August 18, 2012

Review: The Eyes of the Desert Sand by Edwin Wolfe


The Eyes of the Desert Sand (Chrysalis Chronicles #1)

Goodreads Summary:

How many parents would believe their thirteen year old son who told them that two vampires and a hooded stranger had tried to abduct him? Strange thing is, young Ethan Fox is convinced his parents, George and Betsy do believe him. Could it have something to do with the mysterious poem he wrote in his sleep? Or maybe it has something to do with his past, the past he cannot remember before his eighth birthday. Something strange is afoot, and it is about to turn Ethan’s world upside down.While vacationing with his parents, to get away from the crazy events of the previous two weeks, Ethan encounters a young girl named Haley Hunt who he is strongly drawn to… and the feeling is mutual. Together, Ethan and Haley are lured to The Residence, home of the Caretakers, an organization of intelligent beings sent to earth to nurture the human race and protect them from un-earthly influences.Armed with special abilities, including the power to evolve any earthly creature, the Caretakers take in their unexpected guests. They have been watching young Ethan Fox, and are curious as to why the Grimleavers, their mortal enemy on earth, would want to abduct a young human child. Together, Ethan and Haley journey to magical worlds, make new friends, and help the Caretakers unravel the stories greatest mysteries. Along the way, they learn that the Caretakers have been here since the beginning of human history and have played a key role in shaping human lore. In their world, vampires, werewolves, trolls, and even Medusa herself really do exist but have been kept hidden from the human world around them. Ethan is the key as they ultimately discover the Grimleavers true intentions, to unlock the four portals to the elemental worlds of the Chrysalis.

Pages: 320 (Hardcover)
Release Date: January 11, 2012
Series? The Chrysalis Chronicles #1

LONG STORY  SHORT:

This book is just absolutely cute and sweet. Then again, it also is a very well thought - out fantasy story. I'd recommend you read it if you're up to something a bit different, funny and if you don't mind younger characters in YA all that much.

REVIEW:

I didn't know what to expect with The Eyes of the Desert Sand. Just by cover and synopsis I guessed it would be targeted towards a slightly younger audience, maybe thirteen year olds and I think I was right with that. This might have to do with the main character's age as well.

What I didn't expect was that this book would make me smile on almost every page. And it wasn't even particularly funny in dialogue or anything. It's just that the author did a wonderful job with world building. All the different creatures and settings and devices she invented were so easy but at the same time fantastical and magical and just very, very sweet.
The story itself was slightly predictable but somehow still original.
The writing, I suppose, could've been a bit more fluent and the dialogue was a bit stiff at times, but that was not a big matter to me.
But it's really not about the details with The Eyes of the Desert Sand - it's about the world you enter, those tiny little details that are so weird. It definitely reminded me of the fairytales I loved when I was younger.

All in all, I guess I'd recommend this book to a younger audience or to older people who don't mind reading a book that is a bit simpler, a bit lighter and just ... innocent :)

RATING: 3 out of 3 Smarties


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