Review: 3.45 Sweet, Stellar Start to a Larger Work ... End Drags a Little
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 8, 2014
*** I received a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion; spoilers possible ***Introduction: You're a witch, Elena Baxter. The first few chapters essentially walk the reader through that and explain why and how Elena ends up at New Avalon (girls only alter ego for Hoggwarts with a greater emphasis on Authurian legends).Good:The dialogue flows fairly well.Elena's a pretty cool character. She's the most developed and seems to have a decent head on her shoulders.Easy to read. I can see a pre-teen girl enjoying the story.The cover is beautiful and sets the right mood for the book.The author creates a neat world that begs to be explored more.I enjoy how much of the book seems aimed at getting girls to feel they're accepted as is ...Neutral:... however, there is still an emphasis on superficial beauty. Elena muses on how different the new school is and how everybody's accepted, etc and a few chapters later, we find her as an outcast of a different sort. Seemed contradictory.Most of the character sound exactly the same. I couldn't keep her 5 friends straight, except Izzy.A lot of the story centers around Elena being told this or that. I get that some of that is necessary, but I wish she discovered more on her own.The premise of there being a line of witches descended from the Lady of the Lake is unique (though the idea of a special school to train in special powers is not.)- We don't actually get much insight into the actual witching lessons. I think that's a huge missed opportunity.- Price seems high for an estimated 88 pg book.Could be Better:- Plot and pacing - all in all not much happens. Elena goes to school, gets her strange powers, goes to the new school, and adjusts to life there. There's talk of her super destiny but the whole story is really just a very long prologue to a longer story. It just ends.- A lot of page time is used on pleasantries and characters saying "I felt exactly like that!"Conclusion: I'd wait until the next book comes out then read both together since this boils down to a really long introduction to the wider world being set up here. The first 5 chapters fly by, but for me, the end 5 ish chapters dragged. I think the story's got potential and could serve well as a lengthy prologue or Part 1 of a larger tale rather than a series. If you enjoy tales of girls coming into special powers, this might fit the bill for your entertainment.