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The Toymaker
No one ever returns from the mines.
It's a rumor ten year old Ashima Nayar had never bothered herself with... until the night the Beasts attacked.
Now, with her village devastated, the crops destroyed and desperation about to set in, Ashima suddenly finds herself separated from her parents and the only life she's ever known.
But Ashima has no intention of waiting around with only the hope that her parents might return. She's going to find them.
In her quest, she befriends Ren, a man with a strange but amazing ability. They are drawn into a world full of raging Beasts, tyrannical goblins, and perilous secrets. With the help of Ren and his unusual gift, they set out in search of her family, and the answer to a mystery that has haunted Ren for years. An answer that just might change the course of the world.
It's a rumor ten year old Ashima Nayar had never bothered herself with... until the night the Beasts attacked.
Now, with her village devastated, the crops destroyed and desperation about to set in, Ashima suddenly finds herself separated from her parents and the only life she's ever known.
But Ashima has no intention of waiting around with only the hope that her parents might return. She's going to find them.
In her quest, she befriends Ren, a man with a strange but amazing ability. They are drawn into a world full of raging Beasts, tyrannical goblins, and perilous secrets. With the help of Ren and his unusual gift, they set out in search of her family, and the answer to a mystery that has haunted Ren for years. An answer that just might change the course of the world.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Melissa A. Jensen
2 books33 followersMelissa A Jensen has always had a love for all things fantasy and science fiction, as well as adventure. Having lived as far north as Alaska to as far south as Texas, and growing up on a steady diet of sci-fi and fantasy from Star Wars to The Dark Crystal, has fed her imagination and given her a passion for creating whimsical worlds and fantastic creatures.
She currently resides in Wichita, Kansas, and when not writing she enjoys drawing, sculpting, listening to music, reading, spoiling her cats and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
Feel free to drop by her website, where you'll find short stories, project updates and writing discussions.
She currently resides in Wichita, Kansas, and when not writing she enjoys drawing, sculpting, listening to music, reading, spoiling her cats and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
Feel free to drop by her website, where you'll find short stories, project updates and writing discussions.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 30, 2017
This is one of those stories that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. It's a post-apocalyptic fantasy with lots of heart-hammering action and adventure along with many soul-touching, tearful moments.
This story meant a lot to me. When it came time to stop reading and bookmark my page, I often found I had been sitting with one hand on my chest. Many times I so badly wanted to pluck Ashima out of this book and pull her into my arms and comfort her. I was angry over her hardship and the painful loss she suffered. At times I was afraid things would never be okay for her again. However, Ashima remained strong and never gave up hope, so neither could I.
Luckily, she wasn't alone. Ren took good care of her, albeit begrudgingly at first, as a good brother looks after his little sister. Then there were times Ashima was brave and strong for Ren when he was sick and weak. Isaac gave them both a job and a safe place to stay, as a generous uncle would to a niece and nephew in need. Randi, like a protective older sister, appeared whenever they were in dire need of help. Ren's golems, such curious little beings I wanted to hug them all, rounded things out as the mischievous younger siblings. They made a sort of mix-mash family; loving, taking care of, and fighting for each other.
This wonderful story is very well-written and the world-building is excellent. What are golems, you ask? You need to read the story to find out, of course. ; )
This story meant a lot to me. When it came time to stop reading and bookmark my page, I often found I had been sitting with one hand on my chest. Many times I so badly wanted to pluck Ashima out of this book and pull her into my arms and comfort her. I was angry over her hardship and the painful loss she suffered. At times I was afraid things would never be okay for her again. However, Ashima remained strong and never gave up hope, so neither could I.
Luckily, she wasn't alone. Ren took good care of her, albeit begrudgingly at first, as a good brother looks after his little sister. Then there were times Ashima was brave and strong for Ren when he was sick and weak. Isaac gave them both a job and a safe place to stay, as a generous uncle would to a niece and nephew in need. Randi, like a protective older sister, appeared whenever they were in dire need of help. Ren's golems, such curious little beings I wanted to hug them all, rounded things out as the mischievous younger siblings. They made a sort of mix-mash family; loving, taking care of, and fighting for each other.
This wonderful story is very well-written and the world-building is excellent. What are golems, you ask? You need to read the story to find out, of course. ; )
January 9, 2016
This is an amazing and very visual epic fantasy adventure. Right from the start, I began imagining the characters as stop motion puppets because there is a wonder and magic to this story that I think would translate well into a feature length film.
Ashima was an absolute darling and easy to get behind as the story's young protagonist. Ren,well, Ren took a little getting used to, but eventually he grew on me. I'll blame the unfortunate timing of having read this around the same time as the new Star Wars film came out, so perhaps my view of tall skinny & frail men named Ren is skewed.
The rest of the characters, and there are many, are wonderful. Brilliantly written and given distinct and fascinating personalities. The golems, especially Stevie, stole the show often. The circus is quite fascinating as well and again I was reminded that this would make a visually appealing stop motion (are you listening, Hollywood?)
Overall, the pacing is good, the story is captivating, and at times I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until I let it out. I would recommend this to fantasy fans of all ages.
Ashima was an absolute darling and easy to get behind as the story's young protagonist. Ren,well, Ren took a little getting used to, but eventually he grew on me. I'll blame the unfortunate timing of having read this around the same time as the new Star Wars film came out, so perhaps my view of tall skinny & frail men named Ren is skewed.
The rest of the characters, and there are many, are wonderful. Brilliantly written and given distinct and fascinating personalities. The golems, especially Stevie, stole the show often. The circus is quite fascinating as well and again I was reminded that this would make a visually appealing stop motion (are you listening, Hollywood?)
Overall, the pacing is good, the story is captivating, and at times I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until I let it out. I would recommend this to fantasy fans of all ages.
December 13, 2015
Ashima Nayar's childhood encouraged her to be curious and independent.
"Ashima's parents had always made it a point to get the whole story, to understand why, and what."
Her upbringing becomes important when the goblins attacked her village. Her parents were shipped off to the mines and she begins a quest with Ren, the toymaker.
In the course of this epic journey, they join a circus, discover a space ship, meet up with the resistance, and in a action packed climax, fight the battle of Goblin City.
The message of this exciting YA quest can be summed up...
"Well... no. It's not a matter of life being hard, it's a matter off... a matter of life being tricky, I guess."
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/1...
"Ashima's parents had always made it a point to get the whole story, to understand why, and what."
Her upbringing becomes important when the goblins attacked her village. Her parents were shipped off to the mines and she begins a quest with Ren, the toymaker.
In the course of this epic journey, they join a circus, discover a space ship, meet up with the resistance, and in a action packed climax, fight the battle of Goblin City.
The message of this exciting YA quest can be summed up...
"Well... no. It's not a matter of life being hard, it's a matter off... a matter of life being tricky, I guess."
For more see: http://1book42day.blogspot.com/2015/1...
June 17, 2016
This was an awesome read. I’m a visual thinker, so I see pictures when I read. This one gave me the same feeling Spirited Away did. As I was reading, I could picture it in that animated style, and it was beautiful. Great flow, no horrible grammatical errors that pulled me away from the story, and a plot that was engaging. I enjoyed this book very much, and might have found a new favorite, it was that good. *I received a free copy of the item in exchange for an honest review.*
July 25, 2016
This book reminded me of why I loved to read as a child. This is one of the rare books that serves as a portal to another world, a world inhabited by wonderful characters and wonderful things; one of the special few books that are equally entertaining to wild-eyed children that still believe in magic, as well as bitter, jaded adults such as myself.
For a fleeting moment, I was a kid again, along with Ren and his Golems, on a truly amazing adventure.
For a fleeting moment, I was a kid again, along with Ren and his Golems, on a truly amazing adventure.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews