Review: Cute Read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 6, 2012
Along comes a handsome stranger on a dark and stormy night, carrying a cute little bundle of joy. What girl could resist this twosome?Minna Westerfield was puzzled by the constant thunder and lightning storms that have been taking place all around her. Evan Valentine shows up with a wet coat wrapped around a cute little puppy, trying to find shelter after he rescued the critter. Minna tries to take care of both of them and feels sparks striking up between her and Evan. She soon finds out that he's a wizard's apprentice, but she hides her own secret from him (she's also a wizard). She's the daughter of a famous dragon racing jockey and a mom who recently passed away. Also, Minna's parents turned down a scholarship for her that would have allowed her to attend the prestigious Aldesbury School of Magic. Little does she know that Evan, the wizard Thaddeus Bartholomew, and even her own mother have secrets that will soon be revealed.Minna misses her mother and is living with her father who's permanently retired from dragon racing due to injuries. She longs for a happy family life that never will be again. Evan grew up poor, but fortuitously landed a scholarship to attend Aldesbury School of Magic. Evan is working hard to master all the skills of being a wizard from Thaddeus who's a kind, but firm teacher. The reason for the thunder and lightning storms causes Minna to join forces with Evan and Thaddeus in a parallel universe to save the world.This story is a wonderful concoction of fantasy and romance! I could very well imagine this story as a movie. It has all the elements that I enjoy reading about and also watching. The plot was engaging right from the beginning, with narrative that was interesting and descriptively painted a picture for me of all that was happening to Minna, Evan, and Thaddeus. I loved the creative, magical world that Ms. Rogers put her characters in and I would like to see all of that on the big screen. I would have enjoyed finding out more about Evan's life before he met Minna, in addition to Minna's life. This was a wonderful young adult fantasy adventure I had a hard time putting down once I started reading it.For a grand, magical adventure with a sweet romance, be sure to get your copy of Minna & The Valentine! I hope S.G. Rogers writes more wonderful stories, because I will be looking for them.Originally posted at LAS YA Reviews