Review: This is a fascinating story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 13, 2013
This is the second well-written, engaging, educational, and thought-provoking book about Ivan, a wise owl, who can see the future and make changes in it. His life mission, like that of his ancestors, is to protect the forest inhabitants. His enemy in this book is Boldwyn who also has some powers, including the ability to stop Ivan from foreseeing the future. Ivan is helped by the owl Eve who loves him and by a smart fox who is his assistant, and his general in this episode.Ivan learns that Boldwyn has gathered a large force of animals, including lions, and will attack in a couple of days, with the intention of taking control of the forest.  Boldwyn succeeds in capturing Eve.  Ivan with the help of the fox organizes the forest animals, virtually all of whom have never been in a war. They have to determine how they will battle Boldwyn, who will lead each unit, what are the natural powers of each kind of forest animal.Part of the problem that Ivan faces is a gem, which seems to entrance him. What is the power of the gem? Is it, as it seems bad? Can Ivan somehow turn it to do good? If so, what would the gem do?This is a fascinating story. It can be read without knowing what is in the prior book, but I advise readers to read both. The books will be enjoyed by young and old readers. They will look forward to book three to read about Ivan's further adventures.