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The Land of Elyon #3
The Tenth City
The final thrilling installment of the NYT-bestselling Land of Elyon trilogy!
The Land of Elyon has begun to fail, poisoned by the evil that creeps across the Dark Hills and into Bridewell.
As she moves toward a thrilling conclusion, Alexa must find a way to overcome the Lonely Sea, rescue Yipes from the clutches of Victor Grindall, and unlock the mystery of the Tenth City.
But can she find the answers she needs in time to save The Land of Elyon?
The Land of Elyon has begun to fail, poisoned by the evil that creeps across the Dark Hills and into Bridewell.
As she moves toward a thrilling conclusion, Alexa must find a way to overcome the Lonely Sea, rescue Yipes from the clutches of Victor Grindall, and unlock the mystery of the Tenth City.
But can she find the answers she needs in time to save The Land of Elyon?
186 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2006
56 people are currently reading
3325 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Carman
91 books1,602 followersI have been a lifelong writer and storyteller. Salem, Oregon is where I spent my formative years and I graduated from Willamette University. After college, I spent a decade living in Portland, Oregon where I worked in advertising, game design, and technology.
I've written young adult and children's books for Scholastic, Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins Publishers.
I've been fortunate enough to have had some bestselling series work: The Land of Elyon, Atherton, Elliot’s Park, 39 Clues, and Skeleton Creek. Here's a fun note...the books have been translated into approximately two dozen languages. Currently I'm developing a few new-media projects. Check out DARK EDEN to experience this type of cross-platform project.
When I'm not writing or creating a story, I spend my free time supporting literacy campaigns and community organizations, fly fishing, playing basketball and tennis, doing crosswords, watching movies, dabbling in video games, reading (lots), and (more than anything else) spending time with my wife and two daughters.
I've written young adult and children's books for Scholastic, Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins Publishers.
I've been fortunate enough to have had some bestselling series work: The Land of Elyon, Atherton, Elliot’s Park, 39 Clues, and Skeleton Creek. Here's a fun note...the books have been translated into approximately two dozen languages. Currently I'm developing a few new-media projects. Check out DARK EDEN to experience this type of cross-platform project.
When I'm not writing or creating a story, I spend my free time supporting literacy campaigns and community organizations, fly fishing, playing basketball and tennis, doing crosswords, watching movies, dabbling in video games, reading (lots), and (more than anything else) spending time with my wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 276 reviews
January 7, 2016
The Tenth City was a nice third book to THE LAND OF ELYON series! I didn't love it as much as the first book, but it was better than Beyond the Valley of Thorns, Book Two. Adventure awaits! Mysteries and secrets abound! It was exciting (and scary at times) to journey with Alexa and her group of unlikely friends as they face one danger and trial after the next. Murphy, of course, is great! *grins* He's a favorite character. I also have grown to like the giant a lot. I couldn't believe the betrayal!! But of course, things are not always as they seem! The Christian allegory of this series continues to get bigger, and better. There were some profound moments. Some wonderful, spiritual lessons and the like. Overall, really enjoyed this book! At some points, I did really feel the fact that it was "childrens", and kind of got bored because I wanted to read something more "adult" and deep. But soon, the mysteries and action would have me intrigued again! *smiles* A warning, there is violence and some gore, through the course of THE LAND OF ELYON series, but overall it's great, adventurous fantasy for children/teen! (And older!) I look forward to reading the last book, Stargazer!
June 4, 2016
URGHHHHHH.
I still feel kinda guilty coming back to these books and disliking them this strongly, since it really was something I loved as a kid but... let's not mince words, okay? They're just not good. Forget the religious aspects (actually, we'll come back to that): the writing is... bad. The pacing is bad; the first person narrator routinely withholds information from the reader; there's so much 'telling instead of showing' that it pains me; the characters have very little in the way of personality and pretty much nothing in the way of growth... it's just weak all the way through.
Personally, I find plotlines that are moved by characters denying other characters information bad enough. It leads to messy misunderstanding plots that could have been solved by clear communication - but this isn't even that! This is a first person narrator refusing to explain things to the reader, and it's massively worse. It makes it completely impossible for Carman to pull of a 'surprising but inevitable' reveal, because he chooses not to give actual clues. The reader is forced to be a passive participant, instead of actively trying to guess at the resolution of the plot, because there isn't enough to work with here! (This is also one of the problems I've had with BBC Sherlock in the past - the resolution always depended on information the audience was never actually given.)
There's one other significant very dubious writing decision going on here. I don't really care about spoilers, but just in case someone stumbles across this who does:
For the record, too, the geography of the Land of Elyon makes very little sense. They circumnavigated almost all of it in the space of less than a week? The entire countryside between Bridewell and the Tenth City can be crossed in less than a day? All of this points to a land area that's way, way too small for the civilizations it plays host to, unless Bridewell and its branch cities are in fact more like tiny hamlets than actual cities.
And now... I've got to address the religion thing.
Look, I'm an atheist, but as a child I was painfully oblivious. Like, 'you have to literally hit me over the head with allegory before I realize there might be something' kind of oblivious. I honestly don't remember if I picked up on it in this book, but I feel like I might have, because Carman definitely hits you over the head with it.
That's not the worst part - the most egregious bit is at the end, when the titular Tenth City comes into view and we find out that in the Land of Elyon, Heaven is a place on Earth. This is also when we learn that surprise! Elyon has been steering events all along, and our heroes were basically just the tools he used, not really acting on their own. So... in addition to the readers being passive participants, it turns out so were the characters!
Maybe this is just a worldview I'll never get because I don't believe in a higher power, but... in a fictional context, is it too much to ask that protagonists have actual agency? Even if you find it comforting to believe there is a higher plan ordained, it seems to me like it's just good storytelling to make the characters your audience follows actually... have a greater degree of independence and action.
Anyhow. This is the last of the series that I actually own, but that's not gonna be the case for long, because they're going on the used bookstore stack. I'm still torn on whether or not to sell my signed first edition - there's a comparable copy on EBay that hasn't been updated in three years, so I don't think I'm gonna make much off of it as a collectible.
However... even though I'm getting rid of my copies, I'm still going to read the last two books in the series. Completionism! It's a blessing and a curse, but mostly a curse. Stay tuned, I guess!
I still feel kinda guilty coming back to these books and disliking them this strongly, since it really was something I loved as a kid but... let's not mince words, okay? They're just not good. Forget the religious aspects (actually, we'll come back to that): the writing is... bad. The pacing is bad; the first person narrator routinely withholds information from the reader; there's so much 'telling instead of showing' that it pains me; the characters have very little in the way of personality and pretty much nothing in the way of growth... it's just weak all the way through.
Personally, I find plotlines that are moved by characters denying other characters information bad enough. It leads to messy misunderstanding plots that could have been solved by clear communication - but this isn't even that! This is a first person narrator refusing to explain things to the reader, and it's massively worse. It makes it completely impossible for Carman to pull of a 'surprising but inevitable' reveal, because he chooses not to give actual clues. The reader is forced to be a passive participant, instead of actively trying to guess at the resolution of the plot, because there isn't enough to work with here! (This is also one of the problems I've had with BBC Sherlock in the past - the resolution always depended on information the audience was never actually given.)
There's one other significant very dubious writing decision going on here. I don't really care about spoilers, but just in case someone stumbles across this who does:
For the record, too, the geography of the Land of Elyon makes very little sense. They circumnavigated almost all of it in the space of less than a week? The entire countryside between Bridewell and the Tenth City can be crossed in less than a day? All of this points to a land area that's way, way too small for the civilizations it plays host to, unless Bridewell and its branch cities are in fact more like tiny hamlets than actual cities.
And now... I've got to address the religion thing.
Look, I'm an atheist, but as a child I was painfully oblivious. Like, 'you have to literally hit me over the head with allegory before I realize there might be something' kind of oblivious. I honestly don't remember if I picked up on it in this book, but I feel like I might have, because Carman definitely hits you over the head with it.
"I was siezed by the power of a great affection."
That's not the worst part - the most egregious bit is at the end, when the titular Tenth City comes into view and we find out that in the Land of Elyon, Heaven is a place on Earth. This is also when we learn that surprise! Elyon has been steering events all along, and our heroes were basically just the tools he used, not really acting on their own. So... in addition to the readers being passive participants, it turns out so were the characters!
Maybe this is just a worldview I'll never get because I don't believe in a higher power, but... in a fictional context, is it too much to ask that protagonists have actual agency? Even if you find it comforting to believe there is a higher plan ordained, it seems to me like it's just good storytelling to make the characters your audience follows actually... have a greater degree of independence and action.
Anyhow. This is the last of the series that I actually own, but that's not gonna be the case for long, because they're going on the used bookstore stack. I'm still torn on whether or not to sell my signed first edition - there's a comparable copy on EBay that hasn't been updated in three years, so I don't think I'm gonna make much off of it as a collectible.
However... even though I'm getting rid of my copies, I'm still going to read the last two books in the series. Completionism! It's a blessing and a curse, but mostly a curse. Stay tuned, I guess!
November 20, 2018
Δεν μου άρεσε τόσο το τρίτο βιβλίο με τις περιπέτειες της Αλέξα Ντέιλι στη Γη του Έλυον.
Θέλω να πω... υπήρχε πάλι το στοιχείο εκείνο του παραμυθιού, η φαντασία, η ενότητα και η εξερεύνηση αλλά υπήρχε πολύ έντονο το στοιχείο επίσης της πίστης στο Θεό ή σε κάτι ανώτερο τέλος πάντων. Στην ιστορία περιγράφεται ως επαφή με τον Δημιουργό της Γης του Έλυον, τον Έλυον δηλαδή. Αυτή η συνομιλία ή οι φωνές του Δημιουργού που ακούει η πρωταγωνίστριά μας την οδηγούν συχνά σε παράλογες πράξεις αν ήταν να τις κρίνουμε με βάση τη λογική. Παρ’ όλα αυτά, η Αλέξα τις ακούει, εμπιστεύεται απεριόριστα τις οδηγείς που της υπαγορεύουν. Και έτσι τελικά γίνεται σε όλο το βιβλίο. Της δίνουν οδηγίες. Ο Έλυον (ο θεός), οι φίλοι της κλπ.. Που είναι το δίδαγμα για την ελεύθερη βούληση; Απουσιάζει. Είναι όλα προκαθορισμένα.
Μάλιστα έχει σχεδόν πλάκα γιατί καταφέρνει και τους ξεγελάει με την πρόφαση πως της υπαγόρευσε κάτι, καθώς είναι η μόνη που ακούει τη φωνή του. Με λίγα λόγια, αν πιστεύουν πως είσαι προφήτης, πιστεύουν κάθε σου ψέμα. Είναι περίεργο που αυτό το ψέμα προέρχεται από την 13χρονη πλέον πρωταγωνίστριά μας.
Υπήρχαν ορισμένα σημεία που μου άρεσαν. Η όλη ατμόσφαιρα ας πούμε αλλά επίσης και η ηλικία της ανάμεσα στην παιδική και την εφηβική. Γιατί η 13χρόνη που ενώ ήθελε να μεγαλώσει παλαιότερα και να πάει σε περιπέτειες, τώρα φοβάται και θέλει να τελειώσουν. Η αρχή της εφηβείας…
"Μεγαλώνεις, Αλέξα, και πολύ φοβάμαι ότι δεν υπάρχει γυρισμός"
"Δεν μπορούμε να γυρίσουμε πίσω, Αλέξα", είπε. " δεν υπάρχει γυρισμός από τη στιγμή που αρχίζουμε να μεγαλώνουμε, κι ο κόσμος δεν μπορεί να ξαναγίνει απλός."
Η ιστορία επίσης κάνει αναφορές σε περιβαντολλογικές ανησυχίες, εκμετάλλευση και καταστροφή της φύσης και των ζώων για την ευκολία του ανθρώπου και την απληστία του. Μιλά επίσης για τον θάνατο με έναν τρόπο σχετικά αισιόδοξο για πιο μικρές ηλικίες αν και σίγουρα υπάρχουν και βιβλία που προσεγγίζουν το θέμα πολύ μα πολύ καλύτερα!
Δεν θα πρότεινα εύκολα σε κάποιον την τριλογία. Δεν μετάνιωσα που τη διάβασα αλλά δεν μπορώ να με φανταστώ να τη συστήνω κιόλας...
Θέλω να πω... υπήρχε πάλι το στοιχείο εκείνο του παραμυθιού, η φαντασία, η ενότητα και η εξερεύνηση αλλά υπήρχε πολύ έντονο το στοιχείο επίσης της πίστης στο Θεό ή σε κάτι ανώτερο τέλος πάντων. Στην ιστορία περιγράφεται ως επαφή με τον Δημιουργό της Γης του Έλυον, τον Έλυον δηλαδή. Αυτή η συνομιλία ή οι φωνές του Δημιουργού που ακούει η πρωταγωνίστριά μας την οδηγούν συχνά σε παράλογες πράξεις αν ήταν να τις κρίνουμε με βάση τη λογική. Παρ’ όλα αυτά, η Αλέξα τις ακούει, εμπιστεύεται απεριόριστα τις οδηγείς που της υπαγορεύουν. Και έτσι τελικά γίνεται σε όλο το βιβλίο. Της δίνουν οδηγίες. Ο Έλυον (ο θεός), οι φίλοι της κλπ.. Που είναι το δίδαγμα για την ελεύθερη βούληση; Απουσιάζει. Είναι όλα προκαθορισμένα.
Μάλιστα έχει σχεδόν πλάκα γιατί καταφέρνει και τους ξεγελάει με την πρόφαση πως της υπαγόρευσε κάτι, καθώς είναι η μόνη που ακούει τη φωνή του. Με λίγα λόγια, αν πιστεύουν πως είσαι προφήτης, πιστεύουν κάθε σου ψέμα. Είναι περίεργο που αυτό το ψέμα προέρχεται από την 13χρονη πλέον πρωταγωνίστριά μας.
Υπήρχαν ορισμένα σημεία που μου άρεσαν. Η όλη ατμόσφαιρα ας πούμε αλλά επίσης και η ηλικία της ανάμεσα στην παιδική και την εφηβική. Γιατί η 13χρόνη που ενώ ήθελε να μεγαλώσει παλαιότερα και να πάει σε περιπέτειες, τώρα φοβάται και θέλει να τελειώσουν. Η αρχή της εφηβείας…
"Μεγαλώνεις, Αλέξα, και πολύ φοβάμαι ότι δεν υπάρχει γυρισμός"
"Δεν μπορούμε να γυρίσουμε πίσω, Αλέξα", είπε. " δεν υπάρχει γυρισμός από τη στιγμή που αρχίζουμε να μεγαλώνουμε, κι ο κόσμος δεν μπορεί να ξαναγίνει απλός."
Η ιστορία επίσης κάνει αναφορές σε περιβαντολλογικές ανησυχίες, εκμετάλλευση και καταστροφή της φύσης και των ζώων για την ευκολία του ανθρώπου και την απληστία του. Μιλά επίσης για τον θάνατο με έναν τρόπο σχετικά αισιόδοξο για πιο μικρές ηλικίες αν και σίγουρα υπάρχουν και βιβλία που προσεγγίζουν το θέμα πολύ μα πολύ καλύτερα!
Δεν θα πρότεινα εύκολα σε κάποιον την τριλογία. Δεν μετάνιωσα που τη διάβασα αλλά δεν μπορώ να με φανταστώ να τη συστήνω κιόλας...
January 12, 2012
The Tenth City
by Patrick Carman
Do you you like adventures? If you do, then you should read the fiction book The Tenth City. It is about a young girl named Alexa and her animal and human friends. Together they work as a team to protect each other while they are trying to save their other friend, Yipes.
This book is pretty much the best adventure book I have ever read. This book is a mixture of reality and fantasy, which I really like. It has action and it teaches you lessons about life: like not to give up, live your life to the fullest, and to also think about others, not just yourself.
Alexa wanted to change her city from the badness of Victor Grindall to the sweetness of her old home before. Victor Grindall captured people who were still there in Bridewell, including Yipes, and he also got the help of orges to trash the place and then make it the way he wanted it to be.
During their journey going to Bridewell, they had to face many dangers and also many discoveries. They had to be careful not to get caught by the orges that were all over Bridewell. Since Alexa and her father were separated, he didn't have to face the many dangers they she and her friends encountered. Instead, they found each other in an underground room where Alexa's father was making his home while she was gone.
This adventure was really a chance of life to death, but at the end, a 13 year old child and her animal and human friends won against an old and very evil Victor Grindall. All Victor Grindall really wanted was power by the Last Jacosta, a stone which held many secrets about many things.
The Tenth City is good for all ages, but there are some words that young kids might not understand yet. All in all, the Tenth City is a book that will make you imagine the things that are happening in the story (also because it doesn't include pictures) and for me, it is like bees' knees.
by Patrick Carman
Do you you like adventures? If you do, then you should read the fiction book The Tenth City. It is about a young girl named Alexa and her animal and human friends. Together they work as a team to protect each other while they are trying to save their other friend, Yipes.
This book is pretty much the best adventure book I have ever read. This book is a mixture of reality and fantasy, which I really like. It has action and it teaches you lessons about life: like not to give up, live your life to the fullest, and to also think about others, not just yourself.
Alexa wanted to change her city from the badness of Victor Grindall to the sweetness of her old home before. Victor Grindall captured people who were still there in Bridewell, including Yipes, and he also got the help of orges to trash the place and then make it the way he wanted it to be.
During their journey going to Bridewell, they had to face many dangers and also many discoveries. They had to be careful not to get caught by the orges that were all over Bridewell. Since Alexa and her father were separated, he didn't have to face the many dangers they she and her friends encountered. Instead, they found each other in an underground room where Alexa's father was making his home while she was gone.
This adventure was really a chance of life to death, but at the end, a 13 year old child and her animal and human friends won against an old and very evil Victor Grindall. All Victor Grindall really wanted was power by the Last Jacosta, a stone which held many secrets about many things.
The Tenth City is good for all ages, but there are some words that young kids might not understand yet. All in all, the Tenth City is a book that will make you imagine the things that are happening in the story (also because it doesn't include pictures) and for me, it is like bees' knees.
December 4, 2009
Another book in The Land Of Elyon series is here, and it's The Tenth City. Alexa yet again finds herself in the tangled wen of Abbadon. Her friend Yipes has been kidnapped by Victor Grindall, the man Abbadon controls. Alexa is stuck on the Warwick Beacon with Warvold, Roland, Oddessa the wolf, Armon the giant, and Murphy the squirrel. They travel through tunnels, climb hills, search through forests, and ride down the River Roland to find Yipes. They try to wipe out the last of the ogres and Grindall. All while hopelessly searching for the mist and the Tenth City. Will one of Alexa's friends betray her, or is it all part of a larger plan that involves all of the land of Elyon.
This book keeps your eyes on the page at all times. Patrick Carmen makes The Tenth City not only a fantasy, but an action-filled story. I loved this book, and the others before it, but don't worry, there's more books after this one. People who like fantasy, or books about the outdoors would love this book. It makes you feel like you were meant for something more. If you haven't already, you should read this book! Trust me!
This book keeps your eyes on the page at all times. Patrick Carmen makes The Tenth City not only a fantasy, but an action-filled story. I loved this book, and the others before it, but don't worry, there's more books after this one. People who like fantasy, or books about the outdoors would love this book. It makes you feel like you were meant for something more. If you haven't already, you should read this book! Trust me!
December 1, 2015
By far one of the most satisfying ending to a series in the history of literature. I was actually hysterical when the book ended, it was written so well. After starting this series whenever I was barely ten, I'm so glad to have these books in my life.
Actually, I'm fascinated how Carman used Christian influences. I'm particularly interested in his next book where there lives a nation supported my the legendary Five Pillars. While I don't usually enjoy religious tangents, Carman writes in a respectful way that neither mocks nor over exaggerates, creating a curiosity in the reader rather than a blow-to-the-head "THIS IS TRUTH" that so many writers do.
Actually, I'm fascinated how Carman used Christian influences. I'm particularly interested in his next book where there lives a nation supported my the legendary Five Pillars. While I don't usually enjoy religious tangents, Carman writes in a respectful way that neither mocks nor over exaggerates, creating a curiosity in the reader rather than a blow-to-the-head "THIS IS TRUTH" that so many writers do.
March 14, 2018
More like 3,5 stars...
The third book in the Land of Elyon series was much better than the second one, but still, not as good as the first one. Maybe because in the first book I had no idea of this world and I thought it was interesting... But all three books were amazingly written, so was this!
There were plot twists, especially during the end, great action and beautiful characters as always.
I think I'll take a break from the series for a while, before I move on to the last two. Just to get me more excited!
The third book in the Land of Elyon series was much better than the second one, but still, not as good as the first one. Maybe because in the first book I had no idea of this world and I thought it was interesting... But all three books were amazingly written, so was this!
There were plot twists, especially during the end, great action and beautiful characters as always.
I think I'll take a break from the series for a while, before I move on to the last two. Just to get me more excited!
March 31, 2019
2,5*
Hrozně mě štvala ta náboženská tématika.
Hrozně mě štvala ta náboženská tématika.
July 22, 2024
zrobiłam reread całej serii tylko dlatego, że pamiętam, jak w dzieciństwie czytałam tę część w środku nocy przy swietle latarki i ryczałam, ale teraz dalej nie wiem, z jakiego powodu 😅
August 8, 2025
Sad, but good.
January 24, 2024
The editing could be so much better; there are spates of telling and not showing; the characters don't have much to them. But even with all these complaints, I still enjoy this series. The description of the Tenth City made me happy, much like the last few chapters of The Last Battle in Narnia.
December 10, 2022
"Nesta nova aventura, Alexa Daley sabe que se dirige para uma arriscada missão, mas nem ela nem os seus amigos imaginam o perigos que terão de enfrentar na sua jornada para salvar as Terras de Elyon do domínio do diabólico Victor Grindall e do seu líder Abaddon (...) Mas as surpresas vão ser muitas..."
E depois de todas as atribulações e revelações do volume anterior, eis a emocionante conclusão de uma aventura e o início de outra. Tal como disse anteriormente, esta série trata-se de um mundo repleto de aventura e magia, amizade e conspiração, mistério e revelação; esta narrativa encerra a luta travada entre Elyon e Abaddon, na qual Alexa desempenha um papel fundamental: é o seu destino salvar a Terra de Elyon; e quando tudo se complica e parece perdido, é graças à sua coragem e fé, mas também ao apoio dos seus companheiros que o bem triunfa novamente. Mal posso esperar para saber o que acontece a seguir; é mesmo uma pena que o volume seguinte não esteja traduzido.
E depois de todas as atribulações e revelações do volume anterior, eis a emocionante conclusão de uma aventura e o início de outra. Tal como disse anteriormente, esta série trata-se de um mundo repleto de aventura e magia, amizade e conspiração, mistério e revelação; esta narrativa encerra a luta travada entre Elyon e Abaddon, na qual Alexa desempenha um papel fundamental: é o seu destino salvar a Terra de Elyon; e quando tudo se complica e parece perdido, é graças à sua coragem e fé, mas também ao apoio dos seus companheiros que o bem triunfa novamente. Mal posso esperar para saber o que acontece a seguir; é mesmo uma pena que o volume seguinte não esteja traduzido.
June 18, 2014
I didn't like this book as much as the others.
While I should have seen where this was going a long time ago, I was a little let down that it has one of those "this isn't being sold as a religious book but there are just enough hints to bash you over the head with the idea of religion and by that I mean Christianity" type of plots, which was increasingly evident in the last book in the series (at least I believe it is, perhaps there are more).
However I did grow to love Alexa, Murphy and Warvold (even though the twist including him at the end I thought was semi-random and I was not a fan of it). I feel like I can't be too critical since this book is aimed at an audience much younger than I am, so perhaps they wouldn't have as much to criticize.
Overall I did enjoy the book, and I was at least semi-satisfied with the ending.
While I should have seen where this was going a long time ago, I was a little let down that it has one of those "this isn't being sold as a religious book but there are just enough hints to bash you over the head with the idea of religion and by that I mean Christianity" type of plots, which was increasingly evident in the last book in the series (at least I believe it is, perhaps there are more).
However I did grow to love Alexa, Murphy and Warvold (even though the twist including him at the end I thought was semi-random and I was not a fan of it). I feel like I can't be too critical since this book is aimed at an audience much younger than I am, so perhaps they wouldn't have as much to criticize.
Overall I did enjoy the book, and I was at least semi-satisfied with the ending.
April 6, 2015
Okay, so I still don't like this series. I don't enjoy Mr. Carman's writing style. If he says "in ways I could never begin to imagine" again, I'm going to do something I'll regret later. I don't feel any loyalty or attachment to any of the characters or any desire to see the good guys or bad guys win. I will say this one thing though, by the end of this book, some of the inexplicable/unexplained things that have happen up to that point begin to take shape and make sense. I think that if the story was told by a more skilled author (not that I'd do better, I'd do much worse I'm sure), then the story would be something. As is, don't waste your time like I have. (and will, I do plan on finishing the series.)
March 14, 2022
The best thing about this book is that it is short. Read in a train trip and a half short.
But not short enough.
The allegory is so heavy, it is kinda sickening. All of the characters just turn out to be pawns in a game that didn't make sense. A lot about the world building also didn't make sense and there was still very shoddy female rep even up to this last book - how terrible is that even when your MC is female and you still can't get it right?
I had more gripes but I read this two weeks ago and I can't remember them now. It wasn't great though.
Wish I hadn't bought the last two books, but you know I'm gonna read them anyway.
But not short enough.
The allegory is so heavy, it is kinda sickening. All of the characters just turn out to be pawns in a game that didn't make sense. A lot about the world building also didn't make sense and there was still very shoddy female rep even up to this last book - how terrible is that even when your MC is female and you still can't get it right?
I had more gripes but I read this two weeks ago and I can't remember them now. It wasn't great though.
Wish I hadn't bought the last two books, but you know I'm gonna read them anyway.
November 5, 2015
OMG THIS BOOK. I definitely loved it more then the other two. i loved the adventure and the mystery behind it. and that plot twist at the end just...god. I actually cried at the end omg i just cant. but this book is amazing and the ending was definitely satisfying. I'm going to take a break from reading the land of elyon books for a little bit, because there are just two more left. a prequel/book 4 called into the mist and then book 4 stargazer. definitely a satisfying end tho...<3 favorite in this series.
December 10, 2009
i liked this book. i would definetly read it again. there was some parts i did not like though. the ending was really dumb. at the end they had the characters wondering what will happen in the next book. also the ending of this book just abruptly stopped it did not gradually stop. if they left those parts out it would have been even better, but i still liked it. it also had many descriptive words and just made the whole story very easy and clear to understand. it was a really good book.
September 19, 2019
Even though it has been 7 years since I read this last I did still enjoy it. It was originally supposed to be a trilogy. However, he had decided to add on. I did like the way he ended this though. Alexa and most everyone got their happy ending. I was surprised by some things. It just shows that no matter how many times you read a book you can forget things. I look forward to seeing how their next adventure goes. Since I'm sure I've already forgot a lot that will happen.
July 24, 2015
I liked the conclusion of this trilogy. There are some twists that didn't really surprise me, but did very much surprise my daughter when she read it. There was one thing that surprised me. Anyway, I like the universe, I like the mythology, I like the magic, I like the hero. There is depth in it, I would even consider it a modern children's classic.
My daughter wants to write her own review:
I liked it, it was really exciting! And, its really surprising. And it is an awesome book!
My daughter wants to write her own review:
I liked it, it was really exciting! And, its really surprising. And it is an awesome book!
May 3, 2008
I think this was the best book out of the series. The chain of events in the books are a bit rushed, but they have a great good versus evil plot. This final book did show the most religous overtones compared to the others but it was done well.
May 18, 2020
I read this book in elementary school, and I thought it was amazing! I recommend this book to practically anyone, but mostly 3rd to 5th grade.
October 4, 2024
Continues from the second book where they are setting seas with Roland (Thomas brother). They make their way to Lathbury to drop off Renny. However, Alexa says that the voice of Elyon is telling her that they must pass Turlock. Roland says that the sea gets bad past Turlock but he is up for the challenge. Once passed Turlock the sea begins to turn for the worst and they have to take shelter from the storm. Alexa wants Armon (the giant) to take her and Murphy to the top of the cliff. Armon then swims in the storm to the cliff and then begins his climb. Once they reach the top they see something that they must not speak about to anyone. Once returning to the ship Warvold is very upset with Alexa pleading with her to never do something like that again. They get through the storm and sail then to Anisworth where they planned to depart from the ship. Armon, Odessa, Alexa and Murphy all got off on Armons back through the see and up the cliff. Once they started the climb the winds picked back up and Roland, Thomas and Balmoral were drifted out to sea. Pervis and Nicholas were waiting at the top of the cliff for them. They all regrouped saything that they have cleared Bridewell of all residences but that was excluding her father which remained. They traveled into the Dark Hills to the underground tunnels in an attempted to rescue Yipes. Pervis and Alexa along with Murphy decide to climb into the underground tunnels were they run into her father. They split up to look for where they have taken Yipes and Alexa goes to the library. She finds Yipes in a cage and it is attached to Grindall and then an ogre. Alexa is about to escape with Yipes through the secret book door with the help of Armon. Once they escape they hide in the Dark Hills where Pervis meets them and tells Alexa that he doesn’t know where her father is. The next morning they are met with Warvold who Armon went to get and he tells them that they must travel to the Fenwick Forest. Upon traveling their they walk deeper and deeper into the forest and they are noticing that it gets more and more dead the deeper they walk in it. They are then met with the animals of the forest and Ander is upset. He talks with Alexa and they agree that Abaddon must be stopped and he tells her that the Joscata will guide her to the tenth city. Just them Grindall appears with Odessa and they are taken captive. Grindall then takes possession of the Joscata and Alexa tells them what they must do and so they travel to the Sly Fields. The black swarm is approaching and Grindall has the ogre throw Warvold as far as he can since he is being “dead weight”. After doing so Armon kills 3 ogres who are holding Yipes and Alexa. After doing so Grindall commands all of his ogres to run toward the tenth city and destroy it. Little does he know that they are running into Abaddon’s black hole and being sucked in. Grindall, the ogres and the black swarm all get sucked into the black hole and never seen again. Alexa takes back the Joscate but comes to find out that Warvold has passed for real this time and it is also reveiled that he is actually her father. Armon and Warvold then pass over into the tenth city and it disappears. Alexa returns home and visits her “mothers” which were Laura and Catherine (the orphan sisters). Nicholas was her older brother and he knew the whole time. Yipes and Alexa are very tight and as the years go by they miss adventure and so they set sail with Roland to see what roams the sea. { the plot twist of Thomas and Renny actually being her parents was kinda crazy. They would have to be so old when they had her though. There was lots of traveling to and from places that was a little confusing but overall this book had a lot of action and was very fast pace. The villain was also so very cruel and Alexa wanting to give up so fast was a little irritating. Overall this series was fairly good and I enjoyed the plot twist that each book had. }
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
August 29, 2024 - 3 stars
Once again, sadly, this book did not work for me. I’m going to finish out my reread of this series this year, but man I am depressed that I clearly don’t love them anymore the way that I used to. It felt like this whole book was just people being separated and then getting reunited and then separating again, which is never something I love, but especially not when it’s feeling super repetitive. I continue to not love the forceful religious undertones to this book. It just really makes me wonder if I just didn’t pick up on that the first few times I read this series or was that something that I liked. I’m glad we defeated Grindall, the ogres, and Abaddon. Always nice to see the good guys triumph and evil perish. As I’ve said before, I have read this series several times, but I totally did not remember that Warvold was Alexa’s father. And I was somehow even more shook by the fact that Alexa’s “mother” (aka: the woman who raised her) was actually Laura from the story. Did we know that Alexa’s mother and Renny Warvold were sisters? I can’t remember. I’m glad that that little plot twist meant that James Daley didn’t die after the whole bait and switch thing with the prophecy about Alexa’s father dying. I also like that it meant that Nicholas was her brother. Warvold’s death was sad enough on its own, but what I really hated was the way he died. And my god, poor Catherine. Finally rescued and reunited with the love of your life, only for him to die almost immediately afterwards. I hate that Alexa had to give the last jocasta back after saving the day. And I feel bad for Murphy. By the way, did we ever learn what the inscription was on the last jocasta after Alexa said she wasn’t ready to look at it yet? Cause I feel like we didn’t and that feels like kind of a big plot hole. I was kind of surprised when it was seeming like Odessa betrayed us, but obviously that all makes sense in the end. I didn’t love much about this book, but I did like how it did a good job wrapping up the trilogy while leaving the door open for future adventures, which obviously we know that we have, because there are two more books.
Once again, sadly, this book did not work for me. I’m going to finish out my reread of this series this year, but man I am depressed that I clearly don’t love them anymore the way that I used to. It felt like this whole book was just people being separated and then getting reunited and then separating again, which is never something I love, but especially not when it’s feeling super repetitive. I continue to not love the forceful religious undertones to this book. It just really makes me wonder if I just didn’t pick up on that the first few times I read this series or was that something that I liked. I’m glad we defeated Grindall, the ogres, and Abaddon. Always nice to see the good guys triumph and evil perish. As I’ve said before, I have read this series several times, but I totally did not remember that Warvold was Alexa’s father. And I was somehow even more shook by the fact that Alexa’s “mother” (aka: the woman who raised her) was actually Laura from the story. Did we know that Alexa’s mother and Renny Warvold were sisters? I can’t remember. I’m glad that that little plot twist meant that James Daley didn’t die after the whole bait and switch thing with the prophecy about Alexa’s father dying. I also like that it meant that Nicholas was her brother. Warvold’s death was sad enough on its own, but what I really hated was the way he died. And my god, poor Catherine. Finally rescued and reunited with the love of your life, only for him to die almost immediately afterwards. I hate that Alexa had to give the last jocasta back after saving the day. And I feel bad for Murphy. By the way, did we ever learn what the inscription was on the last jocasta after Alexa said she wasn’t ready to look at it yet? Cause I feel like we didn’t and that feels like kind of a big plot hole. I was kind of surprised when it was seeming like Odessa betrayed us, but obviously that all makes sense in the end. I didn’t love much about this book, but I did like how it did a good job wrapping up the trilogy while leaving the door open for future adventures, which obviously we know that we have, because there are two more books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2025
When I first bought this series, I thought there were only 3 books to it. I had them for years before I started reading them, only to find out there are actually 5 books in the series.
I've read the series out of order so far (1, 4, 2, 3... still going to read Book 5).
Book 4 was backstory to older characters (Roland and his brother Thomas) when they were kids, which is why I read it when I did (listened to it on Spotify).
So far in the series, I've enjoyed Books 1 and 4 the most.
Books 2 and 3 were a bit difficult to get through (they just didn't hold my attention - but I've noticed that more with my reading lately, so it might be me, not the books themselves).
Also, I must have not been paying attention, but I was confused to find out that Laura was James' wife (I didn't think they had mentioned Alexa's mother by name at all during the series). In Book 2, when Alexa was reading the letter written by Warvold about Catherine and Laura, I thought she would have figured out that Catherine was her aunt (if she knew that Laura was her mother, or at the time she thought she was her mother). I felt like the reveal of Warvold being Alexa's biological father (rather than James) was just thrown in, and the story of who Laura really was wasn't explained much (she was barely in the series, it was like she was forgotten). Maybe it wasn't known to Alexa at the time that Renny was Catherine. I can't remember.
I'm interested to see what happens in Book 5, especially when the ending of Book 3 made it seem like any battles had been won and there was no more danger for Alexa and those around her.
I've read the series out of order so far (1, 4, 2, 3... still going to read Book 5).
Book 4 was backstory to older characters (Roland and his brother Thomas) when they were kids, which is why I read it when I did (listened to it on Spotify).
So far in the series, I've enjoyed Books 1 and 4 the most.
Books 2 and 3 were a bit difficult to get through (they just didn't hold my attention - but I've noticed that more with my reading lately, so it might be me, not the books themselves).
Also, I must have not been paying attention, but I was confused to find out that Laura was James' wife (I didn't think they had mentioned Alexa's mother by name at all during the series). In Book 2, when Alexa was reading the letter written by Warvold about Catherine and Laura, I thought she would have figured out that Catherine was her aunt (if she knew that Laura was her mother, or at the time she thought she was her mother). I felt like the reveal of Warvold being Alexa's biological father (rather than James) was just thrown in, and the story of who Laura really was wasn't explained much (she was barely in the series, it was like she was forgotten). Maybe it wasn't known to Alexa at the time that Renny was Catherine. I can't remember.
I'm interested to see what happens in Book 5, especially when the ending of Book 3 made it seem like any battles had been won and there was no more danger for Alexa and those around her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2023
This is book three in the Land of Elyon trilogy and the tenth book by Carman that I have read. It is the 5th set in Elyon. Elyon is the Semetic for God or Most High, and the Tenth City is a city shrouded in mist that none can reach, for it is the home of Elyon and his angels. The power of Carman's creativity is exemplified by the fact that this is the middle book of the 5 set in this land. It is the last I read, and yet nothing was lost by reading it after the others. I am sure something would have been gained by reading them in order but they did not come into my hands in sequence. Carman is a master story teller and this book is an excellent example of that.
Book 3 is the end of the original trilogy of Eloyn by Patrick Carman. In it the Grindall still has Yipes captured and is demanding the return of the last of the magical jocasta stones by Alexa Daley. As usual she is traveling and battling the forces of darkness with a strange mix of companions. The Warlord, Odessa the wolf, Squire the Hawk, Murphy the squirrel, and Armon the Giant are just a few of the characters that return in this adventure. The story focuses around a battle for the hearts and minds of the people. Elyon loves his creatures and wants the best for them; Abaddon is a monster bent on destruction and fire, whose sole driving purpose is to destroy Elyon and the creatures he loves.
The books draw heavily upon religious and Christian imagery. It is told in a masterful way. Yet it all comes down to Alexa. Can she once again save the day? You will have to read the book to find out. But there is a hint in that Carman went on to add two more books set in this world featuring Alexa. To some extent she is central to both. It is a great book in a good series - it will be fun, light summer reading.
(First Published in Imprint 2009-06-12.)
Book 3 is the end of the original trilogy of Eloyn by Patrick Carman. In it the Grindall still has Yipes captured and is demanding the return of the last of the magical jocasta stones by Alexa Daley. As usual she is traveling and battling the forces of darkness with a strange mix of companions. The Warlord, Odessa the wolf, Squire the Hawk, Murphy the squirrel, and Armon the Giant are just a few of the characters that return in this adventure. The story focuses around a battle for the hearts and minds of the people. Elyon loves his creatures and wants the best for them; Abaddon is a monster bent on destruction and fire, whose sole driving purpose is to destroy Elyon and the creatures he loves.
The books draw heavily upon religious and Christian imagery. It is told in a masterful way. Yet it all comes down to Alexa. Can she once again save the day? You will have to read the book to find out. But there is a hint in that Carman went on to add two more books set in this world featuring Alexa. To some extent she is central to both. It is a great book in a good series - it will be fun, light summer reading.
(First Published in Imprint 2009-06-12.)
December 29, 2023
Wow, the religious subtext was overwhelming in this one. How did I never notice that at a child...? The book literally ends with
I honestly found myself really taken out of the story by the way Alexa seems to be constantly telling the reader about things after they happened. (I don't mean that it's written in past tense, that's fine.) It's just that Alexa will occasionally preface whole paragraphs of exposition with "I remember" or "I wish I could tell you how it was." It was really jarring, especially as she's struggling to describe the awe and majesty of the Tenth City.
The final climax was largely dependent on a "twist" that Alexa's unreliable narration kept from the reader, but it didn't hit right. Instead of being surprised, I was just disappointed and annoyed. There's a right way and a wrong way to handle a twist like that and it was definitely the latter.
I'm surprised how little I've enjoyed rereading this series when it used to be one of my favorites. 2/5
I honestly found myself really taken out of the story by the way Alexa seems to be constantly telling the reader about things after they happened. (I don't mean that it's written in past tense, that's fine.) It's just that Alexa will occasionally preface whole paragraphs of exposition with "I remember" or "I wish I could tell you how it was." It was really jarring, especially as she's struggling to describe the awe and majesty of the Tenth City.
The final climax was largely dependent on a "twist" that Alexa's unreliable narration kept from the reader, but it didn't hit right. Instead of being surprised, I was just disappointed and annoyed. There's a right way and a wrong way to handle a twist like that and it was definitely the latter.
I'm surprised how little I've enjoyed rereading this series when it used to be one of my favorites. 2/5
January 20, 2024
It's so weird to read something that's alluding to a god and a heaven-like place with a devil type creature. This whole series was wild.
Also, what is it with YA fantasy around this time period of release writing about young girls and squirrels. I mean, two fantasy series isn't a lot, but it sure is weird that there are two.
One more thing, why is it all men with her in every book? Even the animals tended to be men, and when there was a woman she was either hardly mentioned (Her mom back home), not given any dialogue really (Warvold's wife, Odessa), or just mentioned in a story/tale. It's so odd, but I guess that's a choice.
It's better than the dragon series I read, but jeepers not by much. Another series that proves to me anyone could probably be published if they sat down and wrote it.
Also, what is it with YA fantasy around this time period of release writing about young girls and squirrels. I mean, two fantasy series isn't a lot, but it sure is weird that there are two.
One more thing, why is it all men with her in every book? Even the animals tended to be men, and when there was a woman she was either hardly mentioned (Her mom back home), not given any dialogue really (Warvold's wife, Odessa), or just mentioned in a story/tale. It's so odd, but I guess that's a choice.
It's better than the dragon series I read, but jeepers not by much. Another series that proves to me anyone could probably be published if they sat down and wrote it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2017
4.5 stars! This was one of the first books I added to the "To-Read" list on goodreads, so I decided to actually read it. I had read the first two, quite a while ago, prior to goodreads membership. I had added this one back in 2008, so I obviously lost track of the characters, but it read well. Patrick has a very nice writing style and was kind enough to remind readers about his characters without reviewing everything. I cried at the end. I will have to see if there are more in this series...I thought I saw one more, and then look for his other books. I know my son was into the 39 Clues books for a bit, but I will avoid that one...too many for me to catch up with and I still have about 350 books now on my to-read list!
August 20, 2025
Jesus Christ leads Alexa Daley to defeat the Anti-Christ and prevent him from releasing Satan, wait I mean Elyon leads Alexa to defeat Victor Grindall and prevent him from releasing Abaddon into the world. Jesus, I mean Elyon, shows Alexa which was a fantastic bit of foreshadowing. It took me three books to realize that Elyon is the same as Elohim, another name of God the Father. The story retells the Judas betrayal, the resurrection of Christ, the story of the seraphs in The Book of Enoch, and helps the reader process the grief of loss. For the climax of the trilogy, I believe it is a very well-written children's book and I will be happy to have my children read it when I have children.
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