Book Review: Walter Plume and the Dehydrated Imagination by Rebecca Lynn Morales

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

When Walter discovers he has a super power of bringing dead grass and plants to life, he can't help but wonder what kind of world he has stumbled upon that gives him his magic. He's not prepared to find an elf named Aimee and a bunch of other unhappy elves who think his purpose for entering their world is to save them.

After meeting the evil Ickabod Von Snot (one of the funniest antagonists names I've ever seen), Walter understands why everybody seems so sad. Ichabod's rules are so restrictive that they squash the fun and imagination of the residents in the newly discovered world. Walter must make it to the Fountain of Whimsy to save the elves and bring life back but Ickabod tries to thwart him at every turn.

Beautiful imagery leads to spectacular world building in this fantasy that will leave the young reader glued to to pages. Relatable characters add to the magic of the story with never a dull moment.

Rating: ★★★★☆

The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick: Book Review and Giveaway

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review

Edward rarely puts much effort into anything but he does make an effort to bring a rock to school for his assignment. A quick search in his aunt's garden yields what he thinks is a boring rock. The rock turns out to be a Fetch that begins to steal time after it is aroused.

Three of his classmates touch the Fetch and discover they are the only four people who can see time disappearing around them. As they try to make sense of the chaos around them, they lines between their world fade into a dimension of time terrifying and dangerous. They must escape the likes of ghastly witches and formidable panthers while they try to restore the Time Fetch and stop the clock against lost time.

While the four main characters are interesting, it is Edward's pagan aunt who inspires curiosity. Herrick's strong writing makes up for some plot holes and confusion about exactly how the Time Fetch came to be. A fun adventure, sometimes bogged down by lectures about time or references to myths about the Winter Solstice. A solid adventure sure to delight fantasy fans.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Algonquin

Pages: 320

ISBN: 978-1-61620-453-2

Ages: 10 and up

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Giveaway 

Details:

One of my lucky readers will win a paperback copy of The Time Fetch by Amy Herrick. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 9/18/2014 at 11:59 EST. Giveaway sponsored by the publisher.

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The Key & The Flame by Claire M. Caterer: Book Review

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Holly wishes for more than her boring life in America offers.  When her parents and younger brother, Ben move to an English Village for the summer, Holly receives a peculiar iron key from the cottage's caretaker. The key opens a door in a tree where Holly, Ben and their new English friend, Everett, end up in the medieval kingdom of Anglielle.

Ben and Everett are taken prisoner in the castle and where Holly must learn to use the key which transforms into a wand to rescue them. Magical creatures both help and hinder Holly's progress. While the plot has substance and the characters and mythical creatures spark interest, the action lacks the excitement and suspense needed to carry such a long fantasy novel. Caterer paints a pretty picture but leaves out the crucial step of actually meeting the wizard-like antagonist, saving it for the next book in the series.  The Flame & The Key will captivate the most voracious fantasy lovers, but the more fickle middle grade reader may put it down halfway through.  

Good to Recommended (3 1/2 stars)

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (April 2, 2013)

ISBN: 9781442457416

Ages: 8-12

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