55th out of 135 books
—
146 voters
Rowan of the Wood (Rowan of the Wood #1)
by
Christine Rose (Goodreads Author),
Ethan Rose (Goodreads Author)
Rowan of the Wood is the story of Cullen, a 12-year old outcast who lives with an unbearable foster family in California. He travels through the redwood forest every day on his way to school, losing himself in books and the fantasy world of elves, fairies, and wizards. Cullen's life changes incredibly one day when he uncovers an ancient magic wand that is inhabited by a po...more
Paperback, 239 pages
Published
November 1st 2008
by Dalton Publishing
(first published October 30th 2008)
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203)
Lindsey
rated it
Recommends it for:
adult fiction/fantasy readers, young adults, Harry Potter fans, Twilight fans
Recommended to Lindsey by:
Christine Rose
This book is categorized as young adult, but I think it is just as, if not more, enjoyable for adults.
One of the most interesting things about the book is that it travels back and forth in time and through time.
I really enjoyed some of the commentary on religion and good/evil too.
Yes, some of the concept is a lot like Harry Potter's situation, but the story soon branches off into its own unique story line.
I feel as though I could be leaving a much better and more infor...more
One of the most interesting things about the book is that it travels back and forth in time and through time.
I really enjoyed some of the commentary on religion and good/evil too.
Yes, some of the concept is a lot like Harry Potter's situation, but the story soon branches off into its own unique story line.
I feel as though I could be leaving a much better and more infor...more
view all 5 comments
Reviewed by Marta Morrison for TeensReadToo.com
I really enjoyed reading ROWAN OF THE WOOD. It is the first in a series and I can't wait for the next one to come out.
It starts with two Celtic wizards, Rowan and Fiana, on their wedding day. They have been waiting for this day for many years. Once they are married their power will double. Just as they have been declared married, a band of Christian invaders attacks the ceremony. Fiana manages to escape to the otherworld but...more
I really enjoyed reading ROWAN OF THE WOOD. It is the first in a series and I can't wait for the next one to come out.
It starts with two Celtic wizards, Rowan and Fiana, on their wedding day. They have been waiting for this day for many years. Once they are married their power will double. Just as they have been declared married, a band of Christian invaders attacks the ceremony. Fiana manages to escape to the otherworld but...more
Very good for a first book. The story is very good and yes somewhat borrows from Harry Potter, in that a young boy gets involved with magic, (but not in a way you'd expect) & helps avert a crisis. The story contrasts Pagans & Christians in a very balanced way. At first you may think it is only "pro-Pagan", but as you read the authors really balance things thoughtfully & with great insight.
I did find a few places where the editing could have been tighter, you jump fr...more
I did find a few places where the editing could have been tighter, you jump fr...more
Very good book! I thought it was more directed towards junior high/ high school with some of the story line. It may be a bit to scary or intense for a young child. I can't wait for the books to follow assuming there will be some! Defiantly a good book if you like mystical books! Plus it was an easy and fast read!
I was sucked into Cullen, Rowan, and Fiana's varying worlds and couldn't stop reading until they all collided! This is an exciting novel by debut authors Christine & Ethan Rose...they've created characters that are strikingly vivid and a plot that draws the reader into a world much like our own, yet not our own. I can actually see Cullen walking through the majestic Redwood forest...Rowan and Fiana hand-in-hand among the standing stones in Caledonia...the many amusing cats scattered about Rai...more
An excellent young adult book which I would highly recommend for anyone, young or old...
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
See my blog for this review in full detail (links/images)
http://bookreviewsbyjess.blogspot.com/20...
Plot: 4
Setting: 4
Writing: 3
Originality: 5
Characters: 4
Passion: 5
Overall: 25/30 83% B
Cover/Title Bonus: 4
I received this book in PDF format from the author to read and review.
Summary (Website)
Release the magic.
Cullen meanders through the redwood forest each day on his way to school with a bo...more
http://bookreviewsbyjess.blogspot.com/20...
Plot: 4
Setting: 4
Writing: 3
Originality: 5
Characters: 4
Passion: 5
Overall: 25/30 83% B
Cover/Title Bonus: 4
I received this book in PDF format from the author to read and review.
Summary (Website)
Release the magic.
Cullen meanders through the redwood forest each day on his way to school with a bo...more
JoAnne Kenrick
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommended to JoAnne by:
My son, and all the amazing reviews from facebook/twitter friend
Shelves:
five-star-rating,
favorites
I totally enjoyed the tale of Rowan and his lost love. I adored Cullen, and his family reminded me of Roald Dahl's Matilda. It was wonderfully written -- I can see why my son favors it over Harry Potter. Mind you, he is a bit of a Druid at heart!
I'm so happy I waited until now to read it, because I won't have long to wait for the sequel :O)
I'm so happy I waited until now to read it, because I won't have long to wait for the sequel :O)
Rowan of the Wood is an enjoyable story about a young boy dealing with life as a foster child. He escapes his unloved life by reading fantasy stories, but one day he finds himself in a situation that is confusing and dangerous when all the elements of one of his stories finds him in real life.
Meanwhile, a second story is unfolding. A story of legends, myths, witches and vampires. We move through the centuries with another character, a woman who is desperate to find her lost love and ...more
Meanwhile, a second story is unfolding. A story of legends, myths, witches and vampires. We move through the centuries with another character, a woman who is desperate to find her lost love and ...more
The story starts off with Cullen, a put-upon 12-year-old who's an avid fantasy reader living in present-day northern California. Things shift to post-Roman Britain and Rowan, a druid who escapes an attack by raiders by disappearing into a wooden wand. Also along is Rowan's bride-to-be Fiana, two girls who are Cullen's only friends, and a teacher he has a crush on.
The plot takes off when Cullen finds the wand and begins to communicate with Rowan. At times Rowan even takes over Cullen'...more
The plot takes off when Cullen finds the wand and begins to communicate with Rowan. At times Rowan even takes over Cullen'...more
I was browsing through freebooks and I came across this one. The cover looks a bit lame, but the book is pretty good. It's a quick easy read, so if you're looking for something fun, you might want to check it out.
A fun, light read.
Great book for kids ages 13+
An interesting blend of druidic legends, vampirism, and modern times. Plus, the protagonist was easy to love and relate with.
I’d recommend it. :)
Great book for kids ages 13+
An interesting blend of druidic legends, vampirism, and modern times. Plus, the protagonist was easy to love and relate with.
I’d recommend it. :)
I thought this was a well-written book. I found the beginning pages a bit difficult to get into, because (for me) it dragged a bit, and took a while to really plunge into the heart of the story, although there did need to be some set up of the situation. Once I got past that first part and into the modern world, I thought it picked up a lot and the twists were interesting. I enjoyed the tie-in with the teacher, and you can tell that the writers are passionate about Celtic history.
I g...more
I g...more
I had high hopes for this book as I bought it for my 8 year old granddaughter. I decided to read it first as I loved the Harry Potter series. However, this book seems to borrow alot of ideas from the Harry Potter premise (victimized orphan) and also from the Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series (vampires). I found it to be better for kids 13 years or older. Some of the writing was well done but covering 1,000 years to bring the two main characters back together made it drag. After reading this ...more
I think this is a great book! Watch out Harry Potter! I can't wait for the next one.
For my second #writeconnect post, I read Rowan of the Wood, a YA Fantasy by Christine and Ethan Rose. Young Adult is totally out of the normal scope of reading for me, and even as a kid I was reaching for the bigger “grown-up” books on the shelves. However, I do love a good story, especially one that emphasizes the importance of discovery, good self-esteem, and the love of books, and Rowan just so happens to fit the bill.
Kindle edition only $0.99!
I try to approach each bo...more
Kindle edition only $0.99!
I try to approach each bo...more
Before Scotland, there was Caledonia. Rowan and Fiana are two powerful magicians whose impending love marriage will bring peace and happiness to their people. However, enemies interrupt the ceremony, forcing Rowan to hide inside his wand. Fiana swears to do anything to find Rowan…including using black magic.
Over a thousand years later, among the redwood forests of modern-day California, twelve-year-old foster child Cullen Knight stumbles across an odd-looking stick of wood. Life is h...more
Over a thousand years later, among the redwood forests of modern-day California, twelve-year-old foster child Cullen Knight stumbles across an odd-looking stick of wood. Life is h...more
Great new young adult fantasy series with a 12 year old protagonist. Cullen doesn't fit in anywhere with friends or family. One day his life changes when he finds an ancient wand and unintentionally releases an ancient Celtic wizard who ends up sharing his body and involving Cullen in the battle between black magic and his own world.
The theology seems a little shaky, but the settings and action scenes are good. The characterizations are more consistent than is sometimes found in collaborations and the plot is reasonably fantastic. I'm thinking this book--and the series it presages--is well-designed and written for the sub-teen (8-12) crowd.
This was a Kindle purchase I made only because it was cheap. Despite my motivation for purchasing "Rowan of the Wood," this was such a wonderful book. A great blending of celtic, vampire, and wiccan myths. Pretty much every character in this book was dynamic and likable. I've already bought the second book in the series.
A very well thought out, well written book. Loved the overall relationships betwixt the characters, Cullen, Maddy, April, Ms. MacFey, Rowan, Fiana, etc. A lot happening in this magical thrill ride. Would have liked to seen another Chapter at the end to conclude the story a little better though.
Just because people look innocent, sometimes they are not. In other words, don't always believe what you see. And everyone can change. But it was a really good book and I would recommend it for anyone who loves adventure tales.
Cullen Knight has not had an easy life. After losing his father and sister in a tragic accident, Cullen’s mother is mentally unable to care for him, so Cullen is sent to live with the Samuels. While outwardly the Samuels may seem to be a suitable foster family for the young boy, in reality they treat Cullen like a servant and are only interested in getting their hands on the inheritance that he is to come into at graduation...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & U...more
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & U...more
This book is very strange and a little boring at times. I read it with my mom and brother a couple years ago, and none of us were a big fan of it. It is a less well known book, and apparently part of a series.
I liked the historical aspect of this story and how it chronicled the characters over time, along with the myths and legends that have carried through the ages. The characters were well defined and their paths very clear. But, I was a little unsure about the sexual tone in the book with the adult characters when the central character is a 12 year old kid. Parts of the book seemed geared toward more of a young adult or adult audience.
Awesome read. My wife & I both loved the series (3 out of 5 are published).
A very quick read, but fun!
An enjoyable book. It has some POV issues and I would have preferred an ending that resolved more.
Great book for a first book by these people...and my copy is signed! I can't wait to see if there will be a second one as I felt that the characters where just beginning to be explored.
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Award-winning author of the Rowan of the Wood YA fantasy series. Helps emerging authors feel successful by educating them about the publishing industry and marketing their book. Needs copious amounts of dark chocolate, frothy mochas, and loving attention.
She writes the Rowan of the Wood fantasy series with her husband Ethan, and she has written a nonfiction book titled Publishing and M...more
More about Christine Rose...
She writes the Rowan of the Wood fantasy series with her husband Ethan, and she has written a nonfiction book titled Publishing and M...more
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