Publisher: Savant Books and Publications LLC
Source: Publicist
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 296
Rating:
Charlie is an awkward twelve-year old living a normal life till he is abducted and thrust into a world of ever-looming danger, a world of Magic, of Angry Gods, and Creatures that are should only exist inside of fairytales.
Charlie and his three friends must unravel the mysteries of their new found abilities, save the father Charlie has never known, and uncover a secret that will change their lives forever.
When I got a request to review this book, I was uncertain about whether or not it would be something I would enjoy. Whenever I get a request, the first thing I look at it is the cover to see if it attracts me. I know that's not the way I should judge a book by first impression, but that's just how I've always been! With that said, I'm not attracted to the cover. It's a nice cover, but it just doesn't look like my type of book, at first glance. However, The Quest for Merlin's Map, pleasantly surprised me with it's lovely characters and intriguing plot.
During the first 100 pages, the story was moving pretty slow for me (but that might've just been because I was in a reading rut!) Once I got past that point, I became attached to the characters and was finding myself getting nervous for them during their adventures.
Now, some of the reasons why I didn't give The Quest for Merlin's Map 5 butterflies instead of 4: I found the story to be pretty predictable at times. While I was reading I would take a guess of what would happen next, and half the time my guess was correct. I personally just like a bit more of an unpredictable plot. Also, I did find quite a lot of similarities between the characters of The Quest for Merlin's Map and Harry Potter. The characters go to school in a castle very similar to Hogwarts, the three main characters are two boys and a girl, the headmaster is very old and wise, etc. I don't read a whole lot of MG, so maybe these similarities are common among quite a few MG? I'm not sure.
Overall, I did enjoy the story and would recommend it to anyone that likes Harry Potter and/or Percy Jackson. I'm looking forward to the next installment in The Jumper Chronicles.
Posts
Great review. I have to say that I don't like the cover either. I would not pick it up at the bookstore, but I'm glad to hear that the story inside is very good. Though I have not read HP or PJ, I do like adventure stories.
ReplyDeleteI read this one a while back and I agree with you about it. After I finished it, I was very pleased with it, overall. Then when I got to thinking about it more, I felt like it was way too similar to Harry Potter. So much so, that it mirrors the story in a lot of ways. I still enjoyed it, but I would have liked a more unique take on the plot.
ReplyDeleteI read plenty of MG books and there can be similarities between books (as there can with YA or adult too), but for the most part, everything I've read has had its own little flare to it.
Hey all, I am the author and I agree with you as well! On all counts! It was not until well after the book was published that I knew I needed to make a great deal of changes. Book Two will splinter the HP paradigm and our characters will delve into an adventure unlike anything (I hope--you two will be some of the first people I send the book to) that has come before! Thank you both for your support!
ReplyDelete-Bill aka W. C. Peever