Review: Interesting Concept
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 12 5, 2012
This is a short middle grade novella about young Kat's experience in the Realm of the Lost - a place you go when you die before your time.  It was an interesting look at what might happen after we die.I enjoyed the concept, and the writing was engaging.  I wished that it had been a little bit longer, and that there was more information about the Realm of the Lost and the different corners there.  That world was fairly vague, and I wanted to know more about it and the animals that come out after dark.The characters were very interesting.  I think the oldest child in every family can identify with Kat.  She is trying to keep her family together, while they annoy her at the same time.  She gets frustrated with the ones she loves (who doesn't?), but still wants the best for them.  Mikey and Rosario were great additions to the story.  Mikey was a typical, annoying and selfish little boy that you just can't help but love.  Rosario was warm and loving, a true friend that becomes an adopted sister for Kat.There was a bit of suspense, but nothing inappropriate for the age group. In a couple of places it was difficult to tell what was going on, or who was speaking to whom.  But I am guessing that since I read an Advanced Reader's Copy, those have all been cleared up.All in all, it is a pretty good short story that would be fun for a middle grade reader.  It is entertaining and thought provoking.  I am hoping that there might be a follow up or sequel.The Cover: While the cover depicts the main character the way she is described in the book, I think it could have been better.  With a concept as interesting and promising as this one, it needs a cover that will match it.  It's not bad, but not fantastic either.