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Reflection: Journey's Travels
Journey Elizabeth Gordon has always been different from other girls her age, and never really fitting in. Frilly dresses and heavy makeup is just not her style. When her mother dies, her life shatters as she and her little sister leave for their father's secluded cabin deep in the mountains of Colorado. A father the girls have not seen or heard from in over six years. Journey believes she'll never be happy again, until one morning when a strange man suddenly appears on their doorstep. With this stranger, Journey's life takes an unexpected turn into the bizarre. Journey's father tries to help her accept new world. Journey is no longer in South Carolina, but living in the Fornax galaxy billions of light years away from Earth. But then she meets the dazzling exotic boy, Takoda. Takoda is a Sweetacha from the blue sister world, Traveler. His skin is lightly colored, his hair is a deep auburn, and his eyes are amber, just like hers. Her heart pounds and her mind goes blank when she sees him. But any relationship beyond friendship is forbidden by law. A law established by her family many generations ago through the Council of Elders. A law, Journey has decided to change. Through Takoda, Journey is introduced to his culture and his people. An exciting world of ancient ruins and hidden secrets that shed an ominous light on her ancestors. Her heart grows daily for Takoda and through that love they enter the forbidden world of racial tension and a forbidden love. Together they struggle to understand the past while piecing together a future they can share and love. A love that would mean instant death if her Council family should discover the truth.
- GenresYoung AdultRomance
245 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2015
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Yvonne Moon
20 books40 followersLynn Yvonne Moon is the American author of the successful Agency Series. Lynn created the concept of The Agency in the 1990's and wondered what would be the implications if government power and money was unlimited. Lynn has worked for both State and Federal Government since the 1990's and uses her long reaching personal experiences to captivate her audience with realistic stories of political corruption and black Government espionage.
Her first novel, When Souls Collide introduces the reader to the ultimate power of The Agency. The second novel, What Rings True, awakens The Agency to the ramifications of never-ending political power. Dysfunctional Bloodline traces the steps of a family serial killer out for revenge. And her fourth novel, In The Defendant's Chair, will shock her readers by exploring the controversial subject of genetic tampering.
Lynn's research has taken her to extreme Government locations and down dangerous and mysterious paths. Through her personal associations, Lynn examines every document and asks every question imaginable to uncover the truth. It's those truths that come out in her books.
According to Mark J. Lumer, retired Space and Missile Defense Command, Lynn's books are a must read for everyone.
"Lynn Moon's novels are closer to real life than most readers realize. Her depictions of spycraft are accurate and display a profound knowledge of the black world. Coupled with compelling story lines and fully developed characters, her novels are a great read. There's no better way to spend a weekend then settling down with one of her novels."
Lynn was born and raised in Ventura, California where she played in the sloping tree-covered hills while watching the military helicopters fly overhead. Throughout her life, Lynn has always asked the harsh questions as to the Whys and has never been afraid to push for an answer. Lynn graduated from Troy State University where she earned a Masters Degree in Government. She currently works for the Commonwealth of Virginia and resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Aside from writing her novels, Lynn is an avid reader and loves gardening.
Her first novel, When Souls Collide introduces the reader to the ultimate power of The Agency. The second novel, What Rings True, awakens The Agency to the ramifications of never-ending political power. Dysfunctional Bloodline traces the steps of a family serial killer out for revenge. And her fourth novel, In The Defendant's Chair, will shock her readers by exploring the controversial subject of genetic tampering.
Lynn's research has taken her to extreme Government locations and down dangerous and mysterious paths. Through her personal associations, Lynn examines every document and asks every question imaginable to uncover the truth. It's those truths that come out in her books.
According to Mark J. Lumer, retired Space and Missile Defense Command, Lynn's books are a must read for everyone.
"Lynn Moon's novels are closer to real life than most readers realize. Her depictions of spycraft are accurate and display a profound knowledge of the black world. Coupled with compelling story lines and fully developed characters, her novels are a great read. There's no better way to spend a weekend then settling down with one of her novels."
Lynn was born and raised in Ventura, California where she played in the sloping tree-covered hills while watching the military helicopters fly overhead. Throughout her life, Lynn has always asked the harsh questions as to the Whys and has never been afraid to push for an answer. Lynn graduated from Troy State University where she earned a Masters Degree in Government. She currently works for the Commonwealth of Virginia and resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Aside from writing her novels, Lynn is an avid reader and loves gardening.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 4, 2015
As soon as I seen the cover for this book, I fell in love. I read this on the Kindle app on my phone and I'm a little sad I couldn't admire the cover in real life. I wasn't expecting a lot of out of this book, just a good read, and that's pretty much what I got.
I felt like this book turned into a love story real quick. I wanted a sci-fi book about a kick butt girl but I ended up with a weak relationship and a boring main character. I'm not a fan of insta-love and this book was full of it. Holy crap, Journey fell for that boy so fast and so hard. It was the most unbelievable insta-love I've ever read about.
The plot was good and the concept was crazy original. I wish there was more world building and explaining. If this book had less love sick teenagers and more world building, I would have loved it.
Overall, this was an okay book. There was a lot of things I personally don't like but other readers might like. If you don't care about insta-love, then you might really like this book. It just wasn't for me.
I felt like this book turned into a love story real quick. I wanted a sci-fi book about a kick butt girl but I ended up with a weak relationship and a boring main character. I'm not a fan of insta-love and this book was full of it. Holy crap, Journey fell for that boy so fast and so hard. It was the most unbelievable insta-love I've ever read about.
The plot was good and the concept was crazy original. I wish there was more world building and explaining. If this book had less love sick teenagers and more world building, I would have loved it.
Overall, this was an okay book. There was a lot of things I personally don't like but other readers might like. If you don't care about insta-love, then you might really like this book. It just wasn't for me.
May 10, 2015
Thank you Netgalley for giving me this ebook, but it was so bad.
I didn't even finish it, because it was of the main character, who was too stupid and that made some choices (can we even call them like this?) that are as stupid as she.
I really don't like insta-love when I see it, love at first sight isn't real. I mean, it's okay to like someone's look but hey, you don't even know him! She fell for him in the moment he walked in. And then, after ONE DAY he tells her that she's beautiful and that her heart is precious. Are you kidding me? I want a story, a real story in a world of magic and mysteries, not a stupid love story.
The whole plot was okay, the author could have probably told us more about these three planets and moons and stuff, but I can understand it, it's just one book, and probably there are gonna be more of them but for me, this series or author ends now.
The plot was original, I never read about something like this: space, and moons, and planets. But Journey (the main character) was on Earth, and then she was on another planet, and she didn't even know why, and so do we.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity, but this was bad, and the one star is just to thank you for giving me the chance to read it before it comes out.
I didn't even finish it, because it was of the main character, who was too stupid and that made some choices (can we even call them like this?) that are as stupid as she.
I really don't like insta-love when I see it, love at first sight isn't real. I mean, it's okay to like someone's look but hey, you don't even know him! She fell for him in the moment he walked in. And then, after ONE DAY he tells her that she's beautiful and that her heart is precious. Are you kidding me? I want a story, a real story in a world of magic and mysteries, not a stupid love story.
The whole plot was okay, the author could have probably told us more about these three planets and moons and stuff, but I can understand it, it's just one book, and probably there are gonna be more of them but for me, this series or author ends now.
The plot was original, I never read about something like this: space, and moons, and planets. But Journey (the main character) was on Earth, and then she was on another planet, and she didn't even know why, and so do we.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity, but this was bad, and the one star is just to thank you for giving me the chance to read it before it comes out.
January 1, 2016
This book took me a while to finish, it nearly became a DNF but I was determined to power through till the end.
There were frequent editorial mistakes and every time I saw one I just grimace and when I see more than two on one page, I just want to scream.
I was skeptical. Blue people, a different race trying to save the world- sound familiar? It came a little too close to Avatar and admittedly, I'm not too fond of the movie therefore I made the association between the movie and the book. Let's just say they were both
'"I am your Lord, remember?" I snap my fingers and smile'
My lord, she needs to get her temper and big-headedness under control cause it's becoming increasingly easy to dislike her. There were many problems regarding the main character. She's impressionable and naive due to her young age which could lead her to become annoying and irritable.
If only for a few chapters, I was captivated by a few thrilling chapters at around 63% and was intrigued to find out more about this forgotten race, her heritage etc.. but then when she returned back from her trip with Takoda it slowed down and I was lost.
There were frequent editorial mistakes and every time I saw one I just grimace and when I see more than two on one page, I just want to scream.
I was skeptical. Blue people, a different race trying to save the world- sound familiar? It came a little too close to Avatar and admittedly, I'm not too fond of the movie therefore I made the association between the movie and the book. Let's just say they were both
'"I am your Lord, remember?" I snap my fingers and smile'
My lord, she needs to get her temper and big-headedness under control cause it's becoming increasingly easy to dislike her. There were many problems regarding the main character. She's impressionable and naive due to her young age which could lead her to become annoying and irritable.
If only for a few chapters, I was captivated by a few thrilling chapters at around 63% and was intrigued to find out more about this forgotten race, her heritage etc.. but then when she returned back from her trip with Takoda it slowed down and I was lost.
September 3, 2021
I really enjoyed the history of the planets and the people. However there are so many loose ends not tied up yet. Idk if there is a second book but there better be.
August 6, 2015
***Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.***
Journey's mother dies. She and her little sister and picked up by their estranged father to live with him. Journey quickly realizes their father's "cabin in Colorado" isn't on Earth at all, but in the Fornax Galaxy billions of lightyears from everything she ever knew--or so she thinks.
Upon arrival she meets her true love and discovers a family and history she never knew existed. They weave through conspiracies, betrayals, aliens and bizarre talents even as they learn to trust and grow together.
Importantly, this book was written for teens, possibly even 11-12 yr olds, though I couldn't find anything that listed an age group on the author's or publisher's websites. It was definitely not written for me and thus I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have when I was young.
The characters are good. Journey is the most well-rounded and does grow a bit. She faces some challenges that many young girls face, like parents splitting up, first boyfriends, and family who doesn't always listen to you.
The worldbuilding was, for me, oddly divided. Parts were truly alien, complex and interesting, and other parts were totally unbelievable. Jeeps, jeans and helicopters in another galaxy? Modern-day English being the "ancient" language of the aliens and aliens using modern slang? Um. No, that didn't work for me at all though I understand how using these could make it easier to picture the story.
By the end, the 'larger universe' and the political plotlines were much more interesting than the instant true love story. But the ending left me a bit disappointed because it was so abrupt. I wanted the next page. And there wasn't one.
Do I recommend this story? For teens or preteens, yes. For adults, no.
Journey's mother dies. She and her little sister and picked up by their estranged father to live with him. Journey quickly realizes their father's "cabin in Colorado" isn't on Earth at all, but in the Fornax Galaxy billions of lightyears from everything she ever knew--or so she thinks.
Upon arrival she meets her true love and discovers a family and history she never knew existed. They weave through conspiracies, betrayals, aliens and bizarre talents even as they learn to trust and grow together.
Importantly, this book was written for teens, possibly even 11-12 yr olds, though I couldn't find anything that listed an age group on the author's or publisher's websites. It was definitely not written for me and thus I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have when I was young.
The characters are good. Journey is the most well-rounded and does grow a bit. She faces some challenges that many young girls face, like parents splitting up, first boyfriends, and family who doesn't always listen to you.
The worldbuilding was, for me, oddly divided. Parts were truly alien, complex and interesting, and other parts were totally unbelievable. Jeeps, jeans and helicopters in another galaxy? Modern-day English being the "ancient" language of the aliens and aliens using modern slang? Um. No, that didn't work for me at all though I understand how using these could make it easier to picture the story.
By the end, the 'larger universe' and the political plotlines were much more interesting than the instant true love story. But the ending left me a bit disappointed because it was so abrupt. I wanted the next page. And there wasn't one.
Do I recommend this story? For teens or preteens, yes. For adults, no.
January 9, 2016
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of Reflection: Journey's Travels for an advance e-galley of this book.
On one hand, I liked how the book began, in the disorienting middle of a messy grieving process. Journey's estranged father comes to claim custody of her and her little sister, and she responds with an understandable measure of hostility.
And then they drive, not to Colorado, but to another planet. And that's the least weird thing that happens.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the repeated references to amber eyes, the Avatar-like description of Journey's intergalactic boyfriend, or the way she accepted her role in her true identity like she has somehow, deep down, known the truth all along. (I hesitate to mention the consistent use of "lay" where "lie" should be used, only because I know I was reading a proof, and there's a chance that someone corrected that before publication.) The timing of a lot of things felt off. For example, one minute Takoda tells Journey, "This horribly intimate and somewhat embarrassing thing is bound to happen way, way in the future, and when it does, here's what to expect," and the next minute, the horribly intimate and somewhat embarrassing thing happens and Journey almost loses it completely. Afterward, she casually mentions that she has a phone on her, but it doesn't work where they are. THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU LIST THAT AMONG OUR ASSETS?
Since the concept is refreshing and the issues could be fixed with a bit of editing, I don't want to write off Reflection entirely - especially if there are sequels that might get a better editing scrub - but as it is, I had to bail halfway through because life is short and I couldn't make myself keep reading this book.
On one hand, I liked how the book began, in the disorienting middle of a messy grieving process. Journey's estranged father comes to claim custody of her and her little sister, and she responds with an understandable measure of hostility.
And then they drive, not to Colorado, but to another planet. And that's the least weird thing that happens.
Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the repeated references to amber eyes, the Avatar-like description of Journey's intergalactic boyfriend, or the way she accepted her role in her true identity like she has somehow, deep down, known the truth all along. (I hesitate to mention the consistent use of "lay" where "lie" should be used, only because I know I was reading a proof, and there's a chance that someone corrected that before publication.) The timing of a lot of things felt off. For example, one minute Takoda tells Journey, "This horribly intimate and somewhat embarrassing thing is bound to happen way, way in the future, and when it does, here's what to expect," and the next minute, the horribly intimate and somewhat embarrassing thing happens and Journey almost loses it completely. Afterward, she casually mentions that she has a phone on her, but it doesn't work where they are. THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU LIST THAT AMONG OUR ASSETS?
Since the concept is refreshing and the issues could be fixed with a bit of editing, I don't want to write off Reflection entirely - especially if there are sequels that might get a better editing scrub - but as it is, I had to bail halfway through because life is short and I couldn't make myself keep reading this book.
May 6, 2016
Reflection is in interesting tale about aliens, universes, planets, and forbidden romances. In it, we follow Journey as she discovers a whole new way of life with her father after her mother dies.
The plot and the overall premise of this story had so much potential. I had no expectations when I started reading, and so through all the flaws, I still found enjoyment. There were some great descriptions, build-ups, action scenes, and there were a lot of points where I had hope for character development. I didn't feel the urge to never put it down, but I still liked reading, even if it was only because I wanted to know how it would end and if anything would be solved.
The author came up with some wonderful twists. I never saw some of them coming. There were situations full of angst and fear, and while they usually ended up with our MC having a temper tantrum, they were still enjoyable to read. The different emotions and experiences are probably what saved this book from a DNF. Each new place Journey and Takoda explored had something interesting happen in it, and while it may not have ended in anything overly spectacular, it was still intriguing made the book more enjoyable. I loved learning about the other planets and species, the different foods and cultures and beliefs. I just wish we had more on that.
*Read my full review here
* I received a free digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The plot and the overall premise of this story had so much potential. I had no expectations when I started reading, and so through all the flaws, I still found enjoyment. There were some great descriptions, build-ups, action scenes, and there were a lot of points where I had hope for character development. I didn't feel the urge to never put it down, but I still liked reading, even if it was only because I wanted to know how it would end and if anything would be solved.
The author came up with some wonderful twists. I never saw some of them coming. There were situations full of angst and fear, and while they usually ended up with our MC having a temper tantrum, they were still enjoyable to read. The different emotions and experiences are probably what saved this book from a DNF. Each new place Journey and Takoda explored had something interesting happen in it, and while it may not have ended in anything overly spectacular, it was still intriguing made the book more enjoyable. I loved learning about the other planets and species, the different foods and cultures and beliefs. I just wish we had more on that.
*Read my full review here
* I received a free digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2015
I made it to chapter 3 and had to stop. In my opinion, it takes a really good writer to pull off first-person and I just don't believe that this writer was able to. The annoyance I had with the MC was similar to the annoyance I had with Anna in 50 Shades, which I also couldn't sit through. Why? Journey seems stupid and naive. Her mom dies (not a spoiler, she's dead when the novel begins) and her dad comes back for her and her sister. We are quickly shown that Journey hates her dad but the minute he arrives, she feels comforted and realizes she still loves him. In chapter two, it seems like every few sentences, Journey loves him and hates him.
At the end of Chapter 2, we are shown some pretty questionable world-building and asked to picture things that have very little imagery. I had high-hopes with the cover and the writing fell flat.
*Disclaimer: Received a digital copy via Netgalley*
At the end of Chapter 2, we are shown some pretty questionable world-building and asked to picture things that have very little imagery. I had high-hopes with the cover and the writing fell flat.
*Disclaimer: Received a digital copy via Netgalley*
May 14, 2015
Journey and her younger sister go to live with their father after their mother dies. I liked this story and it held my interest. I liked the characters. The tone of this story has a very dreamy quality. Journey and her sister accept living on an alien planet pretty quickly which I found farfetched and there was a bit of info dumping. Other than that pretty good. 3 stars.
September 27, 2015
I read this title as an eARC thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I really liked this title. While it felt like Avatar, the movie with blue people, it was very interesting. I usually dislike alien and space books, but this was unique. I automatically loved certain characters, and I felt this book was very easily likable. I read this book within a day, I enjoyed it so much.
February 27, 2020
This book is awesome. Journey seem naïve through out the story, but anyone will feel naïve if they to travle to a planet with a strange culture and blue aliens.
The love story seem silly. It didn't bother me that much, cause all love stories are silly in YA. It was silly and cute to me.
The love story seem silly. It didn't bother me that much, cause all love stories are silly in YA. It was silly and cute to me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews