojying life and speaking to Rafe there in the bar, was also kind of romantic. Michael, I LOVE YOU, well you are actually my favourite sibling at the moment, so feel grateful. And I feel like he grew up very much in this book, (perhaps because Kate was gone) he became more brave, had more empathy with Emma and the others, etc. He had a lot more of responsibilities Although all the thing with Wilamena was soooo cute and funny.
Hello, Rabbit.
And lastly Emma, and the terrible end. In this book, I found her more vulnerable, scared and more like someone of her age, depending on her brother. Constantly scared beacuse of Kate and Gabriel and Doctor Pym, etc. I love the fact that she shows her feelings and always try to fight back.
The whole thing of time travelling still have me completely in love; and even better if it's New York and The Separation OMG; and Rafe.
Rafe. That's not fair John Stephens!! Once Kate get a guy, a hot and really nice one, you turned him evil. And I was actually falling in love of her character but suddenly, BAM, he turns into Dire Magnus.
Another thing is, well, elves. I won't say I hate them, but I prefer dwarfs much more. Elves are real snobs, but well, brave and beautiful creatures too.
And the end. By the Angel, it killed me. I mean I need to know what happens next. Emma and Rourke, and The Dire Magnus. And Rafe and Kate in the land of the dead. Too much for my poor head.
To sum up, I entirely and absolutely loved the book. It's one of my favourites from far.
This book. Is all that and more.
Fist I wanna say that this is not the first time I read it, but the last time was 2 years ago, so I didn't remember a lot of stuff. And also, that I like this one much more than the The Esmerald Atlas, why?
Beacuse: -I know the characters better -Michael gets the Chronicle -We know more about Dire Magnus -Dragons -Kate & Rafe FOREVER. -And more...
In the last book I have already talk about each character, but I will add a little more info. First Kate; I really enojy the fact that even for a moment, she was a teenager. Enojying life and speaking to Rafe there in the bar, was also kind of romantic. Michael, I LOVE YOU, well you are actually my favourite sibling at the moment, so feel grateful. And I feel like he grew up very much in this book, (perhaps because Kate was gone) he became more brave, had more empathy with Emma and the others, etc. He had a lot more of responsibilities Although all the thing with Wilamena was soooo cute and funny.
Hello, Rabbit.
And lastly Emma, and the terrible end. In this book, I found her more vulnerable, scared and more like someone of her age, depending on her brother. Constantly scared beacuse of Kate and Gabriel and Doctor Pym, etc. I love the fact that she shows her feelings and always try to fight back.
The whole thing of time travelling still have me completely in love; and even better if it's New York and The Separation OMG; and Rafe.
Rafe. That's not fair John Stephens!! Once Kate get a guy, a hot and really nice one, you turned him evil. And I was actually falling in love of her character but suddenly, BAM, he turns into Dire Magnus.
Another thing is, well, elves. I won't say I hate them, but I prefer dwarfs much more. Elves are real snobs, but well, brave and beautiful creatures too.
And the end. By the Angel, it killed me. I mean I need to know what happens next. Emma and Rourke, and The Dire Magnus. And Rafe and Kate in the land of the dead. Too much for my poor head.
To sum up, I entirely and absolutely loved the book. It's one of my favourites from far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
Ich habe nicht mehr allzu viele Erinnerungen an den ersten Band, aber dass es zum zweiten Teil eine unglaubliche Steigerung gibt, kann ich mit Sicherheit sagen.
Man merkt, dass die Kinder einiges in der Vergangenheit erlebt haben und auch die Ereignisse um die Chroniken des Anbeginns sie charakterlich vorangebracht haben. Jedes der Kinder kämpft mit seinen eigenen Dämonen und vor allem durch die Chronik des Lebens konnte man einiges an Gefühlen mitnehmen.
Es gefiel mir, wie dieser Band mit zwei Zeitebenen arbeitete und wie sich nach und nach die Ereignisse verwoben. Das Ende ist böse und ich bin froh, Band 3 bereits zuhause zu haben.
Man merkt, dass die Kinder einiges in der Vergangenheit erlebt haben und auch die Ereignisse um die Chroniken des Anbeginns sie charakterlich vorangebracht haben. Jedes der Kinder kämpft mit seinen eigenen Dämonen und vor allem durch die Chronik des Lebens konnte man einiges an Gefühlen mitnehmen.
Es gefiel mir, wie dieser Band mit zwei Zeitebenen arbeitete und wie sich nach und nach die Ereignisse verwoben. Das Ende ist böse und ich bin froh, Band 3 bereits zuhause zu haben.
April 18, 2018
I liked the second book of this trilogy better than the first. I think author John Stephens developed all three sibling's characters, although once again they are separated as Kate time travels back to the turn of the 19th century Chicago when the magic world went into hiding. Her time there, and her relationship with Rafe and his troupe, was well done, and we are provided with helpful background about the evil Dire Magnus. Meanwhile, Michael leads an expedition to recover the Chronicle into a magical forest with tall trees inhabited by elves and a volcano protected by a dragon. Michael shows his strengths in outwitting the dragon and aligning with the elves against Rourke and the Screechers.
May 22, 2020
Auf der Jagd nach dem zweiten Buch folgen wir Michael und Kate an verschiedenen Schauplätzen. Besonders seine Entwicklung fand ich sehr gelungen. Mit der eher verkopften Art ist er ungemein sympathisch und trifft ebenso glaubhafte wie mutige Entscheidungen. Die Liebe zwischen den Geschwistern ist auch weiterhin das zentrale Element und geht mir immer wieder zu Herzen. Da kann man auch über ein paar unnötig lange oder zu häufige Verfolgungsjagden hinwegsehen. Auch die neuen Charaktere sind interessant und besonders eine Figur wird noch entscheidend im dritten Band sein, den ich natürlich sofort anfangen muss. Denn wenn der Autor auch etwas Mühe mit dem Mittelteil hat, am Ende ist es immer so packend, dass das neue Buch quasi schon aufgeschlagen bereit liegen muss ;)
September 3, 2015
Aaah!!!! Kenapa di saat sedang seru mengakhiri bab akhir ini?! Siaaalaaan!!!! Mana novel berikutnya? Mengapa belum diterjemahin juga?! Penasaran!!!!
July 6, 2017
Più bello del primo 😍
July 30, 2024
this is actually my villain origin story like i’m literally never gonna get over them
March 22, 2019
Wooowww… Stephens in questo secondo volume fa un lavoro davvero degno di nota!
La narrazione è ancora molto semplice e,come nel L'Atlante di Smeraldo, incentrata sull’avventura e sul legame fortissimo e indissolubile che lega i tre fratelli Kate, Michael ed Emma alla ricerca dei Libri dell’Inizio, ma in questo secondo volume, il modo di raccontare dell’autore è notevolmente migliorato.
Preparatevi a viaggi nel tempo, separazioni dolorose, verità spaventose, rivelazioni scottanti e a tanta tantissima avventura!
Non c’è un fine capitolo che non ti lasci col fiato sospeso. L’introduzione di nuovi interessantissimi personaggi, che spingono il lettore stesso a farsi domande, che lo rallegrano, lo confondono, lo intimoriscono, rendono la lettura intensa e quasi senza fiato. È difficile staccarsi dalle pagine, è facilissimo leggere senza fermarsi.
Ora. Il finale. Poteva un autore come Stephens non far finire il secondo volume di questa trilogia con un mega cliffahnger? Ovviamente NO! Quindi preparatevi a rimanere a bocca spalancata, perché diciamolo la narrazione non finisce… è stata proprio troncata sul più bello!
Fortuna vuole che la Ce ha pubblicato già il terzo volume e quindi la sottoscritta non dovrà attendere molto… Spero che l’ultimo volume sia un degno finale, spero che le dinamiche intraviste in questo siano ampiamente rispettate e portate a termine, perché questa trilogia, che all’apparenza può sembrare semplice e in un certo senso insignificante è invece degna di essere letta e merita un finale da mozzare il fiato!
La narrazione è ancora molto semplice e,come nel L'Atlante di Smeraldo, incentrata sull’avventura e sul legame fortissimo e indissolubile che lega i tre fratelli Kate, Michael ed Emma alla ricerca dei Libri dell’Inizio, ma in questo secondo volume, il modo di raccontare dell’autore è notevolmente migliorato.
Preparatevi a viaggi nel tempo, separazioni dolorose, verità spaventose, rivelazioni scottanti e a tanta tantissima avventura!
Non c’è un fine capitolo che non ti lasci col fiato sospeso. L’introduzione di nuovi interessantissimi personaggi, che spingono il lettore stesso a farsi domande, che lo rallegrano, lo confondono, lo intimoriscono, rendono la lettura intensa e quasi senza fiato. È difficile staccarsi dalle pagine, è facilissimo leggere senza fermarsi.
Ora. Il finale. Poteva un autore come Stephens non far finire il secondo volume di questa trilogia con un mega cliffahnger? Ovviamente NO! Quindi preparatevi a rimanere a bocca spalancata, perché diciamolo la narrazione non finisce… è stata proprio troncata sul più bello!
Fortuna vuole che la Ce ha pubblicato già il terzo volume e quindi la sottoscritta non dovrà attendere molto… Spero che l’ultimo volume sia un degno finale, spero che le dinamiche intraviste in questo siano ampiamente rispettate e portate a termine, perché questa trilogia, che all’apparenza può sembrare semplice e in un certo senso insignificante è invece degna di essere letta e merita un finale da mozzare il fiato!
February 7, 2013
Initial thoughts:
1. Michael was both sweet and annoying...in that sibling/brotherly way. Lot's of great character development and introspection with his character.
2. So much magic and adventure! Fun, fast-paced read. CRAZY CLIFFHANGER CHAPTERS.
3. There were quite a few Dumbledore-eque moments with Dr. Pym. It was awesome. :)
4. Which reminds me, there were quite a few elements that reminded me of Harry Potter and LOTR... Not too sure how I feel about that. Just something I noticed.
5. Lot's of fun, and interesting characters. Really added to what is already such a magical world.
Check out my video review here!
1. Michael was both sweet and annoying...in that sibling/brotherly way. Lot's of great character development and introspection with his character.
2. So much magic and adventure! Fun, fast-paced read. CRAZY CLIFFHANGER CHAPTERS.
3. There were quite a few Dumbledore-eque moments with Dr. Pym. It was awesome. :)
4. Which reminds me, there were quite a few elements that reminded me of Harry Potter and LOTR... Not too sure how I feel about that. Just something I noticed.
5. Lot's of fun, and interesting characters. Really added to what is already such a magical world.
Check out my video review here!
January 24, 2016
4,5 Sterne
Zum Inhalt
9 Monate nach den aufregenden Ereignissen in Cambrigde Falls finden sich die drei Geschwister Kate, Michael und Emma in dem alten Waisenhaus in Baltimore wieder. Der Zauberer Dr. Pym hat sie dorthin geschickt, um sie zu verstecken, denn der grässliche Magnus ist immer noch auf der Suche nach ihnen; nach ihnen und den drei Büchern: den Chroniken vom Anbeginn.
Dass ihre Eltern noch leben wissen die Kinder jetzt, doch weder, wo sie gefangen gehalten werden, noch wie sie sie retten können. Aber kein Versteck ist sicher genug und nur allzu schnell werden sie aufgespürt. Auf ihrer Flucht werden die Geschwister getrennt und müssen zahlreiche, schwerwiegende Entscheidungen treffen.
Meine Meinung
Nachdem Kate und das Buch Emerald in Band 1 im Vordergrund standen, ist jetzt Michael, der Zweitälteste, an der Reihe. Er ist der wahre Hüter des Buches Rubyn, der Chronik des Lebens.
Erzählt wird wieder aus der auktorialen Perspektive, was einen guten Überblick verschafft und mich trotzdem sehr nah an die Charaktere herangebracht hat. Flüssig, für Kinder leicht verständlich, aber trotzdem mit genügend Anspruch, um mich wirklich zu begeistern, hat es der Autor wieder geschafft, mich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite zu fesseln.
Kate versucht verzweifelt, aus der Vergangenheit in die Gegenwart zurückzukommen und lernt dabei den rätselhaften Jungen Rafe kennen, der mit ihr in irgendeiner Verbindung steht. Und während sie noch herauszufinden versucht, was es mit ihm auf sich hat, müssen Michael und Emma ihre Verfolger in der Gegenwart abwehren und gleichzeitig das Buch Rubyn aufspüren.
Die Kapitel wechseln sich immer zwischen den beiden Handlungsfäden ab und halten die Spannung hoch, denn sie enden fast immer mit einem Cliffhanger.
Michael wächst dieses Mal noch mehr über sich hinaus, denn die Verantwortung, die er mit dem Buch zu tragen hat, ist mehr als eine schwere Bürde. Schon immer fühlte er sich nutzlos und unbedeutend, obwohl er so gerne helfen und etwas dafür tun würde, um die Chroniken vor dem grässlichen Magnus zu schützen. Die Angst zu versagen und seine Schwestern im Stich zu lassen nagt an ihm, doch er macht eine weitreichende Veränderung durch, die ihm hilft, jede Krise zu überwinden - doch zu welchem Preis?
Die meisten Charaktere sind stereotyp, aber trotzdem schafft es John Stephens, interessante Nuancen einzubringen, die Spannung schaffen und Abwechslung reinbringen. Überhaupt scheut er sich nicht davor, dass sich Elfen, Trolle, Zauberer, Hexen, Wahrsager und viele andere übersinnliche Kreaturen in dieser magischen Welt tummeln, ohne dass man dabei den Überblick verliert.
Mit den großen Themen wie Vorurteile, Verrat, Vergebung und Neid hat er wieder einen sehr tiefgründigen Hintergrund geschaffen.
Am Ende wird es eine dramatische Wende geben und ich bin froh, dass Band 3 schon zum Lesen bereit liegt ;)
Leider waren einige Rechtschreibfehler drin, die mich aber nicht wirklich gestört haben.
Fazit
Spannender und aufwühlender zweiter Band, der dem Auftakt der Trilogie in nichts nachsteht! Dramatische Szenenwechsel, unterhaltsamer Schreibstil und sehr lebendige Charaktere machen das Ganze mit einer Mischung aus einer Prise Humor und einem Hauch von Rührung zu einem wirklich großartigen Abenteuer!
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Die Chroniken vom Anbeginn
1 - Das Buch Emerald
2 - Das Buch Rubyn
3 - Das Buch Onyx
Zum Inhalt
9 Monate nach den aufregenden Ereignissen in Cambrigde Falls finden sich die drei Geschwister Kate, Michael und Emma in dem alten Waisenhaus in Baltimore wieder. Der Zauberer Dr. Pym hat sie dorthin geschickt, um sie zu verstecken, denn der grässliche Magnus ist immer noch auf der Suche nach ihnen; nach ihnen und den drei Büchern: den Chroniken vom Anbeginn.
Dass ihre Eltern noch leben wissen die Kinder jetzt, doch weder, wo sie gefangen gehalten werden, noch wie sie sie retten können. Aber kein Versteck ist sicher genug und nur allzu schnell werden sie aufgespürt. Auf ihrer Flucht werden die Geschwister getrennt und müssen zahlreiche, schwerwiegende Entscheidungen treffen.
Meine Meinung
Nachdem Kate und das Buch Emerald in Band 1 im Vordergrund standen, ist jetzt Michael, der Zweitälteste, an der Reihe. Er ist der wahre Hüter des Buches Rubyn, der Chronik des Lebens.
Erzählt wird wieder aus der auktorialen Perspektive, was einen guten Überblick verschafft und mich trotzdem sehr nah an die Charaktere herangebracht hat. Flüssig, für Kinder leicht verständlich, aber trotzdem mit genügend Anspruch, um mich wirklich zu begeistern, hat es der Autor wieder geschafft, mich von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite zu fesseln.
Kate versucht verzweifelt, aus der Vergangenheit in die Gegenwart zurückzukommen und lernt dabei den rätselhaften Jungen Rafe kennen, der mit ihr in irgendeiner Verbindung steht. Und während sie noch herauszufinden versucht, was es mit ihm auf sich hat, müssen Michael und Emma ihre Verfolger in der Gegenwart abwehren und gleichzeitig das Buch Rubyn aufspüren.
Die Kapitel wechseln sich immer zwischen den beiden Handlungsfäden ab und halten die Spannung hoch, denn sie enden fast immer mit einem Cliffhanger.
Michael wächst dieses Mal noch mehr über sich hinaus, denn die Verantwortung, die er mit dem Buch zu tragen hat, ist mehr als eine schwere Bürde. Schon immer fühlte er sich nutzlos und unbedeutend, obwohl er so gerne helfen und etwas dafür tun würde, um die Chroniken vor dem grässlichen Magnus zu schützen. Die Angst zu versagen und seine Schwestern im Stich zu lassen nagt an ihm, doch er macht eine weitreichende Veränderung durch, die ihm hilft, jede Krise zu überwinden - doch zu welchem Preis?
Die meisten Charaktere sind stereotyp, aber trotzdem schafft es John Stephens, interessante Nuancen einzubringen, die Spannung schaffen und Abwechslung reinbringen. Überhaupt scheut er sich nicht davor, dass sich Elfen, Trolle, Zauberer, Hexen, Wahrsager und viele andere übersinnliche Kreaturen in dieser magischen Welt tummeln, ohne dass man dabei den Überblick verliert.
Mit den großen Themen wie Vorurteile, Verrat, Vergebung und Neid hat er wieder einen sehr tiefgründigen Hintergrund geschaffen.
Am Ende wird es eine dramatische Wende geben und ich bin froh, dass Band 3 schon zum Lesen bereit liegt ;)
Leider waren einige Rechtschreibfehler drin, die mich aber nicht wirklich gestört haben.
Fazit
Spannender und aufwühlender zweiter Band, der dem Auftakt der Trilogie in nichts nachsteht! Dramatische Szenenwechsel, unterhaltsamer Schreibstil und sehr lebendige Charaktere machen das Ganze mit einer Mischung aus einer Prise Humor und einem Hauch von Rührung zu einem wirklich großartigen Abenteuer!
© Aleshanee
Weltenwanderer
Die Chroniken vom Anbeginn
1 - Das Buch Emerald
2 - Das Buch Rubyn
3 - Das Buch Onyx
September 7, 2021
4.5
"The point of life is to be alive! To feel things. That means the good and the bad. There'll be pain. But also joy, and friendship and love!"
That ending!!!!!! What?! Mr. Stephens has created a world I'd love to be in. Full of magic and thrilling adventures this books world building is depth full and awesome. Rafe and Kate tho 😭❤️ I love them so much...
**
OVERVIEW
"After the tumultuous events of last winter, Kate, Michael, and Emma long to continue the hunt for their missing parents. But they themselves are now in great danger, and so the wizard Stanislaus Pym hides the children at the Edgar Allan Poe Home for Hopeless and Incorrigible Orphans. There, he says, they will be safe. How wrong he is.
The children are soon discovered by their enemies, and a frantic chase sends Kate a hundred years into the past, to a perilous, enchanted New York City. Searching for a way back to her brother and sister, she meets a mysterious boy whose fate is intricately—and dangerously—tied to her own.
Meanwhile, Michael and Emma have set off to find the second of the Books of Beginning. A series of clues leads them into a hidden world where they must brave harsh polar storms, track down an ancient order of warriors, and confront terrible monsters. Will Michael and Emma find the legendary book of fire—and master its powers—before Kate is lost to them forever?
Exciting, suspenseful, and brimming with humor and heart, the next installment of the bestselling Books of Beginning trilogy will lead Kate, Michael, and Emma closer to their family—and to the magic that could save, or destroy, them all."
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
Kate and her siblings love each other deeply.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
Magic. A wizard explains how everything goes in a circle forever (not very biblical).
VIOLENCE
Fights and battles. A girl is shot. Gangs attack people with magic. Pain and blood described. Death. Weapons. A church is burned down. A boy tells of how his mom died.
SEXUAL CONTENT
Female/male attraction. Flirting and holding hands. Two kisses (not detailed).
LANGUAGE
"Bloody hell" said a few times. "D--n" may be said once.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Mentions of drinking. Mentions of people smoking pipes. Drunks.
OTHER NOTES
Steeped in adventure and magic, "The Fire Chronical" is sure to delight fans of the first book.
**
~Happy Reading~
"The point of life is to be alive! To feel things. That means the good and the bad. There'll be pain. But also joy, and friendship and love!"
That ending!!!!!! What?! Mr. Stephens has created a world I'd love to be in. Full of magic and thrilling adventures this books world building is depth full and awesome. Rafe and Kate tho 😭❤️ I love them so much...
**
OVERVIEW
"After the tumultuous events of last winter, Kate, Michael, and Emma long to continue the hunt for their missing parents. But they themselves are now in great danger, and so the wizard Stanislaus Pym hides the children at the Edgar Allan Poe Home for Hopeless and Incorrigible Orphans. There, he says, they will be safe. How wrong he is.
The children are soon discovered by their enemies, and a frantic chase sends Kate a hundred years into the past, to a perilous, enchanted New York City. Searching for a way back to her brother and sister, she meets a mysterious boy whose fate is intricately—and dangerously—tied to her own.
Meanwhile, Michael and Emma have set off to find the second of the Books of Beginning. A series of clues leads them into a hidden world where they must brave harsh polar storms, track down an ancient order of warriors, and confront terrible monsters. Will Michael and Emma find the legendary book of fire—and master its powers—before Kate is lost to them forever?
Exciting, suspenseful, and brimming with humor and heart, the next installment of the bestselling Books of Beginning trilogy will lead Kate, Michael, and Emma closer to their family—and to the magic that could save, or destroy, them all."
POSITIVE ELEMENTS
Kate and her siblings love each other deeply.
SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS
Magic. A wizard explains how everything goes in a circle forever (not very biblical).
VIOLENCE
Fights and battles. A girl is shot. Gangs attack people with magic. Pain and blood described. Death. Weapons. A church is burned down. A boy tells of how his mom died.
SEXUAL CONTENT
Female/male attraction. Flirting and holding hands. Two kisses (not detailed).
LANGUAGE
"Bloody hell" said a few times. "D--n" may be said once.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL
Mentions of drinking. Mentions of people smoking pipes. Drunks.
OTHER NOTES
Steeped in adventure and magic, "The Fire Chronical" is sure to delight fans of the first book.
**
~Happy Reading~
May 9, 2018
The potentially powerful aspects of this story - taking on the sins of another - are squandered by the juvenile crap and dreadful touchy-feely presentation. "Choose life!" What is this, the gospel according to George Michael?
The star of this book is Michael, but he is a very unappealing character and (partly through Jim Dale's narration) the elf princess is awful in her syrupy sappiness. The elf vs. dwarf dichotomy is very poorly translated from Tolkien via the LOTR movies and reaches a new low here.
Dale also gives us Jimmy Durante impressions that do not serve the presentation well. I am still puzzled by the contradiction of the Englishness of the narration and the American setting (Baltimore, New York City).
The NYC Chinatown sounds a bit too much like the present day. I'm skeptical that in 1899 (if it existed in the form described) it would be welcoming to soup-slurping outsiders.
The Kate storyline is the best, but things go downhill too quickly. I wish this trilogy focused only on her. We get hammered over the head with the extolling of sibling love - it's just too much. Other points of climax are very predictable. And yes, the Potter is strong in this one. So much Voldemort - or is it Darth Vader? And then it seems that every big fight has its "Fly, you fools!" moment. So much Gandalf. Not a whole lot of originality.
The star of this book is Michael, but he is a very unappealing character and (partly through Jim Dale's narration) the elf princess is awful in her syrupy sappiness. The elf vs. dwarf dichotomy is very poorly translated from Tolkien via the LOTR movies and reaches a new low here.
Dale also gives us Jimmy Durante impressions that do not serve the presentation well. I am still puzzled by the contradiction of the Englishness of the narration and the American setting (Baltimore, New York City).
The NYC Chinatown sounds a bit too much like the present day. I'm skeptical that in 1899 (if it existed in the form described) it would be welcoming to soup-slurping outsiders.
The Kate storyline is the best, but things go downhill too quickly. I wish this trilogy focused only on her. We get hammered over the head with the extolling of sibling love - it's just too much. Other points of climax are very predictable. And yes, the Potter is strong in this one. So much Voldemort - or is it Darth Vader? And then it seems that every big fight has its "Fly, you fools!" moment. So much Gandalf. Not a whole lot of originality.
March 22, 2013
My first thought upon finishing this was dismay - oh NO, it's over and I have wait until the next one is published to find out what happened. When am I ever going to learn my lesson about the middle book in a trilogy. This was even better than the first one, even if (again) we have children of destiny and magic books and, now, elves. And the obligatory visit to Manhattan.
This story is Michael's, and he doesn't disappoint. We also meet Rafe - oh man, Rafe.
I should point out that I am reviewing the audio here. Jim Dale makes everything that much better. At any rate, it means this wasn't a reading experience, exactly, but a listening one. He makes my commute more fun. And I have to say, I thought after all the Harry Potter books that I'd heard all of Mr Dale's voices. Then along comes Beetles and Jake in this book!
These are fun. Read em!
This story is Michael's, and he doesn't disappoint. We also meet Rafe - oh man, Rafe.
I should point out that I am reviewing the audio here. Jim Dale makes everything that much better. At any rate, it means this wasn't a reading experience, exactly, but a listening one. He makes my commute more fun. And I have to say, I thought after all the Harry Potter books that I'd heard all of Mr Dale's voices. Then along comes Beetles and Jake in this book!
These are fun. Read em!
July 19, 2015
This book was amazing. It started out kind of slow, but after about 50-60 pages in, I was hooked. Haven't been able to put it down all day. So good! A lot of things were kind of predictable (at least for me) but that did not withdraw from how much I enjoyed this novel. I love the themes of this book. I love how real all the siblings are and how relatable I find them. I love Kate, how loving and selfless and kind and strong she is. I love Emma, how stubborn and brave she is, and I can't wait to see her fulfill her role in book three. I love Michael. I love how selfless he is, how determined and brave and strong. I love the bond the siblings share, and how it makes them worthy keepers of the books. I highly recommend this trilogy and cannot wait to read the conclusion!
March 14, 2013
Maravilloso, uno de los mejores libros de este año.
December 23, 2017
[ finished on 7:21 pm ]
I REREAD THIS BOOK OF THE SERIES BECAUSE IT IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE
EVERYTHING IS PERFECTION
phew, to calm down a bit, i just want to point out that kate and rafe deserve to be together forever and michael and wilamena are the cutest ever
dang this book was the best — i'm so sorry, i can't get my thoughts together right now i'm so high on emotion brb
——————
okay, to start off, kate is such a strong, kind character who will do whatever it takes to find her brother and sister again. she's, as dr. pym says, incredibly remarkable.
“Your sister is one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met—which, considering how long I have been alive, is saying quite a bit. No matter the obstacles, if there is a way for her to return to you, she will find it.”
she's one of my favorite characters in this series because she's so motherly and kind, yet she's incredibly determined and strong-minded and ruthless and wants justice.
now that i've reread this book, i can see why her and rafe would get along so well.
they both want to protect the people they care about most, and they will hurt others to achieve their goal.
speaking of which, rafe should just marry kate and live their happy lives together because they just both deserve that.
i've already read the third and final book and [SCREAMS] the INJUSTICE. my shipper heart! this ship will always be a thorn in my heart. because their relationship just huRTS SO MUCH.
i cannot even put their adorable quotes in this book because it'll make me cry!!!!
anyways. on to the children.
the first time i've read this book, i didn't really focus on michael. he was just another smart boy. but, rereading this as i'm older and, hopefully, a bit wiser now, he has become one of the most endearing characters for me. he has grown so much.
“They stood like that for several seconds, and Michael, who’d just barely succeeded in stitching himself together, thought he might break apart all over again. Be strong, he told himself, you have to be strong.”
and the way how he feared life before? it connects with me because life can be so overwhelming at times that you just want to shut it out. but when michael crushed that crystal orb near the end and his father made that inspirational speech about how life is pain — my god, that's going in one of my favorite quotes of all time.
“But the point of life isn’t to avoid pain. The point of life is to be alive! To feel things. That means the good and the bad. There’ll be pain. But also joy, and friendship and love! And it’s worth it, believe me. Your mother and I lost ten years of our lives, but every minute of every day we had our love for you and your sisters, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Don’t let the fear control you. Choose life, son.”
and [SQUEALING] let's talk about wilamena and michael! but before we do, let's go through their hall of love, shall we?
“The dragon laughed. “You’re very cute when you’re angry.”
-
“Michael gasped, for the creature was, despite all its fearsomeness, stunningly beautiful. Then the dragon dove and disappeared, seal-like, into the bubbling lake.”
-
“Rabbit, you really are making things very difficult! If you weren’t so cute, I’d almost be angry [...]"
-
“So you were born with that nose? I suppose after we’re married I’ll just make a point of not looking at your face too often so that it doesn’t frighten me.”
-
“To the rest of the world, you may be terrifying to behold, but to me you will always be the most handsome man alive. Provided, of course, I periodically look away from your face.” She curtsied. “Princess Wilamena, at your service.”
“You’re … a princess?”
-
“Her hair, he decided, was the color of morning sunlight. Her eyes were bluer than a cloudless summer sky. Her nose—
Bluer than a cloudless summer sky? Michael thought. What’s wrong with me? She’s got blond hair and blue eyes; that’s it.
But even then, Michael heard himself comparing her voice to birdsong, the whiteness of her skin to new snowfall—
Stop it, he told himself. You’re being duped by some elf magic, is all.
“Oh, wonderful.” The elf girl clapped her hands. “You’ve already fallen in love with me!”
“I have not—”
“Don’t be silly! You should see the ridiculous look upon your face! By the way, have you noticed the way my hair moves?”
-
“She gazed up at him with tearful, adoring eyes.
And Michael thought, Poor thing, she’s had a rough time of it.
Then he thought, Her hair really does move all by itself.…
The elf princess clapped her hands in delight.
“Oh, you are in love with me!”
“What—no, I just—”
“Yes, you are! My own rabbit!”
“Please, don’t call me Rabbit.”
“Bunny!”
And she leapt forward and kissed him on the cheek, causing Michael to stumble back.
“Don’t do that either! I’m serious.”
He could feel his cheeks burning and a tingling where she’d kissed him.
“True,” she said. “There’ll be plenty of time for kissing later. Oh yes indeed!”
Enough of this elf nonsense, Michael thought.”
-
“Princess Wilamena was standing behind him; and even with his back to her, Michael was frustratingly aware of her presence, and of the fact that her hair smelled of springtime and honey and—
Focus, he told himself.”
-
“Yes,” Michael said. “Actually, it is. Thank you.”
“Is it worth a kiss perhaps?”
Michael ignored that.”
-
“And then Michael heard her whisper to Gabriel, “He doesn’t like me to call him Rabbit, but I do it anyway because he’s such an adorable rabbit. Don’t you agree?”
Gabriel gave a noncommittal grunt.”
(I LAUGHED SO HARD AT GABRIEL'S RESPONSE)
-
“Michael was about to ask what she was doing—even as he marveled at the rose-petal softness of her skin—when she jabbed the sharp point of the stylus into his thumb.
“Oww!”
“Don’t be a baby bunny.”
-
"[...] “Now wake up your poor sister, we’ll all go outside, and I’ll let you braid my hair!”
Michael said nothing about this last suggestion (though a small voice in his head thought it sounded wonderful) [...]"
-
“It’s nothing. We’re family, after all. Or we soon will be.”
“Huh?” [Emma]
“Skip it,” Michael said.”
-
“Then Michael saw a familiar, mischievous sparkle in Emma’s eyes and he braced himself for what was coming:
“Is Princess What’s-Her-Name your girlfriend now?”
“No,” Michael said firmly. “Absolutely not.”
Emma grinned. “You sure about that? ’Cause—”
“Of course I’m not his girlfriend!”
They both turned and saw the elf princess standing beside the corner of the keep, hands on her hips, glaring imperiously at Emma.
“Oh la! We are much more serious than that!”
“Gotcha,” Emma said, smiling broadly at her brother.”
-
AND I LOVE HOW MICHAEL JUST SLOWLY EASES INTO IT — LIKE AT THE START, HE WAS JUST LIKE, "THIS IS ABSOLUTE NONSENSE" BUT OVER TIME HE'S JUST LIKE "HMM"
“Michael felt Wilamena slip her hand into his, and he thought about protesting, then let the matter go.”
-
“Her smile, Michael had to admit, was radiant, and for once he did not try to smother his thoughts.”
ASDFGHJKL OKAY MICHAEL OKAY
phew anyways wilamena and michael are HILARIOUS. wilamena's like "awh! you're already in love with me!" and michael's like "[gazes adoringly at her] no i'm- psh no i- no i'm not"
on a more serious note, i love how michael lets go of his stereotypes of elves. he really understands them better and gives them more respect, which is a good thing.
and then! gosh, before i go on to emma, let me just:
“You must be quick, Michael.”
“That’s the first time you’ve called me by my name.”
Wilamena smiled. “I think you are not a rabbit anymore.”
Michael looked at her, and the memory of that brief time when he had shared her life came back to him. He remembered the darkness and despair she’d suffered during her long years as a prisoner, but he also recalled the deep, unquenchable joy she took from the world around her; and he knew that given the choice, Wilamena would suffer through all she had and more rather than sacrifice one day of being alive.
It was just as his father had said. She chose life, all of it.
Then Michael did something that surprised even him. He leaned in and kissed the elf princess. Her lips were soft, and he couldn’t tell if it was magic or not, but he felt a warmth spreading over his cheeks and ears, down his neck, and across his chest. He said, “Thank you,” and turned and walked past the gathered elves and into the cave, taking the warmth of the kiss with him.”
emma is endearingly unapologetic. and i love her so much for that.
I REREAD THIS BOOK OF THE SERIES BECAUSE IT IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE
EVERYTHING IS PERFECTION
phew, to calm down a bit, i just want to point out that kate and rafe deserve to be together forever and michael and wilamena are the cutest ever
dang this book was the best — i'm so sorry, i can't get my thoughts together right now i'm so high on emotion brb
——————
okay, to start off, kate is such a strong, kind character who will do whatever it takes to find her brother and sister again. she's, as dr. pym says, incredibly remarkable.
“Your sister is one of the most remarkable individuals I have ever met—which, considering how long I have been alive, is saying quite a bit. No matter the obstacles, if there is a way for her to return to you, she will find it.”
she's one of my favorite characters in this series because she's so motherly and kind, yet she's incredibly determined and strong-minded and ruthless and wants justice.
now that i've reread this book, i can see why her and rafe would get along so well.
they both want to protect the people they care about most, and they will hurt others to achieve their goal.
speaking of which, rafe should just marry kate and live their happy lives together because they just both deserve that.
i've already read the third and final book and [SCREAMS] the INJUSTICE. my shipper heart! this ship will always be a thorn in my heart. because their relationship just huRTS SO MUCH.
i cannot even put their adorable quotes in this book because it'll make me cry!!!!
anyways. on to the children.
the first time i've read this book, i didn't really focus on michael. he was just another smart boy. but, rereading this as i'm older and, hopefully, a bit wiser now, he has become one of the most endearing characters for me. he has grown so much.
“They stood like that for several seconds, and Michael, who’d just barely succeeded in stitching himself together, thought he might break apart all over again. Be strong, he told himself, you have to be strong.”
and the way how he feared life before? it connects with me because life can be so overwhelming at times that you just want to shut it out. but when michael crushed that crystal orb near the end and his father made that inspirational speech about how life is pain — my god, that's going in one of my favorite quotes of all time.
“But the point of life isn’t to avoid pain. The point of life is to be alive! To feel things. That means the good and the bad. There’ll be pain. But also joy, and friendship and love! And it’s worth it, believe me. Your mother and I lost ten years of our lives, but every minute of every day we had our love for you and your sisters, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Don’t let the fear control you. Choose life, son.”
and [SQUEALING] let's talk about wilamena and michael! but before we do, let's go through their hall of love, shall we?
“The dragon laughed. “You’re very cute when you’re angry.”
-
“Michael gasped, for the creature was, despite all its fearsomeness, stunningly beautiful. Then the dragon dove and disappeared, seal-like, into the bubbling lake.”
-
“Rabbit, you really are making things very difficult! If you weren’t so cute, I’d almost be angry [...]"
-
“So you were born with that nose? I suppose after we’re married I’ll just make a point of not looking at your face too often so that it doesn’t frighten me.”
-
“To the rest of the world, you may be terrifying to behold, but to me you will always be the most handsome man alive. Provided, of course, I periodically look away from your face.” She curtsied. “Princess Wilamena, at your service.”
“You’re … a princess?”
-
“Her hair, he decided, was the color of morning sunlight. Her eyes were bluer than a cloudless summer sky. Her nose—
Bluer than a cloudless summer sky? Michael thought. What’s wrong with me? She’s got blond hair and blue eyes; that’s it.
But even then, Michael heard himself comparing her voice to birdsong, the whiteness of her skin to new snowfall—
Stop it, he told himself. You’re being duped by some elf magic, is all.
“Oh, wonderful.” The elf girl clapped her hands. “You’ve already fallen in love with me!”
“I have not—”
“Don’t be silly! You should see the ridiculous look upon your face! By the way, have you noticed the way my hair moves?”
-
“She gazed up at him with tearful, adoring eyes.
And Michael thought, Poor thing, she’s had a rough time of it.
Then he thought, Her hair really does move all by itself.…
The elf princess clapped her hands in delight.
“Oh, you are in love with me!”
“What—no, I just—”
“Yes, you are! My own rabbit!”
“Please, don’t call me Rabbit.”
“Bunny!”
And she leapt forward and kissed him on the cheek, causing Michael to stumble back.
“Don’t do that either! I’m serious.”
He could feel his cheeks burning and a tingling where she’d kissed him.
“True,” she said. “There’ll be plenty of time for kissing later. Oh yes indeed!”
Enough of this elf nonsense, Michael thought.”
-
“Princess Wilamena was standing behind him; and even with his back to her, Michael was frustratingly aware of her presence, and of the fact that her hair smelled of springtime and honey and—
Focus, he told himself.”
-
“Yes,” Michael said. “Actually, it is. Thank you.”
“Is it worth a kiss perhaps?”
Michael ignored that.”
-
“And then Michael heard her whisper to Gabriel, “He doesn’t like me to call him Rabbit, but I do it anyway because he’s such an adorable rabbit. Don’t you agree?”
Gabriel gave a noncommittal grunt.”
(I LAUGHED SO HARD AT GABRIEL'S RESPONSE)
-
“Michael was about to ask what she was doing—even as he marveled at the rose-petal softness of her skin—when she jabbed the sharp point of the stylus into his thumb.
“Oww!”
“Don’t be a baby bunny.”
-
"[...] “Now wake up your poor sister, we’ll all go outside, and I’ll let you braid my hair!”
Michael said nothing about this last suggestion (though a small voice in his head thought it sounded wonderful) [...]"
-
“It’s nothing. We’re family, after all. Or we soon will be.”
“Huh?” [Emma]
“Skip it,” Michael said.”
-
“Then Michael saw a familiar, mischievous sparkle in Emma’s eyes and he braced himself for what was coming:
“Is Princess What’s-Her-Name your girlfriend now?”
“No,” Michael said firmly. “Absolutely not.”
Emma grinned. “You sure about that? ’Cause—”
“Of course I’m not his girlfriend!”
They both turned and saw the elf princess standing beside the corner of the keep, hands on her hips, glaring imperiously at Emma.
“Oh la! We are much more serious than that!”
“Gotcha,” Emma said, smiling broadly at her brother.”
-
AND I LOVE HOW MICHAEL JUST SLOWLY EASES INTO IT — LIKE AT THE START, HE WAS JUST LIKE, "THIS IS ABSOLUTE NONSENSE" BUT OVER TIME HE'S JUST LIKE "HMM"
“Michael felt Wilamena slip her hand into his, and he thought about protesting, then let the matter go.”
-
“Her smile, Michael had to admit, was radiant, and for once he did not try to smother his thoughts.”
ASDFGHJKL OKAY MICHAEL OKAY
phew anyways wilamena and michael are HILARIOUS. wilamena's like "awh! you're already in love with me!" and michael's like "[gazes adoringly at her] no i'm- psh no i- no i'm not"
on a more serious note, i love how michael lets go of his stereotypes of elves. he really understands them better and gives them more respect, which is a good thing.
and then! gosh, before i go on to emma, let me just:
“You must be quick, Michael.”
“That’s the first time you’ve called me by my name.”
Wilamena smiled. “I think you are not a rabbit anymore.”
Michael looked at her, and the memory of that brief time when he had shared her life came back to him. He remembered the darkness and despair she’d suffered during her long years as a prisoner, but he also recalled the deep, unquenchable joy she took from the world around her; and he knew that given the choice, Wilamena would suffer through all she had and more rather than sacrifice one day of being alive.
It was just as his father had said. She chose life, all of it.
Then Michael did something that surprised even him. He leaned in and kissed the elf princess. Her lips were soft, and he couldn’t tell if it was magic or not, but he felt a warmth spreading over his cheeks and ears, down his neck, and across his chest. He said, “Thank you,” and turned and walked past the gathered elves and into the cave, taking the warmth of the kiss with him.”
emma is endearingly unapologetic. and i love her so much for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2019
Фентъзи приключенията на Кейт, Майкъл и Ема продължават. Трите деца все още таят надежда, че един ден ще открият родителите си, но в новото им изпитание самите те се оказват разделени от... цели сто години! Героите се изправят пред нови опасности от магическо естество. Кейт попада един век назад във времето, докато брат й и сестра й са по следите на „Огненият летопис” (изд. „Обсидиан”). Втората част от трилогията „Книги на началото“ на Джон Стивънс е една идея по-кратка, но не по-малко вълнуваща от своя предшественик, „Изумруденият атлас”. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
May 26, 2025
When I was a teenager, I remember seeing Facebook ads for The Emerald Atlas. Being about three orphans, magic, and time travel, I bought the book at a used bookstore, read it, and loved it, but it took me years to come across the sequel. About a week ago, I discovered that the audiobook was narrated by Jim Dale, so I quickly checked out a digital copy and got reading.
I can't accurately tell you how fun this was to read. Especially with Jim Dale's voice, it felt like I'd discovered a hidden piece of my childhood I never knew existed. I enjoyed every minute of this book and stayed up until 5am to complete it after a purely cinematic climax.
I adored this book, and I'm so glad I finally circled back to it after all these years. I've already got the third and final book queued up in Libby.
And yes, ten years later, I still have a large crush on Gabriel...
I can't accurately tell you how fun this was to read. Especially with Jim Dale's voice, it felt like I'd discovered a hidden piece of my childhood I never knew existed. I enjoyed every minute of this book and stayed up until 5am to complete it after a purely cinematic climax.
I adored this book, and I'm so glad I finally circled back to it after all these years. I've already got the third and final book queued up in Libby.
And yes, ten years later, I still have a large crush on Gabriel...
February 6, 2017
Nunca creí que le iba a dar cinco estrellas a este libro, menos todavía considerando que al primero le di como tres nada más, pero acá estoy. Es increíble, INCREÍBLE, lo bueno que es este libro a diferencia del anterior.
Yo había leído el primer libro de esta trilogía hace un montón de años, y me no me había gustado tanto, justamente por eso tarde años en leer el segundo, y eso que nunca pensé que lo fuera a leer (lo compre usado en un puesto de la calle porque lo vi de casualidad y no me pude contener a saber cómo seguía la historia). Pero no me arrepiento ni un poco.
No sé si es que ya pasaron tantos años que mi gusto en lectura cambió (aunque no creo), pero este libro me pareció mil veces mejor que el anterior, casi como si fuera escrito por otra persona. Es que el primero me había parecido tan aburrido, y se me había pasado tan lento, y este no es así para nada.
El libro narra dos historias en vez de una; ambas pasan en tiempos muy lejanos, y al final se juntan, complementando las dos historias y formando el presente y lo que va a ser el futuro en el tercer y último libro. Esto de que haya dos historias, además de estar muy bien escrito, hace que haya un suspenso constante y que no pueda parar de leer en ningún momento (¡me leí la mitad en un día!).
Estuvo muy bueno que el autor haya puesto relaciones amorosas en este libro, ya que en el primero se notó mucho la falta de estas. Me enamore de Rafe y del amor complicado y trágico que ahora tiene con Kate: que va a pasar!?!? Como van a terminar? De lo que si estoy segura, es que hay algo diferente en Rafe, y que al final él y ella van a tener el amor y la felicidad que se merecen.
Y Michael con Wilamena también fue algo raro, al principio no creía que a el le gustara ella pero al final si! Son tan lindos.
Me encantó el libro. Estuvo lleno de acción y amor y suspenso, muy diferente al libro anterior, no lo podía dejar de leer! Me alegro muchísimo de haberlo leído.
Y quizás pasen años hasta que lea el próximo, pero mientras lo lea, sé que va a valer la pena.
Yo había leído el primer libro de esta trilogía hace un montón de años, y me no me había gustado tanto, justamente por eso tarde años en leer el segundo, y eso que nunca pensé que lo fuera a leer (lo compre usado en un puesto de la calle porque lo vi de casualidad y no me pude contener a saber cómo seguía la historia). Pero no me arrepiento ni un poco.
No sé si es que ya pasaron tantos años que mi gusto en lectura cambió (aunque no creo), pero este libro me pareció mil veces mejor que el anterior, casi como si fuera escrito por otra persona. Es que el primero me había parecido tan aburrido, y se me había pasado tan lento, y este no es así para nada.
El libro narra dos historias en vez de una; ambas pasan en tiempos muy lejanos, y al final se juntan, complementando las dos historias y formando el presente y lo que va a ser el futuro en el tercer y último libro. Esto de que haya dos historias, además de estar muy bien escrito, hace que haya un suspenso constante y que no pueda parar de leer en ningún momento (¡me leí la mitad en un día!).
Estuvo muy bueno que el autor haya puesto relaciones amorosas en este libro, ya que en el primero se notó mucho la falta de estas. Me enamore de Rafe y del amor complicado y trágico que ahora tiene con Kate: que va a pasar!?!? Como van a terminar? De lo que si estoy segura, es que hay algo diferente en Rafe, y que al final él y ella van a tener el amor y la felicidad que se merecen.
Y Michael con Wilamena también fue algo raro, al principio no creía que a el le gustara ella pero al final si! Son tan lindos.
Me encantó el libro. Estuvo lleno de acción y amor y suspenso, muy diferente al libro anterior, no lo podía dejar de leer! Me alegro muchísimo de haberlo leído.
Y quizás pasen años hasta que lea el próximo, pero mientras lo lea, sé que va a valer la pena.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2020
Excellent read. I haven't felt this much interest and investment in a trilogy since Trudi Canavan's Black Magician's trilogy.
The narrative moves quickly and the characters are evolving really well. The introduction of Beetles, Jake and Rafe along with the Guardian and the Elf Princess really added to the overall story neatly.
Enjoyed it. Fans of this genre will positively enjoy this.
Now going to buy the third book. It unfortunately wasn't available at the time of purchasing the first two.
The narrative moves quickly and the characters are evolving really well. The introduction of Beetles, Jake and Rafe along with the Guardian and the Elf Princess really added to the overall story neatly.
Enjoyed it. Fans of this genre will positively enjoy this.
Now going to buy the third book. It unfortunately wasn't available at the time of purchasing the first two.
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December 8, 2023Í sjö eða átta ár! beið ég eftir því að þriðja bókin kæmi út í íslenskri þýðingu! Fyrstu bækurnar tvær vaka tignarlega yfir mér á nóttunni en það bólar ekkert á síðustu bókinni í þríleiknum á íslensku! mjög sár
August 26, 2018
Justo lo que necesitaba para superar el trauma de leer 1984! Fresca, interesante y reflexiva. Sigo con la saga!
May 25, 2019
I just can't put down this series! I felt this book did not have an ending, but I am not disappointed because who wants a good book to end?
August 24, 2021
I can’t believe that it ended like that, i can’t wait to read the next book
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April 24, 2022:o
December 12, 2022
Não sei dar rankings mas gostei muito mais deste do que os anterior, gosto da maneira como mexem no tempo e slay Michael neste livro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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