Karina

by E.B. Mann

For Karina Morgan, every day is another chance to be bullied by the pretty girls at school–all because of an accident when she was just a baby that left her horribly scarred. Her life seems hopeless, until she stumbles upon a mysterious cave near her home. What she learns from the cave's extraordinary inhabitants will change her perspective–and her life–forever.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction

206 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2018

About the author

Hi! I'm a writer who thinks the world would be a fascinating--and possibly much better--place if tweenage girls were in charge. I'm interested in anything that can help explain why we're all here on this planet or bring a tear to my eye.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[flms23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karina is a YA novel that can connect with "kids" of any age. Karina is a middle schooler who has self-esteem issues. She doesn't feel pretty enough. She doesn't feel like she fits in at school. She doesn't feel like she has a place in her own family, a family often dominated by her two rowdy younger brothers. She feels, frankly, like lots of young girls of this age. Young girls who are trying to find their identity, place, and purpose in the world.

To tell this story, EB Mann mines a rich tradition of storytelling by paying homage to classics like Alice in Wonderland where a young protagonist goes to a magical or fantasy land to help explain the real world and the hero's place within it. I had the good fortune of reading this book with my own middle schooler and Karina helped us to open up a dialogue and talk, for the first time, about some of the pressures and stresses she's facing in her own life.

I loved this book and strongly recommend it to any middle school girl, parent of a middle school girl, or middle school teacher.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karina is like so many young girls in our society, especially in this day and age of "perfection" portrayed by the media...she lacks confidence. As my own girls were growing up and I'd tell them how beautiful they were (and still are) their response was too often something like, "Of course you say that...you're my mom." How can we women "compare" ourselves to the likes of Hollywood beauty and (faked) perfection? We'll probably come out less than, at least in our own minds. I used to tell my girls, there's always someone prettier, smarter, skinnier, more talented, etc. than we are. It's all in one's opinion and we all excel in certain ways. We can't be the TOP in all ways. Age teaches us so much. And when you are badly scarred from an accident like Karina was, it doesn't help the mean girls be any nicer; it only gives them the impetus to twist the knife in your back.

This book could almost be listed under the genre of "self-help" for young girls. It does send a message without being preachy. There are some aspects of the book that might be opposed to one's own values, such as reincarnation; however, I believe it's important to respect others' beliefs whether or not I agree. One of my closest friends is Buddhist; I am Christian. I love her dearly and completely respect her relationship with "her god." This book has a lot to offer if you're open minded and can respect that others do think differently than you and I.

[Betsy Myers]

I won this book via Goodreads First Reads. I am an ECE Administrator and I added this book to the lending library for parents and staff at my school.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karina Morgan is a bullied middle grade student, thanks to a childhood accident that left her scarred inside and out. That is until she discovers an old-fashioned door handle embedded in a dirt embankment along a creek. Inside is an eerie tunnel that leads to an unearthly world, changing Karina's life and her special gift forever.

E.B. Mann creates a magical world which any middle grader would love. The family is realistic, the characters true to life. I enjoyed the novel so much I hated to see the character's go. Is there room for a sequel? You bet!

Thanks so much to E.B. Mann and Goodreads for this comp. copy,
Al Monte

[Gmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much headier tale than I initially imagined, but filled with the positive message of "reader heal thyself". Karina was hurt by the world, once upon a time, but that hurt, that accident, created a rift in how she approached life. The world was no longer her oyster, but an oyster farm, out to get her when she least suspected. One day, she stumbles upon the door to her inner voice (stay with me) and after this initial discovery, she is changed. She no longer sees simply the ugliness of the world, but the hidden battle between our true selves and that which we present to the world. Visit after visit, she comes to understand that while her skills for "seeing" are unique, that inner realm exists for each person, if only they'd look deep enough within to find it, trust that little voice to guide them in the right direction. She finds it's something she can help others with, but not simply show them, as the journey to that level of understanding is very personal, and the path to get there varied. By book's end, she's covered much ground within, allowing her to better accept the coming changes in her life as beloved people say goodbye and her future looms on the horizon...and although it does have its sad moments, it also has times of great joy and happiness, making it not something to dread but to look forward to.

Word to the wise, you have to go into this one with an open mind because if you don't believe in the concepts presented (reincarnation, the circle of life, the power of positive thinking), or at the very least accept that others do, it won't reveal its true colors, because although it is fiction, it deals with something "real world" enough that completely suspending your beliefs can be a challenge. Despite the heavy concepts covered, I did rather enjoy my time between the pages. Exploring Karina's "world" was breathtaking, making you take a moment to bask in its otherworldly beauty while it also made you stop and think, contemplating just how it could possibly be. Overall, a curious read from start to finish, but it had enough heart to bring all the feels of the moments presented a dozen times over.


**copy received for review

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and interesting read. Admittedly, I am a bit (more than a bit!) past the intended reader age for this book. It is a mix of reality and fantasy as Karina struggles with the difficulties of middle school and the cruelty of bullying. The fantasy world she encounters helps her to work through her fears, and deal with the scar from an injury in her early childhood. Having a scar myself from childhood, I could identify with this, even now. The most important message from this book is hope and a sense of the future for teens. Too often, it is hard for kids to see beyond the trauma of school, and realize what a small part of life it is. I enjoyed the book and the message. I did receive this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I received this novel through a First Reads Goodreads giveaway, but that in no way affects this review.

This is a mystical coming-of-age novel about a young teen who has self-esteem issues because of a disfiguring scar on her forehead.

Karina tries to avoid the clique of pretty girls at her school. Frankly, they are bullies and Karina is their main target. They hunt her down in the halls of her school to call her names like Scarina.
Only her best friend Mary Blair defends her from these witches; the rest of the students tacitly stand by and/or pile on the insults.

In an Alice in Wonderland moment, Karina finds a wooden door in the riverbank. Opening this door and following the tunnel into a cave will change her life and attitude.

The lessons she learns from Algernon and a talking fish will impact her life and the lives of family and friends forever.

Learning how to love oneself and recognizing/dealing with one's internal pain are lessons anyone could learn from this novel. This would be an especially ideal read for female teens, as so many young women suffer from a lack of self-esteem.

Love the cover of the young teen with the downcast eyes and the hoodie to hide her scar.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karina is the story of a girl finding her way through the difficult world of adolescence. Karina, is an awkward teen with relatable problems, who starts a journey of self-discovery and to accept one self.
I like the thought from this book.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In “Karina” the plot opens when eighth grader Karina Morgan her face disfigured in a childhood accident, lacking in self-confidence and withdrawn especially when faced with bullying and inconsiderate remarks at school discovers a door to a mysterious cave in the woods near her home while chasing her terrier Henry. Entranced by the faint glow of light in the darkness she follows it to an icy world where she meets Algernon and a magical singing fish.

As the story progresses Karina slowly opens up to her mystical guide and begins a healing journey that has her not only empathetic to the deeper emotions of others, reacting differently to friends and family, reaching out to a boy next door but bringing change to the landscape of the cave.

In the Karina’s search for healing and self-discovery E.B. Mann blends reincarnation and the power of positive thinking into a story that touches the heart as she discovers not only the trauma of an accident that gripped her emotionally but her parents’ part in having her deny her feelings. The strength of the plot lies in not only how Karina heals but how the experience changes her especially in her relationship to her feuding brothers, with her friend Mary Blair and the bullies at school as well as dealing with the loss of her beloved grandmother.

Simplistic in form and flow the story progresses quickly to a satisfying ending. Short in length I would have enjoyed more insight into her rapport with the abused boy next door, her ongoing relationship with students at school especially with her rising self-esteem rather than the promised happiness foretold at the end which was more magical than realistic. Of course, from a middle-school perspective this would be a logical ending to a fantasy.

I did enjoy the development of Karina Morgan’s character from intelligent, hardworking student but hopeless recluse at school with the bullying, and insensitivity of her first crush to empathetic, sensible teen who rises above her trauma and pain to embrace the hope and promise of a happier future.

Although I felt the plot could have been expanded and many of the other characters developed further, I did enjoy reading “Karina”.

[Emmanuelle Works · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, let me start by saying I do not feel quite right reviewing this book, but since I won it in a Goodreads giveaway, it's expected of me. It is clearly written with middle schoolers in mind, and there's nothing in it I haven't seen many times before, presented in a more interesting form. But then, as an adult, I couldn't stand A Wrinkle in Time either. After finishing it today, I gave it to my 11 year-old daughter asking her to read it and give me her opinion. I will post it later. It's a short and easy read. The family dynamic is well observed, especially between the siblings, the characters are quite sweet and relatable. They do feel like real teenagers. When the book sticks to the coming of age of the young heroin, her psychological and emotional journey, it does quite a good job, quite sensitively, even if everything seems at times unnecessarily spelled out. However, I found the new agey, pseudo-Buddhist mumbo jumbo typical of our Western cultures inability to grasp Eastern philosophies yet insist on attempting to apply them to our lives very distracting. As usual, they are both unfairly idealized and misrepresented. Having experienced time with Tibetan Buddhist lamas in France growing up, because my parents were interested in Eastern philosophies, gives me a more realistic perspective on the subject, and makes me less tolerant than most. I also found it disappointing and a little sad that the author thought the reader needed certainty and answers to empathize with the young girl during her healing process. There should have been a way to give her hope instead, which is all that is needed. As it is, it belittles the journey. The Epilogue shocked me when it describes the "luxurious home and SUV" which now stand as the symbols of success of the young heroin's adult life. It couldn't have ended in a more materialistic manner. Like in Harry Potter, there's a scar which plays a huge part in the story, as both cause and symbol of the character's emotional turmoil. But unlike in Harry Potter, the healing is not allowed to be purely mental and emotional, it has to be physical as well which I thought diminished the impact of what was also supposed to be a spiritual journey.

[Cora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would probably best be appreciated by young girls between 6th and 8th grade.

Karina stumbles upon a mystical cave and an elderly being there named Algernon becomes her advisor of sorts. Young girls will like the adventure/journey aspect of this novel.
Karinais termed "An Alice for the new age". There were some very "Alice in Wonderland" type influences, but the emphasis would be on "new age". Clairvoyancy, reincarnation and many other alternative spiritual customs are the main subject matter.

My criticisms for this book would be, I would have liked to have seen more character development, and I would have been drawn in more by a different cover. This cover brings to mind a sullen, depressed, withdrawn young girl. With deeper character development, I may have found that to be the case with Karina, but as it was, I found Karina to be an optimistic, fairly well adjusted girl. Not enough focus was given to the bullying she sustained at school. I think the magical, talking fish with Algernon and Karina would have made for a more inticing cover.

I think this might be the authors debut novel, and if that is the case, it was very good first effort.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, and was provided the book directly from the author. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book. My criticisms are meant to be constructive. I admire E.B. Mann's enthusiasm toward her work and I appreciate the personal attention she has given to her readers.

[B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would do better if people would market it as a middle-grade book. Unfortunately, it was presented as a YA book in the Goodreads giveaway. I was already hesitant, as the quality of YA writing has gone far downhill in recent years, but as a parent, you get the book, you read the book, you pass it on if you think your kid can handle the book...unfortunately, because of the misinformation in the giveaway, that's not how this went. So, strike 1 for the book right there. The second strike came from juvenile and stilted writing. It could have done with several more edits. It's not polished enough for publication in my opinion. Third, the character learns nothing; she doesn't develop, she doesn't grow. She just "fixes herself" shortly after her powers appear. If you're trying to drive home a lesson to kids that they can learn self-healing and coping techniques, don't just magic past it. That's assinine. There are other complaints as well, but those are really the big three. Fix the cover - blowing up an image made in some knock off free art program with a 3D filter applied does not a good cover make. The text is blurry and the graphics are amateur at best. Fix the dialogue - lose the slang. It dates the author, and it makes the book seem outdated. A descriptive paragraph, one intended to describe a setting, should be more than two sentences. Middle schoolers know that a strong paragraph should be at least three sentences - that's when that writing principle is taught. If you're going to aim for a target audience, don't treat them like they're dumb - it's not dumbing down the content or the formatting, it's adjusting the vocab. The author is young and is making an effort, but she's got a long way to go before it's ready for publication.

I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaway along with a note requesting that I leave a review on Goodreads if it was positive. I mention the latter because that's also a no-no and a sign of a very young person. The author will need to work on her business skills and interactive skills if she is to attempt to continue down this path; since she's self-publishing, this is a vital component to the process.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Karina
Author: E.B. Mann

Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 7/10
Of the 18 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
11 thought the cover was good or excellent.
18 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting the story’.
10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 thought the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘There’s a lot of wisdom in this story for teenagers. Courage too. I liked it a lot.’ female reader, aged 17
‘A sad book in many way, particularly the first half. But things get better for the girl when she find a secret door. Behind it she learns to grow and not be consumed by her scar. Character development is amazing in this story.’ Male reader, aged 54
‘Starts off as a story describing the agony of a young girl going through life with a deformity. Then, suddenly, it’s a sort of fantasy. There is reincarnation too! I thought it was excellent. The characters jump off the page and the writing is easy to follow.’ Female reader, aged 17
‘Liked the girl, liked her journey and how she grew, didn’t like the reincarnation stuff.’ Male reader, aged 16
‘Begins slow, gets better. I think this author is a very talented reader. This is not your typical teenager fantasy novel. It seems to be much deeper with aspects of religion and mysticism. This was quite a short book for me; I like big bricks! But the author fills the story with a lot of interesting things. I loved how Karina changed so much in the story.’ Girl, aged 16

To Sum It Up:
‘A wonderfully written supernatural YA novel. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free digital copy of this book through a giveaway hosted on GoodReads.

Karina is a sweet coming of age story, about accepting yourself as well as being aware of those around you. The main character, Karina, is busied at school due to a scar above her eyebrow that she received after a fall as a toddler. Due to this, Karina goes through life hiding her face and trying to avoid others, fearing that anyone who sees her scar will find her ugly and instantly hate her. Then, one afternoon while walking her dog in the woods, she discovers a hidden door, inside which lives a strange man named Algernon who helps her to really look past her outward imperfections to see the strong, brave, beautiful girl she can be if she can only allow herself to heal. And while going on this emotional journey over subsequent visits to the cave, she also gains powers to see into others’ lives - to see their inner faces or the secrets in their pasts, or sometimes even details about other lives that have subconsciously affected their current ones – to help her understand why others are the way they are, to reach out to those who once seemed unapproachable, or to let go of the pain caused by others be realizing that it was a result of their own flaws, rather than her own.

The way this story is constructed is amazing. While it has definite magical vibe to it, it also backs up much of the fantasy by having it represent deeper psychological processes. Although I would be much longer, and perhaps not quite as fun, the story could have gone much the same by taking out the magic and having the events be the effects of going to a child psychologist, teaching Karina to let go of her pent up emotions and to see the people around her from a different point of view. And even with the magic in the story, there is enough mention of psychological terms through Karina’s classes at school to help skeptics appreciate the way the author made psychology approachable to young people, so that they have a gateway to discovering their own “magic cave” without having to actually search through the woods for hidden doors. It is the sort of book I would have likes to read when I was a bullied teen, because it would have provided me the sort of escape I had desired while also giving me the building blocks to find a permanent solution through therapy or psychological research, rather than just placing a band-aid over my problems and pushing them off until later, when they became much more severe.

That being said, I find this book to be ideal for teens who are going through their own struggles with bullying and self-image. Although emotional introspection can’t heal physical scars, just learning to take a step back and think about the world around you from an outside perspective can be an excellent salve for any emotional scar that are forming inside. Although speaking with a professional is preferable, not every child has the support system or resources to get that help, so learning how to heal themselves in little ways, to realize that mean words often have more to do with the one who is saying them than the one who they are aimed at and that everyone is going through their own problems, can sometimes help them put on a strong face until better help is available, or even teach enough coping skills that professional help becomes more of a support system than a necessity. Really, the only issue I have with the book is how quickly Karina’s healing occurs, with might give unrealistic expectations for the reader’s own healing. Still, with a book in which a girl can heal inside and out with the help of magic, I am sure the fact a non-magical recovery will take longer is probably a given.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a middle grade novel with a compelling story of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Karina is an eight grade student , smart and trying hard to be a wallflower. Her attempts follow from her childhood trauma of an accident leaving her with what she calls "the scar". It rules her thoughts and guides her actions. She is also a rather gifted empathic . She encounters the early teen crushes, desire to emulate others, but feels like it will be hopeless. Her family is also confused in roles and purpose and she feels the pain and anger. One evening after a day at school being ridiculed and ignored by family except her dad, she walks out into the night and finds a gift only for her. A mysterious door in a mound of dirt, a cave allows her to enter and learn a new life. She sees and reacts differently, learns that pain must be let go in order to heal. As she practices and starts to react with others differently, she finds friends with problems in need of her help, strangers as alone as she, and death and it's role in her life. Good story of showing how being so self-centered in your own problems, important things are lost,

[Pamela Sewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads Giveaway win. This was a most unusual book. Thirteen year old Karina suffered a fall as a two year old that left her face badly scarred. This disfigurement makes her the target of derision and bullying by her schoolmates. At home she feels invisible and alone amidst the chaos and noise of a household of two bickering brothers and parents wrapped up in their jobs and making ends meet. One afternoon while walking the family dog, Karina discovers the door to a mysterious cave concealed in a creek bank. Inside, she discovers a mystical world and meets her life teacher, Algernon. He shows her the way to feel her pain fully and then move on to healing. He tells her that humans suffer when they disconnect from their emotions and experience life less. This book was esoteric, reminiscent of "The Alchemist". A small book with a big Message. I found it inspirational and somewhat comforting.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book it a giveaway on Goodreads. A quick and easy read that would be great for YA (in the younger range) readers...especially young girls. I was under the impression that this would be more about Karina dealing with the bullies at her school who gave her a hard time because of the scar that marred her forehead. Maybe that's what the author intended but instead of showing the reader how they learned the error of their ways, we see Karina being shown better ways to handle herself to deal with her problems. And please don't misread this because we all need to learn coping skills to improve our own behaviors and understanding but in this book it was accomplished in a "magical" way and so maybe not as applicable to a young person's life as it could have been. Still a nice, light read.

[Michael W Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

"Karina" by E.B. Mann will definitely lore you in and make you not want to stop reading till the book is over! With its well written characters, especially Karina, and well written plot, it will open your eyes and make you think while also teaching you a few things about life. The book felt so real and had so much meaning, and a lot to me was true and made sense. It will definitely get you thinking, especially about your own life and its meaning and purpose.
I can't say enough good about this book and definitely give it 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend reading this book. Especially if you have past troubles, pain, hurt, traumatic experiences, etc hidden in the deep recesses of your brain/mind.

[Kathy Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Young Adult novel follows a young girl's through some self-esteem healing through a Looking-Glass incident that combines psychology, philosophy, past lives and reincarnation -- even a sprinkling of fortune telling. A teenager's angst and focus on appearances, interpreting other's words, emotions and meanings and eventually emerging into a self assured young adult is the journey the book describes. This book in the right teenager's hands could be extremely helpful and most would enjoy it.

[Patrick Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:
Disfigured by a childhood accident, thirteen-year-old Karina Morgan has it tough. Labeled an outcast because of her appearance, she must deal with bullying, rowdy brothers, and parents struggling with their own problems. One day, walking through the woods, she happens upon a mysterious cave. What she finds inside will change her entire world.



Read the rest of the review on Young Adult Books Central:

http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindie...

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written story of adolescent angst, self-discovery, and accepting yourself and others. Karina is an atypical story of a young girl who needs a different way to look at herself and others. She finds it in a secret door.


While this is a bit paranormal, it is written so well, you are tricked into finding it almost plausible. Once that happens it is easy to follow Karina as she grows in self-acceptance and other's needing her help and strength.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting and relatively quick read

I'm not sure what to say about this book. Some of the writing felt unbelievably cheesy. And while Karina does learn that you can heal from past wounds, and that you need to look below the surface level, it feels more like this just "happened" after a requisite amount of using her newly awakened gift. It doesn't truly feel as though she grew as a character.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karina goes on an adventure that helps her feel more at peace with herself.She had something happen in her past and not only the mental but the physical scar to show for it.Her experience was hers alone and came to her when she needed it most.Much like ours do.As I was sitting outside enjoying this book the stray cat I feed but can't pet yet had come halfway up our steps and was sleeping.Perfect timing for the ending of this book.A further step in my journey.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

This book seems to be a modern combination of Alice in Wonderland and the Narnia books. A child finds an entrance to a secret world, and her problems become easier to handle. At least that’s what I think happened, because I couldn’t finish the book. By the time I was 48% through the book, the plot hadn’t moved forward and I just couldn’t bring myself to read any more.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karina by E.B. Mann.
For Karina Morgan, every day is another chance to be bullied by the pretty girls at school -- all because of an accident when she was just a baby that left her horribly scarred. Her life seems hopeless, until she stumbles upon a mysterious cave near her home. What she learns from the cave's extraordinary inhabitants will change her perspective -- and her life -- forever.
A good read with some good characters. This was different. 4*.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karina by E.B. Mann.
For Karina Morgan, every day is another chance to be bullied by the pretty girls at school -- all because of an accident when she was just a baby that left her horribly scarred. Her life seems hopeless, until she stumbles upon a mysterious cave near her home. What she learns from the cave's extraordinary inhabitants will change her perspective -- and her life -- forever.
A good read with some good characters. This was different. 4*.

[CrowGirl13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was very moving. I really loved it and could barely put it down, read it all in one day. I think it teaches important lessons: don't judge a book by it's cover, karma and you have to love yourself before you can love someone else. I often have thought about reincarnation and agree that it seems more than highly plausible.

[Daleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won Karina as a Goodreads giveaway. It was a quick read story of a girl who comes across a cave which changed her life. Karina was scared at a young age and was considered ugly by her peers and herself. The mysterious inhabitants of the cave help her to find a new perspective. The book is New Age and talks of of reincarnation. It is well written and a cute story.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read about a teenage girl with a scar she received when she was a child and is bullied at school because of it. She goes on a "journey" that leads her to accept herself. Although I'm not a believer in reincarnation that played a big part in the book.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[VERONICA QUINN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It brought back so many memories of my own childhood. I think this book touched on many issues that young girls face everyday in their lives at home, in school and with their contemporaries. If I was still teaching middle school, I would defiantly recommend this book to my class as well as have it stocked in the school library.