Review: Eon's Door by J.G. McKenney

Synopsis:

A 2012 Reviewers Choice Award winner and Eric Hoffer Award finalist! 

The Dark Forest is moving and a horde of bloodthirsty monsters is on the hunt. For the peaceful denizens of Erla, time is running out. 

Two thousand years have passed since the three clans fled the world of humans through Eon’s Door to find sanctuary in a realm called Erla, and now a prophecy left to them by the ancient race that created the tree portal is coming true. A trusted sage has stolen the portal’s key and is using the awesome power that separated the worlds to tear apart the very soul of Nature. The key must be taken back and Eon’s Door closed—before it’s too late.

Hope lies with a “child of doubt” from the world the clans left behind and the courageous young Erlan who’s been sent to find him. Together they must retrieve the key and close Eon’s Door. It won’t be easy. Abominations of beasts and trees stand between them and their goal. Even worse, the sage knows the prophecy and is expecting them.

EON'S DOOR is a fantasy adventure recommended for readers age 12 and up.

Jessica's Review:

One of the first books I was ever given to read was a fantasy book. It took me on a journey to unknown lands and created a vision of possibilities. That book gave me an understanding that there is so much more to this world than just what we see. Eon's door is very much like that. J.G. McKenney's ability to describe a world so much and so unlike our own is impressive.

Eon's door is a classic fantasy adventure story that faces off between good and evil. Strange and delightful characters fill the novel creating a well rounded story. I was so immersed in the world that J.G. McKenney had created that I didn't want the story to end. I thoroughly enjoyed going on the adventure with Bobby and Scotty to save another world and perhaps in some ways our own.

Eon's Door reminds me of an epic fantasy and I found myself wanting to spend more time in this world and learn more about the people and the places. Perhaps there is or will be a second book and if there is I will look forward to continuing the journey through the lands of Erla.

Rating: 4.0 stars
Rated by: Jessica

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Maze Runner #1)

Story Synopsis:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

My Review:

Do you ever read a book, and you know it isn't great literature, or even great writing, but you're willing to overlook the technical faults because it's a fast-paced mystery that's easy to get in to and fun to read? That's what I felt when I read The Maze Runner.

This book follows a group of boys, and one girl, who are trapped in a maze with no memory of how they got there. Escape attempts are often deadly. The mystery behind the maze got me into the book; tiny hints of a broken outside world kept me gripped. I was drawn into the story and the action, and dying to know what happened. The pages flew beneath my fingers, but not so fast that I didn't find faults.

The writing is cliche-ridden and choppy, with some weird phrasings that made me go, "huh??" I'm not as anti-adverb as some people, but this text is drenched in -ly to the point where even I noticed. On the plus side, the description of the memory loss was not outside the realm of scientific plausibility, and I appreciate that. Another plus is a story and writing style appropriate for both older middle grade readers as well as teens, so there's a wider range of appeal.

If you like strong female characters, this probably isn't the book for you. It features one single female character, and she is, for one reason or another, absent for most of the book. Once she does start taking part, she mostly limits her interactions to the main character. They question of why there was only one girl bothered me a lot, especially once I reached the ending. There's two more books in the series, so maybe that question will get answered. But I tend to be less fond of books that don't provide a strong female character in at least a secondary role, so for me this one one of the book's more glaring issues. How you respond to it will likely depend on your own personal tastes.

The Maze Runner is a fast-paced, action-packed mystery. It's not fantastic prose, but that's okay. It's the sort of book you read when you want fun and entertainment; the quick pleasure of a good summer read. And who doesn't need that sort of book from time to time? I certainly do.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Rated by: Blair