The Emerald Atlas (The Books of Beginning #1) by John Stephens

Nov 27, 2010 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fantasy fans

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, 2010, humorous, multi-dimensional, reviewed, tear-jerkers, zombies, highly-recommended, blog_etb, review-copies, challenge-1010

I requested this book thinking that it would be a fun and magical children's story aimed at 8-10 year olds, like with the Percy Jackson series, but I was really surprised by the complexity and depth in this book, as well as the darkness, and loved every minute of reading it. I'm actually a little disappointed that I'll now have to wait for so long to read the next book and see what happens.

Kate, Michael and Emma have been shunted from orphanage to orphanage for 10 years, since being removed fro...more I requested this book thinking that it would be a fun and magical children's story aimed at 8-10 year olds, like with the Percy Jackson series, but I was really surprised by the complexity and depth in this book, as well as the darkness, and loved every minute of reading it. I'm actually a little disappointed that I'll now have to wait for so long to read the next book and see what happens.

Kate, Michael and Emma have been shunted from orphanage to orphanage for 10 years, since being removed from their parents' house one Christmas Eve with a kiss and a promise that they'll be reunited again... one day. Then, after missing their last chance at placement with a foster family, they are sent to Cambridge Falls, where they stumble on an adventure that has been both 15 and thousands of years in the making.

This story reminded me of other children's stories - but only little bits and pieces. There was nothing I could really point to and say, "Oh, he was inspired by THIS story here," or anything like that, it was more just an impression that I had. I was reminded of Harry Potter, only kind of in reverse, with the opening scene of the children being taken away from their home. I was reminded of E.Nesbit's stories as well throughout the book, mainly by the tone and the family loyalty theme. I was reminded of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe a few times, and The Hobbit a few times, etc. But again, these were more like impressions that I had, rather than feeling like anything was actually borrowed from what came before.

Despite feeling a vague sense of familiarity with these books, I felt like The Emerald Atlas was very original and different. I loved the concept of time travel, and how it actually came about. I thought it was just the right level of complex to logically and magically work, but was still explained in a way that everyone could understand and follow. The storyline was exciting and the creatures and characters were all interesting.

I loved the characters - they were all believable and identifiable to me, and I couldn't help but love them and their loyalty. Kate is the eldest, and promised her parents that she would watch out for the others. She's got a load of responsibility on her shoulders to match Atlas (which is pretty significant, actually), and she's got a heart of gold. She just can't stand seeing anyone suffer or hurt, and instantly falls into a nurturing role when needed. Emma was my favorite, I think. She's the youngest, and the type of girl who's strong and forceful because she cannot take being hurt, not when that's all she's ever known. She's quick to love though, and her love is a little desperate and fierce. I loved her and I can't wait to see her next adventure. Michael, the middle child, was hilarious. A studious Dwarf-scholar, he is the smart and logical one of the trio. He was constantly making me laugh by his bald-faced awe in a lot of the situations they were in. I truly loved how each of the children brought their own unique aspects and each played and intricate role in the story and worked as a team. I was glad that they had trials, because they each had time to shine.

There was a lot more that I loved about this, but I think that I'll just recommend that you read it yourselves. I highly recommend this one - for readers of all ages. (less)

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May 02, 2013 Sandra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, meu, porto-editora, 5-star

Tinha dado 4 estrelinhas, mas não posso. Não posso mesmo.

Qualquer fã do Harry Potter vai-se render a este primeiro livro FABULOSO.
A mesma magia, a mesma agitação febril para mudar as páginas e saber o que acontece a seguir, o mesmo fascínio estão aqui presentes de uma maneira que eu (adulta) adorei. Mesmo. Muito.

Então vamos à história em si.

Três irmãos. A mais velha é a Kate, o do meio é o Michael e a mais novinha é a Emma.

Em tudo são crianças normais, embora tenham sido entregues num orfanato p...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dieses Buch, ist ja ziemlich beliebt, da der Autor John Stephens bei vielen Serien wie z.b Glimore Girls mitgeabreitet hat. Als er sich dann entschloss ein Buch zu schreiben, war es einer seiner besten Entscheidungen.

Das Cover ist im Deutschen wirklich viel schöner als im Englischen, außerdem finde ich auch den Titel "Die Chroniken von Anbeginn" viel ansprechender. Nun, ich habe dieses Buch auf Deutsch gelesen und bin begeistert. Zuerst war ich eher skepitsch, aber jetzt warte ich schön aufgereg...more

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Oct 21, 2011 Kellee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook, adventure, middle-grade, fantasy, amazon-review-done, teach-mentor-texts, my-best-of-2011

Complete review at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/...

(An almost 5)

Summary: Kate, Michael and Emma have been alone for 10 years. Kate's last memory of her mother is as the 3 of them were being taken away; her mother told her to take care of her siblings and that has been the center of Kate's existence since then. And she has done the best she could as the three of them have been shuffled from orphanage to orphanage never really finding home and always wondering why their parents abandoned...more Complete review at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/...

(An almost 5)

Summary: Kate, Michael and Emma have been alone for 10 years. Kate's last memory of her mother is as the 3 of them were being taken away; her mother told her to take care of her siblings and that has been the center of Kate's existence since then. And she has done the best she could as the three of them have been shuffled from orphanage to orphanage never really finding home and always wondering why their parents abandoned them. But their newest orphanage is different- there are no other kids, it is run by a mysterious man named Dr. Pym, odd things are happening and it's in a town that seems more dead than alive. And the odd becomes odder when they discover a book, place a picture in it, and travel back 15 years in the past to a time where conflict is at the center of the town.

What I Thought: First, I am biased because I listened to the audio book and I love Jim Dale. Anything Jim Dale reads automatically is good. As a friend of mine said on Twitter, I could listen to him read the phone booth. So, back to the book... this book is EPIC! I can't think of much to compare it to, but the adventure is at the same level as Harry Potter, Lightning Thief, Peter & The Starcatchers, Kingdom Keepers, etc. Although a similar adventure-type book, it is a very much unique and stand alone novel.

The character building and development in this novel was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the three siblings, they were all very unique, but complete and likable as well. Kate is the responsible one who follows the rules, tries to keep the peace and overall does what she promised her mother. Michael is the scholar and dreamer. He loves dwarves and constantly is writing in his journal. Emma is our rebel, always picking fights and saying exactly what is on her mind. There were also some supporting characters who really made the book come alive such as Gabriel, a man from a nearby village who Emma befriends, and Robbie the dwarf king, who Michael is in awe of. The only character I never felt connected to was the villain, so that may not be a bad thing.

The plot development was also pretty flawless and in a book that has time travel, magic, changing pasts and three protagonists, it would have been very easy to become lost, but John Stephens mapped out his plot perfectly and it all comes together (including the end which was just enough conclusion to have closure, but just enough cliff hanger that you must read the sequel).

Another plus of this series, is that I believe that it will be loved as a middle grade and a young adult novel. It could easily be classified as both because it is just a pure fantasy adventure that will grip any reader.

Snatch of Text: "The tall man had moved into the glow of a streetlamp and was clearly visible for the first time. To a casual passerby, his appearance would not have inspired much confidence. His overcoat was patched in spots and frayed at the cuffs, he wore an old tweed suit that was missing a button, his white shirt was stained with ink and tobacco, and his tie - this was perhaps the strangest of all - was knotted not once but twice, as if he'd forgotten whether he's tied it and, rather than glancing down to check, had simply tied it again for good measure. His white hair poked out from beneath his hat, and his eyebrows rose from his forehead like great snowy horns, curling over a pair of bent and patched tortoiseshell glasses. All in all, he looked like someone who had gotten dressed int he midst of a whirlwind and, thinking he still looked too presentable, had thrown himself down a flight of stairs." (p. 3-4)(less)

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Jun 08, 2012 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, magic, favorites

I’m personally not a big fan of fantasy books, but I picked this one up because it got such good reviews and sounded interesting. The first book in a new trilogy, it’s the story of 3 young siblings who have been in various orphanages for 10 years, despite their conviction that their parents are coming back for them some day. Their lives change when Kate, Michael and Emma discover a powerful book of magic which leads them on exciting but dangerous time travel adventures and to the realization tha...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Kerith rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade, audio

I started this with a fair amount of skepticism. Considering this has all the hallmarks of the usual derivative fantasy: "children of destiny", a missing magical object upon which the safety of the world hangs in the balance, a very evil bad person, an angelic good person, DWARVES, a wizard, etc etc...really, I should have been rolling my eyes so hard they fell out. But I wasn't. I really, really liked it. The place and time feel like the present, and yet not quite (in what Baltimore is there an...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Allison rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club, re-read

This is an amazing book! Let me restate that: this is an AMAZING, TERRIFIC, APPALLING, AWESOME, EXTREME, SHOCKING, MONSTROUS, ASTOUNDING, ELECTRIFYING, FLABBERGASTING, IMPRESSING, ASTONISHING, IMAGINATIVE, GRASPING book!!!!!!!! Ten years ago Christmas, 3 kids were dropped at an orphanage. They know their parents are alive. For the past ten years the children have gone from orphange to orphanage. Now they are headed to the mysterios Cambridge Falls that nobody can tell them anything about. There...more

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Mar 28, 2013 Ramona Balan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Era da tempo che non leggevo un fantasy per ragazzi, un pò perché ultimamente sono molto impegnata con le letture scolastiche ("Mastro don Gesualdo", "I Malavoglia", "Madame Bovary") e un pò perché si sa, in quinta superiore il tempo scarseggia :)
Mi sono voluta concedere una lettura leggera leggera: un pomeriggio mi trovavo nella biblioteca del paese vicino al mio e ho fatto questa piacevole "scoperta". Non avevo mai sentito parlare, di questa trilogia ( I Libri del' Inizio) che promette molto...more Era da tempo che non leggevo un fantasy per ragazzi, un pò perché ultimamente sono molto impegnata con le letture scolastiche ("Mastro don Gesualdo", "I Malavoglia", "Madame Bovary") e un pò perché si sa, in quinta superiore il tempo scarseggia :)
Mi sono voluta concedere una lettura leggera leggera: un pomeriggio mi trovavo nella biblioteca del paese vicino al mio e ho fatto questa piacevole "scoperta". Non avevo mai sentito parlare, di questa trilogia ( I Libri del' Inizio) che promette molto bene nonostante gli aspri commenti che ho riscontrato in giro per il web. Non voglio difendere Stephens anche se lo stimo molto e lo reputo una buona penna. Ma trovo veramente snervante il fatto che ancora ci si limita a paragonare tra loro gli scrittori. Trovo ingiusto e infantile dire "Ah, ma questo ha fatto un copia e incolla tra la Rowling e Lewis." oppure "Non raggiungerà mai i livelli di Harry Potter" . Io credo che ogni libro sia unico perché ogni scrittore è capace di regalarci, attraverso i vari personaggi, una rosa variopinta di emozioni. Perché alla fine è quello che cercano i lettori: le emozioni. E Stephens credo che di emozioni, sa scrivere molto bene. E' vero, in questo libro non vengono introdotte novità: magia, nani, elfi, esseri fantastici fanno da grande contorno della storia. Ma i punti sui quali mi vorrei soffermare sono essenzialmente due. Il primo è la straordinaria capacità dello scrittore di restituire descrizioni molto particolareggiate; i personaggi vengono descritti in modo chiaro e ci appare un' immagine molto nitida e realistica di ognuno di loro. Gli ambienti creano magiche suggestioni, basta pensare alle verdissime foreste, alle acque cristalline dei ruscelli, alla freschezza dell' aria incontaminata. Il secondo punto è la varietà di temi trattati: il senso di sacrificio di Kate, che si assicura che i fratellini siano al sicuro e protetti, l' amicizia,il coraggio, l' amore fraterno, la famiglia, quest' ultimo tema meno scontato dato che negli ultimi anni sembra quasi che sia diventata una moda lo sfascio della famiglia. Temi adatti alla lettura dei ragazzi, ai preadolescenti e non solo dato il tono incalzante e semplice.
Se cercate un libro emozionante, piacevole, coinvolgente appassionante, allora avete trovato ciò che fa a caso vostro.
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Feb 21, 2013 Aany Tazmin rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children

Ok, so I really shouldn't say I've read it yet because, technically, I'm on the last CD of the audiobook and everything is wrapping up, but it's not technically over yet. But good gravy, I wish it was.

I shouldn't complain - this book (random handoff from a friend before a trip to chicago, partly unaccompanied) probably saved me from falling asleep at the wheel, but the exposition is SO TIRESOME.

No, John Stephens, you really do not have to tell the childrens' story again start to finish each tim...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Willa added it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, young-adult

Generally speaking I liked this book. The beginning reminded me of Harry Potter and the first Series of Unfortunate Events, except without the humor of the first and the slight snide edge of the second. Three children were taken away from their parents when only the oldest, Kate, was old enough to remember being told by her mother to look after her siblings Michael and Emma. They go from one orphanage to another, progressively worse, until after 10 years when they are sent to the strange desolat...more

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Feb 04, 2013 Nerine Dorman rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Take everything that you loved about Harry Potter, Narnia and Middle Earth, mix it all together, and The Emerald Atlas will satisfy the dreams of your inner wide-eyed 10-year-old. A wise wizard? Yes. (Okay he does come across a little bumbling at times, and wears tweed, but he's a wizard nonetheless.) An evil countess who's really a witch? Yes. Dwarves? Lots of 'em, and all sporting the prerequisite beards and Scottish accents. Oh, don't forget the hero. And a monster.

Then add a magic book, enou...more Take everything that you loved about Harry Potter, Narnia and Middle Earth, mix it all together, and The Emerald Atlas will satisfy the dreams of your inner wide-eyed 10-year-old. A wise wizard? Yes. (Okay he does come across a little bumbling at times, and wears tweed, but he's a wizard nonetheless.) An evil countess who's really a witch? Yes. Dwarves? Lots of 'em, and all sporting the prerequisite beards and Scottish accents. Oh, don't forget the hero. And a monster.

Then add a magic book, enough time-travelling to make your head spin, and three orphans who are trying to free a village while keeping a priceless artefact out of the clutches of evil, and you've got quite the epic fantasy.

Though it's been a while since I've read children's fiction, I very soon locked my inner adult in a cupboard and delved into The Emerald Atlas, book one of The Books of Beginning trilogy.

As far as storytelling goes, this is a fairly standard elaboration on the "chosen one" trope, but John Stephens handles it in such a way that it didn't result in any eye-rolling. Granted, the novel gets off to a bit of a slow start, but what sold it to me was the large cast of support characters.

I'd have liked to have seen some of these get more prominence (or get their story arcs tied up neatly), as with Dena or Granny Peet; the former, unless she gets a reprise, didn't serve that much purpose.

The setting is difficult to place. At first I thought the novel takes place in Victorian or Edwardian times, but the appearance of a Polaroid camera quickly nixed that idea. For some this might be an issue, but I chose to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the story for what it is: three children out to save the world from a powerful megalomaniac and her creepy minions (and the Secretary is horrible). What I appreciated is that Katherine, Emma and Michael aren't sugary little kids. They bicker among each other and make mistakes. Yet somehow they make things work, and they have the adventure of a lifetime. Even better, it's not done yet.(less)

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Jan 20, 2013 Terri rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Stephens, a former television writer, knows how to spin a good yarn. The Emerald Atlas is a promising beginning to his aptly named trilogy The Books of Beginning. 14-year-old Kate, 12-year-old Michael and 11-year-old Emma have spent the past ten years in a succession of ever-worsening orphanages, hopefully awaiting the promised return of their parents. Now they're being transferred yet again, this time to a home in the village of Cambridge Falls. Before they even arrive they realize there is muc...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Migdalia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-ir-fantasy

Sometimes authors have really good ideas, but they need more time or more pages to develop them. Such is the case with The Emerald Atlas. We've seen this kind of thing before: children who turn out to be "chosen ones" who have to fulfill some prophecy to save the world from the clutches of evil. Some authors invest the time and create masterworks (Rowling, Lewis, Flanagan). Others have nice ideas, but the storytelling involved is a lot more complicated than they are willing to do or are capable...more Sometimes authors have really good ideas, but they need more time or more pages to develop them. Such is the case with The Emerald Atlas. We've seen this kind of thing before: children who turn out to be "chosen ones" who have to fulfill some prophecy to save the world from the clutches of evil. Some authors invest the time and create masterworks (Rowling, Lewis, Flanagan). Others have nice ideas, but the storytelling involved is a lot more complicated than they are willing to do or are capable of doing. John Stephens clearly has the vision and talent (based on his bio), but he fell short when writing this one. Here's a case where 50-100 pages more would have helped.

The reason for that is you are left having to suspend a lot of disbelief, and things don't make too much sense. For example, orphaned or abandoned children who have trust issues due to their feelings of abandonment and abuse are not all of a sudden going to form unwavering bonds with complete strangers who happen to be pretty scary in their appearance. Adults are not going to listen to 10 year-old girls during town hall meetings about going to war against an evil witch. You can't switch on an idea about time travel (using photos to help move about), and then suddenly ditch it and give a flimsy answer that accounts for only one of the travelers. The plots need some time to be hashed out, and the characters need to be better developed. Although the eldest child gets some decent treatment, the other two are at best bratty. You can't see yourself sympathizing with them or wanting to help. If anything, you kind of hope that the eldest sibling can go off on her own (which she does at certain points) and leave the other two out (but you can't).

I like the idea, but I'd like it even better if some of things weren't so predictable. WHY does there always have to be an obnoxious child (or two of them)?Both Harry Potter and The Ranger's Apprentice series successfully got away from that formula. WHY can't authors build their ideas more slowly, or take more time developing them? Colfer does this really well in his Artemis Fowl series, and his first book was about the same length as this one. This book had the feel of a treatment for a TV show, which is OK but falls flat as a novel. This is another one that didn't inspire me to check out the other books in the series unless I can get them at a bargain price.(less)

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Dec 26, 2012 Libby rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s-fiction, fantasy, audio-book

Somehow, I missed writing a review on this, so I'm not sure when I first listened to it. I think it would have been early in 2012. I enjoyed the reading by Jim Dale, but it didn't seem to merit such a great reader. However, I just finished the second book and the series improves. I'll see if I can write a review so long after reading.

Kate, Michael, and Emma have spent most of their young lives being passed around from one foul orphanage to another. However, Kate steadfastly claims that their par...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Katri rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

Actual rating might be 3.5.

A fun and fairly original fantasy adventure, the first of a series, aimed especially at children/teenager audience. The story was original and imaginative enough, though still having a lot that reminds you of things in various fantasy books. It's about three siblings (Kate, Michael and Emma) who have spent almost all their lives wandering from one orphanage to another, until the last one they're sent to is the start of an unexpected adventure involving a mysterious mag...more Actual rating might be 3.5.

A fun and fairly original fantasy adventure, the first of a series, aimed especially at children/teenager audience. The story was original and imaginative enough, though still having a lot that reminds you of things in various fantasy books. It's about three siblings (Kate, Michael and Emma) who have spent almost all their lives wandering from one orphanage to another, until the last one they're sent to is the start of an unexpected adventure involving a mysterious magical book, an evil villainess, an eccentric wizard and dwarves, among other things.

What I enjoyed: the story and the world it takes place in, and the way the fantasy element intertwines with a normal world. Also, the normal world feels like it has some influences from Roald Dahl, Dickens and a host of other writers whom I can't think of anymore but whose style I enjoy nevertheless. I liked the three siblings - my favourite was Michael, he was adorable in his enthusiastic nerdiness and refreshing among male characters in fantasy that he's not a typical hero boy. I liked it that the villain of the story was a rather originally chosen one, even if her personality didn't have that much depth. The story was entertaining and exciting and it was a good amount of fun for a few days. However, it was a bit too plot-heavy for my liking: there was this breathless sense of constantly running from one plot twist to the next without ever pausing to reflect on anything, look around, or simply give you a chance to digest anything. It also was emotionally rather thin most of the time. The characters went through all sorts of dramatic events and most of the time their emotional reactions were scarcely described, or when they were described it was hard to actually feel them. I'm big on getting emotions out of stories, and this story sadly fell flat to me on that level. There were some touching moments but overall it didn't touch me. Also most of the other characters than the sibilings and the wizard were sadly undeveloped and didn't really have any personalities. Being big on characters as well, and delighting on when also minor characters have interesting and well-developed personalities, this also made the story feel a bit too empty for me.

I might check out the next volumes, though, the story and the world were interesting enough and I want to see what Michael gets up to in the next books. But after reading this I'm craving for something with more emotional substance.(less)

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Kathryn Great review, Katri! I tried this on audiobook and I only made it about half way through. I missed the emotional, thoughtful depth that you so eloquen...more
Nov 16, 2012 01:41pm

Katri If I continue reading, I'll try to remember to post a review here again (I've been a bit lazy about posting reviews this year, I know...). I'm glad I'...more
Nov 16, 2012 11:06pm

Sep 26, 2012 Marshiee Kai rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't know how this book could be put into the same group as J.K. Rowling. This book still has a long way to go to even be on my favourite list. O-oh I am starting to get harsh. Sorry in advance. I have a lot more to say. First of all this book has taken the most common plot there is out there-orphans. Somehow I think the reason so many authors decide to make their heroes orphans because it's easier that way. No certain obligation, no thinking twice about running all over the globe and etc. It...more I don't know how this book could be put into the same group as J.K. Rowling. This book still has a long way to go to even be on my favourite list. O-oh I am starting to get harsh. Sorry in advance. I have a lot more to say. First of all this book has taken the most common plot there is out there-orphans. Somehow I think the reason so many authors decide to make their heroes orphans because it's easier that way. No certain obligation, no thinking twice about running all over the globe and etc. It's too often used that it's getting annoying.

The idea of travelling through time is intriguing and that's the main reason I continue on reading this book. The story can be fast and slow at times but never did I get excited over anything that happened in this book. The narrative of the story itself is slow, flat and lifeless. There is no excitement in it. It doesn't make you want to read more or make you wonder what's going to happen. A few times I'm thinking of putting this book down and forget about it but I am not easily defeated. I've read worst. So I continue on reading in hope of something that would make me love this book like how everybody else seems to like it but there's nothing.

The only thing I love and appreciate in this book is the bond between the three siblings, orphans and heroes namely Kate, Michael and Emma. Kate is the oldest and she is responsible for the promise she made to her mother to take care of her siblings. I feel sorry for her because I understand what she is going through being the eldest of the siblings myself. Michael is the nerd one in the family. I love Michael for his excitement with dwarves and I think the only time I laughed is when Michael finally found a dwarf. Emma is the youngest in the family and she reminded me a lot to my sister who is such an annoying brat that I feel sorry for Michael that is always in fight with Emma. Seriously, the ONLY thing I love in this book is the bond between the siblings. Other than that, nothing.

Having read a lot of books with magics I have a distinct idea of how magic is a complex thing and I get irritated a lot of times after reading how the magicians, in this case Dr.Pym use their magic with such simplicity that it is ridiculous. This book is certainly not one of the adventures that I've enjoyed. (less)

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Sep 18, 2012 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Questo libro mi è stato regalato dalla mia mamma e devo ammettere che, nonostante il mio scetticismo iniziale, è stato una lettura molto bella, dalla quale difficilmente sono riuscita a staccarmi, e portandomi così a leggere queste 456 pagine in poco meno di due giorni. "L'atlante di smeraldo" è di fatto un romanzo che sa farsi amare fin dalle prime pagine, sebbene inizi con un'immagine struggente di una famiglia separata, e per giunta durante la notte di Natale: la notte che più di tutte risve

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Questo libro mi è stato regalato dalla mia mamma e devo ammettere che, nonostante il mio scetticismo iniziale, è stato una lettura molto bella, dalla quale difficilmente sono riuscita a staccarmi, e portandomi così a leggere queste 456 pagine in poco meno di due giorni. "L'atlante di smeraldo" è di fatto un romanzo che sa farsi amare fin dalle prime pagine, sebbene inizi con un'immagine struggente di una famiglia separata, e per giunta durante la notte di Natale: la notte che più di tutte risveglia (o almeno dovrebbe risvegliare) i buoni sentimenti.

Dieci anni dopo la separazione, ecco Kate, Emma e Michael cresciuti tra un orfanotrofio e l'altro, che si preparano per essere accolti nell'ennesima nuovo edificio, denominato Cambridge Falls..che tutto ha, tranne che l'aspetto di un istituto per tre ragazzini senza genitori. E che ovviamente, alimenta tutte le fantasie possibili dei tre, che proprio in una delle loro esplorazioni all'interno dell'edificio, trovano una stanza, che prima non c'era, e che contiene uno strano libro capace di trasportarli in posti diversi. Il libro è la chiave di volta: è l'elemento che servirà per muoversi tra passato e presente..forse alla ricerca della soluzione del mistero di quella tanto odiata notte di Natale.

Tra mondi diversi, alchimisti e contesse ben poco regali, i tre fratelli "P" si troveranno in mezzo ad avventure eroiche, riscoprendo il valore della famiglia e degli amici, ed imparando a cercare sempre risposte alle loro domande.

Lo stile narrativo è scorrevole, senza descrizioni troppo prolisse ma essenziali per dare un'idea al lettore dei personaggi e delle ambientazioni che sta incontrando, pur lasciando molto spazio alla sua stessa fantasia; troviamo inoltre, tutti gli elementi per un'avventura unita ad una grande quantità di fantasy per ragazzi (fate, maghi, gnomi, alchimisti, re, regine, lande desolate ed altre popolate da strane creature). John Stephens ci regala una favola nuova, un misto tra Narnia e Lemony Snicket, in cui non c'è spazio per la noia e il ritmo è sempre incalzante, fino al finale che lascia decisamente l'amaro in bocca e l'impazienza per i prossimi due volumi di questa trilogia che ci lascerà senza dubbio una grande quantità di colpi di scena.

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Sep 13, 2012 Gail Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book Review: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Three children Kate, Michael and Emma are brought up in various orphanages although they know their parents are not dead. Mystery surrounds their circumstances and why their parents allowed them to be taken away.

When they are moved to a new orphanage 10 years later weird things begin to happen. The children find a book which transports them to a different time. They are caught up in the local town’s troubles. The children are being held captive in t...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Miss Anne Lynn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Primo romanzo della trilogia I libri dell'inizio, L'Atlante di smeraldo è un libro scorrevole, infatti si legge in poco tempo, nonostante le 456 pagine, intenso, ricco di emozioni e davvero ben sviluppato.
Se da una parte abbiamo tanti elementi già visti e ampiamente sfruttati in altri fantasy molto più famosi di questo (Harry Potter, Il Signore degli Anelli, Narnia, ecc.), dall'altra Stephens è riuscito a creare un mondo parallelo interessante, dove i personaggi si muovono e interagiscono tra di...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I ran into this book by accident; I believe it was a Utah Beehive Award Book last year. I was searching for this year's nominees and picked up "The Emerald Atlas" instead. Great mistake on my part, this book was really good.

Kate, Michael and Emma are three siblings who have been in orphanages for the last ten years. Kate, the oldest, remembers her parents a little and remembers the Christmas Eve night a man came to their house and took them away to safety. Kate remembers her mom bending down and...more

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May 09, 2012 Bonanza Jellybn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Upon finishing this book I looked up the author for sequels. Darn... a second is still in the works. I must wait. But I am looking forward to the 2nd. We will see if Mr. Stephens will continue to flesh out his characters. There is sooo much more that *could* be there.
Here is a good start to what could be a lovely little series. Nothing serious or heavy; a pleasurable, light, read.

Example: The infamous Harry Potter series is what I would describe as a serious and heavily detailed story (yes of...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Alyce (At Home With Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Emerald Atlas is the first book in the Books of Beginning Trilogy. The three siblings Kate, Michael and Emma have grown up in an orphanage – always expecting their parents to fulfill their promise to return. The kids are bounced from orphanage to orphanage, each one worse than the last. With their next transfer they are afraid of what horrid conditions they might find.

To be sure, their new orphanage is run down and very unusual in ways that they don’t yet know. It’s all very mysterious and b...more The Emerald Atlas is the first book in the Books of Beginning Trilogy. The three siblings Kate, Michael and Emma have grown up in an orphanage – always expecting their parents to fulfill their promise to return. The kids are bounced from orphanage to orphanage, each one worse than the last. With their next transfer they are afraid of what horrid conditions they might find.

To be sure, their new orphanage is run down and very unusual in ways that they don’t yet know. It’s all very mysterious and becomes even stranger when one day when they least expect it they are magically transported elsewhere. I can’t say where or how they are transported without taking away from the excitement and mystery of the story, but suffice it to say that it is something that opens up endless possibilities.

This book has a lot going for it that will appeal to fans of children’s fantasy. It’s got magic, unusual creatures, hidden realms, secret prophecies and some very creepy evil villains. If I had to make comparisons I would say that it has elements similar to those found in The Lord of the Rings, the Narnia books, the Harry Potter books, and the Lemony Snicket books.

I was surprised at first at how what a quick and intense read it was for a children’s book. Most middle grade books don’t do a good job of holding my attention, and this one was definitely an exception. Full of action and adventure, in many instances it made me tense with anticipation of what was going to happen to the children.

The author pulls you into the new magical world that the children are discovering, and you get to see it through their eyes as they are seeing it for the first time. The mechanism by which the children are able to travel creates a lot of opportunities for further adventures in the later books (which I will definitely be reading).

The writing is appropriate for middle graders, but is not so basic that it can’t be enjoyed by older readers too. Some of the action is intense, but I think most middle graders will eat it up. I have already recommended it to my fourth grader.(less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Book Angel Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review by Scamp

‘The Emerald Atlas’, is the first book of a series packed to the seams with thrills. However, there is one particular problem that limits it. There’s something decidedly difficult about placing the period the story is set. When we first meet the protagonist siblings, there’s an air of the early twentieth century, with little mention of cars or any other indicators of the modern world which works fine until nineteen years earlier we’re confronted with a woman in jeans. Wha!? Who? H...more Review by Scamp

‘The Emerald Atlas’, is the first book of a series packed to the seams with thrills. However, there is one particular problem that limits it. There’s something decidedly difficult about placing the period the story is set. When we first meet the protagonist siblings, there’s an air of the early twentieth century, with little mention of cars or any other indicators of the modern world which works fine until nineteen years earlier we’re confronted with a woman in jeans. Wha!? Who? How did this happen? This in turn impacts on the main timeline, fifteen years into the past. Only one gun is ever mentioned and not once is there anything more advanced than swords and crossbows used in the numerous clashes throughout the story which leaves an uneasy mix of technology and magic that could’ve been avoided with a little more consistency.

It’s particularly odd as the explanation of time travel I felt was particularly well done, with simple and consistently enforced rules that avoid complicating contradictions within the timeline.

Other than that my only other complaint is perhaps the portrayal of the Dwarves who have some heavy influence from their cousins in Moria with isolationist attitudes abound and you have to be careful not to fall over with the amount of craftsmanship all over the place. That being said, it doesn’t stop them from still being enjoyable characters.

By far and away Dr. Pym is the standout character of the novel. His quirky outfit and flips between sage advice and commenting on breakfast for dinner, (Which, by the way sounds delicious. Pancakes and jam doughnuts anyone?) is fun to read and provides a light and fluffy contrast to intense action scenes. Like a delicious meringue on top of a rich chocolate sponge, with that melted chocolate centre which oozes out when you cut into it and there’s never quite enough there so you clearly require seconds to be full and I may have forgotten where I was going with this...Anyway!

I initially found the protagonists to bear some similarity to the Baudelaire orphans of A series of unfortunate events, Protective elder sister Kate, bookworm brother Michael and impetuous little sister Emma but the trio do develop their own identity and personalities, even showing their fallibility and in some cases naivety of the events happening around them, affording the opportunity for them to earn my respect for them as well as from other characters. Despite this, there is still something about the supporting cast that I can’t put my finger on that I find more enjoyable (and that’s not solely down to Dr. Pym.)

So overall? ‘The Emerald Atlas’ is the start of a promising series. It does have its faults, but hopefully ones that will be ironed out. Nonetheless it is a good adventure with a story and character’s you’ll happily read more about. And for me at least it has raised the important question of how much one can make a metaphor out of cake.(less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s

This is an exciting adventure, fantasy book that begins with three siblings being whisked away from their parents by a sorcerer and taken to a series of orphanages. Kate, the oldest, is told to keep the children safe and she does her best. Michael is bookish and loves learning about dwarves, Emma, the youngest is headstrong and a fighter. They find themselves 10 year later at a very strange orphanage, of which they are the only 3 children. Then a green atlas whisks them to 15 years earlier where...more

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Mar 11, 2012 Lunática Pirate rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kate, Michael y Emma son apartados de sus padres a temprana edad sin mayor explicación y con el único recuerdo de una promesa hecha entre la mayor de ellos y su madre, cuidarse entre sí y permanecer juntos. Luego de 10 años y el paso por más de diez orfanatos terminan en Cascadas de Cambridge, un modesto pueblecito cerca de un acantilado que esconde un pasado oscuro; en él conocerán a la disparatada de la señora Sallow y el cojo anciano Abraham, ambos al servicio del jovial doctor Pym. Al intent...more Kate, Michael y Emma son apartados de sus padres a temprana edad sin mayor explicación y con el único recuerdo de una promesa hecha entre la mayor de ellos y su madre, cuidarse entre sí y permanecer juntos. Luego de 10 años y el paso por más de diez orfanatos terminan en Cascadas de Cambridge, un modesto pueblecito cerca de un acantilado que esconde un pasado oscuro; en él conocerán a la disparatada de la señora Sallow y el cojo anciano Abraham, ambos al servicio del jovial doctor Pym. Al intentar descubrir los secretos que esconde la morada del doctor Pym se encuentran con un misterioso libro color esmeralda que invoca una ancestral y poderosa magia, ahora con él en sus manos Kate, Michael y Emma deberán salvar el pasado de Cascadas de Cambridge sin perder la vida en el intento.
De no ser por mi indispensable amigo de la librería lo más seguro es que hubiera pasado por alto durante un buen tiempo. El libro llama la atención no sólo por su portada sino también por su sinopsis, aunque hay un pequeño error en cuanto a la parte en que Michael adora los elfos, más bien sería los enanos pero decidí dejarlo tal cual la contra-portada.
Con críticas excelentes me embarqué en su lectura, puedo decir que he quedado más que satisfecha y con ganas de tener la segunda parte en mis manos.
Kate no es la típica adolescente que desatiende a sus hermanos para concentrarse en sí misma, todo lo contrario. Es una chica capaz de dar su vida con tal de preservar la de sus hermanos, siempre velando por ellos. Cuando descubre el atlas se siente aterrada e intrigada al notar que éste sólo reacciona con su persona, después de todo que un libro con capacidad de viajar al futuro funcione con el solo roce de tus manos no es lo más normal del mundo.
Michael es un poco pesado en cuanto al tema de los enanos, decir que está obsesionado con ellos sería decir poco; un poco cerebrito para el gusto, pero saber un poco de todo puede ser ventajoso cuando te estás enfrentando a una condesa diabólica que busca controlar el mundo. De los tres hermanos, sentí que fue el de menor protagonismo, espero mejore mi impresión en los volúmenes venideros.
Emma es demasiado violenta y arrebatada para una niña de apenas 11 años, pero no se puede esperar más de una chica que fue criada en orfanatos, lejos de sus padres. Aún con esa personalidad tan explosiva, es una ternura completa cuando está preocupada por Gabriel o sus hermanos. Sinceramente es la más fuerte de los tres, aún siendo la menor.
Los personajes secundarios no parecen del todo secundarios, puede que no se ahonde mucho en sus historias (a lo mejor por ser el primer volumen de la saga) pero su protagonismo es tan importante como el de los tres hermanos. Sin el rey Robbie y su guardia de enanos no podrían haber salvado a los niños de las manos de la condesa, sin Gabriel no hubieran podido estar seguros durante su viaje, sin el profesor Pym se hubieran quedado cortos de explicaciones.
Sinceramente el señor Stephens sabe como hacer importantes hasta al más mínimo de los personajes.
Tal como dice la crítica de la contra portada: “(...) El Atlas Esmeralda, dispuesta a convertirse en un clásico de la literatura juvenil como la mismísima saga de Harry Potter o las Crónicas de Narnia”.
El libro es sumamente adictivo, no te dan ganas de soltarlo hasta que llegas al final. Espero con ansias los siguientes volúmenes, que según se dio a entender en éste será una trilogía.
El libro está muy bien narrado (en tercera persona del pasado), te da esa sensación de apego que se tuvo con Harry Potter; los personajes son tan humanos que no dudaría que el lector logré identificarse con alguno.(less)

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Mar 06, 2012 IndyPL Kids Book Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, fantasy

There are serveral things in The Emerald Atlas that remind me of other books…3 kids, an orphanage, sassy dwarves, a town of missing children, magic books, good friends, a mysterious old man with bushy white hair and eyebrows (a wizard?) and a beautiful evil woman who wants DOMINION OVER ALL THE WORLD! But there is not too much of the familiar - there is just enough to make me say, “this is just the kind of book I like!”

Kate remembers the most about that long ago Christmas Eve when she and Michae...more

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Feb 23, 2012 Bhanu Chandra G rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I saw the preview of this book on the back cover and still felt apprehensive but I took the risk and bought it. :) Glad I did.

It's a fantasy world out there and as promised by author it can be thought of like Harry Potter series with more adventures. He justified it. It's quite good read actually. The story of three orphans spanning across past and present along the borders of magic world interspersed with modern world (Narnia, anyone? :)) and past is quite alluring to say the least. The Author...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Barb Middleton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Magic. Wizards. Time Travel. Dwarves. Witches. Adventure. Sounds fun, right? It is!

In The Emerald Atlas, by John Stephens, Kate, Michael, and Emma are being shuffled from orphanage to orphanage after their parents mysteriously give them up. Kate is told by her mother to look after Michael and Emma, but when they end up in a creepy mansion in Cambridge Falls with a book that allows them to travel through time, Kate’s job becomes impossible. Not only are evil creatures trying to capture the three...more Magic. Wizards. Time Travel. Dwarves. Witches. Adventure. Sounds fun, right? It is!

In The Emerald Atlas, by John Stephens, Kate, Michael, and Emma are being shuffled from orphanage to orphanage after their parents mysteriously give them up. Kate is told by her mother to look after Michael and Emma, but when they end up in a creepy mansion in Cambridge Falls with a book that allows them to travel through time, Kate’s job becomes impossible. Not only are evil creatures trying to capture the three children who are the only ones who can use the powerful ancient books, but an evil witch has captured the children of Cambridge Falls and will kill them if Kate doesn’t give her the ancient book called, The Atlas. Can she change the future? This fast-paced book is sure to be popular with students.

The characterizations are hilarious, especially with the dwarf, King Hamish: “…’fore we get started on the whole thingamabob, what’re the names a’ these brats a’ yours who think they can just go walkin’ in my land when and where they please? Eh” Tell me that.”

“It wasn’t on purpose,” Kate bagan. “We-”

“Oi!” Hamish smacked the table. “Did I tell you to speak?! Huh? Did I say, ‘I want to hear from one of the brats’? Did I say, ‘I wish one a’ them brats would pipe up’? The dwarves around him shook their heads vigorously. “No! I said, ‘Magician.’ That’s ‘im!” He pointed a chicken wing at Dr. Pym. “So you, lassie, just keep your yapper shut. Bloody manners on this one.”

The housekeeper is funny as well. The humor and wit made the story fun and the plot twists were surprising. The part where Kate naively ends up with the witch was predictable but a surprise comes quickly thereafter. The writing is in third person omniscient from Kate’s point of view with the occasional shift to a minor character; mostly Emma. I believe this is because the next book will be from Emma’s point of view. The setup is for a sequel with many unanswered questions, but the book has a distinct ending – I didn’t feel cheated. The female characters are strong. Kate is the kind caretaker, Emma is spunky and brave, Michael is academic and brilliant. There is some violence but most is tempered with humor.
(less)

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Jan 28, 2012 Angela Mondragon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this up because I often find that young adult fantasy is much more enjoyable than adult or even teen fantasy, and I was not proven wrong. The characters drew me to them from the very beginning with their predicament, I found myself laughing, and even yelling at them as the story progressed, hoping they would make it through alright, and when I feared that I would lose a favorite as the story progressed, I was almost in tears. I am the oldest sister, and I sympathized greatly with Kate,...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Shoshana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Shoshana by: OSC

Shelves: fantasy

If this book had had photographs in it, it would have been a successful demonstration of what Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was attempting. Photos would have really helped me understand the geography of the book a little better, and would have brought it to a whole extra level (possibly five stars, even!).

As it was, I really enjoyed this book anyway - although I thought it was going to be a standalone and it totally isn't! Not fair. At least it's not a cliffhanger. Still, I think b...more

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