The tragic loss of ten-year-old Seraphina's best friend, Josie Lee, leaves Seraphina questioning her destiny, until she learns she's the chosen one.
Everything changes after that. Fate has other plans. A past visit to a psychic and a wish on a shooting star whisks Seraphina away on a quest. She finds herself on a mission to gain order back to a magical world called Raiven with its six different, colored- realms by returning a rainbow crystal back to its wizard owner that was stolen from an evil witch and her trolls. Seraphina will get to see her best friend's spirit with the help of fairies, pixie dust, elves, and her very own unicorn. Throughout her journey, she passes a series of tests to find a rainbow crystal that has the power to restore balance to the world. However, Seraphina's truest test is in discovering self-confidence and hope. Most importantly, she learns that Josie Lee is more of a guardian angel to her than she realizes and has never really left her side after all. It doesn't even require magic, just a little faith.
Samantha graduated with a BS in Journalism from Florida International University in 2003. She wrote and reported entertainment scripts that were aired on FOX WSVN 7 in Miami, FL and OWL Radio at Florida Atlantic University in Boca. She is passionate about writing and has been writing short stories and poetry since she was a kid, after learning that her favorite grandmother was a poet. Samantha began writing children's stories in 2004. She has completed a 18,000-word humorous, animal-talking, chapter book called MURPHY: THE PHAT CAT, which was published by TOUCHPOINT PRESS on March 7, 2023. In addition, she wrote a 62,000-word middle-grade fantasy, RAINBOW CRYSTAL (book one) and the sequel, RAINBOW CRYSTAL: THE SPECIAL BOY WHO COULD is approximately 72,000 words, which were both published by THE WILD ROSE PRESS. She is in the process of writing RAINBOW CRYSTAL as a trilogy, and the first two as newly designed reprints. She adapted RAINBOW CRYSTAL into a feature screenplay. Samantha also co-wrote and finished a screenplay based on a true story about her Italian great-grandparents, MANO NERA, which is being entered into film festivals and shopped in Hollywood. It has been officially selected over twenty-five times in film festivals with FILM FREEWAY. Ten of them have been award winners. She is also member of SCBWI, ISA, ROADMAP WRITERS, and STAGE 32.
Samantha Caprio-Negret is a published children’s book author, including the RAINBOW CRYSTAL trilogy. She is also a screenwriter and a certified, professional multimedia master makeup artist. She is the creator of RAINBOW CRYSTAL COSMETICS LLC. ~ a whimsical make-up line that will be aimed for young adults, age range 12-25. Her cosmetics will correlate with her RAINBOW CRYSTAL fantasy series, and all will be inspired from settings or characters in her books.
Samantha lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, Richard, and two children, Bella and Lorenzo. They live on two acres in Davie with many different pets, from dogs and cats to an exotic desert tortoise and albino iguana. She enjoys reading, watching movies, working out, blogging, spending quality time with good friends, and/or traveling, whenever she can find extra time. She has a lot of love, abundance, and activity around her; she feels blessed — and even sometimes stressed — every day for it all.
A story about navigating loss and self confidence. The heroine is a young 10 year old girl, who is anxious, shy, and new in town. The book is a good introduction to fantasy, for younger readers, which is great. It is a classic tale of good triumphing over evil, the power of self belief, and of course rainbows. The fairies are beautiful and brave, the evil witch is suitably evil (for this age group). It is a perfect book to read with your child, as there are some very emotional topics covered. It would be lovely to have some colouring pages (of the different levels of the beautifully described rainbow, flowers, fairies etc), then you could talk to your child about the emotional issues as you colour in together. All in all it was a lovely little book, full of life lessons and beautiful world building. Hopefully there is a sequel, so we get to see more Raiven, and see how Seraphina grows up and copes with other challenges in her life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
In a world filled with competition, the youth grow up wondering whether they’ll ever live up to the potential of everything they see. Rainbow Crystal is an intermediate read that imparts to readers the lesson of believing in oneself. Disguised as a fantasy novel, the book educates readers about the importance of trusting one’s abilities and the wondrous effects of doing so.
I received a free e-book copy of this book and am volunteering to write this review. Middle-grade novels are quite difficult to critique from the viewpoint of an adult mainly because of each reader’s depth of understanding and experience. Oftentimes, middle-grade novels are simple and linear yet tell important stories and teach valuable lessons to their target market. As such, Rainbow Crystal does a good job of imparting such a message to its readers. What’s great about this novel is the vibrant, colorful world of Raiven, whose kingdoms are inspired by the colors of the rainbow. While the world is beautiful and interesting, there is little exploration done throughout the book because of the focus on the adventure aspect of the main character. Based on world-building alone, Raiven is built upon a fragile foundation whose strength relies upon exposition in passing based on the main character’s journey, leaving most of the world unexplored. What’s more, the story feels too mechanical since progress in the story is linear and any development occurs between points A and B. Though interesting and engaging, the story lacks building focus on each step of the journey to dig deep into the world and the characters which feel like a missed opportunity. Furthermore, the themes of the book, believing in one’s self, are blatant and would benefit from a more suggestive manner of storytelling, embedding the lessons within the happenings journey instead of being the reason for such. While believing in a person’s natural ability is important, I feel that the story could be improved with more depth and intensity. Overall, Rainbow Crystal is a good book but suffers from protecting the reader from the harsher realities of any quest.
I am thankful to Samantha Caprio-Negret for trusting me to give an honest review for her book and I can only be effective by giving out points for improvement while also praising the book’s strengths. Samantha’s writing style is appropriate for the target market because it’s easy to follow and quick to digest. Samantha shines in creating a story of a colorful world, whimsical creatures, and engaging plot but this book needs a little more push towards taking risks and allowing the reader to think and grow as an individual. Undeniably, the writing style is enjoyable and appealing but more liberties in creating uncertainty and intrigue would drive the story further into permanence in the reader’s mind. Samantha shows her skill as a writer and I’d like to see her push her boundaries more towards creating a story that’s memorable while remaining enjoyable for the reader. I look forward to seeing such growth in the succeeding books as they show much promise, not only for the reader, but also for the story all in all.
Seraphina is a highly likable character and one any reader would root for but she carries a persona that’s a little too easy to develop from. Seraphina’s growth throughout the novel feels convenient and readers will like her more if she doesn’t take the quickest ways out of a problem. Still, the character’s development feels like there’s a lot more room to grow in the coming novels which is something to look forward to. On the other hand, Josie is a character whose relevance to the story is quite shrouded in mystery. She feels like an outlier to the story and only coming out to get Seraphina out of trouble. While this role helps the plot for the first book, it doesn’t necessarily benefit the continuity of the series as it may create inconsistencies in the coming books. What I’m trying to say is that Josie’s role in Seraphina’s life should be established solidly before hinting at more involvement. Also, the main antagonist of the story feels more like a side character instead of a great threat to the world of Raiven. Hopefully, in the coming books, another antagonist will be set or the same one will be given depth and developed. All in all, the characters are fine but they need more character work, layering, and growth.
Rainbow Crystal’s cover is, without a doubt, eye-catching with its colorful hues and youthful look. Make no mistake, the cover is beautiful and is perfect for its target audience especially with the presence of a unicorn. The cover promises the reader of exciting adventures and fun discoveries, all in the wonderful world of Raiven. In the same vein, the summary shows readers exactly how the story will go which could serve both good and bad purposes. Good because it promises the reader nothing short of a colorful world and a thrilling journey. Bad since it leaves little to no room for surprise or intrigue. Nevertheless, the marketing aspect of the book is one of its selling points and the reason why readers are sure to pick the book.
It’s a privilege to be able to impart some notes for consideration through my review while also enjoying the story Samantha has created. Knowing the presence of a sequel promises nothing but more growth, more adventure, and more lessons. I look forward to reading about Seraphina again and seeing where she’s off to and what other powers lie within herself.
One can see a rainbow anytime they choose. They just have to be ready for it, to see it with their heart first.” – Wizard Arbit Maximus, RAINBOW CRYSTAL
After a fun incredibly inspiring launch party – it’s always great to see a book I’ve heard about pre-agent come to life! – I was excited to be able to sit down and read Samantha Caprio-Negret’s debut Middle Grade fantasy RAINBOW CRYSTAL .
Sam lost her own childhood quite young. She’s a year or two younger than I, and I’m sure at the time (we were preteens in the early 90s) ran into my same frustration: There was *nothing* on the shelves for bereaved children at that time. RAINBOW CRYSTAL not unlike my own manuscript is to a degree, every bereaved child’s fantasy played out: The person I lost isn’t actually gone, they’re just someplace a little different, and I can still see them.
And yet – save the rainbow-maned unicorn – RAINBOW CRYSTAL is no trope.
Basic Story: Ten-year-old Seraphina loses her best friend and rock, Josie Lee, in a tragic accident, only to learn that a wish the girls made on one of Josie Lee’s last nights alive has unlocked a magical world called Raiven. Seraphina travels to this realm between Heaven and Earth in the hope of seeing Josie Lee again, but winds up battling an evil witch and saving both Raiven and Earth.
Maybe because I was unable to separate this book from First-Bush-era pop culture (I blame the gorgeous retro-art cover!) I got the vibe of NEVERENDING STORY meets an THE SECRET.
Use RAINBOW CRYSTAL as a Mentor Text For:
Western Folklore + Creative License: Seraphina’s new pet unicorn Stella has the requisite horn with the magical healing powder inside… but Caprio-Negret also takes the ball and runs with the unicorn myth: Seraphina birthed Stella through her wish and her heart, and Stella’s tears make stars in the sky. Portrayal of grief: Seraphina’s longing and grief are very raw and real, her greatest strength and her greatest weakness as she questions the entire universe in the wake of her friend’s death. Have tissues ready; even her realization that Josie Lee stays on as her guardian angel is bittersweet. “Just enough detail” world building: Caprio-Negret has vivid, intense descriptions of Raiven’s landscape, which grounds the reader in the rainbow world’s seven realms. However, she gives only little details – crystal slides through rainbow realms, a butterfly-winged dragon with ice breath – that leave pieces of Raiven somewhat vague and allow the reader to co-create Seraphina’s adventure. Honest portrayal of a developmentally-delayed sibling: Seraphina’s competing love and frustration for her autistic older sister provide a refreshing nuanced view; Caprio-Negret pulls some light punches that few authors have the guts to. Again, this is a life experience Samantha and Seraphina share… but isn’t all fiction autobiographical to some degree? Samantha provides very little physical description of Seraphina, which some readers might find frustrating. For some readers – kids who truly need this book – the main character’s mystery appearance might also leave their heart open to hope and/or picturing themselves more easily in Seraphina’s shoes.
Seraphina’s Journey was one of faith and belief. Hope and courage. The things one does for their friends, for the world can be such a burden and such a scary thing but like it’s said “every being, every little thing helps the world”. Without the bees we wouldn’t have honey and the flowers wouldn’t pollinate. Without trees there wouldn’t be oxygen and humans wouldn’t be able to survive. Without friends, the world would be lonely. Such a touching story and one full of adventure. Perfect for middle schoolers and anyone who enjoys some fairy magic. And unicorns too. :)
Rainbow Crystal follows a journey of a 10 year old girl named Seraphina. Her new friend Josie Lee instantly becomes very close with her and they go together on a journey. The story shifts between reality as we know it and then this magical world with unicorns and other magical creatures that need saving. Can Seraphina fulfil being the hero that she is destined to be? Themes explored in the book are - adventure, loss, finding one self, belief system (religion). So this might be something to take into account before passing the book onto your younger ones but everything is dealt in a very thoughtful manner. I would say this is a suitable read for children 7 year old and up.
I loved the perspective that the book took on loss. Even though the main protagonist does lose her friend she actually learns how that person is always going to be in her heart and watching over her no matter what and I think that is such a beautiful message. The voice of the main character seems very authentic and she has thoughts you would expect a child to have in a position that she is in. I also liked the realistic portrayal of the parents in the story - children and YA books sometimes tend to depict adults (and parents specifically!) as the villians but here we see the family dynamic as it should be - complex but still loving and understanding which I think is also a great message for children reading the Rainbow Crystal.
The book is very whimsical and magical and offers its readers a world that they can escape into. The story has definitely an addictive quality for its younger readers. The writing style is appropriate for the age range and the narrative flows well throughout the story. If you are looking for a children's book that offers something different this is the one to reach out for!
'Rainbow Crystal by Samantha Caprio Negret' is a children's fantasy novel. The book is a short read but explored very well and has deep imaginative descriptions. -- After Seraphina's best friend, Josie Lee, passes away, she starts starts thinking about her own destiny. As she tries to unravel the mystery behind her questions she finds herself in the fictional place called Raiven and decides to balance it by returning the lost rainbow crystal to its wizard. This is much of the premise of this novel. Keeping in mind it's a children's fantasy novel, the book has used various factors to attract them. First is a child protagonist who isn't just ten years old but strong willed and has a lot of potential. Second is the imagination of fictional place. Colours and scenery and magical world of Raiven. The book is fast paced and a perfect read for 10-13 years of age. On the contrary adults can also enjoy this book that's the USP of it. -- Writing and narration are fast paced but the small criticism I have is regarding episodes which ends too quickly for me. Maybe I am comparing it with other fantasy novels i have read, but that's what I felt.
I love reading it and recently I grabbed Rainbow Crystal, a middle grade fantasy novel written by the author Samantha Caprio Negret. It is the first book in the Rainbow Crystal Series. The protagonist of the story is Seraphina. When she lost her best friend Josie Lee, her world turned upside down.
She sets out on a quest to find the Rainbow Crystal so she can give it back to the right owner. In her journey, she met many new people. Josie Lee and Seraphina friendship is what I really loved.
Cover page of the book is looking fantastic. The twists and turns of the events and the adventure on which our protagonist has went will make this story gripping for you. World building of Raiven has won my heart. I definitely recommend it to middle grade fantasy lovers.
"The only limits we place on ourselves are the barriers we create..." This book delightfully breathes all the colors of the rainbow to a sparkling life with its detailed descriptions of characters, magical beings and fantasy-filled scenery. A wonderful read for middle-graders that delivers words of wisdom, hope, and everlasting love.
Really enjoyed this book. Fantastic for children as the characters are relatable and enjoyable to read (the most important part I’d say!). The story is captivating and you really want to find out what happens to all the characters.
I real. Enjoyed this sweet middle grade book! I felt bad that she had to move to a new place but she made a friend whom she grew close with and then she died! I can’t imagine what that must feel like! I’ll admit in the Beijing the main character was a bit annoying but I understand why. She’s young and still hasn’t fully matured yet! I didn’t want the story to be over and I wish there would be more books to see more adventures that Seraphina has.
I do love the story and I know that this book is for kids. What this book kinda reminds me of is Narnia, with all the mystery creatures, fantasy, but with this book have is the close family bond.
I know that children under 12 years old and younger will love this book. This will be great for school as well when kids have a book project to do.
I do recommend this book for your kids to read for fun or for school.
“Never fear, I am always near-by, sweet child. Just remember yourself always like in this dream, and there will be nothing you can’t achieve. You will be alright.” 🦄🦄🦄 When Seraphina loses her best friend, Josie Lee, in a tragic accident, she loses a part of herself. She loses all hope when a wish that is granted by her turns her into the Chosen One of a different world. On a quest to find the Rainbow Crystal and return it to the rightful owner, she makes new friends and finds the strength to be just your normal, average girl. 🦄🦄🦄 Rainbow Crystal is a middle-grade fantasy novel by Samantha Caprio Nerget. This book is a beautiful yet adventurous one full of magic, fairies and unicorns. I say beautiful because the friendship between Seraphina and Josie Lee will melt your heart and make you teary eyed. From the very beginning Josie Lee has always been there for Seraphina and now even in death she findsa way to be by her side. This book deals a lot with grief, hope and healing in children. It's an easy and fun read, especially for those who are younger and are starting to get into books, but because of the inclusion of death as the main topic it could be triggering/heartbreaking for children who are too young to understand. The book overall is very well written and Raiven is a beautiful world created by the author that opens up a new Universe parallel to Earth and I would love to see what happens next either with Seraphina or in Raiven. 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 10/10 Melina L.
I loved this magical fantasy chapter book. It is the perfect adventure for middle grade children. This is one of those books where you can completely escape into the story.
This story is great midpoint between fairy tale and universal spiritual principles. The language was basic yet poetic. It engaged all of my senses. I could smell the sweet gardenias. I could feel the anger swelling from Seraphina. I could hear the wind behind Josie Lee’s sweeping, swinging carefree skips. I could see the brilliant colors and even the dark rain on the tragic night of her death.
I really enjoyed the misadventures of Seraphina and Josie Lee on both sides of eternity. It was interesting to read a love story that was so intense and intimate but not romantic. Very good book!
Even though this is a children's book it grabbed me right from the beginning. I liked the fact that the book moved along and definitely kept you interested. It's very descriptive, entertaining and has life lessons throughout the story. As the author describes each event throughout the story your mind envisions all the colors, sounds and feelings of the characters. You feel like you're the main character in the book and as the fantasy unfolds you're learning life lessons of love, friendship, hope and confidence. I would highly recommend this book for your child.
First of all, I would like to give a round of applause to the author for writing an incredible book. It was totally lit. The story line and the characters were well described and trust me, you will be totally hooked up as soon as you finished the first page of the book. Rainbow Crystal is about friendship, loss, grief, and finding hope, and magic. It is suitable for middle grade children and of course for adult too. A perfect book to read if you want to escape the reality and enter a fantasy world.
This book is really amazing. The moment I started reading it I can't put it down and finished it whole night 😂😂 The story is about love, friendship, hope and confidence in life. The author describe each event beautifully as it unfolds every lesson in life each characters will learned as well as the readers... It brings me back to many of my childhood memory, fantasy and magic! Highly recommended for all children as well as the adults me😉
I found this book Quite riveting and quite powerful in the start. i cried when i started reading this book because i felt i could relate to losses in my life. So glad that i chose to read this book because it inspires me i felt like i was in the story and seeing it through her eyes. Loved reading the book and if i got another opportunity i would read it again in a heart beat. Highly recommend this book.
Swati Kaushik Rainbow Crystal narrates a journey of a 10-year-old girl, Sepharina, and her expedition with good, bad, and evils of the world. The 22-chapter book is weaved around the message of spreading peace, and love. Two young school girls are destined to change the world, not on this earth, but within a rainbow, where a magical world exists.
The book opens with a tragic incident, wherein Sepharina loses her best friend, her soul sister to an accident. The story then beautifully flows between a series of present and past events describing how Sepharina gets emotional for her lost friend, Josie Lee on the one hand, and on the other, explains how she becomes the ‘chosen one,’ to save the rainbow world of Raiven and Earth.
The narration and description of the minutest details make the reader imagine the world beyond reality, which is magical and mesmerizing at the same time. The author through the descriptive narration will take the children into the world which is filled with gorgeous colors, mysterious creatures, and picturesque sceneries of an imaginary world inside the rainbow where live fairies, elves, unicorn, and a witch.
The way messages are conceived and conveyed are strong and effectively strikes the chord. When Queen Ivy explains the map of Raiven, she tells it through a colorful map. For children to understand and learn, the author uses the color theory to help children understand the association between colors and messages it conveys.
All in all, it is a good read for children above ten years of age, who understand the dialogue, can imagine, and most importantly comprehend the message!
I recently had the pleasure of reading Rainbow Crystal on Goodreads, and I felt compelled to share how much I truly enjoyed your work. The storytelling was engaging, the characters were vividly brought to life, and the emotional depth of the narrative made a lasting impression on me. It’s clear that a great deal of creativity and care went into crafting such a compelling piece.
Your ability to draw readers into the world of Rainbow Crystal and keep them invested throughout is genuinely commendable. It’s a book that lingers in the mind even after the final page, which is a testament to your talent as a writer.
As someone who appreciated the book so much, I wanted to mention one small opportunity that could further elevate its reach and impact a book trailer. In today’s digital landscape, a well-crafted trailer can significantly enhance visibility and attract a wider audience by giving potential readers a visual and emotional preview of the story.
I believe Rainbow Crystal has all the elements needed for a captivating trailer, and creating one could be a powerful way to showcase its unique appeal.
Thank you for sharing your work with readers like myself. I look forward to seeing more from you in the future.
🌈Rainbow Crystal is a fantasy novel of middle ranks and is the first book I read Samantha Caprio Negret. The plot is about friendship, optimism, loss, the realm of imagination etc. The plot continues with the death of Josie Lee. A nurse gave Seraphina, the heroine, a ripped document in the hospital. It was from Raiven and it was said she was the one chosen.
🌈This is a fantastic and easily moving novel. The innocent and scary seraphina who later proves to be a hero of the book will fall into your affection. Josie Lee's character is courageous but short-lasting. While her closest friend disappears, the protagonist's anguish is well depicted.
🌈I liked the way the author always kept the tale smooth and enjoyable without forgetting Seraphina's creation or other characters who are a vital part of the storyline, resulting in a fun reading and a selection of several significant phrases.
🌈This is one of these books that grab you from start to finish and encourage you to know more about this new world and our protagonist. I hope the author continues to follow Seraphina's adventures in Raven.
There are some good people, and there are some evil people. Remember, there is always a battle in the world between the two.
Rainbow Crystal is a middle grade fantasy novel and the first book that I have read by the author Samantha Caprio Negret. This is the story of friendship, hope, loss, fantasy world, etc. The story starts with Josie Lee's death. In the hospital, one nurse handed over a torn piece of paper to Seraphina, the protagonist. It was from Raiven and she was told that she is the chosen one.
This note made so many questions to pop up in Seraphina's head. Now she has a purpose to fulfill. She has to find a rainbow crystal and return to its right owner. There are so many adventures waiting for her on her quest to find Rainbow Crystal.
It is an easy breezy read. Children will enjoy this fantasy story plotted well by Samantha. The world building of Raiven is amazing. Cover page of the book looks very pretty and will attract readers to pick this book.
If you love reading books of fantasy genre, then this one is for you.
I absolutely loved following Seraphina's magical adventure in this story! The six different colored realms and the mission to return the stolen rainbow crystal had me hooked. I found myself rooting for Seraphina as she navigated through this magical world with the help of fairies, pixie dust, elves, and her very own unicorn. It was such a delight to see her grow in self-confidence and hope with each challenge she faced. The story beautifully illustrated how Seraphina's journey wasn't just about restoring balance to Raiven, but also about discovering the strength within herself. One of my favorite parts was the touching revelation that Josie Lee was more than just a lost friend—she was Seraphina's guardian angel all along. This heartfelt twist added so much warmth to the story and reminded me of the power of faith and the enduring bond of friendship.
If you're looking for a heartwarming and magical read, I highly recommend this book. It's a wonderful blend of adventure, fantasy, and emotional growth!
Rainbow Crystal is a YA book about Seraphina who is our FMC, who has just lost her best friend Josie Lee in a tragic accident. Seraphina is 10 years old and doesn't know what to do after Josie passes on. She then learns that she is the chosen one in a magical world with talking butterflies and a rainbow named Raiven. Seraphina must find the rainbow crystal and return it to the wizard. The setting and the writing pulls the reader into the world of the Rainbows and also into Seraphina's relationship with her 'Soul sister' Josie Lee. I loved the way that this book was written. It is an engaging read especially when we find out Seraphina can communicate with Josie Lee through the fairies and their pixie dust, as her guardian angel. That was a creative way to incorporate death for a young child who cannot quite understand what really happens during death and how we all deal with it. An excellent read for younger readers and also young adults!
Rainbow Crystal is a reimagining of the Wizard of Oz with some of the same elements, and coated with cotton candy imagery. Perfect for the lower middle grade or upper elementary kids who adore imagining far away, magical realms, with fairies and wee folk, and the evil characters that test our main character’s resolve. **Trigger warning** The story refers to the main character’s best friend dying and the book starts out with a scene in the hospital. Although her friend appears to her friend several times in the book (to make it less sad), the theme may bother some children.
A world of imagination:A world beyond the rainbow,fairies,pixie dust,unicorns,trolls,elves and the like. It's imaginative,its thrilling,riveting.Beautiful page Turner about a 10 year old who helped saved the world after losing her only best friend.Makes you wonder how she managed all that and not collapse.
This is such a heartfelt, wholesome, and fantasy-fueling book for the younger / middle grade readers! The main character is 10 years old, and her story begins with her grief-filled and lost. And then, add a hefty dose of magic and fantasy, and the story turns into a wild ride of adventure and growth.
Review in English and Spanish / Reseña en Inglés y Español ____________________________________ [ENGLISH]
Thank you to Booktasters and the author for the copy of this book for an honest review!
This was one of my last readings of 2019 and I can say that was the best way to finish the year.
It is a fantasy story full of magic, fairies, unicorns and other magical beings - but with a slightly different approach - that makes you want to enter your world and learn more and more about each character. The prose and descriptions of Raven's world, make you easily imagine each scenario of the story, the creatures that appear, as well as the feelings and decisions that our protagonist must make while living the tests he must face.
Although from the beginning it is shown that Seraphina - our protagonist of 10 years - goes through a painful moment - the loss of her best friend Josie Lee -, little by little and with the help of her new friends and allies she goes through a gradual change that she creates confidence in herself and in what fate holds for her be part of her new way of seeing life, without neglecting her faith in friendship, honesty and brotherly love; leaving an improved version of herself.
I loved how the author made the story smooth and exciting at all times, without neglecting the development of Seraphina and other characters that are an important part of the plot, resulting in a pleasant reading and a collection of many meaningful phrases.
This is one of those books that catch you from beginning to end and leaves you wanting to know more about our protagonist and this new world. I hope the author decides to continue with the adventures of Seraphina in Raven.
Recommended for lovers of children's stories of fantasy and magic in the style of Narnia. ____________________________________ [ESPAÑOL]
¡Gracias a Booktasters y a la autora por la copia de este libro para darle una reseña honesta!
Esta fue una de mis últimas lecturas de 2019 y puedo decir que fue la mejor manera de terminar el año.
Es una historia de fantasía llena de magia, hadas, unicornios y otros seres mágicos – pero con un enfoque ligeramente diferente –, que te hace querer entrar en ese mundo y aprender más y más sobre cada personaje. La prosa y las descripciones del mundo de Raven te hacen imaginar fácilmente cada escenario lleno de color de la historia, las criaturas que aparecen, así como los sentimientos y decisiones que nuestra protagonista debe tomar mientras vive las pruebas que debe enfrentar.
Si bien desde el comienzo se muestra que Seraphina –nuestra protagonista de 10 años– pasa por un momento doloroso –la pérdida de su mejor amiga Josie Lee–, poco a poco y con ayuda de sus nuevos amigos y aliados va pasando por un cambio gradual que hace que la confianza en sí misma y en lo que el destino le depare sea parte de su nueva forma de ver la vida, sin dejar de lado su fe en la amistad, la honestidad y el amor fraternal; dejando una versión mejorada de sí misma.
Amé el como la autora logró que la historia sea fluida y emocionante en todo momento, sin dejar de lado el desarrollo de Seraphina y demás personajes que forman parte importante de la trama, dando como resultado una lectura amena y una colección de muchas frases llenas de significado.
Este es uno de esos libros que te atrapan de principio a fin y te deja con ganas de saber más de nuestra protagonista y de este nuevo mundo. Espero que la autora decida continuar con las aventuras de Seraphina en Raven.
Recomendado para los amantes de las historias de fantasía y magia al estilo de Narnia.