Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Winner of the Spinetinglers Book of the Year 2008, 12 Dec 2007
"Whosoever is in possession of thy book, read thy words carefully, take a second look.... Thou shall falter if thy heart is untrue...."
Are you reeling from the loss of Harry Potter? Do you miss Hogwarts, Dumbledore, and Hagrid? Fear not! Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands has arrived!
Amber Shadows is your typical "Magia" teenager. She likes to read, she doesn't completely hate school, and she is training to be a white witch. When researching a paper on her family history for her "Magia" Session (White Magic class), she is slightly disappointed by the lack of information. She cannot find any "Shadows," past or present, who are remotely interesting. Disheartened, she ventures up into the attic - a place where she knows she is forbidden to go. While there, she finds the journal of one of her ancestors, Jocelyn Shadows. As Amber Shadows reads this journal, the secrets of her family's past are unlocked. Amber is driven by voices from antiquity to begin a dangerous quest. Amber and a couple of trusted friends must face the evil Lady Gondara. Gondara is an ancient enemy of the Shadows and of every white witch. For the sake of her family and of all the people of Magia, Gondara must be stopped. Can Amber save her family from an ancient curse? Can she return the missing wands to their rightful owners? You will have to read the book to find out!
Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands is not your typical children's book. For one thing, it does not patronise its readers. Instead, it opens up a magical world, filled with dwarfs, two- headed beasts, and talking cats. Every page enchants the reader with thrilling detail and wonderfully drawn out characters. Amber herself is heroic, courageous, and perhaps a little bit precocious. Lady Gondara is wickedly wise, but hopefully, no match for Amber. The book brings to life these fascinating characters and knits them together beautifully with a bewitching and thoroughly intriguing plot.
The problem that writers in this genre must inevitably face is a comparison to Harry Potter. Potter caused such a global sensation that most authors who write stories about teenage witches and wizards will have to put up with this. And, most books will regrettably suffer from such a comparison. Fortunately, Wendy Willett will not have to worry about this problem, as she has written a book that will stand up to any such comparison. And, as the Harry Potter story draws to a close, there is a gap in the market for another magical teenager. Amber Shadows may be just the book to fill this void.
Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands is a must-read for any fan of magical adventure. Wendy Willett's first novel will charm and enthral its readers, and will leave you wanting to hear more from these enticing, fresh characters. The only question left to ask is, "When will Book Two be published?"
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Amber Shadows review- reader USA, 31 Jul 2007
Immediately upon entering the pages of Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands, the reader is thrown into a mystical world that is far from the ordinary. Amber Shadows discovers two secrets while searching the attic for information on an extraordinary witch or wizard relative. On the night of her thirteenth birthday, an apparition leads her to discover a third secret. All three secrets are interlaced by the same quill. Oblivious of the danger Amber and her friends are about to face, terrifying events unfold as the three friends search through an underground castle for Amber's parents and grandparents, and two wands with the greatest of magical powers. Amber and friends must find their way through conjured up illusions and escape life-threatening traps, defend themselves from deadly beasts, and manage to return home safe and sound with their friendship intact.
Amber Shadows and the Missing Wands gives a new twist in storytelling a popular genre. The characters are three-dimensional and you find yourself caring about them. The plot and characterization work together harmoniously. This book is a definite read for those who love fantasy, fiction, magic and an emotional journey. The imagination used is so visual I felt as though I experienced the story right along with the characters!
Willett says on her press release, "It's not your traditional male character leading the adventure using magic; rather it is a story of a teenage female facing emotional distress where her missing family is concerned, and life-threatening situations using White Magic to survive."
In my opinion, this book is certain to be one of this year's best sellers, and a welcome addition to libraries or home bookshelves around the world. I look forward to reading the next three books Ms. Willett has announced on AuthorsDen.com that she has been writing. It's hard to believe this book was not published by a traditional publisher, I hope to see it in the theaters someday!
J.W.
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