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9th out of 32 books
—
11 voters
Broken Shell Island (The Witches of West Shore #1)
by
Dalya Moon (Goodreads Author)
Opal gets a dirty old suitcase for her birthday. She’s not impressed. Her grandfather tells her she’ll need it, because she’s going to live with her great aunt on Broken Shell Island. Opal wonders if her grandfather hasn’t gone senile, because Broken Shell Island is a made-up magical place that their family friend Flora Fritz writes picture books about.
Oh, but the island i...more
Oh, but the island i...more
Kindle Edition, 248 pages
Published
August 6th 2012
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In a fascinating YA book Broken Shell Island: The Witches of West Shore; Dayla Moon spins a tale of wonder. Opal has grown up reading all the “Broken Shell Island” books written by her grandfather’s friend Flora Fritz. At her birthday lunch, surrounded by all of her Grandfather’s friends and expecting a bike, Opal is a bit (!!) surprised with an old, empty suitcase. It used to be Grampa’s.
He tells her that he is very ill and that she is to travel to meet her Great-Aunt Waleah and stay there. Gr...more
He tells her that he is very ill and that she is to travel to meet her Great-Aunt Waleah and stay there. Gr...more
Oh my word, I just don't even really know where to begin.
Broken Shell Island is positively filled with fun and amusement. I found myself constantly laughing, shaking my head unable to believe what I was reading.
It was almost like a guilty pleasure. The utter absurdity of everything made it extremely easy to constantly suspend disbelief. I mean, come on - Pixies pee on hair. Chalk makes doors. Suitcases navigate. Seriously.
It ran the full gamut from glorious to gross.
Characters -
Here is what I...more
Broken Shell Island is positively filled with fun and amusement. I found myself constantly laughing, shaking my head unable to believe what I was reading.
It was almost like a guilty pleasure. The utter absurdity of everything made it extremely easy to constantly suspend disbelief. I mean, come on - Pixies pee on hair. Chalk makes doors. Suitcases navigate. Seriously.
It ran the full gamut from glorious to gross.
Characters -
Here is what I...more
4 STARS
Broken Shell Island draws you right into the story and made me care about Opal right away. Some parts of the story I could see get a 5 stars and other part 3.
Opal is at a birthday party with her grandfather and his senior friends. She has been hopeful that she will get a bike. She even printed off a picture of the one she wants and a map to the store.
Instead she gets a box with a old suitcase in it. Her grandfather says she is going to Broken Shell Island that his friend wrote books about...more
Broken Shell Island draws you right into the story and made me care about Opal right away. Some parts of the story I could see get a 5 stars and other part 3.
Opal is at a birthday party with her grandfather and his senior friends. She has been hopeful that she will get a bike. She even printed off a picture of the one she wants and a map to the store.
Instead she gets a box with a old suitcase in it. Her grandfather says she is going to Broken Shell Island that his friend wrote books about...more
Every so often, it's nice to read a book where the first summary adjective you think of is "whimsical." If you're looking for a book like that, I encourage a read of Broken Shell Island.
Opal Button is sent to live on the island of Ystad (don't call it Broken Shell Island, the natives hate the name!), a magical island that moves around. She moves in with her great aunt, Waleah, who had never had any children and never wanted any, and Opal isn't sure she's welcome. Somehow, on her first day there,...more
Opal Button is sent to live on the island of Ystad (don't call it Broken Shell Island, the natives hate the name!), a magical island that moves around. She moves in with her great aunt, Waleah, who had never had any children and never wanted any, and Opal isn't sure she's welcome. Somehow, on her first day there,...more
First off, I really need to point out that this book was totally clean. As in, G-rated-not-so-much-as-an-innuendo clean. Those of you that know my work might have been confused, so I felt like I needed to clarify that from the get-go.
Now, to the meat of things. Broken Shell Island was one heck of a ride. It's been a while since I've read something targeted to the often-more imaginative younger generation and reading this book reminded me of the magic of innocence and how inventive and creative...more
Now, to the meat of things. Broken Shell Island was one heck of a ride. It's been a while since I've read something targeted to the often-more imaginative younger generation and reading this book reminded me of the magic of innocence and how inventive and creative...more
Well, I think this book and its author have potential, but I also think some guidance might be useful. The story kind of meanders a bit along some different lines, it seems, and one plot thread is the one that got picked to be "resolved" in the end in tying up the book. I just think it could have used a little bit more focus.
I wasn't a big fan of the style. It's kind of Alice-in-Wonderland-quirky-lite, but not always. Again, it just didn't seem really beautifully consistent.
I feel bad giving i...more
I wasn't a big fan of the style. It's kind of Alice-in-Wonderland-quirky-lite, but not always. Again, it just didn't seem really beautifully consistent.
I feel bad giving i...more
I was very tentative about this book at first. In the first couple chapters, it sounds like it will be just another teeny-bopper poor-me fantasy novel. After Opal got to the island, I was pleasantly surprised and found myself unwilling to put the book down. It has a very modern Narnia feel with a dash of Xanth, both of which I love. Opal and Peter were both very likable characters, and you got just enough of a hint of things to come to continue reading. The writing style has a very ageless feel,...more
This was an interesting story. Overall it was enjoyable, but I felt like it was underdeveloped. The story was complete, but there were several things said or mentioned in passing, as well as the background of the story hinted at in the beginning, that were not explained or developed further. Without those explanations, it left me wondering what I was missing. It seems to me that they either should have been explained or removed from the story. I don't know if there is a previous book that alread...more
4.5/5
There are some books that you know from the first chapter that you’re going to like the book. Broken Shell Island is one of those books for me. There was undeniable charm and wonderfulness present immediately. Moon doesn’t waste any time with background or setting up the story. Within pages we’re off with Opal on a whirlwind adventure.
To a certain extent it reminds me of The Magicians by Lev Grossman except way less dark. Even though the Broken Shell Island books by Flora Fitz aren’t real,...more
There are some books that you know from the first chapter that you’re going to like the book. Broken Shell Island is one of those books for me. There was undeniable charm and wonderfulness present immediately. Moon doesn’t waste any time with background or setting up the story. Within pages we’re off with Opal on a whirlwind adventure.
To a certain extent it reminds me of The Magicians by Lev Grossman except way less dark. Even though the Broken Shell Island books by Flora Fitz aren’t real,...more
Very, very YA. There are some YA books that you lose yourself in regardless, but this one was trying so hard on the "moral" issues surrounding writing for YA readers it really got in the way - awkwardly. (I got **really** tired of reading "chowder" for "sh*t" - give me a break.) Still the author has some genuinely imaginative parts to the story (most of them in the beginning of the book) and plot twists.
Wow, what a fun children's book. Reminded me of Roald Dahl in the way that everything was perfectly logical yet completely bonkers. Actiony and very funny and a lot of fun. Look out for the pixies tinkle treatment, a fat, ugly unicorn that craps rainbows and sparkle and remember rule 3: don't eat the goats!
Overall, I liked this book fairly well even though it clearly was a YA book. The protagonist, Opal, was easy to like and root for. However, there were many creatures, etc. that were introduced rather than a few that could have been more fully developed. It was a quick, easy, and mostly enjoyable read.
I spent most of the time I was reading it wondering when it would get better. Okay for a child's book, but not up to adult standards. The author seems very good, but I think I was not the intended audience.
This is a wonderful YA for those who enjoy wonder, excitement, and a go-getter heroine. This is perfect for younger readers, no worries about language or content.
What a wonderful book. The characters are so real and the feeling of the island makes me wish I could go there
Feb 17, 2013
Darlene
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Cheryl in cc nv, laura b, yvesong
Recommended to Darlene by:
Kindle freebie
Shelves:
adventure,
fantasy,
free,
kindle,
kindle-books-i-own,
lending-enabled,
magick,
paranormal,
text-to-speech-enabled,
witches,
young-adult,
boys,
girls
Dayla Moon has quite the imagination! I was blown away by this book. I have read other books by her but this one is more up my alley. I would guess that the audience for this book are for young teens. But this old lady had a lot of fun reading it. I think boys would have as much fun reading this as girl. The main character is a strong 15 year old girl who take on everyone, including a demon! But she isn't physical she is one smart cookie who takes the time to figure it out, even when the adults...more
I received an e-copy of this book through a LibraryThing member giveaway from the author, Dalya Moon. Thank you!
Magical. Enjoyable. This read was fun. It is a start of an adventure...can't wait to read more
Aug 31, 2012
Lise *friends don't flag*
marked it as to-read
Freebie today http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008U5MZU0/?...
May 23, 2013
Jckie
added it
I thought this book was very good and such a fantasy.
This book was a fun book to read. Magical,pixies,goats that talk. Just a cute book.
I really liked this book. The story swept me away to a magical place, with new friends and exciting adventures... My only regret was when I realized it was coming to an end. I will definitely be sharing this one with my kids.
Great storytelling. I look forward to future books set on the island.
Entertaining book! :)
Loved it!
Entertaining. Easy read.
A fun and whimsical young adult book.
Jun 18, 2013
Samantha Sorour
marked it as to-read
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Hello, and thanks for your interest!
For news, please see my web site at www.dalyamoon.com.
More about Dalya Moon...
For news, please see my web site at www.dalyamoon.com.
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