Review: The Magic Gem
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 16, 2013
In Jennifer Ogden’s continuing story of Whispering Pines, the dark forces led by Boldwyn, a malignant crow that can’t help but remind you of so many cruel dictators from history – in human form: Hitler, Stalin, Saddam Hussein, are ready to destroy the peace and equilibrium of all in order to complete Boldwyn's own megalomaniac ambitions. In this new book in the series, Ivan, the wise crow, a sort of Gandhi figure, and his beloved Eve, are assisted by an astute fox with all the wisdom of Lao-tsu and Winston Churchill rolled into one.Boldwyn’s plan to seize control of the forest (the world) is the underlying metaphor that will appeal to young readers. Ivan is now entranced by a magical gem. He’s unsure whether this is a good or bad thing. It is certainly addictive – and the fact that Boldwyn plans to capture it a sure sign that it has a far deeper significance than first appears. The Rise of the Guardian is an independent story, but a familiarity with the first book in the series will make the reading all the more pleasurable.