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The Daviron Chronicles #2
Because You Saw Me
Would Nari ever be happy if she learned the truth? Agatha swallowed hard. She knew what her friend would say.
As an orphan in Daivron, Agatha has learned to scavenge for anything that might prove useful. When she picks up an innocent-looking button box, she unwittingly incurs the wrath of a shadowy stranger. While being chased through the alleyways of a city that’s turned its back on her, will Agatha use the box’s hidden treasure to escape to a better future? Or will she follow her beloved friend’s advice and do the right thing?
As an orphan in Daivron, Agatha has learned to scavenge for anything that might prove useful. When she picks up an innocent-looking button box, she unwittingly incurs the wrath of a shadowy stranger. While being chased through the alleyways of a city that’s turned its back on her, will Agatha use the box’s hidden treasure to escape to a better future? Or will she follow her beloved friend’s advice and do the right thing?
- GenresDystopia
198 pages, Paperback
Published October 19, 2023
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Lillian Keith
9 books96 followersHi there, I'm Lily! I'm a children's/middle grade writer, Christian, and homeschool grad.
I grew up reading a huge stack of middle grade books, especially the Newberry Award Winners (my mom wanted all of us kids to be well read). Fun, meaningful stories are what I love as a reader, and aim for as an author. I'd say the biggest author who influenced me in that direction was Elizabeth George Speare.
Although I started writing middle-grade fantasy, I'm hoping to branch out and try other middle grade/children's genres like historical fiction, dystopian, and contemporary. Maybe someday I'll even try a bit of YA (who knows, we'll see!)
I love writing for kids and my hope as a writer is that my stories will inspire them, ignite their imagination, and cause them to see the world from a new perspective.
I grew up reading a huge stack of middle grade books, especially the Newberry Award Winners (my mom wanted all of us kids to be well read). Fun, meaningful stories are what I love as a reader, and aim for as an author. I'd say the biggest author who influenced me in that direction was Elizabeth George Speare.
Although I started writing middle-grade fantasy, I'm hoping to branch out and try other middle grade/children's genres like historical fiction, dystopian, and contemporary. Maybe someday I'll even try a bit of YA (who knows, we'll see!)
I love writing for kids and my hope as a writer is that my stories will inspire them, ignite their imagination, and cause them to see the world from a new perspective.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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January 8, 2024A big thanks to everyone who helped out with the book launch! I couldn't have done it without you guys! <3
September 13, 2023
Ack! This story is good! So fun and sweet! I enjoyed every moment!
Characters:
Agatha was such a resourceful and dear girl! I loved her so much and enjoyed her growth throughout the story!
Nari was so nice and such a dear girl!
Callum was fun and sweet! I loved him!!!
And there were so many other fun and good characters throughout the book!
Themes:
Everything we have is better if we share it, and we should sow worthy seeds by showing kindness and sharing with those less fortunate than ourselves. Even if we have very little, we can make a difference in someone's life!
And other themes, of course!
Romance:
N/A
Language:
N/A
Overall:
I adored this Middle Grade adventure! I loved every minute of the story and the action and the mystery surrounding the box... such a fun story that anyone could enjoy!
Recommend for ages 6+!
Would make a delightful readaloud!
Characters:
Agatha was such a resourceful and dear girl! I loved her so much and enjoyed her growth throughout the story!
Nari was so nice and such a dear girl!
Callum was fun and sweet! I loved him!!!
And there were so many other fun and good characters throughout the book!
Themes:
Everything we have is better if we share it, and we should sow worthy seeds by showing kindness and sharing with those less fortunate than ourselves. Even if we have very little, we can make a difference in someone's life!
And other themes, of course!
Romance:
N/A
Language:
N/A
Overall:
I adored this Middle Grade adventure! I loved every minute of the story and the action and the mystery surrounding the box... such a fun story that anyone could enjoy!
Recommend for ages 6+!
Would make a delightful readaloud!
July 23, 2024
Aww, I feel so warm and fuzzy after reading this🥰💖
Language: N/A. A few mentions of 'the grownups 'curseing' but not what they said, just that they cursed.
Violence: N/A.
Magic: N/A.
This was such a sweet story!!! I loved it, it was super easy and quick to read with all the warm and fuzzy vibes!💖🥰 Agatha was so sweet and adorable and her journey was so intriguing, I loved seeing her mature and learn about the beauty of giving and sharing. Stuff is meaningless, it's people who matter! So beautiful💖🥰
Callum was great! I loved him, he was so fun!!!! And how he helped Agatha even tho he didn't really know her, how sweet!💖🥰 Nari was a dear too, such a wise kind-hearted character!!! I loved her!!! All the characters were great!💖
This was a nice fun, and sweet little story about family and generosity with wonderful illustrations as well!! It made me want to curl up in a blanket by a fire and read all day!!!💖💖🥰
All ages! (Would make a great read aloud!)
Language: N/A. A few mentions of 'the grownups 'curseing' but not what they said, just that they cursed.
Violence: N/A.
Magic: N/A.
This was such a sweet story!!! I loved it, it was super easy and quick to read with all the warm and fuzzy vibes!💖🥰 Agatha was so sweet and adorable and her journey was so intriguing, I loved seeing her mature and learn about the beauty of giving and sharing. Stuff is meaningless, it's people who matter! So beautiful💖🥰
Callum was great! I loved him, he was so fun!!!! And how he helped Agatha even tho he didn't really know her, how sweet!💖🥰 Nari was a dear too, such a wise kind-hearted character!!! I loved her!!! All the characters were great!💖
This was a nice fun, and sweet little story about family and generosity with wonderful illustrations as well!! It made me want to curl up in a blanket by a fire and read all day!!!💖💖🥰
All ages! (Would make a great read aloud!)
September 5, 2024
3.5 stars (4/10 hearts). This is a sweet story sort-of-sequel to
An Apprentice Escapes.
Nari was lovely, and I really liked Agatha. Callum and his family were darling too!! The plot is fast-paced but unpredictable and interesting, and most of all I loved the message about generosity and love, even in a dystopian world where it’s dangerous or difficult!
A Favourite Quote: “And never forget, when in fear or in need,” she sang softly, “Do what is right and sow worthy seeds.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
A Favourite Quote: “And never forget, when in fear or in need,” she sang softly, “Do what is right and sow worthy seeds.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
January 14, 2024
I loved everything about this book. <3 The sweet characters, dystopian setting, and the heart shining through every page... *does a chefs kiss thing* This is a companion novel to An Apprentice Escapes so it was fun to see all the references, the expanded worldbuilding, and the author's writing growth. (Some seriously beautiful passages I had to pause and appreciate!)
And the illustrations! <3 They added so much to the story, and now I need a paperback copy to fully appreciate them. ;)
CW: lying, a threatening adult.
And the illustrations! <3 They added so much to the story, and now I need a paperback copy to fully appreciate them. ;)
CW: lying, a threatening adult.
October 23, 2023
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
An exciting middle grade novel!
I enjoyed following along on Agatha's adventures and discovering more about the land of Daviron. The plot had plenty of suspenseful scenes and touching moments to keep me flipping electronic pages, and I loved the illustrations scattered throughout.
Overall, Because You Saw Me was a fun, quick read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy dystopian and middle grade novels.
An exciting middle grade novel!
I enjoyed following along on Agatha's adventures and discovering more about the land of Daviron. The plot had plenty of suspenseful scenes and touching moments to keep me flipping electronic pages, and I loved the illustrations scattered throughout.
Overall, Because You Saw Me was a fun, quick read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy dystopian and middle grade novels.
October 16, 2023
This is a sweet, thoughtfully-told story that took me on a ride full of adventure, suspense, and mystery! I realize that sounds like a contradiction - sweet AND suspenseful? But somehow, it is. Told through the eyes of a young orphan girl, there's a simplicity to the tale that gives it a sweet, poignant feel, even in spite of the loneliness and sorrow and struggles. (Honestly, it only makes the sad parts hit even harder!) But as a dystopian, it's also balanced beautifully with moody and mysterious vibes.
Agatha is a sweet, clever girl with an empathetic heart, mistrustful of everyone because of her upbringing as a street urchin. Calum is ADORABLE. And Nari stole my heart with her gentle strength and kind ways. The Stranger™, on the other hand, was a mysterious, intriguing character, the classic kind of mystery villain I love to see in mystery novels. ;)
The worldbuilding is fabulous. It's a unique take on a dystopian world, set in a Victorian-inspired era and bursting with color and life and detail. When you read, the setting becomes as real as the room you're in. And there's a lovely motif of flowers - red geraniums, bobbing daisies, richly colored violets. It adds so much to the aesthetic and theme. I loved it!
The prose is beautiful and perfectly fits the story! Agatha's character voice and POV is strong and believable, sprinkled with metaphors and analogies that stem from her life experiences and her surroundings, subtle yet so effective. Her vivid, childlike impressions of things are so realistic. I just have to share some examples:
"Dirty rain water collected in open rusty barrels, and windows on the buildings were boarded up tight. Agatha always thought they looked like eyes being squeezed shut from the horrid sight of peeling paint and scratched faces of their neighbors."
"...a voice thick and dark like soil."
"...each word prickling the air like the thorns on a rosebush."
😍😍😍
Overall, I recommend this to readers of Middle-Grade fiction who love unique worldbuilding and genre twists, uplifting Biblical themes, mystery, and sweet characters that will warm your heart!
FAVORITE QUOTES
-
“Why are you so kind?” Agatha asked.
“It’s a lonely world if we only look out for ourselves,” Ma said simply.
-
“Farmers must be generous. They must throw out much seed in order to get a large return. That is also the way of life. Be generous, and it will bring forth true riches.”
-
“Remember, always sow generously. True blessings aren’t found in things, but in people.”
-
Disclosure: I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Agatha is a sweet, clever girl with an empathetic heart, mistrustful of everyone because of her upbringing as a street urchin. Calum is ADORABLE. And Nari stole my heart with her gentle strength and kind ways. The Stranger™, on the other hand, was a mysterious, intriguing character, the classic kind of mystery villain I love to see in mystery novels. ;)
The worldbuilding is fabulous. It's a unique take on a dystopian world, set in a Victorian-inspired era and bursting with color and life and detail. When you read, the setting becomes as real as the room you're in. And there's a lovely motif of flowers - red geraniums, bobbing daisies, richly colored violets. It adds so much to the aesthetic and theme. I loved it!
The prose is beautiful and perfectly fits the story! Agatha's character voice and POV is strong and believable, sprinkled with metaphors and analogies that stem from her life experiences and her surroundings, subtle yet so effective. Her vivid, childlike impressions of things are so realistic. I just have to share some examples:
"Dirty rain water collected in open rusty barrels, and windows on the buildings were boarded up tight. Agatha always thought they looked like eyes being squeezed shut from the horrid sight of peeling paint and scratched faces of their neighbors."
"...a voice thick and dark like soil."
"...each word prickling the air like the thorns on a rosebush."
😍😍😍
Overall, I recommend this to readers of Middle-Grade fiction who love unique worldbuilding and genre twists, uplifting Biblical themes, mystery, and sweet characters that will warm your heart!
FAVORITE QUOTES
-
“Why are you so kind?” Agatha asked.
“It’s a lonely world if we only look out for ourselves,” Ma said simply.
-
“Farmers must be generous. They must throw out much seed in order to get a large return. That is also the way of life. Be generous, and it will bring forth true riches.”
-
“Remember, always sow generously. True blessings aren’t found in things, but in people.”
-
Disclosure: I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
September 15, 2023
This was such a sweet read. I enjoyed this story along with the action and adventure that kept me intrigued! Agatha was such a kind girl and I liked how determined she was throughout the whole story. I loved the ending and the themes emphasized throughout the book. I would highly recommend this to middle grade readers.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review.
January 16, 2024
I wasn't sure at first whether this was actually going to connect to the first story beyond being set in the same world. (Yes, I did recognize the connection when it came!) I fell in love with Nari and Callum, and my heart went out to Agatha. I loved watching her learn and grow and start to care about people. <3 I don't think I quite made all the right connections in the epilogue, but I'm definitely hoping for more stories in this series!
December 20, 2023
I adored this book! It was so sweet and fun and I just overall loved it. Nari was my favorite character. The way she took care of everyone, especially Agatha, was so fun to see and she was so sweet. I also really liked Agatha. She was so brave and I loved watching her grow. Also, the theme was amazing and so sweet. This was such a fun middle grade novel I'd recommend for 7 and up!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews