Kindle Book Review - Within the Crystal Mountain by J. L. Putney

One day Dimplin is hoeing vegetables in the fields when he sees a strange phenomenon. A glass-like dome has covered the village of Arinton, and no one can get out, and Dimplin cannot get in. At his wit's end, he decides to head off and find help. Dimplin walks for two weeks before coming across a stream by the village of Wiston. Here he finds Elisse, an Agan, one of the tall people. Elisse takes Dimplin back to her cottage to rest and have some food. When Elisse's twin sister Lenore returns from the market, Dimplin tells her about his people, the Genish (who never grow over four feet tall) and what has befallen them. 

The girls wish their soldier friend Drance were not away fighting in the war between the Agan and the Forsene people. Surely he would know what to do. Who forces Dimplin's nine-year-old son Tupin to squeeze into the Crystal Mountain to get the magic crystals? Moreover, what are their plans to wreak havoc with these gems? What words of wisdom does the old soothsayer Grendfar pass onto the Genish people from their God Evershone? Furthermore, what is the significance of the number 1665? Read the enchanting book Within the Crystal Mountain by J. L. Putney to discover the answers to these questions and more.

I admire how J. L. Putney has written a complicated storyline with many off-shoot stories, which Putney gradually gathers together for the finale. There are many interesting characters in this story. We have little people who are always happy and positive and believe that their God Evershone will always look after them if they are kind and caring. The soldiers Drance and Trestun are on opposing sides but have to work together for the good of the Genish people. There is the corrupt wizard Sagins, and then there are the beautiful twin sisters Lenore and Elisse. With a large cast of supporting characters, this book continually entertains and excites the reader while taking them on journeys filled with magic and mystery.

I appreciated the map at the front of the book, which makes it much easier to visualize where all the different communities live and where they are in relationship to the Crystal Mountain. Although it was difficult to keep going back to the map when reading the Kindle version of this book, I printed it out to have beside me as I read Within the Crystal Mountain. I loved the intriguing illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, which hint at what is to come. I enjoyed how the different groups of people united to fight evil. This book gives truth to the saying, 'Strangers are just good friends that you haven't met yet.'

The only thing I disliked about Within the Crystal Mountain was the number of grammatical errors. The book had not been adequately proofread or edited, and although the mistakes did not spoil the story, they detracted from it in places.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an entertaining book that is absorbing from start to finish. In particular, anyone who loves fantasy, magic, mystery, myths, and legends. Within the Crystal Mountain by J. L. Putney would be particularly enjoyed by readers who love The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. Adults and confident readers from twelve would find this book exciting. There are no swearing or sexual scenes, so younger children would also enjoy having it read to them.

I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. I am disappointed not to be able to provide the top rating as I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic fantasy tale, but there are too many errors not to remove a star. Once these are corrected, I will happily give the full rating. I would love to read more books by J. L. Putney!

I want to thank J. L. Putney for a Kindle copy of Within the Crystal Mountain in exchange for my honest and impartial review. You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html

Children's book review - Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins

 

Two children see a family of unicorns moving in next door and make friends with them. The unicorns all have unique tricks which they show the children. One day the friends head off on a fantastic adventure, and the children ride on the unicorns and visit famous places. What do they eat in Paris? What do they do in London? Moreover, what happens when the unicorns go to school? Read Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins to discover the answers to these questions.

Unicorns Know Magic is written entirely in rhyme, but this does not always work. For example, on page ten, "We were hungry and stopped at a French restaurant, we've never had something as good as a croissant." Also, I did not enjoy the fact that on one page Charles Adkins writes that the unicorns had apples and carrots for lunch, and on the next page, he says unicorns only eat vegetables! 

The colorful illustrations are beautiful and very appealing. The landmarks are recognizable and add another level of learning for small children. Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins will be a lovely way to introduce young children to poetry; once the grammatical errors are corrected. This book needs to be proofread and edited.

I recommend this book to children aged up to eight years of age. Younger children will love having the poem read to them while they enjoy the illustrations. Older children will enjoy reading it to themselves. Children will find Unicorns Know Magic a fun and interesting adventure and enjoy the rhyme.

I want to give Unicorns Know Magic by Charles Adkins 3 out of 5 stars. I have reduced the score by one star as there are a lot of proofreading errors, and the poem does not always flow or rhyme very well. I have taken off another star because of the mixed information, which would confuse small children. When you are writing for children, the book has to be perfect!

I want to thank Charles Adkins for a copy of Unicorns Know Magic in exchange for my honest and impartial review. 

You can see more of my reviews here http://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tara-d-morgan.html