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The Tethered World Chronicles #1
The Tethered World
“Normal” means different things to different people. For sixteen-year-old Sadie Larcen, family dynamics look a little different than most. Parents with oddball occupations? Normal. Five homeschooled siblings—one with autism? Normal.
Police knocking on the door and parents gone missing? Definitely not normal!
When Sadie uncovers the reasons behind her parents’ disappearance and the truth about her heritage, she despairs of ever feeling normal again. Especially when she learns that her mother’s interest in Bigfoot, Dwarves, and other lore extends beyond her popular blog. Sadie’s family has been entrusted with keeping the secrets of the Tethered World—home to creatures that once roamed the Garden of Eden.
Sadie and her siblings must venture into this land to rescue their parents. Stepping out of reality and into a world she never knew existed is a journey Sadie fears and resents. But she chooses to risk all to save her family.
She’s just not sure she will survive in the process.
Young Adult Christian Fantasy
Police knocking on the door and parents gone missing? Definitely not normal!
When Sadie uncovers the reasons behind her parents’ disappearance and the truth about her heritage, she despairs of ever feeling normal again. Especially when she learns that her mother’s interest in Bigfoot, Dwarves, and other lore extends beyond her popular blog. Sadie’s family has been entrusted with keeping the secrets of the Tethered World—home to creatures that once roamed the Garden of Eden.
Sadie and her siblings must venture into this land to rescue their parents. Stepping out of reality and into a world she never knew existed is a journey Sadie fears and resents. But she chooses to risk all to save her family.
She’s just not sure she will survive in the process.
Young Adult Christian Fantasy
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2016
141 people are currently reading
607 people want to read
About the author
Heather L.L. FitzGerald
6 books55 followersHeather L.L. FitzGerald writes from her home in Texas, while dreaming of being back in the Pacific Northwest, where she grew up. When her four kids were young, she enjoyed reading aloud until her voice gave out. (Her son, who is autistic, would just move on to his favorite book on CD).
Certain stories became good friends--the kind you want to revisit. The kind you wish never needed to say goodbye. Those are the sort of stories Heather aspires to write. Stories worthy of delicious coffee and tea, that are difficult to leave.
Heather is a member of the North Texas Christian Writer's group and helps to lead the Manet Writer's group in Fort Worth, Texas.
Certain stories became good friends--the kind you want to revisit. The kind you wish never needed to say goodbye. Those are the sort of stories Heather aspires to write. Stories worthy of delicious coffee and tea, that are difficult to leave.
Heather is a member of the North Texas Christian Writer's group and helps to lead the Manet Writer's group in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
July 15, 2024
UPDATED REVIEW:
Whowzers. Um, okay. What was this, my fifth time reading The Tethered World? And I'm still mourning the end of the book even though I know where the series goes.
This, my friends, is what Christian YA should be.
Plot
Urban Fantasy with a Biblical twist...kind of. It's super unique and just fun and enjoyable. Clean, family-friendly, no amount of cringe material whatsoever, and just wholesome. Lots of adventure packed with good lessons, including the importance of family. Plus, I really liked the adoption thread, minor as it was. And the fact that we have a homeschool family as the main characters is a major YES for me.
Most homeschoolers can identify with Sadie's exasperation at the "Oh, you're a homeschooler?" part. I mean, come on, folks. Quit gawkin' at us like we're creatures from Mars. Or the Tethered World. We know how to "socialize" far better than your precious public school darlings, and I dare say we're more intelligent over all. You know. Because our curriculum isn't packed with nonsensical, anti-God, anti-intelligence, and anti-American garbage.
Anyway. Rant over. Needless to say, I empathized. Such stupid reactions we homeschoolers, and homeschool graduates, receive.
Settings
The Tethered World is beyond fascinating. The sheer amount of creativity FitzGerald packs into this story blew me away. Worldbuilding can become tricky when writing straight-up fantasy. But worldbuilding while tying it in with the Bible? And the real world? That's a doozy. A doozy FitzGerald did marvelously at. You're there in the passage ways, atop Odyssey's back (and passing out with Sadie), and traveling to the different parts of the "World".
Characters
Sadie's a hoot. A sarcastic hoot. I was laughing for about half of this book due to the humor mixed in. I liked how organic her character arc was--the good, the bad, and the sassy.
Brady is great. Because I know what happens in future books, I have to say he's my favorite. (Which ends up killing my heart in Book Three, but I'll not go there.) An arrogant little twerp, but he learns so much during the adventure.
Sophie's the stereotypical younger sister. I definitely empathized with Sadie about her.
Brock is Brock. Lovable because of who he is, not because he "interacts" a lot with the reader.
The myriad of supporting characters are fantastic as well. Except for the baddies. They're not fantastic. Well, they're fantastically nasty and evil and vile and putrid and just all-around miserable sots. It was easy to dislike them. Stinky creatures.
Faith/Spiritual Elements
Again, very organic. We learn with Sadie and we are reminded of the importance of relying on God and that He is in control no matter how dire the situation.
Other
Many, many kudos to FitzGerlad for achieving something you rarely find in YA: a solid, nuclear family that actually loves each other. Liam and Amy's devotion toward each other was so tender, even in the roughest moment, and I was delighted regarding Sadie and her siblings' relationships and interactions. You don't get that wholesomeness in most YA books, even if they're touted as "Christian".
Content Warnings
Characters are injured, kidnapped, smacked around, and bloodied. War and battle and their casualties are mentioned. Nasties are slain in self-defense. There's no profanity to speak of (no pun intended) and the romance is pure and simple.
Conclusion
I reread this book after being exhausted by an absolutely colossal YA failure, and this is so refreshing. We need more YA authors like FitzGerald.
Like I said before, this is what YA should be. This is what Christian YA should be. Wholesome, clean, faith-filled, and just great for the entire family. The Tethered World falls into the same category as Chuck Black and Donita K. Paul: perfect for the entire crew.
If you want an excellent book that defies the typical YA boundaries, incorporates faith and family, and mixes in a generous heaping of adventure and hints of romance, The Tethered World is the book for you.
***
OLD REVIEW:
The Tethered World is a fun, captivating tale. Not only is it overflowing with humor, sarcasm, and excellent world-building, but it also has a homeschooler and her family as the main characters! As a homeschool graduate, this was a delight to read, and so refreshing to see homeschoolers cast in a positive light. Plus, there are multiple types of odd, wonderful creatures in this book, and the author did a superb job crafting each race and their quirks and society. The Tethered World is a must-read.
The rest of this review can be read at: https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.co...
Whowzers. Um, okay. What was this, my fifth time reading The Tethered World? And I'm still mourning the end of the book even though I know where the series goes.
This, my friends, is what Christian YA should be.
Plot
Urban Fantasy with a Biblical twist...kind of. It's super unique and just fun and enjoyable. Clean, family-friendly, no amount of cringe material whatsoever, and just wholesome. Lots of adventure packed with good lessons, including the importance of family. Plus, I really liked the adoption thread, minor as it was. And the fact that we have a homeschool family as the main characters is a major YES for me.
Most homeschoolers can identify with Sadie's exasperation at the "Oh, you're a homeschooler?" part. I mean, come on, folks. Quit gawkin' at us like we're creatures from Mars. Or the Tethered World. We know how to "socialize" far better than your precious public school darlings, and I dare say we're more intelligent over all. You know. Because our curriculum isn't packed with nonsensical, anti-God, anti-intelligence, and anti-American garbage.
Anyway. Rant over. Needless to say, I empathized. Such stupid reactions we homeschoolers, and homeschool graduates, receive.
Settings
The Tethered World is beyond fascinating. The sheer amount of creativity FitzGerald packs into this story blew me away. Worldbuilding can become tricky when writing straight-up fantasy. But worldbuilding while tying it in with the Bible? And the real world? That's a doozy. A doozy FitzGerald did marvelously at. You're there in the passage ways, atop Odyssey's back (and passing out with Sadie), and traveling to the different parts of the "World".
Characters
Sadie's a hoot. A sarcastic hoot. I was laughing for about half of this book due to the humor mixed in. I liked how organic her character arc was--the good, the bad, and the sassy.
Brady is great. Because I know what happens in future books, I have to say he's my favorite. (Which ends up killing my heart in Book Three, but I'll not go there.) An arrogant little twerp, but he learns so much during the adventure.
Sophie's the stereotypical younger sister. I definitely empathized with Sadie about her.
Brock is Brock. Lovable because of who he is, not because he "interacts" a lot with the reader.
The myriad of supporting characters are fantastic as well. Except for the baddies. They're not fantastic. Well, they're fantastically nasty and evil and vile and putrid and just all-around miserable sots. It was easy to dislike them. Stinky creatures.
Faith/Spiritual Elements
Again, very organic. We learn with Sadie and we are reminded of the importance of relying on God and that He is in control no matter how dire the situation.
Other
Many, many kudos to FitzGerlad for achieving something you rarely find in YA: a solid, nuclear family that actually loves each other. Liam and Amy's devotion toward each other was so tender, even in the roughest moment, and I was delighted regarding Sadie and her siblings' relationships and interactions. You don't get that wholesomeness in most YA books, even if they're touted as "Christian".
Content Warnings
Characters are injured, kidnapped, smacked around, and bloodied. War and battle and their casualties are mentioned. Nasties are slain in self-defense. There's no profanity to speak of (no pun intended) and the romance is pure and simple.
Conclusion
I reread this book after being exhausted by an absolutely colossal YA failure, and this is so refreshing. We need more YA authors like FitzGerald.
Like I said before, this is what YA should be. This is what Christian YA should be. Wholesome, clean, faith-filled, and just great for the entire family. The Tethered World falls into the same category as Chuck Black and Donita K. Paul: perfect for the entire crew.
If you want an excellent book that defies the typical YA boundaries, incorporates faith and family, and mixes in a generous heaping of adventure and hints of romance, The Tethered World is the book for you.
***
OLD REVIEW:
The Tethered World is a fun, captivating tale. Not only is it overflowing with humor, sarcasm, and excellent world-building, but it also has a homeschooler and her family as the main characters! As a homeschool graduate, this was a delight to read, and so refreshing to see homeschoolers cast in a positive light. Plus, there are multiple types of odd, wonderful creatures in this book, and the author did a superb job crafting each race and their quirks and society. The Tethered World is a must-read.
The rest of this review can be read at: https://madismusingsblog.wordpress.co...
November 8, 2015
I'm a lover of fantasy books, whether Christian or not, as long as they're clean I enjoy and appreciate them. I want a strong story with memorable characters in a world that isn't what I know--and The Tethered World delivered on all levels. I was a pre-reader for the book and truly enjoyed it--especially the dashes of humor and satirical behavior on the part of some characters. There was a good level of adventure and danger which kept the pacing moving and kept me engaged. I don't remember a point where I wanted to put the book down and walk away--I wanted to see what was going to happen and how some of the challenges would be resolved. An excellent debut novel by Heather L. L. FitzGerald.
November 30, 2015
(I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.)
This book was an absolute delight to read. It has a little bit of everything: adventure, battles, political intrigue, betrayal, friendships, danger, legendary creatures, dragons, fairies, gnomes and so much more!
I loved that it centers around an eccentric home school family, and, no, not a denim skirt wearing family, just a normal home school family. (NO offense if you wear jean skirts.) The Larcens are fun, relatable, and just a little crazy.
Describing this book is hard because it has so many elements that would normally turn me off from a book: it’s safe, it’s Christian fantasy, it’s safe. LOL. I don’t need to put any sort of warning on it. There is no language. The kids are smart and not rebellious. The romance is sweet, mild, and not acted upon by either party. It has a family that trust the Lord and loves each other. There is nothing here that isn’t good and wholesome. Most books that I can say this about are also boring, badly written, preachy, and trite.
Not The Tethered World.
When their parents disappear, the Larcen children have their lives turned upside down and the adventure begins.
The mythological creatures are handled perfectly: just different enough to be interesting and just familiar enough to tie them to other stories. The struggles faced by Sadie as she tackles a world she only wants to leave are real and relatable without being annoying. Sophie is my heart and I love her to death. She spends most of the adventure trying not to have too much fun. Brady grows into a man by fighting and sacrificing himself, and Brock finds his place. (Brock’s story is one of the great joys of this book.)
If you have a kid, boy or girl, who loved Narnia this is the next book for them. It’s written very much with Lewis’ world in mind and has much of the same feel. Danger and struggles are there, but not so detailed or dark that they overwhelm the story.
This is a great book to read to introduce the wide world of fantasy to adults and children alike.
So, I say this story is safe in the same way I would say The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is safe. It has moments of great darkness, but also great joy. It has moments that made me chuckle and laugh while I read, and moments that brought me to tears.
If you are tired of YA books that seem to have far more Adult and not enough Young, if you want a story about kids who aren’t so worried about boyfriends and girlfriends, but about taking care of their family, if you want faith that isn’t preachy, and if you want good fun adventure, check out The Tethered World.
This book was an absolute delight to read. It has a little bit of everything: adventure, battles, political intrigue, betrayal, friendships, danger, legendary creatures, dragons, fairies, gnomes and so much more!
I loved that it centers around an eccentric home school family, and, no, not a denim skirt wearing family, just a normal home school family. (NO offense if you wear jean skirts.) The Larcens are fun, relatable, and just a little crazy.
Describing this book is hard because it has so many elements that would normally turn me off from a book: it’s safe, it’s Christian fantasy, it’s safe. LOL. I don’t need to put any sort of warning on it. There is no language. The kids are smart and not rebellious. The romance is sweet, mild, and not acted upon by either party. It has a family that trust the Lord and loves each other. There is nothing here that isn’t good and wholesome. Most books that I can say this about are also boring, badly written, preachy, and trite.
Not The Tethered World.
When their parents disappear, the Larcen children have their lives turned upside down and the adventure begins.
The mythological creatures are handled perfectly: just different enough to be interesting and just familiar enough to tie them to other stories. The struggles faced by Sadie as she tackles a world she only wants to leave are real and relatable without being annoying. Sophie is my heart and I love her to death. She spends most of the adventure trying not to have too much fun. Brady grows into a man by fighting and sacrificing himself, and Brock finds his place. (Brock’s story is one of the great joys of this book.)
If you have a kid, boy or girl, who loved Narnia this is the next book for them. It’s written very much with Lewis’ world in mind and has much of the same feel. Danger and struggles are there, but not so detailed or dark that they overwhelm the story.
This is a great book to read to introduce the wide world of fantasy to adults and children alike.
So, I say this story is safe in the same way I would say The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is safe. It has moments of great darkness, but also great joy. It has moments that made me chuckle and laugh while I read, and moments that brought me to tears.
If you are tired of YA books that seem to have far more Adult and not enough Young, if you want a story about kids who aren’t so worried about boyfriends and girlfriends, but about taking care of their family, if you want faith that isn’t preachy, and if you want good fun adventure, check out The Tethered World.
January 27, 2016
Let's get one thing straight: I am not a fantasy fan. This has been proven by my inability to muster any interest whatsoever in Harry Potter. (I know. This is akin to blasphemy in some reading circles. Let's move on.)
The fact that my bent is not toward fantasy fiction makes my review of The Tethered World by Heather L.L. FitzGerald all the more meaningful. Do you know why? Because I loved this book! Not only it is family-friendly—Heather prefers the term "family fantasy" to "young adult fantasy"—but the setting is well-constructed and the characters come to life on the pages.
Accepting a surprising family history that leads to the adventure of a lifetime, the main character is forced to take the reigns as the oldest in her homeschooled family. As can happen when one is forced into a role she doesn't want, she resents this life change and pushes against it. The Tethered World, told from the perspective of Sadie Larcen, is a whimsical (yet gripping) tale of sacrifice, growth, and, ultimately, love.
What makes The Tethered World so fun for adults is the trip to a land where the mythological creatures from our childhood have come to life! Plus, it is fun to consider (in a fictional sense) what happened to the creatures from the Garden of Eden.
I think this would be a fun family read-aloud. The book is written from a distinctly Christian worldview. There is plenty of fodder for discussion; the children in the book deal with a few weighty issues, as they attempt to rescue their parents. Also, this is the first book in a trilogy, so there is more adventure to be had down the road!
So, now that you're finished reading this post, go get your copy!
*Note: I received a ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The fact that my bent is not toward fantasy fiction makes my review of The Tethered World by Heather L.L. FitzGerald all the more meaningful. Do you know why? Because I loved this book! Not only it is family-friendly—Heather prefers the term "family fantasy" to "young adult fantasy"—but the setting is well-constructed and the characters come to life on the pages.
Accepting a surprising family history that leads to the adventure of a lifetime, the main character is forced to take the reigns as the oldest in her homeschooled family. As can happen when one is forced into a role she doesn't want, she resents this life change and pushes against it. The Tethered World, told from the perspective of Sadie Larcen, is a whimsical (yet gripping) tale of sacrifice, growth, and, ultimately, love.
What makes The Tethered World so fun for adults is the trip to a land where the mythological creatures from our childhood have come to life! Plus, it is fun to consider (in a fictional sense) what happened to the creatures from the Garden of Eden.
I think this would be a fun family read-aloud. The book is written from a distinctly Christian worldview. There is plenty of fodder for discussion; the children in the book deal with a few weighty issues, as they attempt to rescue their parents. Also, this is the first book in a trilogy, so there is more adventure to be had down the road!
So, now that you're finished reading this post, go get your copy!
*Note: I received a ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 28, 2015
This was quite an adventure! Truly, that is a great word to describe this book. It pulls you in and doesn't let go till the end. And even then you're left wanting more (do we really have to wait so long for the next book?! ;))
I was exceedingly delighted and impressed by the author's writing skill. Her style is so captivating - the entire thing was just written so marvelously! And the story itself was enthralling.
To be honest, I wasn't sure what I'd think at first. And while I'm still not certain how it compares to reality, as a fantasy fiction piece, it blew me away. I love the characters, every one of them were so well written, well rounded, and easy to love (except the Trolls. I didn't like them. Okay, one I loved, but that was it). Favourite character? Hard choice...I really like Sadie, and can I say how much I absolutely adored Xander??? I really, really hope that he's in the future books :D the dragon, Odyssey was also a favourite :) And Brock and Brady, and even Sophie grew on me, though at first she was irritating. ;)
I have a couple reserves for this book, the main thing being the fairies and elves and the magic they used. It didn't come across menacingly but I do not agree with magic and fairies/elves or feel comfortable with them, so that is the only reserve I had for this book.
Otherwise, I really fell in love with it. This is a book I will remember for a good, long time. :) So clever and just fantastic!
I think it will do very well out there in the book world!
I found this one better than LotR, in my opinion. :) And I really appreciate how often the Lord was woven into this book - no hiding or disguising Him which again, I appreciated!
I am very thankful I had the opportunity to read this book, and am delighted to be one of Heather's Avengers! :)
*I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review which I have given.
I was exceedingly delighted and impressed by the author's writing skill. Her style is so captivating - the entire thing was just written so marvelously! And the story itself was enthralling.
To be honest, I wasn't sure what I'd think at first. And while I'm still not certain how it compares to reality, as a fantasy fiction piece, it blew me away. I love the characters, every one of them were so well written, well rounded, and easy to love (except the Trolls. I didn't like them. Okay, one I loved, but that was it). Favourite character? Hard choice...I really like Sadie, and can I say how much I absolutely adored Xander??? I really, really hope that he's in the future books :D the dragon, Odyssey was also a favourite :) And Brock and Brady, and even Sophie grew on me, though at first she was irritating. ;)
I have a couple reserves for this book, the main thing being the fairies and elves and the magic they used. It didn't come across menacingly but I do not agree with magic and fairies/elves or feel comfortable with them, so that is the only reserve I had for this book.
Otherwise, I really fell in love with it. This is a book I will remember for a good, long time. :) So clever and just fantastic!
I think it will do very well out there in the book world!
I found this one better than LotR, in my opinion. :) And I really appreciate how often the Lord was woven into this book - no hiding or disguising Him which again, I appreciated!
I am very thankful I had the opportunity to read this book, and am delighted to be one of Heather's Avengers! :)
*I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review which I have given.
February 19, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Finally. A Young Adult fantasy book that is full of adventure, amazing creatures, lovable characters, and absolutely NO smut.
I read a lot of YA. And I can't actually pass much of it on to the young adult in my house.
The Tethered World without a doubt will be shared in our home, and with many friends.
Heather L. L. FitzGerald weaves a delightful story featuring a homeschooling family with a few eccentric members. One of which has autism. As a mother to a child on the spectrum, I am thrilled to find literature that focuses on the strengths and amazing abilities of a spectrum kid. Also, as a homeschooling mom, finding characters my kids could possibly relate to is exciting.
The Tethered World is overflowing with my favorite fantastical creatures. Bigfoot, gnomes, trolls (but not the neon haired, jeweled bellybutton trolls), and dragons. The world entered by the Larcen kids is beautifully described and I found myself wanting to visit and hang out with the dwarves and gnomes of the Tethered World.
The story held my attention and I nearly finished in one sitting. I love books that pull me in like that. I am looking forward to the next book so I can again visit The Tethered World and its mythical inhabitants.
Finally. A Young Adult fantasy book that is full of adventure, amazing creatures, lovable characters, and absolutely NO smut.
I read a lot of YA. And I can't actually pass much of it on to the young adult in my house.
The Tethered World without a doubt will be shared in our home, and with many friends.
Heather L. L. FitzGerald weaves a delightful story featuring a homeschooling family with a few eccentric members. One of which has autism. As a mother to a child on the spectrum, I am thrilled to find literature that focuses on the strengths and amazing abilities of a spectrum kid. Also, as a homeschooling mom, finding characters my kids could possibly relate to is exciting.
The Tethered World is overflowing with my favorite fantastical creatures. Bigfoot, gnomes, trolls (but not the neon haired, jeweled bellybutton trolls), and dragons. The world entered by the Larcen kids is beautifully described and I found myself wanting to visit and hang out with the dwarves and gnomes of the Tethered World.
The story held my attention and I nearly finished in one sitting. I love books that pull me in like that. I am looking forward to the next book so I can again visit The Tethered World and its mythical inhabitants.
November 13, 2015
I had the pleasure of being a pre-reader for this book. I am an avid reader. With that said I tend to know within the first page of a book if I am going to read it past 4 or 5 chapters. From the first page, I was intrigued by the Tethered World. It read just like I would imagine it would be like to see into my teen daughter's view point. I love the detail in each sentence and how well each character is written, all the way down to the accent of each person .I could almost hear Aunt Jules' accent as I read her words. I love how the author weaved wit, humor and vivid description into each paragraph. There were times I felt I was sitting at the Larcen table listening in on the conversation or following Lava through the Land of Legend.
I could almost see the Nepilum's wings or smell the sulfur as they prepared to enter the land of the Orges.
I went in with the expectation that I was reviewing a Youth fiction book and that I would enjoy it but maybe not feel it the same as I am in my mid adult years. However, somewhere a few chapters in I became lost in a story of hope, fear, danger, love and faith.That the Ancient of Days is a unique creator and nothing is really outside his ability to create, even when we stop believing that there just might be more to this world than meets the eye. I cannot wait to read all future books of Heather LL FitzGerald.
January 28, 2016
It's a bit like Donita K. Paul's Dragonkeeper Chronicles meets Artemis Fowl meets Narnia.
In Tethered World, we follow Sadie and her siblings into a world beneath earth's surface filled with mythical creatures said to have been placed there by God after Adam and Eve's fall. Sometimes these creatures and beings come to the topside and we know them as bigfoot, leprechauns, and such.
The author's voice caught my attention and made me volunteer for an advanced reader copy. Told in first person, the main protagonist, Sadie, has a bit of dry humor. The characters popped with personality and quirks, and I especially thought it interesting that one of the siblings was a boy with Autism.
Although the novel is categorized as a young adult novel, I think the story is suitable for middle grade readers as well. The story read like a stand-alone, but future adventures are promised with the inclusion of a sneak peek at book two in The Tethered World Chronicles.
Overall I enjoyed the story, and I think young readers (and those young at heart!) who enjoy stories like Donita K. Paul's Dragonspell would enjoy it as well.
In Tethered World, we follow Sadie and her siblings into a world beneath earth's surface filled with mythical creatures said to have been placed there by God after Adam and Eve's fall. Sometimes these creatures and beings come to the topside and we know them as bigfoot, leprechauns, and such.
The author's voice caught my attention and made me volunteer for an advanced reader copy. Told in first person, the main protagonist, Sadie, has a bit of dry humor. The characters popped with personality and quirks, and I especially thought it interesting that one of the siblings was a boy with Autism.
Although the novel is categorized as a young adult novel, I think the story is suitable for middle grade readers as well. The story read like a stand-alone, but future adventures are promised with the inclusion of a sneak peek at book two in The Tethered World Chronicles.
Overall I enjoyed the story, and I think young readers (and those young at heart!) who enjoy stories like Donita K. Paul's Dragonspell would enjoy it as well.
November 13, 2015
I give The Tethered World by Heather L. L. Fitzgerald 4 out of 5 stars.
In her debut novel, Fitzgerald has created a vivid world, diverse cast of characters, and an adventure on par with The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and Redwall.
I give The Tethered World by Heather L. L. Fitzgerald 4 out of 5 stars.
In her debut novel, Fitzgerald has created a vivid world, diverse cast of characters, and an adventure on par with The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and Redwall.
What you see on the cover is just a small glimpse of the world Fitzgerald has brought to life in The Tethered World: giant mushrooms, dark tunnels, snake branches, and many, many others occupy the pages of the story. What intrigued me most, though, was the concept: a world within our own, linked to our own since the Fall. Because of its connection, the Tethered World groans along with ours without needing to resort to allegory. Whether intended on the author's part or not, I was reminded that human sin created total bondage for all creation, that sin does not occur in a vacuum.
When I say the characters are diverse, I don't just mean that there is a variety of creatures in The Tethered World, though that's certainly true. There are leprechauns, gnomes, dwarves, Nephilim, yetis, ogres, and fairies, but beyond that, the human characters were unique. Being a former homeschooler, I loved that Sadie and her siblings were homeschooled and had that special brand of homeschool humor (there was a joke about chain male that had me laughing longer than was probably reasonable). One of Sadie's brothers has autism, and her great-aunt is afflicted with dementia, and those with loved ones in either condition will find the characters beautifully and relatably written. I would love to see more diversity like this in speculative fiction.
Sadie is not your typical brave heroine, and spends most of the adventure wishing she was back home. I didn't particularly identify with her, but I liked this aspect about her - it made her authentic and gave opportunity for character growth.
Sophie, though - Sophie is my soul sister. There was a moment when a character quipped, "Hay is for houses," I thought, I think the saying is 'Hay is for horses.' Maybe it's a typo? Sophie echoed my sentiments just moments later, minus the part about the typo. I am known as the know-it-all in my family, too. I've gotten so much better over the years, but I mean, sometimes a girl just can't help it, so I adored Sophie.
The story is packed with action throughout, and it makes for an exciting read. There were many moments when I caught myself holding my breath, wondering how the Larcens were going to make it out of this scrape or that. It's not all serious, though: there is plenty of comic relief to offset the tense moments.
That being said, this is a bit of a journey story, and action girl that I am, I had a bit of trouble with the traveling portions. I know they're necessary - unless you're J. K. Rowling and then, disapparation - but even in my favorite stories - The Lord of the Rings, for example - I have a hard time with them.
I also want to thank Fitzgerald for not ending on a cliffhanger - that is my pet peeve in serial fiction, and I loved that it was resolved, and yet, you know there's going to be more.
I highly recommend The Tethered World for fans of Tolkien, Lewis, and Jacques. It's a fun, clean adventure that will appeal to families everywhere.
I received a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.
In her debut novel, Fitzgerald has created a vivid world, diverse cast of characters, and an adventure on par with The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and Redwall.
I give The Tethered World by Heather L. L. Fitzgerald 4 out of 5 stars.
In her debut novel, Fitzgerald has created a vivid world, diverse cast of characters, and an adventure on par with The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, and Redwall.
What you see on the cover is just a small glimpse of the world Fitzgerald has brought to life in The Tethered World: giant mushrooms, dark tunnels, snake branches, and many, many others occupy the pages of the story. What intrigued me most, though, was the concept: a world within our own, linked to our own since the Fall. Because of its connection, the Tethered World groans along with ours without needing to resort to allegory. Whether intended on the author's part or not, I was reminded that human sin created total bondage for all creation, that sin does not occur in a vacuum.
When I say the characters are diverse, I don't just mean that there is a variety of creatures in The Tethered World, though that's certainly true. There are leprechauns, gnomes, dwarves, Nephilim, yetis, ogres, and fairies, but beyond that, the human characters were unique. Being a former homeschooler, I loved that Sadie and her siblings were homeschooled and had that special brand of homeschool humor (there was a joke about chain male that had me laughing longer than was probably reasonable). One of Sadie's brothers has autism, and her great-aunt is afflicted with dementia, and those with loved ones in either condition will find the characters beautifully and relatably written. I would love to see more diversity like this in speculative fiction.
Sadie is not your typical brave heroine, and spends most of the adventure wishing she was back home. I didn't particularly identify with her, but I liked this aspect about her - it made her authentic and gave opportunity for character growth.
Sophie, though - Sophie is my soul sister. There was a moment when a character quipped, "Hay is for houses," I thought, I think the saying is 'Hay is for horses.' Maybe it's a typo? Sophie echoed my sentiments just moments later, minus the part about the typo. I am known as the know-it-all in my family, too. I've gotten so much better over the years, but I mean, sometimes a girl just can't help it, so I adored Sophie.
The story is packed with action throughout, and it makes for an exciting read. There were many moments when I caught myself holding my breath, wondering how the Larcens were going to make it out of this scrape or that. It's not all serious, though: there is plenty of comic relief to offset the tense moments.
That being said, this is a bit of a journey story, and action girl that I am, I had a bit of trouble with the traveling portions. I know they're necessary - unless you're J. K. Rowling and then, disapparation - but even in my favorite stories - The Lord of the Rings, for example - I have a hard time with them.
I also want to thank Fitzgerald for not ending on a cliffhanger - that is my pet peeve in serial fiction, and I loved that it was resolved, and yet, you know there's going to be more.
I highly recommend The Tethered World for fans of Tolkien, Lewis, and Jacques. It's a fun, clean adventure that will appeal to families everywhere.
I received a free eARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 13, 2015
Excellent book. I don't normally read fantasy or young adult books, but this book grabbed and held my attention. Author Heather L. L. FitzGerald writes with wit and humor, giving her characters unique personalities. This plot was interesting and well written, giving the reader a satisfying ending. (Note: I was a pre-reader for this book.)
May 8, 2017
"Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!!" Um, no... Here we have the most bountiful mishmash of characters of legend, mythology, lore, and Ancient wonder. Reminicent of the Chronicles of Narnia, the Pilgrim's Progress, and George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin, The Tethered World is an enjoyable coming-of-age adventure that is great for the Whole family. It IS Family Fantasy!!! A delightful adventure that deals with insecurities to courage, immaturity to growth, and so many other little lessons along the way.
Major characters are very real in their personalities and habits and how they relate to one another. They are clearly established, and very unique; as are the story and plot. A homeschooled family and an austic child are only some of the particular details that allow this story to be considered different from other fantasy tales. There are surprises, action and so many quirky and imagination-stretching moments, that the story flowed and kept me interested. There are certain minor characters or situations that I had a hard time imagining, but it isn't so serious that it disturbed me. It just made me long for more details, a more full perspective.
Regarding the audio: The Voice Actor had a steady speaking voice, expressive and pleasant to listen to. Having her speak from Sadie's perspective felt fitting, but I did feel she had trouble with, for example, Aunt Jules Irish accent and creating different deeper tones for male characters. Even so, my kids loved it.
I did receive the ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) to read, in exchange for an honest review. I am so honored and pleased to have been able to do so, as it was a pleasant, intriguing journey.
Major characters are very real in their personalities and habits and how they relate to one another. They are clearly established, and very unique; as are the story and plot. A homeschooled family and an austic child are only some of the particular details that allow this story to be considered different from other fantasy tales. There are surprises, action and so many quirky and imagination-stretching moments, that the story flowed and kept me interested. There are certain minor characters or situations that I had a hard time imagining, but it isn't so serious that it disturbed me. It just made me long for more details, a more full perspective.
Regarding the audio: The Voice Actor had a steady speaking voice, expressive and pleasant to listen to. Having her speak from Sadie's perspective felt fitting, but I did feel she had trouble with, for example, Aunt Jules Irish accent and creating different deeper tones for male characters. Even so, my kids loved it.
I did receive the ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) to read, in exchange for an honest review. I am so honored and pleased to have been able to do so, as it was a pleasant, intriguing journey.
January 3, 2018
This is not my normal genre but I thought I would give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised to find it entertaining and captivating. The story is being told by the oldest Larcen daughter who is a teenager. The descriptions of the Tethered World made it easy to envision the countryside, the cities, the characters, and the animals. It was as if I was right there with the Larcen kids although I kept reminding myself that this was a fantasy, not the real world. The story raised questions in my mind that I’m not sure how I would answer. How would you respond if you were awakened by the police at 3:00 AM to discover that your parents’ van has been found at an unexplained location and they are nowhere around? All you can find is a note on their pillow telling you your aunt is coming to spend a few days. What would you do if your aunt told you that you have family ties to the Tethered World, a place you didn’t know existed below the surface of the earth? And how can you possibly believe that you and three of your siblings are going to have to take a journey to this place you’ve never heard of? Oh, by the way, what about those Gnomes, Dwarves, Leprechauns, Trolls, Ogres, and Faeries that you have only heard about in fairy tales but are suddenly meeting live and in the flesh? I think it would all be a bit much to swallow but it was interesting reading. I recommend you read it for the fun of it no matter what your age. I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 30, 2016
I was a pre-reader for this book in exchange for my honest feedback. First, I would like to say I love fantasy novels. This book has everything in it that you could want: action, adventure, suspense, betrayal, love and heroism. I thought the title was very fitting for the novel as well. When I flipped to the first page I saw a map of the tethered world and that immediately peaked my interest. I didn't want to put the book down even from the beginning. Heather did a wonderful job captivating her audience with superb imagery, satire and glimpses of Christianity. There were many times that I could just imagine the events going on in the book and how they were played out; however, the plot twists would always leave me wanting to read more. I love a book that constantly causes you to question what is going to happen next. I would have never imagined the fictional characters portrayed in the tethered world in a way that Heather depicted them. For instance, when I think of a dwarf I think of cute cuddly little creatures that wouldn't harm a fly, but in the book they are portrayed as mischievous, vigilant, brave, strong and protective over their community and the overall good of the "tethered world." This book is a 5 star on my list. I truly can not wait for the next novel to come next. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book!
February 24, 2016
This book is an absolute delight! It is clean, fun, thought-provoking, and gripping. I was on the edge of my seat, cheering on Sadie and her siblings the whole time, or holding my breath when things got really intense. It's perfect for the whole family, but not cheesy or boring at all. By far, my favorite part of this book is the incredible development that each of the characters undergoes. In addition, it's not often that you come across a homeschooled heroine or an autistic character who plays a major and important role. These and other unique details add to the richness of the story, and provide plenty of talking points.
You will be transported into an incredible, mystical world filled with intriguing, lovable characters--including a whole cast of mythological creatures that are so well written that they feel quite real. Even though it is a fantasy story, Heather's writing brilliantly intermingles the real with the fantasy, so that you will be left thinking, "Hey, this could actually happen."
It will satisfy the serious fantasy reader, and even those who aren't as big fans of the genre. I highly recommend this book! You won't be disappointed.
You will be transported into an incredible, mystical world filled with intriguing, lovable characters--including a whole cast of mythological creatures that are so well written that they feel quite real. Even though it is a fantasy story, Heather's writing brilliantly intermingles the real with the fantasy, so that you will be left thinking, "Hey, this could actually happen."
It will satisfy the serious fantasy reader, and even those who aren't as big fans of the genre. I highly recommend this book! You won't be disappointed.
January 12, 2016
As a lover of YA and fantasy novels, I am pretty picky and find it difficult to stay interested in most of them these days as they all seem like copies of each other. That said, I truly enjoyed The Tethered World. The characters were original and funny, as well as authentic sounding, and the pace was engaging and moved along very well. There was no point at which I felt like it was slowing down. I found the story original and interesting, and I really enjoyed all the little details peppered throughout that made the characters seem more realistic - something that not all authors take care to do. Also, the language was clean and the writing was free from explicit scenarios, which is always a plus in my book. I can't wait to let my kids read it too!
*I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
*I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 31, 2016
Warning: This book may be for you if you
homeschool
were homeschooled
know someone with autism
are a Christian
love fantasy.
I fit in most of those categories, and I loved The Tethered World, a unique, ingenious adventure following seventeen-year-old Sadie Larcen as she leads her siblings underground to rescue their kidnapped parents.
Heather FitzGerald promises great contributions to the world of literature, writing with a daring imagination that puts many writers to shame. She isn’t afraid to wonder what happened to the creatures in the Garden of Eden. She isn’t afraid to ask what if they still existed today in a secret world, what if a family were charged with the safekeeping of that world. I have never read such a fascinating premise.
Along with those “what if” questions comes the confident voice of “been there done that.” As a fantasy-loving Christian homeschooler with an autistic son, FitzGerald is fully qualified to write the themes that she does—themes centering around homeschool life, Christian morals, and autistic characters. Such variety in the story guarantees it a place on the bookshelves of a wide audience.
As for the story, I very much enjoyed it. FitzGerald’s main characters are the most human, most relatable characters I’ve ever read—they cry, scream, argue, and drool in their sleep just like the rest of us. (I wanted to cheer when I read that the Sadie and her siblings brought toilet paper in their backpacks. Hoorah for normal characters!)
I appreciated Sadie’s character the most. Unlike most literature protagonists, she doesn’t choose an adventure that life has coincidentally prepared her for. The adventure chooses her, and she is not at all prepared. She leads because she has to, and she struggles through an entire book’s worth of fears, doubts, and failures. Because of this—because of her humanity—I identify with her better than I have with many other literary characters.
Also as a human, she grows. She learns. She changes. By the end of the book, she decides to join the action where once she would have played it safe. We get to watch as her fifteen-year-old brother becomes a man beside her. Other characters (human and non-human) show encouraging, positive change. Well done to the author for writing excellent character journeys.
And then there’s the writing itself. FitzGerald writes with a more informal style, which took me a bit to get used to. But once I told myself to relax and just enjoy the ride, I did. Her characters—including the narrator—employ a wit and sarcasm that had me laughing out loud, a lot. And that doesn’t include the comparisons. It can be hard to picture mythological creatures when their appearances vary as widely as their authors. Not so with Heather FitzGerald when she compares an armored gnome to “a toy-sized R2D2 from Star Wars.” The book is full of such great descriptions.
I would have liked to see more of the book from Sadie’s point of view. For a first-person adventure, I often felt as if I were watching events through Sadie as opposed to experiencing them with her. Sometimes the writing also got choppy—a chunk of action followed by a chunk of reaction. Granted, not all moments lend themselves to introspection, especially when you’re running for your life, but I would have liked to see more of the reactions woven throughout the action.
But I still give The Tethered World five stars—five stars for a unique (and clean) story, five stars for great humor, five stars for outstanding characters, and five stars for creative ideas that, I’m sure, will go far in this Topside world.
(I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.)
homeschool
were homeschooled
know someone with autism
are a Christian
love fantasy.
I fit in most of those categories, and I loved The Tethered World, a unique, ingenious adventure following seventeen-year-old Sadie Larcen as she leads her siblings underground to rescue their kidnapped parents.
Heather FitzGerald promises great contributions to the world of literature, writing with a daring imagination that puts many writers to shame. She isn’t afraid to wonder what happened to the creatures in the Garden of Eden. She isn’t afraid to ask what if they still existed today in a secret world, what if a family were charged with the safekeeping of that world. I have never read such a fascinating premise.
Along with those “what if” questions comes the confident voice of “been there done that.” As a fantasy-loving Christian homeschooler with an autistic son, FitzGerald is fully qualified to write the themes that she does—themes centering around homeschool life, Christian morals, and autistic characters. Such variety in the story guarantees it a place on the bookshelves of a wide audience.
As for the story, I very much enjoyed it. FitzGerald’s main characters are the most human, most relatable characters I’ve ever read—they cry, scream, argue, and drool in their sleep just like the rest of us. (I wanted to cheer when I read that the Sadie and her siblings brought toilet paper in their backpacks. Hoorah for normal characters!)
I appreciated Sadie’s character the most. Unlike most literature protagonists, she doesn’t choose an adventure that life has coincidentally prepared her for. The adventure chooses her, and she is not at all prepared. She leads because she has to, and she struggles through an entire book’s worth of fears, doubts, and failures. Because of this—because of her humanity—I identify with her better than I have with many other literary characters.
Also as a human, she grows. She learns. She changes. By the end of the book, she decides to join the action where once she would have played it safe. We get to watch as her fifteen-year-old brother becomes a man beside her. Other characters (human and non-human) show encouraging, positive change. Well done to the author for writing excellent character journeys.
And then there’s the writing itself. FitzGerald writes with a more informal style, which took me a bit to get used to. But once I told myself to relax and just enjoy the ride, I did. Her characters—including the narrator—employ a wit and sarcasm that had me laughing out loud, a lot. And that doesn’t include the comparisons. It can be hard to picture mythological creatures when their appearances vary as widely as their authors. Not so with Heather FitzGerald when she compares an armored gnome to “a toy-sized R2D2 from Star Wars.” The book is full of such great descriptions.
I would have liked to see more of the book from Sadie’s point of view. For a first-person adventure, I often felt as if I were watching events through Sadie as opposed to experiencing them with her. Sometimes the writing also got choppy—a chunk of action followed by a chunk of reaction. Granted, not all moments lend themselves to introspection, especially when you’re running for your life, but I would have liked to see more of the reactions woven throughout the action.
But I still give The Tethered World five stars—five stars for a unique (and clean) story, five stars for great humor, five stars for outstanding characters, and five stars for creative ideas that, I’m sure, will go far in this Topside world.
(I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.)
July 22, 2017
3.5 stars
For some reason, I had a really hard time staying engaged in this book. I fully take blame for that (maybe a weird, sleep-deprived time affected it?) because I think the author did a superb job in writing and giving details! She really had Sadie's voice come alive (even if I couldn't stand her whining and actually almost put the book down. Glad I didn't because love the redemptive side of things).
I found the different creatures fascinating and greatly enjoyed the "romance" part. Made me want something more because it's so "different" as a certain character said. ;)
A lot of fun things about this novel that I would definitely recommend to middle schoolers who love fantasy!
For some reason, I had a really hard time staying engaged in this book. I fully take blame for that (maybe a weird, sleep-deprived time affected it?) because I think the author did a superb job in writing and giving details! She really had Sadie's voice come alive (even if I couldn't stand her whining and actually almost put the book down. Glad I didn't because love the redemptive side of things).
I found the different creatures fascinating and greatly enjoyed the "romance" part. Made me want something more because it's so "different" as a certain character said. ;)
A lot of fun things about this novel that I would definitely recommend to middle schoolers who love fantasy!
May 26, 2023
TW: Graphic battle scenes, Torture scenes involving ogres using humans in bloody games.
Sadie is awoken in the middle of the night by police knocking on her front door. She discovers her parents are gone and the family van is parked illegally. When her Aunt Jules arrives, she explains that there is a whole other world under the earth’s surface. This world is known to such as the Tethered World. Only a few humans know of it. Those humans are guardians. Sadie’s mother’s family are such guardians.
Now Sadie along with her twin brothers, Brock and Brodie, and one of her little sisters, Sophie have to go into the Tethered World to rescue her parents. A world filled with creatures of folklore that no one believes exists.
I loved the world-building. The Tethered World is a bit like our world but there are differences that the author shows. I won’t explain it in detail because I don’t want to spoil it.
The characters surprised me. At first, I didn’t think I was going to like them. I felt like I might have some problems, but upon further reading, I fell in love with them. I also love how much sarcasm is in this book.
I confess, I’m a homeschooler. Beware! I’m weird and unsocialized.
Babysitting and Troll slaying. It’s what I do.
I didn’t count birth order as a natural talent.
Sadie felt relatable. She doesn’t take to the Tethered World as well as her siblings. She has bouts of anxiety, but she still pushes through for her siblings. She doesn’t have it all together. Plus she isn’t a lucky novice.
I tried to get used to the stiff feel of wearing a chain-link fence around my middle. I felt as graceful and coordinated as the Tin Man and hoped I wouldn’t slow everyone down.
There were times I admit that Sadie got on my nerves, but then I remembered she is a sixteen-year-old girl who just discovered a whole other world her mother was keeping secret from her. Now she has to go rescue her parents in said world and not liking it one bit. Sadie wants her adventures in a good book, not living them out. With that info, it makes sense at times when Sadie just wants her parents and go home. She is still a kid herself.
Books such as this, at times, have these teenagers seem almost adult, so it was nice to see Sadie at times not wanting the adventure. She just wants to be at home with her parents and her siblings. She doesn’t want the responsibility of watching out for her siblings while trying to rescue her parents. I personally love that.
Thank you, Heather!!!
Sadie is awoken in the middle of the night by police knocking on her front door. She discovers her parents are gone and the family van is parked illegally. When her Aunt Jules arrives, she explains that there is a whole other world under the earth’s surface. This world is known to such as the Tethered World. Only a few humans know of it. Those humans are guardians. Sadie’s mother’s family are such guardians.
Now Sadie along with her twin brothers, Brock and Brodie, and one of her little sisters, Sophie have to go into the Tethered World to rescue her parents. A world filled with creatures of folklore that no one believes exists.
I loved the world-building. The Tethered World is a bit like our world but there are differences that the author shows. I won’t explain it in detail because I don’t want to spoil it.
The characters surprised me. At first, I didn’t think I was going to like them. I felt like I might have some problems, but upon further reading, I fell in love with them. I also love how much sarcasm is in this book.
I confess, I’m a homeschooler. Beware! I’m weird and unsocialized.
Babysitting and Troll slaying. It’s what I do.
I didn’t count birth order as a natural talent.
Sadie felt relatable. She doesn’t take to the Tethered World as well as her siblings. She has bouts of anxiety, but she still pushes through for her siblings. She doesn’t have it all together. Plus she isn’t a lucky novice.
I tried to get used to the stiff feel of wearing a chain-link fence around my middle. I felt as graceful and coordinated as the Tin Man and hoped I wouldn’t slow everyone down.
There were times I admit that Sadie got on my nerves, but then I remembered she is a sixteen-year-old girl who just discovered a whole other world her mother was keeping secret from her. Now she has to go rescue her parents in said world and not liking it one bit. Sadie wants her adventures in a good book, not living them out. With that info, it makes sense at times when Sadie just wants her parents and go home. She is still a kid herself.
Books such as this, at times, have these teenagers seem almost adult, so it was nice to see Sadie at times not wanting the adventure. She just wants to be at home with her parents and her siblings. She doesn’t want the responsibility of watching out for her siblings while trying to rescue her parents. I personally love that.
Thank you, Heather!!!
August 9, 2019
This would be a great book to read out loud to middle grade or younger readers. I can imagine the fun that would be had with the voices of each of the characters. A great adventure!
March 3, 2021
Portal fantasy // wonderful family themes // insider homeschooler jokes throughout // special needs // story meandered a bit and characters felt a little repetitive at times // enjoyed the honest character arcs and growth // fun world-building 3.5 dragon eggs
January 30, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book! I mainly read YA fiction books, and I have to say, this is one of my favorites. It kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.
I don't know if I can narrow down only one thing that I enjoyed! The characters were really cool and funny! The author also did an amazing job describing and helping me to picture the creatures such as Bigfoot, dwarves, and gnomes. The Tethered World was a great mix of fantasy, mystery, humor, and suspense! I think kids and adults of all ages will enjoy this as much as I did!
If you loved The Chronicles of Narnia or the Percy Jackson series, you will love The Tethered World.
I don't know if I can narrow down only one thing that I enjoyed! The characters were really cool and funny! The author also did an amazing job describing and helping me to picture the creatures such as Bigfoot, dwarves, and gnomes. The Tethered World was a great mix of fantasy, mystery, humor, and suspense! I think kids and adults of all ages will enjoy this as much as I did!
If you loved The Chronicles of Narnia or the Percy Jackson series, you will love The Tethered World.
January 19, 2016
What a fantastic story! It's rare to meet so many young characters and still have them all be believable individuals. It can be difficult to really get into a story if you can't understand the POV character, and although Sadie saw things so differently than I did, I still fully understood why she felt the way she did. The journey itself was riveting and I really felt I could "see" this unfamiliar and complex world. This is a unique story with wonderful messages of family, loyalty, and courage!
November 14, 2015
Review to come!
February 20, 2016
Review in progress
May 30, 2017
This was a very fun read, in the vein of a modern-day Chronicles of Narnia. I really enjoyed exploring the Tethered World with the Larcen siblings, complete with many fascinating creatures, beautifully described scenery, and fast-paced action. Sadie's relationships with Brady and Sophie were nuanced and believable, and I really liked the way the author handled Brock's autism. I couldn't always relate to Sadie, but her story is clean and engaging and can be appreciated by kids and parents alike. Perfect for younger teens or as a read-aloud for the whole family!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
June 10, 2018
YA Fantasy. Narnia meets Wrinkle in Time. A journey to another realm, The Tethered World, where gnomes, dwarves, trolls, fairies, Nephilim, and ogres roam. This novel is a fast-paced adventure involving the entire Larsen family as secrets are unveiled in extraordinary ways. I was pleasantly surprised and entertained.
January 30, 2018
We LOVED this book. We could easily relate to the puns about homeschooling. The conspiracy theories, mixed with myths and legends, and woven with scripture were right in line with so much our family has been studying lately. The story was simply edge of your seat suspense and fun! This was our family time read-aloud. The children did not want me to put it down each night. EXCELLENT!
February 1, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review, and, to be honest, I was fascinated with this book! I have read other unpublished works by the author and so knew I would at least enjoy it, but I was unprepared for the complexity of the story; the depth and individuality of the characters; the richness of detail in description of both the characters and their environments; and the realistic way all those elements interacted with each other: humans, legendary/mythological creatures, and worlds.
Written from a Christian worldview (regarding the origin of the universe/humanity and its subsequent Fall), the tale unfolds through Sadie Larcen's first person narrative, beginning with her shocking discovery that her free-spirited, homeschooling mother's predilection for and obsession with legends, myths, and fairy tales has been based in reality. AND that now it is not just her mother's imagination that has been captured, but her body as well, along with her collaborating and supportive husband.
Now that the well-guarded family secret is out, Sadie and three of her five siblings must journey to the Tethered World to attempt to free their parents (the two youngest stay home with their colorful and not-as-eccentric-in-comparison-as-they-thought great-aunt). Of course, they cannot travel the usual way; the Larcen children (and we readers) MUST be introduced to the new world via a dragon! From there, the once legendary leprechauns, dwarves, gnomes, trolls, and faeries (along with some new, previously unknown creatures) become ubiquitous and the "new normal."
Fitzgerald's theme, at least on the surface (pardon the pun), is not unusual or original (Journey to the Center of the Earth, e.g.), but her take on it, and her ability to write authentic characters with realistic reactions to their struggles in those circumstances (how would YOU react to finding out Bigfoot is real? or that your parents have been abducted by one?) very much IS. Even down to the smallest character (and I'm not just talking about the gnomes), individual personalities are uniquely identifiable and relatable; not rubber-stamped, stock players at all. Too, the villages, fortresses, mountain ranges, and desolate places the Larcens' foray takes them to must have lived for quite some time in the author's imagination, because they are well and intricately described (but not, to my great relief, to the extent of Tolkien or Dickens, thank God).
Fitzgerald has written an intelligent, humorous, suspenseful and captivating adventure. Shades of Tolkien and Lewis brighten the way (I'd tell you how but am afraid of giving too much away), but definitely not in copy-cat fashion; just a nice nod to their genius. Emotional and physical drama is interwoven with skill. The characters and situations are consistent and therefore realistic in the world the author creates, which is absolutely essential for the fantasy reader's ability to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story... and anticipate the sequels!
That being said, I would have liked to see more evidence of faith, so frequently spoken of and so highly regarded throughout, making more of an impact on the lead characters. Sadie, especially- while presenting an authentic picture of a 16-year-old unexpectedly and violently thrust into a world apart- has room for growth in this area, as her anxiety and disgruntlement at having been forced into an awkward and often dangerous position seems at odd much of the time with her profession of faith. Her reactions are perfectly understandable, but the resolution internally seems to be more of a "pulling herself up by her bootstraps" than a trusting submission to the Lord who created her comfy, "normal" world and now this strange, new one. Knowing that more adventures await Sadie and the rest of the Larcens, I very much look forward to seeing further spiritual development in how they genuinely and appropriately apply their faith to the issues so well presented in The Tethered World.
Written from a Christian worldview (regarding the origin of the universe/humanity and its subsequent Fall), the tale unfolds through Sadie Larcen's first person narrative, beginning with her shocking discovery that her free-spirited, homeschooling mother's predilection for and obsession with legends, myths, and fairy tales has been based in reality. AND that now it is not just her mother's imagination that has been captured, but her body as well, along with her collaborating and supportive husband.
Now that the well-guarded family secret is out, Sadie and three of her five siblings must journey to the Tethered World to attempt to free their parents (the two youngest stay home with their colorful and not-as-eccentric-in-comparison-as-they-thought great-aunt). Of course, they cannot travel the usual way; the Larcen children (and we readers) MUST be introduced to the new world via a dragon! From there, the once legendary leprechauns, dwarves, gnomes, trolls, and faeries (along with some new, previously unknown creatures) become ubiquitous and the "new normal."
Fitzgerald's theme, at least on the surface (pardon the pun), is not unusual or original (Journey to the Center of the Earth, e.g.), but her take on it, and her ability to write authentic characters with realistic reactions to their struggles in those circumstances (how would YOU react to finding out Bigfoot is real? or that your parents have been abducted by one?) very much IS. Even down to the smallest character (and I'm not just talking about the gnomes), individual personalities are uniquely identifiable and relatable; not rubber-stamped, stock players at all. Too, the villages, fortresses, mountain ranges, and desolate places the Larcens' foray takes them to must have lived for quite some time in the author's imagination, because they are well and intricately described (but not, to my great relief, to the extent of Tolkien or Dickens, thank God).
Fitzgerald has written an intelligent, humorous, suspenseful and captivating adventure. Shades of Tolkien and Lewis brighten the way (I'd tell you how but am afraid of giving too much away), but definitely not in copy-cat fashion; just a nice nod to their genius. Emotional and physical drama is interwoven with skill. The characters and situations are consistent and therefore realistic in the world the author creates, which is absolutely essential for the fantasy reader's ability to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story... and anticipate the sequels!
That being said, I would have liked to see more evidence of faith, so frequently spoken of and so highly regarded throughout, making more of an impact on the lead characters. Sadie, especially- while presenting an authentic picture of a 16-year-old unexpectedly and violently thrust into a world apart- has room for growth in this area, as her anxiety and disgruntlement at having been forced into an awkward and often dangerous position seems at odd much of the time with her profession of faith. Her reactions are perfectly understandable, but the resolution internally seems to be more of a "pulling herself up by her bootstraps" than a trusting submission to the Lord who created her comfy, "normal" world and now this strange, new one. Knowing that more adventures await Sadie and the rest of the Larcens, I very much look forward to seeing further spiritual development in how they genuinely and appropriately apply their faith to the issues so well presented in The Tethered World.
March 31, 2025
2024 Reread:
Okay, I'm still trying to figure out how to sum up my love and feelings for this book. Last year's review is below, but I always have a slightly different reaction to this story. It was at least my seventh time through, though I may have read it more.
This is a book I love even more each time I read it, and this time through I related even more than usual to Sadie. And, to some extent, her relationship with Sophie, though the queen-and-superhero child inside of me relates to her on a very deep level. Sadie, though, is without a doubt my favorite. Oldest sibling, homeschooled, bookish, happy to stick with the boring but safe route, surrounded by people who are always doing crazy things, occasionally too focused on myself- she is 95% me and 100% my favorite. Though I might not mind discovering a secret fantasy rule that my family's basically royalty in. I also looooove Joanie. She's so sweet and motherly and.. oh, I just love her. Brady is a mess and reminds me of a friend who's like a brother to me, living life a little safer than the friend, so I love him by default.
The messages and themes spoke extra deep to me this time through. About risking your life for others, and stepping out of your comfort zone cause it's what God's asked you to do, and having faith through it all. I like my comfort zone, like really like it, but the more God's pushed me out of it and led me to have faith, the more I've grown in my faith. And my comfort zone. A year ago some of the things I do on a regular basis now would've been horrifying.
I also just want to add two side notes. *spoiler ahead*The first one is *end spoiler* The second one is, hooray for homeschooler representation.(and boo autocorrect for saying homeschool isn't a word XP) I do not see enough homeschoolers in fiction, I'm telling you. In fact, the fictional homeschooler ratio and irl homeschooler ratio is way off, though where I live in my corner of society homeschoolers are a little more common. But I love that the main characters are homeschooled. I remember when I first read this many years ago, in elementary school, one of the first times I saw homeschooling in something bigger than my world. Very proud moment. 😁
This is one of my absolute favorite books... I'm always sad when the series is over. I highly recommend this to lovers of Christian fantasy, especially homeschoolers. ;-)(And yes autocorrect, homeschooler is a word. But you say you're not a word either so...*shrugs*) I can't recommend this book enough- it's amazing! I'd say for ages 8+, generally, but there are a few slightly scarier elements so it might depend on the kid. ;-)
2023 Reread:
This was such an adventure and a great reread! I've read this several times(all I'll say about how many is that my copy is falling apart...) and enjoyed it more every. single. time. I loved how faith filled it is, and also the main characters are HOMESCHOOLED. That is not something you find in any ordinary book! The plot is epic and surprising but well thought out, and the character growth is amazing. I always forget how great this series is in between rereads, but it is amazing. When I finished reading an awesome series for the first time a week and a half ago, I wanted something really good to follow it up with, so I came back to this for a long overdue reread. And I do not regret it. If you're looking for a great, family friendly, clean, and all out amazing book, I highly recommend this one for anyone ages 8+!
Okay, I'm still trying to figure out how to sum up my love and feelings for this book. Last year's review is below, but I always have a slightly different reaction to this story. It was at least my seventh time through, though I may have read it more.
This is a book I love even more each time I read it, and this time through I related even more than usual to Sadie. And, to some extent, her relationship with Sophie, though the queen-and-superhero child inside of me relates to her on a very deep level. Sadie, though, is without a doubt my favorite. Oldest sibling, homeschooled, bookish, happy to stick with the boring but safe route, surrounded by people who are always doing crazy things, occasionally too focused on myself- she is 95% me and 100% my favorite. Though I might not mind discovering a secret fantasy rule that my family's basically royalty in. I also looooove Joanie. She's so sweet and motherly and.. oh, I just love her. Brady is a mess and reminds me of a friend who's like a brother to me, living life a little safer than the friend, so I love him by default.
The messages and themes spoke extra deep to me this time through. About risking your life for others, and stepping out of your comfort zone cause it's what God's asked you to do, and having faith through it all. I like my comfort zone, like really like it, but the more God's pushed me out of it and led me to have faith, the more I've grown in my faith. And my comfort zone. A year ago some of the things I do on a regular basis now would've been horrifying.
I also just want to add two side notes. *spoiler ahead*The first one is *end spoiler* The second one is, hooray for homeschooler representation.(and boo autocorrect for saying homeschool isn't a word XP) I do not see enough homeschoolers in fiction, I'm telling you. In fact, the fictional homeschooler ratio and irl homeschooler ratio is way off, though where I live in my corner of society homeschoolers are a little more common. But I love that the main characters are homeschooled. I remember when I first read this many years ago, in elementary school, one of the first times I saw homeschooling in something bigger than my world. Very proud moment. 😁
This is one of my absolute favorite books... I'm always sad when the series is over. I highly recommend this to lovers of Christian fantasy, especially homeschoolers. ;-)(And yes autocorrect, homeschooler is a word. But you say you're not a word either so...*shrugs*) I can't recommend this book enough- it's amazing! I'd say for ages 8+, generally, but there are a few slightly scarier elements so it might depend on the kid. ;-)
2023 Reread:
This was such an adventure and a great reread! I've read this several times(all I'll say about how many is that my copy is falling apart...) and enjoyed it more every. single. time. I loved how faith filled it is, and also the main characters are HOMESCHOOLED. That is not something you find in any ordinary book! The plot is epic and surprising but well thought out, and the character growth is amazing. I always forget how great this series is in between rereads, but it is amazing. When I finished reading an awesome series for the first time a week and a half ago, I wanted something really good to follow it up with, so I came back to this for a long overdue reread. And I do not regret it. If you're looking for a great, family friendly, clean, and all out amazing book, I highly recommend this one for anyone ages 8+!
November 29, 2017
TLDR: The Tethered World probably works better for younger audiences. I'd put it at the younger younger end of YA, maybe even MG, even if the main character is sixteen.
--OR--
One of those books where first person POV just doesn't work for me.
---
Sixteen-year-old Sadie Larcen wakes up early one morning to discover that her parents are missing. When Great Aunt Jules turns up at their doorstep, she learns something even worse: they've been kidnapped by the not-so-fictional creatures her mother has been studying. Which all seems legit crazy, but she soon finds out it's not when she's sent into the Tethered World to rescue them along with her three of her younger siblings--the twins, Brady and Brock, and Sophie.
FitzGerald has created a colourful world where Gnomes, Dwarves, Leprechauns, Trolls, Ogres and Nephilim live in a secret underworld that's tethered to our own--accessible by dragon, of course, because how else would you get there? Sadie and her siblings are in for a great adventure as they try to save their parents as well as their long-lost great-aunt. They fight trolls and ogres, get tricked by mischievous leprechauns, get soothed by motherly dwarfs and yelled at by soldierly ones, and learn to rely on and work with each other.
The Christian content isn't overly smothering; it's presented as a fact of life. The Larcens and the denizens of the Tethered World (at least the good ones) believe in God, so they tend to pray when things get bad, or when they're in need of help. The Tethered World itself is presented as a sort of New Eden, after the first one was closed off after the Fall (hence, the Nephilim). I don't have any opinions, good or bad, about the theology behind that.
Unfortunately, I didn't really connect that well with Sadie, which is probably the main cause of my ultimate meh-ness about the book, since she is the main protagonist and it is her point of view. On the surface, she seems like a very real 16YO. She tries her best to lead and guide her siblings, but she's also selfish and afraid and somewhat distracted by handsome princes. She's definitely in over her head and it shows, even if that showing comes up in her berating herself for her failures, both real and perceived.
I guess I also get the feeling that the author is trying a little too hard. There are copious snarky jokes, often with a book or movie reference, and whilst I can get the occasional need to compare this fantastic world with Narnia (and the like), it gets a little too much. It just seems a little... dated? (DO kids talk about Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Three Musketeers, Indiana Jones, and Peter Pan nowadays? Hi-Ho Silver? And that much John Wayne? Planet of the Apes I can forgive-there have been recent remakes.) I guess it just seems a bit too over done and maybe a bit forced. (Or maybe that's a quirk of how homeschooled Americans speak, I wouldn't know.)
Still, The Tethered World is overall a pretty interesting read, suitable for younger audiences looking for adventure and fun.
Note: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
--OR--
One of those books where first person POV just doesn't work for me.
---
Sixteen-year-old Sadie Larcen wakes up early one morning to discover that her parents are missing. When Great Aunt Jules turns up at their doorstep, she learns something even worse: they've been kidnapped by the not-so-fictional creatures her mother has been studying. Which all seems legit crazy, but she soon finds out it's not when she's sent into the Tethered World to rescue them along with her three of her younger siblings--the twins, Brady and Brock, and Sophie.
FitzGerald has created a colourful world where Gnomes, Dwarves, Leprechauns, Trolls, Ogres and Nephilim live in a secret underworld that's tethered to our own--accessible by dragon, of course, because how else would you get there? Sadie and her siblings are in for a great adventure as they try to save their parents as well as their long-lost great-aunt. They fight trolls and ogres, get tricked by mischievous leprechauns, get soothed by motherly dwarfs and yelled at by soldierly ones, and learn to rely on and work with each other.
The Christian content isn't overly smothering; it's presented as a fact of life. The Larcens and the denizens of the Tethered World (at least the good ones) believe in God, so they tend to pray when things get bad, or when they're in need of help. The Tethered World itself is presented as a sort of New Eden, after the first one was closed off after the Fall (hence, the Nephilim). I don't have any opinions, good or bad, about the theology behind that.
Unfortunately, I didn't really connect that well with Sadie, which is probably the main cause of my ultimate meh-ness about the book, since she is the main protagonist and it is her point of view. On the surface, she seems like a very real 16YO. She tries her best to lead and guide her siblings, but she's also selfish and afraid and somewhat distracted by handsome princes. She's definitely in over her head and it shows, even if that showing comes up in her berating herself for her failures, both real and perceived.
I guess I also get the feeling that the author is trying a little too hard. There are copious snarky jokes, often with a book or movie reference, and whilst I can get the occasional need to compare this fantastic world with Narnia (and the like), it gets a little too much. It just seems a little... dated? (DO kids talk about Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Three Musketeers, Indiana Jones, and Peter Pan nowadays? Hi-Ho Silver? And that much John Wayne? Planet of the Apes I can forgive-there have been recent remakes.) I guess it just seems a bit too over done and maybe a bit forced. (Or maybe that's a quirk of how homeschooled Americans speak, I wouldn't know.)
Still, The Tethered World is overall a pretty interesting read, suitable for younger audiences looking for adventure and fun.
Note: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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