Return to Kiluemar

by Kimberly Marraffino

TRAVEL TO A MAGICAL REALM HIDDEN WITHIN OUR OWN WORLD

*Winner of the 2021 American Fiction Awards ~ Category: General Fantasy
*Finalist of the 2022 Feathered Quill Book Awards ~ Category: Fantasy

James and Rhiannon both yearn for something more—a missing piece of themselves—but never found a way to fill the void, until now. After James discovers a secret about his past, and Rhiannon finds out the truth about her missing memories, they both dig deeper into the mysteries surrounding their own lives to uncover something more than they ever expected.

Their worlds collide after they are pulled into a world of magic and learn they are part of a centuries-old prophecy. Destined to possess powers unlike any other, they must take a journey to find each other, all the while discovering the truth about their lives, where they come from, and how magic is real—and alive.

Follow the story of James Cassil and Rhiannon Llewellyn as they embrace their destiny and travel to Kiluemar—a magical realm hidden within our own world—to help save magic, and the lives of many, from Merrick, a dangerous demonic being who wants to sacrifice them to steal their powers, consume all magic to break his curse, and rid the world of those determined to stop him.

**This is a young adult, coming of age, contemporary/urban, high fantasy series. Please Note: Recommended for ages 12+ due to foul language, death, and a graphic birth. The series will also get more mature and contain violence, abuse, suggestive/strong language, and potential triggers.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Amazon, Young Adult

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2021

About the author

I am an indie author, avid mood reader, amateur poet, and casual gamer.

GET TO KNOW THE PERSON:
If you are interested in learning more about me, please check out my social media accounts, listed under FictionalPhoenyx, or my author website.

As a READER:
I just recently got back into reading in late 2021. I really enjoy young adult and new adult fantasy, Romantasy, paranormal romance, dark romance, and mystery. I would like to branch out and try some other genres like sci-fi and thriller soon.

My Rating System:

1 Star: This wasn't for me and I probably DNFed it. However, I always give
reasons why because this might be why someone else loves it, and I only leave this low of a rating on traditional published books.

2 Stars: I struggled to get into it and/or finish it, but there were still aspects I did enjoy.

3 Stars: I liked it and would recommend it, but there was something that made it not quite a 4-star rating.

4 Stars: I really enjoyed it. There were little to no cons, and I would definitely recommend it.

5 Stars: I loved it! I devoured this book and could not put it down!

Reviews

[(old.enough.for.fairytales) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Magic has been around since the beginning of time. No one truly knew when, or how, it came into existence, but what was known about magic was that it was real, and alive. Weaving in and out of all living things...”

I really enjoyed this YA fantasy! I thought it was a really unique take on urban fantasy...similar to The Cruel Prince in the sense that the magical world is in the middle of our modern world...but still completely new and fresh. The story follows twins Rhiannon and James as they find out secrets of their past and discover their magical history, leading them to search for more answers in the magical land of Kiluemar, a safe-haven for magical beings. Thanks to an omniscient narrator, you’re informed of much of the history of Kiluemar as your progress through the book and also find out much about James and Rhiannon’s mysterious history through this narrator. On a personal note, I loved that this book features boy/girl twins since I’m a boy/girl twin mom. I think my twins will love reading about siblings like them when they’re a little older!

While I enjoyed the story overall, I did find that I was often confused with some of the backstory chapters. I enjoyed learning about the history of Kiluemar and of many of the characters, but found that the info drops sometimes took away from the overall story. When an info drop chapter ended and we were thrown back to James and Rhiannon’s story, it took me a little while to remember what was happening in present day and who these characters were. I often had to flip back to previous chapters to remind me where we were in the timeline and what was happening with out main characters’ stories.

All in all, definitely recommend this one for fantasy readers, especially if you love urban fantasy! It was a fun read and I flew through it.

Thanks so much to the author for sending me a copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Thais • tata.lifepages • · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars,!

The story pulls you in from the very first chapter! It's action packed and evenly paced, perfect for those looking for an exciting YA urban fantasy adventure.

It follows the tale of two siblings, James and Rhiannon, as they discover that their world is not what it seems and that they are part of something much bigger than they could ever imagine. I felt like a detective alongside the siblings as they discover the secrets hidden from them and learn more about their powers.

The author has created a lush magical system of which we get glimpses as the story progresses, keeping the excitement throughout the entire book. If you love books with prophecies, strong family ties, and a magical hidden realm you are going to enjoy this series

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!

[Ve (ve_xo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot how much I love to dive into YA fantasy. The return to Kiluemar was a ride! This was one of my reads last month, I totally enjoyed it. The Magic of the Realm follows a twins on a journey of self discovery. The world is beautiful, the author did a great job putting together the details and weaving the premise.

The characters were definitely easy to love, Rhiannon was super smart, I enjoyed her character growth as well as the interaction with the other characters. James was pretty great to read as well. I liked reading about the history of the world which we see thru the narrator’s eyes.

I can’t wait to learn more about this world! Super excited to see the relationship developments! Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy of the book.

[✩₊*Shelby ⋆ ☾⋆ LiteraryFaery ⁺₊✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a nutshell, Return to Kiluemar is whimsical, mystical, and utterly rich in worldbuilding, fantasy lore, and witchy, elemental magic! This story takes off with a gripping, mysterious astral projection, and does not let go of your attention, right up to that shocking cliffhanger ending!

The main narrative follows James and Rhiannon as the mysteries of their parentage, the creation of their magical homeland, and burgeoning powers carefully unfold from the fascinating tales divulged by Kavana (my spirit animal), Pavian (total teddy bear), and Aidan (sexy Scot alert!). I loved them all SO much, but I am particularly intrigued by the villain, Merrick, so I am super looking forward to learning more about this insidious guy in book 2!

I was amazed how Marrafino weaves together such an adventurous, fast-paced urban fantasy that somehow also spans across vast reaches of time and pivotal historical eras, including a moment from my personal favorite, the Golden Age of England. She masterfully unveils the details of magic systems and origin stories of Kiluemar through various spellbinding flashbacks, which read almost like little fairytales, charming vignettes that transport the reader back in time through magical portals to discover lost secrets.

I am so happy to have discovered a new fantasy series to begin suggesting to my high school students for recreational reading! I highly recommend this book to fans of middle grade and young adult fantasy!!

[Alison Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts off action packed and continues throughout!

We are introduced to our protagonist during what may or may not be a dream. She finds herself in some alternate world/strange place/dream state and needs to get back home. Once she returns, we learn very quickly from her aunt (whom she lives with) that their family has been harbouring a secret that our girl doesn’t have any memories of.

As more and more characters are introduced we get insight into their pasts through some pretty epic origin stories.

This YA fantasy has all the good stuff. Action, mystery, magic, character and world building, plus some great imagery and at least one gruesome death. It starts off fast paced and doesn’t slow down all the way up to the end.

It ends on quite the twist leading to me getting the second in the series immediately !

[Kristy Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this story from page 1! Kimberly Marrafino's world building skills are magical. The story and characters are thoroughly fleshed out. I loved every minute of it and cannot wait for book 2!

[Chiara | wordsbychiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

MAGIC OF THE REALM will definitely appeal to readers of YA fantasy—especially urban and portal fantasy—and those who don’t mind a story without romance. I found it to be such a refreshing palette cleanser, and binged through it in a matter of days!

The story follows fifteen-year-old twins Rhiannon and James as they discover not only of each other’s existence, but also of their magical heritage. I’m a sucker for family dynamics, and the entire first part of the book I was desperately rooting for Rhiannon and James to meet. While we didn’t get much of the two together in this one, what we got already tells me I’m going to adore their dynamic moving forward. However, I did appreciate them as single characters. They were so funny and smart, and I don’t know if they were more mature than their age, or if the adults were overwhelmed by the events and acted somewhat younger, but I definitely loved how the twins presented themselves on page!

I really loved this introduction to the magical world of Kiluemar. You can tell that the author has worked vastly on the world building, because there’s so much lore and the magic was very nuanced. My only complaint is that in an effort to let the reader know about the history, there were some chapters that felt a bit like an information overload. When reading those chapters, I felt a bit removed from the main story, and it was hard to reconnect to what was happening with James and Rhiannon when they were over.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable read. I can’t wait to dive into The Evil Within soon!

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. All opinions are my own.

[Geovanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic fantasy read I could not put it down! From page 1 to the ending it just kept moving. The ending definitely got me and I need book 2 lol! The amount of world building and the magic was wonderful. I loved the flashbacks and the twins omg loved them! I can't wait to start book 2! If you are looking for a new fantasy read I would recommend picking up this series.
(Genre: YA Fantasy)

[Tati Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5!

Thank you so much to the author for collaborating with me and sending me a copy of the book.

Kiluemar exists within this realm, as long as one knows how to access the portal.

Rhiannon and James are twins, except Rhiannon doesn’t remember her brother. In fact, she doesn’t remember a lot of things from her childhood. One day she awakes from a dream so vivid, she begins to question whether it had actually been a dream or real. Upon telling her aunt, Rhiannon soon is told the truth about her past and the prophecy James and her are apart of. Now, they must work together in order to save their realm from a powerful demonic entity who plans on stealing magic for himself.

Marraffino is an extremely descriptive writer, so this isn’t a fast read story. It is definitely worth it to take your time reading this novel so you can soak in the rich history of Kiluemar, as it really sets up the story for the next books. (Of at least I’m assuming it will!) I found myself loving the side stories slightly more than the main storyline because they read like legends and I’m a big fan of folklore.

This series has a lot of potential. Book one is full of world building and getting the reader immersed into this magic realm, so the plot line moves rather slow at first. It definitely picks up at the end. I enjoyed getting to read about Kiluemar and experiencing the realm through different perspectives. I think book 2 is going to be action packed, especially because book one ends on a cliff hanger!
🤯🤯🤯
Obviously, I need to know what will happen next!

I’m an 8th grade teacher and this book would definitely be suitable for my classroom. I think my students would enjoy it and it is written for their age group.

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full to the brim with magic!

Return to Kiluemar mainly follows twins Rhiannon and James, who were torn apart and forced to forget each other as to protect them from the actuation of a prophecy. However, after years of obliviously living their lives apart, Rhiannon with their aunt and James with their uncle, their magic unexpectedly activates, and the twins finally discover the truth about the magical realm of Kiluemar and their family.

The story starts with a bang. I was really taken by that first chapter, trying to understand what was happening as the protagonist found herself thrust in a world she didn’t recognize. It was very mysterious and gripping. As the story progressed and the twins are told the truth, we’re given several chapters that served as worldbuilding. In these chapters, we discover how Kiluemar came to be, who the important players are, how the magic works, what the Guardians are, until we reach Rhiannon and James’s parents. I enjoyed these chapters, perhaps even more than the chapters where we see the twins and their uncles respectively preparing to meet each other and leave for Kiluemar, because these chapters felt like stories within the story. I especially loved to learn more about the twins’ mother.

The ending was incredible. I loved the twins’ flashback sequence, and I was happy to see them finally reunite. I would have preferred for a more emotional reunion, but I liked it nonetheless. The last scene was especially mindblowing. I wasn’t expecting that cliffhanger, and I’m curious to understand what happened and where the story goes next!

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy. Opinions are my own.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Return to Kiluemar” is the first book in the Magic of the Realm series by Kimberly Marraffino.

Sometimes, when a book like this catches my eye, I ignore it because I assume that an author somewhere out there has decided they can recreate “Harry Potter” and become the next J.K. Rowling. With Ms. Marraffino’s story, however, I was pleasantly surprised—actually thrilled—to find that was not the case. This is a great story about life, magic, and family that does not try in any way to duplicate those who came before her; it is so unique that it definitely stands alone and makes the reader beg for more.

“Return to Kiluemar” begins with its two main characters, James and Rhiannon, who are both experiencing very weird phenomena in their lives and are trying to understand what is going on. Both characters know, or at least wish, that there is something else out there in the world that will make their lives more complete, and far more exciting. Little do they know that their excitement is only beginning. First… they have to find each other. When their two worlds finally converge, James and Rhiannon discover in each other that part of themselves that was missing; they find their family. Now together and trying to figure out what this ‘odd’ stuff is all about, they are plunged into a world of magic, mystery and, of course, a century-old prophecy that they are a part of and must fulfill.

Sound familiar? Not in the least! With the help of their aunt and uncle and a special friend, the siblings travel back to their own world of Kiluemar. A world neither one of them knew existed for the first years of their life. Here, they begin to learn more about themselves, their powers, and their need to save magic and their home from evil. It was, in my opinion, a fresh take on an old tale—and one that offers up fun, excitement, and at times, scenes that involve hardship for the characters as they explore their past, their future, and learn how to deal with what’s coming.

The spectrum of emotions the author presented, and the details she gave, made the characters and locations literally jump off the pages. All I can say about this book is that I was enchanted, involved, and could not stop reading from the moment I started. “Return to Kiluemar,” is definitely “5 Stars.” Now, if you will all excuse me, I have to get online ASAP and get my hands on Book 2!

[Merrit Townsend (always1morebook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about prophecy and the tale of 2 twin siblings, James Cassil and Rihannon Llewellyn. both are discovering information that has been withheld from them all of their lives. Rihannon is trying to find out why she has no memories of her childhood before the age of 7 and James knows something is missing from his life. This book not only explains the missing information but also the back history of their lives. They both have to decide if they will take on the responsibility of learning all about their past life and what they are going to do about the prophecy.

I loved learning about James and Rihannon but you also learn about so many others within this story. The history of their family and how they became the prophecy is a huge part of the story. I did find that there was so much information and the flipping back and forth within different timelines became confusing at times. It also took away from the story a bit. I did love the premise for the magic system and the creatures told within the book. I give this book 4 stars.

[Shia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning with a bang (like literally or if the protagonists is banged up lol), you are quickly transported into a fantasy that is fast paced and full of drama. I have always been fascinated with astral projection and while skeptical of its possibilities, the author really crafts a unique plot line surrounding it and what that means for our characters.

I enjoyed the tropes of a love story, chosen ones, magical twins and a prophecy - but I really liked the flashbacks we visit that ventured into the lives of James and Rhiannon’s parents and other involved parties of Kiluemar and the twins’ lives.

Did I mention this is just the type of book you can expect from @nerdybookbox who LOVE to support indie authors? Use code BOOKDR5 to save today!

[Tanya Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to Kiluemar is a fantasy novel about magic. The plot centers around a girl who discovers she has powers that come from another realm. The main character, Rhiannon, has a likeable personality, and she is someone you care deeply about from the beginning.

The first chapter is gripping, and I was fascinated by the writing and the teleporting that the character experiences. Later there’s a great plot twist where the girl finds out information about her past, and that was engaging as well as creating a super intriguing relationship with another character. (No spoilers here!)

The author uses description extremely well to illuminate the setting. Everything seemed very real, especially Rhiannon’s astral projection trips!

If you like fantasy and magic on the younger side of YA, you should pick up this book!

[Morgan Langer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where to begin. I loved each character in this book. I loved the new magical world that the author introduced me to. I also loved her writing style. My only critique is that it was a bit difficult to follow when jumping around to different decades/centuries. I felt like I needed more foundation on the two main characters before we went be in time to several other different stories. Maybe a solution would be to stick with the main story and then come out with a prequel to fully introduce the other stories from the past? Either way, I look forward to reading the sequel.

[Belinda Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read! I loved all the elements in this intriguing plot. The characters were captivating and their relationships were fun to read through. I loved the banter and the way everything was explained. The pace was set perfectly for a cozy and comfortable read. The backstory was incorporated within the current timeline which was confusing at times but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey!

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

James and Rhiannon both long for something that’s missing, they just don’t know what. Turns out, the missing piece was each other. They both possess magic that they never knew they had, and they must work together to understand it.

Okay, so this book was really freaking good!!! The world building was excellent, as was the visual imagery. I loved the fact that all the background you needed to know was explained and not glossed over. The characters were also unique and relatable. This is a beautifully written urban fantasy novel, and an amazing start to a new series! As for that ending… I need book two, like, yesterday!!! I could not recommend this enough!!!

[Amit Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful 📚:- Return to Kiluemar
The author has described the character and related characters as beautiful and sometimes thinking about name related and emotional conversation between. She knew it the prophecy was right and believe in mother nature. I liked magic itself will fight to win. Nicely. So I recommend📚 to friends. Thank you!

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't been on my fantasy journey for very long, but I'm loving it so far & the wonderful realms it takes me to.

This one was a nice easy read at less than 200 pages. Beautifully written, richly descriptive & utterly mystical.

[Confessions of a Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a smidgen to get into and that is solely on me. It has been a hot minute since I read anything involving magics and such. The concept of the story holds much appeal. I did get a bit confused in a couple spots with the flashbacks but was able to get back on track fairly quickly. I will say the last 50 or so pages really had me interested and right at the very end I was left needing answers. In my opinion it ends in a cliffhanger but luckily book two is out and you can jump right to it. I cannot wait to get into the second book and see what is in store for Rhiannon and James after that ending in this book!!!

[Lindsay Lacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Disclaimer: The author reached out to me for an honest review and I received a free e-book via Kindle Unlimited***

If you are looking for a YA fantasy that has a light blend of urban fantasy and whimsical adventure then this book might be for you.

Return to Kiluemar follows two young protagonists (Rhiannon and James) as they uncover truths about their connected pasts that propels them forward onto a path brimming with danger.

Personally this book was a little too youthful for my personal tastes and I found the writing to be slightly awkward (there are some repetitive phrasing and odd descriptive choices in my opinion) but that being said, there are some very interesting concepts and the cliffhanger style ending will leave you wondering what will happen next.

[MyDogAteMyBookReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking to start reading urban fantasy, I think this is the perfect book to start with, you won’t regret it. This story reminded me how much I do enjoy fantasy.

Kimberly paints a very vivid picture that is magical full of suspense and adventure. She weaves in and out of timelines effortlessly.

Even though this series may be for YA, I never once felt bored or that I was too old for it, that cliffhanger ending has me hooked and wanting book two.

[Anna Aguirre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were unique and believable. The book left you not wanting to put it down and continue to want to keep turning the page to find out more. Its great for preteens to adults. Anyone that loves fantasy series. This book is worth reading and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. Its a great read.

[Nyxx · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good fantasy book, that I think all fantasy readers should buy. It is a really good story, and I like how this author explains history through flashbacks. Another thing about this book that I love is how you are experiencing what the characters are, and you can picture the places as well as characters, but it is not an info dump. Also, this book ends in an amazing cliff hanger.

[Carolann 🔸 BooksterMom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have wishy washy feelings over this one. I felt it started out strong. I was reeled in, ready for more, but the middle seemed to drag a bit. I didn’t care for all the little tellings of the past. They were great for building the story, but I felt they could have been delivered better. I also would have liked more emotion surrounding the twins reunification. The dialogue was good at parts, I was interested and even giggled some, but other times it fell short, felt cheesy or out of place. The final two chapters were really gripping and I enjoyed the suspense and the ending was not what I expected. The turn it took left me knowing book two (Out Oct 20th!) will be on my TBR!

Overall, while the delivery has some flaws, the plot is intriguing.

[Candice Willman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to read and review!

What a whimsical ride. Return to Kiluemar is packed full of magical and interesting characters. The main two whom we follow are twins Rhiannon and James. They have been separated their entire lives and magic forgotten due to a prophecy.

This changes suddenly and we are brought to the magical land of Kiluemar. There are all sorts of mysteries for us to solve as we learn about the magical land and what happened to the twins.

The world building is done nicely and characters keep you guessing what is going to happen next. Ending on that twist and cliffhanger definitely keeps you wanting more and needing the next book!

[Rebecca Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why does this book have to have an open end? (insert fake whining) I hope book two comes out soon, because I need to know how the story continues. If you like Fantasy this one is for you. It is captivating and intriguing, with a handsome Scottish dude, witches, shapeshifters and a prophecy - twins James and Rhiannon finding out who they really are - mystery, magic and the loving bonds of a family... Return to Kiluemar is a great debut for the “Magic of the Realm” series. Can’t wait for book two...

[K Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG the suspense and details

This is great, the discovery of twins siblings and adventure leading up to the end. Cliff hanger can not wait for the next book. Took a bit to get into but it's worth it. Can't wait to find out what happens

[Emotionsbooksnish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never ever I imagined that would love any fantasy novel .

It's a story of twins - James & Rhiannon. Rhiannon doesn't remember James as her brother, but as the story progresses they find out the secrets of their past & uncover and unearth their magical history, To seek more answers of their past they reach the Magical land of Kiluemar, a land of magical powers & things.

" Magic was real. Magical creatures and supernatural beings
were real. He pondered all the amazing things he could do with
magic, the abilities he would possess. This secret about magic
was his ticket out of here, an escape from his mediocre life.
Magic was his chance to prove himself. But his powers came
with a price—a prophecy. However, discovering his future was
linked to a magical prophecy was, honestly, the least of his
concerns. Finding his twin sister was vital. She was one part of
the key to returning to the realm and getting back their magic.
More importantly, he needed to reconnect to the part of him he
lost over the years. Rhiannon, along with this newfound
magical destiny, was the one thing he needed right now. He had
a chance to be triumphant, the opportunity to live a meaningful
life, the possibility to have more, be more. This was his chance
to have an adventure, have a family, and fight for something"......

I loved the way Kimberly has kept all the stories intact & interconnected . It's an urban fantasy, adventurous, volatile. There are few backstories that go along with the main story of protagonist. The language & narration is lucid & comprehensible. There's only one negative thing about this novel that I'll have to wait for the next part of the series ( which I don't like about series, they keep you waiting)

I highly recommend this book to all fantasy book lovers. It's worth reading. I , never enjoyed or even dreamt of loving fantasy till I read this one.

Thank you @author_kimberlym for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Rigsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

“’ Well, magic is a living essence. It’s everywhere. It’s an invisible force existing within all nature. But magic needs a body or vessel. When magic connects itself- binds itself- to something or someone, they are forever linked until the individual dies.’” -Magic of the Realm

Hello, let me introduce myself… my name is Rhiannon and I am a teenager living with my aunt. Not only am I dealing with everything involved with being a teenager, but I just found out that I am a witch, may be extremely powerful in magic, and I have a twin brother… what?! Think that is a lot? Here is more; it is up to my brother, James, and I to unlock the portals, return to Kiluemar, possess our full magic, and fulfill our prophecy. Can we stop a demon from ruining the realm, stealing powers from others, and diminishing magic?

Kimberly Marraffino effortlessly writes about magic as if she grew up possessing it herself. She has a knack for writing about it in a way that makes it easy to understand and leaves you wishing you could possess it. Magic of the Realm satisfies the young adult fantasy genre elements by including magical creatures, magic, another world and/or realm, a dangerous journey to conquer, and the coming-of-age theme.

This book reminded me of James Patterson’s Witch and Wizard book, although different storylines, it gave me the same feeling reading both books. Just like in Patterson’s novel, I felt that this book would be more geared towards the teenage crowd. I had a challenging time keeping interested from the beginning and thought the order between back information and the story plot could use some work. Rather than having all the information about something as a whole chapter, I felt that it could have been laid out differently throughout the story plot.

Due to the above reasons, I must rate this book 3 stars. However, I do think that the younger generations would enjoy this book and not be so critical.