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The Keepers of Elendiel: A middle grade portal fantasy
All twelve-year-old Emery has ever wanted was to be normal. But when you have magical powers that haven't existed in over a century, normal is a big ask.
With strange dreams of a magical land and half-buried memories of the tragic accident that killed her father, she knows she'll never be a regular kid. But when a mysterious stranger turns up on her doorstep with a cryptic warning, Emery's life is flipped upside-down. She's shocked to discover that the place she's been seeing in her dreams is actually real, and the people who live there not only have magical powers just like hers...they're normal.
Alone and afraid in an unfamiliar world, Emery struggles to control her powers and stay hidden from the dark forces hunting her down. Torn between the desire to return to her own world and the urge to uncover her own forgotten secrets, Emery finds herself in the middle of an ancient struggle for the fate of the world. She is the only one who can stand between the darkness and the light, and prevent the total destruction of her own world and the new one she has come to love.
The Keepers of Elendiel is the first book in Bailee Williams' riveting new middle grade portal fantasy series. If you like whimsical fantasy, magical worlds, and characters that come alive on the page, you'll love the first novel in Williams' page-turning series. Grab your copy of The Keepers of Elendiel and dive into a new magical realm today!
With strange dreams of a magical land and half-buried memories of the tragic accident that killed her father, she knows she'll never be a regular kid. But when a mysterious stranger turns up on her doorstep with a cryptic warning, Emery's life is flipped upside-down. She's shocked to discover that the place she's been seeing in her dreams is actually real, and the people who live there not only have magical powers just like hers...they're normal.
Alone and afraid in an unfamiliar world, Emery struggles to control her powers and stay hidden from the dark forces hunting her down. Torn between the desire to return to her own world and the urge to uncover her own forgotten secrets, Emery finds herself in the middle of an ancient struggle for the fate of the world. She is the only one who can stand between the darkness and the light, and prevent the total destruction of her own world and the new one she has come to love.
The Keepers of Elendiel is the first book in Bailee Williams' riveting new middle grade portal fantasy series. If you like whimsical fantasy, magical worlds, and characters that come alive on the page, you'll love the first novel in Williams' page-turning series. Grab your copy of The Keepers of Elendiel and dive into a new magical realm today!
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
185 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2024
14 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 7, 2025
(2.5 ⭐)
I really enjoyed the book. The first 30% of the book was so boring and predictable that I was going to give up. Emery's life story is extremely similar (almost the same) to Percy Jackson's, which frustrated me quite a bit. It directly seemed like I was reading another version of Percy Jackson, the only difference is that instead of being a problematic boy like Percy, it is a girl with the same problems. BUT I kept reading and I really got into the story and I could finally have a good time reading. The book took another path quite different from that of Percy Jackson, which I liked very much.
The world building is simple, but at the same time very cozy and pleasant to read.
I found Aaron a bit, i dont know, weird? Stupid? Fragile? Unstable? Probably a mix of all those things. He is literally bullied by a thirteen-year-old boy and doesn't know how to set limits. How is he going to be good at commanding a mission to save his entire world, if he lets himself be controlled by some teenagers? His character seemed quite irrelevant to me.
I would have given some more dialogues between Nathan and Emery, I think their friendship has good potential to be further developed. The final got me really excited, and i cant wait to read the second book! I think it has a Percy Jackson and Shadow and Bone vibe, so if you liked these books, you will probably be entretained with this book!!
EDIT: i have just re-read the review (almost 1 year after reading the book) and i must say that the last paragraph i wrote was completely BULLSHIT and u definitely should not read this book, U WILL NOT BE ENTRETAINED BY THIS BOOK CAUSE ITS TOO BORING. end of the story and REALLY SORRYYY to the author bcs she sent me the book very sweetly but that's the truth abt how i felt abt this book lol
I really enjoyed the book. The first 30% of the book was so boring and predictable that I was going to give up. Emery's life story is extremely similar (almost the same) to Percy Jackson's, which frustrated me quite a bit. It directly seemed like I was reading another version of Percy Jackson, the only difference is that instead of being a problematic boy like Percy, it is a girl with the same problems. BUT I kept reading and I really got into the story and I could finally have a good time reading. The book took another path quite different from that of Percy Jackson, which I liked very much.
The world building is simple, but at the same time very cozy and pleasant to read.
I found Aaron a bit, i dont know, weird? Stupid? Fragile? Unstable? Probably a mix of all those things. He is literally bullied by a thirteen-year-old boy and doesn't know how to set limits. How is he going to be good at commanding a mission to save his entire world, if he lets himself be controlled by some teenagers? His character seemed quite irrelevant to me.
I would have given some more dialogues between Nathan and Emery, I think their friendship has good potential to be further developed. The final got me really excited, and i cant wait to read the second book! I think it has a Percy Jackson and Shadow and Bone vibe, so if you liked these books, you will probably be entretained with this book!!
EDIT: i have just re-read the review (almost 1 year after reading the book) and i must say that the last paragraph i wrote was completely BULLSHIT and u definitely should not read this book, U WILL NOT BE ENTRETAINED BY THIS BOOK CAUSE ITS TOO BORING. end of the story and REALLY SORRYYY to the author bcs she sent me the book very sweetly but that's the truth abt how i felt abt this book lol
on-hold
January 16, 2024I got approuved for the arc im so happyyyy ✨️
January 19, 2024
Not recomended for Percy Jackson fans.
A girl Percy Jacksons her way into a magical realm in which she trains Avatar Aang style while in pursuit of an Infinity Stone. Ends up fighting Voldemort. "Inspiration" truly is an interesting word.
My opinion on the PLOT and STORYLINE:
Emery's story follows the typical Hero's Journey to a tee, from the separation from home and disruption of the status quo, through the apparition of the mentor, the crossing of the threshold into the abyss, the reassessment of moral stance, the dark night and loss of all hope, to the final showdown against the Big Bad. The only beat it does not strike is the return to the Status Quo, replaced by a tease of a sequel.
The story arc will seem even more familiar, in fact, to readers of Rick Riordan's _Percy Jackson and the Olympians_. Williams' Emery, much like Percy, is a halfblood who feels estranged from the world around her and embarks on a trip to the unknown without any explanation, witnessing the sacrifice of her mother right before reaching the pre-teen-filled safe haven said mother had been too selfish to send her child to. It's okay that her mother lied to her about her past, though, because had she known about her powers, so too would the Forces of Evil have!
In spite of Williams' blatant inpirations, the pacing of her retelling of the Hero's Journy feels... odd. While each chapter discretely encompasses a distinct event in the story, thus helping the reader keep track of the plot in an orderly manner, the introduction to the magic system feels sudden and unearned. Williams is all too eager to throw the reader into whimsical landscapes, in-so forgetting to take the time to properly introduce the main character and the context that constitutes her status quo. The reader has hardly any reason to care for her or her world. Admitedly, there are several references to the real, modern world in the oh-so-vivid descriptions of Emery's surroundings in the first few chapters. Perhaps the plan was to avoid the hassle of introducing the world by just implying that it's the same as the reader's... which ultimately failed in my case.
Although the introduction to the magic world feels sudden, the rest of the story corrects course and [over]compensates for this, adopting a very slow pace. Our protagonist is eager to embark on her mission once the first info dump is delivered, and yet the book takes its time to show her walk, walk and walk some more, train for a bit, frolic and breathe in and out deep. To Williams' credit, there are moments in the protagonist's journey that reduce tension and aid in creating a connection between the reader and the character. The _finding of Dad's star_ is a cute moment, and seeing Emery train before using her powers in real, dangerous contexts helps her strenght feel more deserved.
About Williams' WRITING STYLE:
Williams makes use of an accessible language that is, in my opinion, appropriate for the children she intends to have as her audience. The metaphors walk the line between typical an curious, but never trail off into undecipherable territory. As a non-native speaker of English, I found myself looking up only a couple of words throughout the book.
Her writing could use a bit more consistency, however. If the reader happens to have an affinity for the analysis of discourse, they will find pretty quickly that Williams transitions quickly from a very descriptive, adjective and adverb heavy voice in the first chapters to a more relaxed and less picturesque narration throughout most of the book. To be clear, I don't think that this works against the novel or makes it any harder to read, but I do believe the author has room for improvement, and could look into making these transitions in between descriptive and non-descriptive sections more seamless; perhaps by easing on the use of adjectives and adverbs, and leaving more of the descriptive work to the characters' dialogues and actions.
She does fall victim to the *tell, don't show* trap in some rather unfortunate instances, tragically. The most memorable example to me is how Emery tells the reader about how all she has ever wanted is to *be normal*, but the book fails to show its audience why exactly Emery felt abnormal before the disruption of the Status Quo. There is no mention (that I can remember, anyway) of her being unlike other kids in any manner. Nothing is ever said about her race, religion, personality or potential social, cognitive or physical dissability to suggest or explain why she felt different or rejected prior to any incident in the story (By the way, is every character white? I am aware that virtually every character is described only through their eye colour, often blue, and hair texture, so there's a chance there's some racial variety in the characters. But the only mention of brown skin throughout the whole novel is part of the description of a gremlin. A monster. Yikes!).
And this story is not free of plot holes, either. In the interest of not spoiling too much, I will keep this following bit of criticism vague, but a notable plot hole arises when Emery's attachment to a specific notebook is seemingly disrupted when it's implied to get destroyed in a river. Surprisingly, no further attention is given to this significant event, leaving the reader wondering about the fate of the cherished notebook. Emery does not even think about this, as if she had completely forgotten about it. This is not the only plothole I was able to find, although I only read the book once, in two sittings. Thankfully, these discomforts are compensated for by the easy-to-follow, accessible language employed.
On the CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS:
I dislike the portrayal of adults in this book. It makes sense for the author to portray grown-ups as cryptic, controlling entities, but the story crosses several lines and ends up representing them as incompetent, morally doubvious and weak. Most of the adult figures in the story decidedly avoid explaining anything clearly to the children in it. If I'm not mistaken, every adult I can remember (Aaron, Axon, Kaila, Renee, Lith and Mordain) all talk to Emery in cryptic ways and refuse to explain anything further.
Another troubling way in which this book depicts adults is by showing characters like Aaron as docile and, in certain situations, entirely incompetent. The main guardian of the supposedly fragile protagonist is saved by her in most of their encounters with monsters (which also gives rise to the question of "why was such an underpowered character ever put in charge of protecting the Realm's *only hope* for survival?"), and his reactions to the challenges of his authority are laughably miniscule. Only once does he confront the disrespect of the impertinent (13 year old!) Nathan, passively accepting misstreatment from the kid throughout the rest of the novel. Honestly, "disrespect" feels like an insuficient description of Nathan's behaviour towards him; "bullying" seems more appropriate (Or s Nathan just biggoted against "non-wielders"?).
While it's commendable to portray adults as fallible, there's a delicate balance in ensuring that the narrative doesn't unintentionally convey a message of distrust or disrespect toward authority figures. It's crucial for young readers to learn how to question authority without undermining the importance of trusting their guardians and recognizing the protection they provide. It's good for a book to inspire a healthy skepticism of unexplained authority, but it's probably dangerous to cross the line into inspiring distrust in their guardians and disrespect for their personhood. Kids ought to learn how to question authority, not to bully and belittle the adults in their life.
Final thoughts:
This story works fine, particularly given the expected audience. It follows a logical plot and is entertaining and easy to read. However, my earlier concerns are too heavy for me to rate this novel favorably. That said, I fully expect Williams' carrer only to go up from this point, and look forward to find improvements in the sequel to this story. If anyone chooses to read this book to or with their children after reading this review, I highly recommend discussing it with them, and assessing whatever questions they might have while reading tactfully, but immediately.
Feel free to disagree with me if you have already read this book. I am aware that, as I write this, this is the only negative review of the book. Maybe I'm a hater without knowing. If so, I apologize.
Finally, I would not recommend this book to fans of the Percy Jackson saga. Although I hope Emery's story will remind me less and less of characters I love and grew up with, the similarities are simply too noticeable for me not to have rathered be reading the PJO series again.
A girl Percy Jacksons her way into a magical realm in which she trains Avatar Aang style while in pursuit of an Infinity Stone. Ends up fighting Voldemort. "Inspiration" truly is an interesting word.
My opinion on the PLOT and STORYLINE:
Emery's story follows the typical Hero's Journey to a tee, from the separation from home and disruption of the status quo, through the apparition of the mentor, the crossing of the threshold into the abyss, the reassessment of moral stance, the dark night and loss of all hope, to the final showdown against the Big Bad. The only beat it does not strike is the return to the Status Quo, replaced by a tease of a sequel.
The story arc will seem even more familiar, in fact, to readers of Rick Riordan's _Percy Jackson and the Olympians_. Williams' Emery, much like Percy, is a halfblood who feels estranged from the world around her and embarks on a trip to the unknown without any explanation, witnessing the sacrifice of her mother right before reaching the pre-teen-filled safe haven said mother had been too selfish to send her child to. It's okay that her mother lied to her about her past, though, because had she known about her powers, so too would the Forces of Evil have!
In spite of Williams' blatant inpirations, the pacing of her retelling of the Hero's Journy feels... odd. While each chapter discretely encompasses a distinct event in the story, thus helping the reader keep track of the plot in an orderly manner, the introduction to the magic system feels sudden and unearned. Williams is all too eager to throw the reader into whimsical landscapes, in-so forgetting to take the time to properly introduce the main character and the context that constitutes her status quo. The reader has hardly any reason to care for her or her world. Admitedly, there are several references to the real, modern world in the oh-so-vivid descriptions of Emery's surroundings in the first few chapters. Perhaps the plan was to avoid the hassle of introducing the world by just implying that it's the same as the reader's... which ultimately failed in my case.
Although the introduction to the magic world feels sudden, the rest of the story corrects course and [over]compensates for this, adopting a very slow pace. Our protagonist is eager to embark on her mission once the first info dump is delivered, and yet the book takes its time to show her walk, walk and walk some more, train for a bit, frolic and breathe in and out deep. To Williams' credit, there are moments in the protagonist's journey that reduce tension and aid in creating a connection between the reader and the character. The _finding of Dad's star_ is a cute moment, and seeing Emery train before using her powers in real, dangerous contexts helps her strenght feel more deserved.
About Williams' WRITING STYLE:
Williams makes use of an accessible language that is, in my opinion, appropriate for the children she intends to have as her audience. The metaphors walk the line between typical an curious, but never trail off into undecipherable territory. As a non-native speaker of English, I found myself looking up only a couple of words throughout the book.
Her writing could use a bit more consistency, however. If the reader happens to have an affinity for the analysis of discourse, they will find pretty quickly that Williams transitions quickly from a very descriptive, adjective and adverb heavy voice in the first chapters to a more relaxed and less picturesque narration throughout most of the book. To be clear, I don't think that this works against the novel or makes it any harder to read, but I do believe the author has room for improvement, and could look into making these transitions in between descriptive and non-descriptive sections more seamless; perhaps by easing on the use of adjectives and adverbs, and leaving more of the descriptive work to the characters' dialogues and actions.
She does fall victim to the *tell, don't show* trap in some rather unfortunate instances, tragically. The most memorable example to me is how Emery tells the reader about how all she has ever wanted is to *be normal*, but the book fails to show its audience why exactly Emery felt abnormal before the disruption of the Status Quo. There is no mention (that I can remember, anyway) of her being unlike other kids in any manner. Nothing is ever said about her race, religion, personality or potential social, cognitive or physical dissability to suggest or explain why she felt different or rejected prior to any incident in the story (By the way, is every character white? I am aware that virtually every character is described only through their eye colour, often blue, and hair texture, so there's a chance there's some racial variety in the characters. But the only mention of brown skin throughout the whole novel is part of the description of a gremlin. A monster. Yikes!).
And this story is not free of plot holes, either. In the interest of not spoiling too much, I will keep this following bit of criticism vague, but a notable plot hole arises when Emery's attachment to a specific notebook is seemingly disrupted when it's implied to get destroyed in a river. Surprisingly, no further attention is given to this significant event, leaving the reader wondering about the fate of the cherished notebook. Emery does not even think about this, as if she had completely forgotten about it. This is not the only plothole I was able to find, although I only read the book once, in two sittings. Thankfully, these discomforts are compensated for by the easy-to-follow, accessible language employed.
On the CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS:
I dislike the portrayal of adults in this book. It makes sense for the author to portray grown-ups as cryptic, controlling entities, but the story crosses several lines and ends up representing them as incompetent, morally doubvious and weak. Most of the adult figures in the story decidedly avoid explaining anything clearly to the children in it. If I'm not mistaken, every adult I can remember (Aaron, Axon, Kaila, Renee, Lith and Mordain) all talk to Emery in cryptic ways and refuse to explain anything further.
Another troubling way in which this book depicts adults is by showing characters like Aaron as docile and, in certain situations, entirely incompetent. The main guardian of the supposedly fragile protagonist is saved by her in most of their encounters with monsters (which also gives rise to the question of "why was such an underpowered character ever put in charge of protecting the Realm's *only hope* for survival?"), and his reactions to the challenges of his authority are laughably miniscule. Only once does he confront the disrespect of the impertinent (13 year old!) Nathan, passively accepting misstreatment from the kid throughout the rest of the novel. Honestly, "disrespect" feels like an insuficient description of Nathan's behaviour towards him; "bullying" seems more appropriate (Or s Nathan just biggoted against "non-wielders"?).
While it's commendable to portray adults as fallible, there's a delicate balance in ensuring that the narrative doesn't unintentionally convey a message of distrust or disrespect toward authority figures. It's crucial for young readers to learn how to question authority without undermining the importance of trusting their guardians and recognizing the protection they provide. It's good for a book to inspire a healthy skepticism of unexplained authority, but it's probably dangerous to cross the line into inspiring distrust in their guardians and disrespect for their personhood. Kids ought to learn how to question authority, not to bully and belittle the adults in their life.
Final thoughts:
This story works fine, particularly given the expected audience. It follows a logical plot and is entertaining and easy to read. However, my earlier concerns are too heavy for me to rate this novel favorably. That said, I fully expect Williams' carrer only to go up from this point, and look forward to find improvements in the sequel to this story. If anyone chooses to read this book to or with their children after reading this review, I highly recommend discussing it with them, and assessing whatever questions they might have while reading tactfully, but immediately.
Feel free to disagree with me if you have already read this book. I am aware that, as I write this, this is the only negative review of the book. Maybe I'm a hater without knowing. If so, I apologize.
Finally, I would not recommend this book to fans of the Percy Jackson saga. Although I hope Emery's story will remind me less and less of characters I love and grew up with, the similarities are simply too noticeable for me not to have rathered be reading the PJO series again.
January 15, 2024
4,5 ☆
I LOVE THE WRITING STYLE!!!!
So descriptive that I felt as if I were in the story. I wish I could write like that myself. The characters were really thought out and 3 dimensional. The plot was great, too. But I mostly kept reading bc of the mc, who just interested me so much. I would actually read a sequel / reread this someday. Really great book for Percy Jackson lovers (read all pjo series)!
I LOVE THE WRITING STYLE!!!!
So descriptive that I felt as if I were in the story. I wish I could write like that myself. The characters were really thought out and 3 dimensional. The plot was great, too. But I mostly kept reading bc of the mc, who just interested me so much. I would actually read a sequel / reread this someday. Really great book for Percy Jackson lovers (read all pjo series)!
February 22, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 rounded to four
I was pleasantly surprised by the novel and how much I liked it. This novel is very Percy Jackson-like in a good way.
*************************************************
Here’s what I liked about the book
* The characters were written so well (I loved the slow character development it makes them feel real)
* The Settings (I thought the way the setting is described was amazing it felt so real)
* The writing style ( I love this kind of writing style where the is so much detail and it was still simple)
* The pacing (I thought the pacing of the book was amazing never a dull moment)
Here are the things that weren’t my favorite
* I wish we had more (i loved every second I read of it but I just wished there was more backstory character interaction, etc.)
*************************************************
The book is a super cute, one-sitting read that I would happily suggest. The writing makes you fall in love with the characters and the setting. overall it’s a cute book and, when the second one releases I will be reading it as well.
I was pleasantly surprised by the novel and how much I liked it. This novel is very Percy Jackson-like in a good way.
*************************************************
Here’s what I liked about the book
* The characters were written so well (I loved the slow character development it makes them feel real)
* The Settings (I thought the way the setting is described was amazing it felt so real)
* The writing style ( I love this kind of writing style where the is so much detail and it was still simple)
* The pacing (I thought the pacing of the book was amazing never a dull moment)
Here are the things that weren’t my favorite
* I wish we had more (i loved every second I read of it but I just wished there was more backstory character interaction, etc.)
*************************************************
The book is a super cute, one-sitting read that I would happily suggest. The writing makes you fall in love with the characters and the setting. overall it’s a cute book and, when the second one releases I will be reading it as well.
October 1, 2024
First time being approved for an arc and damn this was rewarding as hell. Considering i am a bit older than the intended demographic xp i was pleasently surprised by how much i enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the books that really got me into reading fantasy as a genre as a kid. Will make sure to recommend to anyone and everyone!
January 16, 2024
(3.5 — rounded to four)
What a book!! I tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today, and I decided to read through this book while lying in bed. I read the entire thing in one sitting, and it was just so charming!! All the characters you grow quickly attached to, even the ones you never truly “meet.” The language and description is just PHENOMENAL, and even though it is a middle grade novel, Bailee Williams’ beautiful metaphors can be understood at a young age. My only gripe I have is just that some of the storytelling of this fictional world was hard for me to follow, but then again, I have COVID and my brain is loopy, so what do I know?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader!
What a book!! I tested positive for COVID-19 earlier today, and I decided to read through this book while lying in bed. I read the entire thing in one sitting, and it was just so charming!! All the characters you grow quickly attached to, even the ones you never truly “meet.” The language and description is just PHENOMENAL, and even though it is a middle grade novel, Bailee Williams’ beautiful metaphors can be understood at a young age. My only gripe I have is just that some of the storytelling of this fictional world was hard for me to follow, but then again, I have COVID and my brain is loopy, so what do I know?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader!
March 25, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)
What an honor it was to be chosen to read Bailee Williams' debut middle grade portal fantasy book! The Keepers of Elendiel was a blend of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and LOTR where the main character, Emery, is sent on a quest to a magical realm in hopes of protecting the land. Williams' has an engaging and vivid writing style that explores themes of grief, loneliness, self-worth, and acceptance as the main character processes her newfound path alongside new friends. The first half of the book had a slower start but it picked up rapidly towards the latter half with a bit of a "cliff-hanger" 😉 that will make readers want to read the next installment. I definitely shed a tear or two with Emery's grief in the loss of her parent and I believe this book has the potential to speak into the lives of children who may be traveling a similar journey. Thank you again for the opportunity to step into the realm of Elendiel with Emery, Aaron, and Nathan! I look forward to finding out what happens next!
What an honor it was to be chosen to read Bailee Williams' debut middle grade portal fantasy book! The Keepers of Elendiel was a blend of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and LOTR where the main character, Emery, is sent on a quest to a magical realm in hopes of protecting the land. Williams' has an engaging and vivid writing style that explores themes of grief, loneliness, self-worth, and acceptance as the main character processes her newfound path alongside new friends. The first half of the book had a slower start but it picked up rapidly towards the latter half with a bit of a "cliff-hanger" 😉 that will make readers want to read the next installment. I definitely shed a tear or two with Emery's grief in the loss of her parent and I believe this book has the potential to speak into the lives of children who may be traveling a similar journey. Thank you again for the opportunity to step into the realm of Elendiel with Emery, Aaron, and Nathan! I look forward to finding out what happens next!
February 1, 2024
This was such a fun fantasy book, I love the setting at the start of the book being Christmas time. The world building was so fun and there was great character development I like how we kept learning more throughout the book (including some hidden memories!). There’s goblins and fairies and even baby dragons! So cute. Magic powers and crystals, overall it was just such a fun adventure. The author stated book 2 will be coming out too, so make sure to read this!
May 23, 2024
This was a really quick read and I really enjoyed it!! The characters and world was interesting and I think the world was explained very clearly. The only thing I wish was that there was more. I feel like a lot of the events felt unearned. I feel like we didn't go through enough to get to the point that we got to. It all happened too fast for me. But really interesting world and I'm looking forward to learning more about it :)
January 16, 2024
so good!!
i finished it in one sitting lol. The pacing was great, there was never a dull moment. It was very cozy and comforting, while also feeling dangerous with high-stakes.
Definitely recommend for anyone who loves percy jackson and keeper of the lost cities
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
i finished it in one sitting lol. The pacing was great, there was never a dull moment. It was very cozy and comforting, while also feeling dangerous with high-stakes.
Definitely recommend for anyone who loves percy jackson and keeper of the lost cities
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
January 23, 2024
Wow! I have always loved reading and I am so very grateful to be chosen for this arc read. This book was amazing it is just perfect for younger kids who want a nice thrilling adventure.
When the book releases I am going to definitely gift it to my sister who is just perfect for this book.
When the book releases I am going to definitely gift it to my sister who is just perfect for this book.
January 17, 2024
I totally forgot that I signed up to ARC read this book until it popped up in my email. I loved this book! I sat down to rad it and finished in a few hours. The story and world building is incredible. I loved the PJO similarities I saw. If you like Rick Riordian’s books or the Cursed Six Trilogy you will like this book.
March 9, 2024
I was selected to read an ARC of this middle grade novel, so thank you to the author for sharing!
The story itself gives me Chronicles of Narnia crossed with Harry Potter vibes, and Emery was a very likable main character. She struggles, she falters, and she fights for herself and the people she loves.
The magic system is interesting and I loved the descriptions of the various users/powers.
My only gripe was that I felt the story was a little too fast-paced, as in some of the dialogue was rushed and some of the events happened back-to-back when I felt they needed more breathing room. Personally, I would’ve loved to see more of Emery’s thought processes or just more pauses and tension.
Overall, a great middle grade read! I’m hoping to gift a copy to my niece when it comes out in a few months!
The story itself gives me Chronicles of Narnia crossed with Harry Potter vibes, and Emery was a very likable main character. She struggles, she falters, and she fights for herself and the people she loves.
The magic system is interesting and I loved the descriptions of the various users/powers.
My only gripe was that I felt the story was a little too fast-paced, as in some of the dialogue was rushed and some of the events happened back-to-back when I felt they needed more breathing room. Personally, I would’ve loved to see more of Emery’s thought processes or just more pauses and tension.
Overall, a great middle grade read! I’m hoping to gift a copy to my niece when it comes out in a few months!
May 11, 2024
[ITALIAN BELOW]
ENG:
I had the honor of receiving the arc and I'm deeply sorry that it took me this much to write this review, sadly life and university got in my way.
I'll start by saying that I'm definitely out of target, but I enjoy some middle-grades from time to time so I thought I would give this a go.
What can I say, this read left me a bit confused, with contrasting feelings. Is not completely bad, don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed my time reading, but for the whole time, it felt like I wasn't reading a book, but a draft. There were so many interesting factors, things I was curious about, but none of these was deepened enough for my liking.
The protagonist was different from the usual, she did not want to participate in this whole thing, so much so I almost thought she would find a way to remove herself from the situation, maybe giving up her powers? And the whole story would have been her trying to repair her mistakes?
The other characters, in particular Aaron, were interesting and I would have loved to know more about them and see their relationship with Emery. I liked how the relationship between the two was not something you often find, it was heartwarming and I would have loved to see more.
The worldbuilding is also interesting, sure not the most original out there but it still had a couple of details that made it engaging, but again... it wasn't deepened.
The whole book is like this: it tells you but it doesn't show. The middle section was at the same time too much and too little, there could have been said more, but at the same time, we kept seeing the same things over and over.
It was incredibly short and considering how many things I feel it didn't have it could have been much much more.
What I did like is how the grieving aspect is treated. It's delicate, and warming. I couldn't, luckily, tell for myself if it was accurate or not, but I find it well done, in my opinion
Altogether I don't think it's a bad book, I still found it enjoyable, but my final opinion is that it doesn't feel finished. It's a draft, a first writing, the bare bones of something that could have been so much better.
The fact that it's a middle-grade is not an excuse in my opinion, with this amount of details it's almost a children's book, I'm speaking eight years old that don't read much and prefer short books. For a twelve-year-old, this is already underwhelming.
ITA:
Ho avuto la fortuna e l'onore di ricevere l'ARC e mi dispiace averci messo tanto per scrivere questa recensione, purtroppo l'univerità e la scuola si sono messe in mezzo.
Inizierò col dire che sono decisamente fuori target, tuttavia mi piace leggere middle-grade di tanto in tanto e per questo ho voluto provare.
Cosa posso dire, questa lettura mi ha lasciato un po' confusa e con sentimenti contrastanti. Non è così male, non fraintendetemi, mi è comunque piaciuta e mi sono divertita a leggere, tuttavia per tutto il tempo mi è sembrato di non star leggendo un libro, quanto più una bozza. C'erano tantissimi fattori interessanti, cose su cui ero curiosa, ma nessuna di questa è stata approfondita abbastanza per i miei gusti.
La protagonista era diversa dalle solite, lei davvero non aveva intenzione di prendere parte a tutta la questione tanto che ho quasi pensato che avrebbe trovato un modo per rimuoversi dalla situazione, magari cedendo i suoi poteri? E tutta la storia sarebbe stata su di lei che cerca di riparare ai danni commessi?
Gli altri personaggi, in particolare Aaron, erano interessanti e mi sarebbe piaciuto sapere di più su di loro e vedere la loro relazione con Emery. Mi è piaciuto come la relazione tra i due non fosse qualcosa che si vede spesso, era toccante e carina e avrei voluto davvero vederla approfondita.
Anche il worldbuilding era interessante, certo non il più originale che tu possa trovare ma aveva comunque un paio di dettagli coinvolgenti... ma di nuovo non è stato approfondito.
L'intero libro è così: ti dice ma non ti mostra. La sezione centrale era contemporaneamente troppo e troppo poco, si sarebbe potuto dire di più ma al contempo continuavamo a vedere sempre le stesse scene e situazioni.
Era incredibilmente corto e considerando quante cose non aveva, sarebbe potuto essere molto di più.
Ciò che invece mi è piaciuto è come è trattato l'aspetto del lutto. E' delicato e confortevole. Non posso, fortunatamente, parlare per mia esperienza e dire quanto accurato fosse, ma mi è sembrato ben fatto.
Nel complesso non penso sia un brutto libro, l'ho comunque trovato piacevole, ma la mia opinione finale è che non sembra finito. E' una bozza, una prima stesura, l'ossatura di qualcosa che sarebbe potuto essere molto meglio.
Il fatto che sia un middle-grade, poi, non vale come scusa a mio parere, con questa quantità di dettagli è quasi più un libro per bambini, e mi riferisco a quelli di otto anni che magari preferiscono libri più brevi. Per dei dodicenni è già deludente.
Il livello di inglese è piuttosto semplice e la lettura scorrevole, se volete qualcosa per cimentarvi e migliorare le vostre capacità questo libro può essere una buona opzione, anche perchè non c'è nulla di complesso da capire.
ENG:
I had the honor of receiving the arc and I'm deeply sorry that it took me this much to write this review, sadly life and university got in my way.
I'll start by saying that I'm definitely out of target, but I enjoy some middle-grades from time to time so I thought I would give this a go.
What can I say, this read left me a bit confused, with contrasting feelings. Is not completely bad, don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed my time reading, but for the whole time, it felt like I wasn't reading a book, but a draft. There were so many interesting factors, things I was curious about, but none of these was deepened enough for my liking.
The protagonist was different from the usual, she did not want to participate in this whole thing, so much so I almost thought she would find a way to remove herself from the situation, maybe giving up her powers? And the whole story would have been her trying to repair her mistakes?
The other characters, in particular Aaron, were interesting and I would have loved to know more about them and see their relationship with Emery. I liked how the relationship between the two was not something you often find, it was heartwarming and I would have loved to see more.
The worldbuilding is also interesting, sure not the most original out there but it still had a couple of details that made it engaging, but again... it wasn't deepened.
The whole book is like this: it tells you but it doesn't show. The middle section was at the same time too much and too little, there could have been said more, but at the same time, we kept seeing the same things over and over.
It was incredibly short and considering how many things I feel it didn't have it could have been much much more.
What I did like is how the grieving aspect is treated. It's delicate, and warming. I couldn't, luckily, tell for myself if it was accurate or not, but I find it well done, in my opinion
Altogether I don't think it's a bad book, I still found it enjoyable, but my final opinion is that it doesn't feel finished. It's a draft, a first writing, the bare bones of something that could have been so much better.
The fact that it's a middle-grade is not an excuse in my opinion, with this amount of details it's almost a children's book, I'm speaking eight years old that don't read much and prefer short books. For a twelve-year-old, this is already underwhelming.
ITA:
Ho avuto la fortuna e l'onore di ricevere l'ARC e mi dispiace averci messo tanto per scrivere questa recensione, purtroppo l'univerità e la scuola si sono messe in mezzo.
Inizierò col dire che sono decisamente fuori target, tuttavia mi piace leggere middle-grade di tanto in tanto e per questo ho voluto provare.
Cosa posso dire, questa lettura mi ha lasciato un po' confusa e con sentimenti contrastanti. Non è così male, non fraintendetemi, mi è comunque piaciuta e mi sono divertita a leggere, tuttavia per tutto il tempo mi è sembrato di non star leggendo un libro, quanto più una bozza. C'erano tantissimi fattori interessanti, cose su cui ero curiosa, ma nessuna di questa è stata approfondita abbastanza per i miei gusti.
La protagonista era diversa dalle solite, lei davvero non aveva intenzione di prendere parte a tutta la questione tanto che ho quasi pensato che avrebbe trovato un modo per rimuoversi dalla situazione, magari cedendo i suoi poteri? E tutta la storia sarebbe stata su di lei che cerca di riparare ai danni commessi?
Gli altri personaggi, in particolare Aaron, erano interessanti e mi sarebbe piaciuto sapere di più su di loro e vedere la loro relazione con Emery. Mi è piaciuto come la relazione tra i due non fosse qualcosa che si vede spesso, era toccante e carina e avrei voluto davvero vederla approfondita.
Anche il worldbuilding era interessante, certo non il più originale che tu possa trovare ma aveva comunque un paio di dettagli coinvolgenti... ma di nuovo non è stato approfondito.
L'intero libro è così: ti dice ma non ti mostra. La sezione centrale era contemporaneamente troppo e troppo poco, si sarebbe potuto dire di più ma al contempo continuavamo a vedere sempre le stesse scene e situazioni.
Era incredibilmente corto e considerando quante cose non aveva, sarebbe potuto essere molto di più.
Ciò che invece mi è piaciuto è come è trattato l'aspetto del lutto. E' delicato e confortevole. Non posso, fortunatamente, parlare per mia esperienza e dire quanto accurato fosse, ma mi è sembrato ben fatto.
Nel complesso non penso sia un brutto libro, l'ho comunque trovato piacevole, ma la mia opinione finale è che non sembra finito. E' una bozza, una prima stesura, l'ossatura di qualcosa che sarebbe potuto essere molto meglio.
Il fatto che sia un middle-grade, poi, non vale come scusa a mio parere, con questa quantità di dettagli è quasi più un libro per bambini, e mi riferisco a quelli di otto anni che magari preferiscono libri più brevi. Per dei dodicenni è già deludente.
Il livello di inglese è piuttosto semplice e la lettura scorrevole, se volete qualcosa per cimentarvi e migliorare le vostre capacità questo libro può essere una buona opzione, anche perchè non c'è nulla di complesso da capire.
February 14, 2024
The Keepers of Elendiel by Bailee Williams
2.5 stars rounded to 3 stars
(ARC REVIEWER)
________________
Emery has always had strange dreams. But of course they were nothing more than that, dreams. Until one day a stranger appears, proving to her that these dreams had more meaning to them than she realised. This stranger whisks her away to a strange land and Emery discovers her hidden powers, all while facing new dangers, leading her right to the middle of an ancient battle between darkness and light.
________________
I am so excited to be an ARC reader for this book, and so honoured to be able to help promote this author's hard work.
I also want to say that any critique I have for this book is not meant to discourage the author. I think that they have a wonderful writing style and am so excited to read any future works they create.
_________________
The world that Williams has built is a really intriguing one. The plot was interesting, the magic system was a cool concept, and the writing style had some really beautiful moments.
Honestly, I just wish there was more. I think if there was one thing that I could say about this book that made it just not hit as strongly with me, it was the use of telling, not showing. We are told she is not “normal” which is all she wants to be, but we aren't shown it. In her friendship with the other characters, they are suddenly comfortable with each other very quickly and it's after being told explicitly to us. I really liked the bits of lore we did get and how that affected the current situations, but I really just wanted to see more of this world and more of the character’s personalities and I felt like I wasn't getting that.
The pacing seemed rushed and underdeveloped, even for a middle grade novel. There are a few scenes in the book that I was really happy with (for one example, I really enjoyed the cliff climbing scene, and a few of the ending chapters), and the events in these scenes were developed in a way that was showing as opposed to telling and fleshed out the character dynamics in a more natural way. The very last chapter however was again quite rushed, it would have been nice to have an epilogue (maybe from her mom’s or the villain’s pov) as a way to tie things together as I felt it ended quite abruptly.
Looking at the characters, the same issues arise. With our MC Emery, the bulk of her personal character motivation is that she wants to be normal. Yet we don't see any personality traits or hobbies that lead to any instances or examples of her not being normal, aside from not having a father in her life. Otherwise she is a very typical MC; She wants her family back and doesn't want this power and new responsibilities.
Aaron was quite flat in my opinion. He was supposed to be the supportive adult in Emery’s life in this new world, but he tends to just go along with what Emery decides to do unless they need conflict within the plot.
I really liked Nathan! But I wish there was just more to him, and more instances where he can show his personality. So I hope in the sequel we get more of his character development.
I won't talk too much about the other characters in order to avoid spoilers but there was a consistent lack of fleshing out the other characters and their emotional connections to the other characters, I really just wanted more from them.
This book is marketed as being inspired by Percy Jackson, Narnia, and Keeper Of the Lost Cities. Which is definitely true, but I think there might be a bit too much of an influence. There are a few scenes in particular that are almost direct copies of the events of the other books, which was quite jarring to read.
_________________
In conclusion, I'm giving it a rating of 2.5/3 stars. I think that the foundation of this book is amazing, but in my opinion it needs to be more fleshed out. Despite my critiques, I did enjoy this book! I can see how much care was put into this story and I think that for a debut book, it really shows the potential that this author has. I have full faith that her writing is going to get better and better with each book she writes and I am so excited to read the rest of Emery’s story and see how her journey progresses.
2.5 stars rounded to 3 stars
(ARC REVIEWER)
________________
Emery has always had strange dreams. But of course they were nothing more than that, dreams. Until one day a stranger appears, proving to her that these dreams had more meaning to them than she realised. This stranger whisks her away to a strange land and Emery discovers her hidden powers, all while facing new dangers, leading her right to the middle of an ancient battle between darkness and light.
________________
I am so excited to be an ARC reader for this book, and so honoured to be able to help promote this author's hard work.
I also want to say that any critique I have for this book is not meant to discourage the author. I think that they have a wonderful writing style and am so excited to read any future works they create.
_________________
The world that Williams has built is a really intriguing one. The plot was interesting, the magic system was a cool concept, and the writing style had some really beautiful moments.
Honestly, I just wish there was more. I think if there was one thing that I could say about this book that made it just not hit as strongly with me, it was the use of telling, not showing. We are told she is not “normal” which is all she wants to be, but we aren't shown it. In her friendship with the other characters, they are suddenly comfortable with each other very quickly and it's after being told explicitly to us. I really liked the bits of lore we did get and how that affected the current situations, but I really just wanted to see more of this world and more of the character’s personalities and I felt like I wasn't getting that.
The pacing seemed rushed and underdeveloped, even for a middle grade novel. There are a few scenes in the book that I was really happy with (for one example, I really enjoyed the cliff climbing scene, and a few of the ending chapters), and the events in these scenes were developed in a way that was showing as opposed to telling and fleshed out the character dynamics in a more natural way. The very last chapter however was again quite rushed, it would have been nice to have an epilogue (maybe from her mom’s or the villain’s pov) as a way to tie things together as I felt it ended quite abruptly.
Looking at the characters, the same issues arise. With our MC Emery, the bulk of her personal character motivation is that she wants to be normal. Yet we don't see any personality traits or hobbies that lead to any instances or examples of her not being normal, aside from not having a father in her life. Otherwise she is a very typical MC; She wants her family back and doesn't want this power and new responsibilities.
Aaron was quite flat in my opinion. He was supposed to be the supportive adult in Emery’s life in this new world, but he tends to just go along with what Emery decides to do unless they need conflict within the plot.
I really liked Nathan! But I wish there was just more to him, and more instances where he can show his personality. So I hope in the sequel we get more of his character development.
I won't talk too much about the other characters in order to avoid spoilers but there was a consistent lack of fleshing out the other characters and their emotional connections to the other characters, I really just wanted more from them.
This book is marketed as being inspired by Percy Jackson, Narnia, and Keeper Of the Lost Cities. Which is definitely true, but I think there might be a bit too much of an influence. There are a few scenes in particular that are almost direct copies of the events of the other books, which was quite jarring to read.
_________________
In conclusion, I'm giving it a rating of 2.5/3 stars. I think that the foundation of this book is amazing, but in my opinion it needs to be more fleshed out. Despite my critiques, I did enjoy this book! I can see how much care was put into this story and I think that for a debut book, it really shows the potential that this author has. I have full faith that her writing is going to get better and better with each book she writes and I am so excited to read the rest of Emery’s story and see how her journey progresses.
January 25, 2024
I highly recommend this book to Middle Schoolers, especially ages 10 to 12.
I highly recommend this book to girls who are stubborn, curious, and independent. They will enjoy discovering their own path through magic and power alongside Emery ~
The first few chapters were a bit scary, and I remembered back to that age when one WANTS to be a little bit scared while sitting comfortably reading. Stories like this allow exploration of, and acceptance of, common Middle School challenges: scary realities, cryptic adults, seemingly over-protective adults, and that constant feeling of seeing a wider world but not knowing what it all means.
Emery won my interest with her pursuit of her own truths. She models to young readers the importance of thinking things through for oneself.
Nathan was a very good friend and I liked how the author didn't jump into romance but let them know each other's character without being awkwardly coy. Their banter while learning to wield magic was the fun amidst the drama. I look forward to their continuing friendship.
Emery's star gazing with her Dad, the star charting, looking to the heavens, feeling his presence, was a sweet touch.
The world building was thankfully done with economy. These books are not masquerading as adult books behind the Middle School label. Kudos for that in our modern publishing industry! I enjoyed imagining Elendiel, Elseguard, the types of magic users, and fantasy creatures as written.
The villain of the story was age appropriate: he sets out to change her mind, to coerce her into giving him what he wants, and threatens to hurt others until she does. At most he pierces her mind with pain. In the end, at least in this book, all of his efforts merely strengthen Emery.
And who could resist Tempest - the cutest little help-meet dragon!? Certainly not many Middle School readers :)
There were a few small glitches, but they do not detract from the heart of Baillee Williams' story. (I will be vague to avoid spoilers): a talisman of protection is removed and consequences occur, and it is never put back on or mentioned thereafter; river water threatens another previously protected important object, but damage is not addressed; and a child calling the central protective male adult, the guardian, "old man" felt uncomfortable to me.
This is a great first book by a new author! (I was hoping for a sequel two thirds of the way through, because I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters so soon.)
Needless to say, but here I go anyway: I enjoyed my ARC ~
I highly recommend this book to girls who are stubborn, curious, and independent. They will enjoy discovering their own path through magic and power alongside Emery ~
The first few chapters were a bit scary, and I remembered back to that age when one WANTS to be a little bit scared while sitting comfortably reading. Stories like this allow exploration of, and acceptance of, common Middle School challenges: scary realities, cryptic adults, seemingly over-protective adults, and that constant feeling of seeing a wider world but not knowing what it all means.
Emery won my interest with her pursuit of her own truths. She models to young readers the importance of thinking things through for oneself.
Nathan was a very good friend and I liked how the author didn't jump into romance but let them know each other's character without being awkwardly coy. Their banter while learning to wield magic was the fun amidst the drama. I look forward to their continuing friendship.
Emery's star gazing with her Dad, the star charting, looking to the heavens, feeling his presence, was a sweet touch.
The world building was thankfully done with economy. These books are not masquerading as adult books behind the Middle School label. Kudos for that in our modern publishing industry! I enjoyed imagining Elendiel, Elseguard, the types of magic users, and fantasy creatures as written.
The villain of the story was age appropriate: he sets out to change her mind, to coerce her into giving him what he wants, and threatens to hurt others until she does. At most he pierces her mind with pain. In the end, at least in this book, all of his efforts merely strengthen Emery.
And who could resist Tempest - the cutest little help-meet dragon!? Certainly not many Middle School readers :)
There were a few small glitches, but they do not detract from the heart of Baillee Williams' story. (I will be vague to avoid spoilers): a talisman of protection is removed and consequences occur, and it is never put back on or mentioned thereafter; river water threatens another previously protected important object, but damage is not addressed; and a child calling the central protective male adult, the guardian, "old man" felt uncomfortable to me.
This is a great first book by a new author! (I was hoping for a sequel two thirds of the way through, because I didn't want to say goodbye to the characters so soon.)
Needless to say, but here I go anyway: I enjoyed my ARC ~
July 11, 2024
I appreciate being given a chance to read this e-book during the early stages of publicity. Here is my honest review.
The storyline is intriguing, and as with any series, I do want to know what happens next with Emery and where this adventure goes. I only give it 3 stars, because of some style choices that were confusing to me. I do understand how with a first novel a lot of time is taken to lay out the plot, develop characters and build the fantasy world…..and perhaps future novels in this series will answer my confused thoughts and questions. I commend any author, Williams included, for creating, building and spending their time writing for children and adults. That in itself is a great accomplishment and we should respect and honour Williams for sharing Emery’s story with us.
With that being said, I found the flow from chapter to chapter and the writing style odd. I felt as if time progressed with no explanation and then boom 💥 we had jumped hours/days with key pieces of information missing. I often had to reread the last page of the previous chapter, first page of the new chapter, to figure out what was going on, and often was confused. I think a few linking words, or better descriptions, could have helped to start off each chapter to express how time had shifted.
Williams started off strong with world building, character building, and introducing the story line. Her descriptions were appealing and beautifully done. I especially enjoyed Chapter 3, the scene in the forest was reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland with giant mushrooms, trees, creatures and foliage. Lots of description and time was taken to build this scene. Along the way, the descriptions were not as in depth and left me curious as to why. For example, one moment Emery is still trying to control and figure out her magic. Next thing we know she has “control”. I just wish some more time and care was spent to build this part of Emery’s character like the description and time taken in Chapter 3. What changed? How did she work through it and get control?
As an elementary school teacher I am always looking for a new series to introduce to my students. There is potential here, I hope that Williams’ future novels in this series don’t feel as choppy and her content isn’t rushed, and we can immerse ourselves into Emery’s adventures and imagine we are there with her.
The storyline is intriguing, and as with any series, I do want to know what happens next with Emery and where this adventure goes. I only give it 3 stars, because of some style choices that were confusing to me. I do understand how with a first novel a lot of time is taken to lay out the plot, develop characters and build the fantasy world…..and perhaps future novels in this series will answer my confused thoughts and questions. I commend any author, Williams included, for creating, building and spending their time writing for children and adults. That in itself is a great accomplishment and we should respect and honour Williams for sharing Emery’s story with us.
With that being said, I found the flow from chapter to chapter and the writing style odd. I felt as if time progressed with no explanation and then boom 💥 we had jumped hours/days with key pieces of information missing. I often had to reread the last page of the previous chapter, first page of the new chapter, to figure out what was going on, and often was confused. I think a few linking words, or better descriptions, could have helped to start off each chapter to express how time had shifted.
Williams started off strong with world building, character building, and introducing the story line. Her descriptions were appealing and beautifully done. I especially enjoyed Chapter 3, the scene in the forest was reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland with giant mushrooms, trees, creatures and foliage. Lots of description and time was taken to build this scene. Along the way, the descriptions were not as in depth and left me curious as to why. For example, one moment Emery is still trying to control and figure out her magic. Next thing we know she has “control”. I just wish some more time and care was spent to build this part of Emery’s character like the description and time taken in Chapter 3. What changed? How did she work through it and get control?
As an elementary school teacher I am always looking for a new series to introduce to my students. There is potential here, I hope that Williams’ future novels in this series don’t feel as choppy and her content isn’t rushed, and we can immerse ourselves into Emery’s adventures and imagine we are there with her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2024
Rating is a 2.5 but I can't do halves.
First, I want to say thank you for sending me an ARC it was a quick read that left me wanting the next to see how it will continue. Next, I truly wanted to absolutely fall in love with this book but I unfortunately found it falling a bit short. I do want to see what the next installment will bring eventually due to the unanswered questions I have from this book.
I found it to be a main mix of Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter with sprinklings of inspiration from other major book/tv series. Emery was a "mc" that fell into the trap of saying "I'm not normal" without ever truly showing why she isn't "normal". It could be that she herself forgot with the memory erasing that happens or she thinks people act weird once they realize her dad is dead but maybe she is just imagining that and she is pulling away from them. It is a concept that isn't flushed out in its fullest, in my opinion.
I understand that the writing style was meant to fit that of a younger audience, however I found it to be a bit too jarring. Chapter transitions worked well in some areas (more towards the end) and in others it took me out of the story. The character backstories and developments happen shockingly fast to the point where I didn't have any strong feelings good or bad about any of them and I was left wanting more. Tied to the characters a little bit, there were some major plot holes but I don't want to post any spoilers.
All in all I do NOT want to discourage the author from writing because the bones (aka foundation) of this book was good. I just feel like things were happening too fast to the point that it was poorly executed in terms of characters development/story, plot lines, and the writing style.
First, I want to say thank you for sending me an ARC it was a quick read that left me wanting the next to see how it will continue. Next, I truly wanted to absolutely fall in love with this book but I unfortunately found it falling a bit short. I do want to see what the next installment will bring eventually due to the unanswered questions I have from this book.
I found it to be a main mix of Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter with sprinklings of inspiration from other major book/tv series. Emery was a "mc" that fell into the trap of saying "I'm not normal" without ever truly showing why she isn't "normal". It could be that she herself forgot with the memory erasing that happens or she thinks people act weird once they realize her dad is dead but maybe she is just imagining that and she is pulling away from them. It is a concept that isn't flushed out in its fullest, in my opinion.
I understand that the writing style was meant to fit that of a younger audience, however I found it to be a bit too jarring. Chapter transitions worked well in some areas (more towards the end) and in others it took me out of the story. The character backstories and developments happen shockingly fast to the point where I didn't have any strong feelings good or bad about any of them and I was left wanting more. Tied to the characters a little bit, there were some major plot holes but I don't want to post any spoilers.
All in all I do NOT want to discourage the author from writing because the bones (aka foundation) of this book was good. I just feel like things were happening too fast to the point that it was poorly executed in terms of characters development/story, plot lines, and the writing style.
March 1, 2024
The Keepers of Elendiel is a wonderful story. It traps the reader in the fantastic universe that the author, Bailee Williams, creates: a new world, magic, creatures, mysteries and dark entities, that make a type of fantasy I, personally, haven't found in a while. At first it reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia and the Harry Potter saga, not because it's similar, but because of the happiness I felt when I found myself reading a kind of book that I enjoy tremendously.
The book takes us to a beautiful world, yet it has its dark secrets, forcing the protagonist, Emery, to face them, along with her friends and companions as she unrevels the secrets of her past.
The rhythm, the writing, the development of the events are well thought by the author; taking us through both the real and magical worlds. It keeps us wanting to know more about its story, about the characters. Speaking of the characters, all of them are 3 dimensional, even those who don't appear much are given profundity by Emery's thoughts.
Something I want to highlight is that Bailee Williams, doesn't beat around the bush with the answers. Without getting into spoilers, there are chapters that end with a question that the reader can easily guess, sometimes the answers aren't easily guessed: if the answer can be guessed quickly, the next chapter or moment confirms it, keeping the rhythm. But, there are questions that aren't easily guessed: those questions are answered in the right moment, making the story feel more real, the answers aren't forced and sometimes are not the one the reader expects.
The Keepers of Elendiel is a wonderful start for a new saga, a new world, an excellent story that I hope it can thrive and reach many people.
The book takes us to a beautiful world, yet it has its dark secrets, forcing the protagonist, Emery, to face them, along with her friends and companions as she unrevels the secrets of her past.
The rhythm, the writing, the development of the events are well thought by the author; taking us through both the real and magical worlds. It keeps us wanting to know more about its story, about the characters. Speaking of the characters, all of them are 3 dimensional, even those who don't appear much are given profundity by Emery's thoughts.
Something I want to highlight is that Bailee Williams, doesn't beat around the bush with the answers. Without getting into spoilers, there are chapters that end with a question that the reader can easily guess, sometimes the answers aren't easily guessed: if the answer can be guessed quickly, the next chapter or moment confirms it, keeping the rhythm. But, there are questions that aren't easily guessed: those questions are answered in the right moment, making the story feel more real, the answers aren't forced and sometimes are not the one the reader expects.
The Keepers of Elendiel is a wonderful start for a new saga, a new world, an excellent story that I hope it can thrive and reach many people.
May 17, 2024
First of all,I thank Bailee for choosing me to read and review The Keepers of Elendiel's ARC!
The Keepers of Elendiel is a captivating fantasy novel that deftly combines elements of mystery, magic, and adventure. From the first page, I was drawn into the life of Emery, plagued by strange dreams of a mystical land and haunted by the half-buried memories of the accident that claimed her father's life. These initial glimpses into Emery's world set the stage for an intriguing journey.
The plot takes a big turn when a mysterious stranger[Aaron] arrives at Emery's doorstep with a warning. This moment serves as the catalyst for the story, thrusting Emery into a reality she never imagined—the land from her dreams is real. The revelation that the inhabitants of this magical world possess powers akin to her own, is a compelling twist to Emery.
Navigating an unfamiliar realm and Emery's struggle to master her abilities and remain hidden from the dark forces pursuing her is portrayed with a palpable sense of urgency and fear. Bailee does an excellent job of balancing the internal conflict Emery faces—her longing to return to her own world and the irresistible pull to uncover the secrets of her past. This duality adds layers to her character.
One of the strengths of The Keepers of Elendiel lies in its world-building. The magical land is vividly described, with rich details that made it come alive in my mind. The inhabitants, their powers, and the social dynamics are intricately crafted, providing a solid backdrop against which Emery's story unfolds.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. At times, the exposition can be a bit heavy-handed, and some plot twists are predictable. Despite these minor issues, the book's engaging characters, imaginative setting, and fast-paced plot make it a worthwhile read.
Overall, The Keepers of Elendiel is a spellbinding tale of discovery, courage, and the enduring battle between good and evil. Emery's journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment, making this novel a must-read for fans of fantasy,adventure and middle-grade.
The Keepers of Elendiel is a captivating fantasy novel that deftly combines elements of mystery, magic, and adventure. From the first page, I was drawn into the life of Emery, plagued by strange dreams of a mystical land and haunted by the half-buried memories of the accident that claimed her father's life. These initial glimpses into Emery's world set the stage for an intriguing journey.
The plot takes a big turn when a mysterious stranger[Aaron] arrives at Emery's doorstep with a warning. This moment serves as the catalyst for the story, thrusting Emery into a reality she never imagined—the land from her dreams is real. The revelation that the inhabitants of this magical world possess powers akin to her own, is a compelling twist to Emery.
Navigating an unfamiliar realm and Emery's struggle to master her abilities and remain hidden from the dark forces pursuing her is portrayed with a palpable sense of urgency and fear. Bailee does an excellent job of balancing the internal conflict Emery faces—her longing to return to her own world and the irresistible pull to uncover the secrets of her past. This duality adds layers to her character.
One of the strengths of The Keepers of Elendiel lies in its world-building. The magical land is vividly described, with rich details that made it come alive in my mind. The inhabitants, their powers, and the social dynamics are intricately crafted, providing a solid backdrop against which Emery's story unfolds.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. At times, the exposition can be a bit heavy-handed, and some plot twists are predictable. Despite these minor issues, the book's engaging characters, imaginative setting, and fast-paced plot make it a worthwhile read.
Overall, The Keepers of Elendiel is a spellbinding tale of discovery, courage, and the enduring battle between good and evil. Emery's journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment, making this novel a must-read for fans of fantasy,adventure and middle-grade.
November 27, 2024
I love a good portal fantasy novel, but this read left me just a little underwhelmed.
In this book we follow young Emery. She and her mom have been moving from place to place for as long as she can remember. But when a stranger shows up to her doorstep her reality is shattered when she's forced to run from otherworldly forces. Retreating to a mysterious magical world, Emery must find courage if she wants to survive and find a way back home.
There were a lot of elements that jived with me. I loved the concept of the magical world of Elendiel, and that setting is great for a middle-grader to discover themselves in. That being said, I would've liked a bit more worldbuilding throughout. At first I got some of that, but when the plot picks up the pace it loses some of the edge it had. I also would've liked a bit more of a natural explanation of the magic system. Some of it was done in storytelling, which was fine, but it became a recurring method of explaining that lost some of its luster along the way.
Emery was an enigma, which made her exciting to follow around. She's distinctly different from most youngsters in that she has hidden memories inside of her, and I wanted to know just what happened in her past that she needed to be protected from. I would've liked to see some more distinct personality traits to Emery and her friends. They were fine as they were written, but I wanted just a bit more. Some snark, some sass, something.
In the end, I'm on the fence with this read. I think a young reader would have a lot of fun with it if they need an introduction to portal fantasy works, but I wouldn't set your expectations too high.
In this book we follow young Emery. She and her mom have been moving from place to place for as long as she can remember. But when a stranger shows up to her doorstep her reality is shattered when she's forced to run from otherworldly forces. Retreating to a mysterious magical world, Emery must find courage if she wants to survive and find a way back home.
There were a lot of elements that jived with me. I loved the concept of the magical world of Elendiel, and that setting is great for a middle-grader to discover themselves in. That being said, I would've liked a bit more worldbuilding throughout. At first I got some of that, but when the plot picks up the pace it loses some of the edge it had. I also would've liked a bit more of a natural explanation of the magic system. Some of it was done in storytelling, which was fine, but it became a recurring method of explaining that lost some of its luster along the way.
Emery was an enigma, which made her exciting to follow around. She's distinctly different from most youngsters in that she has hidden memories inside of her, and I wanted to know just what happened in her past that she needed to be protected from. I would've liked to see some more distinct personality traits to Emery and her friends. They were fine as they were written, but I wanted just a bit more. Some snark, some sass, something.
In the end, I'm on the fence with this read. I think a young reader would have a lot of fun with it if they need an introduction to portal fantasy works, but I wouldn't set your expectations too high.
February 29, 2024
Overall, this book was enjoyable. I wish I could’ve read it for the first time as a younger child because I’m sure I would have liked it more. While reading this, I tried to think about what I looked for in a book as a young reader so that’s the perspective I plan to write this review from.
Main characters: Emery, Nathan, Aaron, Mordain
Story elements: magic, friendship, good vs evil
Age range: 8-12
The writing style is easy to understand and I think a lot of young readers will love the story.
Summary: Emery is a young girl living with her mother. She often has troubling dreams and wishes for a normal life. One day Aaron, a stranger, shows up at her house and eventually takes her to a realm where she discovers magic is real. There are different groups of powers— Emery is a Watcher (someone who can control Time) and she is the first of that order in a very long time. Upon finding out her dreams are more than just dreams and that she has powers, she wishes to be rid of them and to return to her mother. But she can’t just leave these people to face Mordain without her. Emery and her new friends journey to find Mordain and stop him before it’s too late. Throughout the story she makes tough decisions, fighting a battle between selfishness and selflessness.
The Keepers of Elendiel is a fantasy story for young readers and shares elements with well-known series such as Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Keeper of the Lost Cities.
Main characters: Emery, Nathan, Aaron, Mordain
Story elements: magic, friendship, good vs evil
Age range: 8-12
The writing style is easy to understand and I think a lot of young readers will love the story.
Summary: Emery is a young girl living with her mother. She often has troubling dreams and wishes for a normal life. One day Aaron, a stranger, shows up at her house and eventually takes her to a realm where she discovers magic is real. There are different groups of powers— Emery is a Watcher (someone who can control Time) and she is the first of that order in a very long time. Upon finding out her dreams are more than just dreams and that she has powers, she wishes to be rid of them and to return to her mother. But she can’t just leave these people to face Mordain without her. Emery and her new friends journey to find Mordain and stop him before it’s too late. Throughout the story she makes tough decisions, fighting a battle between selfishness and selflessness.
The Keepers of Elendiel is a fantasy story for young readers and shares elements with well-known series such as Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Keeper of the Lost Cities.
June 8, 2024
I am confused. I rate this book between 3.5 and 4 stars.
I love the concept of the story. It's very entertaining and perfect for middle schoolers who enjoy books like "Harry Potter" and "Percy Jackson."
However, if you're a young adult (YA) or adult (A) looking for a fast-paced, high-stakes fantasy, this might not be the right fit. The pace is slower and more cozy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's something to be prepared for, especially if you're used to fantasy written for YA or adult audiences. This was the main reason I struggled to get into the story. The first half of the book is particularly slow, but it does pick up later on and becomes really engaging towards the end. While reading the first half, I found myself needing to adjust to the slower, cozier fantasy style. Despite this, Bailee's world-building is incredibly well done. I really enjoyed her descriptions of the new world of Elendil.
Apart from these points, I do really like the story's concept, and the author is excellent at making you fall in love with the characters. I am hopeful that the next book in the series will be better, and I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds and how the characters evolve.
I love the concept of the story. It's very entertaining and perfect for middle schoolers who enjoy books like "Harry Potter" and "Percy Jackson."
However, if you're a young adult (YA) or adult (A) looking for a fast-paced, high-stakes fantasy, this might not be the right fit. The pace is slower and more cozy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's something to be prepared for, especially if you're used to fantasy written for YA or adult audiences. This was the main reason I struggled to get into the story. The first half of the book is particularly slow, but it does pick up later on and becomes really engaging towards the end. While reading the first half, I found myself needing to adjust to the slower, cozier fantasy style. Despite this, Bailee's world-building is incredibly well done. I really enjoyed her descriptions of the new world of Elendil.
Apart from these points, I do really like the story's concept, and the author is excellent at making you fall in love with the characters. I am hopeful that the next book in the series will be better, and I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds and how the characters evolve.
February 5, 2024
The Keepers of Elendiel by Bailee Williams
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
Everything she thought she knew about herself and the world is thrown upside-down when 12 year old Emery is suddenly attacked by goblins and forced to escape to another world filled with magic and monsters. When all she wants is to return to a normal life, Emery must choose whether or not to rise to the occasion when the fate of the entire world of Elendiel rests on her shoulders. Filled with magic, dragons, and mysteries abound, this middle grade fantasy novel is the start of an interesting series.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fairly quick read, even for slow readers such as myself. I do feel like some additional time could have been spent on fleshing out characters and the world of Elendiel, particularly in spots where chunks of time pass between scenes. That said, for the first novel in the series, it was a lovely introduction to this fantastical world and cast of characters. I would be happy to recommend this book, particularly to 8-12 year olds who enjoy fantasy adventures, and look forward to reading the rest of the series when it comes out.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
Everything she thought she knew about herself and the world is thrown upside-down when 12 year old Emery is suddenly attacked by goblins and forced to escape to another world filled with magic and monsters. When all she wants is to return to a normal life, Emery must choose whether or not to rise to the occasion when the fate of the entire world of Elendiel rests on her shoulders. Filled with magic, dragons, and mysteries abound, this middle grade fantasy novel is the start of an interesting series.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It is a fairly quick read, even for slow readers such as myself. I do feel like some additional time could have been spent on fleshing out characters and the world of Elendiel, particularly in spots where chunks of time pass between scenes. That said, for the first novel in the series, it was a lovely introduction to this fantastical world and cast of characters. I would be happy to recommend this book, particularly to 8-12 year olds who enjoy fantasy adventures, and look forward to reading the rest of the series when it comes out.
November 22, 2024
4.5☆
✦ “What if all we can do is stand around and wait for the world to end?” “then we’ll do it together.” ✦
Bailee Williams’ The Keepers of Elendiel follows twelve-year-old Emery as she navigates grieving the loss of her father, feelings of anxiousness regarding her inability to fit in with the other kids her age, and the complex task of unraveling a magical world she never could’ve fathomed would truly exist, let alone include her. When Emery’s dreams are revealed to be memories of a forgotten aspect of her life, Emery must navigate this fantastical new world of whimsy and magic with the accompaniment of some friends, both new and old. She must find a way to control the power she wields before it is too late, and darkness snuffs out the light.
✦ the following contains spoilers ✦
Emery is a socially awkward, wise young girl who wishes only for two things: to be normal and to have her father back. Emery’s social anxiety and reputation for being “the girl with the dead dad” at school only make her feel more isolated from her peers, not to mention the surreal dreams that plague her nights and the unexplainable events she experiences. Her relationship with her mom is very sweet and resembles that of Percy and Sally Jackson and her relationship with her new companions, Nathan and Aaron tugs at those “found family trope” heartstrings.
The fantasy world-building in this book is descriptive and beautifully immersive. The imagery of the magical world is incredibly vivid and the magic system is interesting, particularly the descriptions of the water magical system. The magic system and roles of the builders, animators, travelers, listeners, and watchers are introduced in a manner that I wish was more prevalent in fantasy, and middle-grade fantasy especially. The magic system is explained organically and gives the readers the benefit of the doubt. In other words, this narration doesn’t talk down to the reader in a condescending way that treats them as if they can’t connect the dots themselves. Instead, it subtly sprinkles relevant details into the plot as the story progresses, and allows the readers to piece together the twists and motivations alongside the characters.
This book also carried very well in terms of the pacing of the plot. While fantasy world-building can feel clunky and slow sometimes, the method of interspersing the foundations of the magic system throughout the work allowed the pacing of this work to remain fairly consistent. If anything, it bordered feeling a tiny bit rushed for me! As the characters continue to gain depth in the future books in the series, it may slow down a bit.
Later in the work, the book presents interesting commentary that aligns with common criticisms of “the chosen one” trope. Emery finds herself emotionally torn between not wanting those who are causing harm to others to win, and not wanting to bear the sole responsibility of saving a world to which she never truly belonged. Emery faces the question of whether or not these conflicting complex feelings make her a horrible person. This conversation allows the young readers to think more critically about the implications of these common tropes, and consider how they might handle the situations the characters are facing if they were in their shoes.
This book is tense and yet comforting, serious at times and silly at others, and can appeal to lovers of fairies, nature-based magic, magical realms, and found family. There are a handful of little aspects that stood out to me! a) I loved the role astronomy and the constellations played in the story, especially their relevance to the plot and the way they were used as tools to build emotional tension and pick up the pace subtly in the first few chapters of the book. The way her grief and her coping with loss were discussed is beautiful and handled delicately. b) Many middle-grade fantasies can get lost in the darkness of the chosen one trope, so my favorite scene was of Nathan and Emery dancing around at the inn, in which we see our chosen one still getting to be a child and letting herself go to experience childhood joy with a friend. c) Also…. DRAGONS!!
Williams’ dedication to “all the kids who grew up believing they were too different to ever fit in” perfectly suits the book, and is a sentiment that could resonate with any reader. The representation of this “fish out of water” feeling is one that many young people may find solace in. As a young queer woman, I wish this was a message shared more when I was that age; it is one that any young person that feels like an outcast (especially if they are LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, a child of color, or disabled) may find validating.
There was one aspect that I felt was lacking. I do wish that we got a scene or two more of Emery’s life before the revelation of her powers so that we could see a clearer image of how Emery has come to feel so alone in her experiences and so separated from what is deemed “normal”. This is explored concerning her powers and her ties to the magical world, but non-fantasy examples of this (ie. her interactions with her classmates, or another scene like the party scene at the beginning) may help her characterization feel more complex and relatable. However, since this is the first book, and the main priority of this book was to establish the magic system and the world-building, I don’t doubt that her character will be expanded upon further as the series progresses.
Emery, Nathan, and Aaron’s characters have only just begun to demonstrate their respective depths, and I am looking forward to following these characters as they further develop to become fully-flushed-out, multidimensional characters. Since first books in fantasy and magical realism series (or series in general) tend to “tell” not “show”, it makes sense that we have only just begun to scratch the surface of these characters’ motivations, passions, and nuance. I’m excited to see where Williams takes these characters and can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next!
✦ “You don’t have to be the person you think everyone else wants you to be. You can just be you. Whatever that means.”✦
✦ “What if all we can do is stand around and wait for the world to end?” “then we’ll do it together.” ✦
Bailee Williams’ The Keepers of Elendiel follows twelve-year-old Emery as she navigates grieving the loss of her father, feelings of anxiousness regarding her inability to fit in with the other kids her age, and the complex task of unraveling a magical world she never could’ve fathomed would truly exist, let alone include her. When Emery’s dreams are revealed to be memories of a forgotten aspect of her life, Emery must navigate this fantastical new world of whimsy and magic with the accompaniment of some friends, both new and old. She must find a way to control the power she wields before it is too late, and darkness snuffs out the light.
✦ the following contains spoilers ✦
Emery is a socially awkward, wise young girl who wishes only for two things: to be normal and to have her father back. Emery’s social anxiety and reputation for being “the girl with the dead dad” at school only make her feel more isolated from her peers, not to mention the surreal dreams that plague her nights and the unexplainable events she experiences. Her relationship with her mom is very sweet and resembles that of Percy and Sally Jackson and her relationship with her new companions, Nathan and Aaron tugs at those “found family trope” heartstrings.
The fantasy world-building in this book is descriptive and beautifully immersive. The imagery of the magical world is incredibly vivid and the magic system is interesting, particularly the descriptions of the water magical system. The magic system and roles of the builders, animators, travelers, listeners, and watchers are introduced in a manner that I wish was more prevalent in fantasy, and middle-grade fantasy especially. The magic system is explained organically and gives the readers the benefit of the doubt. In other words, this narration doesn’t talk down to the reader in a condescending way that treats them as if they can’t connect the dots themselves. Instead, it subtly sprinkles relevant details into the plot as the story progresses, and allows the readers to piece together the twists and motivations alongside the characters.
This book also carried very well in terms of the pacing of the plot. While fantasy world-building can feel clunky and slow sometimes, the method of interspersing the foundations of the magic system throughout the work allowed the pacing of this work to remain fairly consistent. If anything, it bordered feeling a tiny bit rushed for me! As the characters continue to gain depth in the future books in the series, it may slow down a bit.
Later in the work, the book presents interesting commentary that aligns with common criticisms of “the chosen one” trope. Emery finds herself emotionally torn between not wanting those who are causing harm to others to win, and not wanting to bear the sole responsibility of saving a world to which she never truly belonged. Emery faces the question of whether or not these conflicting complex feelings make her a horrible person. This conversation allows the young readers to think more critically about the implications of these common tropes, and consider how they might handle the situations the characters are facing if they were in their shoes.
This book is tense and yet comforting, serious at times and silly at others, and can appeal to lovers of fairies, nature-based magic, magical realms, and found family. There are a handful of little aspects that stood out to me! a) I loved the role astronomy and the constellations played in the story, especially their relevance to the plot and the way they were used as tools to build emotional tension and pick up the pace subtly in the first few chapters of the book. The way her grief and her coping with loss were discussed is beautiful and handled delicately. b) Many middle-grade fantasies can get lost in the darkness of the chosen one trope, so my favorite scene was of Nathan and Emery dancing around at the inn, in which we see our chosen one still getting to be a child and letting herself go to experience childhood joy with a friend. c) Also…. DRAGONS!!
Williams’ dedication to “all the kids who grew up believing they were too different to ever fit in” perfectly suits the book, and is a sentiment that could resonate with any reader. The representation of this “fish out of water” feeling is one that many young people may find solace in. As a young queer woman, I wish this was a message shared more when I was that age; it is one that any young person that feels like an outcast (especially if they are LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, a child of color, or disabled) may find validating.
There was one aspect that I felt was lacking. I do wish that we got a scene or two more of Emery’s life before the revelation of her powers so that we could see a clearer image of how Emery has come to feel so alone in her experiences and so separated from what is deemed “normal”. This is explored concerning her powers and her ties to the magical world, but non-fantasy examples of this (ie. her interactions with her classmates, or another scene like the party scene at the beginning) may help her characterization feel more complex and relatable. However, since this is the first book, and the main priority of this book was to establish the magic system and the world-building, I don’t doubt that her character will be expanded upon further as the series progresses.
Emery, Nathan, and Aaron’s characters have only just begun to demonstrate their respective depths, and I am looking forward to following these characters as they further develop to become fully-flushed-out, multidimensional characters. Since first books in fantasy and magical realism series (or series in general) tend to “tell” not “show”, it makes sense that we have only just begun to scratch the surface of these characters’ motivations, passions, and nuance. I’m excited to see where Williams takes these characters and can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next!
✦ “You don’t have to be the person you think everyone else wants you to be. You can just be you. Whatever that means.”✦
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2024
All Emery wanted was a normal life and to watch the stars like she used to do with her dad. But one day she and her mom are attacked by goblins and Aaron takes Emery to Elendiel where she learns that magic is real and she has powers. As she learns how to control her powers she also learns that Mordain wants to take her powers and destroy Elendiel as it was. Can Emery learn enough of her magic to defeat Mordain and save Elendiel?
I was lucky enough to be chosen to read this book before it was published. Because of that, there are some mistakes that I’m sure will be fixed before the book hits the shelves.
This is a great middle-grade book full of adventure and mystery and magic, some of my favorite things! I love the new world created in this book and can’t wait to learn more as the next book comes out (hopefully soon!).
The book is full of good imagery and I found myself thinking about how it would look as a movie. I definitely saw one in my head!
Once this book comes out in October 2024, I recommend reading it if you like reading about adventurous teen girls learning about magic and saving the world!
I was lucky enough to be chosen to read this book before it was published. Because of that, there are some mistakes that I’m sure will be fixed before the book hits the shelves.
This is a great middle-grade book full of adventure and mystery and magic, some of my favorite things! I love the new world created in this book and can’t wait to learn more as the next book comes out (hopefully soon!).
The book is full of good imagery and I found myself thinking about how it would look as a movie. I definitely saw one in my head!
Once this book comes out in October 2024, I recommend reading it if you like reading about adventurous teen girls learning about magic and saving the world!
January 16, 2024
(3.5⭐)
This book was so fun!
The first thing I noticed was the lovely writing style. It was highly descriptive while remaining easily understandable for the intended audience. The descriptions were whimsical and vivid and portrayed the story beautifully.
I also loved the characters, Aaron especially. He was encouraging, kind, and seemed capable although he didn't have magic.
I found it interesting that the younger the characters got the less fantastical their names sounded. I wonder why that is? Why did Elendiel go from "Ili" to "Nathan"? I'd be curious to know if there's a backstory behind that.
I did find the pacing a bit weird. It made it hard to follow some of the magic system and world politics.
My favorite parts of the book were the tiny dragon (she was adorable), and the PLOT TWIST. The plot twist was amazing and why I decided to round my rating up rather than down. That piece of backstory near the end was crucial and shocking and added so much depth. (Iykyk)
Overall, this book was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one coming out!
This book was so fun!
The first thing I noticed was the lovely writing style. It was highly descriptive while remaining easily understandable for the intended audience. The descriptions were whimsical and vivid and portrayed the story beautifully.
I also loved the characters, Aaron especially. He was encouraging, kind, and seemed capable although he didn't have magic.
I found it interesting that the younger the characters got the less fantastical their names sounded. I wonder why that is? Why did Elendiel go from "Ili" to "Nathan"? I'd be curious to know if there's a backstory behind that.
I did find the pacing a bit weird. It made it hard to follow some of the magic system and world politics.
My favorite parts of the book were the tiny dragon (she was adorable), and the PLOT TWIST. The plot twist was amazing and why I decided to round my rating up rather than down. That piece of backstory near the end was crucial and shocking and added so much depth. (Iykyk)
Overall, this book was a very enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one coming out!
January 30, 2024
First off, I wanna say I really see a lot of potential in this series. I rated it a solid 3 stars. I am interested to see where it goes from here.
But I'm not going to lie, it wasn't a 4 or 5 star read for me for a reason.
While I thought the writing was good, I did feel like there were a few parts where the author did drag some stuff out. While there were other parts that I don't think got expanded on enough. But overall, the story was interesting and I enjoyed it.
I would have liked a bit more character development with some of the side characters. But that wasn't a make or break thing.
I definitely could see where the author drew inspiration from. Sometimes it was a little too obvious. But as it is her debut novel I'm not really holding that against her.
The last couple chapters did feel a bit rushed..I feel like if there was maybe one more or if the chapters were a bit longer it wouldn't have felt like that.
But overall, a solid 3 star read. With interest in the rest of the series.
But I'm not going to lie, it wasn't a 4 or 5 star read for me for a reason.
While I thought the writing was good, I did feel like there were a few parts where the author did drag some stuff out. While there were other parts that I don't think got expanded on enough. But overall, the story was interesting and I enjoyed it.
I would have liked a bit more character development with some of the side characters. But that wasn't a make or break thing.
I definitely could see where the author drew inspiration from. Sometimes it was a little too obvious. But as it is her debut novel I'm not really holding that against her.
The last couple chapters did feel a bit rushed..I feel like if there was maybe one more or if the chapters were a bit longer it wouldn't have felt like that.
But overall, a solid 3 star read. With interest in the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2024
I honestly didn't expect to read a book written so professionally and artistic such as this book....generally my opinion about creatures like dragon , Goblins is they are fairy tales meant for children and they aren't as fantastical as magic itself ...though still I'm not a big fan of those creatures , I'm looking forward to the sequel of this book as this book mainly wasn't exactly only talking about fantasies ....the way the author managed to put the emotions many in this today world feel , hats off to her .....I never felt like this is a book written by a author new to this industry...I insist that people get it's paperback as soon as it's available and enjoy another one of the fantasy worlds we all love to live in ... Also , I suggest the author to put a map of elendiel in the sequel so that people can refer to the map and enjoy the journey taken by Emery , Our Favourite Wielder and most relatable Human ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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