The Magic Warble

Jun 11, 2010 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-or-before-2009

The Magic Warble is a magical tale of featuring all sorts of fantastical creatures-- from gnomes to fairies and everything in between. This incredibly creative tale follows a young girl searching for her place in the world. Thanks to some challenging adventures and amazing new friends, she learns to accept herself for who she is. This is novel was a surprise for me. I am not sure exactly what I was expecting going into the novel, but I know that whatever it was, it was not what I got. Thanks to...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Carla rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-goodreads-reading-challenge, magic, fantasy, e-books

Before I start my review, I'd like to thank the author, Victoria Simcox, for this opportunity. This is the first time I'm reading a book that didn't come from a bookshop. It's weird.
The Magic Warble is a fantasy story aimed for a middle-grade public. It has every ingredient to be a good fantasy story: gnomes, fairies, animals that talk and, specially, a good adventure.
I hadn't read a fantasy book in a while, so it felt good to read this one. It's an easy and pleasent read. The characters are str...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found this book a fun fantasy quest. Kristina, a quiet girl often bullied in her own world must step forward in order to save the land of Bernovem from the wicked Queen Sentiz. Luckily she doesn't have to do it alone. With the help of the true Prince of Bernovem, Werrien, and others she meets along the way, she must face the wicked queen and return the Magic Warble to its proper place. She will face many challenges along the way, storms, mountains, and the evil queen herself, but perhaps most...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Heidi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars: A fun, magical adventure for middle grade readers.

Kristina is dreading the last day of school before Christmas break. She tries to hide under her soft pillow and burrow deeper into her blankets, but alas her efforts fail and she is now running late. Grabbing her pet rat, Raymond, she makes a mad dash to the bus. At last, she has survived another day at school. Unfortunately for Christina, school is not always pleasant. She is often picked on, but thankfully she has Raymon...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Lucinda rated it 4 of 5 stars

This children’s/ YA book is a story that will not fail to find a special place within its reader’s heart, hence being something that I would highly recommend as being one of the most captivating and beautiful stories that I have read within its genre. This tale is one that was utterly spellbinding and which caught my imagination with its magical originality that was totally inspired. It is character-driven and full of exciting twists and turns, within a most intriguing plot that will leave you c...more This children’s/ YA book is a story that will not fail to find a special place within its reader’s heart, hence being something that I would highly recommend as being one of the most captivating and beautiful stories that I have read within its genre. This tale is one that was utterly spellbinding and which caught my imagination with its magical originality that was totally inspired. It is character-driven and full of exciting twists and turns, within a most intriguing plot that will leave you completely breathless and wanting to read more. I fell in love with the main character of Kristina who was not just a heroine but also a young girl whom I was able to identify with (comparable to myself at that age) and empathize with, being so realistic with expressed feelings and emotions that the author included to bring the character to life. The ‘twist’ in the tale was certainly unexpected when a young schoolgirl in a modern-day setting has her world turned upside down, being transported to the magical and enchanting world of Bernovem where animals talk, ravens and faries fill the skies and the most revolting looking & smelling creatures are your enemies. The reader is instantly taken on the most thrilling, heart-pounding adventure which surrounds a fascinating object called ‘the magic warble’, that constantly amazes and delights. The story contained many similarities I felt to the author C.S Lewis and his creation of ‘Narnia’ where four ordinary school children are transported to a new world and encounter strange creatures, mystery, magic and danger. They are sent on an adventure of a lifetime that involves a wicked Queen. The characters of Kristina, Davina, Hester and Graham were similar in some ways to Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan, and what I found to be most ironic was when one of the four tried to follow the evil Queen. But however one looks at these comparisons Victoria Simcox’s work is still very original and unique, being totally different in its design and execution of a contrasting story to those stories by C.S Lewis. The details within it which are creative and imaginative really help to bring the tale to life and make it stand out within your mind, certainly as something that I have not encountered before hence making me grip the edge of my seat in suspense. I loved all the characters and the authenticity and realism that flowed through the pages, bringing this new creation vividly to existence. The sequel to ‘the magic warble’ (the black shard) is something that I cannot wait to read, and also I am fascinated to read more about the relationship between the characters of Kristina and Werren, that I found gave this story such substance and depth of feeling. This is a truly beautiful story that is exciting, enjoyable, highly readable (for all ages) and imaginative, therefore I cannot recommend it and enthuse about it enough. (less)

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Jun 20, 2012 Luna rated it 3 of 5 stars

From http://www.looneylunaravenreviews.blo...:

The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox is a juvey fiction novel geared towards children ages 9-13. After having read it, I would personally shift the age category a tad to exclude thirteen-year-olds and include eight-year-olds. While the book holds its charms I believe that it is a little too simplistic for someone entering their teens and more appropriate for a kid in their first years of middleschool. I don’t mean for this to sound like a snub but rat...more From http://www.looneylunaravenreviews.blo...:

The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox is a juvey fiction novel geared towards children ages 9-13. After having read it, I would personally shift the age category a tad to exclude thirteen-year-olds and include eight-year-olds. While the book holds its charms I believe that it is a little too simplistic for someone entering their teens and more appropriate for a kid in their first years of middleschool. I don’t mean for this to sound like a snub but rather insight gathered from children I know and the books they’re most inclined to read. Now, let me amaze you with my awesome summarizing abilities(because three years of college has to have taught me something…right?). The Magic Warble chronicles the journey of twelve-year old Kristina—a shy, intelligent girl who is often the brunt of jokes and ridicule. Upon receiving a very unusual Christmas gift, Kristina is hurled into the land of Bernovem. All at once, Kristina is charged with using her gift—knowm as the Magic Warble—to restore peace to an ailing land and she enters into a long journey of intrigue, whimsy, and danger.
The Magic Warble is a cute book, though I did find myself constantly nitpicking technical issues. One of the first oddities I came across was the way that the dialogue is written. Kristina’s words go from being very sophisticated—perhaps too sophisticated for a girl of her age—to very age appropriate. Now, while preteen girls with great manners and decent vocabularies are far and few between, I wouldn’t have been opposed to Kristina’s sophisticated dialogue and well-groomed manners if they had been at least partially explained. For instance, I was a very loquacious little girl. One of my favorite past-times was to read whatever dictionary happened to be lying around and to underline pretty words to be used in conversation. I liked to scour thesauruses and bedazzle my speech with what I felt were grown-up sounding words in order to project an air of maturity. I was born eccentric, so my speech habits—while unusual—made sense to those who knew me. Readers get to know very little of Kristina before her journey begins and I wish that Simcox would have given us a better sense of why she speaks so articulately for a girl her age(perhaps by establishing that like me she loved to speak as though she were much older). Now, I do have to keep in mind that this is a juvy fiction book. For those unfamiliar with the differences between juvy fiction and young adult fiction I would ask that you indulge my inner know-it-all and allow me to give a brief explanation(if you want to skip my little tangent feel free to do so. I promise I won’t be too offended). Juvy fiction is simply an age category that means that people of certain ages will be most drawn to these books because a) the protagonists are usually of a similar age to the readers and b) the story is written in a way that is easy enough for that age group to understand but complicated enough to hold their interests. In the case of juvy fiction, the ages targeted are usually 8-12. Naturally, some books target the upper or lower range of this age group(for example, some books are more appropriate for a kid of 12 than a kid of 8). Young Adult fiction usually targets readers ages 12-19. A brief perusal of this blog will reveal that I mostly review classics or young adult fiction(specifically science fiction and fantasy). As a reviewer, I have to be cognizant of the fact that I can’t judge a book geared towards a seventeen-year old in the same way as a book geared towards a ten-year old. I had to continuously remind myself while reading The Magic Warble of this fact. For instance, the pacing in this book is perfectly appropriate for a middle schooler but would be a big no-no in a book for a highschooler. But I digress.
Aside from Kristina’s strange speech habits I ran across a few sentence structure issues(which I only feel the need to mention because I believe that a middle-schooler might notice them as well), the biggest of which was the need for comma splicing. I love commas. Who doesn’t love a good comma? When I first learned how to properly(or what I thought was properly) use commas I felt the need to use one every other sentence. Commas were like condiments for me; they were my pepper and my salt. However, as anyone who has ever taken a creative writing class will tell you, sometimes enough is enough. As a general rule commas are used to separate thoughts contained within a sentence. They are used to indicate a pause or an aside and are wonderful tools when used correctly. There are several instances in The Magic Warble where the use of commas are not only incorrect but also create a very choppy effect. For example:

“The pile of laundry had been replaced by a pile of leaves, and instead of the basement floor, it seemed to be grass beneath her.”

Read this setnence aloud, making sure to take a breath whenever a comma appears. It isn’t very coherent, is it? Aside from the improper placement of commas, the latter half of the sentence doesn’t make a lot of sense. This entire sentence can be re-written by simply changing the placement of a comma and reworking some muddled wording and be all the better for it. Observe:

“The pile of laundry had been replaced by a pile of leaves and, instead of the basement floor, there was grass beneath her.”

It isn’t the best sentence in the world but it makes more sense written this way than it did previously. Yes, I know I sound like a highschool grammar teacher. No, I’m not trying to claim that I’m some sort of super-awesome-special-spifftastic writer. Little snafus like this happen to every writer no matter their skill. However, the aforementioned example is not an isolated occurrence. There are dozens of sentences that feature either ill-placed commas or irrelevant commas and I believe that it is important that Simcox be made aware of these snafus so that she can be mindful of not making the same mistakes in the future. One final nitpick I has is the repetition of two words: suddenly and then. The fact that the narrative is fast-paced doesn’t bother me because it’s perfectly appropriate for this genre(juvy fiction fantasy). Younger children tend to have short attention spends—ESPECIALLY where reading is concerned—so the pacing of books aimed at them has to be quick enough to keep their interests. What I did have a problem with was the way that sudden occurrences or plot progressions were introduced. Almost every event is prefaced with a “suddenly” or “then”. I’m sure that Simcox did not realize just how often she uses these words but they are none the less used a lot and quickly become repetitious. By the time I was halfway through the book I literally cringed every time “suddenly” popped into a sentence.
All nitpickery aside, this is a cute book. I like the story and the characters as well as imaginative little details such as the Magic Warble itself and entirely made-up creatures like the zelbocks. I loved how the stereotypical bully characters were not just used and ditched but rather incorporated into the adventure. I think the fact that Kristina has a pet rat instead of something much more girly and feminine is awesome. The illustrations throughout the story were very pleasant and they reminded me of the illustrations in The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. Most of us older kids will be able to appreciate the charm of this book, even if we nitpick it to death, but I would recommend this story be read by a younger audience. It would be a nice gift for a niece or nephew(as the story boasts a female and a male lead) or a good book for a teacher to read to a young class. My advice to anyone who reads this book is to just take it for what it is: a cute story aimed at children. I might have poked and prodded it quite a bit during my review, but eventually I did manage to comfortably ignore certain technical issues and just enjoy adventuring through Bernovem with Kristina. So if you’re looking for something to read to your kid or a gift for a child’s birthday you should give The Magic Warble a try.

Rating: 3/5

　
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Apr 12, 2012 Fran Wagner rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received the book several weeks ago. It's been difficult for me to find time to read, but even more difficult to put down the book once I've started reading!

Now, I'm not usually a fan of fantasy, fiction or magic; but the book is not only easy to read, it keeps you so interested you don't even realize how fast time passes.

The story of a young girl who is often overlooked and laughed at in school, becomes the story of a young girl who holds the one thing that will save the land of Bernovem, The...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 4 of 5 stars

A beautiful middle grade fantasy that will touch your heart. Kristina is twelve and doesn't feel very confident. She has very few friends, and feels picked on by the kids at school and her babysitter. So when the day school lets out for Christmas break, when her teacher gives her a present, she is touched. However, to her dismay, she can't get the box open and tosses it under her bed in disgust.

Later in the night, a buzzing noise wakes up Kristina and she realizes it comes from the box under her...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Mckenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kristina Kingsly, a twelve-year-old girl who receives a mysterious gift from her teacher before Christmas break, is awoken one night by a buzzing noise coming from somewhere in her bedroom. The gift she was given by her teacher, Miss Hensley, came in some sort of hatbox, and she had carelessly tossed it under her bed the day before when she couldn’t open it. But now, as the buzzing seems to be growing louder… and seems to be coming from underneath her bed… Kristina pulls out the box and opens it...more Kristina Kingsly, a twelve-year-old girl who receives a mysterious gift from her teacher before Christmas break, is awoken one night by a buzzing noise coming from somewhere in her bedroom. The gift she was given by her teacher, Miss Hensley, came in some sort of hatbox, and she had carelessly tossed it under her bed the day before when she couldn’t open it. But now, as the buzzing seems to be growing louder… and seems to be coming from underneath her bed… Kristina pulls out the box and opens it, only to find a tiny, silvery, tarnished ball. What kind of gift is that? Just as she is about to go back to sleep, she suddenly finds herself in a different place! Not like one of those times when you close your eyes and feel like you’re somewhere else… she literally appeared in a beautiful garden in a pile of leaves. Afterwards, she learns she is the “Chosen One,” brought to this land, Bernovem, to place the little tarnished ball… or the Magic Warble… in its resting place.

Currently, Bernovem is ruled by the tyrant Queen Sentiz. She knows Kristina is attempting to place the Magic Warble in its resting place and is bound and determined to kill Kristina and Werrien (the boy who is helping Kristina on her mission), take the Magic Warble, and destroy it, also destroying the only chance Bernovem has of being saved.

While this book was very exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat, it also really touched my heart, especially when dealing with certain matters near the end; however, I can’t say any more without giving away too much. I’ll be honest, I cried near the end, and I agree with my mom - she says, “You know you’ve read a great book when it brings out that kind of emotion in you.”

This book is absolutely wonderful - 5 stars! Victoria Simcox is incredibly talented. I enjoyed her writing thoroughly and adored all the characters! Fairies, gnomes, dwarfs, AND talking animals? I’m hooked! The cover also intrigued me… what a beautiful book! A spectacular read by a spectacular author, The Magic Warble is a new favorite of mine! I will most definitely be reading the sequel, The Black Shard, as soon as possible!

My review can also be found at: A Belle's Tales (less)

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Dec 03, 2011 Toni rated it 5 of 5 stars

We are big book readers in this house and love all kinds of stories especially ones that we can relate to or that interest us. So When I was approached by Victoria Simcox the author of The Magic Warble . It is a great chapter book about fairies, gnomes, dwarfs and evil queens but also about a real life girl going through some stressful times at school. My oldest who is 11 couldnt wait to get a hold of the book and begin reading it. It took her a couple weeks with school and everything but she wa...more

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Apr 14, 2011 Tomi rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read The Magic Warble and as a mom, I loved it. The writing style is unoffensive - a quality few fantasy novels can boast - yet still offers a bit of excitement and intrigue. From the perspective of a book lover, The Magic Warble is wonderfully written and the illustrations, albeit few, are beautifully done. However, the true test was would it hold the interest of its intended audience (upper elementary / middle school) so I called in reinforcements for that. Thank goodness for Los Tres Amigos...more

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Aug 11, 2010 Karen rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The Magic Warble was a quick read that would be good for kids around 3rd grade. It has a good story, particularly the middle portion that is more original. Some good relationships are established between Kristina, the main character, and her rat (Raymond) and new friend (Werrien). I also liked the character of Roage, the raven. I found the part when Rumalock betrayed them to be a good surprise – I hadn’t expected that. All that aside, there were many flaws with the book. I’ll start with the slop...more The Magic Warble was a quick read that would be good for kids around 3rd grade. It has a good story, particularly the middle portion that is more original. Some good relationships are established between Kristina, the main character, and her rat (Raymond) and new friend (Werrien). I also liked the character of Roage, the raven. I found the part when Rumalock betrayed them to be a good surprise – I hadn’t expected that. All that aside, there were many flaws with the book. I’ll start with the sloppy editing and layout – terrible! There were many mistakes in the book – incorrect words (like “new” instead of “knew”), incorrect punctuation, oddly phrased sentences, and pages that have big empty spaces at the bottom that look like chapter endings but are not. Makes me wonder about Two Harbors Publishing – they did a lousy job! I also found the writing to be terribly simplistic. Sentences were not crafted well and often the same first word was used for most of the sentences in a paragraph. Very repetitive. Words used were often archaic and stilted, not realistic for how kids talk (Example: Kristina wondering, “Might all I experienced have been only a wild dream?” – she’s 12 and lives in America today!!). There are way too many Narnia similarities: how Kristina went into another land and met a creature who she had tea with, the evil queen who tempted the kids with treats, when the curse broke the snow all melted and flowers bloomed, Graham was tempted by the idea of power just as Edmund was. When Ramon asked for Kristina as his bride, well, I thought that was just ridiculous. There was no reason, at all, that this would happen!! Lastly, a plot point that doesn’t add up. When they go to place the Magic Warble in its goblet, Kristina remembers Rumalock saying “Whoever has touched the Magic Warble, or even the case it was stored in, will be brought here.” So, why didn’t Miss Hensley appear there too?? She’s the one who handed the hatbox with the Warble in it to Kristina in the first place. I see a lot of potential in the story, but think it would have benefited from more revising and editing before publication. (less)

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Mar 04, 2010 Molly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young readers

Recommended to Molly by: Victoria Simcox

Shelves: book-review

When I was first contacted by the author to review this book, I was, honestly, not sure how I would like this book. But I believe every author deserves a fair chance at having their book reviewed and the word spread about good books, so I happily agreed to review it for her. I amglad that I did!

This book is a wonderful and exciting new book for young readers. It is filled with entertaining fantasy and wonderful, dear characters that is sure to capture the young reader's heart. Kristina was such...more

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Dec 12, 2009 Lori rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Magic Warble is marketed for ages 9-12, or for young adults, but book lovers of any age can appreciate this tale of adventure and dreamy fantasy.

Author Victoria Simcox creates a wonderful character in Kristina, a girl that other children (and even adults) can easily relate to. I was happy to have a heroine that wasn't the most popular and acted age appropriate. Don't worry that having a female lead character will put off any male readers - - my 13 year old son read this book and thoroughly...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Becca rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had never heard of Victoria Simcox or any of her books until I won one of her books. I dove right into reading it and she is allowing me now to do my review and have a giveaway attached. She is offering 3 e-copies of the book, so make sure you get your entries in.
I immediately fell in love with Kristina’s character because I was that awkward girl when I was twelve. She doesn’t seem to fit in with anyone her age and has formed a bond with her teacher. Her only real friend and confident is her p...more I had never heard of Victoria Simcox or any of her books until I won one of her books. I dove right into reading it and she is allowing me now to do my review and have a giveaway attached. She is offering 3 e-copies of the book, so make sure you get your entries in.
I immediately fell in love with Kristina’s character because I was that awkward girl when I was twelve. She doesn’t seem to fit in with anyone her age and has formed a bond with her teacher. Her only real friend and confident is her pet rat, Raymond. This book has a great fantasy feel and is great for kids that are younger in age. Being 24, I also found myself engrossed in the story and trials and tribulations that it would take to get the magic warble to her destination in order to save Bernovem from Queen Sentiz. The Queen makes a great young readers villian. Anyone that came in contact with the warble is also transported to Bernovem, and even though they are not the nicest to Kristina in their world, you find yourself also rooting for them against the Queen and the zelbocks.
Every girl that feels like she doesn’t fit in wants that satisfaction that she does indeed have a purpose. Kristina happened to find hers in a world that was nothing like her own. There is also a love twist when Kristina meets Prince Werrien. It is that type of puppy love and infatuation that leaves you saying “Awwww.” You remember back when you had that first sense of wanting a member of the opposite sex to like you just for who you were.
The land of Bernovem has gnomes, dwarfs, and fairies. I remember loving the Chronicles of Narnia when I was younger, and this is just like that for this generation of children. It has all the magic and fantasy a younger person would want. You become so engrossed in the story line and wanting the heroes to reach their destination that before you know it, the book is over, and you are wanting more!
I will definitely be starting in on the second book today, The Black Shard. Be on the lookout for that review very soon.

Enter on my page to win!
http://manicmamaof2.wordpress.com/201...
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Dec 10, 2009 Gaby rated it 3 of 5 stars

In The Magic Warble, Victoria Simcox creates a rich fantasy world full of magical creatures and villains. Bernovem has an elaborate magical world. I enjoyed the book but felt the book would have been stronger if there were more details about the nature of the quest facing "the Chosen One" (Kristina) and Prince Werrien at the start of the novel. Simcox makes clear that the Magic Warble has the power to restore the balance in Bernovem and that the land has suffered the loss of magic, but the steps...more

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Dec 01, 2009 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Magic Warble is a magnificent tale of gnomes, magic, evil queens and the power of strength from within. When I began reading The Magic Warble, I was reminded of The Questory of Root Karbunkulus by Kamilla Reed, a story which I loved. However, as I got further into The Magic Warble, thoughts ran toward The Chronicles of Narnia and The Wizard of Oz. Whether that seems an odd combination or not, those are the reflections that came to mind; which is not to say that The Magic Warble did not have...more The Magic Warble is a magnificent tale of gnomes, magic, evil queens and the power of strength from within. When I began reading The Magic Warble, I was reminded of The Questory of Root Karbunkulus by Kamilla Reed, a story which I loved. However, as I got further into The Magic Warble, thoughts ran toward The Chronicles of Narnia and The Wizard of Oz. Whether that seems an odd combination or not, those are the reflections that came to mind; which is not to say that The Magic Warble did not have it's own uniqueness, quite the opposite.

Within the opening pages, the reader gets to know young Kristina. A twelve-year-old girl who many can relate to in terms that she is not overly popular and seems to attract a few bullies - namely Graham, Hester and Davina. On the final day of school, before Christmas break, Kristina's teacher bestows upon her a hat box containing something very special. It is not until a middle-of-the-night trip down a laundry chute and finding herself in a land called Bernovem, that Kristina finds out just how special.

Kristina quickly finds out that she is deemed the "chosen one" and has been brought to Bernovem to replace the Magic Warble to it's rightful place, thus returning peace and freedom to the land. Along the way, she meets Prince Werrien, a young teenage boy and two helpful fairies named Clover and Looper. Oh yeah, did I mention that in Bernvem, talking animals are commonplace! This fact lends a delightful twist to the story and when Kristina's pet rat, Raymond, finds himself alongside his owner, Kristina, she will never look at her little friend quite the same again.

The Magic Warble is full of fantasy, adventure, friendship and believing in oneself. This is a delightful tale sure to absorb young and old alike. The characters are wonderful and readers are sure to cheer Kristina on from beginning to end; not to mention when the bullies get a bit of their own medicine. Travel along with Kristina as she encounters dangers, close encounters with the evil queen's zelbocks, meets and befriends gnomes, fairies, dwarfs, talking animals and so much more. The Magic Warble is an absorbing and quick read. Once I started, I did not want to stop and managed to read the entire book within three settings - quite a feat for me. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy, or just a lovely and engrossing escape from everyday life.
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May 06, 2012 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a marvellous idea for a story and although it is listed as a middle-grade read for children aged 9-13 I still enjoyed it. If you have an interest in magical fantasy stories then this is one for you no matter what age you are.

Kristina is a girl who doesn’t quite fit in, throw in a mysterious hatbox and a fun laundry chute ride, and she is suddenly thrust into a position of being a hugely important person to many in a whole new world. This strange new world is filled with fantasy creatures...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Lizzy Lessard rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, mg

A few things surprised me about The Magic Warble. For one, the characters have incredible depth for a MG novel. Each character has his/her own desires and I was caught off guard a few times by friends becoming enemies and vice versa. I thought that this would be about a girl bullied and victimized escaping into a dream world, but its not. Although Kristina is bullied, she’s pretty strong-willed and indifferent. To her, these bullies are more of an inconvenience than anything else. The adults als...more A few things surprised me about The Magic Warble. For one, the characters have incredible depth for a MG novel. Each character has his/her own desires and I was caught off guard a few times by friends becoming enemies and vice versa. I thought that this would be about a girl bullied and victimized escaping into a dream world, but its not. Although Kristina is bullied, she’s pretty strong-willed and indifferent. To her, these bullies are more of an inconvenience than anything else. The adults also aren’t placeholders; each one has a role in the book. Kristina’s teacher gives her the warble. Kristina’s mother introduces up and the warble to Davina. And the adults in Bernovem, well, they have their own special parts.

One thing that did strike me as extreme was the abuse people/creatures suffered under Queen Sentiz’s rein. Although it didn’t bother me, I think some parents might have a hard time explaining the use of whips and other devices. It’s no more violent than then Narnia series, but unusual for MG books released recently.

The first thing that drew me into loving The Magic Warble was the illustrations within the book. I gifted a paperback copy to my mother, a middle school teacher, and she absolutely adored them. Here’s an example borrowed from the author’s blog:

The Magic Warble – Clover and Looper eating cake
It also needs to be mentioned that not only is Kristina transported to Bernovem, but so are all the bullies that tried to steal it from her that day. Hester, Graham, and Davina are rotten children who are constantly bickering amongst themselves. Its kind of nice to have the not-so-nice kids NOT being the evil one.

I also found it refreshing that when Kristina met the good prince, her assumed love interest, she disliked him immensely. And the dislike towards Clover, the fairy, was mutual. In fact, during most of the book there was drama between the various characters. As I said before, I was completely surprised at some of the back-stabbing. Nothing played out as I expected.

I didn’t hit my first disappointment until near the end of the book, when some of the characters hadn’t evolved quite as much as I’d hope and I didn’t understand why Kristina stalled her mission for the well-being of certain people. And in the end there were some loose ends that I hope the sequel clears up. Overall, it was a pleasant read. So much that I gave a copy to my mother to share with her students. So, five stars.(less)

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Mar 15, 2012 Michele(mluker) Luker rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Magic Warble is a middle grade story that takes Kristina on an adventure that she will never forget.

Kristina is not a very popular girl in school. She is picked on and bullied, but seems to have a decent outlook on life. She has a special bond with her teacher. As she is leaving the class before Christmas break, her teacher holds her back and gives her a gift. Little does Kristina know, this gift will take her on a journey that will change her forever.

The Magic Warble takes Kristina to the l...more

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Dec 27, 2011 Mackenzie (Oh, For the Love of Books!) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Original review: http://www.yainfatuation.blogspot.com...

Dwarves, Faeries, talking animals, an evil queen and a handsome prince? What more could you want? All of this adds up to a delightful MG fantasy.

I was asked to read/review this by the author and I must say I really enjoyed it! While it is most certainly a MG book (the writing style was geared toward the younger group), I was very glad that I read it. A young girl, Kristina, is a given the Magic Warble by her teacher which takes her to the...more Original review: http://www.yainfatuation.blogspot.com...

Dwarves, Faeries, talking animals, an evil queen and a handsome prince? What more could you want? All of this adds up to a delightful MG fantasy.

I was asked to read/review this by the author and I must say I really enjoyed it! While it is most certainly a MG book (the writing style was geared toward the younger group), I was very glad that I read it. A young girl, Kristina, is a given the Magic Warble by her teacher which takes her to the magical world of Bernovem. She must return the Magic Warble to its resting place in order to free this new world from its curse. Kristina is thrust into an adventure and on this journey she must learn bravery and trust. But never fear! Along the way, she makes many friends who help her on her quest.

Kristina is a outcast in her world with pretty much no friends. On her adventure, however, she meets many who become her true friends. Kristina really grows throughout this book, going from an average girl, to a girl fighting off monsters and an evil queen. She becomes one tough cookie and I absolutely loved it! Prince Werrien may not have been exactly kind to Kristina at first, but he soon becomes her best friend that would do anything for her. I really look forward to seeing their relationship blossom in the next book. All of the secondary characters really added to this book. They all helped (or hindered) Kristina on her journey and I hope to see them again.

The plot was really intriguing. For a light book, there is still plenty of action! Not to mention a few twists and turns that keep you guessing!

To be honest, this book gave off a Narnia vibe and that’s a good thing! While this has the basic aspects of a fairy tale, it is still unique in its own way. This book has fantasy and adventure, and I think that people of all ages will truly enjoy this. For the younger readers, this is an epic fantasy that takes them to a new world and gives them relatable characters. For the older audience, although it is clearly for MG readers, I still think you will enjoy this. It is a nice read for a rainy day, if you want a light fantasy read. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to others.

Thank you Mrs. Simcox for allowing me to read and review your book!(less)

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Dec 05, 2011 Atticgirl rated it 5 of 5 stars

My son and I originally had planned to read this together as a nightly read-aloud. However, he started reading this and couldn't put it down! He finished this book before I could get past the first chapter. It is recommended for tweens ages 9-13.

Here is my 11 year old's review:

This book is really awesome! There is some humor on almost every page. The characters are definitely likeable. The final battle was very intense. It reminded me of the Warriors series from Erin Hunter and the Dragon Chron...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Susan (The Book Bag) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012

I entered a giveaway on one of those MG blogs that was giving away a copy of The Magic Warble. It sounded kind of interesting and yes, the cover got to me. I entered the giveaway and won it! The author then asked if I would post a review after I read it. Like I said, the story sounded interesting to me but would I be satisfied, as a reader, reading a book for ages 9 and up?

I am now done with the book and let me tell you, this story is amazing! It is very well written with great characters and a...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Rosemarie Herbert rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.

I'll start by saying this novel is a little out of my usual reading tastes. For me, this was a children's book - listed as a 'middle-grade' read, ages 9-13. If the chapters were short and more episodic, it could have been suitable for those 3-9 year olds that have a good attention span for listening to things being read aloud.

It reminded me of En...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Beverly McClure rated it 4 of 5 stars

Take a girl, a present from her teacher, and a pet rat, add dwarfs and fairies, a wicked queen and a prince, a ball called the Magic Warble and a Book of Prophecy, mix together and you have a story of adventure that will keep you wondering what will happen next.

In Author Victoria Simcox’s fantasy novel THE MAGIC WARBLE, for MG readers, twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly’s teacher gives Kristina a present that changes her life forever. A tarnished silver ball called The Magic Warble is inside the p...more

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Dec 09, 2009 William Bentrim rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 4th, 5th and 6th graders

The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox

A social misfit finds her self in another world where she can save a kingdom and make new friends. Kristina Kingsley is a girl who doesn’t quite fit in. Her best friend is her pet rat, Raymond. Through magic she finds herself in Bernovem, a kingdom under the sway of an evil Queen. Her adventures there comprise the story.

All kids, at some point, feel like they don’t belong. This book will appeal to anyone who has felt like they may be slightly out of step with...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Bridget rated it 5 of 5 stars

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Kristina considers herself to be an outcast at school. She's at the awkward age of twelve and she has no idea how to get her peers to look at her as a human being. When Christmastime comes, Kristina receives the gift of a lifetime. She travels to a magical land that includes fairies, dwarfs and talking animals.

It is Kristina's destiny to save this magical land from an evil queen. In order to do this, she must put the "Magic Warble" in its rightful p...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Chelesbells rated it 5 of 5 stars

As the mother of a 12-year-old daughter who loves to read, it can be quite difficult to find appropriate reading material for her. I can’t allow my “tween” to read all of the YA books that she would love to, due to content that is still too mature. So, I was thrilled when Victoria Simcox contacted me about reading and reviewing her book, The Magic Warble, a beautiful fantasy book geared toward middle-graders. I applaud Ms. Simcox for writing a book that contains no profanity, violence, or other...more As the mother of a 12-year-old daughter who loves to read, it can be quite difficult to find appropriate reading material for her. I can’t allow my “tween” to read all of the YA books that she would love to, due to content that is still too mature. So, I was thrilled when Victoria Simcox contacted me about reading and reviewing her book, The Magic Warble, a beautiful fantasy book geared toward middle-graders. I applaud Ms. Simcox for writing a book that contains no profanity, violence, or other inappropriate content. What it does contain is an enchanting story with positive messages and positive role models. This is a wonderful, wholesome book that is also exciting and fun for kids of all ages. My daughter says she would also have enjoyed it before she became a middle grader, so I believe it is quite appropriate for elementary age. Since I haven’t been a middle grader for, *clears throat* um, quite some time, who better to finish the review on this awesome book than my very own and most favorite middle-grader in the world? Here is what she thought about The Magic Warble:

Kristina Kingsly, a twelve-year-old girl who receives a mysterious gift from her teacher before Christmas break, is awoken one night by a buzzing noise coming from somewhere in her bedroom. The gift she was given by her teacher, Miss Hensley, came in some sort of hatbox, and she had carelessly tossed it under her bed the day before when she couldn’t open it. But now, as the buzzing seems to be growing louder… and seems to be coming from underneath her bed… Kristina pulls out the box and opens it, only to find a tiny, silvery, tarnished ball. What kind of gift is that? Just as she is about to go back to sleep, she suddenly finds herself in a different place! Not like one of those times when you close your eyes and feel like you’re somewhere else… she literally appeared in a beautiful garden in a pile of leaves. Afterwards, she learns she is the “Chosen One,” brought to this land, Bernovem, to place the little tarnished ball… or the Magic Warble… in its resting place.

Currently, Bernovem is ruled by the tyrant Queen Sentiz. She knows Kristina is attempting to place the Magic Warble in its resting place and is bound and determined to kill Kristina and Werrien (the boy who is helping Kristina on her mission), take the Magic Warble, and destroy it, also destroying the only chance Bernovem has of being saved.

While this book was very exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat, it also really touched my heart, especially when dealing with certain matters near the end; however, I can’t say any more without giving away too much. I’ll be honest, I cried near the end, and I agree with my mom - she says, “You know you’ve read a great book when it brings out that kind of emotion in you.”

This book is absolutely wonderful - 5 stars! Victoria Simcox is incredibly talented. I enjoyed her writing thoroughly and adored all the characters! Fairies, gnomes, dwarfs, AND talking animals? I’m hooked! The cover also intrigued me… what a beautiful book! A spectacular read by a spectacular author, The Magic Warble is a new favorite of mine! I will most definitely be reading the sequel, The Black Shard, as soon as possible!

Review originally posted at: A Belle's Tales

A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of her book.(less)

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Apr 26, 2010 Mamasnow rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I would compare it to some of the classics such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Spiderwick Chronicles and The Bridge to Terabithia. There were so many unique characters whom helped make the story interesting and fun. The characters were all very believable and I could tell the author put much thought into who they were.

I felt the story kept my interest the entire book. The story is filled with suspense and even some surprises along the way. In all honesty, I would love...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Patricia Kemp Blackmon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-books, author-s-request-review

Kristina Kingsly is twelve years old and she dreads going to school. From the time she steps on the school bus, until school is over and the bus she just stepped off of drives away she is teased and bullied. Although the kind bus driver does come to her rescue when things start to get out of hand. Her teacher also stands up for her when the kids in her class start to tease her about being the teacher's pet. Especially since they spied on her and the teacher after class when the teacher gave her...more Kristina Kingsly is twelve years old and she dreads going to school. From the time she steps on the school bus, until school is over and the bus she just stepped off of drives away she is teased and bullied. Although the kind bus driver does come to her rescue when things start to get out of hand. Her teacher also stands up for her when the kids in her class start to tease her about being the teacher's pet. Especially since they spied on her and the teacher after class when the teacher gave her a Christmas gift before she headed off for the Christmas holiday's. This made the kids jealous and they teased and taunted her by grabbing her gift box while on the bus. Thankfully the bus driver pulled the bus over and demanded the box be given back.

When Kristina got home and in her room she tried to open the box but the lid would not budge so she gave up and shoved it under her bed.

When she went to bed that night she was awakened by a humming noise like a bug but she couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from. She finally figured out it was coming from under her bed. The gift box was humming! She grabbed the box and tossed it across the room and the lid flew off and the sound got even louder. She looked inside the box and there was a tarnished looking ball the approximate size of a golf ball and as she held it in her hand it got scorching hot and she drop the ball. It bounced and rolled into the laundry chute. When she leaned in to try and grab the ball she lost her balance and fell down the chute but when she got to the bottom of the chute there was not laundry she was outdoors in a strange place and she covered with leaves. Then there with this strange looking little man striking a match to set the leaves on fire. She screamed for him to stop. Of course he demanded to know who she was and why was she in his pile of leaves. She told him about the tarnished ball and that her name was Kristina Kingsly. When she handed him the ball he escorted her to his cottage and pulled out a large book that had her name in the book. He explained to her that the ball was the Magic Warble and she was the "chosen one". She was transported to the land of Bernovem to take the Magic Warble and place it in it's final resting place. In doing so she would save Bernovem from the evil Queen Sentz. This must be done before she could return home.

Two fairies, one that was really rude, would guide her on her journey. Then along the way a not so charming but handsome Prince Werrien volunteered to defend her as he leads her on the journey.

And so her quest began facing the deadly "zelbocks" sent by the Queen to steal away the Magic Warble from Kristina.

This is an adventurous, spine tingling tale of a young girl out to defeat a wicked Queen, her son, zelbocks and an evil dwarf.

Then there were those that did not like the Queen and her evil ways and wanted to help Kristina in her journey. Like the talking animals, the kind dwarf, gnomes and fairies. Not to forget a handsome prince.

Will Kristina survive her journey and place the Magic Warble in it's final resting place in order to save Bernovem? Will she ever see her family again?

I recommend this book to kids with an adventurous heart and mind.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I won this book on a giveaway. The author provided me with a free copy of the book. I was in no way compensated for my review. It is my own opinion.

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Free Book Giveaway: Three ecopies of The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox	1	6	Feb 25, 2013 11:35am

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